Rescue Me (Sparks Of Desire Book 2)

by Valerie Twombly

  “Oh my...” She chewed her lip then looked up at the most wonderful man who sat across from her. Her eyes stung with tears. “It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received.”

  He rose from his chair and knelt at her side. “Let me help you.” He pulled the bracelet from the box and laid it over her wrist, hooking the clasp. “It suits you.”

  She leaned in and kissed him. Savored every stroke of their tongues across each other. When they finally broke apart, she whispered. “Thank you. I absolutely love it.”

  He continued to stare at her. “I... I’m glad you like it.” He returned to his seat. There had been something in his voice. His words hesitant like he had wanted to say something else. Had he been about to say he loved her? She was pretty sure he did. She knew how she felt about him and wanted to tell him, but the right time never presented itself. Maybe she was waiting for him to go first. It seemed so childish, but she had to be certain he wasn’t going to run. While he appeared to be working through his fear of loss, it wasn’t something one forgot overnight. She’d mailed his letter to Sarah Davis almost a month ago, and to her knowledge, he had received no response. Halee hoped the widow would reach out because she was certain Sarah’s forgiveness would help set Derrick free.

  Their appetizer came. Mushroom caps stuffed with crabmeat and she enjoyed every bite. After their plates were cleared, she finally decided to broach the subject of Derrick’s ancestry. “So, my father received the results of your DNA test.” She reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope and slid it across the table. “No one has seen it.”

  “You know, at first it didn’t matter to me, but I now find myself a little curious.” He slid the brown envelope back to her. “You read it for me.”

  Slightly surprised, she picked it up. “You sure?”

  He leaned across the table, touched her hand. “It’s important to us and our future. You should read it.”

  She took in a sharp breath. “Do we have a future?” Dare she hope? Things had been going well between them.

  “Just open it.”

  He was evading again. She wouldn’t push the matter. Derrick would come around in his own time. Instead, she opened the envelope, unfolded the paper, and began to read the print. After a few minutes, she finally looked over the top of the page. “Your grandmother, three generations back, was a halfling. She chose to marry a human and that’s how you came about.” She folded the paper and placed it back in the envelope. “That explains why you’re not a full shifter. Of course, she has passed on, but your family tree is recorded in our archives should you ever wish to research it.” She handed the envelope back to him.

  “Thank you.”

  “How do you feel about this?” She had learned if she didn’t ask, he wasn’t one to volunteer the thoughts that made him uncomfortable. While this shouldn’t bother him, for some reason it did.

  “Interesting. Perhaps I will research it one day.”

  The waiter arrived with the main course. Steak and lobster and the smell was divine. After the plates were placed and more champagne poured, they set to work on eating. Once their meal was finished, it was followed up by the most decadent chocolate cake Halee had ever tasted. When she finally tossed her napkin on the table in defeat, she gave Derrick a seductive smile.

  “You are so getting laid tonight.”

  He laughed, and she adored it when he did. “My fiendish plan worked then.”

  “It absolutely did.”

  “Good, because I have one more surprise for you.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding! This evening has already been more than I could ever ask for. I didn’t know you were such a romantic.”

  He rose and came over to pull out her chair. “Shall we?”

  Derrick had made a couple of slips this evening. One was indicating there might be a future for him and Halee. Was there? Part of him wanted it, but he had to keep some distance. If he got too close, he would lose her. It was his lot in life. He didn’t want anything to happen to her, and he’d walk away before it did. He pushed the thoughts from his mind. It was her birthday and he had one last surprise for her.

  Finally parking in his driveway, they got out of the truck and he took her hand. Led her down the lighted path to the lake. He’d texted Ella before they had left to let her know they were on the way, so she could get things set up.

  “The lake is beautiful in the moonlight,” Halee said.

  “Not as much as you.” She took his breath away.

  “You’re such a schmoozer. Keep it up and my panties will come off.”

  “You’re wearing panties?”

  A delicate brow arched, and a wicked grin curled full lips. “I might have already removed them in the lady’s room at the restaurant.”

  Blood rushed to his cock and he grabbed her hand. “Come on, naughty girl. In the boat you go.”

  “We going for a midnight ride?”

  “Yeah, something like that.” He helped her into the small V-bottom boat. Started the engine and flipped on the spotlight. Throttling away from the dock, he took his time maneuvering to the small island. He’d had a dock built so he could easily tie up the boat and enjoy solitude. The guests at the lodge also liked to use it, but everyone had been instructed it was off limits for the night. After tying the boat, he helped Halee out. When she was settled on the dock, he scooped her off her feet.

  “Hey,” she yelped.

  “You can’t possibly walk through the woods in those heels.”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Thankfully the island was small, and he came into the clearing where a blanket was spread out in the grass. A bottle of wine, glasses, and several towels were tucked into a duffle bag. Torches were lit and stuck in the ground around them. He settled her on her feet on the blanket then pulled off his jacket. Next, he worked the buttons on his shirt.

  “Are you going to strip for me? I’m loving this.” She pulled off her heels and stood back to watch the show.

  “I would suggest you do the same. Unless you want to get that dress wet, cuz we’re going for a swim.”

