At least, I thought he did. All I had to do now was be patient and wait for him to want to make this “official.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed a fraction as he turned off his phone. “He said that to you? That he wants the same things?”
“Yeah.” And while I would’ve preferred Jameson say he wanted to be my boyfriend, I figured we’d get there eventually.
“Good. I’m glad you’re both on the same page. It always makes things less complicated when you know where the other person stands.”
“I totally agree.” We’d definitely been on the same page these last couple of days.
As our driver pulled into the fire station and I spotted Jameson’s motorcycle, my chest tightened. I couldn’t wait to see him again, and had a ridiculous urge to jump out of the car and go find him.
“Okay,” Alexander said with a smirk, and for a second it felt as though he could read my mind. “Let’s go and find the lieutenant.”
We headed inside the station, and I scanned every room and hall we passed in the hopes of spotting Jameson. When I didn’t, my heart sank.
Maybe he was out on a call? Or some kind of grocery run? I knew I should’ve texted him.
“Xander!”
We turned to see Lieutenant Olsen walking down the hall toward us with a wide smile, running a hand through his short, damp hair. It looked as though he’d just stepped out of the shower and was all cleaned up for his interview in a fresh uniform.
“Lieutenant Olsen,” Alexander said. “Well, look at you.”
“I know. What yahoo left and put me in charge?”
“The same yahoo who tells me he’s finally worked out how to make shrimp and grits for his new crew.”
Olsen chuckled. “That sounds like Kieran, keeping the natives happy.”
“Them and his fiancé, according to all the selfies Bash sends our way. With this cold weather starting to move in, I’m thinking we should all pack up and head south. Bash’s place would fit us.”
“Definitely. Let’s do it.”
Alexander turned to me. “Lieutenant Olsen, this is Ryan Carrigan, my PA. He was down here with the camera crew taking footage for us.”
Olsen nodded, and his smile turned a little smug. “Yeah, that’s right. I believe we’ve spoken on the phone before, Mr. Carrigan. When you nursed Clarke back to health.”
My neck and face flushed under their attention. “Yes, that was me.”
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. It seems we missed each other the last time.” We shook hands, and he grinned, turning back to Alexander. “The chief took the truck off duty for the time you’re here, so we shouldn’t be interrupted.”
“We shouldn’t be too long at all,” Alexander said.
“Perfect. Then why don’t we head this way?”
We followed Olsen down the hall and into the conference room where fate had brought Jameson and I together again, but this time he was nowhere in sight. Damn it.
Once we were settled, I headed out to help the camera crew bring in their things and finish setting up the lighting, and when we were done, I took a seat in the back of the room.
Alexander knew his questions and talking points without any kind of aid; I was just here for prompts or if any kind of emergency popped up.
When everything was ready to go, Alexander came over, and I wondered if we’d forgotten something.
“Something up, boss?”
“He’s in the gym.”
I frowned, and Alexander smiled.
“Your fireman is in the gym. We’re good here. Phil and Stuart have it under control. So if you want to go and say hello…”
Seriously? He was going to let me go and find Jameson?
“You know,” Alexander said, lips twitching, “Olsen tells me this Jameson guy doesn’t let too many people in. That he’s a pretty tough nut to crack.”
That didn’t surprise me. Jameson wasn’t exactly the outgoing type, and he’d told me countless times that he preferred to keep to himself. I glanced over Alexander’s shoulder to Olsen, then looked back to my boss.
“He’s just quiet, private, that’s all.”
Alexander nodded. “And there’s nothing wrong with that. Just be careful, okay?”
I knew it was the journalist in Alexander that made him question everything, but he didn’t have to worry about this. I trusted Jameson. I knew who he was.
“I will be. Are you sure you don’t mind me leaving for a few?”
“Nope. I’m sure I can survive on my own for a little bit.”
“Well, not on your own.” I grinned and got to my feet. “Phil and Stuart are here.”
“Get out of here before I change my mind.”
I laughed and disappeared out the door, then realized I had no idea where the gym was. I passed by several rooms, and when I spotted a few guys sitting in the kitchen area, I decided my best bet was to just ask.
I pushed inside, and when everyone looked up, I suddenly felt as though there was a spotlight on me.
“Uh, hi. I’m Ryan.” When no one said anything, just stared, I said, “I’m with ENN, and we’re doing an interview with your lieutenant.” What that had to do with me tracking down Jameson, I had no idea. But it seemed more professional than asking where my hot roommate was. “Anyway, I was looking for the gym. Could one of you please point me in the right direction?”
A big, burly guy with red hair got to his feet, and for a second I almost told him not to worry—until he grinned.
“Ryan, you said?”
“Yeah, uh, that’s right.”
“I’m Brumm, and this is Lee and Davis. You said you’re looking for the gym?” He strolled over to me, and I got the feeling I was missing something, until he said, “You wouldn’t happen to be the same Ryan who’s roommates with Clarke, would ya?”
How did he know that? Maybe Olsen had mentioned it when Jameson was sick. Knowing how private Jameson was about everything, I wasn’t sure what he would he want me telling this guy.
“Yes, that’s me. Your lieutenant said Jameson is in the gym?”
“Come with me. I’ll take you there.”
He led me through the firehouse, and I wondered if I’d said something I shouldn’t.
I ran through the conversation in my head and couldn’t think of anything in particular, then ordered myself to stop worrying. It wasn’t like I was keeping any secrets.
We came to a shut door, and Brumm shoved it open. The view that greeted me banished every other thought from my mind.
Jameson was flat on his back with his legs spread on either side of a bench, and if that wasn’t enough to make my cock happy, his sweaty, naked torso was. There was a guy standing behind him, clearly spotting him.
Holy shit.
“Yo, Clarke, you got a visitor.”
Jameson lifted his head off the bench, and when his eyes locked on mine, a sinful smile curved his lips.
“Hey there, GQ.”
Oh. My. God.
Was it hot in here? Or was it just me?
“Hi.”
Jameson sat up, and all of his stomach muscles rippled in a way that made me want to run my tongue all over them.
Brumm leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. “Roommate, huh?”