I laughed. “No. A picture. Come on, turn around.” I pulled him close and turned him. He circled an arm around me, tucking me beneath his chin. Safe. It was disconcerting how instant it was. How I wanted to close my eyes and burrow into his chest, wrap myself in him and feel his arms curl protectively around me.
No. Absolutely not. Aaron was as far from safe as it got. So I shoved all thoughts of burrowing out of my head and moved my cheek near his, positioning the lens to get the mountains behind us. “Say cheese!”
I took the shot and we inspected it. “That might be the best selfie I’ve ever been a part of,” Aaron said.
It really was a good picture, even with my metal mouth on full display. We looked good together, like it was the most natural thing in the world. But that was just the angle. Had to be. I clicked the phone off and tucked it in my back pocket.
“You seem to take a lot of pictures,” he said. “On Instagram, I mean.”
I tried not to flush with pleasure at the thought of him scrolling through my page. I had plenty of followers, but I bet if I looked, I’d find that he’d liked a lot of my posts. “Social media’s been a big part of the gigs I’ve had. I’ve definitely learned a thing or two. What about you?”
“Me?” He stopped unpacking lunch and quirked a smile. “Social media is definitely not a big part of my gig.”
“Har har,” I said. “You’re a paramedic now, right?”
He straightened and handed me the water bottle he’d carried. “Yes. When we first met, I was an EMT. I kept going to school to get the paramedic license.”
I nodded. “But you’re not,” I swallowed, “you’re not a firefighter, right?” Please say you’re not. I can’t take it if you are.
He shook his head. “No.”
I breathed out.
“But,” he said, his eyes on mine, “I’ve thought about it. Chief has encouraged me; I’ve probably got half the training in my head already for as long as I’ve been at the station, but, Devon.” He put a finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him. “I haven’t committed to anything.” His eyes searched mine, looking for answers to a question he hadn’t asked.
I swallowed and stepped back. “You should do what you want.”
“Don’t do that,” he said, his voice low. He closed the distance between us again. “Don’t throw a wall up, Devon. I’ve got you.”
I made myself hold his gaze, unable to stop the buzzing in my head. My breathing was shallow, and I squeezed my hands to keep them from shaking. This was insane.
“I haven’t committed to anything,” he repeated.
I forced a breath into my lungs and nodded. “Okay.”
He studied me. “Devon. I’m serious.”
I kept nodding, pulling myself out of the abyss I’d almost fallen into. “I believe you.” And I did. So help me, I believed the man would do whatever I asked him to. And it was terrifying.
“You ready to eat?” He gestured to the backpack he’d emptied on the flat rock behind us, clearly trying to change the subject. “Processed food awaits.”
I took the out he offered and looked at the impressive array of packs of squeezable yogurts, smoothie-like packets, and fruit-and-apple sauces. I faked a swoon as I surveyed the spread. “You really know how to pack the perfect wired-jaw picnic.”
His face cleared, and he leaned down to grab one. “You jest, but this? This right here?” He brandished the pack. “This is quality apple sauce in a handy, wired-jaw-approved delivery system. I checked. Just unscrew the lid and you’re in business. Classy. Only the best for you, Devon.”
I laughed and held out my hand. “Let me have this quality apple sauce. Plus, ooh, the protein smoothie pack. And the strawberry-banana yogurt, too. Those are mine.”
He smiled affectionately and handed them over, his fingers brushing mine. We settled onto the ground for the picnic, and all my unease faded away. We talked like we’d been around each other for years. And as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I really, really enjoyed his company. He was funny, and intelligent, and with everything he said, every move, he made it clear what he wanted.
And what he wanted, was me.
It was heady, this feeling. But I couldn’t let it get too far.
After we finished and the dogs had some water, we packed up and got ready to head back down.
Aaron held his hand out. “For safety,” he grinned.
Like the utterly confused woman I was, I took it.
A couple of hours later, we pulled up to Gigi’s house.
On the porch, he said, “I had a good time, Devon.” His eyes seared into me.
Damn those things. Could they see how I warred between wanting his lips on mine and running as far away as possible? “Me, too.”
He reached for my hands, the now-familiar strength of them wrapping around mine. I wanted to know what they would feel like cupped around my breasts. I hitched a breath.
He closed the distance between us. I felt the heat of him, mere inches from me, and it nearly incinerated me. My heart pounded. He spoke, his voice low and husky. “Devon.”
I swallowed. I could do it. All I had to do was tilt my chin, and I’d learn what his lips felt like, wired jaw or not.
A car honked, and I yelped as we jumped apart. Aaron smiled, his cheeks pink. The moment was lost as Jodi’s car pulled to a stop in front of the house.
“Devon!” she called from her open window. “I brought you a smoothie!”
Aaron chuckled as I groaned. “I’ll check in on you later,” he said tenderly.
“See you soon?” The words came out before I could stop them.
