Heatwave in Blossom Creek: Blossom Creek, #3

By Lexi Buchanan

Kennedy De La Fuente is enjoying life in Blossom Creek. It's the first time away from home, and the small apartment in the converted barn is perfect. The scenery is, for the most part, similar to that of Montana. The scenery at the small fire station, on the other hand, is nothing like it is back home. Her gaze has a mind of its own and is drawn to the handsome fire chief. Kennedy is finding it increasingly difficult to hide her feelings for the man. It's the very last thing she wants.

 

A heatwave is currently engulfing Blossom Creek and its inhabitants. The fire department is kept busy responding to medical emergencies and attempting to keep the forest surrounding the town from burning. Zeke Davidson has begun to prefer being out on a job so that he's not in close quarters with his office manager, who wears very little due to the oppressive heat. The woman is a distraction he doesn't need—in fact, she is the very last thing he wants.

 

Once again, the Between the Sheets Book Club is more interested in gossip than a book. This time, the ladies are discussing Zeke and Kennedy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HFCA Publishing
• Release date: Jun 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393536567

Book preview

1

KENNEDY

The air conditioner is cranked up high and struggling to blast cold air. I’ve never known heat like what we’re experiencing now. Back home in Montana we get some hot weather, but the heatwave in Blossom Creek takes the fun out of the summer.

Going anywhere is a trial as even the tourists make a beeline for the ice cream parlor. Amber is busy around the clock and had been desperate for help the day I walked in there. I loved working that afternoon, plus I’m fairly sure it’s the coldest store in town, so it had been amazing.

The fire station has a busted air conditioner, and the fire chief, Zeke Davidson, has arranged for someone to come in and replace it.

It hasn’t happened so far.

I’ve showered once already and am wearing a pair of tiny shorts and a tank top as I lie spread-eagle on the bed. I won’t wear them to work, but I’m too warm to move and dress.

The air is oppressive. I dread another day in the small office at the station. Zeke insists that having the windows open makes the room warmer, so he shuts them on entering. Within ten minutes, they’ll be open again. A small but warm breeze will flutter through every now and again. It doesn’t do much, but it feels nice when I catch it on my skin.

I groan and turn my head toward the front door of my apartment. Someone thumps up the stairs. They’ll have to let themselves in because I have no plans to move until I have to.

The knock comes not a moment later. Kennedy?

Come in, Levi, I shout in reply.

He opens the door and curses before he even glances at me. Why didn’t you tell me the AC was fucked?

I didn’t want to be a bother. Besides, I’m sure it’s still working.

Levi rolls his eyes. It’s fucked and a fire hazard. He unplugs the device, which I should have done, and shakes his head. How are you finding the apartment? he asks, and I grumble when he shoves me over on the bed. He lies down next to me. I hate this.

Me too. I stare up at the ceiling and say, I love the apartment. Even with you and Vivien downstairs, I still feel like I’m living alone. It’s scary but exciting. I pause, then continue, I’m so glad I timed coming here with Ingrid and Nathan moving into their house. It would have been a shame to not get this apartment. I love being close to nature. If it weren’t so hot outside, I’d even walk to work.

Talking about work, you’re not wearing that outfit, right?

I tease. Why? It’s too warm to wear anything else.

Levi chokes. Kennedy! Your brother will kill you if he sees you in that. I catch him giving me a sideways glance, which I don’t acknowledge. You work with men, he adds.

And what does that have to do with anything?

Kennedy, he groans. You are not as oblivious as you want me to think. You know they won’t be able to concentrate if you’re parading around in shorts that show your ass.

I giggle. See that dress hanging up in front of the window? I’m wearing that for work. When I can bring myself to move.

That’s not much better, he grumbles. Don’t you own any jeans?

Levi! You are my cousin, not my dad. I’d end up in the emergency room if I wore jeans at the moment. At least, I won’t be showing my ass in the dress.

If you don’t bend over.

I snicker. I sit at a desk. I promise not to bend over it.

How the hell does Zeke handle you? Levi rolls to his feet and wipes the sweat from his brow.

"He doesn’t handle me," I snap and close my eyes.

It’s not my fault my boss is hot and delicious. He got his hair cut recently, and the curl of hair that would fall over his left eye is no more.

I need to go to work. I open my eyes and see Levi eyeing me. What now?

