Page 65 of Falling for the Firefighter
Heat creeps up my neck at her implication, but Parker's already moving toward the vehicles, calling over her shoulder, "Clock's ticking, Cap. Romance later, save the town now."
Mac mutters something under his breath that sounds distinctly uncomplimentary about smart-mouthed sergeants.
He strides toward his team, authority radiating from every line of his body as he shifts into crisis mode. His shoulders stretch the fabric of his uniform with each purposeful step, muscles coiled with controlled power that makes my mouth water.
Parker follows, barking orders into her radio as they coordinate the defense of the fuel depot, but I barely register her presence. All I can think about is the controlled violence in Mac'smovements, the coiled strength that promises he'll take me apart with the same focused intensity he brings to everything else.
The way Mac moves, all predatory grace wrapped in discipline, sends heat spiraling through my core.
God, the things that man can do.
The way those broad shoulders cage me beneath him, how his hands span my ribs while he drives into me with animalistic ruthlessness. My thighs clench involuntarily at the memory of his weight pinning me down, the delicious ache of being thoroughly fucked.
Tonight. The promise burns in my chest, spreading downward until I'm liquid with want. Those hands will map every inch of my skin. That mouth will issue crisp orders I can’t wait to obey.
When he's done with me, when I'm marked and sated and trembling beneath him, I’ll beg him for more.
I can't wait to burn beneath him.
Scout sits beside me as Mac's vehicle disappears. Her ears track the sound of engines long after they've vanished from sight. She leans against my leg—a warm, steady presence that grounds me while my mind races with worry for the man who's just driven toward the most dangerous part of this crisis.
Scout’s calm acceptance reminds me that we have our own responsibilities to attend to.
Sheriff Donovan approaches as Mac's vehicle disappears down the mountain road, his weathered face grim with the weight of what's coming.
"Nice work out there, Jo." He tips his hat, a gesture of respect that acknowledges our shared history. "You just pulled off a hell of a rescue."
"Thanks. Just doing my part."
"Your part is about to get a lot bigger." He spreads his map across the truck hood, this one marked with evacuationroutes and civilian staging areas. "Fire's moving faster than we anticipated. We're calling in every volunteer we can muster. I could use your help organizing them."
I study his annotations, seeing immediately how the path of the engineered fire will render standard evacuation procedures ineffective.
"You need different routes. The main roads will be cut off within two hours."
"That's what I was hoping you'd say." Donovan's smile is grim but determined. "I need someone who knows every back road, every trail, every way in and out of these mountains."
"What about Mac's team?"
"They're fighting the fire itself. We're fighting to save the people." He meets my eyes directly. "I'm coordinating on-site fire suppression. I need you to coordinate volunteer evacuation efforts from town."
The request hits hard. He's asking me to take responsibility for the civilian population of Angel's Peak—hundreds of people whose lives will depend on my knowledge of escape routes and my ability to coordinate complex logistics under pressure.
But I can do more.
"You need more hands fighting this blaze. I’ll get everyone out who needs to go, and I’ll get you able-bodied people to fight that fire."
Three years ago, I would have refused. The weight of that responsibility would have crushed me.
Now, with Danny's trust still warm in my memory and Mac's faith burning in my chest, I nod.
"Where do you need me?"
"The Haven's ballroom. Lucas Reid offered it as an emergency command center." Donovan rolls up his map, the gesture decisive. "Every volunteer firefighter, every search andrescue team, every person willing to help—they're meeting there in thirty minutes."
"Understood." I check my watch, my mind already racing through logistics. "What resources do I have?"
"Whatever you need. Angel's Peak is fighting for its life." His radio crackles with another urgent update, and he keys the response before looking back at me. "The town's counting on you, Jo."
