Feisty Firefighters Bundle

by Jill Shalvis

  And even when she managed to find a level spot of ground between the rocks, the loose soil made it hard to stay upright. She slipped again, sending a stone crashing down the mountain and setting off a small slide.

  Her heart pumped hard in her chest. Oh, God. No wonder Cade had warned her not to cross. But no matter what, she couldn’t stop. Dusty depended on her to free him.

  Her head low, she pushed aside her doubts and concentrated on inching closer, rock by grueling rock. Climbing up, then down. Sliding, skidding, struggling to stay on her feet, then scaling another boulder. And with every tortured step, the dog’s frantic yips grew louder.

  And she was getting hot. The sun beat down on her head and sweat trickled into her eyes. She blinked against the sting, then used the hem of her T-shirt to wipe her forehead. Blood stained the shirt where she’d touched it, and she wiped her raw palms on her jeans.

  Breathing hard, she paused and glanced at the dog again. She was closer now and could see him straining to get free. “Hang on,” she called out. “I’m almost there.”

  But she still had yards to go. With a sigh, she climbed up another rock. She refused to even think about the long trek back.

  “Jordan, stop!” Cade suddenly called.

  The urgency in his voice caught her attention and she glanced back. Cade stood yards above her, partway across the slope. “What are you doing?” she demanded. “I said I can get him. Go back.”

  “No! Don’t move!”

  “Me? You’re the one who shouldn’t be out here.” Not with his injuries. Scowling, she found a foothold on the next rock and pulled herself up.

  “Jordan, stop!” he shouted again.

  Annoyed now, she paused and glared back. “For God’s sake, Cade, I’m fine. Would you stop being so stubborn and-”

  “Don’t turn around! Jordan, please!” The panic in his voice made her freeze. She’d never heard that tone before.

  “Good,” he said, his voice tight. “Now straighten up real slow and raise your arms to look big. Don’t let him sense that you’re scared.”

  Scared? Of what? What did Cade see? Her nerves tightening, she turned herself slowly forward and scanned the rock slide. The sunlight glinted off the barren landscape. A puff of dust whirled into the air. The dog’s desperate whines grew louder.

  Then a movement slightly uphill caught her attention and she turned to look.

  And gasped.

  A big, tawny cat leaped silently toward her, his powerful muscles bunched under his fur. His ears pricked forward into stalking position, and his silver eyes locked on hers. A few yards above her, he paused, then lowered himself to a crouch.

  Fear lodged deep in her throat, tightening the hairs along her nape and damming the breath in her lungs. A mountain lion. One of the fiercest predators in the forest.

  And unless she stopped him, he was about to attack.

  Chapter 8

  His blood thundering, Cade scooped up a rock with his left hand and inched across the slope. Gravel slid under his boots, sending a stone bouncing downhill, and he froze. Hell. Unless he was careful, he’d spook the cat into attacking before he could get to Jordan.

  He gauged the distance between them, and a sick feeling slid through his gut. He was still too far away to protect her. He had to get within throwing range so he could scare the animal off.

  But he had to move quickly. A mountain lion could leap from twenty feet.

  His heart ramming hard against his rib cage, he stuffed the stone in his pocket, then scooted silently over a boulder. He wished to hell she had listened to him. Why hadn’t she stayed where she was safe?

  And why hadn’t he kept his eye on her? He’d suspected she’d go after that dog. Hadn’t she plunged into the river for the knife? So why had he ignored his instincts and turned his back?

  Regret speared his gut, along with a tight lump of dread. He’d screwed up, all right. He’d put her in danger, and now it was up to him to save her.

  His gaze locked on the lethal cat, he inched closer. A vision of Jordan being mauled flashed through his mind, and a cold sweat beaded his brow. Damn his injured shoulder! Of all the times for his body to fail him. He wanted to leap over these rocks and rescue her now.

  Schooling himself to patience, he scaled another boulder. But then Jordan bent to pick up a rock, and panic rocked his chest. “Don’t bend down!” he urged her. “Stand up tall and look big.”

