He shrugs his broad shoulders. “We’ll figure it out. But I already know that I can’t lose you and that’s why I’m gonna get you the hell off this mountain and then I’m gonna do my job.” He takes a deep breath and walks closer, pacing like a lion after its prey. A chill runs down my spine and heat blasts my core like a volcano exploding. “And then I’m gonna come find you. Because you belong with me. You’re mine.”
His hand runs along the curve of my jaw so soft and gentle, his rough callouses making shivers run along my skin. “I never thought I’d want someone. Never thought I could feel anything again. But you? I don’t know what it is about you. You got under my skin two seconds after I met you. That is a treasure that I’m not giving up. I will find you and we will work all this out. `Even if I have to follow you to some godforsaken city, I will find you.” His lips curl wickedly, and he groans when I close my eyes, my lips parting breathily.
My eyes open and tears burn them. “What if you change your mind?”
He shakes his head and there’s something so unbearably soft and sweet on his face. A tear rolls down my cheek.
“That guy was an idiot. I’m no idiot. I know a good thing when I see it. I know you deserve more than me. I’m a grumpy bastard. I’m a pain in the ass.” His lip quirks up and he chuckles. “I think you can be just as big a pain in the ass as me. And I like that. I think I like it a lot.”
“I— I don’t think you’re in love with me, Lassiter.”
“I don’t think you can tell me what I’m feeling, Firefly. I know that I need to get you safe. I know that I can’t bear to think about you getting hurt. I know it’s not just because it’s my job. It would break me if something happened to you. I think that’s love.”
I sigh and lean into his hand and he moves closer until he’s pressed against me and I can feel his chest moving with every breath. I can feel the warmth of him. The sweet scent of pine and leather and man.
I look up at him and the heat in his pale blue eyes makes me think of a wolf staring down his dinner. “Tell me that you feel what I feel, Verity. Tell me that you’re right here with me and you want me. Want me to come back for you.”
My lips open and his hot eyes follow my tongue slicking along my mouth. “I want you to come back for me. I want you.”
Triumph fires in his bright blue eyes. “You love me. Just say it.”
I swat him and he lifts me in his arms and swings me around in the small space. His mouth touches mine and it’s like the sky is blue again, rainbows and unicorns and all that crazy stuff. It’s like I’m finally alive again.
His mouth caresses mine gently and then deeper, his tongue slipping along mine as one hand tangles in my hair. His kiss takes my breath away and I gasp for air when he gently drops my feet to the ground. His darkened gaze searches mine, pupils blown wide. “I love you, Verity. I don’t know why or how. I didn’t know it could happen this fast but I know it like I know my own name. You’re my heart.”
Shaking, I lean into him and sigh. “I love you too, Lassiter. I didn’t think I’d ever fall in love again and it scares the hell out of me that when I leave, you’ll forget all about me. Pick someone younger, smarter, sweeter, prettier. Someone that isn’t me.”
He shakes his head and smiles. “Not gonna happen. I’m not sure how this happened but you’re it for me. I’m coming for you.Just as soon as I get this damn mountain safe again. So wait for me. I’ll be back for you.”
“But for now, get your stuff. We’ve spent too long talking and we need to get going. They’re gonna be here soon and I need you safe.”
He walks out and my heart aches, my whole body fighting not to completely lose my mind. I don’t want to leave him.
What if he doesn’t come back for me? What if he doesn’t come back at all?
TWELVE
LASSITER
“Get moving, everybody!”My eyes scan the sky and I curse under my breath when I see how far up the sun is over the horizon. Glancing down the mountain, I can see far-off smoke so at least the fire’s been slowed down by all the fire breaks and prevention we used when we started the fire season.
But it’s later than I wanted it to be and we’ve still got another half a mile. I’m not sure if they’re gonna be waiting or not.
Thump, thump, thump. The rhythmic thump finally registers and I swear. “Run, dammit, run!”
The clouds are building and I see a flash of lightning about five miles away. The storms they were predicting are moving in faster than we hoped. If we don’t get there, we might miss the pickup window.
I look over and see Verity running like crazy but struggling with her pack. I reach over and grab it. “Run, baby, run!”
Fred and Alex both take off like bats out of hell and I’m not worried about them. Their long legs are eating up the distance just like mine. But Verity is so little that she’s lagging.
Finally, I grab her up and throw her over my shoulder in a fireman carry. She screams and then latches onto my shirt, hanging on desperately.
My feet pound on the ground and my breath puffs out heavily. All I can think is that I need to make sure that Verity is safe. I need it more than I need my next breath.
We hit the end of the tree line and I see the chopper trying to come in for a landing but right as it does, the wind picks up and it seems to knock it off its pins. The pilot lifts up and skirts the ground, desperately trying to get back control of the bird.
Fred and Alex both stare out the side until the guy managing the door pushes them back, yelling something I can’t hear. I drop Verity to the ground and wave my arms. The pilot nods but he lifts off and I hear the SAT phone crackle.