Hot to the Touch: Hot in Chicago Rookies, #3

One

Cass

Who brings a hot date to a three-year-old’s birthday party?

At this point in my acquaintance with Sam Killian, nothing should surprise me. This is the guy who mooned the guests at his brother’s wedding. Who duct taped a harmonica to the grill of his sister-in-law’s car. Who changed the auto-correct in his mom’s phone so every time she texted bye it changed to penis. You know, all the frat boy classics.

The man is twenty-seven with the mental age of a fourteen-year-old boy, and that’s generous. No one brings a date to a kid’s party, not when the date is dressed like she thinks this is a night club. But then this is Sam, who I’ve known and happily avoided to the best of my ability for the last six years, ever since his brother and my sister tied the knot.

How did he think this was a good venue to introduce his latest fling?

My sister, Anastasia—Annie to everyone—giggles as she cuts the crusts off a PB&J sandwich, or more accurately cashew butter and fig jam. It’s that kind of children’s party. Spencer, the birthday boy, won’t eat them any other way.

I think the ‘fling’ label is somewhat of a stretch.

True. That implies some sort of longevity, more than a one and done.

But here. Really? An hour ago, I came across the happy couple upstairs, coming out of the guest bathroom. She had a blissed-out look on her face and he was pulling up his zipper.

He brought someone else to his parents’ anniversary party last month. Smiling, she touches my arm. I know he pisses you off but maybe don’t think about it so much.

I don’t! I just find it fascinating that this same man is responsible for saving lives.

Sam’s a firefighter, though God knows why he bothers. The guy doesn’t need a job because both the Killian boys inherited pots of money from their late grandfather. Annie’s husband, Jake, the eldest Killian son, is a software developer, because he loves tech and wants to be a useful member of society.

As for Sam? I’ve no doubt he’s contributing as a first responder, but I suspect it’s just as likely another prop in his playboy persona, a tool to attract women like the redhead with a skirt so short I can tell the color of her thong.

Purple.

He loves his job, Annie says indulgently. That tone is typical around Sam. Peter Pan would never grow up so why not let him do his thing?

Good for him! I say cheerfully, as I drag my gaze away from—oh my God, is he feeling up his date near the bouncy castle? Surely, they’ve already mauled each other enough in private.

Ignore him. So he bugs the hell out of me, but I only have to see him a couple of times a year on my rare visits to Chicago from New York. This is precious time I need to be devoting to my sister and her babies.

Hey, Spence, what’s your favorite present? I hunker down to my nephew’s level.

He scrunches up his face as he thinks really, really hard. Fire truck!

Oh, yeah? I don’t need three guesses to know who gave him that.

He loves that fire truck, Annie says with a twinkle in her eye. She gets a kick out of my antipathy toward her brother-in-law as long as it doesn’t affect the kids. Sam got special decals for it to reflect his new squad.

Course he did.

The air changes because guess who’s decided to grace us with his presence? I stand and turn to face the favorite uncle himself.

He’s handsome, I’ll give him that, in a rugged, carved from unyielding granite kind of way. Not my type at all, but I can see the appeal. If I didn’t know he came from money, I would think he’s a blue-collar guy who works with his hands. They look rough, calloused. Capable.

I prefer smoother, office-appropriate men, who don’t look like they might break me in half or put me over their knee because they’d assume I like it. I’m sure he works out—excessively. No one’s neck is naturally that thick. Maybe he pulls Cadillacs with it while he calls out to his fuck-de-jour, Look at me, babe!

Today he’s wearing what could best be described as a muscle shirt, though the early October air is a little cool for short sleeves. There’s something almost obscene about the way his T-shirt’s sleeves mold to his biceps, like they’re imprinted onto the fabric. He would probably tell you he runs hot, the kind of statement a man like him would use as a chat up line. I run hot, babe, therefore I am hot. Or, I run hot, babe, but it makes stripping so much easier.

To be fair, I’ve never heard him speak like this. The Sam Killian alter ego I’ve created in my imagination just happens to also be a jerk.

Cassie, he says, though it’s not my name. I go by Cassandra in my professional life and Cass to my family and friends. Sam knows this. You’re looking well.

