Flaming Desire - Part 2 (An Alpha Billionaire Romance) Read online

  He sat on his butt, knees pulled up to his chest. As I approached, he wrapped his arms around his shins. I hunched down in front of him while Matt continued onto the other car, which had been rear-ended. Its front end now pointed toward the shoulder of the road, while its rear end extended partially into the second lane of the interstate. I heard the sound of crying from that car, and then Matt's soothing voice, trying to calm the driver, a young woman from the sound of it.

  I quickly returned my attention to the man in front of me. He looked to be in his late twenties. I checked his pupils with my penlight. His pupils were dilated. I took his pulse and counted respirations while I continued to glance over him, looking for any further signs of injury, all the while speaking slowly and softly to him, asking him for any indications of pain, no matter how slight. Naturally, he was in a state of shock, but I didn't see any obvious injuries. Still, I knew better than to assume he was okay. He could very well have internal injuries, despite the way he sat, pulled in on himself. Internal injuries had a way of creeping up on you.

  “Are you sure you don’t hurt anywhere, sir?” I asked him yet again. It took him a moment to respond to my question. “Does your neck or back hurt?”

  “I'm not sure… no,” he said. “I don't know what happened… the car in front of me stopped for some reason. I tried to swerve out of the way and lost control… before I knew it I was rolling…”

  I glanced at the police officer standing over him, and he made a slight gesture with his hand, mimicking a drinking movement. I said nothing. The cause of the accident wasn't my concern. I did know however, that when accidents involved a drinker, they often seemed to come out of the accidents unharmed, even in cases like this, where the car had rolled or was otherwise totaled beyond recognition. The theory was that their bodies were more relaxed, but I wasn't so sure. Maybe it was just dumb luck. Besides, I had seen plenty of drunks who were severely or fatally injured in the emergency room.

  I heard the wailing of another siren and glanced back toward the on-ramp we had taken to approach the accident scene. I saw two ambulances coming up the ramp, one close behind the other. “The ambulance is on its way, sir,” I said, making eye contact with the driver. He avoided my direct gaze, but whether his dilated pupils were caused by alcohol or brain injury I had no way of knowing. “They're going to take you to the hospital and check you out, okay?”

  He nodded, still in a daze, and I gave one more glance to the police officer as I stood. I couldn’t do any more for him now. I waited with the man until the EMTs arrived and took over. Then I made my way quickly toward Matt. It looked like either Patrick or Sean had brought him the first aid kit filled with a number of dressings; large trauma dressings about the size of a sheet of notebook paper, over two dozen sterile 4x4’s, occlusive dressings and an assortment of roller gauze, tape and more surgical gloves.

  The front car, the one that had been rear-ended, looked like it hit the side rail and then bounced back into the slow lane, its rear end extending into the number two lane as well. The passenger door was crunched inward. Two passengers, both women sat in the front seats. The driver, the one speaking with Matt, was conscious, crying, and growing increasingly frantic despite Matt's efforts to calm her down. Her airbag had deployed, and like the first passenger I looked at, it looked like she might have a broken nose. It also looked like the side of her head had hit her side window, and it bled profusely.

  Matt was in the process of clamping a large gauze pad onto the scalp wound of the unconscious female passenger, his sterile gloves already caked with blood. Ignoring the crying of the driver, as she was conscious at least, I quickly moved to the passenger side the car beside Matt, ready to help. It was then that I noticed the massive starburst pattern on the passenger side windshield. She hadn't been wearing a seatbelt. She was lucky she hadn’t been hurled from the vehicle. No airbag deployment for some reason, again not my specialty.

  The woman's face was covered in blood and she had several severe lacerations on her scalp and face. I quickly snatched several more 4x4’s wrapped in lightweight paper wrappers and a roll of bandage. Just as I approached with the supplies to give Matt, Patrick also approached, carrying yet another backboard, this one longer, and sounding slightly out of breath as he opened the ECG kit.

  “What have we got?”

