by Hart, Taylor
She caught a whiff of his cologne just before she tucked her face into his neck, loving the fact that he was with her.
Damon grinned down at her then bent forward and lightly kissed her lips. “So Luke let you have the afternoon off, huh?” He brushed a stray hair out of her face.
She flashed him a grin. “Ever since I got Tommy Swenson to drop all charges against you guys, he’s been a pleasure to work with.” And he had. She’d been switched to family law, and he’d brought in a new person to deal with the real estate work.
Damon let out a light laugh. “Yeah, he was pretty impressed at how quickly you had the whole fire department apologizing and Tommy singing a different tune.”
She grinned. “It didn’t take long to learn you can’t divulge that kind of stuff from a personnel file, and there are witnesses against him. He could lose his job if you pressed charges.”
Damon only shook his head, staring at her and then gently skimming his fingers down her arm. “Naw, I think Tommy’s pretty harmless, and I wouldn’t want to put his family through something like that. They don’t deserve it.”
Sam wondered how she could have found this wonderful man who’d been through his own life hell and still had so much compassion for others. She grinned at him. “Still trying to rescue everyone, Freestone?”
Gently leaning down, he trailed kisses down her neck, stopping at her shoulder and inhaling. “I don’t think you need anyone to save you, Samantha Worthington.”
She pushed him back. “Hold up.”
Pausing, he cocked his head to the side. “Yes.”
Sam blinked and suddenly felt a rush of emotion. “Did I ever say thank you? For coming to Colorado, for telling me what I needed to hear?”
His eyes turned from playful to serious. Reaching up, he brushed a piece of hair out of her face. “You didn’t have to. I wanted to be there.”
Warmth filled her. How had she gotten so lucky to find a man like this? Reaching up, she took his hand. “Well, I want to … thank you.”
Squeezing her hand, a smile played at his lips. “You’re welcome.” Leaning forward, he gently kissed her hand, then her neck, pulling her closer.
She shivered and put her hand gently on his cheek. “I just wanted you to know … I …”
Pulling back, he grinned. “You love me?”
She knew her cheeks were burning. She giggled. They’d never said it to each other, but they hadn’t had to. “Maybe.”
He grinned wider and pulled her tighter into him. “Yeah, well, maybe I love you, and I want to rescue you even if you don’t need me to.”
Her heart flip-flopped, and she pulled away, deflecting. “Quit jawing, Freestone, and let’s do this.”
He laughed, kept one of her hands in his and pointed down with the other. “Okay, you see where to jump, right there? Aim for between those rocks.”
She grinned back at him. “Okay, let’s do it!”
“Together?” He held their hands in the air and held his other hand up.
She nodded. “Together.”
He started counting down. “Three, two—”
“Wait!” She pulled back.
He laughed, stepping back with her. “What?” he asked incredulously.
She pulled him close. “I have a better idea. How about we rescue each other?”
Tears shone in his eyes. “I like that.” Then he kissed her.
She pulled back. “Okay, now let’s do this!”
Their hands went up.
“Three, two, one!” He yelled.
Then they were off, soaring through the sky, and Sam knew she wanted to be rescued by him for the rest of her life.
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Thank you for reading Rescue Me. If you enjoyed Damon’s story, you might also enjoy Jake’s story in Rescue My Heart —another fabulous book in the Park City Firefighter Romance Series by Christine Kersey…keep reading for a sneak peak! Available NOW!
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Excerpt of Rescue My Heart by Christine Kersey
Chapter 1
“Well, isn’t this just perfect?” Lacey Porter murmured as her car sputtered before the engine shut down. Coasting onto the shoulder of the road, she glanced at the gas gauge where the needle had settled below the E.
I guess that’s what happens when I get so focused on drawing.
Frowning, she shifted into Park, turned on the hazard lights, then pulled the key out of the ignition.
Now I might be late for work. Not good.
The thought of turning up late when she was such a new employee stressed her out. Trying to calm herself, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath and slowly exhaling as she thought about what was going right in her life.
At least I have a job, even if being a waitress isn’t my lifelong ambition. My bestie Amber is letting me room with her. And I’m loving it here in Park City. Even though moving here was hard, I know it was the right decision.
She thought about the life she’d left behind, and a tentative smile curved her mouth.
Most importantly, no one’s telling me what to do and how to live my life. My life belongs to me.
Then an image of Eric—her ex-boyfriend, the man to whom she’d given the last two years of her life—crashed into her mind, and she heard him saying that she needed to get her head out of the clouds, to pay attention to things and to stop wasting her time drawing.
Eyes flying open, she sat up straight. Shoving her long light brown hair behind her ears, Lacey tried not to grit her teeth as she recalled that last ugly confrontation with Eric. The one where she’d told him she was done with him, done with the way he always ran her down, and done with his controlling ways.
Shaking her head to dislodge the memory, she focused on her surroundings. It was mid-day in early June, and as she sat on the shoulder of the road, cars whizzed by every thirty seconds or so. To her right, thick bunches of dark green pine trees filled her view, while clusters of wildflowers in riots of color caught her eye. The scene reminded her that every year nature refreshed itself, which filled her with hope that she could make a fresh start too.
