Hot Pants Read online

  “I don’t remember much.”

  He smiles. “Anything could be of help.”

  I bite my lip, a nervous tick I’ve never been able to shed. In my mind, I’m seeing it all again—the fire, the smoke.

  “I was asleep,” I start, “and everything was fine when I went to bed.”

  At my pause, Officer Brady—George—nods slightly, encouraging me to continue.

  Part of me wishes I hadn’t even begun. Certainly it isn’t too late to say I’m not up for conversation.

  “Like I said, I don’t remember much. I woke up to the smoke alarm going off. It’s all kind of a blur from there.”

  He nods in understanding and, for a brief moment, I think our exchange might already be over. Given the way this day has gone so far though, I really should know better.

  “Okay, I understand. Just a few more questions.”

  It’s at this moment the doctor finally reappears, looking like a literal godsend in his shining white coat.

  “Ms. Montgomery,” he starts, his eyes firmly glued to the chart in his hand.

  He’s halfway across the room before he notices we’re not alone.

  “Doctor,” George says, his greeting coupled with a curt nod.

  “Officer, I didn’t see you there.”

  “Yes, just asking Miss Montgomery a few questions about the incident.”

  I’m delighted to see my doctor’s brows furrow, his lips pressing into the thin line of working professionals the world over.

  “Really, Officer, she’s had no time to rest yet. Don’t you think your questions can wait until a more appropriate time?”

  “Well, I just—”

  “Yes, yes, just doing your job, I quite understand. Unfortunately, my job is to see my patient gets rest now, so sorry, but I must ask you to leave.”

  My. Hero.

  To Officer Brady’s credit, he almost manages to keep his frustration from showing. Almost.

  “Of course,” he starts after a beat. “We can pick this up another time.”My relief at his words is damn near palpable.

  With a last farewell, George heads back through the doorway.

  I don’t even bother to conceal my sigh of relief.

  “Thank you,” I mutter, letting my head rest back on my pillow.

  “Just doing my job. Can’t have you being interrogated when you need rest.”

  “How much longer do I need to stay?”

  “Not very, I should think. Even less if you actually keep your oxygen mask on.”

  I blush slightly at the admonishment. I slip the loops back around my ears without argument.

  “Sorry.”

  I’m rewarded with a small grin as he inspects the various machines around me.

  “My house?” I query.

  “You got lucky. Looked bad, but the fire was contained to a small section of the house. It should be fine. Feeling all right?”

  I almost lie, but what’s the point?

  “A little. Still pretty woozy, though.”

  “Well, that’s to be expected. You did inhale quite a bit of smoke. Should clear up quickly, though.”

  “Will I be able to leave today?”

  Another small smile. “Let’s just play it by ear, shall we?”

  I’d like to argue, truly I would, but the longer I engage, the heavier my eyelids seem to get.

  “Okay.”

  “In the meantime, is there anyone we can call for you? A relative or partner perhaps?”

  Nope.

  “No, there’s no one.”

  Something of a smile. “Well, all right then, I’ll leave you to get some sleep. Keep that mask on, yes?”

  I nod in answer, but his back is already to me as he walks to the door.

  I let myself relax fully into the mattress. If I’m going to be stuck here for a while, I might as well be unconscious for the duration.

  But the moment I close my eyes my thoughts turn back to the letter.

  Maybe they never left.

  All I know is I need to get my hands on it. I can only hope the cute fireman who agreed to look for it actually followed through.

  The thought brings his face swimming to mind—attractive, charming, and… oddly familiar.

  Since he first pulled me from the flames it’s been slowly gnawing at me, the certainty I’ve seen him somewhere before.

  Beneath you, maybe?

  No, that’s not it.

  Only now, moments from drifting off, do I remember where.

  I met him, just briefly, on a night out with Ana. The rest of the story clicks into place: Derek, that’s his name.

