Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
The captain stays on my ass, letting Scott do the officer-in-command thing, providing initial size-up and forcible entry. I set the pump to the right pressure and get the water flowing. We have the fire out in ninety-eight minutes. Damage reached the second floor, but the sturdy brick and concrete construction kept the building from sustaining structural problems.
I can’t shake the urge to figure out where the fire started—to prove my hunch is correct.
A heavy hand claps down on my shoulder. “Good work, Sparks.”
I turn, hoping it’s the captain, but it’s Scott.
I kick myself for wanting Blaze’s approval so badly. I know I’m doing a good job and that’s all that matters, right? So far, I haven’t frozen up once. Even when I wanted to just stand back and watch the flames, my fascination with the destruction is a deadly pull. It must be that same pull that nudges me about this fire.
The guys are packing the hose back up, and I should be helping, but I slip away for a chance to do some searching on my own. I circle around to the back corner where the fire was biggest.
There, outside a broken window, I find a gasoline can.
“Burke!” the captain calls, jogging over to me. “Why the fuck aren’t you helping pack up the truck?”
“I was just trying to figure out the cause of the fire.” I point out the gasoline can.
He purses his lips. “Don’t touch anything. We’ll leave it for the inspector to investigate.”
I nod.
“And Burke? You’re not an inspector. If you wanted to search out clues, you shoulda been a cop like the rest of your family. Now get back with the team.”
Asshole.
“Yes, sir.”
But then I realize what he revealed. He knows my family. Why does that set off alarm bells? Is he the source of information for my brother’s friend at another station? The one who told him they’re betting on how long I last?
“I don’t need a fucking hero, understand?”
“Yes, sir,” I repeat.
I’m not trying to be a hero. I know that’s why most of them are here, but not me. I’m here because I have twin needs that will never be quenched: Fire. And atonement.
Blaze
I smell the scent of sulfur from behind Lia’s closed door and grit my teeth. She’s lighting matches again. That girl seriously needs a talking to. I rap sharply on the door and push it open.
—and then I stop cold.
Or maybe hot is the right word.
Lia’s standing there in a pair of goddamn pink panties, her FDNY t-shirt knotted above her waist.
I gape for one room-spinning moment, then I step in to shut the door. Wait—fuck! I can’t be in a closed room with her—when she’s in her panties!
But I sure as hell can’t leave it open for other fire-fucks to see her this way, either.
Screw it—I kick it closed.
She’s laughing at me now, triumph over my dance with the door evident in her eyes.
“What in the Sam-fuck are you wearing?” I boom, too loud.
Her full lips stretch into a shit-eating grin. She loves seeing my unfortunately full-bodied reaction to the sight of a mere triangle of soft pink fabric covering what must be the sweetest little pussy in the five boroughs. “I’m pretty sure you’re aware of what I’m wearing.”
“Th-those are not regulation,” I sputter. What I mean is that they look like they’re made of a non-compliant material—like polyester or a rayon blend. And yeah, I shouldn’t be looking that close, but I did.
If we run out on a fire tonight and she gets burned, those panties would melt and fuse to her skin.
I force myself to look away. I can’t discuss it with her standing there like that. My self-control will frazzle. “Just… stop playing with fire. Put your pants on.”
“Why, Captain?” the little minx purrs, knowing she has me by the balls. She cocks a hip. “Am I making you... uncomfortable?”
My fingers twitch. “Put some goddamn pants on before I spank that juicy ass red!”
Oh shit.
I clap a hand over my mouth, then attempt to hide the gesture by rubbing the stubble on my face. I definitely shouldn’t have said that. All this time I’ve been trying to protect her from harassment, and I’m the first asshole to bring it.
Well, I knew that, didn’t I? In reality, I’ve just been trying to protect her from me.
Of course, I can’t tear my gaze from her now, and I watch her eyes grow dark, full lips part. Her nipples bead up beneath the t-shirt. “Wow, Captain,” her voice sounds breathy and high. She reaches one hand between her legs and curls her fingers in. “That’s kinda hot. Maybe I should take them off for that.” She hooks her thumbs in the waistband of her panties and starts to slowly pull them down.
“Stop it.” I stride forward and catch her wrists. In about two seconds I have her backed against the wall, wrists pinioned in one of my hands.