  She looked up at him, her dark eyes flashing with fear. “All right.” Her voice trembled; her terror palpitated in the air.

  And if he could sense it, so could the mountain lion.

  Which meant that he had to move quickly. His pulse rocketing, he grabbed another stone and climbed closer. “Don’t move,” he urged her. “I’m almost there.”

  But then the dog whined again, the mountain lion crept forward, and Jordan threw her rock. It landed wide, and the big cat crouched again, ready to spring.

  His heart stopped, and he hurled his rock at the cat. It hit near its paws and the cat looked up.

  “Get out of here,” he yelled. “Go on!” He whipped out the second stone and fired it, hitting the animal’s side. The cat turned and leaped away, then stopped and circled back.

  Breathing hard, he scooped up another rock and slung it. “Get out!” he shouted again.

  Wishing to hell he could use his right arm, he hurled another stone. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jordan do the same. Her aim was off and the rock landed wide, but it kept the cat off balance. He thanked God she hadn’t panicked and fled-because nothing triggered the instinct to pounce like running prey.

  The mountain lion paced uncertainly for several seconds, then retreated a few yards and turned back. Cade flung another rock, hitting near its paw again. The cat hesitated a moment longer, then turned tail and loped through the trees.

  Cade held up. Still breathing hard, he scooped up another rock and scanned the woods, poised in case it came back. Below him, Jordan rushed over the remaining boulders to the dog, pulled his leash loose, and gathered him into her arms.

  “Hurry up,” he called down, his blood pounding through his ears. Even though the mountain lion had left, he didn’t plan to take chances.

  “I’m coming.” She set the dog down, wrapped the leash around her hand and started uphill.

  His breathing rough, the adrenaline still rushing through his veins, Cade stood guard while she climbed toward him. Nothing moved along the edge of the woods, and a sparrow resumed chirping. When minutes had passed with no sign of the cat, he exhaled and dropped the stone.

  He knew they’d been lucky. If that cat had decided to fight…He blanched at the gruesome vision that thought conjured up. Jordan never would have survived it.

  And he needed to get her off this mountain before that cat reconsidered and came back.

  His emotions still churning, he worked his way across the slope, angling his path to intercept her. The midday sun simmered off the rocks, sending sweat trickling over his cheeks. The hot breeze swirled up choking dust and made it hard to breathe.

  He kept a watchful eye on Jordan as she labored below him. The dog bounded easily up the slope, but she lagged behind, exhausted. And that ticked him off even more. What the hell was she thinking? She’d forded a river, hiked up a mountain and climbed through a rock slide, all on an hour of sleep. She’d had no business going after that dog.

  He glanced down at her again, but just at that moment, she slipped. His nerves jerked and he lunged forward to help her, but he was too far away. She clutched desperately at a rock, missed and let out a cry. Then she started sliding downhill.

  Oh, hell. “Jordan!” He lurched forward again, but the motion sent a stone crashing toward her, forcing him to stop. Any movement he made would only destabilize the hill.

  He watched helplessly, a sick terror grinding through his gut, as the rocks surrounding her loosened and fell. The noise of stones colliding split the air, and she disappeared in a thick haze of dust.

&
nbsp; Stark fear shot through his blood. “Jordan!” he shouted again, but his voice faded in the nerve-wrenching din. Frustrated, he jammed his hand through his hair. He had to get down there. He had to help her! But how?

  He waited an eternity for the noise to cease. Finally, a lone rock bounced down the mountain, and then the dust began to settle.

  Seconds later, he saw her move. “I’m okay,” she called out, her voice muffled.

  She’d survived. He sagged and closed his eyes, then passed a shaking hand over his face. Good God, that was close. He’d never felt fear that raw in his life.

  He watched as she awkwardly picked herself up from the dirt and checked the dog. She still had the damned leash clenched in her fist.

  “We’re both fine,” she added with a little wave.

  She rubbed the dog’s face and murmured something. Then, after a quick glance downhill, she stepped forward. Even from a distance, he could see her wince.

