“Well, yeah. There was a wildfire, and it was heading for the highway. I dropped some water, and there you were.”
“Huh.”
The door opened again, and a nurse entered. Without a word, she removed the heart monitor from his finger and the IV needle from his arm—
“Ouch!”
“Sorry, Mr. Kohl.” Her words came out clipped. “Dr. Brix has cleared you. You are free to leave. Do you have someone to drive you home?”
“I, uh….”
“That would be me.” Brigit faced the nurse. “I’m his ride.”
The nurse pursed her lips, gave him one last look then marched out of the room.
“What did you do?” Brigit mock-whispered then giggled. “You must be a bad patient. You know that kind of stuff will come back around to bite your ass.”
I’d like to bite her ass. “So, I doubly owe you now. You saved my life, and now you’re giving me a ride.” He frowned. “I hate to ask, but did you happen to find my motorcycle?”
“Yeah, about that….”
He hung his head. “It’s totaled, isn’t it?”
“I’ll wait outside while you change clothes.” She exited to the hall before he could say anything.
He eased his legs over the side of the bed. Every muscle ached. Damn, that wreck did a number on him. Tottering to the closet, he opened the door and retrieved his neatly folded clothes. He bent to get his shoes, but his back seized. Holy shit. He grabbed the shoes and shuffled to the bed, rounded over, and sat. He straightened and came face to face with—
“Oh crap!” He jolted.
The nurse smirked. “I thought you might need these.” She held out her hands.
He took the two pills and glass of water. “Bless you.”
“That’s acetaminophen with codeine. Dr. Brix gave you a prescription.” She handed him the square of paper with unreadable scribbles on it and left.
He downed the meds then shook out his jeans, shoved his legs in, and zipped up. Removing his hospital gown, he tossed it onto the bed then turned to get his shirt.
“Oh.”
He spun toward the gasp. Brigit stood there, eyes wide, drinking him in, her sweet pink lips forming the perfect little O.
T-shirt in hand, he faced her, letting her look. He liked how her gaze roved over his chest and abs…and lower. His little head did, too, pressing against the zipper to draw her focus. “Brigit.”
Her gaze shot to his. “Carter.”
The sound of his name, tumbling from her lips in a breathy rush, shot straight to his groin. He wanted to hear her say it again—while she clung to him, hot and sweaty, tangled in his bed sheets. He stepped toward her.
“I’ll just….” Turning on her heel, she marched back out into the hall.
Well, shit. Everything inside him demanded he chase her, but he resisted. I’m an ass. The woman saved my life, and all I can think about is getting into her panties. Wouldn’t be surprised if she left me here. He dragged his T-shirt over his head, jammed his arms through the holes then stuffed his feet into his sneakers. Snatching the plastic bag with the rest of his belongings, he strode toward the door and stopped.
A few feet away, his angel stood with her back three-quarters to him, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other bent at the elbow and tucked in close to her side, her index finger twirling her dark strands round and round. She nibbled her bottom lip while she stared at the floor.
Lust punched him in the gut. He backed up a step. What was wrong with him? No woman had ever made Carter Kohl hesitate. Taking a deep breath, he moved toward her. “You’re still here.”
Tucking the strands behind her ear, she looked up at him. “Of course. I said I’d give you a ride.”
He grinned and gestured toward the far end of the hall. “Lead the way.”
She pointed in the opposite direction. “It’s that way.”
Of course it is.
After winding through the hospital’s maze of hallways, Carter followed her out into the parking lot where she unlocked a dark-green 4-door Jeep Wrangler. After they got inside and strapped in, she turned to him.
“Where to?”
“Cedar Valley.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Really? You’re staying in Cedar Valley?”
“That surprises you? It’s where you found me. Well, close by.” Unable to stop himself, he eyed her lush lips. What would they taste like? “Why?”
“I guess I thought you were out on a ride through the hills.” She shrugged then started the engine. “Figured you were staying at a hotel in Sacramento or San Francisco.”
