Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Nope, sure don't.

AN: Okay, so I've been working on this chapter off and on for almost a week now and I finally finished it last night. So even though it's my birthday today you guys are getting a smut infused present featuring my favorite fireman and yours. Enjoy.

Warning: This chapter contains lemon.

Ever since Emmett had kissed Bella it was all that she could think about. She had dreams of being rescued by him in several different ways and when she woke she could almost feel his lips on hers. To be on the safe side, she had made the decision to put some distance between them until she had sorted out her feelings. She missed talking to him late at night. She wondered what he was doing or if he was thinking of her.

The weekend after their kiss Bella realized that most of the firefighters who normally came in hadn't been in in a few days. Jasper hadn't come in to walk Alice home from work since the day after Emmett and Bella's kiss. Come to think of it, Alice had been a tad bit on edge lately. It was time that she and Bella had a talk.

Alice came over straight after work, not even bothering to change out of her uniform. She had dark circles under her eyes from too many sleepless nights and her perfect posture had gone out the window. Bella watched her with worried eyes. She went to check on dinner, meat loaf and mashed potatoes, Alice's favorite.

"Dinner should be ready soon," Bella said from the kitchen.

"I'm not hungry," Alice said, coming through the revolving door.

"Did you eat at the diner? I told you that I was making dinner," Bella said with a huff.

"Do you have any wine?"

"There might be some on the top shelf in the back. What's going on with you? Did you and Jasper break up?"

"No," Alice said, pouring herself a healthy amount of wine into a large wine glass.

"Then what is going on?"

"Jasper's out of town, so is Emmett, in case you're wondering," Alice broached.

"Are they camping or something?"

"I wish. They're fighting the wildfire in Mandan."

"Are you serious?" Bella asked, her voice panicked.

"They were the first to volunteer. I don't know when they're coming back. God, I'm a nervous wreck," Alice said with a deep sigh.

"Why didn't you say anything before now?"

"I thought that you knew. Emmett didn't tell you?"

"I haven't talked to him in almost a week."

Bella grabbed a wine glass and poured herself an almost full glass. She knew that Emmett was only doing his job but she worried about him because he had chosen such a dangerous profession, just like her dad and Jacob. Her appetite was now lost. She moved to the oven, pulled out the meat loaf, which was done and made a mental not to give it to her next door neighbor.

She knew about the forest fire that had started in Mandan and was moving towards them, it was all over the news. With the dry spell that the state of North Dakota had been having combined with the climbing temperatures it was only a matter of time before someone got careless. If she turned the TV on there would more than likely be coverage of the fire on the news. There was a threat the fire could spread to them in Bismarck if it wasn't contained in the next day or so.

"Talk to me," Alice implored.

"You've had days to let this sink in, I just found out," Bella reasoned.

"You really haven't talked to Emmett since you kissed?"

"No. I didn't want to say or do something that I would regret later. I do like him, I've come to depend and rely on him."

"Even a blind person could see how much he likes you."

"Well, I had no clue until he kissed me. He snuck up on me," she said with a light laugh.

"I might be able to eat a little something. This wine won't sit well on an empty stomach."

"Let me get the potatoes mashed," Bella said, moving to the counter.

"Extra cheese and easy on the garlic powder please," Alice suggested.

They sat down to dinner, but neither of them ate much. Bella's eyes wandered over to the TV on the counter. She was tempted to turn on the news but she was scared of what she would find out. Alice's phone buzzed and she grabbed it from off the table. Her eyes brightened immediately.

"It's from Jasper," she said, pushing a few buttons to cue up her text messages.

"When was the last time you talked to him?"

"The day he left. He's coming home tonight," she said with a breathless laugh.

Bella grabbed the remote and the TV quickly came to life. She switched to the news and they didn't have to wait long for an update. As soon as the news came back from a commercial the news anchor announced that the fire had been contained after raging for four days. Cleanup would take weeks but the fire had been taken out early that afternoon.

Bella reached for her phone, not sure what she would say to Emmett, other than ask him if he was okay. Did she want him to come over so they could talk? Should she go and see him? Should she...

"You're thinking about Emmett," Alice observed.

"We need to talk, I know but I don't know how to bring it up. Should I invite him over? Should I go to the station? Should I ask him to come by the diner?"

"Here. Order dinner, keep it casual. This is not the crisis you are making it out to be."

"You make it sound so easy."

"It can be. Emmett isn't looking for some huge overblown declaration of love. He just wants a chance to make you happy."

Bella sighed, knowing that Alice was right. She had a tendency to over complicate things that shouldn't be complicated at all. She tapped a quick message and hit send before she could talk herself out of it.