  He gritted his teeth. Like hell she was fine. A rock must have hit her. And judging by the way she was limping, she could hardly make it back up the hill.

  With frustration gnawing his nerves, he paced a path in the dirt while he waited. Her face was pale, her features pinched as she climbed toward him. Pain carved a crease in her brow. And he’d never felt more useless in his life.

  Then he noticed red splotches staining her shirt, and his lungs squeezed even tighter. She was bleeding. Just how injured was she?

  He scanned the area, searching for options, and his sense of futility rose. Dense forest surrounded the rocks in every direction, leaving only the steep slope exposed. A chopper couldn’t land in these conditions. And even if it lowered a basket, the rotor wash could set off a slide.

  Which meant they still had to hike to the road.

  Suddenly, she let out a cry and stumbled again, and he instinctively lurched forward.

  “False alarm,” she called out. “We’re all right.”

  All right? When she’d been battered by rocks? Outrage filled his gut. How could she sound so cheerful?

  She paused to stroke the dog’s ears, and suddenly he wanted to shake her. Damn that woman anyhow. Didn’t she have any sense? To put herself in danger for a dog! Crossing an unstable slope, setting off a rock slide…And when she’d thrown that rock…His heart constricted with remembered fear.

  And injured or not, it was time he laid down some rules. This was the last time she hared off on some damn escapade and nearly got herself killed. From now on, she listened to him.

  Long minutes later, she finally staggered to his side. Her face was flushed, her breathing ragged. Exhaustion pulled at her face.

  Unable to control his temper, he grabbed her arm and dragged her back to firm ground. The dog shook the dust from his fur and wagged his tail, unhurt.

  Unlike Jordan.

  “Damn it,” he shouted. “Why didn’t you listen to me?”

  She shook her arm loose and frowned. “Because Dusty was stuck. He couldn’t get away.”

  “You could have been killed. Don’t you have any sense? That cat could have ripped you apart.”

  “But Cade, he-”

  “He could have killed you.” Why didn’t she understand that? He couldn’t have stopped him. He sucked in a shallow breath.

  “And if I hadn’t done anything, he would have killed the dog,” she countered. Indignation flashed in her eyes. “What did you expect me to do? Just stand there and watch him die?”

  “I expected you to follow orders.”

  “Orders?” A red stain crept up her cheeks. “You’re not my boss.”

  “The hell I’m not.” His temper flared even higher. “As long as we’re on this mountain, I’m in charge. I know more about this forest than you do, and more about how to survive. So when I tell you to do something, you do it. And when I say not to, you’d damn well better listen.”

  “But Dusty-”

  “Damn it, Jordan! Your life matters more than the dog’s. Can’t you understand that? You just about got yourself killed.”

  She bit her lip and looked away. He sucked in his breath and struggled to control his rage.

  She met his gaze again, her dark eyes huge. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  His anger abruptly deflated. He dragged his hand through his hair. “God, Jordan.”

  “I’m really sorry,” she said again. She stepped toward him, her chestnut eyes soft on his. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  But she had. He couldn’t even think about what might have happened. His throat clenched tight, and he shook his head.

  “Cade, I…”

  “Yeah.” He swallowed, grappling with unnamed emotions, shocked at the depth of his fear. Why was he so scared? Sure, she’d nearly died, but so had the rookie when that snag fell. And he hadn’t felt that gut-wrenching terror, that mind-numbing dread for the kid. Or lost his temper and yelled.

  His gaze met hers again. A scrape marred her cheek beneath the dirt, and fatigue haunted her eyes. And suddenly, the need to touch her swamped him. The need to feel her, hold her, to prove that she was all right.

  He closed the short distance between them. Then, hardly breathing, he lifted his hand to her face. He traced the scrape on her cheek with his thumb, felt the heat of her delicate skin. “You’re hurt.”

  She shook her head. “Just bruised.”

  “You’ve got blood on your shirt.”

  “My hands got scraped, that’s all. I’m fine, Cade. Really.”

  But she’d almost died. He’d almost lost her. Again.

