Fireman's Desire

By V. Steele

Chad Hawkins is used to getting what he wants, and he gets it when he wants it. When April Lindsey’s apartment catches on fire and he is the first fireman on the scene he expects his controlling ways to work but she sees right through him. For the first time in Chad’s life, he has to work to keep the girl. And April has to decide if she can live in a world that before now she saw as horrifying.

• Language: English
• Publisher: V. Steele
• Release date: Feb 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310389399

V. Steele

An author that loves all things romance. Just trying to make it real in a crazy world. Try it, you might like it.

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Fireman’s Desire

By:

V. Steele

A Horseshoe Book

Fireman’s Desire

February 2016

Edited by:

Horseshoe Publishing

Georgia (USA)

Copyright © 2016 by V. Steele

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email the publisher at [e-mail]

Chapter 1

The dream April was having seemed a little too real. She could smell the smoke coming from the bread burning in the oven. Then she realized somewhere in her sleep filled mind that this wasn’t a dream. April open her eyes and they immediately started stinging.

Sitting up she realized that smoke was filling her bedroom. She inhaled, then started coughing uncontrollably. She went to stand up and heard the sirens blaring outside her window. Running over to the window she raised it and pushed the screen out. Leaning out she shouted for someone that could hear her.

Since her apartment was on the fifth floor, she couldn’t jump. As she looked down the front of the building, there wasn’t that much smoke coming out. Maybe she could make it to the stairway three doors down from her apartment. She grabbed her purse and phone off the dresser and slipped her feet into tennis shoes. But as she made her way to the front door, the smoke got thicker.

Before grabbing the door handle she tried to remember what the rules were about checking doors in case of a fire. There was something about the door that kept slipping up in her mind. Then she remembered, she was supposed to feel of the door for heat. Placing her hand against the door noticing it wasn’t too hot. Maybe the fire wasn’t right outside the door.

The door knob was warm as she turned it. She peeked around the door and saw that the fire seemed to be down at the far end of the hallway, but the smoke was filling it.

She walked out, staying low as she made her way to the stairwell door. It burst open before she could get to it. A tall fireman turned and saw her, making his way toward her.

When he was about a foot from her, he spoke. Are you alright?

She nodded. I’m alright. Coughing a little from the smoke.

He took his mask off and placed it over her face. April breathed in the oxygen. It was a relief to know she wasn’t alone.

I want you to stay close to me. The stairwell is impassable. I barely made it to this floor. He placed the mask back in front of his face to get a breath.

I’ll hold on to your jacket. She grabbed on and held tight.

That’s good. Pull on my jacket if you need more oxygen. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. Put this over your nose and mouth. It will keep out some of the smoke.

April did as the man told her. When they started forward, she realized that the smoke had become thicker around them. He started down the hallway toward her apartment. Then he turned down the hallway to the right which led toward the back of the building. As they neared the end of that hall, flames came from one of the apartments. He reached back to stop her.

He stood there for a moment looking around, gauging their situation. Turning back to look down at her, she saw a smile. We’re going to have to go past that door where the fire is coming from. Stay close to my back and we’ll be alright. His voice was reassuring.

April nodded up at him and accepted the breath of air he offered through his mask. When he had replaced the mask they started forward. She could feel the heat from the fire as they passed the doorway where the flames were licking the door frame. She closed her eyes as they passed. The sound of the fire crackling across the wood was frightening.

The fear caused her to clutch the back of his jacket and press her body as close as she could. He suddenly realized that she was almost in his jacket. When they’d cleared the flaming doorway he stopped and turned around seeing the fear in her eyes.

Hey, don’t get scared on me now. We’re going to be alright. He placed the mask on her face for another breath of fresh air. Then he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. There was something about her that pulled at his heart. He’d rescued many people in his career, but she touched him in a way he couldn’t explain.

He knew that they were a long way from the safety of the outside. Reaching for his side he grabbed his radio. Rick, this is Chad. Where’s the fire centered at?

It took a moment for the response. Chad where the hell are you? We thought we’d lost you when the stairwell collapsed.

I made it to the fifth floor and I have a woman with me that was trapped up here. What’s the best way out of here?

Man you’re in the hot seat. Move to the back of the building. The crew will be working their way toward you. Find somewhere that isn’t as smoky and we’ll be there as soon as possible.

Alright Rick. I’ll try one of the back apartments. Maybe the smoke hasn’t gotten to that area. How’s the fire on the 2nd floor?

We’ve almost got it under control. The main problem is the stairwell. Just hang tight.

Got it. He put his radio back on his side.

He turned back to her and smiled. Well, at least the fire’s almost out. Now we just have to wait to get an escort off this floor.

Grabbing her hand, he headed down the hall. He checked each apartment and then they found the janitor’s storage room. They walked in and he shut the door. Grabbing some towels from the shelf beside the door, he stuffed them under the door.

"Well, at least it’s not smoky