Page 5 of Sequoia Flames (Black Timber Peak Hotshots #6)

FIVE

VERITY

Arctic ice has to be colder than his chilly blue gaze. There’s no way in hell that he gets to know that I’m terrified right now.

“I’m assuming you know what you’re doing Lassiter Wainwright, but before I follow you up a damn mountain that’s on fire I’d actually like to know who you are. And that means more than your name.”

A quick grin settles over his hard lips. “Really? I live on this mountain for starters so I know the terrain.”

“I’ve run all over this mountain looking for…

well, it doesn’t matter but I’ve mapped all of it.

I hope you’ve got more than that as your leadership quality.

” My lips twist. “I sure as hell hope you’re not locking in on that job just because you’ve got a penis.

I can find my own way without one of those.

It’s not like you need one to make it through life. ”

He throws his dark head back and grins at me so fast that I blink, not sure if I imagined it. “Oh, Firefly. I’ve got a lot more going for me than just having a dick. But if you want to play with it I’m more than willing to let you, as soon as we’re not running from a wildfire.”

My eyes dart left and right, surprised that there’s no smoke and flames this way. “Maybe it’s not that bad. I mean… I don’t see anything right now.”

“It’s still out there. We’ve just caught a break for a minute. Don’t get too happy there, Firefly. We’re still in a helluva lot of trouble.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re a bundle of sunshine.”

“You want me to blow sunshine up your skirt, you’re going to be disappointed, Firefly. I have a job to do and I’m damn good at it.”

“What does that mean?”

“I work with BTPHS.”

Shaking my head, I sigh. “I don’t know what that is.”

“Black Timber Peak Hotshots, Firefly. I’m the guy that can get you out of here with your pretty hair still on your head. If you listen to me and do exactly what I tell you to do.”

Taking a deep breath, I glare at him when I see his pale blue eyes follow the movement. “Hey, Grumpy. My eyes are up here.”

His brow quirks but he doesn’t even blush. “Oh… I know.”

Flushing, I glare daggers at his broad back and try to ignore the twinge in my girly parts when he paces away to stare over a jagged edge and groans.

His eyes find mine and this time my belly flips. “We don’t have time to talk about this anymore. We’ve got to go. But before we head out I need to call this in and explain what’s going on.”

He doesn’t wait for me to say anything. He pulls his pack off his shoulder where he slung both of ours when he hauled me away. He pulls a SAT phone out and makes his call.

“Hey, Lassiter. Where the hell are you? I thought you were on your way in.”

“I’ve got a bit of a situation here, Beau. Have you gotten any reports that there’s a fire going up here?”

“No.” His curt answer doesn’t surprise me.

“Well, there is. I’m completely cut off and I have someone with me that I found up here. She’s a research student. We’re gonna have to head up because I can’t find a way down.”

“You need a chopper then? Have any idea how long it will take you to get up there?”

“Probably at least a couple of hours. And by then it will be dark so you won’t be able to send the chopper until tomorrow.”

“There’s a line of storms heading this way too. You’re not gonna have much of a window to get the hell out of there.”

“On the plus side, if it rains enough it should help with the fire.”

“Funny guy. I hope that you’re out of there before that. We’ll send some of the guys up in teams to get a head start on the mess that I assume is up there.”

“I can wait for you guys and help. Just bring my equipment.”

“Uh-uh. You know better than that. If you’ve got a rescue, you do what you need to do to get her out of there. She’s your top priority until she’s safe.”

“But…”

“No. Get your ass in gear. These storms are moving faster than they were predicted to. They’re gonna be here tomorrow instead of tomorrow night.”

“Okay. I’m on my way.”

“Send me a text with your coordinates when you pull in for the night.”

“Got it.”

He hangs up the phone, cursing roughly under his breath. “We need to get moving. Don’t worry I’m gonna get you out of here. I’ve got you, Firefly.”

“You don’t seem happy about it.” That part burns a little bit. He seems pissed not to be involved in the fight.

“I just want to help my team, Firefly. Nothing personal.”

I get it. He’s a man that likes to fight with his team. I can see that.

“Alright. So what’s the plan?”

“We’re going up.”

I move over to grab my pack and he snorts, yanking it away and throwing it over his own broad shoulder, his firm lips twisting. “Oh hell no! I’ll take that. You just concentrate on getting your little ass up that hill. We’re gonna be fighting the dark as it is.”

He moves away and I stomp after him, each step of his about three of mine. The guy’s huge. At least six foot three. And just… there’s so much of him!

“I can carry my own damn pack.” I jerk at the strap and he whips around so fast that I stumble backwards to keep from falling into his broad chest.

“You’re gonna move and I’ll carry the pack,” he grits out between clenched teeth. “What did I tell you about following my orders exactly?”

I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly, fighting to control the urge to kick him in the shins. “I can’t remember,” I grunt.

His dark brow lifts over his icy blue eye and he growls. “You do. You’re just bound and determined to be a pain in my ass. We don’t have time for it right now so if you want you can pencil it in for later. For now, get moving.”

His big palm lands on my ass and I squeal and stare at him, my palm on my cheek. “Go!”

“Fine,” I snap. “ But you are ridiculous.”

“I’m sure.”

And that’s the last thing he says to me. We start our climb and my heart jumps when I see the sun gliding towards the horizon. We really are running out of time.

Wandering around a mountain in the dark is a surefire way to trip and sprain your ankle.

Or worse. Much worse.