The taunt in his tone is unmistakable. He doesn’t approve of my floral dress with a full skirt (too old-fashioned) or the way I’ve done my hair (a braided updo because it’s generally unmanageable otherwise). Sam likely tells his dates how to wear their hair (long, flowing, all the better for him to hold onto while he … bleh) or which outfits work best for children’s birthday parties.

He’s a good foot taller than me, and as my neck strains to meet his gaze, I pin on my most diplomatic smile. In my job as a financial planner, it’s the smile I give a client who thinks he can afford a champagne retirement on a beer bottle pocket.

Sam, I hear you have a new job.

He puffs up, the cock of the walk. Rescue Squad. I’m pretty excited about it.

Yes, all those people depending on you.

He smirks at the dig I can’t help giving. Don’t worry, I’m a total pro when I’m wearing the uniform. Implying that’s the only time he keeps it professional.

He scoops up the birthday boy. Hey, Spence!

No kissing!

What? But I love kissing. Is it my imagination or does he flick a sly look my way?

Annie whispers to me, Spence suddenly hates kissing. He thinks it’s girly. Not sure where he got that from.

Sam grins at his nephew. Have you had any cake yet?

Cake! Spence yells, so excited about everything.

I think he’s going to have a sandwich first.

The bane of my existence rolls right over my suggestion. So this cake of yours—is it chocolate or strawberry or mayonnaise or maybe cactus flavored?

Spence giggles. Cactus, though he pronounces it Cack-ass.

Cactus cake—yum! I bet it’s … spiky! Like your face!

That sends Spencer into a torrent of giggles again. I love his laugh even when it’s earned by Sam Killian.

Sammie, a breathy voice cuts through the little boy’s joy. Purple Thong is standing behind him. Where’s the little girl’s room?

Hey, Candy, have you met everyone? This is my sis, Annie, my sister-in-law, Cassie. And this little monster is Spencer the Cactus Boy.

I’m not a cack-ass boy! But he loves it all the same, especially as everyone is laughing, and Spence adores being the center of attention.

Annie, in hostess mode, smiles at Candy. Let me show you to the restroom.

Oh, I thought … Candy sends a significant look at Sam. She knows where one of the restrooms is and had evidently hoped to explore the tile further with dear old Sammie.

Thanks, Annie, Sam says obliviously as he helps himself to one of the sandwiches intended for Spence. He crushes it in a single bite.

Me too! Spencer squirms a little and Sam puts him down.

Okay, I guess we’re doing a bathroom field trip! Annie takes her son’s hand and walks into the house with a hip-swaying Candy, who sends a forlorn look over her shoulder at Sam. He completely ignores her.

Instead, his attention is completely focused on me. For a moment, this gives me an odd thrill until I realize what it means: I have to talk to him.

There’s an awkward pause while we size each other up. Usually, we have other people as a buffer, but in the rare moments when we’re alone, the air seems to be extra-charged.

You know, I’m not actually your sister-in-law. He called Annie his sister, which registered a small pinch of envy in me at their closeness.

His lips twitch. Aren’t you?

No, you and I are not related.

And this bothers you because … His mouth curves as a light bulb goes off in the dim room that passes for his brain. "It’d be weird if we were related, I guess."

I don’t ask what would be weird because I know exactly what he’s alluding to.

I just like the details to be correct.

But Sam’s already moved on because details are unimportant to him. He doesn’t care that I’m annoyed, or maybe he prefers when I am. It gives him a perverse pleasure.

Kind of surprised you’re here, he says.

Oh?

You made a special trip from New York for a kid’s birthday party?

Spencer means the world to me. And I like spending time with my sister and Jake. But not you.

His smile says he understands completely. We’ve always seen eye to eye on our mutual dislike.

Where’s the boyfriend?

Derek is in the middle of an important merger right now. He’s heading to London the day after tomorrow for a couple of weeks and there’s a lot of prep for the trip. I would have liked him to come with me to Chicago, but he’s usually far too busy for personal events like this.

Sam holds my gaze, and I wait impatiently for whatever drivel trips off his tongue next.

How long have you two been together? Because he loves the sound of his own voice, he answers his own question, Since just after Jake’s wedding, right? That’s, what, six years?

