Lighting Fire

by Leslie North

  "Let's hope for rain," Sookie said.

  Hank nodded. His hand found her shoulder, then, and she leaned her head against the solid length of his arm. Then he withdrew and left. He passed another fireman in the doorway, and stopped to converse a moment.

  Sookie turned and saw that it was Landon Brenner, one of the members of the Alaskan squad.

  He tipped his cap to her and ambled over. He looked totally exhausted, and Sookie could tell by the pained way he walked that he had been out all night fighting the blaze. The three of them together wore the cologne of campfire.

  "How's he doing?" Landon asked her.

  "Better. He'll be up and aggravating us all in no time," Sookie assured him.

  Landon grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. The nurse assigned to Chase arrived just then, and Sookie turned along with Landon to watch her enter. "Visiting hours are just about over." The nurse's eyes never left Landon's face as she said this.

  Sookie glanced from one to the other and couldn't help lifting an eyebrow. "The two of you know each other?"

  "We just met." Landon's eyes also lingered on the nurse. Eventually, he pushed his cap back onto his head and nodded to them both. "Have a good night, Sookie—miss. Text me when the princess awakens."

  "Will do." Sookie flipped him a wave as he left. When she was alone with the nurse, she said, "I'll take off, too. I just wanted to stay a few more minutes."

  "Stay as long as you want to," the pretty nurse reassured her. "No doubt he'll want to see his girlfriend when he wakes up."

  It was on the tip of Sookie's tongue to correct the other woman, but she didn't. A part of her thrilled at the omission of the truth. Besides, who was she to say it wasn't true? By the way Chase had been talking before their ordeal, it sounded as if he was ready for something serious. She just nodded her thanks.

  The nurse's mouth flexed in sympathy. "These firefighter guys. Always out there chasing danger, huh?"

  "Yeah." Sookie chuckled. "I'd say it's his middle name, but his first name really is Chase."

  The nurse just smiled and shook her head. "He's lucky. You be sure to tell him that, when he wakes up."

  "I will."

  The nurse departed, leaving Sookie to watch the door curiously. She couldn't help sensing that there was more to that nurse—and that the other woman had left much unsaid. Sookie vowed to get her name later. For now, she heard weight shifting on the bed. She turned back, pulse tripling its pace when she saw that the patient had finally awoken.

  "Is this an angelic visitation? I must be dead." Chase groaned as he tried to sit up.

  Tears sprang into Sookie's eyes. In that moment, she couldn't care less who might walk in next and see. "That's what you get for being a goddamn hero. Heroes die doing stupid shit like you did all the time."

  "Not my fault you're a shitty pilot," Chase croaked.

  They stared at one another, and when neither of them could keep a straight face any longer, they burst out laughing. Sookie gave herself over to great gales of laughter that sounded like half-sobs, but she didn't try to repress them, the same way she hadn't tried to hold back her tears at seeing Chase awake. She reached forward and took his hand, and he squeezed her like she was the only life support he needed.

  "Hey, we got interrupted before," he said hoarsely. Sookie tried to pass him a glass of water, but he pushed it away obstinately. "I'm not going to be interrupted again. I'm trying to tell you that you lit a fire in me, and it took me over completely. Something poetic like that. The last thing I want right now is water."

  "You really want to give this thing a shot?" He had said it before, back inside the Hawk, but Sookie could still scarcely believe she was hearing it. "Even after . . . everything?"

  Chase grunted. "I've been through worse."

  "Even after everything I said?" she asked dubiously. "I know I don't always have the best way with words, Chase, but I meant it. I value my independence. Now that I've finally found it, I won't ever be able to give it up."

  "You think I'd want you to? Besides, you don't owe me a damn thing," he said. "I think I've just fallen a little in love with you. So let me love you, Sookie Logan. That's all."

  Sookie sat stunned, but it wasn't because she didn't know what to say to this. Hell, no. She knew exactly what to say to this. "I think I've fallen a little in love with you, too, Chase Kingston."