The image made her want to pull out her sketchpad and begin a fresh drawing. Reaching toward the passenger seat where she’d set her sketchpad, she paused before picking it up.
I don’t have time to draw right now. Especially with my car out of gas. I have to get that taken care of and get myself to work. She frowned. I can’t be late again.
Caty, her boss at Caty’s Cuisine, had been understanding the last time Lacey had been late, but she didn’t want to push her luck. Not with how desperately she needed this job. Not with being such a new employee.
Sighing, she took her cell phone out of her purse, but then she simply stared at it.
Amber’s at work for a few more hours so she can’t come get me, and I’m so new to Park City that I don’t know who else I can call.
A moment later she heard a tap, tap, tap on her window. Startled, she whipped her head to the left and saw the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen standing there. Perfectly shaped lips, strong jaw, and clear green eyes that reminded her of new shoots of grass. Not to mention the way his t-shirt emphasized his fit body and muscular biceps.
He motioned for her to roll her window down, and she lowered it a few inches.
“Do you need help?” he asked as he bent toward her window.
Feeling slightly stupid, she said, “I, uh, I ran out of gas.”
He smiled, displaying perfectly straight white teeth, and she was momentarily dazzled by his beauty. “I can give you a lift to a gas station,” he said. “If that would help.”
Yeah. It definitely would. But I don’t know you.
Staring at him a moment, she debated about what to do as she twisted her favorite ring—her late grandmother’s wedding ring—on her finger.
I don’t know who else I can call and I need to g
et this taken care of and get to work. I don’t have a lot of options. Or a lot of money.
Tossing him a quick smile, she said, “Yeah. That would be great.” Then she opened her door and got out of her car.
The man took a step back, giving her room, then he gestured to the area in front of her car where they’d be out of traffic. Lacey walked to where he pointed.
The man followed her and stopped a few feet away from her. “I have a gas can. I’ll run you up to the gas station and back.”
Trying not to get distracted by his amazing eyes and general hotness, Lacey said, “Are you sure that’s not too much trouble?”
Don’t discourage him. What will you do if he walks away? Who will you call then?
“No. It’s no trouble. I’m glad to help.” He paused a beat. “I’m Jake, by the way.”
Lacey studied his face. “I’m Lacey.”
Is this really a good idea? Getting a ride from a stranger?
Not sure at all, she didn’t know what else to do.
* * *
The caution in Lacey’s eyes was unmistakable, but that didn’t bother Jake. In fact, he fully approved when a woman was skeptical about a man. He had two younger sisters and he hoped they were just as careful about the men in their lives.
And I hope they won’t ever take a ride from a stranger.
The irony wasn’t lost on him and one side of his mouth tugged upward. Then it occurred to him that Lacey had no idea he was a good guy. That maybe she didn’t want to go anywhere with him but felt that she didn’t have any other option. “Or I could get the gas for you,” he said. “And bring it back?”
Relief lit her eyes and Jake knew that was the right suggestion.
“I don’t want to inconvenience you,” she said as she used one hand to push her hair behind her ear—hair that Jake had an inexplicable desire to run his fingers through.
“I don’t mind,” he said. And he didn’t. He was between shifts at the firehouse, and though he was on his way to buy materials for his home remodeling project, his helpful streak made this opportunity irresistible. Especially when such a beautiful woman was involved. And though he was fine with running the errand for her, he would have preferred that she go with him so he could talk to her.
A smile of obvious relief turned up the corners of her mouth, which emphasized the soft curves of her face and backlit her blue eyes—eyes which had a depth to them that fascinated him.
Yeah, I’d definitely like to get to know you.
“I really appreciate it,” she said. “I’ll just…” She gestured toward her car. “I’ll just wait in my car.” Then she walked past him, and after throwing a smile in his direction, she climbed into her car and closed the door.
I guess that’s my cue to leave.
Feeling dismissed, but with no reason to stick around, Jake nodded, then as he walked past her slightly open window, he said, “Back in a bit.”
Moments later he was in his truck and pulling onto the road.
All the way to the gas station he thought about Lacey—beautiful, petite, quiet.
Maybe I should ask her out. Why not? I’m not dating anyone right now. He held back a frown. Not now that Robyn’s gone.
Pushing aside thoughts of the last woman he’d dated, he pictured Lacey, and again, the depths of her eyes haunted him.
Just a simple date, a chance to get to know her.
He wasn’t looking for a romantic entanglement. Not with his crazy schedule—two days on at the station, then four days off. And not with all of the other things he had going on—remodeling his house and working part-time as a realtor between shifts. Not to mention helping Boston train for his boxing match.
It would just be for fun. Why not?
His smile grew as he decided he would do just that. And he was confident she would agree.
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And don’t forget another Firefighter Romance—Two Hearts Rescue! Out January 17!
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Excerpt of Two Hearts Rescue by Daniel Banner
Chapter One
Poppy Mercier stared down her enemy. “I own you,” she said, eyes held steady. “Today you’re going to be the one in pain.”
