The Firefighter's Mate

by Jayne Ripley

  She looked at him again, giving him a smile, even though he saw her eyes had filled with unshed tears.

  “Thank you,” she finally said. “For everything.”

  He didn’t answer. He only lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. She was wearing one of his T-shirts, big enough to come down to mid thigh on her. He was going to take her shopping tomorrow for new clothes. She hadn’t come to town with much, and she’d lost everything in that damned fire. He was determined to get her back on her feet again, no matter what. And he would fix her car too. In fact, he was determined to give her a few real reasons to be grateful. Having her here was as much a thrill for him and was sure as hell no hardship. He wanted her to understand that, but simply saying it felt shallow to him—too easy. He wanted to prove it to her so she’d never doubt, never forget.

  Later, he came back in from looking her car over and making up a list of parts he’d need to order and found her watching the local news. There was only one news station in town, the rest came from stations in Olympia or Tacoma. The news anchor led in with an interview with Chief Smith and footage from the fire, a shot of Nicole’s house swallowed in flames and smoke.

  Luke went to Gabriela and pulled her into his arms. He didn’t turn the television off, even though he could feel how cold her skin was, with goose bumps all over her arms, and he could hear her rapid heartbeat. He didn’t want her afraid, but if she needed to face what had happened as part of her recovery, then he would be right here with her, supporting her any way he could.

  Still, he wanted her to know she didn’t have to prove anything to him. He already knew she was strong and brave. “You don’t need to watch that stuff, sweetheart.”

  She seemed to take comfort from his touch, but shook her head nonetheless. “I won’t hide away or cringe like some frightened little kid.”

  “I understand. It’s my first instinct to protect you, so you’ll have to forgive me if I overdo it.”

  Her smile erased most of the fear on her face. “No forgiveness is necessary, silly, so don’t even ask.”

  Chief Smith’s rough voice came over the television speakers and they both turned to watch him speaking into the microphone that a reporter held too close to his face.

  “We’ve forwarded our findings on to the police,” Chief Smith said, his voice gravely and his expression grim. “They’ve already made a statement that arson is involved.”

  “Is this a serial arsonist?” the reporter asked, sounding more excited than afraid.

  “I’m not at liberty to make a statement on that at this time. But the public can rest assured that the two excellent fire stations serving Cadillac Falls continue to have some of the fastest response times in the state. We’re here to keep people safe. It’s our job and it’s one we take very seriously.”

  The news channel switched back to the news anchor. “Channel Twelve will be keeping you up to date with all the breaking news on this clear and present threat to the safety of Cadillac Falls. In other news, a winning ticket was purchased in a Seattle for the state Lotto, which had reached one and a half million. Lottery officials are waiting for the winner to come forward—”

  She used the remote to turn off the television. Her breath escaped in a long sigh.

  He tried to take her mind off the fire and the investigation. “Didn’t you buy a lottery ticket? Maybe you won something.”

  “I did buy a ticket. Stupid, I know. But I think it was in my purse and I lost my purse in the fire.” She snorted and shook her head in disgust. “There went the start up money for my dog care business right along with my driver’s license. No one else is going to loan me that kind of money.”

  “You know I would, if I had it. But you’re safe. That’s all that matters. You can replace everything else. Besides, nobody wins the lottery.”

  “Except for me.”

  He cocked his head, thinking he’d misheard her. “What?”

  “I won the ‘attacked by a crazy arsonist lottery.’ Maybe I’m due for some good luck soon.” She hesitated, then touched his arm softly. “Actually, maybe I should start appreciating the good luck I’ve already had. You, for one. Having you here with me means so much. Thank you.”

  He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Don’t thank me. I was the one who failed you. I wasn’t there when you needed me most.”

