Chapter 7

Monique’s POV

Everyone here knows me already so it was like being with family; we are on our 3rd day of research. I went off the list of questions Alia and I had worked on that first day I went to her house. But it was hard for me to concentrate at first since Carter sat next to me. He put his arm around my waist as we sat in the kitchen booth.

“So Stan what does your wife think about you being a fire fighter?”  I asked him and as I wrote his answer. I felt Carter slip his hand in between my shirt and waist band. He slowly caressed circles on my skin with his thumb. It was so, wreaking havoc on my senses. As I tried to concentrate on writing the things Stan said.

We have been hanging out a little more. I like him, but he is really bold and well I’m really curious. I turn to glare at him and he pretends not to see me.

“Well, when we first got married she was ok with it. But once she had our first child. She seemed to worry more. This job is truly unpredictable. Thank goodness we don’t see much action in the form of fires that is. But once in a while we get called in to some scorchers.” Stan said.

“Wow I never really thought about that. The worry she must feel not knowing she will get that call. Or that visit letting her know you might have gotten hurt. Yeah I don’t think I could live with that.” I get sad just thinking about it.

We continue talking and going through the rest of the questions as Carter now has his hand on my knee. Then he slowly travels it up my leg moving to my inner thigh. I held in a gasp and locked my legs. He still looks unaffected and now I was getting pretty pissed off.

I was so happy I was left handed. I concentrated on writing, while my right hand crept over his lap. Two can play at this game.  I placed my hand on his thigh feeling his muscle tens under my hand. I slowly caressed it with the tips of my fingers. Since he was wearing shorts, he was treated to skin on skin contact.

I was feeling so empowered with his reaction to my touch. As I slowly crept my hand up. I tried to stifle a giggle. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. But I tuned back to Stan who raised an eyebrow. Holy shit I wonder if he knows what I’m doing.

“So how long have you two been dating?” He asked out of the blue.

“We aren’t” I said at the same time Carter said “a week.”

I looked at Carter as he turned to me. “Well until you guys get your story straight. I want to see all 4 hands on this table. I have daughters of my own and that little flush honey makes me think this young stud here is doing things he shouldn’t. What will your brother think?”

Carter and I looked up at the same time as we placed our hands on the table and Stan let out a belly laugh. That’s the only way I can describe it. “Son seems the little lady wasn’t asked out properly if she hasn’t realized you guys are dating. I will sit hear patiently while you ask.”

Carter’s POV

Holy shit we got busted. I smiled well hell he’s making this easy for me. She won’t say no in front of witnesses. I mean not that I thought she would say no to my fine self. “Well what do you say Monique want to be my girl friend?”

I heard Stan sigh. “Boy, that’s no way to ask out a woman.”

“Um, I guess I never have like formally asked one out. We just tend to just hang out and well it’s implied. But ok” I turned to her. “Monique you are the smartest, yet craziest person I know. You are sweet and sexy all rolled up in one. I would really like it if you would be my woman.”

“Oh I give up, are we done here.” I hear Stan say as Monique kisses me.

I hear some were in my muddled brain Blaise voice. “What the fuck, why is he kissing my sister.”

“Lay off man the girl is 21 years old and needs a boyfriend. Even if the kid lacks suave.” I hear Stan tell him but I was too busy sucking face to care.

……….

Blaise  POV

I stomped over to Alia all mad. What the fuck did Stan mean by she needed a boyfriend. I am going to yell at the woman responsible for bringing him into our life. I was working today so I wasn’t really around her much. But she had brought her cousin Giselle with her.

“Alia Diaz, get your ass over here.” I yelled as I approached. Oh shit by the look she just shot me I think I might have to cool it a little.

“Oh I know you didn’t just yell at me like that in front of everyone!” she yelled back.

I bowed my head they raised it giving her a sheepish grin. “Sorry”  then I got angry again “but your cousin was sucking my sisters face a couple minutes ago.”

“Oh my goodness really, Giselle, Carter has a girlfriend.”  They both squealed in happiness and I stormed off all angry again.

Alia’s POV

Oh well Blaise will get over it. I’m happy for Carter. I knew he liked her and he told me about that first day and how they met. I think they will keep each other out of trouble. I walked over to Giselle and saw her talking to Stan. He is a very nice man and I have met his wife and daughters. I wanted to make sure she was ok with this. She is a very lovely woman and he seems like a nice man.

“So Stan, I have noticed the guys walking around shirtless lately. Although I’m not complaining, I am wondering if that is how you guys want to be photographed.” I asked him.

“Well I don’t know about them but I am very partial to my ax and well can I have it in my hand for the picture?” I smiled at him and we went to the door frame for his picture. Carter will add the entire back drop to the picture and make it look good like Derek’s looked.  

He was a pleasant man until he started to talk about Blaise and what a catch he was. How there were a lot of women after him. I must admit it was really starting to get to me. I don’t want to hear about all the women chasing him. It’s not like I care or anything.

I finished the photos and then packed up to go. Giselle was talking to Tanner who I was shooting tomorrow. When Blaise snuck up behind me making me yelp in fright. “Sorry I scared you. I just wanted to know if you wanted to have dinner with me.” He asked and I turned on him.  

“No thank you. Why don’t you go ask one of the many women that are throwing themselves at you?” I said and walked away feeling so stupid. Oh shit I just made myself look so dumb.  “Como on Giselle” I said pulling her along with me. Because I was sure my face was beet red.

Blaise POV

I looked as she walked away wondering what the fuck got into her as Stan walked over to me. “Man she is one angry little thing, what did you do to her?” Stan asked me and I turned to him.

“I have no fucking clue. All I did was asked her to dinner and she ranted about me asking all the many women all over me or some shit like that.”

I saw Stan’s face turn all red. “Oh no, what the fuck did you tell her?”

“I wanted to let her know you had women who wanted you. You know how women want what others have. But no wonder she kept looking angrier and angrier as I talked. I’m sorry man I guess I messed up.” Stan said all worried making me laugh hard.  “Holy shit, are you ok? Did you finally snap?”

“No man don’t you see, she’s jealous.” I say smiling like a loon.

He started to join me in my laughter then turns to me. “I say you make your move soon son. If you keep playing with this girls emotions. She will either hate you later or never want to speak to you. Trust me I know women.”

“Oh you know women do you” we heard from behind us.

Stand turned around ever so slowly and pasted a smile on his face. “Baby you brought me lunch.” He said sweeping his wife off her feet as he kissed her making her forget her anger. Damn you Stan, you are a smooth mother fucker. He broke the kiss and hugged her to him and winked at me.

I walked back to my truck laughing my head off. Ok she did Mr. January today. Only 5 more days of shooting pictures. Less if she‘s on a roll, Stan was right I better up my game. I smile as I pull out my phone and call Jed and get myself invited for dinner. I figure I’ll let him know first what my intentions are towards his daughter. Then go from there.

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Smart man getting daddy on his side..