  “Oh. Skinny dipping!” She grabbed the hem of her dress and shimmied it upward until it was over her head and on the ground.

  “You don’t have panties on,” he growled, discarding his pants. “Or a bra.” Her nipples hardened in the night air.

  “You disappointed?” She feigned covering herself.

  “Do not hide, woman.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on.” They ran through the grass, down the other dock he had built for diving, and when they reached the end, they jumped.

  Cool water glided over his body and helped curb his desire. Slightly. When he surfaced, he searched for Halee and found her swimming toward him. They treaded water.

  “I haven’t done this since you tossed me out of the boat that day.”

  He chuckled. “You were fully clothed then.”

  She slid her arms around his neck and he pulled her to his chest, moving them until they could stand, the water now to her ribs. He wanted to watch as the droplets made a path down her breasts in the moonlight. The sight of her wet hair slicked back had him wanting to take her right there. Instead he kissed her, reminding himself to take things slow. This was her night and she would be the one to set the pace. When they broke away, her breathing was heavy.

  “I have waited all night to have you. I’m not waiting any longer.” She took his cock in an iron grip and he groaned.

  “I’m at your mercy, darlin’. Take whatever you want.”

  Next thing he knew, her legs wrapped around his waist, her sex pressed against his shaft, and she impaled herself on him. Driving him deep until there was nothing left to claim. He gripped her ass and moved her up and down his cock. Water rippled around them and the full moon reflected the pleasure on her face. There was nothing but them and nature.

  A wolf howled in the distance, its call returned. Was that its mate?

  Both of them we
re so desperate for each other, the moment shattered as they both climbed up then spiraled downward in intense orgasm. When they had finally settled their breathing, Halee slipped down his body and they headed to shore. He took her hand and helped her back to the blanket where they both dropped down. As they lay on their backs staring at the sky, loon calls filled the air. Halee rolled to her stomach, one leg draped over his, and she laid a hand on his chest.

  “I need to say something. It’s important to me.”

  He rolled her damp hair around his fingers. “What’s on your mind, darlin’?”

  She wet her lips. “I love you, Derrick Taylor. I don’t expect you to return the sentiment or even acknowledge it.” She closed her eyes for a long moment before she opened them and continued. “I just needed you to know how I feel.” She rolled to her back and stared at the sky.

  Words caught in his throat and choked him. The only thing he could do was squeeze her hand. He was a bastard because he couldn’t stop fighting the feelings that threatened to drown him. The ones that would eventually lead to the loss of someone he cared about. If he didn’t care, then he couldn’t lose her.

  18

  As the engine rolled down Hillcrest Drive, Derrick glanced to his left. The streetlights cast a soft glow across feminine cheekbones and supple full lips. A mouth he knew intimately and had tasted only a few hours ago. Halee wasn’t supposed to be in Chance’s seat, but that bastard had taken a few days off and she had volunteered... No, she had insisted Gaelen allow her on the engine and the captain had agreed. Derrick reminded himself if her brother was comfortable with his baby sister gearing up then he should be as well. She was trained, and they were both professionals with a job to do. Running into a burning structure was just another day for them. Still, panic wanted to grip him with its icy fingers and choke the life out of him.

  I cannot allow my past to rule my future.

  He took a slow deep breath and forced calm as they pulled up to the scene. Fire encompassed the second floor at the front of the house. It had blown out the window and was busy working its way up the wood siding toward the roof. The owners had indicated no one was inside, so thankfully they only had to worry about saving as much of the structure as possible. Bailing out of the rig, Derrick went to grab a line when Halee slid in next to him.

  “Stay safe,” she whispered. There was no missing the meaning behind her words. She had told him several weeks ago how she felt. Had repeated the words every time they had been together and still never expected him to reciprocate. How the hell this woman could love him was beyond his understanding. He was a cold-hearted bastard who didn’t deserve her. Even as they got ready to walk into danger, he still couldn’t tell her. In his mind, if he didn’t speak the words then he couldn’t lose her.

  “You too.” It was all he could say.

  By the time he’d finished pulling hose from the engine, Kadin appeared.

  “Two lines in. Take Smith, Doyle, and Clarke with you. O’Brian and Gaelen are going to vent the roof.”

  “Got it,” Halee said and grabbed a line. By the time the two of them were almost to the front of the house, the rest of their crew were on their heels.

  Pushing open the door, Derrick made his way to the stairs, dropping line as he went. Halfway up he spotted fire on the first landing and the rest of the steps above it. Kicking debris out of his way, he waited for the hose to charge then doused the flames. Moving to the upper level, he discovered the fire forging a path up the walls in the hallway, before it rolled across the ceiling in a vicious storm that rained ash and burning bits of wood on his head.

  At first glance, several rooms looked to be fully involved.

  “We need that other line up here,” he said to Clarke who had been behind him the entire time. While he continued to put water to flame, Doyle moved around him with the other hose and started working one of the rooms. The buzz of the chainsaw drew his attention momentarily; the others were on the roof venting. Once he had doused the hall, Smith appeared next to him.

