STORY EXCERPT

“Where is it, Walt?”

The driver, Walt Hinkman, a veteran of the force, kept his attention on the road as he maneuvered the fire truck in and out of traffic. “Deserted house fire. Around the corner.”

That was Walt. During a run, he was so focused, he dropped down to short sentences. Any other time, he’d talk a girl’s ears off, chatting about everything from his family to how birds fly. As a devoted father of two boys and a loving husband, he was one of the good guys.

Marlee glanced behind her, catching a scowl from Jack Haant. Too bad the same couldn’t be said of Jack. She tried not to hate anyone, especially not a fellow firefighter, but Jack made it tough not to. He’d been on her, riding her ass from the first day she’d come onto the job, as green as any recruit. Although she’d already run into some of the “boys’ club” mentality, saying a woman wasn’t strong enough, good enough to fight fires, most of the time, the men would come around. She’d proven her worth several times over. But no matter what she did, no matter how many times she’d tried to win him over, Jack was still steadfastly against “females” on the squad. She’d finally given up, recognizing he was a lost cause.

Some people were just too closed-minded to face the truth. She could hold her own with any man.

“Let’s go.” Walt pulled the engine to the curb. Thankfully, there was a hydrant nearby.

Marlee slammed her shoulder against the door and slid to the ground. The bulk of her suit and equipment had her landing hard, but she was used to it. She took off, her mind going on autopilot as she went to work.

Fighting fires was never easy and always dangerous. Once a firefighter started taking it easy, relaxing on her training, she was putting not only herself but her crew in danger. Marlee was careful, doing things by the number, making sure she stayed safe. Putting herself into a position where another firefighter had to risk his life to save hers would make her physically ill. They’d do everything they could to save one of their own, and she felt the same way.

She dragged in air. Her facemask clouded over briefly then cleared. Signaling to Ray Kait, another veteran, she entered the house, determined to make certain no one was inside. Sometimes the homeless would break into a deserted house to find shelter. As luck would have it, the fire had been contained to one bedroom.

She went through the rest of the place, methodically checking the rooms on the right. Following their training, Ray took the other side. Sweat beaded on her face and at her hairline, but she was used to it. A girl couldn’t jump into a fire without getting a little hot.

Hurrying, yet taking care to be thorough, she checked first one room then another. By the time she’d made her way to the bedroom where the fire was still blazing, she was sure the house was empty. The voices of her squad flowed through her headset.

“Hendrickson, check in.”

“All clear.” She glanced to her left to find Ray motioning for her to follow him. He’d found a back door out of the house. Instead of returning the way she’d come, she’d get out faster by following him. Nodding, she started after him.

As exciting as it was to be inside a burning house, she still let out a breath of relief as she stepped out into the open. Ray checked to see that she’d made it out then disappeared around the corner, heading toward the front of the yard. Instead of following him, she turned to the left. She’d see if she could help the guys still fighting the blaze.

Without warning, flames burst from the window in front of her as the fire jumped from one room to the next. She ducked, but not fast enough. From the corner of her eye, she saw part of the house break away, boards alight with fire, and fall toward her.

She didn’t have time to react. Her mind blanked, realizing the futility of her situation. Only a miracle would save her from getting hit.

And then, it seemed as though a miracle happened.

A gust of something—wind?—struck her from behind, knocking her several feet from the spot. The burning wood fell, narrowly missing her as she landed on her face. Slowly, she rolled over onto her back.

Had Ray come back? Had one of the others pushed her out of the way?

And yet, there was no one.

She felt the heat from the fire ebbing as her gaze slid to the darkened sky overhead. Had she been there long enough for the sun to set?

The darkness, however, lightened, giving way to the clouds and smoke above her. The air shimmered above her. She blinked, trying to see better, clearer.

What the hell is that?

She moaned but didn’t move, intent on understanding what she was seeing. Something was floating above her as through it was hovering in the air. The shimmers solidified a little until an outline formed. She studied it as she’d study clouds drifting across a sky, trying to distinguish a form, but what she saw didn’t make sense.

Is that a…dragon?

Wow. I must’ve whacked my head good and hard when I landed.

She squinted, her mind trying to tell her eyes they were wrong.

Am I knocked out? Do people dream in comas?

