Firestorm (Missoula Smokejumpers Book 4)

by Piper Stone

Riker remained stiff as she drove, directing her and saying little else. She wasn’t chatty like normal women nor did she try and apologize again. He was thankful for the silence as well as the ride. The Harley. Damn it. The one thing he cared about in his life gone. Yeah, he knew the bike was just a thing, nothing that he should lose any sleep over, but he felt as if another portion of his sanity had been ripped away. “The next right turn.”

  “Okay,” Trinity whispered, concentrating on her driving.

  He turned his head, gazing down the length of her. She was one damn beautiful woman and the sobbing had tempered his fury, but for how long? He wasn’t into comforting women or getting into their psyche like Stoker or half the other guys. He didn’t give a shit about her past or her ex-boyfriend. He didn’t care about anything or anyone.

  What a crock of bull. He studied the way her hand gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white as if terrified she’d cause another wreck. Whatever had distracted her had altered her personality for just long enough. Her actions had been stilted, even horrified but he didn’t think the accident had anything to do with her losing her cool.

  Someone had frightened her.

  He inhaled, fighting the attraction given her fragrance and the lilt of her voice, yet his cock was aching, stiff enough the jeans were pinching his swollen balls. Perfect. As if he needed this crap.

  She slowed down and put on her blinker, moving at a snail’s pace before turning onto the gravel driveway. “The area is beautiful.”

  “Works for me.”

  “Yeah. I can tell.” A single look in his direction was followed by a hard frown.

  “Just keep going. I live at the top of a hill.”

  Nodding, Trinity continued to crawl, her eyes sweeping the road. “Do you have a lot of wild animals here?”

  The question made him chuckle. “Tigers and bears?”

  This time, she shot him a nasty look. “Coyotes and wolves maybe?”

  “Some.” He shook his head as she pulled up to the house, parking next to his beaten-up truck. The truck was like the rest of his life, disheveled. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone was here. Even Landen had only been around a couple of times. He preferred his privacy and just about everyone knew that.

  She eased the truck to a stop and shifted the gear into park, allowing the engine to idle. “Nice place.”

  “It’s a shit hole. I haven’t taken the time to fix it up.”

  It was her turn to laugh, the sound much lighter than before. “This is your home. You should take the time.”

  He placed his hand on the door handle. “No real reason. Just me. I work a lot of hours and we’re gone several weeks out of the year fighting fires. When I come home I tend to sleep then shower. Nothing more.”

  “Oh.”

  For some reason, he hesitated, his index finger tapping on the handle. “Look. Don’t blame yourself for the accident. Shit happens. I’ll get another bike and the insurance will pay for it.”

  She huffed then nodded. “Okay. Things can be replaced. Right?”

  “Yeah.” Riker continued to stall. What the hell was wrong with him? “Thanks for the ride. I appreciate it.”

  “Sure. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

  “Maybe.” He opened the door then sighed. “Look, I don’t like to drink alone, and I plan on having a few. Would you like to join me? I mean just for one or two.” He could hear a catch in her breath as she debated. He allowed himself to turn his head, offering a single smile. “If you’d like.”

  “Yeah. That sounds nice.”

  “Okay.” He climbed out and shut the door, yanking his keys from his pocket. The way she jumped out of the cab gave him a smile, one he refused to allow her to see. She was certainly out of her element. When she walked around the truck, he moved toward the front door. “Nothing special inside. I haven’t cleaned up in a while either.”

  “That’s okay. I don’t mind.”

  The words were so stilted between them, difficult, as if they had no idea what to say to each other. Riker opened the door, allowing her to walk inside. For the first time since his arrival in Missoula, he was embarrassed at the state of his house, the emptiness and lack of care. He’d purchased only a few things, preferring to live in sparse conditions.

  She exhaled as she glanced around the living room. “Good bones.”

  Riker grinned, the comment unexpected. “Yeah. When I bought the house, I just wanted a place to land but the mountains and the area drew me in. The place is almost fifty years old. Needs a new roof, but I’ll get to it. Make yourself at home. I have bourbon and well, bourbon.”