Do you want to come over for dinner tomorrow night?

Her phone chirped less than a minute later as she was loading the dishwasher. Alice snatched it before she could dry her hands.

"Hey!" she protested with a laugh.

"He wants to know if he can bring anything?"

"No. Ask him what he wants to eat."

"He likes burgers, I can tell you that." Alice answered as she typed.

They went into the living room where Alice spent most of the night with her phone close by because Jasper would text her every couple of minutes. He texted her for the last time just before eleven to let her know that he was back at the station and that he was going to bed. Alice saw herself out after the local news went off and Bella readied for bed. She was glad that she had the day off tomorrow, she would be a neurotic mess if she had to work while worrying about what might happen.

XXXX

Bella tried to go about her day as normal as possible. She had straightened up the living and dining room, mopped the kitchen and removed all incriminating photos that would embarass her from the TV hutch. Emmett would be the first guy, other than her dad to visit her since she had moved to North Dakota a year earlier. That was a marvel in itself.

She still had four hours before Emmett would be there and by the time she finished cleaning a knot had settled in her stomach and she willed it to go away. There were only two people who could calm her now and Alice was at work so she hoped that her mother was home from work by now. She dialed her mom's number, nervously drumming her fingers on the gleaming counter top.

"Bella?" Renee greeted when she answered on the third ring.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"No, I'm just loading the dishwasher. We just finished dinner. What's up?"

"I have a guy coming over tonight and I'm a little nervous," she admitted with a dry laugh.

"You've met someone?" Renee asked, the sound of something crashing to the floor echoing through the phone.

"Are you okay?" Bella asked quickly.

"I dropped some tupperware containers. You have a guy coming over?"

"Yes, Mom," Bella said with a defeated sigh.

Renee launched into an interrogation that would have made Charlie proud. She wanted to know everything and would not stop until Bella had told her everything that she knew about Emmett.

"He seems like a great guy. I'm sure that you're worrying over nothing."

"You're right," Bella agreed.

"You've told me almost everything I need to know, except what he looks like."

"He's tall and strong enough to carry a monster truck tire, with no trouble. I've seen him do it. He's got blond hair, blue eyes and eye lashes that most people would be jealous of. Oh his smile, Mom, I can't explain it. It's something you have to see for yourself. "

"He sounds amazing and now I want see a picture of him."

"He's on my Facebook page and while you're at it, check out Alice's."

"Will do," Renee answered, the sound of tapping computer keys in the background.

"Check out Alice's first."

"But I'm already on...Holy mackerel!" she exclaimed.

"Pretty cute, huh?"

"He's gorgeous. You did not tell me about how good he looked in his fireman's shirt. I don't even think I could wrap my hand around his bicep."

"Now check out Alice's new boyfriend," Bella advised.

"And now I am dying," Renee said with a sigh.

"I gotta tell you, Jasper's a real southern gentlemen."

"I can't wait to meet either of them."

"One day," Bella agreed.

Bella talked to her mom for a few more minutes, making plans for Renee to come and visit in the fall. Bella had missed her mom, but Renee had understood that Bella wanted to take some time to get her business up and running before having her family visit. Fall was her moms favorite season and with so many festivals and the county fair taking place in late September, early October it would be a perfect time for her to visit.

Bella's phone rang as she was getting ready with less than an hour before Emmett came over. Alice smiled back at her and she sighed before sliding her thumb over the accept button.

"What?" she asked with a groan.

"I just thought you'd like to know that Emmett came in a little while ago. Edward was here but he behaved himself. I think that it's safe to say that Edward has moved on."

"Well good, I'm glad."

"I introduced him to Rosalie and they seem to be quite taken with each other."

"Good grief, you've been spending too much time with Jasper. You're talking like him."

"What all did you do today?"

"I talked to my mom for almost two hours. She can't wait to meet you by the way. She'll be coming in October."

"That's awesome! What did she have to say about Emmett?"

"She had a thousand questions but she's happy that I'm happy."

"Back to Emmett, what are you wearing tonight?"

"My Seahawks tee and a pair of cut offs."

"Good choice on the shirt, it flaunts the few curves you have, are you wearing your acid wash cut offs? Those things are hideous!"

"No, I'm wearing the light colored ones that you say show off my ass."

"Smart girl. Give him a taste of what's to come."

"I need to call Yen's and order dinner so I need to get off of here."

"That's another reason why I called you. Jasper says that Emmett has a peanut and shellfish allergy. I didn't want you to order something that could make him sick."