  She put her hands on the side of his face and made him look her in the eye. “Shush. That’s crap and you know it. I never would’ve imagined something like that happening here, not in a million years. You know what I do remember? Seeing you run toward the fire in all your firefighter gear, ready to break down the door and rush into that burning house to save my life.” She kissed him. The kiss was sweet and loving. She drew back and looked into his eyes again. “You never failed me.”

  He could only nod, although he felt as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders. He wasn’t ready to let himself off the hook. Not entirely. Not until they caught the bastard who was starting the fires. But he did ease off on the guilt a little.

  “Think they’ll catch the guy?” she asked in a quiet voice. “I know I’ll sleep better when they do.”

  “Yes. They’ll catch him. And I’d hate to be in his shoes when they do.” His voice grew dark. “He’d better hope the cops get him before Rescue Company gets their teeth in him. Two attacks on our pack members? The guy is either full-bore crazy or he has a serious death wish.”

  “But I’m not part of your pack…” she said, frowning, her expression uncertain.

  “Nicole’s ResCo. And you’re mine.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for that. I don’t think I’d ever felt so isolated and alone my entire life until I left the pack in Philly and came here. Being a packless wolf isn’t quite the nonstop freedom I’d always believed. I mean, there’s a give and take. Risks and benefits. But I’m not ready to make a decision on something like that yet. Everyone has been so kind to me, but I… I’m just not ready.”

  “I understand. I’m not trying to pressure you at all. Even if you never officially join us, as long as you are with me, you’ll always be welcome. And I’m not letting you go. Ever.”

  She kissed him again. He savored the feel of her warm lips on his. His cock already started to stir, desire pooling like heat in his groin.

  Before he ramped up the kiss from loving to passionate, she drew back a little, her expression serious. “I’ve never been with a good pack. It’s all so strange and new. Everything here is so different. My head is spinning.”

  “What about Philly?”

  “The pack in Philly…it wasn’t healthy. The alpha was strong, but he was cruel. He was looking to expand his territory into some other pack’s home turf. There was going to be fighting. And the males…well, they didn’t always keep the honeys on equal footing. I joined them for protection because I was living in a bad neighborhood, but I ended up running away from them before things turned really bad. I was going to end up owing them…more than they deserved or that I wanted to give.”

  He nodded. There were good packs and bad packs. He was sorry she’d been caught up in one of the bad ones. But he wasn’t too sorry, selfishly enough, because it had driven her back to Cadillac Falls, her new home. He was determined that things would be better for her here. The difference between his pack and one like hers in Philly or the Sturmwulfen was huge.

  He took a risk and went for another kiss, more insistent this time, letting her know with his lips and his body the need he was feeling. She responded at once, her return kisses growing more passionate, her nipples poking against the too-big T-shirt, driving him wild with the sexiness of her full breasts just barely hidden from him by the thinnest of cotton.

  He stood and pulled her toward the loft and his bed. This time they headed upstairs side by side, holding hands as they climbed to the loft. He could sense that carrying her up and owning her wasn’t what she wanted—what she needed right now. Their last fucking was all about pleasure and the reaffirmation of
life. Now, she needed love and tenderness. He planned to give her all of that and more.

  He turned only one dim lamp on, letting the room fill with amber light. Music came next—slow, smoky jazz. Mood music. He wrapped her in his arms, letting her melt against him. He rocked her to the music, their moves gentle, swaying. After awhile he tilted her chin up to him and tasted her lips, but softly, as tenderly as he could manage. He teased her lips, waiting for her to respond, and when she did, he deepened the kiss. He explored her body with his hands, caressing her everywhere slowly, taking his time, driving away her bad memories, filling her mind with only him. Only him and her pleasure.

  He drew the T-shirt she wore up over her head, inch by inch, allowing her to feel the change along her skin as the cotton drew away, leaving her bare. She wore only black panties beneath the shirt. No bra. He closed his eyes and shook his head with a groan, before looking back into her eyes again. He wanted her to understand exactly how much her body turned him on. And black had always been his favorite color… Gabriela gave him a pleased smile, at least until he kissed it away.