I’ll give you a lift when you’re ready. He pauses and clears his throat. Will you come shopping with me? he says in a rush.

I grin and wiggle my eyebrows. Oh! Something for Vivien, huh? Are you sure you trust me?

I can’t ask Emma; she can’t keep anything to herself. If I ask Ingrid, she’ll tell Nathan, who would then tell Jared, who would then tell Emma, who would then tell Vivien. He pauses and I burst out laughing.

I see your problem. Of course, I’ll help you out…on one condition.

He raises a brow.

We go to a mall with air conditioning.

Done. He indicates my dress. Work is waiting.

He leaves as I too roll from the bed. I already feel like a noodle. I tug the white sundress over my head after stripping out of my clothes. It’s not too short, although it is a good few inches above my knees. I slip on flat silver flip-flops because anything more is unbearable.

I straighten my honey-blonde hair and pull it into a loose pony on the top of my head, then I place red lip gloss on my lips. I collect my purse with my phone and keys inside, then I head out to find Levi.

The fire station, as expected, is warm with no relief to be found from the heat. The temperature outside is in the nineties again today and I want to cry.

Jason and Luke are guzzling water by the cooler. I make my way over and accept the cup of water Jason offers me.

Thanks. I drink it all at once and then sigh. I hope you don’t get called out today. I’d pass out if I had to wear the gear you do.

It isn’t pleasant, that’s for sure, Luke says in a slow drawl.

You need to come to my place one evening. Jason glances at Luke. I have a nice, cold air conditioner. Lots of movies. Beer. Wine. Food.

Ugh, I groan. "You’re making me hungry, and I just ate a bagel…in Levi’s truck." I grin.

They laugh knowing how obsessive Levi is about crumbs in his truck. I only do it because I know how irritated he gets.

So, Jason says, about you coming over for pizza and a movie. He holds his hands up. As friends. He winks.

This is my first invitation to spend time outside of work with someone I work with. I’m delighted. Just tell me when.

I’ll arrange something soon. He grins. Luke can join us.

Jeez, thanks! I always wanted to be an afterthought, Luke mutters.

He likes you more than me. I wink at them and saunter upstairs with a smile on my face.

I have no clue how no one has figured them out yet. But it appears I’m the only one who has.

Pushing the office door open, I gasp and hiss at the heat that hits me in the face.

I do not want to go inside.

Of course, I do. I have a job to do regardless of the temperature.

I search the floor and find the doorstop to keep the door open. I’m not sure exactly what I’m expecting considering everywhere is as hot as everywhere else, but I can try.

I dump my purse on my desk and move straight for the windows behind Zeke’s desk. I shove them open as wide as they’ll go and sigh when a slight breeze catches my skin.

It’s too tempting and I give in. I stick my head out of the window and follow with my shoulders, keeping myself grounded with my hands on the windowsill.

I won’t tip out.

The warm breeze rustles my hair and I sigh again at how good it feels.

I’m not oblivious when Zeke stops in the office doorway. I think my body is tuned to him on some sort of frequency because I always know when he’s around without having seen him.

Knowing Zeke is currently watching me, I stay where I am because my legs look good in this dress and being bent in the way I am, I’m sure he’s getting more than a good view.

2

ZEKE

I dread being cooped up in the office all day with Kennedy in this heat. It makes me think of things that I shouldn’t. Like how it would feel if our bodies writhed together on my back porch.

We’d be sweaty and slippery.

My hands on her breasts.

Her hands on my dick.

The friction we’d create.

Slowing my steps, I groan and subtly move my cock into a more comfortable position. I inhale, then slowly exhale. I need control before the woman notices my reaction. It’s inconvenient, and I’m annoyed that one woman can make me react in this way. I’m thirty-two, not a fucking seventeen-year-old.

I take one step into the office, and with a Good morning on my lips, I freeze. My eyes travel up Kennedy’s shapely legs as she hangs out of the window. The hem of her dress barely covers her panties.

My breathing becomes harsh, and my eyes cannot move from the sexy picture she makes. I need to say something to get her to straighten up because there is no way I can move closer with the boner I’m currently hiding behind my satchel.

Stop gawking at the woman!

Hey, boss—oh! Geary’s eyes bug out of his head at the sight of Kennedy.

She jumps, smacking the back of her head on the window above her. It gets