  “Several severe lacerations on the scalp, possible concussion or skull fracture, possible neck or back injury,” Matt said.

  Out in the field like this, it was not our job, nor the paramedic’s, to diagnose, but to render first aid. Patrick accessed the communication device and I heard the crackle of his shoulder microphone as he spoke to a voice on the other end. I wasn't sure which hospital he was communicating with, but helping Matt, we quickly stopped the bleeding on the woman's scalp, and then helped hold her head still while Patrick placed a rigid collar around her neck.

  Very carefully, trying not to jar her, I held her head, neck and shoulders as stationary as possible in case she had a spinal fracture, while Matt and Patrick lifted the woman out of the vehicle and placed her on the backboard. As Matt and Patrick assessed her injuries, I quickly made my way around the rear of the vehicle and took care of the driver, bandaging her bleeding scalp and trying to calm her down, a fruitless effort, it turned out.

  The accident scene was chaotic, but between the paramedics, Matt and myself, as well as the EMTs, all four passengers were quickly assessed and then triaged into the ambulances based on the severity of their injuries. After the arrival of a third ambulance, and three of the four accident victims fitted with rigid collars and strapped onto backboards or short boards, they left the scene. The man who had rolled his car walked toward the rear of the last ambulance, a bit shaky on his feet, but otherwise seemingly okay. Nevertheless, he would be checked over thoroughly as well.

  Police officers removed as much of the larger debris from the two lanes of the interstate as they could, quickly took measurements and pictures, and as the ambulances pulled away, a tow truck, a wrecker and a flatbed tow truck, along with a city road crew arrived to clear the highway.

  In less than thirty minutes, we had arrived on scene, dealt with the injured, and were now on our way back to the firehouse. When we got back, Jeremy gestured to me as the others returned to the main room.

  “Jessica, you got a minute?”

  “Sure,” I said. I followed him to the front end of the garage, where he acted like he was checking gear in one of the closets. He glanced over his shoulder, prompting me to do the same. Oh God, I hoped he wasn’t going to ask me out.

  He didn’t. I felt embarrassed for a second, but as his question sank in I frowned in confusion. “What?”

  “Do you read the society pages?”

  “Society pages?” I asked dumbly.

  “Okay, do you read People or Entrepreneur magazine or anything like that?”

  The question seemed so far out of left field that it took me a moment to reply. “No, why?” He didn’t answer me right away.

  “Did you say his name was Matt Drake?”

  I nodded. He frowned as if in concentration. “What? What is it?”

  “I’ve seen him before, an article written about him in a magazine, but I can’t remember which one.”

  “Matt? In a magazine?”

  “You don’t know?”

  I shook my head, my frown deepening. “Know what?”

  “He’s a billionaire.”

  Was he talking about my Matt? My Matt, the ICU nurse and Hotshot wildfire fighter? I was stunned. “Are you sure? You’re talking about Matt Drake? That Matt Drake in there?” I asked, gesturing toward the main room of the firehouse.

  He nodded. “Pretty sure,” he shrugged.

  Then, as if he were bored with the conversation, Jeremy left me standing there to join the others in the big room. I stood in stunned dismay for several moments. No, it couldn’t be. There had to be more than one Matt Drake. Why would a billionaire be working as a nurse? I shook my head, scoffi
ng at the idea. Jeremy must be mistaken. I shrugged it off and followed him back into the main room, where the guys were laughing at something one of them had said.

  I looked at Matt, thinking of what Jeremy said.

  Impossible.

  ***

  I couldn't quite believe it, but we didn't go out on another call for the remainder of our shift. Our hospital shift, that is, not the paramedic’s shift. I don’t know how the guys did twenty-four hours. I felt exhausted already.

  No one said anything though, because like with the nursing staff, the firemen and paramedics knew that the minute they mentioned how slow it was, all hell would likely break loose. So, while some glances were exchanged, no one actually said the words.