  He wanted her so badly. His cock was so damn hard it was nearly painful, but he held himself in check, content to stroke her, to tease her nipples erect with his mouth, his fingers. To drop his hand to the cleft between her thighs and trace her lower lips with his finger. She was wet, so he explored deeper, slipping his finger into her slippery heat. Her moan told him she was enjoying it. Her eyes closed. Perfect. She couldn’t feel afraid when he was loving her. He wouldn’t allow it.

  He was going to protect her. Keep her safe. To love her the way she deserved to be loved. When he slipped his cock inside her, it felt as though they were connected perfectly. When she came, she screamed his name again. And he kissed her and kissed her until she understood, until she knew in every part of her, that he loved her, that he cherished her. When he came inside her, he felt as if he was pouring himself into her but not losing any piece of himself but his heart.

  The piece she already owned.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Gabriela was happily walking three dogs early the next morning while daydreaming about doing something special for Luke. Her daydreaming was rudely interrupted when a luxury Cadillac pulled into the driveway in front of her, cutting her off and blocking her path. The dogs immediately halted and went right to attention. She stopped short to avoid crashing into them. The fancy car’s windows were so deeply tinted that she couldn’t see inside. Whoever was in the car, they’d certainly fit right in during the aggressive rush hour in Philly driving that way.

  Although she was irked at being blocked, she intended to walk around the back of the car and let bygones be bygones, but none of the dogs would move. She thought she could handle the miniature schnauzer and the cocker spaniel, but if a Great Dane didn’t want to go, it wasn’t moving for anything short of a bulldozer. So she was forced to wait, growing more flustered and annoyed with each passing second.

  The car’s driver door swung wide open. A man in a pristine chauffer’s uniform stepped out and hurried to open the rear door. He didn’t even glance her way, but he bowed as he opened the door, staring submissively at the ground. A moment later a tall, striking man climbed out of the back seat.

  The man was wearing what looked like an extremely expensive business suit. His hair was so dark it was almost black. His eyes were also dark and piercing. She found his stare so direct that it quickly made her uncomfortable. His alpha aura slammed against her like a breaking wave. Instantly her wolf felt the need to submit to him. She had to fight off the urge to tuck tail and whine. While the alpha of Rescue Company pack was powerful, it was a quiet strength. One he hadn’t used against her on purpose. From this man’s knowing expression, she guessed he enjoyed flaunting his raw, forceful power and watching the effect it had on other wolves.

  This had to be none other than the billionaire alpha of the Cadillac Falls pack, live and in person.

  “Hello, Ms Acosta,” he said with a tight-lipped smile. “I’m Roger Ainsworth. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Welcome to Cadillac Falls.”

  She struggled to master the flood of nervousness and confusion that threatened to drown her. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Ainsworth. I was out walking the dogs.” She had no idea why she felt the need to justify why she was out alone on a public street with such a wide assortment of canines, but she did. Damn alphas. “Was there something I can help you with?”

  He seemed to consider her offer, as if it were genuine instead of a polite way of saying: What do you want? “The dogs will be happy to wait. I would like to speak with you about an important matter.”

  She resented his offhand attitude about the dogs obeying him, even though it looked as if he was right. That made her resent it more. She also didn’t like how he seemed to expect that she would drop everything and talk with him. He seemed like a man entirely too used to getting his own way. Those types of people weren’t people she enjoyed.

  “What do you want to talk about?” she asked, letting the temperature in her voice drop several degrees and hoping he got the hint.

  “I saw the news report about the fire. I’m very sorry something that horrible happened to you. Were you hurt?”

  “No. Just scared.” She glanced around, itching to be on her way again. The chauffer stood by the car, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared off toward the dog park. She had a feeling Luke wouldn’t be happy to see her talking with Roger Ainsworth.