  He and Ana dated, if you can call it that. From what I remember, he strung her along for about a week before ghosting her entirely. I think Ana’s still pissed about that one.

  I chuckle slightly at the thought. Let’s just hope he’s more committed to his job than he is to women. I really need him to find the letter.

  My thoughts begin to blur at the edges, sleep finally trickling into my overwrought mind. It’s welcome now, sorely needed. I can worry about the rest tomorrow.

  For now, I’ll just be grateful someone was there to pull me from the fire and the doctor happened to walk in when he did earlier.

  I don’t think I would have liked to answer too many of the officer’s questions.

  CHAPTER THREE

  DEREK

  Fuck, what a night. Between the two chicks I had some fun with before I got called out, trying to dodge the guys’ probing about the promotion, the fire, talking to the police… I’m hella ready to head home and get some shut-eye.

  I take the letter I got from the fire out of my back pocket. The one for that chick. I tuck the paper into the folder I have in my locker, shaking my head.

  Why would anyone care so much about a damn letter when their house is on fire? I’ll never understand how people can be so concerned with physical items when their literal life is in danger. But I’m glad I went and got it anyway. Maybe I’ll be able to use it in my favor.

  I initially planned to just say screw it and not give her the letter. After all, it’s my job to get her out of the house safely, which I already did. Not to save some useless belongings… Or a piece of paper.

  But now I’ve got another thought, and I’m thankful I got the letter after all.

  Beth’s cute. Really fucking cute. A romp with her? That wouldn’t be a bad way to wrap up a working day.

  Sure, she was covered in soot, barely breathing, and unconscious when I met her, but hey, still hot. This letter might be the key I need to get her in the sack. I mean, not that I really need the help, but a little extra ammunition can’t hurt, right?

  I smirk as I close my locker, grab my bag, and head out of the locker room towards freedom, a cute blonde on my mind.

  I decide that I’ll head to the hospital since it’s still early, catch Beth before she checks out, and get her number. I’ll have to charm my way into getting one of the nurses to give me her room information, but that shouldn’t be an issue considering my standing with them.

  I’ve been out with a few, and I always leave them wanting more. That’s the key, really. That way, they’re excited instead of angry when you finally call them after not letting them hear from you for weeks. It’s a fucking talent, I tell you.

  I’m greeted by a tall brunette in scrubs when I arrive, a flirty smile plastered across her face when she sees me. I don’t remember her name, but I do remember she was fun. A lot of fun, the didn’t-know-legs-bent-that-way kind.

  One of those girls who don’t whine when you don’t call her back the morning after and who isn’t looking for any strings. She’ll be perfect for getting the information I need. All I have to do is promise to call her this time around and she’ll be putty in my hands.

  “Well, hey there, handsome,” she purrs, waltzing over with a wink. “I was just thinking about you.”

  I flash her a toothy grin and laugh, leaning up against the counter of the nurses’ station as I look he
r over.

  What was her name again? Ashley? Amber? Did it even start with an A? I don’t know.

  “Oh, were you now?” I smirk. “Did I have clothes on?”

  She laughs and playfully swats my shoulder, shaking her head.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  Before I can say anything else, another nurse walks over and smirks at me, nudging her hip into mine.

  This one is small and blonde and, if my memory serves me correctly, a real firecracker between the sheets. We’d been on a few ‘dates,’ and every one of them ended with us either in her bed or mine. Anytime we landed at my place, she was always gone in the morning, which is definitely a plus. I’m not one for the awkward morning-after conversations.

  “Hey, Derek, how’s it hanging?” she greets me.

  “Oh, a bit heavy and to the left.”

  Cliché, I know, but it works.

  The two of them burst into a fit of giggles, and I wink, crossing my arms over my chest with a sigh.

  “You two are too much. All trouble.”

  “You know it, and you love it,” the brunette says as she not-so-subtly checks me out. “You’ve never given me any complaints.”

  “No, I certainly haven’t.”

