by Bobbi Brattz
Dr. Love Shark 3
Fire Dancer
Hawaiian fire dancer, Layla Kalani is afraid of men. To get over it, she decides to have an affair with a cop, Van Johansen, and a firefighter, Logan Graham, hoping that the ménage will help her get over her fear.
Van has loved her since high school. Every time he watches Layla do the fire dance, his stomach goes into knots for fear she'll be hurt. He's loved her for so long and never told her for fear she'd reject him. He's determined to protect her, and wants to show her how to love. Logan is intrigued by her. When Layla and Van ask him to become a third party in the ménage, he leaps at the chance, having known them both since he was a teen.
Together they heat up the sheets with love. Will they be able to save her from a stalker? They all battle the arsonist and strive to tame their hearts.
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre
Length: 53,387 words
FIRE DANCER
Dr. Love Shark 3
Bobbi Brattz
MENAGE AND MORE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage and More
FIRE DANCER
Copyright © 2014 by Bobbi Brattz
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62741-390-9
First E-book Publication: March 2014
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2014 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
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DEDICATION
I dedicate this story to my readers and my wonderful editor. Without you this book wouldn’t live and share a happily ever after.
Thank you for purchasing a copy of Fire Dancer – Dr. Love Shark book 3.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
About the Author
FIRE DANCER
Dr. Love Shark 3
BOBBI BRATTZ
Copyright © 2014
Chapter One:
Dancing with Fire
Flames twisted and burned as Van Johansen watched her with his heart in his throat. He wasn’t able to stop them as they curled along her arms, disappearing when she put them out, only to start up again. Her bravery stunned him as it always had.
Layla Kalani cried out, twirling as though she could avoid flames, but it wasn’t mean to be as she spun to avoid the heat. The night came alive as if in support of their power. In the dark she lit up like a beacon, the stench of gas strong in the air. People watched, fascinated as they gathered in a circle around her.
“Burn, baby, burn,” one young man shouted, his eyes reflecting the bright orange flames as they narrowly missed her chest and belly.
She showed no fear as they flew around her in a macabre dance. Her brother, Kona, watched for a moment without trying to stop the madness. Soon he joined in, yelling in Hawaiian to add to the fear and fury of the dance. Kona was soon consumed as well, fire flashing all around him, bright and alive.
Van wanted to step forward and stop them from touching her skin. She was beautiful and delicate, too small to fight the battle alone. Where was the extinguisher? He looked around but didn’t see one, terrified she would burn to death, yet all who viewed their fight laughed and showed their awe of the danger.
He couldn’t watch, but he kept his eyes on her anyway, unable to look away. It happened like that each time she danced with fire. Her sleek body moved with confidence as she swayed to the beat of the drums. There was no fear in her cinnamon-brown eyes. Her eyes held him mesmerized as he focused on every move she made. Out the flames went then reignited when she took the torch out of her mouth.
Kona took a swig of gasoline in his mouth then spit it out, laughing when the flames flew in a straight line toward the guests who screamed, spellbound with awe. The ocean washed waves along the shore, unable to touch the couple only a few feet away. Around the campfire pit at least fifty people cried out when she threw one baton up into the air, her body spinning in circles as she avoided their hot bite.
Once again, she captured the stick, only to throw it away and start the process all over again. Up into the darkness it flew, only to come down again to be captured by her delicate hand. Van wanted to yell and beat the flames out, but he stood there, helpless to stop the inevitable. It was always the same when she was near the fire. Though he never spoke to her, he kept vigil, unable to look away. She was stunning, fearless, and conquered the burning devil as her blue-black hair shone bright in the light of the fire.
When she finally put the flame out, she stepped back and blended into the pale light reflecting on Kona’s body as he danced. When sh
e came back into the light it was without the batons, but she carried two arm’s length chains. At one end of them, small trays rested. Kona relit the flames with his baton and stepped back, shouting out words of support.
This time she spun one to the left in an arc, and the other to the right. Around and around they spun in front of her, making perfect circles of fire.