  "Even angels fall sometimes," Chase said. They gazed at one another for a long moment, at a loss for words—but for the first time in her life, Sookie didn't feel lost. She felt like she was exactly where she belonged.

  "Yeah?" She broke the spell and raised an eyebrow. "You want to see how devilish this angel can be?"

  "You know I do. Push that chair against the door and get over here," was Chase's answer.

  "You sure you aren't too injured?" Sookie joked as she tucked the back of the chair beneath the doorknob and drew the curtains.

  "Why don't you climb on up and find out?"

  It took some careful maneuvering, and more than a few painfully misplaced knees, before she finally sat astride him, naked from the waist down. She moved as he thrust up from the bed, taking his length inside her, marveling and mewling and throwing her head back as his warm hands found the curve of her waist.

  Afterward, she climbed off the bed to pull her discarded panties back on. Chase watched her through half-lidded eyes, before he eventually turned from the view to finally take her up on that glass of water. Sookie left the chair stuck under the door as she climbed back into bed with him. "The fire's still spreading, you know," she said as she tucked herself against his side.

  "Mmm," Chase hummed into her hair.

  Sookie pushed herself up a little to look at him. "You're not worried?"

  "No," Chase said. "Not yet. But we both need to get back out there ASAP."

  "Just when I thought I finally left Cedar Springs far behind me." Sookie sighed and snuggled back in against him. "Oh well, I guess it isn't so bad. At least if I'm stuck in this town, I'm stuck here with you."

  "I'd gladly be stuck wherever you are," Chase agreed as he folded her into his arms.

  They may have had their arguments, Sookie thought, but at least that was something they could both agree on.

  End of Lighting Fire

  Californian Wildfire Fighters Book One

  Lighting Fire, August 16 2018

  Blazing Hot, August 23 2018

  Burning Flame, August 30 2018

  PS: Do you love passionate men in uniform? Then keep reading for exclusive extracts from Blazing Hot.

  About Leslie

  Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pen name for a critically-acclaimed author of women's contemporary romance and fiction. The anonymity gives her the perfect opportunity to paint with her full artistic palette, especially in the romance and erotic fantasy genres.

  Find your next Leslie North book visit LeslieNorthBooks.com or choose:

  PS: Want sneak peeks, giveaways, ARC offers, fun extras and plenty of pictures of bad boys? Join my Facebook group, Leslie’s Lovelies!

  Thank you!

  Thank you so much for purchasing my book. It’s hard for me to put into words how much I appreciate my readers. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to leave a review. Reviews are crucial for an author’s success and I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to review the book. I love hearing from you!

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  BLURB

  Rugged loner Landon Brenner has a problem and she’s beautiful, intelligent, and he’s falling for her—fast. Injured while fighting the fire threatening the small town of Cedar Springs, and haunted by past failures that drive him to get back to the action despite his injuries, Landon reluctantly agrees to take a room in the house of the sexy nurse who treated him while he was in the hospital. Their attraction is combustible, and the more time they spend together, the more Landon finds himself yearning for more than just a temporary fling.

  It’s hard not to fall for a g
uy who likes to go around saving everything in his path—from small animals to people—but Alexandra Appleby is determined to resist Landon’s many charms. He’s too much like her late husband Henry, a cop who died in the line of duty. She doesn’t need another hero in her life. A man around who rushes into danger without thinking twice. And she sure as heck doesn’t want to fall in love with a man whose bravery could kill him—and leave her heartbroken. She’s got her job and she’s perfectly content to spend the rest of her days alone. But Alex can’t help thinking that maybe, just maybe, Landon is worth putting her heart on the line.

  As the fire creeps ever closer to Cedar Springs, will Landon and Alex put aside their fears—and the past—to find a way into each other’s hearts?

  Grab your copy of Blazing Hot

  Available August 23 2018

  www.LeslieNorthBooks.com

  SNEAK PEEK

  The fire raged, but Landon Brenner raged against it harder.

