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Category: Erotica
Description: Two couples finding instant passion while on the job--will desire win out? Mike Ritchie always knew what she wanted until Wes Barrett walked onto the fireground and ignited flaming desire in her. Wes had all but given up on finding the one he could spend his life with in every way. Will passion come from desire in flames? Liam St. Patrick has desired one woman in every way but she works as his father's personal assistant--interoffice relationships are out of the question until a romantic leprechaun gets involved. Natasha Lindsey has the same feelings but figures Liam is out of her league. Will desire in green bring them together despite office policy?
eBook Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press, 2010
eBookwise Release Date: August 2010

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [138 KB]
Words: 29152
Reading time: 83-116 min.

Chapter 1

Mike, what do you have up there? Chief Kenneth Wallace asked over a scratchy radio.

Extension in the wallsshes got a head start on us. I need another crew to start working this wall and the aerial for a quick exit as well as a master stream.

You got it, Mike.

While the crew inside the room checked for further extension, Mike Ritchie continued searching for additional fire. The department had been dispatched to a multifamily residence on the south side of Huntingdon and arrived on location of a fully involved building fire. Initial crews entered to get the residents to safety though one met the beast at its hungriest. Additional companies had been assigned to what had just kicked into a general alarm fireevery firefighter knowing theyd be on scene for a long time.

Ive got three companies headed to your location and waiting for orders.

Affirmative, Chief, Mike said, relieved theyd be getting some help.

When theyd been assigned the rear of the building to search for fire, Mike hoped the first engines had been able to get it stopped near its origin but as they searched the building, they found it had gotten a jump on them.

DC-two to DC-one.

Go ahead, Mike replied.

As soon as we get to your location, the chief wants your crew out and into rehab. Hes got enough to safely rotate manpower.

Affirmative.

Mike turned to tell the crew, stopping when one of the men pulled back some drywall and met heavy fire. Another firefighter pulled him out of the fires way, looking to Mike for orders.

Get me more water to the third floor rearIve got heavy fire in the rear bedroom walls.

As soon as Mike requested it, another crew entered with a hoseline. Their nozzleman radioed to his engineer to charge the line and once it had been charged, they began to hit the fire as close to its base as they could.

Mike took the opportunity to help the other two out of the room and building. The chiefs order could not have come at a more opportune moment.

Cap, keep putting water on it while I get these two out of here. I think Ive got one injured.

Sure thing, Chief.

Mayor Wesley Barrett responded to the multi-alarm fire taking immediate action for the evacuees and anything else the city would have to deal with. After conferring with Emergency Management, he took a few moments to take in the entire scope of the fire.

Turning around to face the fire, he saw three firefighters coming out of the buildingtwo of them supporting the third. He watched them head straight to the medical command then step back to watch as the medics checked him out.

Once they felt sure the injured firefighter would be in good hands, they walked toward the rehab area. Barrett decided to speak with them and see what he could find out about the fire though he had no idea about the surprise he would get in a few moments.

Chief, a word, please... he said after he caught the fire officers attention.

The line officer spoke with the other firefighter then came over to speak with him.

Mayor Barrett?

What can you tell me?

Not much aside from what you already know. You need to talk to the chief.

Im talking to you, Barrett said, trying to cover his anger at the obvious disregard for his office.

You know the protocol, sir. I cant give out anything unless my chief gives the okay. That way, were all on the same page.

And if I threaten to bring you up on insubordination charges? Barrett asked, hoping to get somethingeven a tiny shred of information.

Knock yourself out, sir. The names Ritchie, Deputy Chief. Now, if youll excuse me...

Chief Ritchie, were not done here.

Sir, Ive just bought one of my men out of the building because he needed medical treatment. Ive been ordered to rehab so I can rest then relieve the next crew coming out. Can I get back to my jobthe one your office entrusted me with when I got appointed?

Barrett nodded then watched Deputy Chief Ritchie join his team at the rehab area. For some reason, he couldnt take his eyes off the firefighter then he discovered why.

Damn!

Here, Chief, we figured youd need it, one of the firefighters said as Mike approached. What did the mayor want?

The usualinformation city government can use against us later. I sent him to the chief so he threatened to write me up for insubordination, Mike said, taking the Coke that had been offered.

Damn, Chief, that deserves a beer. Ill get the first round when we go out next time.

Thanks, Mike said, reaching for the helmets chin strap. Loosening it, the helmet slipped off seconds before a thick ponytail of blonde hair dropped down. Sitting on a spread-out bunker coat, Mikala Mike Ritchie sat down with her crew. She took a long sip from the soda and closed her eyes.

The carbonated liquid burned a little but considering what shed been doing, it didnt bother her. Twenty years in the fire service had taught her long ago to ignore the little things while concentrating on the stuff that truly mattered. With that philosophy, why did the confrontation with the mayor bother her?

Command to DC-one.

Go ahead to DC-one.

Come to Incident Command at your convenience.

Affirmative.

You okay, Chief?

Im wanted at the command post. I have a funny feeling the mayor has something to do with this.

Good luck, another voice chimed in. I hear he can be a real hard-ass.

Wonderful, she groaned. This is so not why I wanted to be a firefighter.

Damn! Wesley Barrett muttered when he saw the true Deputy Chief Ritchie. Watching a little longer while trying to act nonchalant, he saw classic beauty mixed with hard personalityat least when it came to dealing with him.

Over the course of his administration, hed heard about the department promoting a woman to deputy chief but that had been several years before he took office. Hed had his first run-in with her and shed taken the bout with a solid right cross to his ego. It impressed him that she had the loyalty of the men serving under her which meant a lot to him. It didnt bother him about the sex filling the position as long as the person did their joba solid point for Mike Ritchie.

Walking over to the command post, he shook hands with Chief Kenneth Wallace.

Chief, what can you tell me?

At this point, not much. Weve got a lot of fire yet to extinguishfinding it is the problem.

Do you need anything?

No, were good.

Tell me about Deputy Chief Ritchie.

Mike? What do you want to know?

I asked questions but got no answers. Were all on the same side here.

Shes following orders. If she stood here commanding this job, shed talk to you but as long as shes fighting fire, shell keep quiet. Same with my other deputy and the officers below them. It keeps the flow of information coming from one point and they can concentrate on what the city pays us to do.

That explains her reaction to my threat.

What threat?

I figured if I mentioned insubordination, she might tell me something.

Oh, boy, what did she say?

I could knock myself out.

Thats Mikeshe doesnt mince words. Youll find her straight as an arrow and shes one of my best.

What about the sex issue?

There is none and I wouldnt mention it to her. She pulls her own weight and has one philosophyif she cant do it, she has no business telling anyone else to.

Admirable.

Wes, where is all this leading?

A few moments agoI might have seen my threat through. After talking with you, its a dead issue. Could you let her know?

Scared of her?

Maybe just a little, Wes replied. Let me know if you need anything. My office is at your disposal on this one.

Thanks, Wallace said seconds before he went back on radio.

Wes Barrett walked away feeling like hed been through the ringer. Never had he encountered a woman who took him on and walked away leaving him wanting more. The only thing he had curiosity about centered on one pointcould a woman accustomed to giving orders take them?

As Barrett walked back to his car, his thoughts refused to leave Mike Ritchie. Full of fire, he wondered in what direction her tastes ran. As a natural Dominant, hed never had any trouble knowing another Dom or even a submissive when he met them. She threw him, though his body knew one thinghe wanted her. Can she accept me for what I am?