Fire Games

by Lorana Hoopes

  “I thought you said a relationship that began after a dangerous situation never lasted,” he said with a smile as she pulled back.

  She returned the smile and resisted the urge to kiss him again. “I decided it was worth it, but I thought you needed more time?”

  “My brother convinced me otherwise.”

  She’d have to thank his brother when she met him, but suddenly she remembered where they were and she looked around. “Where is Dustin?”

  “Injured.” A woman’s voice spoke up. Cassidy glanced around and found a young-looking woman leaning over Dustin and applying pressure to his stomach. “We better get an ambulance here.”

  Jordan grunted again and pushed Cassidy’s hair back. “Cassidy, as much as I love holding you in my arms and want to continue, I need to reach my phone to call for a bus.”

  Cassidy scrambled off Jordan allowing him to sit up, but her mind wasn’t on his phone call. It was on the words he had just said. He loved holding her and wanted to continue.

  “How did you find me?” she asked Jordan when he ended his call.

  “It’s a rather long story,” he wheezed as he stood and pulled her to his chest once again. “I promise I’ll tell you all about it after we all get checked out. Al, are you okay?”

  Al? So, this was his partner?

  Al looked up at them an expression of hurt and understanding in her eyes. “I’m fine, but Dustin’s vitals are falling. How far out is the ambulance?”

  Cassidy thought back to the conversation she had overheard. There had been tension in Jordan’s voice when talking about her to Al and from the look in Al’s eyes, it was clear she was hurt by their kiss. Did she have feelings for Jordan then? And a better question was did he return them?

  “Two minutes.”

  “Can I help?” Cassidy asked deciding the issue between Al and Jordan could wait for a better time. Dustin might have abducted her and held her hostage, but she didn’t want him to die.

  “Come help me apply pressure. My arms are starting to shake.”

  Cassidy took in the room as she crossed to Al. Chairs and tables were overturned and though she hadn’t seen what happened, she had a pretty good guess. Jordan and Al had probably surprised Dustin who then kicked over tables and chairs to get away from them, but how had he gotten shot? She couldn’t wait to get the full story from Jordan.

  Chapter 16

  “All right, Cassidy, you’re all clear,” Dr. Brody Cavanaugh said as he finished the exam. “You’ll have that bump and a black eye for another few days, but I believe you’ll make a full recovery.”

  “Thank you. Can I go see Jordan now?” Cassidy hadn’t wanted to be separated from Jordan when they’d reached the hospital, but the doctors had insisted she get looked at as well even though she’d told them she was fine.

  Dr. Cavanaugh smiled and shook his head. “Yes, you can. He’s right down the hall in room four.”

  Cassidy bolted out of the room and down the hall. It seemed like days since she and Jordan had shared that earth-changing kiss, and she didn’t want to wait any longer to experience it again.

  Jordan sat on the bed trying to get his shirt on, his face twisted in pain.

  “Here, let me help you,” Cassidy said hurrying to his side and helping him pull the shirt over his head.

  “Thank you.” He pulled the shirt down over his chiseled abs and then paused as if to catch his breath. “I was hoping you’d come see me.” His voice was quieter than normal, but Cassidy wasn’t sure if that was the hospital or the broken ribs speaking.

  “I couldn’t not come visit the man who saved me,” Cassidy said as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. She wanted it to be more but not while his face wrinkled in pain. There would be plenty of time for soul-shattering kisses when his pain lessened.

  She sat down beside him on the bed and grabbed his hand. Funny how it still felt rough and strong though he looked so weak in the midst of his pain. “Can I ask you something though?”

  “One question first. Did Dustin make it?”

  “He did. The bullet missed all his vital organs, and he’s getting psychiatric help now.”

  Jordan nodded. “Good, now what’s your question?”

  Cassidy took a deep breath. She’d thought about how to ask this but even though she’d rehearsed it, the words still didn’t seem right. “Is there something going on between you and Al?”