"Thanks for the tip. I'll call you as soon as he leaves," she promised.

"Good luck, Hon," Alice said before ending the call.

Bella called the Chinese place across the street and the food should be ready by the time that she finished getting ready. Twenty minutes later she was crossing the street on her way back to her building when she saw Emmett get out of his car a few buildings up. She took the time to take him in. His skin was a little darker than when she had seen him last. That meant that he had more than likely spent the day outside before coming to see her. He wore a dark blue muscle tee that seemed to mold to his solid frame and his khaki shorts were slung low on his hips.

She waited at the bottom of the stairs for him as he pulled a pink box out of the back of his car. She'd know that box anywhere. It came from the bakery a few doors down from the diner and they made the best cupcakes that she had ever had. She smiled in greeting when his eyes met hers. She held open the door from him then led the way up the stairs; she had never been more glad that the building didn't have an elevator. She moved her hips in a way that she knew would get his attention as they walked up to the second floor. Once in her apartment she sat the food on the coffee table before taking the box from him.

"Hi," she said, turning to face him.

"Hey," he answered, his voice low, thick with want.

She stepped up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. To hell with talking to him, she could think of better things to do. She was going to take her mom and Alice's advice and just go for it. She leaned up on her toes to place her lips on his, feeling his hands on hips to steady her. He applied pressure to the kiss, feeling her hands playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. He inwardly groaned when he realized that there was a hitch in their plan. Bella felt him go rigid before pulling away.

"What's the matter?" she asked, worrying her bottom lip.

"How serious do you want things to get tonight?" he asked with a sigh.

"I was hoping that we'd end up in my bedroom since you have the night off."

"I don't have a condom on me," he said sheepishly.

"I don't have any either. Next time?"

"Definitely," he said, nodding his head quickly.

"That doesn't mean that we can't fool around" she offered.

"Well, I'm not going to tell you no. What changed your mind? Because last time I saw you I was sure that I was going to have to give you the hard sell about being with me."

"I had a talk with Alice and then I called my mom this afternoon. They both gave me the same advice. I shouldn't make things so complicated. I always do that."

"I can see how that would be a problem," he said with a slow nod.

She sighed deeply before kissing him again. She wouldn't let herself be the one to pull away first this time. She walked them backwards, guiding him around the coffee table, only bumping their knees once before the back of her knees brushed against the couch. He pushed her gently onto the couch with him hovering over her, his arms boxing her in. This was the way that he had wanted their first kiss to be. He had wanted to kiss her thoroughly so that she felt it in every part of her. He wanted the feeling of his lips on hers to last long after they had left each other.

Her hands traveled down his arms to his narrow hips, feeling heat coming off of him in waves. She got lost in the feeling of his lips on hers. This was the most intense, most exquisite kiss that she'd shared with anyone. Jacob had always been gentle, even if he had been intense when he wanted to be. Jacob had always been the one to say no, Bella had always gone along with him; it had felt right at the time. Bella wasn't the same person she had been back then.

Emmett pulled away, his fingers lacing into her hair, which she had chosen to wear down. His eyes were wide and his chest was heaving as he stared down at her. She smiled up at him nervously, wishing that he would sit down so that they could talk. He finally sat next to her a few seconds later, noticing a picture on the end table. It was a picture of Bella on the day she graduated from college. There were two men flanking her and a guy who he guessed was her ex standing behind who Emmett guessed was his dad. Bella's eyes followed his and swallowed the sigh that was building in her throat.

"You look like your dad," he observed.

"Thank you."

"Is this Jake?" he asked, gesturing to Jacob.

"It is," she said with a nod.

In the picture Bella and Jacob had an arm around each other's waist but it was clear that friendship was all there was between them at the time.

"How long had the two of you been broken up when this was taken?"

"Actually we were still dating then. We tried to make things work; but by the end of the summer it was obvious that things were over. We had spent the better part of four years apart and it took a toll on the both of us. We weren't the same people we had been when we first started dating at sixteen."

"I've never been in a serious relationship. Even before I become a fire fighter is was my main focus, I wanted to carry on my dad's legacy."

"That's really nice."

"Do you and Jacob still talk?"

"Every once in a while. He started dating someone a few months ago and I don't want to get in the middle of what they have."

Emmett nodded even though he couldn't imagine staying friends with someone after dating them. Bella had told him early on in their friendship that she and Jacob had been friends since they were really young so maybe it was natural for them to go back to being friends. Charlie and Jacob's dad, Billy had been friends since before Bella and Jacob had been born. Emmett din't have any friends that he'd had for that long.