Has it really been that long? It’s easy to forget when you’re busy with work and the routine. Derek’s job as the lead associate in McKenzie Clark’s Mergers & Acquisitions division requires long hours, especially in the weeks leading up to a deal. I don’t usually begrudge his commitment to his work, though it would be nice if he could make time for the things and people I care about.

We had a fight about it before I left. He asked me to get a gift for his parents’ 40 th wedding anniversary because you have time for that sort of thing and he doesn’t. Like I’m his personal assistant. It devolved into an argument about our priorities and how misaligned they are of late.

Things have been stale for a while, and when he gets back from the London trip, I’m going to push for couples’ counseling. Anything to get us out of our rut.

Sam is waiting for me to comment on my lengthy relationship without a ring on it. As I’ve yet to weigh in, he adds, "Guess he’s not rushing to complete that merger."

This guy is the worst. It’s really none of your business. But if you must know, we don’t think a piece of paper is necessary to declare our feelings for each other. It comes out sounding prim and ridiculous, my standard tone around Sam Killian.

Now he’s looking at me intently, like he can see the need inside me. To have a life like my baby sister’s, with kids and birthday parties and a noisy extended family. But I’m also a busy professional, as is Derek, so our current relationship status suits us. We are perfect for each other, even if some nights I let my mind run away with wishing for things I can’t have.

Because Sam’s remaining unusually silent, but typically judgmental, I’m unnerved and come out with the first thing that pops into my head.

What happened to the dancer you brought to the Christmas party last year? I’ve no doubt he’s plowed through several women since.

Oh, you know me, Cassie—

It’s Cassandra.

It is? Like this is news to him. Well, I’m not like you, the serious-about-life-and-love type. Much prefer to have my fun while I can.

I smile thinly. Before your looks fade?

He leans in, and God help me, he smells incredible. Sandalwood with top notes of something citrusy. Probably gonna be a while before that happens. I mean, look at me.

I do, taking in that strong jaw, aquiline nose, the cobalt-blue eyes, the sensual lips. He also has great hair because of course he does. Wavy, the kind that’s perfect for the threading of fingers. More annoying than the jaw and nose and eyes and hair is that he’s right. Looks like his won’t fade, they’ll merely mature into distinction, though a part of me hopes his party-hard lifestyle will eventually have some negative effect. Such as leprosy of the dick.

I’ve spent too long without returning a verbal volley, which puts this silence firmly in the Sam Killian win column.

Finally I manage, "So, you’re pretty. Good for you, Sammie."

Now, I don’t mind that at all. Lots of my friends call me that. Lots of my dates, too. Moaning that name in the throes is the unspoken part. The man is so obvious. You’re not really a nicknames kind of girl, are you?

I’m not a girl. And a little less condescension if you don’t mind.

His eyebrows go up. "I’m the condescending one?"

"You think I am?"

He chuckles, but it’s kind of mirthless for once, or maybe I’m just more in tune with his feelings. We have this much in common, both annoyed to have to talk to each other, yet neither of us willing to be the one to end it.

For the last six years, you’ve acted like I’m no better than something on the bottom of your high-heeled shoe.

The night before Jake and Annie’s wedding, you placed a fake snake on my chair—

Now I apologized for that. That was supposed to be Jake’s chair.

And you assumed I was Annie’s mom. I’m only five years older than her. At thirty-two, I’m also five years older than Sam, and feeling more ancient with every passing second.

Another lazy, incorrigible grin. I want to punch his teeth in.

"You know I didn’t really assume that. It was a little joke, Cassie—Andra. Besides you practically raised her. Did a great job, too."

This compliment shocks me into speechlessness.

It’s true—at least the part about me raising Annie. Our sperm donor was never in the picture and our mom, Aileen, was a flaky mess, always running after any guy who paid her the slightest bit of attention. Once Annie turned thirteen, Mom thought she was old enough to be alone. But really she thought I was old enough at eighteen to look after her.

Bye bye, college plans. And don’t even think about dating.

No one knew I’d already secured a place at the School of the Art Institute, that I was planning to move to Chicago in the next six months. No one would ever know.

I spent the next five years making sure that Annie was raised right, made it to Cornell, and had the best possible start to her adult life. I eventually started college myself, though later than everyone else, and in a more practical field. I didn’t mind because Annie was my number one priority. Still is.

