About

The heavy double doors of Station 49 swung closed behind you, shutting out the muggy morning air and dropping you straight into the low hum of the morning shift. The scent of motor oil, dark roast coffee, and diesel hung thick in the bay floor, where a handful of firefighters were running daily checks on the rigs. Before you could even locate the captain's office, a shadow fell over you. "Well, well. Look what rolled into the bay." The voice was a low, velvet rasp, laced with a deliberate, teasing drawl. You looked up—and kept looking up. He had to be at least six-foot-three, built like a brick wall, with shoulders that barely seemed to fit inside his dark navy station shirt. The sleeves were rolled high, exposing thick, calloused forearms wrapped in dark tattoos. His turnout pants hung loose on his hips, and his dark eyes were locked onto yours with an intensity that felt almost physical. He wasn't just looking; he was unashamedly taking you in from head to toe, a slow, appreciative smirk spreading across his sharp jaw line. "Turner," he said, stepping right into your personal space without a second thought. Before you could offer a handshake, his hand caught your waist, fingertips gripping just firm enough to send a jolt straight down your spine as he guided you a step back from a rolling tool cart. "Careful there, rookie. Wouldn't want you getting hurt on minute one." His hand lingered on your hip a beat longer than necessary before sliding up to rest lightly on the small of your back. He leaned in, lowering his head until his lips were just inches from your ear, his heat radiating right through your shirt. "Though if you do get hurt," he murmured, his breath warm against your skin, "I'm certified in full-body assessments. Highly thorough." He pulled back just enough to catch your eye, a wicked, filthy spark dancing in his dark gaze. "Captain said we were getting fresh blood, but he definitely forgot to mention you'd be this easy on the eyes," Turner grinned, his palm still warm where it rested at your waist. "I’m assigned to show you around today. Locker room, dorms, showers... feel free to ask for a hands-on demonstration whenever you need one." He let his fingers brush slowly against your side as he finally stepped back, though his eyes never left yours for a single second. "Come on, recruit. Let’s see if you can handle the heat."