Chasing Fire

were both grown-ups. They both knew the score. When the fire between them lay down, they could just step away again. No scars, no worries.
    If she opted for the jump, that’s just how she’d approach it. Two healthy, single adults who liked each other enjoying some good, tension-snapping sex.
    “That’s a big, smug smile you’re wearing,” Janis said as she joined Rowan at the table.
    “I’m deciding if I’m going to have sex with Gull sooner or later.”
    “That would put a big, smug smile on my face. He’s just sooo purty—” She gave a shoulder wiggle that sent her ponytail, circled with bluebirds, dancing. “In a manly way. But what happened to the rule?”
    “I’m thinking I’ll temporarily rescind it. But do I wait, keep getting off, so to speak, on the sexual tension, innuendo, byplay and pursuit? Or do I dive headlong into the hot, steamy, sexy goodness?”
    “Both are excellent uses of time. However, I’ve found, occasionally, that building anticipation can also overbuild expectation. Then nobody can fully meet the overbuild.”
    “That’s a problem, and another factor to consider. The thing is, I don’t think I’d be considering it, at least not yet, if this hadn’t happened. The Dolly Crapathon. It’s thrown me off, Janis.”
    “If you let that tiny-brained, coldhearted, self-pitying skank throw you off, you’re letting her win. If you let her win, you’re going to piss me off. If you piss me off, I’m going to beat the snot out of you.”
    Rowan went pfftt . “You know you can’t take me.”
    “That has not yet been put to the test. I got my fourth-degree black belt this winter. When I make martial arts noises, thousands flee in terror. Don’t test me.”
    “Can you hear that? It’s my knees knocking.”
    “They’re wise to fear me. Go, have sex for fun and orgasms, and forget about the Dolly Crapathon.”
    “You are wise as well as short.”
    “I can also break bricks with my bare hands.” And examined her manicure.
    “That’s a handy skill if you ever find yourself walled up in the basement of an abandoned house by a psychopath.”
    “I keep it in my pocket for just that eventuality.” She glanced over as Trigger walked between tables on his hands. “A sure sign we’re going stir-crazy. Plenty to do, but we’re doing it grounded.”
    “The way we’re going, especially with Super-Sewer Dobie, we’re going to be in better shape on gear and equipment than before The Nightmare on Dolly Street .”
    “I hope the cops put the fear of God into her.” Janis lowered her voice. “Matt gave her five thousand.”
    “What?”
    “For the baby. I heard her crying to Matt after L.B. gave her the boot. How was she going to pay off the hospital bills now, and the pediatrician? He said he could spare five thousand to help her clear up the bills, tide her over until she got work. I guess I get it. His brother’s kid and all. But she’s going to keep tapping him, you know she is.”
    “Why work when you can sob-story your dead lover’s brother into passing you cash? If he wants to help out with the baby, he should give money to Dolly’s mother, or pay some of those bills directly.”
    “Are you going to tell him that?”
    “I just might.” Rowan gathered up the chute to take to repair. “I damn well might.”
    She considered offering unsolicited advice and opinion—which everybody hated—or just staying out of it. By the time she took a break for her run, she’d all but exhausted ideas for a third choice. Maybe the PT would help her think of one.
    She changed into her running gear, grabbed a bottle of water. Gull joined her as she walked out of the barracks.
    “Right on time,” he commented.
    “If I’d had to spend another hour indoors, I’d’ve hurt someone. What’ve you got in you today?”
    “We’ll have to find out. I’ll tell you this, the ready room looks like Martha Stewart stocked and organized it. And I’m well past done with anything approaching domestic work, but I am looking to get some more rigger training.”
    “So you’ve been studying there, too?”
    “Knowing how something works isn’t the same as making it work. You’re a certified Master Rigger. You could tutor me.”
    “Maybe.” She already knew him for a quick study. “Are you looking to work toward your Senior Rigger certification, or to spend more time with me?”
    “I’d call it multitasking.”
    They stopped on the side of the track where Rowan shed her warm-up