She’s all the family I have. The moment the words leave my mouth, I feel raw and foolish. I’m just giving him more ammunition.

You have us, the dreaded in-laws, he says blithely. But I can see why you’re not in a hurry to claim me.

This is more like it. Though I sense his humor is a bid to cover my unfortunate display of vulnerability.

Never a truer word. There’s my prissiness again, only this time I’m playing into it because … Sam likes that about me.

Why did I think that?

An age-old memory digs its sensuous claws into my psyche. Tell me how much you hate me with that smart mouth, Cassie.

So back to the ‘we’re not related’ thing, huh? He shuffles closer, sending out another whiff of clean body scent that makes me slightly woozy. I think maybe you like me more than you’re letting on.

I hear it clearly, the barely masked threat of the past. There was a time when I almost let my guard down. Almost let him in. But common sense ruled, and I told him it would never happen. All these years later, I should feel victorious, secure in the knowledge I didn’t make a stupid blunder.

Yet each time we meet, he acts like I should be grateful he once graced me with his attention. And I’m left wondering if maybe I did miss out.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Sam Killian playbook in action.

That’s where you’re mistaken, I say, trying to sound reasonable instead of … whatever I think Sam Killian might get a kick out of. You and I are never going to get along, which is fine. We don’t have to. We see each other a few times a year, and I imagine that’ll be even less as the kids get older. There’s no need to cry over it.

Understood. His gaze is level and direct, the word almost strained through his perfectly straight white teeth. Sam’s ego can’t stand it when a woman won’t kowtow to his charm.

I’m going to get another drink before we cut the cake, I say, moving away. Enjoy the rest of the party.

Sure. You, too.

Two

Sam

Cassie—or should I say, Cassandra —Ferguson really knows how to piss me off.

She thinks I’m condescending? The woman has never spoken a word to me that doesn’t drip in her own special brand of superiority.

So maybe I’m a little immature—or was. At twenty-one, I had my head up my ass when I met her the first time. I’d just returned from six months of traveling the world after graduation and thought I knew everything. It took me a while to settle and figure out my place, but now I know where I’m meant to be. A firefighter, someone who makes a difference.

Not that Miz Ferguson would ever see that. To her, I’m just the manwhore trust fund kid with a job that allows me to indulge my thrill-seeking tendencies and get me any woman I want. What the fuck is wrong with that? You’d swear I’d crushed her toes during our dance at Jakey’s wedding—I didn’t because I’m also a smooth-as-shit two-stepper.

Cass hated that.

Just like she hates that Spence and Maya adore their uncle Sammie. I could enumerate the million other reasons why the woman can’t stand to be in the same room or backyard patio as me, but we’d be here all day and I have places to be.

Are you talking to yourself? Jake passes over the beer I left near the grill.

Maybe my lips were moving, replaying that conversation with Ms. Stick Up Her Fine Ass and wondering if I could have come up with more cutting responses.

No, just— I sigh. How do you do it, Jakey?

What? Look this good in a linen jacket?

It’s crumpled, and all you’re missing is your croquet mallet. Though he is wearing the new pair of Comme des Garcons X Nike sneakers I bought for him. We’re both sneakerheads and I love surprising him with new ones. I mean, how do you put up with her?

He knows exactly who I’m talking about. This is not the first time I’ve asked this burning question about my blister-in-law.

She’s pretty cool if you give her a chance.

Bet she is. Pity she won’t give me a chance; I’m imprinted on her brain like some dinosaur fossil. But there was a time she might have considered me as more than a hard-on with two legs. We came close … Now that moment is lost to the past, and we’re locked into fighting positions.

How come D-Bag never comes to visit?

Jake doesn’t correct me. He’s not a fan, either. Derek is a very busy guy, which I guess suits them both because she’s busy, too.

But too busy to create a life together? You’d think they’d be married by now.

My brother eyes me suspiciously. Since when is creating a life with someone of interest to you?

It’s not. Got all I need right here. I get the benefits of a ready-made family of incredible cuteness without the hassle of responsibility. But it’s just weird that they seem so separate. Not like you and Annie, or even Mom and Dad.

