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

SIX

LASSITER

I can hear her behind me huffing and puffing. I want to stop and let her rest but I can’t. We don’t have time.

My eyes drift up to the horizon and I wince. We’ve got at least an hour left and there’s only half an hour of daylight left. If that.

We might have to just pull up where we are and then make the rest of the trek as soon as the sun comes up. I glance down and wince. I can see the slight trail of smoke that tells me that the fire isn’t waning. In fact it looks like it’s gaining strength.

That’s not good.

“Uh,” she whimpers and I wince.

“Do you need to stop, Firefly? We could probably take a quick break.”

When I glance back she’s already shaking her head. It’s still hot as hell and her pretty face is red as a beet. But she just shoves her long hair out of her eyes and grunts, “Let’s go.”

“We can stop for a water break. It’s not that big a deal.”

Her dark blue eyes hit the slope and she snaps. “I’m not blind. That sun is going down fast and we’re not at the summit yet. We need to move. I’ll get some water when we stop.”

“If you’re sure. Do you need me to carry you?”

Her bright blue eyes roll and she stomps past me. “Stop nagging. I can make it.”

“I know. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m not gonna get hurt unless we’re staggering around in the dark. Let’s go, Lassie.”

My mouth drops open. “I’m not a dog.”

“Haven’t you ever seen that crime show? The comedy? His name is Lassiter and they call him Lassie. You remind me of him. You’ve got a big stick up your ass too.”

Choking on a laugh, I follow her, catching up to her in two quick strides. “Let’s go, Firefly. We’re almost there.”

I’ve got to admit. I didn’t think she could make it. She looks ready to drop. Her T-shirt is sticking to her so close she might as well not be wearing it and her breasts are mouthwatering to see. Her pale hair is sticking to her neck and head. Her cheeks are flushed bright red.

But her dark blue eyes are still sparkling and she plows ahead like it’s just a normal hike instead of a climb to safety.

She’s something else.

I glance over at her. “Why did you go back to school after your divorce?”

“Because I didn’t know what else to do,” she says simply.

“Why did you get a divorce?”

She snorts and her blue eyes slew my way, wide and sparkling. “You’re just a chatty Kathy, aren’t you?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I’m just trying to fill the time. We’re almost there and then we’re gonna have all night to get to know each other.”

Her cheeks flush dark red and my cock threatens to pound right through my zipper. She licks her pink lips and I fight the groan that wants to burst out.

“I walked in on my best friend and my husband in bed together. And unlike what he tried to tell me, I didn’t think they both fell asleep together and it was totally innocent.

I also didn’t believe it when he said he just slept with her because she got dizzy and he stayed with her because he was sure I would want him to. ”

Snorting, I dart a quick glance her way. “He didn’t actually expect you to believe that did he?”

She glances at me and grins. “I think he actually did.”

“He’s not very bright, is he? What did he do?”

“Car salesman.”

My lips twist in disgust. “Ugh. Really?”

“Hey, we met in high school. I can’t help that I fell in love with him before I realized what a tool he was!”

Chuckling, I nod my head. “I guess that’s fair. But what happened then?”

“I told him to get out but I couldn’t find a good enough job to keep the house so he got it in the divorce and I got money to go back to school when he bought me out of it.”

“I see. Don’t you think you should have hit him up for more?”

She shakes her head and her soft curls dance around her round cheeks. “Nope. I just wanted what I needed to start out. Nothing else.”

“Do you guys have any kids?”

“Thank God, no!”

“Tell me how you really feel.”

She laughs and then sighs. “Yeah. He would be a terrible father. I leave that torture to Becky.”

“Are they still together?”

“Yep. They’re getting married at Christmas. It’s her dream wedding.” Her pretty eyes roll and I snicker under my breath but then I straighten up, a horrifying thought darting into my head.

“You’re not still in love with him, are you?”

“No! It just annoys me that they act like they didn’t do anything wrong.

That pisses me off. If you’re married you shouldn’t cheat.

That’s a hard line for me. I had a few people tell me to forgive him and take him back but I feel like once a cheater always a cheater.

I’d always wonder if he was going to do it again. ”

I nod my head. “Yep. I know exactly what you mean. If you can’t trust your partner, why stay together?”

“Exactly.” Her words are strong and her steps stay light but I see the dark cloud hanging over her head.

“So what would you do to him if you had him alone up on this mountain?”

She snorts and smiles. “Oh… surely there’s a nice, uncharted cliff I could throw him off?”

Laughing, I follow her up, my eyes glued to her ass swaying in her tight blue jeans.

“I think I might help you. Just point him out and we’ll get this party started. I know exactly how to hide a murder.”

Her laughing eyes turn back to me. “Why would that be?”

“Because I thought about it myself briefly. But she wasn’t worth the effort and the jail time.”

Her smile fades and I stalk past her, uneasy. I should have kept my big mouth shut.

The sun glows its last bit of warmth as I hunker down, putting the last bit of time we have into finding a good place to camp.

And ignoring her questioning gaze stuck on me.