  When our shift came to an end, and after bidding farewell, Matt and I left the firehouse and walked to the parking lot in the rear where I had parked my car. He was silent, somewhat contemplative as he sat in his seat, fastened his seatbelt, and stared out the front windshield. I buckled up, inserted the key into the ignition, and then backed out of the parking space. I glanced at him a couple of times as I drove down the driveway toward the street. Pausing at the sidewalk to allow a few cars to go by, I spoke.

  “You okay, Matt?”

  He glanced at me, as if surprised by the question.

  “Sure, why wouldn't I be?”

  “I don't know, you do seem a little quiet all of a sudden.”

  He grinned. “I don't get out often and do that much socializing,” he said, shrugging. “It was nice hanging out with all those guys today, but I think I’m all talked out.” He paused a moment. “Even though I should give you hell again for that scare you gave me this morning.”

  I noticed that he sent another frown my way. This morning seemed so long ago. I sighed. I supposed I should explain, but I wasn't quite sure where to start. “Again, I'm sorry about that, Matt,” I said quietly. “I just…”

  “You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.”

  He reached across the seat divider and placed a hand on my knee. The contact sent a sudden bolt of awareness through me. How was it possible that one simple, innocent touch could cause such a reaction? I had never been so chemically, hormonally, or sexually attracted to any guy before. What was so special about Matt?

  “There was an incident in your past, wasn't there,” he said quietly. Not a question, but a statement. “It not only compelled you to go into nursing, but more than likely has something to do with your becoming a Hotshot.”

  I refused to look in his direction. Could he read my mind now? We hadn't spent that much time together, but I got the feeling that he understood me at a level that most guys didn't. I didn't know if it was because we shared two adrenaline rich environments; firefighting and nursing, but whatever it was, he got me. I wasn't sure if I was ready to spill my guts to him though.

  He let the question go. “It was an exciting day, even though the afternoon was quiet,” he said, nodding to himself as he stared out the front window. “Of course I'm glad, because otherwise, someone else would have been hurt, but still…”

  “Yeah, sometimes the ride-alongs are quiet and calm,” I shrugged. “Other times, they're quite intense, and that alarm bell never seems to stop.”

  We drove into the hospital parking lot and I parked in my usual spot. “Just about time for you to clock out,” I said. “I need to talk to Diane for a minute, but if I don't see you before you leave, have a nice—”

  “You got any plans for the evening?”

  I said nothing while I got out of the car. He followed suit and walked beside me as I headed for the emergency room doors, which swished open as we approached. Thinking about the question, I wondered. Was he asking me out on a date? I was just about to respond when I heard the squeal.

  “Oh my God, are you okay Jessica?”

  I turned from Matt to find Serena rushing down the hall toward me, Melody close behind. For a moment I felt confused. Why wouldn't I be okay?

  “We heard what happened this morning because the ambulance brought that baby and their mother here from a house fire this morning,” Melody explained.

  Serena wrapped her arms around me and gave me a big bear hug. “Don't you ever do that again!” she scolded.

  I glanced at Matt, an eyebrow raised. “I'm fine you guys, really.”

  “Only because Matt saved your life,” Melody remarked. She looked up at Matt and smiled. “Thank you for that, Matt.”

  He smiled in return, nodded, and then moved past us and down the hall.

  Melody gave me a once over, her eyes passing over my soiled scrubs. “I know you're a Hotshot firefighter and all that, Jessica, but please… you’ve got to be careful, okay?”

  I smiled at my friends while Matt continued down the hall, heading for the break room where the time clock was situated. As soon as he was done with the mentoring, he would negotiate a salary and wouldn’t have to punch in and out. “I will,” I promised. “Besides, Matt was right behind me—”

  Serena grinned. “From what we heard, he carried you out over his shoulder while he held onto that baby with the other.” She sighed, exaggerating an eye roll, and pursed her lips. “Can you get any sexier than that?”