  Lifting her head, she gave him a bright smile. “Bourbon sounds great.”

  Why his footsteps were heavy was beyond him. He was nervous, as if he’d never been around a woman before. She was different, unlike the few women he’d spent time with. More eloquent, polished but he had a sense that she was also fractured, pained from some experience. No, he couldn’t care or get involved. That wasn’t what this was about. He simply wanted some company.

  No. That was a lie. He wanted more. Gripping the edge of the counter, he had to face the fact he craved this woman. Why? What was so different, so enthralling that all he could think about was commanding her every move, requiring her to submit to his every need. This was ridiculous, but there was no denying the insatiable desire, a deep and intense burn cascading through his system. Fisting his mouth, he counted to five then ten, merely trying to get control. The women he’d been with had breached a barrier, allowing him moments of pleasure. This was more. He resisted laughing and shook away the thoughts. There was no way she could care for him. None.

  Leave it alone. Breathe. She will never want you.

  Hissing, he managed to find two matching glasses that were clean and filled them with ice. After grabbing the bottle of bourbon, he hung back, able to catch a view of her as she walked from one end of the room to the other, her eyes settling on the single picture he had over the mantle. He realized his hand was shaking as she studied the framed photograph.

  “They’re from my old fire department in Maryland. A good bunch of guys.”

  “A fireman. So, a smokejumper doesn’t use water?” she asked, her face still concentrated on the picture.

  “That’s right. We use dirt and cut down trees. We also start fires in order to burn others out. Hard work.”

  “I can imagine. Very dangerous.” She tipped her head in his direction, her smile genuine.

  Riker set the glasses down and poured, leaving the bottle on the coffee table. As he walked closer, he remembered so many good times with the guys, memories he never let himself fall into. “Yeah, it’s dangerous, but when you know what you’re doing, and you follow your training, working as a team, everyone gets out alive. We work hard.”

  “You also live hard.” She accepted the glass and took a step away. “And you play hard.”

  He snorted. “Some of us do.” The fact she was studying him, trying to look into his soul would normally be disturbing, but he could sense she was intrigued, her mind wandering. “Some of us want nothing more than to get away from the daily grind, if only for a little while.”

  “You’re a tough man, refusing to let anyone inside. I understand that concept more than you know. Like you’re playing a part, until you get into your work. Then you come alive. But you miss, hunger in a way few could ever tolerate.” She rolled her eyes and glanced back at the picture. “But you’re lying to yourself every day, pretending to be something you’re not.”

  “Maybe you do understand.”

  “More than you know, Riker. I just wish I hadn’t fallen prey to my job, a career that has left me hollow. What I want, I’ll never be able to have.” She had a faraway look.

  “Wanting means letting go.”

  “Yes. Wanting also means fear.”

  Fear. An emotion he knew far too well. “What do you do?” As soon as he asked the question, he could tell she wanted to run away from it, as if telling him
was the last thing she wanted to do. “I don’t mean to pry. I don’t care what you do. That’s not important.”

  “You’re the only person I’ve ever met who says that. You see, I’m an actress on the big screen. I don’t save lives or race into danger. I don’t develop cures for terrible diseases or even care for those who can longer care of themselves. I’m fluffed and cajoled, handled and pampered because I make films. I’m a commodity.” Her laugh was bitter. She took a sip of her drink and closed her eyes.

  Riker inched closer, eyeing the picture one last time. The hair stood up on the back of his neck. “We’re all hiding from something in our lives. I’m no exception, but every job, every career has meaning and a purpose. You entertain people, allowing them to get away from their dull or difficult lives. That has special meaning for so many. Then again, what you do with that life is up to you. You always have a choice even if making a change means opening yourself up to pain and anger.”

  “What if I don’t? What if I’m forced into a way of life that I can’t escape from?”