  He narrowed his eyes at her and cocked his head. “Why do you ask?”

  “I saw the way she looked at me in the house after we kissed. It’s obvious she has feelings for you, but I need to know if you have feelings for her too.”

  Jordan took her face in his hands. “Al, is my partner, and she means the world to me, but no, I don’t have feelings for her like that. Seeing us kiss was probably a shock for her, but she’ll get over it. Things will be fine.” He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

  Cassidy let herself enjoy the taste of his lips, the feel of security, but the story still wasn’t complete for her. “Okay, but I have to know. How did you find me?” she asked when he pulled back.

  The corners of his mouth pulled into a tight smile, and he took a shallow breath. “Of course you do. Well, when I called you this morning and you didn’t return the call, I figured something might be wrong. I drove toward your apartment and saw the light pole you hit, but they had already towed your car. When I found out where it was stored, I searched your car and found your phone. Thankfully, Ivy was able to unlock your screen and get me the information on Scott. I paid him a visit – he’s no longer interested just so you know.”

  “What?” Cassidy placed her hand on her cheek and pretended to be shocked.

  “Yeah, he’s says you’re too much drama now. Anyway, confident he wasn’t your stalker, I spoke to your landlord who admitted he knew Dustin was stalking you. Evidently, he had been leaving gifts on your doorstep but Bob had been removing them before you saw them because he was afraid you would freak out.”

  Now it all made sense. “So, that’s what Dustin meant. He told me he had left me letters and gifts, but I didn’t remember receiving any. That’s why he switched to sending them to my work.”

  “Remind me to give that landlord of yours a piece of my mind when these ribs heal,” Jordan continued. “Anyway, he gave me the address of the house where Dustin had you and the rest is history.”

  “Thank you for coming for me.” Cassidy traced the veins in his hand relishing the feel of his skin beneath hers.

  His lips parted in a soft smile as he lifted her chin to meet her eyes. “I will always come for you, but when you meet my brother, you should thank him.” He shook his head. “It might have taken me a lot longer to find you if it hadn’t been for him.”

  “Did I hear you mention me?” Cassidy turned to see a man who resembled Jordan in the doorway. He was clean shaven, wore glasses, and was dressed in a suit – about the polar opposite of Jordan – but the two shared the same strong jaw line.

  “Of course he would hear that,” Jordan muttered under his breath as he pushed himself up from the bed. “Cassidy, this is my brother Graham. Graham, this is Cassidy.”

  Graham’s eyebrow rose as he stepped forward and extended a hand. “The firefighter, right?”

  But Cassidy had no intention of simply shaking his hand. She threw her arms around the man who froze in shock. “Thank you.”

  “Uh, you’re welcome?” Graham said. “Wow, maybe you should get injured more often if it’ll mean beautiful women throw themselves at me.”

  “Not on your life,” Jordan said as he grabbed his wallet off the nearby table before returning to stand beside Cassidy.

  Cassidy turned her face up to Jordan’s, a teasing glint sparkling in her eyes. “So, I’ve met your brother. Are you hiding any other family members from me?”

  Jordan raised an eyebrow at her as he put his arm around her and pulled her to his chest. “To be fair, I’ve been a little busy saving children and rescuing you from
a stalker to ramble on about my family, but I’ll be happy to tell you whatever you want to know.”

  Cassidy didn’t think she had ever heard sweeter words. She wrapped her arm around his waist and smiled up at him. “I want to know everything.”

  The Epilogue

  “A few months ago, our father left us this building in his will, and I thought Graham was crazy to want to fix it up.” The crowd cheered and clapped as Jordan tossed his brother a teasing grin. “But after taking some time off to heal and having to spend a lot of that time with my brother, I think he might have been right after all.” Another cheer erupted and Jordan scanned the crowd. Many were firefighters who worked with Cassidy, some were paramedics or hospital staff, and the rest were cops.

