Page 8 of Sequoia Flames
“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.
SIX
LASSITER
I can hearher 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.