Suddenly, the outline grew thicker, the darkness of the form changing into a blue hue. Puffs of warm breath struck her mask as she remained as motionless as she could. Before long, her crazy mind took her over the edge, revealing the impossible. Although she could see the sky through the body, she could now make out what the outline had formed.

It is. It’s a fucking dragon.

ADULT EXCERPT

Marlee sucked in a breath and almost dropped her champagne flute. The night air grew steamier. Glancing around, she couldn’t find any other boats near them.

I can do this. I want to do this. I’m going to do this.

Biting her lower lip, she placed her hand on top of Adam’s hard crotch. He’s so big. So firm.

“Go on, girl.”

With fumbling hands, she undid the top of his jeans. He shucked his shirt, revealing dark blond hair running from one pec to the other then down to lead the way for her hand. She heard his zipper and eased her hand between the flaps of his jeans.

No underwear.

She let out a breath of relief filled with anticipation then jolted when Colter’s hands found their way between her legs. He feathered his fingers over the seam of her pussy lips.

“Easy, babe. We’re in control. Trust me. We’ll do right by you.” Colter caught her skirt between his teeth and brought it toward her waist. The corners of his mouth lifted just enough to tell her how much he liked what he saw. Bending over, he snagged her lacy undies in his mouth, stilling her heart as he tore them away. “No need for underwear. In fact, never wear them again.”

“He’s right.” Ridge toed off his shoes then undid his jeans and let them join his shirt. His body was steel and flesh combined into one amazing form. His cock, long and curved at the end, pointed at her, teasing her to taste the glistening wetness on the tip.

Adam shoved his jeans off then bent over her. His mouth hovered a few inches away from hers, tempting her, as he took hold of her dress and pulled it up. She held up her arms, losing sight of him as he took her dress off and tossed it aside.

His hungry gaze dropped to her breasts. “Your tits are amazing.”

Colter spread her legs. Giving her a wickedly steamy look, he bent down and shoved his face between her thighs.

She sucked in a quick breath as his mouth crushed against her pussy. “Oh God.”

“Not God, but definitely Heaven,” whispered Adam. Cupping one breast, he took the other nipple into his mouth, catching it between his teeth.

Pain stabbed into her, but it soon morphed into something more pleasurable. His teeth gave way to his tongue as he flicked it over and over, around and around, matching the twists he gave to her other nipple.

Colter went to town on her pussy, lapping at her juices as he snaked a hand over her ass and fondled her butt cheek. His tongue was faster than she’d have imagined any tongue could be, whipping over her clit then plunging into her sheath. She closed her eyes, unable to do anything more than clutch Adam’s hair with one hand and Colter’s with the other.

When she opened her eyes, she found Ridge next to her, his glittering gaze sweeping over her body, enjoying what his cousin and his friend were doing. He palmed his cock, slowly stroking his length.

“Do you like what they’re doing to you, baby?”

“Yes. Oh yes.”

“Tell Colter to suck you harder.”

She’d do anything, say anything, as long as they didn’t stop. “Suck me harder, Colter.”

Colter obeyed her, making her feel powerful.

“Tell Adam to use his teeth more. And to pull your tit. I want to see it stretched.”

“Adam, pull my tit.” Pain hit her again as he hollowed his mouth around her nipple and sucked.

“That’s good.” Ridge grabbed a hunk of her hair, giving her a different kind of pain to enjoy. He studied her face. “Do you like it rough, Marlee?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then let’s find out.” He crushed his mouth to hers, his tongue plunging into her mouth.

She kissed him back, trying to give as good as she got. Her breath hitched in her throat, but she’d pass out from lack of air before she ended the kiss. His tongue took control of her mouth, tasting every curve, playing with her tongue.

Her body was alive as it had never been before. The heat of a fire was never as hot. Her body was scorched from the inside out as though they’d ignited a flame deep inside her that would never burn out.

She bucked as Colter captured her clit and sucked.

She moaned as Adam tortured her tits with his teeth and fingers.

She grew wetter as Ridge claimed her mouth with his.

If it had been within her power, she would’ve stayed there, floating blissfully in the water, forever. When Ridge ended the kiss, she cried out, feeling alone and lost.

“If you’re going to stop us, it better be now.” Colter’s voice had dropped, his expression intense, his eyes burning with desire, hot enough to have bits of red flaring in them.

Or was that her imagination again?

“Who says I want to stop you?” She gave them a sultry smile. “Do your best, guys.”