Bella suggested that they eat before the food got cold and they settled down on the couch with dinner and found a movie to watch. If this could be considered a date it was the easiest one that Emmett had been on in a long time. He'd dated off and on during high school and sewn some wild oats in college like most college students did but once he'd finished college he'd put his focus on the fireman's entrance exam and hand't dated a lot since.

"What's Jake like?"

"Jake is a loose cannon of emotions. He's a loyal son and friend. He's funny and sweet. He hates being wrong and he has a terrible temper when someone is dumb enough to take him on. He's moody and irrational at times. But ninety percent of the time he's a good person."

"He sounds like a guy I could get along with."

"You would. You both have thankless, selfless jobs which is something that I could never do, he's an EMT."

"You have thankless job and you're selfless. I haven't known you that long but I can see that."

"Thanks," she said with a shy smile.

The conversation was finished and Bella relaxed against Emmett, her head resting in the crook of his shoulder. She rested her elbow on his knee feeling more at ease than she had in a long time. They were quiet, the TV turned off once the movie was over. It was only nine, way too early to go to even think of heading to the bedroom.

She turned her head, placing a kiss on his jaw. She placed a hand on his chest before throwing her legs over his and settling on his lap.

"Woman, you are full of surprises," he said in wonder.

She didn't respond as she pushed his shirt up just enough for her fingers to trace a small portion of exposed skin. His shirt was pushed up higher so that his abs were on full display. Seriously, was it normal for guys to look this good? She counted his abs to herself, counting six in all. Six very defined and tan abs. Emmett pulled the shirt off the rest of the way and Bella's eyes traveled to his pecs and biceps. She was sure that he could pick her up and toss her over his shoulder with ease if he wanted to.

Emmett's hands pushed her shirt up so that it bunched under breast, his fingers skimming over her stomach and rib cage. Bella's hands rested on his shoulders, feeling his muscles flex and relax under her fingers. He pushed her shirt over her breast and she pulled it off the rest of the way. He palmed one of her breast, which fit into his hand perfectly. Bella was never more glad that she had taken after the Swan side of the family than she was right then. Her mom was always complaining about her lack of a bust.

Her eyes were on his as she reached to unhook her bra slowly. Once it was off Emmett ran his fingers over her nipples, pulling them between his fingers gently until they pebbled in his hand. he leaned in, bringing one into his mouth and one of his hands moved down to her waist between them. The only sound in the room was the sound of her zipper being pulled down before his fingers slipped inside her underwear.

She gasped as one of the fingers cupping her sex slipped into her folds. Her eyes closed in pleasure and she found herself moving against him to the rhythm he had set. She could feel his erection growing against her thigh and if she wasn't mistaken he could possibly be bigger than Jacob was on the big side penis wise. He pulled her off of him with one arm and she lay back on the couch, offering herself to him.

He pulled her shorts and underwear off with one pull and then quickly shed his shorts and boxer briefs. Bella got her first look at his package and tried not to think about the pain that she would feel when he stretched her out when the time came.

"God, you are so wet," he groaned.

Bella moaned in response, not wanting to ruin the moment. He slipped a second digit in and Bella raised herself off the couch to meet his fingers. She reached down to take him in her hand, putting her fears aside. She could barely fit her hand around him and he had to be at least ten inches. She ran her hand from the base to the head, her fingers spreading precum that was starting to leak out.

After a minute she became less nervous and more sure of what she was doing. Emmett's breathing was becoming more labored and his fingers were moving faster at her center. She could feel her climax building, she wouldn't last much longer. Emmett added a third finger and she felt a slight twinge of pain pain but the feeling of her oncoming climax trumped it. She came with a muffled moan, rising off the couch, boneless. If Alice were home, she would hear them for sure through the paper thin walls that separated their living rooms. She would need to take things back to the bedroom which faced the outside of the building if things progressed.

Her hand continued to glide along his erection for another half a minute before his seed splattered over her stomach. He heaved a sigh of relief, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

"Where's your bathroom? I'll get a towel to clean you up," he offered.

"How about a shower?"

"I like the way you think," he said with an easy smile.

He stood then held out a hand for her. They walked side by side to the bathroom. They left the door open and Emmett started the shower while Bella grabbed them towels from the hall closet. Emmett was already in the shower when she got back into the bathroom and pulled her into the shower so quickly that she almost tripped over the edge of the tub. She fell into him with wide eyes and he looked down at her through lust filled eyes. It was going to be a long night and she was going to have a lot of explaining to do when she talked to Alice tomorrow but she had a feeling that Alice wouldn't mind.