That’s our cue to look toward Sylvia and Kenny. My dad had a stroke last year and while he’s much improved, it’s still tough to see the usually virile guy at less than a hundred percent. Mom’s fussing about, making sure he has a plate of food and beer with a straw.

Dad doin’ okay? I ask, though I know he is. I spent all day with him yesterday, binging half a season of Better Call Saul. He was in good form, but I still defer to Jake’s opinion when it comes to his health. They’re on the same wavelength.

Yeah, he is, getting stronger every day. So get this. Mom was asking whatever happened to whatshername, the gal in PR? Madison? He grins. You brought her to two Killian shindigs in a row and got your poor mother’s hopes up.

Madison Maitland. What can I say? I liked her but she was at least ten years older than me and took me as seriously as I take myself. (Meaning, not very.) When a woman is in a different place in her life and looking for something you can’t give her, it’s hard to close the gap.

Don’t worry. I won’t do anything that pulls focus from you, little prince.

Shut up.

Jake can grumble all he wants but that’s the dynamic, clear and simple. He’s the Killian golden boy and nothing I do will change Mom’s mind on that.

At the grand old age of thirty, my brother is three years older than me. But it may as well be three hundred in terms of our mindset. He married Annie at twenty-five, a couple of years after Maya was born (one-night stand, out of wedlock, the horror!), then along came Spencer five years later. My brother is the living-and-breathing poster boy for responsibility-in-the-burbs while I’m—not. I’m still sowing my oats, as they say, enjoying the carefree life of a single firefighter with a healthy sex drive and an enviable sneaker collection.

Another thing Miz Ferguson doesn’t approve of, I mutter, because I’m still unreasonably caught up in her dislike of me.

She’s never gotten over the snake-on-the-chair intro.

Or my B material joke about her being Annie’s mother. Of course I knew she wasn’t when I met her but until then, I’d heard nothing but amazing things about St. Cassandra. I got it, she was a paragon of sister-slash-motherhood, and I was to treat her with the respect such nobility warranted.

You put a snake on Aunt Cass’s chair? In typical sneaky kid style, my eight-year-old niece Maya has appeared out of nowhere, looking horrified. She’s kind of a rule-follower, like her aunt.

I share a quick look with Jake, who grins and grabs his daughter in a fatherly hug. He was kidding, sweet stuff. You know your uncle Sammie is a bit of a joker.

Hey, bug, how’s my favorite niece?

She’s wearing a Taylor Swift hoodie—which I gave her for Christmas—and gives me the evil eye coupled with a nose twitch. More St. Cassandra vibes. I’m your only niece.

True, true. How are those sneakers treating ya?

My brother shakes his head. You didn’t have to do that.

Yeah, I did! It might be Spence’s big day but everyone should get gifts, right?

Cass thinks so, too, Jake says. "She got Taylor Swift tickets for February."

Huh, I should have thought of that. Score one to Cassie.

Maya hugs me, kind of unexpectedly because she’s not one for sentiment. Thanks, Uncle Sam. It was nice of you to think of me. When can I take a ride with you on the Ducati?

The audacity. When your dad says it’s okay.

Jake mouths fucker over his daughter’s head.

Dad, can I?

Need to wait another few years, M.

A sad-eyed Maya walks off to talk to her aunt, whose face lights up in the presence of her niece. I will say this for the woman: she might be a pill to me, but she’s never anything short of amazing with the kids.

My brother is jabbering on, yanking me out of a daydream where I’m pulling on Cassie’s braids while I …

"You could make more effort with her."

Who, Maya?

No, Cass. Annie and I would like the people we love most in the world to get along. For the kids’ sake.

The kids’ sake? I sound like a parrot, uncomprehending but determined to keep the conversation going.

And mine. But mostly the kids. As they get older, they’re going to pick up on the vibe between you two. It’d be good if you were a bit nicer to each other.

I’m plenty nice. She’s the one who thinks I’m a jerk.

Jake remains silent.

Shut up. I can’t help it. But I promise to make more effort. Whatever Jakey needs to hear.

Of course, that would require Ms. Can-Do-No-Wrong to meet me halfway.

Which I do not see happening at all.

Three

ONE WEEK LATER

Sam

It’s my first day at Engine 6. So this is not where I was