“Nope.”
She turned onto the highway headed north. A little over an hour of small talk later, she pulled to a stop in front of the Black Bear Lodge. “Here we are.”
“I’m actually in a cabin.” He pointed. “Down there. Number eight.”
She headed in the direction he’d indicated, and they bounced along the gravel road. Carter licked his lips, his surreptitious gaze returning to her chest again and again. He certainly hadn’t expected the ride to his cabin to be so…entertaining. But damn if her perky breasts didn’t look enticing jiggling with the rough ride.
She pulled to a stop. “And here we are. Again.”
He angled toward her. “I’d still like to take you out to dinner. Seems kinda weak considering you saved my life but—”
“I didn’t save your life.” She brushed off his comment with a wave of her hand. “I was putting out a fire. I flew over and saw you. The rest was a team effort.”
“Okay.” He shook his head. “You sure aren’t making this easy, darlin’.”
“Should it be?”
“Well, sure it should.” He pointed at himself. “I ask you out.” Then at her. “You say yes.” Then twirled his finger in the air. “We go share a nice meal. Easy.”
“I suppose you’ll pick me up?”
My Harley. He grimaced. “That might be a problem.”
Her laughter flowed over him. “Your motorcycle is at Dan’s Garage. I’ll take you by before dinner. If it can be fixed, Dan can do it.”
“Good to know.” Did he want to see the damage? Hmm. Probably better not.
***
Two hours later, Carter had taken care of the paperwork and estimate to get his Harley repaired. Dan promised the damage hadn’t been extensive then added that three to four days should suffice as long as the parts came in. Relieved with the prognosis, Carter had gone ahead and ordered two helmets—one for the sexy helicopter pilot who’d saved him to wear. The other to replace the one he’d “lost.”
About half the seats were filled inside Gondolas, so the hostess wasted no time leading them to a cozy booth with a red-and-white checkered tablecloth and a lit candle in a hurricane glass to set an intimate mood. Strings of lights draped from the ceiling, giving the impression of twinkling stars overhead, while soft violin music floated on the air. He’d been in Cedar Valley for only a short time, but it seemed there was more to the place than he’d first thought.
After they slid into the booth, a waiter handed them menus and took their drink order. He returned a moment later with a red wine for her and a beer for Carter, took their dinner choices then left them alone.
Brigit eyed him over the rim of her glass as she sipped her wine. “So where are you from, Carter Kohl?”
“Florida. Tampa to be more exact.”
“You’re far from home. You rode your motorcycle cross-country?” She drank more wine.
“I did.”
She set her glass on the table then reached up to tuck her dark hair behind her ear, revealing a simple gold hoop dangling from her earlobe. The earring swayed, teasing him, taunting him, reminding him of how her hips had moved in a similar fashion as he’d followed her into the restaurant. The dark jeans she wore cupped her bottom, accentuating the swell of her hips. “That must’ve been quite a trip.”
“Four days of freedom.”
She smiled, and his heart skipped a beat. �
��I’ll bet.” She tilted her head, his gaze drawn to the gentle slope of her neck as it curved down to meet her shoulder. “So, what brings you to our quaint little town in the valley?”
“Work.” He willed the loose neckline of her white peasant blouse to slip down her arm, but the damn thing held on with a tenacity beyond his understanding. All that creamy skin. A little tug on those strings, and that shirt would—
“Work?” Her brows scrunched together, creating a vee he wanted to smooth with his thumb…no, his tongue. “What do you do?”
“I’m in acquisitions and recovery.”
The waiter arrived with their meals, setting their dishes in front of them and adding a well-stocked bread basket to the center of the table. “More wine, madam?”
“Yes, please.”
He returned a moment later and filled her glass.
“Leave the bottle,” he told the waiter. “And I’ll take another beer when you get the chance.”
When they were alone again, Brigit stared at him, a quirky smile on her lips. “Leave the bottle, huh? You do remember I drove us here.