  After the unexpected wind change, the squad had known it was only a matter of time before the blaze would start to creep up on Cedar Springs. Today was the closest the department had seen so far. The fire had spread to a nearby county park: All around him, the ponderosas burned like matchsticks, like the already-spent candles on the half-eaten cake he’d advanced past on his way toward the burn. One of the park's picnic tables had been abandoned mid-birthday party; he could still see the overturned chairs and melted ice cream pooling on the paper plates. A pile of unopened presents, grouped together on the end of the table, had been summarily forsaken.

  Landon vowed the fire wouldn't get that far.

  He was loaded down in full gear, but he had never felt lighter. Sweat dripped down the inside of his helmet, and though it stung his eyes, he was glad for the pain. Pain kept you awake to danger, kept you focused. Beside him, one of the volunteer firefighters from San Francisco—Keller—moved with equal competence. Keller was new to the Cedar Springs fire but clearly not new to the job. Landon appreciated that he didn't have to look out for Keller the way he did some of the other guys in the growing rag-tag volunteer contingent.

  So when the spray beside him let up suddenly, Landon knew what had happened before he turned to assess his partner.

  Keller struck the nozzle of his hose against the flat of his palm; he did it again, then swiveled to try and get a better visual on his tank.

  Landon shot an arc of spray over his shoulder as he hustled over. "Trouble?" He knew his voice would sound distorted through the mask and pushed some extra air out to make himself heard, keeping his inquiry short.

  Keller nodded and motioned to his tank. "Jammed!"

  "Go! Get a replacement. I'll cover you."

  Keller's pause told him that the other man was still uncertain. Time was of the essence, and neither of them had time for this debate.

  Cedar Springs didn't have time for this debate.

  "Don't hesitate! Go!" Landon commanded. He pointed, and Keller, nodding, broke into a jog toward the trucks parked in the distance behind them.

  Landon turned back to face the fire, pulse racing, but he kept his thoughts collected and clear.

  His tank was still half full—more than enough foam to cover both areas. He had the time he needed, but he couldn't afford to be distracted again. He swept back along the perimeter of his section, snuffing out blazing trees and patches of forest floor. A loud creak, followed by a thunderous crash in the distance, told him that one of the park trees had just given up the fight. There would be more to follow, but he couldn't afford to think about it now. He plunged deeper into the woods.

  The fire didn't hold out for long against his onslaught. He sprayed great gobs of foam, watching it fountain out from the end of his nozzle with grim satisfaction. As soon as the landscape in his section was carpeted in a fresh blanket of artificial snow, he moved onto Keller's area. He had gone deeper into the heart of the blaze and was sweating enough to fill not one, but maybe ten, of the station's buckets. He distracted himself with thoughts of the cold shower that awaited him back at their temporary residence but quickly narrowed his focus once more. If the forest was coming down in this sector, then he needed to stay sharp. A shower would be his heavenly reward after facing hell head-on.

  The fire in Keller's section had progressed further than he’d expected. Landon gritted his teeth and rechecked the foam level on his tank. He thought he had enough—maybe barely—to complete the mission on his own . . . and if he didn't, he would damn well find a way to make his reserves last to the bitter end. He couldn't count on Keller to be back at it in time. It was his responsibility—and his alone; he had taken it on, and he wasn't about to back off now.

  A sudden movement drew his attention. A three-legged shape, hunkered down low to the ground, slunk toward him, coming from the opposite direction that backup would be barreling in from. At first Landon thought it was probably a coyote, or maybe even a fawn—he had seen plenty of mule deer flushed from hiding today and had watched them go sprinting off across the empty highway in droves. The features of the animal approaching him now resolved, and he saw that it was nothing but an ash-gray mutt, probably stray or lost and wandering after the fire had reduced its home to cinders.

  "Shit," Landon muttered.