  The words hit him in a manner he didn’t expect. “Then you find something else you love. There’s always an out. Always. You have to find the way and sometimes, only you can do that. You can’t rely on those around you or find yourself on the advice of others. Only you know what’s best for you.”

  She sighed and opened her eyes, nodding several times. “You’re right. You know what’s funny? I have supposed friends, those who honestly want something from me, and they’ve never spoken to me that way. They don’t care. So many rely on my acting abilities to fund their concept of entertainment. Isn’t that sad?”

  He hadn’t realized he’d reached out, sliding a stray strand of hair from her face until the tips of his fingers touched her skin. Electrified, he sucked in his breath but instead of pulling away, what he would normally do, he eased the hair behind her shoulder then allowed his fingers to trail down the length of her arm.

  Visibly shuddering, she took a sip of her drink, the ice clinking in the glass.

  She was nervous, an emotion that would normally not matter. On this evening, at this very moment, he had a sense of protection, a need to draw her in. He swallowed and forced himself to take a step away. “Why are you in Missoula?”

  “Do you want to know the truth? It’s pretty ugly.”

  “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not into games.” Riker grimaced hearing his words, even though they were the truth.

  “I appreciate that more than you know. I’m here because a nasty reporter has it in for me. He’s selling pictures on the internet that are false, but blasphemous and could damage my career. My cousin suggested I come here. Heal myself. That’s what she told me. I’m just not certain I have it in me any longer. I’m tired, drained from the day to day bullshit. I hate the life, the people I work with and the concept of everyone thinking I live happily ever after when there’s no such thing in Hollywood. There are only liars and cheats, people who will stab you in the back for the next available part, all in the hopes that they make it to the top.” After taking another sip, she laughed. “Aren’t you happy you asked?”

  Riker contemplated his answer. She wasn’t a fragile woman, even though she’d broken down in front of him. He could tell she had the strength of a lion, forced to fight for her dreams in a sea of misery. “You’ve come to the right place. That much I can tell you.”

  “Yeah? How so?” A smile lit up her face, pushing away the darkness.

  He took a step back, giving them both space. “I came here a broken man. I had no place and no heart, but I knew that I loved what I did. I wanted the job of becoming a smokejumper and I fought for it. When I came, nothing mattered but landing the job. What I found was a level of friendship I hadn’t anticipated, men who were willing to die for me with no questions asked. What I don’t honestly think I realized is how much I’ve come to depend on their friendship. I just…” He shook his head. “My soul is too battered to make much sense.”

  She inched toward him, her hand resting on his shoulder. “You’re doing just fine. I don’t know why, but I really like being around you. You’re not like any other man I know. You’re real. That’s important to me.” As if sensing his discord, she pulled away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to suggest anything.”

  “You didn’t. I… I like your touch.” Hearing the angst in his voice, he had to fight to stand in the same spot. Did he honestly think he could open up to this woman, a girl who’d given him nothing but shit since they met? The truth was something he hadn’t expected and hated to admit. He was drawn to her, much more so than any other woman with the exception of his wife. There were no reasons why, no telling event. Just an understanding, a connection that he wasn’t certain he could or wanted to fight.

  Trinity studied him and took another sip of her drink before reaching up, brushing her fingers across his bandage then continuing to caress, moving down the side of his face. “Thank you for letting me in, if only on the surface. I know how difficult that is for you.”

  When her touch lingered, he could feel the beads of sweat trickling down the back of his neck. His cock was throbbing, aching to the point he was in real pain. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to give a shit about anyone. “I’m no good for anyone. I don’t know if I can be ever again.”

  “You have your reasons. If you want to tell me, I’ll listen. If you don’t, that’s fine too. Besides, I’m nothing special.”

  He allowed a slow breath to escape as he listened to the sound of his heart beating, thumping in his chest. “That’s where you’re wrong.” Sliding his arm around her waist, he yanked her forward, crushing her mouth with his. The taste of her was unlike any other woman, sweet and sultry. The kiss became a passionate roar as he held her against his chest, their tongues entwining.