“I do. I have a driver’s license, too.”
“Sooo….” She picked up her glass, took a sip then lifted an eyebrow. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”
He chuckled. “I’m that easy to read?”
“Oh no.” She took a gulp of wine. “There’s way more to you”—she pointed and air-scribbled her finger over him—“than meets the eye. But just so you know, if you are trying to get me intoxicated, I’m not a cheap drunk. It’ll take more than one bottle of wine.”
“Whatever you want, darlin’.”
“Hmm….” Her gaze dipped to his mouth, and he could almost feel her lips on his. The soft, tentative meet. Her moan as she opened for him. His tongue fondling hers….
He swallowed then shifted in his seat to allow more room for his growing hard-on. Grabbing his beer, he downed half of what remained. He’d experienced connections with women before but nothing like this. They hadn’t even been touching and, yet somehow…it was like they were.
Across the table, Brigit picked up her utensils and dug into her meal—as though nothing had happened between them just a second ago. He stared at her while he wrestled his nerves under control. Hell, surely she felt the same thing I did. Didn’t she?
The waiter strolled by, deposited another beer next to him, retrieved the empty, and after a “Can I get you anything else?” continued on.
The spell broken, Carter took his fork and poked pasta on his plate until the tines were full then stuffed it into his mouth. Rich, creamy sauce with a hint of garlic made his taste buds stand up and sing halleluiah. He bit back a groan as he stuffed in another bite with the same results. Okay, so Cedar Valley imported an authentic Italian chef.
“How’s the penne alfredo?” She leaned forward and speared several pieces.
“Hey!” He slapped at her hand, and she giggled, the sound skipping heat along his skin.
She tucked the bite into her mouth, her lush lips wrapping around the utensil, then moaned. Damn. “That’s good.”
Yes it is. “How about your veal parmesan? I’d steal a bite, but I don’t think I could cut the veal and get away before you jabbed my hand with your fork.”
She laughed then shushed herself. She cut a piece and held it out to him. “Here.”
He leaned forward and took what she offered. The bite of veal melted on his tongue. He nodded. “That’s really good.”
“It is.” She leaned forward, elbows on the table, her gaze locked with his. She licked her lips. “Why are you here in Cedar Valley, Carter Kohl?”
“Work.”
“You said that already. What are you here to…acquire?”
Tonight? You. “I’m not at the liberty to say. Client confidentiality.”
“I see.” She lifted her wine glass, tipped it back. Emptied it. He poured her more. “How long will you be in Cedar Valley?”
He set the wine bottle aside. “Trying to get rid of me?”
“Most definitely not.” She stole more penne from his plate, a sexy smirk on her face when their eyes met. “You’re the most interesting thing to hit Cedar Valley in quite a while.”
He glanced around. “I can’t imagine this place as boring.”
“Oh no, it’s not. Not with all the fires, search and rescue, air lifts to Sacramento, and whatever else I can help out with from the air.” She set her fork next to her plate. “How long will you be here?”
“Till this job is done.”
“And if Dan has your Harley ready, then you’re headed back to Tampa?”
“Yes.” He wouldn’t lie to her. He had clients who needed him. He’d only taken this job as a favor for an old friend.
“Okay, then.” She leaned back and glanced down at his plate. “You finished with your meal?”
“Why? Do you want it?” He pushed the dish toward her, figuring since she’d barely touched hers, she might rather have his.
She tilted her head, once again revealing the creamy-smooth line of her neck. “Maybe later.”
Later?
The pink tip of her tongue peeked out to lick her bottom lip. The simple act sent awareness shooting straight to his groin.
He waved at the waiter. “Check, please.”
Chapter Three
Brigit stared in the restaurant’s bathroom mirror and took a breath. She’d never been so relaxed with a guy before. Or so bold. Or interested. She tucked her hair behind her ears then nibbled on one side of her bottom lip. In the firefighting world, she’d been around a lot of guys, but none had ever oozed the sexy confidence Carter did. The way he looked at her…like he knew her already. He got her, understood her, seemed to respect her choice to be a helicopter pilot.
