Jake: Cat In A Tree: The Sizzling Hot Firefighter Series, #1

By Stella Leo

Fun, fast read with enough spice to light you up. Written by a former firefighter (female), there's action, angst, heartbreak, resolution, and a happy ending. Jake attends to a call for a cat stuck in a tree. Thinking he'll meet an old lady in curlers, he's pleased to find Sarah, the yoga instructor, in tiny shorts as she scowls at her cat, Miss Chiff. There are some bumps in the road for our duo, but with help from their friends, they find their way back.

 

Amazon review - 5 stars - Fantastic story with just the right amount of spice as two strangers meet cute through Chiff, the cat in a tree. Rough beginnings and misunderstandings ensue leading to one incredibly sensuous hookup. The book is funny, sexy, and fresh air for those that love adult natured material. Great book. 

 

5% of book sales are donated to the Australian Firefighters Calendar. The cover features one of their men, and the picture is used with their permission. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stella Leo
• Release date: Apr 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224244911

Stella Leo

A volunteer firefighter for six years, Stella trained in structure and wildland fires, emergency medicine and taught CPR. Her favorite part of the job was driving big trucks.  Her stories contain actions that a first responder might encounter and are recapped at the end under Hot Notes. 

Book preview

Cover Photo: Courtesy of the Australian Firefighters Calendar, used with permission.

Stella donates 5% of book sales to the Australian Firefighters Calendar Fund.

Established in 1993, the Australian Firefighters Calendar has raised over $3.4 million for various charities. Their primary aim is to help children with burn trauma and animals displaced by fire. They have generously allowed me to use their photos on my book covers.

Books in The Sizzling Hot Firefighter Series by Stella Leo

Book One – Jake: Cat In A Tree – Saving Miss Chiff

Book Two – Frank: Dance With Me – Tango Temptation

Book Three – Simon: Soapy Pleasures – Sexy Carwash

Book Four – Jayson: The Dragon – Sweaty and Strong

Book Five – Joe: It’s A Dog’s Life – Loyal Love

Book Six – Mike: Turn Up The Heat – Spicy Kitchen

Spicy content

The Sizzling Hot Firefighter Series contains explicit content for mature readers who want their panties to spontaneously combust. You may find yourself calling 911, hoping one of the characters appears at your door, hot, sweaty, and ready for action.

There are no triggers, and as with all my Firefighter books, there’s a happy ending (ha)! The emergency situations are recapped at the end under Hot Notes. My husband calls it Educational Erotica.

The books are intentionally short, just enough to get you in the mood!

Chapter One

Jake

With a loud yawn, I stretched my arms overhead and watched the sun’s first light crawl above the hills outside the window of the station. It had been a quiet shift with only a few calls. My favorite of the night was the fire alarm that wouldn’t stop squealing, and the elderly occupant couldn’t reach it to change the batteries. She joked that she planned to let them die regularly to get visitors as handsome as us as we piled into her tidy but cramped front room.

While my friend Frank balanced at the top of the ladder, carefully raised between the ancient coffee table and dark rose ottoman, I listened to her tell heroic tales of her long-gone husband and how he’d cared for everything in the house before his passing. Her bright eyes softened inside deep wrinkles as she spoke of him, and as she shook herself back to the present, she patted my cheek. Do you have someone at home to care for? she whispered, hopeful.

I shook my head. No, ma’am. Not yet. Maybe someday.

Well, she said, pinching my cheek hard enough to make my eyes water, don’t wait too long. She cocked her head to the side. I have a granddaughter who is old enough for you, she mused, and I barked a laugh. She released her grip and patted my cheek. My lips twisted into a grin as she winked at me and strolled off to harass one of my colleagues, narrowing in on the ones without wedding bands.

Back at the station, my shift over, I pulled on my street clothes and headed for the door when the phone rang to my right. Frank shouted out that I was closest, and I cussed under my breath as he smirked at me, his chair tilted back and threatening to cave under his bulk. Fine, I got it, I said, lifting the receiver and saying sleepily yet politely, PLFD, Station One, this is Jake. I flipped the call to the speaker so the guys on shift could hear it.