  His heart drumming, he slid his hand to her neck. He drew his thumb along her throat, and felt the strong, hot leap of her pulse.

  Her breath hitched in the silence. Her pulse trembled under his hand. And as he gazed into those exotic eyes, feeling that inevitable pull, he knew that he had to kiss her.

  Hardly breathing, he tilted her chin and lowered his head, then slid his lips over hers.

  The years disappeared in an instant. The bitter memories faded away. Time peeled back and stalled on a glimpse of perfection. On Jordan, the woman he’d loved. And she was finally back in his arms.

  Her soft lips parted, granting him access, and with a groan, he pulled her against him. He drank in her heat, her desire, the incredible feel of her skin, and explored her hot mouth with his tongue.

  He felt her free hand clench his shoulder, then slowly rise to his neck. And then her tongue twined with his, matching his heat with her answering hunger.

  But then she’d always been that way, fitting him perfectly, matching his needs, stoking the unending fire.

  He plunged his hand through her hair and cradled her head, deepening and lengthening the kiss. His body grew hard. Raw hunger drummed through his veins.

  And he had to face the harsh truth. No other woman had ever felt this good-or ever would.

  Even if she didn’t want him.

  He jerked his head back and broke the kiss, then struggled to regain his sanity. This was wrong. Jordan had deserted him. And damned if he’d let her twist herself around his soul so she could do it again.

  But her smoldering eyes locked on his, and she moved back into his arms. “Cade,” she whispered. “Please don’t stop.”

  And despite knowing better, despite the warnings rocking his brain, he knew he was going to give in. He still wanted her. Damn, but he still wanted her. And hell if he could resist.

  With a groan, he lowered his head and slanted his mouth over hers. He heard her small cry, felt her welcome as she opened beneath him.

  A sense of finality filled him. Of rightness. As if he’d met his destiny and arrived where he belonged.

  Tightening his hold, he kissed her deeply, invading her mouth with his tongue. Trying to ease the ache, the need he’d refused to acknowledge for years. The need for Jordan.

  But it only fanned even higher.

  Her hand crept through his hair, and her soft breasts brushed his trapped arm. Desperate to feel her, he widened his stance an
d pulled her lower body against him.

  And felt that urgency rip through him, that electric rush of desire. The need to bury himself deep inside her and forget the pain.

  “McKenzie.”

  His blood thickened as he continued to kiss her. His mind blurred, while hunger twisted his gut.

  “McKenzie.”

  Irritated, he lifted his head. His brain still fuzzy, his breathing rough, he scowled around at the rocks.

  Jordan’s eyes slowly opened and she blinked, looking as dazed as he felt. And as aroused. He wanted to haul her back into his arms. Even covered with grime, he’d never seen a more desirable woman.

  “McKenzie,” the voice called again.

  His radio. He battled the urge to ignore it. He wanted to feel her hot, naked skin under his. To slake this wild need clawing his gut. To lose control and make love to Jordan.

  Shocked at himself, he dropped his hand and stepped back. What in the hell was he thinking? She didn’t want a smokejumper. She’d told him that point-blank. And no matter how strong the temptation, he refused to subject himself to that pain again.

  Because this woman was different. They could never have an affair. Every time he touched her, he put his heart on the line.

  Disgusted, he turned and strode to his PG bag. Even worse, that kiss had been unprofessional. A forest fire breathed up their backs. A mountain lion lurked nearby. They didn’t have time to fool around.

  Appalled by his behavior, he jerked his radio from the bag and keyed the mike. The red light flashed, and he swore. Great. This was all he needed. The batteries were low, and he didn’t have any spares. He’d given his extras to Trey when he left the cabin.

  “McKenzie here,” he snapped.

  “This is dispatch.”

  “Yeah.” He shook his head to clear it. “What’s up?”

  “We checked out that clearing you saw, and think we can set down a chopper.”

  He pulled his mind back to the fire. They could hike to the clearing, as long as Jordan held up. But did they have enough time? “What’s the fire doing?”

  “It’s making a run to the north right now.”