That they would have sex was a given. But what about her heart? The more time she spent with him, the more the barriers she’d erected threatened to crumble. What would happen once they’d slept together? Nothing would stand between them during the most intimate of acts—physically or emotionally. Brigit knew herself, and when she took a relationship to a deeper level, she didn’t hold anything back. Which is what made the idea of getting close to Carter Kohl both thrilling and terrifying at the same time.
Only one man had ever held her heart, and he’d done a poor job of it. Manipulating her emotions. Lying to her. Cheating.
The whole affair had been strange. She’d fallen for Robbie. Hard. But on the morning in question, an ad for free horoscopes had popped up on her computer’s home page. Curious, she’d clicked it and been shocked to read that someone close to her wasn’t being as honest as she believed. That if she checked, the truth would become clear.
She’d called him. “Hey, Robbie, wanna grab some dinner tonight?”
“Can’t. I’m on a business trip.”
Business trip? “For the garage? Why didn’t Dan go himself?”
“He, uh, had a big job to finish. Needed some parts.” His voice lowered. “I’ll talk to you about this when I get home.”
He hung up.
Her heart had cracked a little right then. Her suspicion radar on high, she’d marched straight over to Dan’s Garage and questioned the man himself. It didn’t take much wheedling to get the truth, along with the name of the hotel where Robbie was staying.
“I’m sorry, Brigit.” Guilt had pulled at Dan’s features. “You deserve better.”
After that, she’d hopped into her helicopter and flown south to San Francisco where she’d caught Robbie in the act.
She shook her head, forcing away the memories. Now wasn’t the time to think about the past. The Universe had enlightened her, led her to the truth. And since that day, she’d checked her horoscope on a regular basis. If the Universe was talking, she would certainly listen.
Brigit looked into the mirror again, swiped away the bit of smudged liner beneath her eyes, and smoothed her hands over the front of her shirt. Nerves fluttered in her tummy. She had a connection with Carter—she
could feel it, and, from the way his gaze ate her up, he could, too.
The only issue? He would be leaving town as soon as he finished his acquisition job. Then he would climb onto his Harley and head back to Florida. He’d made that clear up front. Could she deal with that?
She pulled her phone out of her purse and tapped an icon. A moment later, it pinged.
Aquarius: Someone special is interested in you, and you like what you see. Though your agenda doesn’t include a relationship at the moment, take care not to eliminate any possibilities. There’s magic brewing in the cosmos. As Albert Einstein once said, “You can’t blame gravity for falling in love.”
***
Twenty minutes later, Brigit came to a stop in front of Carter’s cabin and shut off the Jeep’s engine. “Here we are.”
He turned toward her. “Come in with me.”
Through the windshield, she eyed the moonlit cabin. A soft glow illuminated the curtains covering the windows from inside.
He trailed a finger down her arm, leaving a line of hot chills racing across her skin. “I’ll reheat our meal, or put it in the fridge, or make some coffee.”
“Sure.” She opened her door. “Coffee might be good.”
Carter joined her in front of the Jeep. Heat rolled off his tall, muscular frame, enveloping her as he walked with her to the cabin and onto the porch, stopping at the door. Who am I kidding? I don’t want coffee. I want him. Just being near him caused her body to react—her nipples tightened in anticipation of his touch, and her damp panties had rubbed in the most delicious way with each step they’d taken.
Keys appeared in his hand as if by magic, and he unlocked the door. He pushed it open, allowing her to enter first.
She paused just inside where the foyer opened onto the dining area and kitchen. Beyond that lay a nice-sized living room with a vaulted ceiling. And the hallway at the back probably led to a couple of bedrooms and bathrooms.
Dallas Fire & Rescue: Lighting His Fire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (MacKay Destiny Book 5) Page 2
