Page 6 of Burning Escape

She wrapped herself up in its warmth and amber scent. She really shouldn’t let herself enjoy this.

But it wasn’t midnight yet.

They walked toward the saloon, a faster pace than they’d set on the way out. At one point, their hands brushed, and their fingers tangled up together. She didn’t pull away. His slow smile, that slight blush, was still visible under the streetlights, and the glow of the almost full moon sent a thrill through her.

Sheesh. She was like a teenager all over again. If only she’d waited back then for a man like Orion.

They reached the edge of the parking lot at the Midnight Sun Saloon, the band music still going strong though the parking lot wasn’t as full as earlier. They stopped by the road sign.

“I had a really nice night, Victoria.” He still held her hand. “Would you—” He glanced down a second and then back to her eyes, a question there she didn’t want to answer the way she needed to.

So she kissed him.

A sweet, simple kiss, lightly pressing her lips to his. But it heated her clear down to her toes.

Her smartwatch buzzed, killing the moment. Midnight.

She pulled back, untangled herself from him. “This was…amazing, but I’m sorry. I have to go.” Her night of freedom was over.

“Can I see you again?”

Oh, this was harder than she’d thought. She swallowed down a thickness in her throat. “I’m sorry, Orion, but that won’t work. I only had tonight. I have to leave, and I’ll be gone for quite a while.”

“I’m a patient guy.”

Of course he was. “No, Orion.” Why were her eyes stinging? She’d just met him. And yes, he was gentlemanly and kind, but she couldn’t afford any distractions.

And let’s be honest, when it came to men, she had horrible luck.

“I’m leaving. I’ve got…important work to do.”

“I get that, but what does that have to do with?—”

“Let’s just end on a good note, huh?” She grazed her fingers along his jaw and planted one last kiss on his cheek. Looking down, she caught the glint of something on his neck. A cross.

Well, that was a deal breaker right there. Good thing she was already leaving.

She turned and walked away. Didn’t turn back. Didn’t look.

A part of her wanted to, but there were more important things in life. Tomorrow, she would be fighting for one of the smokejumper spots, and she couldn’t let anything get in her way.

Eventually, she heard Orion’s footsteps in the gravel, heading away. He wasn’t following her.

Good. That was what she wanted.

She reached her little Honda Civic sitting on the other side of the lot. The parking lot light overhead glinted off a spiderweb of cracks on the windshield.

Tori whipped around, scanning the area for anyone lurking in the shadows. Who had done this?

A small piece of paper fluttered under her wiper blade.

You can’t escape this time.

* * *

Orion rushed down the stairs to the lobby, too late and impatient to wait for the elevator. Today was the first step to living out his dream and doing what he was born to do.

“Dude, come on!” Logan shoved a hotel coffee into Orion’s hand. “Don’t wanna be late for your first day of training.”

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