I Am Home: An Alpha Older Firefighter and Younger BBW (Knox Fire Book 2) Read online

  I am Home

  An Alpha Older Firefighter and Younger BBW

  Knox Fire, 2

  Hope Ford

  I Am Home (Knox Fire 2)

  An Alpha Older Firefighter and Younger BBW Romance

  Katie

  I was stood up by my date. But Nash was willing to step in and save the night. He’s perfect… too perfect. I think he’s a player… I mean look at him. But he wants to prove to me that he’s found the one. Me.

  Nash

  It was fate that brought us together. I truly believe that. But she is looking for reasons to leave me. She doesn’t realize that no matter where she goes, I’m bringing her home.

  Note: This is a steamy, sweet, SHORT romance. It has a HEA with alpha male and a plus size woman that makes him hers! If you love short romances with insta love, hot love scenes, and a sweet story, then this one is for you.

  I Am Home © 2019 by Hope Ford.

  Editor: Kasi Alexander

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author.

  Cover designed by Hope Ford

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  Chapter 1

  Katie

  “Are you here alone?” a stranger’s voice asks me.

  I’ve been sitting at Knox Pub, a restaurant downtown, waiting on my date to show up for the past thirty minutes.

  I’m sitting at the bar with a drink in my hand. I spin my stool to the side and my mouth falls open. Beside me is the man I was staring at from across the room only moments ago.

  He’s been playing darts since I got here. He’s older than me, quite a bit older, I think. He’s tall and even though I am on a high bar stool, I still have to hold my head backwards to look up at him. His white shirt is tight and stretched across his muscular chest and arms. The patch on his shirt reads Knox fire. He’s a fireman. A hot fireman at that.

  He pulls out the chair next to me and turns toward me. His legs are wide and somehow my knees are wedged between his. I glance over his body and take in his short hair, full lips, and when I finally look into his eyes, I gasp.

  He is staring back at me with an intensity that heats me to my very core. I automatically squeeze my legs together to stop the throbbing between my thighs.

  Seeing him smirking at me now, I blush furiously.

  “So… are you here alone?” he asks again as he brushes a stray hair off my cheek.

  I’m speechless as I watch his hand move away from my face. “I… I am waiting on my date,” I say to him and try to swing my legs back around.

  He puts both hands on my bare knees to stop me. He leans forward and tells me, “Well, you’ve been waiting for a while now. Any man that leaves you waiting that long is not worthy, honey.” His breath is hot against my ear.

  “Yes, well, I’m sure something came up.” I wish I could say this was the first time I’ve been stood up, but it’s not. I still put myself out there. I date. A lot. Some people think that I probably date too much. But honestly, I know what I want. I’m not sleeping around or anything and I don’t find the harm in it. And most usually, I remain friends with the men I date.

  “Have dinner with me,” he says. He isn’t asking and his hands are still on my knees, making me unable to focus on the words coming out of his mouth.

  I nod ‘okay’ at him and he grabs my hand and tugs me from the stool. He laces his hand through mine and leads me toward a quieter side of the room.

  When we get to a booth, he stops and gestures for me to take a seat. When I do, he sits beside me and I slide further across the booth.

  He picks my hand up again and strokes his thumb across the pulse in my wrist.

  I try to control my erratic breathing. I take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of him. He smells of pure man with a hint of woodsy cologne. As if he caught me sniffing him, he smiles widely at me.

  “What’s your name?” He turns toward me and his wide shoulders are blocking my view of the restaurant.

  “Katie. What’s yours?”

  “Nash.”

  As if he can’t keep his hands off me, his other hand goes back to my knee under the table. I should be concerned by someone I barely know touching me this way, but I’m so caught up in my heart racing that I don’t even think about it.

  “Can I get you anything?” A waitress comes over to the table. She notices Nash and presses her chest out, showing off large breasts that are covered by the tiniest midriff shirt. Nash never turns toward her and keeps his eyes focused on me.

  “What do you want to eat, Katie?” he asks.

  I look between him and the waitress and tell him, “I’ll take a hamburger and fries.”

  “Do you want another drink?”

  “Maybe a water. I’ve had enough to drink tonight.”

  He turns to the waitress, looks at her for a second, just to make sure he has her attention, and then turns back to me. “We will take two hamburgers and fries and two waters please.”

  I notice the waitress huff as she walks away. I can’t help but smirk at the whole situation. This is not my life. I’m the friend, the buddy. Not the one that gets the undivided attention of a sexy man like this.

  “Just because I’m drinking water doesn’t mean you had to. I don’t mind if you drink,” I tell him.

  “I never drink,” he says as he continues stroking my knee.

  “So you’re a firefighter? How’d you know that’s what you wanted to do with your life?” I point at the logo on his shirt when he seems surprised that I know he’s a firefighter.