  Al caught his eye and nodded at him as she clapped. He’d been worried when he’d started seeing Cassidy, but Al had made it a point to let him know she was happy for him. For them. Perhaps she’d also realized dating a partner was not a good idea, or maybe she’d seen how perfect he and Cassidy were together. Regardless, he was thankful. He didn’t want to lose Al as his partner

  Jordan grinned as he returned her nod and wrapped his arm around Cassidy. He had never wanted this restaurant or the responsibility that went with it, but after spending the last few weeks fixing it up with Cassidy and Graham, it felt more like a second home than a responsibility.

  And maybe that’s why his father had kept it. Maybe he had seen how Graham and Jordan had drifted apart and how this project might bring them back together. It certainly would explain the posters in the walls. Perhaps, in a lucid moment, his father had walled up the posters knowing he would sell them and drink the money away if he didn’t. Maybe his father hadn’t even known about the posters in the walls. Jordan still didn’t know how his father had acquired this building, but he supposed that part might just have to remain a mystery. For now. And he was okay with that.

  “Thanks, big brother,” Graham said taking over the announcing duty. “Ladies and gentlemen, Fire Dreams is officially open for business.”

  Fire Dreams. It might be an odd name for a restaurant, but it fit Jordan and Graham. So much of their dreams growing up had gone up in smoke, but fire held a cleansing power, and somehow this place also felt like a new beginning.

  “You okay?” Cassidy asked as she laid a hand on his chest.

  “Yeah, I was just thinking how I never saw myself here. Owning a restaurant, surrounded by firefighters, and in love with the prettiest one of them all.”

  Cassidy threw back her head and laughed. “Well, that’s not hard considering the rest of them are men.”

  “That is a true statement, but I still think you’re the prettiest one in here.” He turned her to face him and let his hands slide down to her waist. “In fact, we might have to whip out one of those hoses because I feel the heat blaze every time I’m around you.”

  She rolled her eyes and batted his chest. “That might be the corniest line I’ve ever heard.”

  “But you still like me,” he said as he lowered his face to hers and touched her lips.

  “Yeah, I still like you,” she breathed as his lips moved to her neck, “but I’m definitely going to have to work on your moves.”

  He pulled back and feigned a hurt expression. “There is nothing wrong with my moves. In fact, I almost forgot something.” He stepped over to the bar and grabbed the rectangular box he had placed there earlier. “I got something for you.”

  “What? It’s your opening night. I should have gotten something for you.”

  “Yeah, you should have, but you didn’t. Maybe I need to work on your moves,” he teased with a smile. “Open it.” He placed the box in her hands and watched as she unwrapped the paper. He hoped she would like it. Most people might think it was just a trinket, but he suspected it would hold some significance for her.

  She pulled off the top of the box and gasped. “Jordan, how did you? Where did you?” Her words trailed off as she pulled out the small license plate he’d had custom made for her. In the middle was her name and across the bottom was a row of flames.

  “One of the guys who did the interior design has a custom trinket shop. I thought it was time you actually had something with your name on it.”

  Her eyes glistened as she met his gaze. “This is….thank you.”

  “See? I have good moves,” he said pulling her close again.

  “Yes, Officer Graves, it appears you do.” She lifted her head and he wasted no time in claiming her lips once again.

  “Help! Is there a doctor in here?”

  Jordan pulled back and turned to see who needed assistance. A man stood in the doorway, a frantic look on his face.

  “There was an accident. A woman’s been injured, but the guy who hit her took off. She looks bad though. Are any of you doctors?”

  “I am.” Brody Cavanaugh fought his way through the crowd followed by two or three other people Jordan recognized from the hospital.

  “We better go too,” Jordan said grabbing the license plate and stashing it behind the bar once more before hurrying outside with Cassidy and the rest of the crowd.

  The sun had set, but the streetlights illuminated the area and down the street they could see the car – a red sports car – folded in an accordion shape.