  The dog was behind a wall of flame. It whined, feinting back and forth, bad leg tucked up close to its chest. It paused and wagged its tail at him half-heartedly as if waiting with patient and implicit trust for him to rescue it.

  "God damn it!" he swore again and turned to see if backup had arrived yet.

  It hadn't.

  Well, he’d told Keller he had the situation handled. He just hadn't expected to encounter a new one.

  He saw Pete's face, suddenly staring out at him from between the flickering tongues of flame. The memory hit him so hard that he nearly stumbled backward, but he braced himself and endured, as he always did, unable to let go and unable to look away.

  The forest around him receded, transforming into a vast black Alaskan river surrounded by a wilderness of fir trees. He saw Pete, still a teenager—forever a teenager—waving to him, calling for him, screaming at him, as Landon stood rooted to the spot. Fear had clutched him that day in cold, unrelenting fists, and it still hadn't released him by the time the flood had been upon them. A giant wall of brown water, clotted with trees and debris, had gone tearing down the river as a wide-eyed Landon clung to his log and watched Pete swept away—

  The dog barked, wrenching him rudely back into the present. Sweat was boiling off him, a new waterfall of perspiration that had nothing to do with the blaze surrounding him. This was a cold sweat—old sweat, the kind he woke bathed in nearly every other night.

  But the dog wasn't Pete. There wasn't going to be another Pete, damn it, not ever again. No man or beast was dying today, not on his watch.

  Landon shouldered his hose and rushed forward, leaping over the perimeter of fire the dog was too scared to cross. It jumped up at him excitedly as soon as he had joined it, but when he reached down, it bolted a few feet away, tail tucked between its legs.

  "Come on," Landon growled through clenched teeth. He tried to keep his tone soft, with mixed results, but the dog heard the command and looped back around.

  Landon stretched his arms out again, and the dog jumped into them. "Good boy!" he panted as he jogged with his cargo toward the perimeter of the burning forest. "You know a dog person when you meet one, huh? Or maybe it's 'cause you know I'm your one-way ticket out of here."

  The dog whined, but they were in the home stretch. As soon as he broke out into the clearing, Landon knelt to set the mutt down. He brushed a gloved hand along the dog's back and watched the ash come off it in a cloud. Beneath it, the dog's clumped, wiry fur was brown.

  The dog craned forward to lick his visor, and Landon grinned. Then it darted away unexpectedly with a yelp.

  Landon rose and spun in place. Time seemed to slow, and the world stopped revolving on its axis as a towering shadow blotted out the glare of
the smoke-choked sun above.

  Landon tried to dodge out of the way of the falling tree, but his response came too late. It came down on him, knocking him to the ground and pinning him beneath the burning weight of its trunk. Landon heard himself shout, but the sound rebounded around his helmet and wasn't nearly as loud as the deafening roar of the fire all around him.

  The heat was excruciating. The pain was worse.

  He struggled to lift the tree off himself but only managed to move it a few inches before it rolled back to slam him in the chest. His helmet fogged as his remaining breath left him in a whoosh! He saw stars. Darkness encroached along the corners of his vision, but he battled it back.

  Help. He tried to yell the word, but he was locked in a living nightmare, trapped beneath a blazing pillar that would crush him to death, and that was only if the fire didn't get him first. Already, he could feel the intense heat filtering through his turnout gear, nipping and biting in places as it fought to catch and burn a path through to his flesh.

  This was how he was going to die. His head spun with the realization. Had he done everything right? Had he saved enough lives? Had he made up for his past mistakes? Even in his final moments, fear clenched icy claws around his heart, constricting it, and the weight of his shame pressed down on him even harder than the tree. Oh God, not yet, not like this—

  "Landon!"

  He heard someone calling his name from what seemed like a long distance off, but in the next moment, a face mask identical to his own loomed over him.

  Landon expelled a breath, not sure if it was from relief or the fact that his lungs were slowly being crushed by the oppressive weight of the flaming trunk.