  I tilt my head to look around the nurses’ station and down the hall, making it obvious I’m looking for something. Or someone.

  The small blonde picks up right away and looks down the hallway, then back to me.

  “Looking for someone, sugar?” she asks, all flirty smiles and fluttering lashes.

  “As a matter of fact, I am. Girl I brought in here last night, name’s Beth. I carried her out of her burning house, saved her life.”

  The two of them look at me and sigh, eyes glazing over. They’re star-struck and swooning over the hot firefighter—me, by the way—and how he saved the damsel in distress. It’s a surefire way to get into their hearts—and pants—and the method hasn’t failed me yet. And it usually proves useful in getting them to bend the rules for me if I need them to.

  “Derek, that’s incredible! She’s lucky you were there. Amber and I were just talking about how great it must feel to be so scared and then have a big, handsome man come to our rescue.”

  Amber. That’s it. If only I could remember the blonde’s…

  “Well,” I sigh, placing a hand on her shoulder, “I was just doing my job. But… you could help me with something, actually.”

  I see her cheeks flush. I smile. The plan’s clicking along like a Swiss watch.

  “Anything. What do you need, darlin’?”

  I give her my best thankful smile and sigh, leaning in and looking around as if I’m worried someone will hear. I keep my voice low and just above a whisper.

  “You see, she was just so heartbroken about something that was left in the house. Poor thing. Sentimental valuables, you know.”

  The two of them sigh and nod, empathetic frowns on their faces as they listen to my tale of bravery.

  Fucking. Excellent.

  “Well, I went back into the house and got a few things for her. As a surprise, you know. I figure that, with all that she’s gone through, it’s the least I could do. I had to crawl through a few rooms, and a piece of my suit caught on fire, but, hey, part of the job, right?”

  I shrug and smile, watching them fawn and swoon over my tale. I’m pretty sure if I listen really carefully, I might be able to hear their panties sliding off.

  Amber puts her hands to her chest, her fingers laced together as she looks over at the blonde nurse, the two of them practically in tears.

  “Oh, Derek,” she says, “you’re so brave.”

  The blonde nods and touches my arm, squeezing gently.

  Perfect.

  “Like I said, ladies, all part of the job. But that’s why I’m here.” I throw my hands up dramatically. “I’ve got no sweet clue what room she’s in.”

  And the Oscar goes to…

  “Hmm, we’re not really supposed to give out that information,” the blonde murmurs.

  “Oh, come on, Lisa. It’s not like he’s just some creep. He saved her life!”

  Lisa. Almost had it.

  Amber, having come to save the day and convince Lisa to divulge patient info, patters around to the other side of the nurses’ station and starts typing into the computer.

  “It’ll just take me a minute, Derek.”

  “Sure thing, doll. Thanks so much for this.”

  She winks at me and I smile, turning back to chat with Lisa, who promptly asks me to re-tell my tale of chivalry and rescue. Just as I’m about to respond, Amber asks me for Beth’s info again.

  “I don’t really have all her information, but I’ve got a name and address,” I tell her. “She came in last night.”

  Just then, a voice rings out from just down the hall, and when I turn to see who it is, I recognize the man as a police officer who was at the scene of the fire.

  “Hey, you’re that firefighter, right? From last night?”

  I smile back. “That’s me, in the flesh.”

  I stand up from leaning against the nurses’ station and walk over to shake his hand and introduce myself.

  “Derek Hughes. I was one of the firefighters there, yeah. Was just coming by to see how she was doing and drop something off. I went back into the house to get something for her.”

  He shakes my hand and nods, his grip firm as he narrows his eyes and introduces himself.

  “Officer Brady. That’s nice of you, Derek, but I’m afraid Elisabeth’s already been discharged. You just missed her, actually. I interviewed her last night but didn’t get all the information I needed. Came back today, hoping to talk to her again, but no luck.”