  “Get the Jaws of Life,” Bubba ordered as he sprinted towards the car. Around him, firemen spread out. Some ran toward the firehouse a block away to get the truck and ambulance and others followed Bubba including Cassidy.

  Jordan looked around for the man who had entered the bar. He stood a few feet away wringing his hands together. “You.” Jordan hurried over to the man. “I’m Detective Graves. Did you see the accident happen?”

  “It happened so fast. I heard the crash and then it sounded like he gunned it. Why would he gun it if he knew he’d hurt someone?” The man was rambling, clearly in shock.

  “Can you tell me what the vehicle looked like that hit her?”

  The man turned to face Jordan and for a moment his eyes were clear. “It was a truck. A black Ford truck.”

  * * *

  The End!

  * * *

  If you enjoyed this story, please leave a review at your retailer. Just a few words really helps.

  Want to know who was in the accident and who was the driver of the truck? Find out the rest of the story in the riveting second book of the Men of Fire Beach series, Lost Dreams and New Beginnings.

  It’s not quite the end!

  Thank you so much for reading Fire Games. This book was originally planned to be the third full length book in the Blushing Brides series, but as it lent itself more to suspense, I decided to make it a spin off series. As you can see, there is more planned for The Men of Fire Beach and I hope you’ll take that journey with me.

  I hope you enjoyed the story as I really enjoyed writing it. If you did, would you do me a favor? Please leave a review at your retailer. It really helps. It doesn’t have to be long - just a few words to help other readers know what they’re getting.

  I’d love to hear from you, not only about this story, but about the characters or stories you’d like read in the future. I’m always looking for new ideas and if I use one of your characters or stories, I’ll send you a free ebook and paperback of the book with a special dedication. Write to me at loranahoopes@gmail.com. And if you’d like to see what’s coming next, be sure to stop by authorloranahoopes.com

  I also have a weekly newsletter that contains many wonderful things like pictures of my adorable children, chances to win awesome prizes, new releases and sales I might be holding, great books from other authors, and anything else that strikes my fancy and that I think you would enjoy. I’ll even send you the first chapter of my newest (maybe not even released yet) book if you’d like to sign up.

  Even better, I solemnly swear to only send out one newsletter a week (usually on Tuesday unless life gets in the way which with three kids it usually does). I will not spam you, sell your email address to solicitors o
r anyone else, or any of those other terrible things.

  * * *

  God Bless,

  Lorana

  Not ready to say Goodbye yet?

  Cassidy and Jordan will appear in the future novels, but the next book is going to focus on a doctor. I bet you can’t guess who?

  Lost Memories and New Beginnings

  He’s a doctor who’s still grieving…

  She’s a patient with no memory…

  Will they find love with each other or will her past keep them apart? ….

  Lost Memories preview

  At the sound of the angry voices, she clasped her hand over her mouth to keep from making a sound. She had to get out of here, but the men were still in the room. Was this why he had been so angry when she came back? What would they do if they found her?

  She faintly heard the sliding glass door to the balcony patio open. Now was her shot, and it might be the only one she had. As quickly as she could, she pushed open the door. Don’t look at them. Just grab your purse and get out of here. But her eyes shifted to the left anyway. As if drawn by force. For a moment she froze. Long enough for the man on the patio to turn and catch sight of her. His face was shrouded in darkness, but she could feel the frosty hatred in his gaze. Her feet regained their ability to move and she bolted out of the bedroom and down the stairs.

  A noise sounded behind her, but she didn’t know if it was the patio door or her overactive imagination playing tricks on her. She burst out the front door and raced down the driveway knowing the men were just behind her. Her breath and the sound of her heartbeat thundered in her head. Would she make it? Frantically, she pushed the unlock button on her key fob. She wanted to turn around, but she knew looking behind her would cost precious time. When she reached the car, she yanked the door open and slid into the seat. Her fingers trembled so badly that she nearly dropped the keys as she jammed them into the ignition. As it finally slid in, she chanced a glance at the front door.