  “Head over that way.” He pointed, and Derrick moved to the doorway of a bedroom. Every stick of furniture provided fuel, and the fire gorged itself like an insatiable beast. The charred remains of a dresser crumbled to the floor, and flames ate gaping holes in the drywall in a quest to consume anything that would feed it. Aiming the nozzle, he sprayed water in a sweeping motion. His battle with the beast now waged and he was on the winning end. After several minutes, the fire coughed smoke in surrender, and Derrick moved on with Smith directing him.

  From the corner of his eye, he spotted Halee weaving in and out of the area, directing Doyle to the next location that required water. She vanished into one of the rooms while Derrick focused on the next bedroom. It was in only slightly better shape than the last room he’d hosed. As he pressed farther inside, a loud crash caught his attention and then a female screamed.

  His heart thudded to a halt and then the dreaded words came.

  “Mayday, mayday, mayday. Halee’s fallen through the floor!” Clarke shouted.

  The fire roared in laughter at Derrick, threatened to once again take away someone he cared about. He turned water on it, made it sputter for mercy until it was defeated before he was able to head toward the commotion.

  “Is she all the way through?” he asked, managing to fall back on his training. Panic is the enemy, he reminded himself.

  “To the first floor and she’s surrounded. Fucking fire somehow got to the lower level,” Smith snapped. He turned back to Doyle. “Keep that damn hose on her best you can but be careful of the floor.”

  Words Halee had once told Derrick came back to haunt him. “As humans, we are as susceptible to smoke and fire as you are. It will kill us.” But if she shifted, she would be safe. Her species hated fire, much preferred the cold but was impervious to fire and smoke, so why the hell didn’t she shift? Fuck their elders and their laws. This was her life they were talking about here. He’d watched Connor break those rules in Dallas in order to rescue the woman he loved from a burning hotel.

  “I’m going down.” He shoved his line at whoever was closest, not even caring who it was. He clicked his mic. “Reese, I’m coming for another line.”

  “Already on it.”

  Derrick started down the stairs when Kadin came over the radio like a force to be reckoned with.

  “Halee, for the love of fucking god, shift and get the hell out of there!”

  Yes, please get out. Derrick’s stride couldn’t get him down the stairs fast enough.

  “I can’t, my leg is broken.”

  His heart sank. An injury prevented shifting. How fast could she heal? He recalled it had taken Chance an entire day to mend a broken arm. He hit the bottom step and made for the front door where Walsh was already pulling the line in.

  “I’ll be right behind you,” Walsh shouted.

  Derrick laid the hose over his shoulder and made his way through the living room. He bumped into furniture, swearing as he tried to find his way with only his helmet light to guide him. The smoke grew so thick, he and Walsh had to drop to the floor and crawl. He created a mental map in his head while he thought of how many asses he was going to kick when this was over. How many shifters were on this crew? Several on this scene alone, two of them Halee’s own brothers. Would they seriously let their sister burn to death?

  The air over his head stirred, and smoke began to billow away making a clearer path. Suddenly, something landed in front of him. At first, he thought it was more debris, but quickly realized it was alive. Large almond-shaped green eyes cast an eerie glow in the light of his lamp. The head of the creature looked at him over its back before it gave a jerk. Ok, he was a fast learner and realized it wanted them to follow.

  “Go.” He was able to get to his feet and follow, keeping enough distance so he didn’t get hit by a pair of wings that continued to push smoke out of the way. While he had no idea who shifted, he would lay money on Gaelen or Kadin. He should have known her brothers were t
oo fierce to allow their sister to perish. Hell, at the moment he was jealous he didn’t have the gift of their magic.

  “My shit freaks out when they do that,” Walsh spoke from behind him.

  “It happen often?”

  “On occasion.”

  Finally, he spotted the fire that had taken the hall hostage and blocked the path to the room beyond. Through the wall of flames and smoke, Derrick was certain he saw a figure on the floor.

  “I’m almost to you, Halee.”

  He began dousing the fire. Crashing debris stilled his heart, but not a peep out of the woman on the other side of those flames.

  “Halee?”

  “I’m okay, just a bit toasty.”

  Leave it to her to keep a sense of humor. In that moment, the small dragon he had been following shot through the flames, landed on the other side then raised its head. Extending its wings, the creature increased in size until it had no more room and then it slid the massive wings around Halee, wrapping her in a cocoon of protection.

  Derrick had never been so relieved. He could now concentrate on fighting the fire, knowing she was safe. Fire and smoke couldn’t touch a dragon. A whole new respect welled up for these men and women. He just wished their laws didn’t prohibit them from shifting at will. So many more lives could be saved.

  Finally, he had most of the flames tamed so he could get into the room. The dragon opened its wings enough that Derrick could reach Halee and scoop her off the floor. As quickly as possible, he and Walsh made their way out of the burning house. Once outside, Derrick was careful to set her in the grass away from any further danger. She began to pull off her mask while he examined her leg. The tibia had snapped and lacerated the skin.

  Kadin ran over with a medic bag, which meant it must have been Gaelen inside. “We just need to control the bleeding and splint it until she can heal.”