  Fuck! I shout internally. How am I supposed to get her the damned letter now? Get one of the nurses to give me her phone number? That’s going to be a tall order.

  I sigh. “Oh, that’s too bad. If she’s left, she must be doing all right, though, so that’s a good thing.”

  He nods and hums, looking down at his notepad with a frown.

  “Suppose so, though I still need to get some more information from her. I guess it’ll have to wait.”

  I nod back and turn to Amber, who shrugs and smiles apologetically, standing from the computer chair.

  “Sorry, Derek.”

  “It’s all good,” I say with a smile. “Maybe I’ll give you a call later?”

  She smiles at me and rubs her hand up my arm, squeezing my shoulder with a wink.

  “Please do. Lisa and I are having drinks after our shift, but I’m sure we could make room for one more?”

  She turns to Lisa, who smirks back and nods, walking off with a flip of her ponytail.

  “How can I say no to that?”

  I flash her a flirty grin and turn back to Officer Brady, who’s pulling something out of his pocket. He hands me his card, pulls out a pen, and starts writing on the back of it.

  “Here,” he says sternly. “Here’s my card. My office number is on there, but I put my cell number on the back. Give me a call if you find anything else out or get any more information about the fire.”

  I take his card and stuff it into my back pocket, confusion washing over my face as I look back at him.

  “Oh, okay, sure, bud. Why, though? Seems pretty straight forward to me.”

  He laughs and shakes his head, cocking his brow as he turns to leave.

  “You’d think so,” he taps his head, “but that’s why I’m the cop and you’re the firefighter. We’ve got reason to believe that the fire wasn’t accidental. So, like I said, any info would be appreciated.”

  “Oh, shit, I had no idea.” I raise my brows and nod, giving him a quick salute goodbye. “Will do, Officer.”

  He waves me off and leaves, leaving me standing there at the nurses’ station.

  I decide there’s no use standing around here in this virus pit. I may as well get home and catch a few hours of shut-eye before I give the girls a call. If my previous dates wit
h them are any indication, I’m going to need a hell of a lot of energy come go time.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ELISABETH

  I sigh, sitting on the patio and drinking my latte, letting my head fall into my hands as I drag my fingers over my face.

  I saw this place nearby after I left the hospital. Having had a rough night and morning, it seemed like the perfect place to stop in and decompress. I’m glad I did, because right now, I’m not in the best frame of mind.

  Why did it have to happen this way? I really wasn’t planning on a police officer coming to snoop around and ask me a bunch of questions, especially not while I was in the actual hospital.

  To say I was nervous when I saw him walk into my room and tell me he needed to ask me a few things was an understatement. How was I supposed to know the fire would get so out of control so quickly?

  So, not only am I stressing about the cops, but I can’t stop thinking about my mother, either. She’s sick, can’t afford treatment, and without said treatment, she’ll die.

  Sure, we haven’t had the best relationship throughout our lives, but that doesn’t mean I want her dead. She is my mother, after all. I want to help in any way that I can. I’m no doctor. Obviously, I can’t give her the treatment that she needs, so I figured the least I can do as her daughter is to help her pay for it.

  Insurance fraud—It’d be easy, I thought. I’d set a small enough fire I could quickly put out, but big enough I could collect a hefty amount from the insurance company. That way, I could help pay for her treatment and then maybe my mother and I could reconnect, have the sort of relationship we never had before. This could be our second chance! I’d dreamed.

  What I hadn’t planned on was how quickly the fire spread and got out of control. One minute I’m on the couch, the next I’m waking up coughing, smoke and flames everywhere, being carried out by Sir Big Arms.

  Maybe starting a fire in my house in an attempt to get insurance money for her treatment wasn’t the smartest idea, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. That’s the distinction. Now though, I’m just trying to figure out what my next steps are going to be and how I’m going to stop that cop from nosing around. I’ve still got to be able to help my mother, too.

  My head’s about to explode from it all.