  “Completely understandable,” Ainsworth said, still fixing her with that sharp gaze. His alpha aura seemed to grow even stronger, wordlessly demanding she defer to him. “This is a tragedy and a black mark on my town. I take both very seriously. I’d love a chance to redeem the town. Forgive my forwardness, but do you have a good place to stay?”

  “I’m staying with Luke Taylor. But thank you for the concern.” She didn’t look away from his powerful gaze, although every part of her wanted to.

  Ainsworth nodded thoughtfully, though she didn’t get the sense that he particularly approved. Still, all he said was: “Taylor. A firefighter, if I remember correctly. Part of the Rescue Company pack, I believe.”

  “That’s right. I feel safe with him. But…thank you again for the offer.” Now can I get on with walking the dogs, and you can stop alpha-domming me? she wanted to yell. But her mami had raised her right, so she only gave him a bland smile.

  He waved a hand dismissively, as if the whole thing were nothing. “Let me at least do something to make amends. I feel so terrible that you’ve returned to our town after your parents left so long ago, only to suffer this shocking attack.”

  The hair on the back of her arms stood up. She didn’t know if he’d meant the reference to her parents as some kind of threat, but that was how she took it. She still didn’t know the details of what had happened to drive her father away. Why would Ainsworth know anything about her or them? “You knew my parents?”

  His face was so expressionless it was almost cold. “Yes, I knew your father. We had a few business arrangements. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out.”

  “What happened?”

  “Water under the bridge now. I was sorry to hear he had passed away.”

  Now the hair on the back of her neck raised, and she had to suppress a shiver. How had he known her father had died, so far away in Philly? It hadn’t made the papers, and she’d been too broke to afford an obituary. He must have been keeping tabs on them…and that disturbing possibility raised all kinds of red flags.

  “Yes,” she finally managed to choke out. “It was very sudden. I’m surprised you knew of it.”

  “Oh, I am curious to a fault. I’m afraid I’ve upset you, however, and I apologize. Please, at least allow me make you an offer, as that was why I stopped you. Have you found work in Cadillac Falls yet?”

  She flushed, then raised her chin, refusing to let him make her feel embarrassed at her current unemployed status, whether or not that was his intention. “I’ve started a sma
ll dog walking business. I have a lot of big plans. But one step at a time.”

  His smile became a bit more genuine. “Excellent. May I have your card? I’d like to recommend your services to the pack. We have many dog owners who might be interested in what you could provide.”

  The heat spread all across her cheeks and down her neck, though she couldn’t tell if she were flustered, embarrassed, or angry. All three at once, really. His words all seemed to have double meanings and a hint of both promise and threat. “I haven’t had a chance to make up business cards yet. With everything happening so fast, it was all I could do to get here and land on my feet…”

  Talking too much, Gabriela, she chastised herself. Shut up before your mouth gets you in trouble.

  “Completely understandable. I’ll simply let everyone know they can call Mr. Taylor’s house if they are interested in your services. Forgive another moment’s curiosity, but I am always looking for new investment opportunities. If you are looking to start a business, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Many times a strong financial backer can make the difference between a business’s success and failure.”

  “That’s an…interesting offer.” It was an offer that left her reeling. It had come out of nowhere. Her wolf didn’t trust it—didn’t trust him. But was she simply prejudiced because of the things Luke had said about this man and his pack or the other rumors she’d sometimes heard when she’d last lived here? Or the fact that his oldest daughter Patricia had used to torment her back in high school? Or how he seemed to know something about why her father had fled the town. She couldn’t say.

  “A genuine offer, I assure you,” Ainsworth replied. “But I’ve taken enough of your time already. I’ll let you get back to work. Thank you for allowing me the chance to speak with you.”

  “Of course. Thank you for offering to recommend me to your pack.”

  “Not at all. I’m certain we’ll meet again. It is a small town after all. Again, I am sorry for what happened to you, but I hope you will find happiness here.”