A woman’s anxious voice rattled down the line, and she barely breathed between sentences. Hi, Jake. I called 911, but they said to call you directly. Uh. It’s my cat. She’s stuck up a tree. I know it’s not a house on fire or anything, but I don’t have a ladder tall enough, and she’s crying. A lot. She might be hurt. I’ve tried luring her with fish, but it’s not working. Can someone there help me? Help her? Please?

I rolled my eyes while the morning crew chuckled. Some asshole behind me shouted that the cat was mine as I was due a community service call. Wiping a hand across my face, I asked for her address and confirmed it was the house with the red door. I smiled when she sounded impressed.

I knew all the houses in the district. Being aware of what a crew might face on a stormy or dark night was part of the job. On my daily runs, I noticed who piled too much wood close to their house, who needed to cut their trees back, and who kept old junkers that might explode in a fire. I might not know the people, but I did know their houses.

Hers was about 1300 square feet, two stories, and had a riotous red rose bush in the summer. In the backyard, there was a giant oak tree, currently holding one panicked cat. It was on my way home, and I couldn’t justify asking the crew to go out for this one. It wasn’t like I’d had a strenuous shift. I told her I’d be there in ten minutes and not to climb the tree herself. I chuckled when she asked if I’d be bringing backup.

No, I’m pretty sure I can handle it alone, I growled good-naturedly.

I got it. She was scared and thought we needed the truck, the cherry-picker, and lights and sirens to rescue her kitty. I gave the crew a middle-fingered salute as they jeered and laughed at me, offering to hold my hand if it got to be too much. Soon, I pulled up at the house with the red door and wandered around to the yard, following the sound of a woman yelling.

Chiff! Chiff! CHIFF! God dammit Chiff, I’m going to be late for work! Why do you do this? WHY? I stopped at the side of the house, the breath in my body escaping in a rush as I cast my eyes on the caller. She pushed back a loose strand of her honey-blond hair, gathered in a messy bun, continuing to talk to her cat. You know, I may keep you inside from hereon. Teach you a lesson. I bit my lip in amusement when she stomped a bare foot on the grass and shook her fist at the cat. Chiff! Get the eff down!

The cat’s attention jerked to me as I watched this little scenario play out, and the exasperated woman turned to follow her cat’s gaze. Her mouth fell open, and she blinked several times as I slowly walked toward her. I smiled broadly at the cat, who narrowed its eyes and let out a mournful mewl before settling my sight on the beauty before me.

I grinned ear to ear. I'd expected a woman in a housecoat and curlers, not this Goddess in the flesh. Morning, I said, my voice deep and carrying more than a hint of amusement at her expression. I’m Jake. I’m here for the cat. I smiled, motioning toward the feline, who stared at us suspiciously.

The woman shook her head as though coming out of a dream and stammered, Uh, hi. That’s, uh, that’s Chiff. She glared at the cat, who lashed its tail back and forth.

I tilted my head, taking in the tree, the position of the beast, and the height I’d have to climb. My lips twisted into a grin when the cat growled softly and hissed at me. I was here to ruin the fun. My eyes dropped back to the pretty owner. Chiff, huh?

The woman grinned and cleared her throat, her eyes meeting mine. Yes, Miss Chiff. Miss. Chiff. Mischief. Get it? She laughed at her joke before her eyebrows drew together, causing a crease to appear. Although I think the name was a mistake. She feels she has to live up to it. Every. Damned. Day. I have to get up early to get ready for work, factoring in the tree time. Usually, she’ll come down, but today, she went higher, and I think she’s scared herself. I was just getting ready to leave when she started meowing from up there.

Ah, I said. I flicked my tongue across my bottom lip as I fully appreciated her, biting down when I realized I was staring too hard. My gaze kept falling to the small hoop in her tight belly button that begged to be tugged with my teeth.

I blew out a breath and internally shook myself. Couldn’t blame me for being distracted, though. She was wearing barely anything. Her shorts were closer to bathing suit bottoms, pulled up high and tied off on the sides, and her top was a strappy hot pink sports bra. My eyebrows raised, my curiosity piqued, and I watched her watch my tongue as I wet my lips. No offense, but where the hell do you work dressed like that? And how often am I going to visit you, I thought.

She blushed, her cheeks turning rosy as she bit her lip. Lust must have been drawn across my face with a fat Sharpie because she laughed at me, and I shook my head, flashing her a full smile. I was distracted when she answered, I teach hot yoga. We keep the studio at a hundred degrees. I hadn’t thrown on my dress yet. So, uh, yeah, this is what I wear when I work.