There was no give in the way she contained the lights, respect for them burning bright in her eyes, which were alight with sparks of orange and yellow. Again and again she cried out, shouting in Hawaiian as the onlookers clapped to the beat of the drums.
No amount of fear could stop the flames as he glued his eyes to her slim body, the leather bikini no protection against them.
Van could barely breathe as he watched, his heart thumping fast as he wondered when she would stop and put out the fire. He wanted to scream at her, pull her under the security of his arms and save her from burning alive, but she kept going. It had always been like that for him, in all the years he’d known her. Even as a teen, she’d played with fire. His fear for her built up every year.
“Come on, baby, you can light my fire any day,” the man shouted once again.
Wanting to grab him and beat him for his careless revelry at her expense, Van held back, his anger stirring as bright as the flames.
Finally, she put out her fire and stood beside her brother, smiling wide, her pearly teeth bright in the firelight as she sported a smile of conquest. She’d done it again. He couldn’t still his heart as it beat a quick tattoo in his chest. Unable to view another moment of her success, he turned and left the crowd. Now that it was over, he felt he could breathe again.
Wanting to distance himself from them, he walked away, moving toward his friend, Mateo Mann, also known as Dr. Love Shark. Mateo paid her and Kona an exorbitant amount of money to fire dance at the luau, using their deadly skills.
He heard the guest shout out more ribald comments, obviously drunk as a skunk. It was the same each week when he cruised along the beach, waiting for the moment when she lost the battle, but she never did. When she danced with fire, she shone with success, her skin as smooth and beautiful as ever. It was afterward that she became silent and distant from everyone.
“Hello, Van,” Mateo said, slapping him on his shoulder as he arrived by his friend’s side.
“Hi, Mateo. You have a larger crowd tonight.”
“Yes, we have a group of corporates this week. They’re here to learn how to increase their stamina when it comes to work.”
“In bed. At work. It’s all the same to me. They’re here to absorb your lessons on sex, though they’d seldom admit it.”
“The resort is here for that main reason. I believe that our love lives reflect working skills. Once confident in one, the other follows.”
“Mateo, when are you going to stop the fire dance?”
“Now, Van, you know that Layla and Kona are the biggest draws at the resort. They bring the place a fortune. Without them, the luau would simply be a place to get drunk and haunt the resort bars. We have five of them around the place. The dance keeps people semi-sober.”
“I know, but it scares the shit out of me every time. Layla seems too small to have such confidence with the flames.”
“She respects them, and I’ve never seen a couple who can capture the eyes of hundreds of people each week. Look at them. The guests are enthralled with her and Kona.”
Uncomfortable, Van watched the group congratulating them for their bravery and skill. When the loudmouth put his arm around Layla’s shoulder, trying to get friendly with her, Van wanted to deck him, but Layla gently avoided him and freed herself from his grasp.
“Hey, how about you and I go make our own fire, baby?”
Van wanted to snap the man’s neck for daring to touch her, but his hands were tied unless the creep became a threat to her. Mateo paid good money for Van’s protection of the guests, but seldom could he step in between them and the employees, unless things got out of hand.
Mateo shouted, “Layla, Kona, come over here!”
The beautiful siblings made their way to their boss’s side, smiling ear to ear.
“What did you think of Layla’s new moves, Mateo?” Kona asked, pride shining in his identical eyes as he stood at his sister’s side.
“She was as perfect as ever. Layla, I’m proud of you for expanding your skills like that. You had me frozen in awe of you.”
She dropped her gaze, suddenly bashful as she avoided looking directly at Van. He was speechless as he usually was when she stood near him. It was all he could do to stand back and watch her.
Layla smiled shyly at Mateo and spoke in a soft voice, sending sensual chills of awareness up Van’s spine. It was always the same when he watched her after a show. She never spoke to him, her eyes avoiding his.
“Thank you, Mateo. I’m sure the guests enjoyed themselves tonight,” Kona said.
“Hey, where are you going, babe? Why don’t you come and have a drink with me?”
The man was back, throwing his arm around her waist this time, trying to nuzzle her neck. She pushed away from him gently, her eyes widening in fear.
