I have to shake myself back into reality after watching Erin walk away. She hasn't left my mind since yesterday, and this unexpected run-in only fueled my already-existing hunger for her.

I sit in my truck for a moment before starting it, still reveling in the fact that I just held Erin in my hands again. The curvature of her body is pure bliss; I want to submerge myself in her and never come up for air. I want my mind to fill with thoughts of her; if I never touched another woman again, I wouldn't care, because I'd have her.

My body is throbbing. The feeling of her full lips rubbing against mine sent my mind racing. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to stop. Just the taste of her was enough to get me going. If only she weren't on her way to work... If it were any other way, I would have taken her back to my apartment and have her panting my name again.

I'm getting myself too worked up. If I keep going the way I am, I'll have to beat myself off right here, right now. No one – and I mean no one – needs to see that. I only want one person to see me that way, and she's currently driving herself into the center of the city.

Before I lose myself further, I start my truck leave the block, trying my best not to let my dirty thoughts distract me too much. She looked so goddamn gorgeous today; I'm surprised I kept my hands off her for as long as I did.

I can't help but wonder how or why she sought help from Aph. She's an amazing woman, and I can't believe that she is still single. Any man in their right mind would snatch her up; I'm just lucky that no one did before me.

Erin looked shocked when she saw me on the other side of the velvet curtain, and I have to admit, I was, too. She was the last person I expected to see at the shop, but that doesn't change the way I feel about her. Knowing that she also needed help in the love department makes me feel like less of a failure.

No one at the station knows about my recent struggles with women, not even Trev or Fletcher, my two best friends. I'm embarrassed that I haven't fully recovered since Allison and I broke up, which is a feeling I keep to myself.

I don't dare show an ounce of weakness around the guys because I know they'll call me out on it. I'm a Lieutenant. I'm supposed to be one of the strongest, most headstrong men on the job. But I'd be lying if I said I felt strong all the time.

The breakup with Allison broke me. I thought she was the one; I saw myself marrying her one day, having kids, growing old – but that wasn't in the books. We were both too young and focused on our careers to even think of getting married, not to mention having kids.

Feeling broken at work is shit, and it's because of that brokenness that I found myself fooling around with Cora. She was supposed to mean nothing – a meaningless rebound – but, of course, that wasn't what happened. I was an idiot and fell for her wickedly sexy bedroom talk; now, whenever I see her, the thought of her naked body sends unwanted shivers down my spine. I was stupid to think a workplace relationship would work; firehouses have rules like that for a reason.

It seems that Cora is trying her best to make things as awkward as possible between us, which only manages to screw up the aura of the entire house. Practically everyone knows about her wicked ways, how she slithers from one man to the next without a second thought. It's a cry for attention, I think. But there are a few men in the house that are looking for a decent fuck and don't turn Cora down when she offers.

When I pull enter my apartment, Gunnar practically jumps me. He's always so excited when I come home from shift; it's nice knowing that someone missed me.

"Hey, boy," I coo, scratching behind his fluffy ears.

I got Gunnar after Allison; she wasn't one for pets, which, of course, killed me as a dog lover. The time I spent with her was the only time I've ever been dog-less, and even though I loved her and would have accepted not having a dog in my life, I am very much happy with this fluffball.

I can't wait for Erin to meet him. I remember her saying how much she loves dogs. The thought takes me back to the day we first met when she started nervously rambling about volunteering with animals and loving dogs. It pains me to know that a dog-person is living without a dog; I didn't see any evidence of a pet living in her apartment.

"Walk?" I ask Gunnar in a giddy voice.

My suggestion causes playful barks and whines to come from his mouth, signaling that he indeed wants to go.

After changing into a t-shirt, gym shorts, and runners, I leash up Gunnar and head out of the apartment.

Our outings tend to become runs rather than walks. I like running because it clears my head, and being able to do that with my dog brings me so much joy.

Gunnar and his golden locks bounce beside me as we jog toward the running trail near the river. This is our favorite spot, especially during autumn, when the leaves are changing color. It's my version of "the great outdoors" in Yaletown.

My thoughts, against my best efforts, fall back to Erin. It's not just her body and the way she feels in my hands that come to mind, but her overall aura. She's so unique, and unlike any girl, I've ever had a relationship with. I'm not saying that all my past relationships were crap compared to what we have, but they didn't have the same finesse.

I want to see her even though I just did. The time we spent together today was not enough for me; I want more.

Knowing that it's definitely too soon, I slow to a walking pace, pull out my phone, and text her anyway.

"Is tonight too soon?" I type before placing the phone back in my pocket.

Knowing that Erin is working gives me the strength not to wait around for her reply. Instead, I pick up my pace and head back in the direction of my apartment.

After another warm shower, I pull on a pair of boxers and crawl into bed. I've refrained from looking at my phone since I texted Erin over an hour ago, and when I bring my phone to life, my heartbeat quickens when her name appears on the screen.

"No, it isn't :) "

"I'll pick you up at 8. Bring a night bag." I type before placing my phone back on the nightstand.

"Go to sleep! You'll need it ;) "

God. This woman is everything.