  “I was raised in foster care. My foster parents were both firefighters. I grew up at the station right next door. It was great being a part of a family, a brotherhood. I stuck with it.” He shrugs his shoulders. “So, what about you, what do you do?”

  “I’m a baker now, but I plan to open my own shop one day,” I tell him with pride in my voice.

  “Wow. That’s great. I volunteer to be a taste tester for you any time you need one.” He grins while rubbing his taut stomach.

  I can’t help but laugh. I can’t believe I feel so at ease with him. The waitress brings our food and again she tries to get Nash’s attention even though he still doesn’t even look her way.

  My phone dings with a new text. He leans over and asks me if it’s my date. I smile at him because he sort of sounds jealous but I tell him no, it’s my roommate. She is going to bed and just wants to check on me.

  We talk for what seems like hours. We talk about our age difference. He’s ten years older than my twenty-two years. He asks me about my family.

  “Uh, my parents died when I was younger. My best friend’s family took me in, but really, she and I pretty much raised
ourselves. Allison is like a sister to me and she’s my roommate now also.”

  We finished eating a long time ago. The restaurant is clearing out and I am not wanting this night to end.

  “Katie, I’m going to kiss you now.”

  Nash

  I know the proper thing to do is to ask her. But I’m not proper. I’ve been fighting it all night. I want my lips on her. I noticed Katie when she walked into the restaurant. She’s beautiful. Seeing her curvy body instantly made me grab onto my cock to adjust myself.

  She has long blond hair, big blue eyes and I’m not going to lie, her v-neck shirt shows just the perfect amount of cleavage. I’ve had to stop myself from staring at it all night long. I haven’t been able to keep my hands off of her, either holding her hand, touching her hair or stroking her knee.

  I put my hand around the back of her neck and pull her face toward me. I fit my mouth over hers and caress her lips with mine. She gasps at the connection and I slide my tongue into her mouth. I groan when her tongue tentatively touches mine.

  I deepen the kiss and only break away when I realize if I don’t stop, I’m going to take her right here in the booth of the Knox Pub. Our breathing is ragged and her face is flushed a crimson red.

  “Come home with me.” Again, I tell her. I don’t ask.

  She looks like she is about to agree when we are interrupted.

  My friend and fellow fireman walks up to me and gives me a nudge in the arm. “Nash, we need you at the station. Harris is drunk again and passed out by the pool tables. I’m sure he’s going to be fired for this one.”

  I take a deep breath, frustrated. I never mind taking an extra shift or covering for someone. But tonight I really don’t want to. I’m supposed to be off for the next two days but as a fireman, you have to go when you’re needed. Lives depend on it.

  “Harris, like Taylor Harris? Is that who you’re talking about?” Katie asks.

  I instantly get jealous and all she did was mention another man’s name. “Yes. Why? Do you know him?”

  She starts pushing me and I stand up while she scoots out of the booth. “He was supposed to be my date tonight. Is this what you guys do? Swap dates with your friends? What? He saw me and decided you could have a go at me instead?”

  She starts walking toward the door. I grab on to her arm to stop her. “That’s crazy, Katie. First of all, don’t talk about yourself that way. And second, Harris is not my friend. He’s a rookie and obviously he doesn’t have his shit together.”

  She shakes off my hand and strides to the door. I start to follow her when the alarms from the fire station next door start ringing. A fire. “Katie, stop. What’s your number so I can call you?”

  She doesn’t stop. She slams out the door and I, for the first time, am mad I have to go do my job. But I don’t have a choice.

  Chapter 2

  Katie

  I drive around the corner to get away from Nash. I pull into the parking lot of a grocery store to get myself together. What was I thinking? I should have known he was too good to be true. But damn, that man can kiss. I’ve never in my life experienced anything like it. Not that I have a lot of experience with men, but Nash is something else.

  I take a few deep breaths and sit back in the seat of the car. I grab the keys out of the ignition and walk in for some ice cream. Yep, this situation calls for some Rocky Road.

  When I get home, I see fire trucks surrounding our apartment building. There are people everywhere. I slam my car into park on the side of the road and take off running toward the building. I weave in and out of people, looking for Allison. She is nowhere to be found. I scream her name and start running toward the building. A huge man grabs onto me and stops me from going any further.

  “Let her go,” I hear someone holler over all the commotion. The man releases me and I take off running, only to be stopped again with Nash’s arms wrapped around me.

  Another fireman asks me, “What is it?”

  “My roommate is still in there. Second floor, apartment 207. Please save her.” I’m huffing and puffing, trying to break free from Nash’s hold.

  The fireman tells Nash to stay with me and he runs over to another group of firemen.

  “Katie, Katie, she’s going to be okay. Mason will get her.”

