BURNING DESIRE

Chapter 10

Walking into the Fire Station, I was greeted by the familiar face of Susan,
"Good morning, Susan," I said, a smile spreading across my face.
"Good morning, Winter!" she replied, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "How does it feel to be back in your own home town? "

"Nothing's changed, that's for sure." I chuckled, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling fire station. "Taylor is in the car on the phone," I tell her.
" ok once Taylor is here I will introduce you both to Captain Mitchell, he is going to help with your training"
I start to read over some of my lines while we wait for Taylor.

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall, and in walked Taylor, "Hey, sorry I'm late," he said, a sheepish grin on his face.
"I had to wrap up some last-minute things with the last movie I did."
"Have you missed me already, Winter?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"As much as I want a hole in the head," I retorted, rolling my eyes.

"I know one day you'll want to be Mrs Winter Luella Jones, and you'll eventually love me," Taylor said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"That's what Jimmy Carter said, and look where he is now," Susan quipped, earning a round of laughter from us

"Yeah, in Miami," I added, earning another round of chuckles.

"Well, when he's finished, is he still flying out here," Susan chimed in, her gaze fixed on the doorway.

"Yeah that's the plan anyway" I tell them.

"talking of Hotties here comes one now" Susan replied
a shiver ran through me as my eyes met an oddly familiar face walking towards me

"Hello, I'm Susan you must be Captain Mitchell we spoke over email and the phone."

"Hello, yes that's me " Mitchell replied

My God, oh my God, fuck! I think to myself fuck Captain Mitchell? Its fucking lewis!

As I try to think of what the fuck to say, I stare into Lewis's eyes. They are friendly but blank, maybe he doesn't remember me. I hope he doesn't, but the sarcastic tone in his voice tells me otherwise.
"Hey, you okay? Miss." Lewis said, looking at me.
"Oh, sorry, Captain Michell. Let me introduce you to our main cast. This is Winter James and Taylor Jones," Susan said, gesturing towards us. "Nice to meet you, Captain Michell," Taylor said, holding out his hand for a handshake.

Captain Michell takes it and shakes it firmly. "Please, call me Lewis. I'll be training you on how to be a firefighter." Lewis kept taking glances at me, and it didn't go unnoticed.

"Do you two know each other? I'm getting this crazy vibe with you two right now," Susan asked, her brows furrowed in curiosity.

"Oh, I think I would remember Captain Michell if we had met before," I say through gritted teeth. "Yep, I agree. I couldn't imagine a guy who happens to randomly meet Winter James while she was working in the theatre downtown, then watch her become a Hollywood star!" He said sarcastically. Fuck my life, yep, he remembers me. Shit. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel the eyes of everyone on us.

"What do you need us to do?" I asked, ever the voice of reason. Lewis chuckled, rubbing his hands together. "it's going to be a lot of hard work, as you want to make it look as real as possible," he said, his grin widening.

Susan, the director, watched the exchange with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"Well, of course, we are perfectionists, so will you whip us into shape and make us look the part for our roles?" I asked, my tone equal parts playful and demanding. Lewis's, eyes twinkling with mischief.
"I'm sure you have a great shape to start with, Miss James, but it may take some extra-long nights and days to see how well you do! Both of you, as long as I know you're committed."

Susan beamed, her chest swelling with pride. "Winter and Taylor are well-established reputations in Hollywood for their method of acting because they are committed to learning everything to play the role to perfection. This is why I only cast the best," she said, her voice brimming with confidence.
Thanks for that Susan I smile to myself.

"however the rest of the cast might be a problem I can't speak on behalf of them but I'm sure they will do their best. I believe that some of your coworkers are also auditioning to take part to be an extra in some of the scenes?"

Lewis chuckled, "Yes, I believe they are."
Are you going to audition?" Taylor asked, turning to Lewis with a smile. "No, I'll leave that to you professionals," Lewis replied with a laugh, nudging my shoulder playfully.

Right, I'm going to see how the casting is coming along," Susan said, her gaze sweeping the bustling set that was set up in a room just off the station floor.

"Well, thank you for doing this for us," Taylor said, his gratitude evident in his tone. "Much obliged, not that the fire department gave me much choice," Lewis replied, a hint of mischief in his voice.

"Well, either way, I know it's not your normal gig. You're more of saving people from burning buildings," I said, with a playful smile

Lewis chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, as long as you do as I say, we'll be fine," he said, a twinkle in his eye. "All ready bossing us around, hey?" I said, nudging Lewis's shoulder with a giggle.

"Buy your the expert here and we need to make this movie a blockbuster," I say in a serious tone, my eyes fixed on Lewis.

"Oh baby, we always do," Taylor winked, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "What do you recommend, Lewis? A class for all the actors? How to hold a hose? Climb a ladder?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

Lewis chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Screw classes, we need ladder drills, equipment, and the smoke box." "What the fuck is a smoke box? And why do I feel kind of worried all of a sudden?" Taylor said, his brow furrowed. "It's fun, trust me," Lewis replied with a wink and a laugh.
"Okay, we trust the expert," I say, though I can't help but feel a slight unease. "Well, baby, we know our limits, and we have an expert on hand. You and me, baby, we've got this," Taylor says, taking my hand in his.

I can't help but smile at his infectious enthusiasm. "I love this man's attitude. This training is probably going to be the most physically intense and dangerous thing you both have ever done."

"You say that now, until you got this one into bed," Taylor laughs, a mischievous glint in his eye. "As if you would know!" I say, my eyes widening in shock. "We have been in a bed together before," he smirks at me.

Yes to sleep! And Oliver was in the bed too!"
"Please I don't want to hear about your threesomes, thank you."

Taylor is cracking up laughing, while I just look on in shock.
"No, Oliver is my son," I say quietly.

" oh sorry, I didn't know you had a son. I did read somewhere that they fought you were pregnant for the role that you played in that movie but I always say you can never believe the media."

At Lewis saying that it made me smile.

" anyway everyone will be partnered up with a professional firefighter every step of the way and will be totally dedicated to your safety and protection."

" That's reassuring to know," Taylor said grinning

"Good, winter you are partnered up with me."
Fuck my life! Why do I have to be partnered up with him, he's going to make this training hell I can just tell.

"Taylor your partner should be here any minute, before we dive into consultation can we talk in private, please winter?"Lewis asks while rubbing the back of his neck
Oh shit, here we go!

"We won't be long Taylor and your partner is coming now" Lewis says pointing to a man making his way down a hallway.

"Sure, if that's ok with winter! Baby are you ok going with this man on your own for a chat?."

I love how Taylor looks out for me and tries to protect me

"Sure," I say in a low tone

Followed Lewis up the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. What could he possibly want to discuss? Could he know that Oliver's is his? Do I tell him? Fuck!