The treadmill stared back, its beady little red and green flashing lights taunting her, daring her to bring it.
“Oh, I’ll bring it,” said Poppy. “I’ll make you wish—”
“Everything okay?” asked a gym employee, who had been working her way up the machines wiping them down. Her name tag read, “Alta.”
Poppy cleared her throat and stepped up onto the treadmill. With an embarrassed grin, she said, “Y-yeah, sorry about that. Just psyching myself up.”
“I hear you,” said Alta. “Sometimes you gotta let them know who’s boss.” She was medium-height, a few inches taller than Poppy, had gorgeous mocha skin, and a body that made it clear she showed the machines who was boss on a regular basis.
“Here’s goes nothing,” exhaled Poppy, then held the up arrow and jogged as the belt picked up speed. She always used the manual option for speed and incline because she hated it when the stupid machines demanded she input her weight. It was none of their business.
At 3.3 mph Poppy had to jog to keep up. Dang her short legs. At 6.0 she pulled her finger from the button and resisted the urge to use the handrails like an old woman with a walker.
This wasn’t too bad. She could keep this speed for 3.1 miles. It was her first day as a member of the gym. Hopefully the monthly fees would be enough to motivate her to finally keep going with a workout plan for once. If she could just drop ten to fifteen, then keep them off …
New city—well, old city second time around—new lifestyle, new body? The spirit was willing but the flesh was, the flesh was severely lacking oxygen and Poppy’s second wind was nowhere in sight. Any second now, she told herself. Push through. Even the voice in her head was out of breath.
She stared straight ahead at the pillar in front of the treadmill. She had picked this particular machine because it was the only one with an obstructed view of the enormous mirrors.
Don’t check the distance yet. A little farther.
With things so slow at the shelter, Daria could hold down the fort for an hour. Once Poppy got a few days into a habit of working out, she could take the next step and drag her butt out of bed early enough to come before the shelter opened.
A line of TVs displayed various sports shows and middle of the day talk shows. Neither held any interest for Poppy, so she put her wireless headphones in and resumed her Cami Checketts suspense novel.
As she set her phone back into the cup holder on the treadmill, Poppy accidentally glimpsed the display: .09. Not even a tenth of a mile. The self-torture was going to last all day. But she couldn’t take all day, she had to get back to shelter.
She also couldn’t keep up this pace. If she died on this treadmill she’d leave exactly 27 animals hanging. For the sake of the animals, Poppy decreased the speed to 5.8. It still felt incredibly fast, but it was slower than a ten-minute mile.
A bright red vehicle passed in front of the gym’s windows. Poppy looked up to see a fire truck and an ambulance pass slowly right along the curb. Was something wrong? Maybe she couldn’t hear the alarm over her audiobook. She pulled out one earbud and looked around for flashing warning lights and saw everyone in the gym just carrying on with their workouts.
The sound of doors closing outside had to come from the fire trucks. Maybe someone had called 9-1-1 because she looked as bad as unwell as she felt. Poppy gripped the handrail and leaned to the side. Her hair was still in its ponytail but her face was only a few shades shy of heat stroke.
The gym doors opened and group of firemen came in. Nope, one of them was a female, so she guessed that made them firefighters? They were all dressed in gym shorts and t-shirts, and the only equipment they carried was radios. It didn’t appear to be an emergency.
They could have been straight out
of a beer commercial. One guy was gray-haired and one was, well, for lack of a better word, fat, but as a group they were smokin’. If she hadn’t seen the Park City Fire Department vehicles pull up, she would have wondered if they were here to pose for a photo shoot. Between the six of them, they had some serious muscle and fitness going on.
It was the last one through the door who really caught her eye. He wasn’t a muscle head like a couple of them, but his chiseled face and prominent cheek bones gave him a rugged handsomeness. His dark hair was buzzed on the sides, but more than long enough to run a hand through on the top.
After taking a couple steps into the gym, the fireman looked directly at Poppy, as if sensing her eyes on him. Their eyes met, introduced themselves. They didn’t slide off of each other and go on their way. Her eyes and his eyes said hello, sat down for a speed-date, and ended up having an intimate conversation, backing up all the other speed daters but still not parting ways until the event coordinator was summoned to force them apart. It was much more intimate than she was comfortable with a perfect stranger, but it still took effort to pull her eyes away.
Is it hot in here? wondered Poppy. She looked down at her phone and reached for it so she could rewind the book … and next thing she knew she was head over heels, executing a perfectly awkward and painful dismount from the treadmill. One second she was running for her life, the next she was laying on the ground, butt in the air, staring up at her knees. The treadmill was still running, grinding against her bare back and trying to rub all of the skin off.
Oh good, at least her shirt had nearly come completely off in the display of grace.
Poppy found herself chuckling through her grimace as she pushed away from the belt of the treadmill. In the face of pain that would break most POWs, she could either laugh or shout every swear word she knew at the top of her lungs. She couldn’t extricate herself from the awkward position, just push off enough to prevent third-degree abrasions. Hopefully.