  I’m crying and inconsolable. Nash just holds on to me tight. He picks me up in his arms and carries me over to a bench, then sits down and holds me in his lap. I keep my eyes focused on the building, hoping and praying that Allison is okay. I don’t know what I would do without her. Nash just holds me and keeps whispering encouraging words.

  When I see the man that went in to save Allison come out of the building, I jump off Nash’s lap and start running toward them. As soon as they come out of the building flames start shooting out of the second-story windows and we hear the squall of the building collapsing. Nash stops me again and holds me back. He grabs my hand and pulls me toward Allison. The fireman has laid her down on a paramedic’s gurney.

  “Oh my God, please tell me she is going to be okay,” I beg, looking between the paramedic and Mason. The paramedic explains that all her vitals are good but she is going to the hospital to have her head checked and so she can be observed for smoke inhalation. I almost collapse, the excitement of the night finally taking its toll. Nash is beside me instantly, holding me up and helping me into the ambulance.

  He keeps telling me, “Katie, she’s going to be okay.”

  Nash

  I want to go with her, but we have to finish up here. Mason has to stay and do some paperwork so he asks me to go stay with Allison at the hospital until he can get there. I jump in one of the trucks ready to go back to the station. I rush through a shower and drive over to Knox General.

  I track down Allison’s room and walk in. “What are you doing here?” Katie asks me. Allison is out on the bed and Katie is sitting in a chair next to her.

  “Mason got stuck with the chief, so he sent me here to check on Allison,” I tell Katie as I walk over to her. I put my hand on her shoulder and give it a squeeze. I just want to touch her.

  “The doctors just left. They said she had a lot of smoke inhalation, but her head wound is going to be okay. We have to let her rest. They said she has a sprained ankle but should be up and about soon.”

  “Do you have a place to stay, Katie?”

  “Yeah, we have a friend. He said we can stay with him for a while.” As soon as the words leave her mouth, my whole body tenses up. My hands curl into fists. I know I just met her tonight, but the thought of her staying at another man’s house is like a punch to the stomach?

  “Stay with me.” I reach down and pull her hand into mine.

  “I’m not staying with you, Nash. I don’t know you,” she says bitterly. I know she thinks that Harris and I betrayed her back at the restaurant. But I didn’t. Harris is a rookie. A rookie with a drinking problem. There’s no way I would conspire with him on anything. Especially something against my girl. My girl. I just met her and she’s already got me wrapped up in her.

  I whisper low to her. I don’t know if Allison can hear us or not, but I know she needs to rest. “Katie, I had no idea that Harris was your date tonight. I had nothing to do with it. I just lucked out when he stood you up. And don’t say you don’t know me. You already know me better than most of my friends, honey. But I’m not going to stress you out anymore about it. But know this, you are not staying at some guy’s house.”

  Katie looks back at me and I can see the hope in her eyes. Before she has a chance to answer me, Mason walks in the room. He goes straight to Allison.

  Katie refuses to leave, so I stay with her, Mason and Allison. Mason sleeps hunched over the side of the bed next to Allison. I sleep in a chair next to Katie. My groin aches because I all I want to do is pick her up and hold her in my lap, but I can tell she is trying to take everything in and she doesn’t know if she can trust me. I don’t want to rush her. I do, however, lace my fingers through hers and hold her hand
throughout the night.

  Chapter 3

  Katie

  I wake up with my head on Nash’s shoulder and my hand intertwined with his. Allison just woke up and Nash jumps up and offers to go get the doctor since it doesn’t seem that Allison is going to let Mason go.

  I sit back and watch the interaction between Mason and Allison and feel like I’m imposing on their shared moment. I know they only met the night before but it seems like Mason is already crazy for her.

  Nash comes back in with doctors and nurses following him. We all stand around the bed. The doctor checks Allison over and announces that everything looks good, he just wants to keep her here another night for observation.

  Nash goes and gets us all something to eat from the cafeteria and I talk to Allison. I assure her everything will be fine. I will work on getting us a permanent place to live, and for her not to worry about anything except getting better.

  We eat breakfast and watch television for a while. Allison keeps drifting in and out of sleep.

  Mason whispers across the room, trying not to disturb Allison, “Katie, I’m going to stay here with Allison. I took a few days off work, so if you are tired, you can go home—or, well, you can go to my house and rest.”

  “No that’s okay. I’m fine,” I reply.

  Allison pulls the blanket further up her body and settles deeper into the pillows. “All of you can go. I promise I am fine by myself. I will just need a ride tomorrow when I get out,” she says pointedly.

  “I’m not leaving you. So you can forget that,” Mason tells her adamantly.

  She huffs her breath then turns to me. “It’s okay, Katie. Please go on. I know you are tired, and you need to find us a place to stay and everything. I promise I will call if I need you.”

  Reluctantly, I agree, making them both promise to call me if I need to come back.

  Nash, who has been silent for a while just watching me, jumps to his feet. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride… to my house.”