  I felt the heat of a blush race up into my cheeks. Of course I hadn't said anything to either of them about the McDonald's parking lot. I laughed and changed the subject. “You guys off shift pretty soon?”

  Melody shook her head. “I picked a double with the evening shift,” she offered with a shrug and a face. “I didn't have any plans tonight anyway.”

  I glanced at Serena.

  “Going out with my boyfriend,” she said, glancing down at her watch. “As a matter of fact, I'm already running late.” She moved off with a wave.

  “What about you, Jessica?” Melody asked. “You got any plans?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing really, except a long, hot shower, some dinner, and then I'll probably just watch some television.”

  She made a face. “Sounds boring.”

  “Boring is just what I need tonight. Anything exciting happen over here today?”

  She shook her head. “Doctor Linder is in an uproar, but I'm not quite sure about what.”

  It was my turn to make a face, but I didn’t ask any more questions. “Well then, I'm going to go let Diane know we got back okay and then I’m off to home,” I said, moving down the hallway. “You have a good shift.”

  She nodded and disappeared down the hallway while I continued toward the break room. All I looked forward to was going home, taking a hot shower, and relaxing. I opened the door to the break room, thinking to have a quick word with Matt before he left. I was startled to find Megan in the break room as well, making googly eyes at him.

  Chapter 2

  I saw the way Megan stood with her arms crossed under her breasts, and I knew she was pushing them upward, as if she needed to. Those two big bouncing melons were the focus of attention even under unflattering scrubs.

  Matt’s back was toward me. He stood with his arms braced against one of the small tables around which we ate. He was laughing, a low, rumbling, quiet laugh, as if he and she shared a secret. The muscles of his forearms and triceps were supremely delineated as my gaze passed over him. I couldn't see the expression on his face, or where he was looking, but by Megan's smug expression, I could just guess.

  As I entered, Matt turned around, then stood and backed slightly away from Megan and the table. A brief surge of jealousy passed through me. Megan was flirting with him, I just knew it. Then again, what did I care? Matt didn’t belong to me. I had no claim on him, more’s the pity. Megan flirted with everyone. Still, after what Matt and I had done in the McDonald's parking lot last evening, I couldn't deny that I was surprised that he would pay attention to Megan—at least not so damn soon.

  “Hello, Jessica,” Megan said, slightly aloof.

  “Hi Megan,” I replied politely. I noticed her discerning gaze as she gave me a body check.

  “You l
ook like you're about ready to hit the shower.”

  I held back my frown even though I felt her comment unnecessary and somewhat rude. I simply nodded and then glanced at Matt. To my surprise, he gave me a look that I almost construed as annoyance. What the hell? It was then that I realized I’d never answered his question about what I was doing for the night. Maybe he figured I wasn’t interested and had set his sights on Megan instead. He wouldn't have heard me tell Serena and Melody I was looking forward to nothing but a shower and some TV watching, would he? Was he going to ask Megan out instead?

  For a moment, I didn't know what to say. I had forgotten what I wanted to tell him the minute I opened the door and saw him practically bending over the other woman. “Okay, well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow…”

  He nodded and I turned to leave the break room. I tried to fight the disappointment I felt, the letdown. Stupid me. Thinking that one make-out session in his truck meant anything to a guy like Matt. I quickly walked down the hall, trying to ignore the activity going on around me, the usual early evening hub-bub in the ER department. It wasn’t like I wanted a repeat of last evening, but I did feel a little discouraged that—

  “Wait up, Jesse.”

  I was halfway down the hall when I heard Matt's voice. I paused and glanced back over my shoulder. He walked quickly toward me. Beyond him, standing at the break room door, Megan stared after him, a combination frown-pout pursing her lips. “What is it?” I asked Matt as he approached.

  “Let me walk you to your car.”

  I guessed that would be okay, and innocent enough. We walked outside. The evening was warm and balmy, unusually humid for this time of year.

  “You hungry?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “Not really. You?” I glanced up at him, surprised to find him grinning down at me with a knowing look in his eyes.