“I’m glad you liked the show. I have to go now,” she murmured, stepping away from him.
When he tried to grab her, Van stepped forward, putting his hand on the man’s arm.
Mateo spoke in a friendly voice. “Thank you for coming, Don. I suggest you head back to the bonfire. Your friends are looking for you.”
Though he weaved on his feet, he seemed surprised that his friends were still nearby. He tried to recapture Layla by her arm, but Van stepped between them.
“Head back to your friends, sir. The lady is off limits.”
Staring at Van, his eyes blurry, Don became belligerent, and snarled, “Back off, buddy. The lady has a date with me.”
“I don’t think so. Now back away.” Though Van said the words in a quiet, friendly way, he meant business.
“Who do you think you are? I’m an executive. I can do whatever I want.”
Unimpressed by the man’s credentials, Van stood firm.
Mateo stepped in, a wide smile on his face that didn’t meet his eyes.
“Listen, friend. Van is a cop and he’s here to keep the peace. Come on back to the fire and have fun with your friends. I’ll walk with you.”
Slipping his arm around the man’s shoulder, Mateo talked to him like a buddy, keeping him distracted until they arrived by the fire. His pals shouted playfully at him, teasing him about the fire dancer.
Van was tempted to take him in and book him, but it was Mateo’s call. Most often the guests toed the line, but when it came to Layla, she always attracted the wrong men. She was stunningly beautiful, her hair held back in a bun for the dance, which only highlighted her delicate features. Van was at a loss for words as usual when he stood near her. Seldom could he find a way to talk to her. A head shorter than him, she was petite compared to his six-foot-two height.
All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and run away with her. The way she avoided his gaze upset him. He wanted to take her out, but was afraid to ask, his heart pounding when she was near. She was the only woman who did that to him. He couldn’t figure out why he kept his distance, but he suspected it was because she seemed unattainable.
“Are you all right, Layla?” he asked, finding it difficult to swallow the lump in his throat.
Kona joined them, concern in his gaze.
“What happened?” he asked, his well-formed muscles reflecting under the moonlight.
As usual, Van thought they looked like the perfect couple. They were both fit with not an ounce of fat on them. He was intimidated when he tried to speak to her as a man, not a cop.
“Nothing, Kona, I’m fine. I’ll go change and get ready to go home.”
Her voice as smooth as honey, Van struggled to keep his cock in tow, wanting to take her in his arms and kiss her until she met his passion.
“Sure, Van, do you mi
nd taking her home? I have a date with one of the guests, or maybe two,” he said, laughing when Van raised an eyebrow.
“Only two tonight?” Van asked, chuckling.
“Yes. I can’t always have my pick of the litter.” His laughter rang out.
“Not as far as I can see, Kona. You always get the girl—or girls as luck would have it. I’ll take her home. See you later.”
Kona kissed his sister’s brow and headed back to the waiting guests, walking with pride and confidence. Van always wondered how he did it. Kona was well-known for his luck with the women guests. He was a playboy through and through. Seldom did he get serious with them.
“Come on, Layla, I’ll take you home.”
Avoiding Van’s gaze, she nodded and followed him down the path to the parking lot. On the way to her house, it was a quiet ride, neither of them breaking the silence.
Her scent drove him nuts as he breathed in cinnamon and vanilla. He wanted to pull the car over, take her in his arms, and kiss her like mad, but only his hands tightening on the wheel gave any indication of how he felt. Van imagined how sweet she would be beneath him as he made love to her, only he knew from experience that there was no way she’d want him. She couldn’t even look at him.
Hard as a rock, he shifted in his seat, his pants feeling way too tight. He doubted she had any clue about how he felt about her, but he’d be damned if he’d admit it to her and suffer the heartache of her rejection.
Pressing his foot on the gas pedal, he rushed to her house, pushed beyond his limits of how much he could take being near her and not able to touch her. Imagining her soft skin beneath his fingertips, he cursed under his breath. She stiffened next to him, turning to look out the side window.