My blood flamed as I imagined her lithe body tangled in contortions, most likely dripping with sweat, her hair plastered back.  I surreptitiously slipped my hands into my pockets to readjust myself and cleared my throat. Hot yoga, huh? I’ll have to check that out. I pictured myself getting a boner in her class and thought, yup, perhaps not. Okay, well, I’ll grab my ladder from the truck, and we’ll rescue Miss Chiff from her precarious situation. Be right back.

Need help? she called out to my retreating back. I shook my head and lifted a hand, trying to forget the filthy thoughts I just had. As I turned the corner toward my truck, I smiled to myself. Definitely not a woman in a housecoat.

Sarah

I WATCHED HIS MUSCULAR body stroll away and bent at the waist to catch my breath. He was phenomenal, a wet dream personified, here at my home, and I was wearing barely more than my underwear. I don’t know who I thought would show up when I called the station. Maybe some old grizzled guy who was sent on the less emergent calls.  

I glanced at my phone. There was no way I’d make my class. I hit my first saved number and paced, waiting for my best friend and business partner, Jessica, to answer. I chuckled as I was immediately berated without a hi or hello. Jessica yelled, Yo, bitch, class starts in twenty! Where are you?

I laughed. Hey babe, hello and good morning to you too. So Chiff is stuck in the tree again. She went up way high, though, and I had to call the fire department this time. I can’t make the class. There’s a firefighter getting his ladder from his truck now. Cover for me, please? I’ll teach your afternoon class.

Jessica groaned. Aw, Sarah! Your cat’s a nightmare. Sure, I got it. I’ll combine the morning classes, but honey, we can’t keep doing this. We can’t afford it.

I kicked at the ground. I know. I’m sorry. I’ll add another class somewhere else to make up the lost income.

Jessica sighed and then giggled. So, a firefighter, huh? Who did they send? Did you get a whole truckful? Are they running around your yard with their hands on their hoses, spraying everything in sight?

I snorted a laugh and dropped my voice, facing the tree with my hand pressed against the bark. Girl, the guy... He says his name is Jake, and he’s over six feet, muscled as hell, with blue eyes, a cut jaw, and a melt-your-panties smile. I just met him here in my damned short shorts and bra. He sucked on his bottom lip, and I got all hot, Jess. I haven’t... I haven’t felt like this in, ever, I think. His voice is deep and growly; if he told me to get on my knees, God help me, I think I’d do it. I’m fucking dying over here.

I froze when I heard a cough behind me. Shit, shit, shit. I bit my lip, cleared my throat, and rushed my words, Uh, Jess, thanks for covering for me. Yup, yup, gotta go. He’s back. Yup, you got it, right behind me. I choked as she told me to be sure to appropriately thank him for his service, ideally with my body, but that my mouth would do. I made an awful noise that was half laugh, half donkey bray. I closed my eyes as I disconnected, wondering how long he’d been standing there. With a deep breath, I spun around to face him.

He gave me a cheeky grin, one eyebrow raised, showing that he’d heard plenty, his eyes dancing at my embarrassment. The wind caught in his shaggy, dark blond hair, and he slid a large hand across it to pull it away from his eyes. I swallowed thickly as my stare drifted to his neck muscles, raking down his chest to the tight, faded t-shirt that stretched across his torso. It looked soft and lovingly worn, showing the outline of his chest muscles. I swallowed again and desperately told myself to look no lower, no matter how tempted I may be.

Instead, I forced my eyes up to his. The dark blue reminded me of the deep ocean; I was dying to drown there. Small crinkles winked around the edges when he smiled, which he was doing now. I still hadn’t spoken, and the glimmer in his eye told me he enjoyed watching me squirm. Fuck. I had absolutely nothing witty to say, unlike Jessica, who would turn this entire debacle in her favor were she the one standing in this situation.

Chiff broke the awkward moment with a strangled meow, and Jake chuckled, Duty calls, giving me a wink before walking toward the tree. He shifted the ladder, and I drooled at the veins on his thick forearms. With his back to me, I stared unabashedly at his comfortable, worn jeans and how they hugged his firm ass, moving down to thick thighs that I’m sure