  She wrapped her hand around his neck, clinging to him, her body undulating against his.

  The friction, the heated electricity was intense, creating an urgent need, a desire that sent a rush of longing through every muscle, every cell. He was mad with hunger, the sensations off the charts.

  Moaning into the kiss, Trinity dug her nails into his skin, her breasts crushed against him as she stood on her toes.

  As the kiss continued, he became lost in the dazzling moment, no longer afraid of sharing or allowing this woman, this vibrant woman into his life. He wanted this desperately. When he broke the kiss, he rubbed his thumb back and forth across her mouth, panting as the adrenaline kicked in. He could feel the old angst, hovering, threatening to bite him, take back the raging need.

  Her eyes never leaving his, she took his drink, setting both down on the hearth. “Riker.”

  “Don’t talk. Don’t say anything. I just want you. I want this. Just for tonight.” He heard what he was saying, knew the meaning and expected her to push away.

  But she didn’t.

  She cupped both sides of his face, leaning into him as she pressed her lips against his then his chin, her hot breath skipping along his skin.

  Her simple touch, the way she was open and so gentle was breathtaking. His heart continued to race as she licked across the seam of his mouth. He was so used to being in control, taking what he wanted without reservation or any question. This was amazing, scintillating in such an unexpected manner.

  As she licked down the side of his neck, she began to unbutton his shirt, peeling back the edges until she placed the flats of her hands on his chest. She continued to kiss and lick, her lips moving back and forth until she reached his nipple.

  Riker tilted his head back, savoring the way she bit down, creating a hint of pain until his cock was pinching in his zipper. Fisting her hair, he kept her head in place as she dragged her mouth to his other nipple, licking in lazy circles. His breathing ragged, he rubbed his other hand down her arm and back until he could take no more. Pulling her head away, he growled then yanked at her shirt, tugging the edges from her jeans.

  “Oh…” The sound almost inaudi
ble, she slid her hands down to his waist then moved them to her shirt, pulling the material up and over her head.

  Cupping both breasts, he rubbed his fingers back and forth across her already hardened nipples, enjoying the way they felt through her lace bra. Grunting, he lowered his head as he slid his arm around her waist, dipping her into a deep arch. He mouthed her neck, sucking on her skin as he dipped his fingers past the thin edge, fingering her nipple. He could tell she was wet, the scent of her feminine wiles wafting between them.

  She clung to him, her fingers tight as she gripped his arms, her body swaying forward and backward. “God.”

  He moved his mouth down to the cleft of her breasts, licking up and down before using his teeth to pull away the unwanted material and exposing her nipple. He dragged his tongue around several times before taking the tender flesh into his mouth, sucking, nipping.

  “Oh… my…” Easing her hand down the length of his chest, she rubbed her fingers across his groin, moving back and forth in slow and even motions.

  Yanking the material, he heard a ripping sound and issued another low-slung growl then pulled her up as he reached for the clasp on her bra. As he eased the straps down, he shook his head, admiring every inch of her exquisite beauty. She was perfect.

  Biting her lower lip, she fumbled to unbuckle his belt, fingering the leather as she gave him a heated look. “Mmm… A thick strap.”

  “You enjoy discipline?”

  “Yes.”

  The single word sent another rush of raw desire, a different and very commanding longing. When she unzipped his jeans, freeing his dick, he sucked in his breath. “Be careful what you ask for.”

  She slid her hand underneath his cock, rubbing his already swollen balls between her fingers. Then she wrapped her hand around his shaft, pumping the base as she pushed his shirt off one shoulder. “I’m asking.”

  He hissed as he yanked at his shirt, dragging it off and tossing it. There was no turning back, no way he could stop what was about to happen. As she squeezed the tip of his cock, using just enough pressure he moaned, he pushed her away, the dark and demanding side taking over. “I want to see all of you. Every inch.” After removing his boots, he stood with his arms crossed, the expression commanding.