Danny (Wild Tinder Series Book 4) Read online

  Danny

  A Wild Tinder Book

  by Marie Fraser

  This publication is part of a series of products and publications. For more information, please visit: http://www.Operation40k.com/.

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  Copyright 2019 Marie Fraser

  All RIGHTS RESERVED. One or more global copyright treaties protect the information in this document. This Special Report is not intended to provide exact details or advice. This report is for informational purposes only. Author reserves the right to make any changes necessary to maintain the integrity of the information held within. This Special Report is not presented as legal or accounting advice. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owner.

  NOTICE OF LIABILITY

  In no event, shall the author or the publisher be responsible or liable for any loss of profits or other commercial or personal damages, including but not limited to special incidental, consequential, or any other damages, in connection with or arising out of furnishing, performance or use of this book.

  All Characters, events and locations in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, dead or living, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover art: Sabrina Ihadadene

  In this book I refer to the Yarnell Arizona Hotshot disaster.

  On June 30th, 1993 there was a horrible fire that started with a lightning strike,

  had already claimed over 100 homes

  and took the lives of 19 brave firefighters.

  They had no option but to deploy their fire shelters and sadly, that wasn't enough to save them.

  Almost an entire unit was wiped out.

  A community was devastated.

  Having a cousin who is a Lieutenant in

  the Denver Fire Company

  who also helps on wild fires?

  It gives us a small insight on that brotherhood. When one goes down, many rally in support.

  We are grateful for all who serve our country, wearing any kind of uniform,

  and who keep us safe.

  Danny Carpenter is smart and cocky.

  Although he’s seemingly earned the right to be. Second only to Jackson, Danny is just as competent and often takes Jackson’s place during the low season. When it comes to women,

  he often keeps his cards close, knowing just how the others would tease him ruthlessly if they knew he’d only ever been with one woman.

  As a beta, he’s quick-witted, smart and self-assured. But as a man,

  he’s holding out for his soul mate.

  Rebekah Cortez is smart, with a wicked sense of humor and she’s always laughing.

  She’s often brutally honest and doesn’t shrink away when others are honest in the same tone. She notices that Danny seems to favor honesty, when they meet at a club and almost

  immediately she’s drawn to him.

  Can Danny trust Rebekah with his secret? Will he open himself up to the possibilities,

  or close himself off for good when things don’t seem clear between them?

  Chapter One: Invitations

  Danny Carpenter stepped through the doors and into darkness. The music was loud enough to send his pulse hammering, but Danny knew he was made of tougher stuff. “Let’s do this!” Cade, his younger brother said excitedly.

  Danny headed for the bar and ordered a round of drinks for everyone, including his wing-man, Alex Hernandez. Together they made up two of ten hotshots-tasked with protecting the central Black Hills from forest fires and anything else related to fire danger. Both on leave for six months, the two friends were clamoring for a night of fun with the boys.

  “To time off!” Alex said, his meaning two fold as he was a brand new father of twins and the work was taking its toll.

  “To Promotion,” Danny said, hoping he’d get his next pay tier when they resigned for a six month contract after their leave.

  “To Women!” Cade said, earning a whoop from all the guys. They clinked their glasses and downed various shots, everyone drinking something different. Cade was downing Tequila with salt and lime juice. Alex had opted for a shot of Bacardi and Danny was sticking to Bud Light, hoping he’d be able to see straight when the closing call sounded.

  “Speaking of women,” Alex said, gesturing with his chin. Danny and Cade both turned and eyed a gorgeous brunette who seemed to be single, sitting at the bar. She wasn’t tall, nor did she have legs a mile long; but there was something about her that made Danny stare a little long. Long enough to have her turning her head to look back. She winked, making him grin like a fool.

  Before he knew it, he was standing up and heading her way, not daring to look back at his friends. “I’d ask if I could buy you a drink, but you’ve already got one.”

  “Compliments of me,” she said, pointing to her rum and Coke.

  “I’m Danny,” he said, holding out a hand.

  “Rebekah,” she said, shaking his hand and smiling. “Bachelor party?”

  “Oh, no,” he laughed. “Just a friend from work and my still in diapers younger brother.”

  “He’s cute,” she said, gesturing toward Cade.

  “Everyone says that about babies.”

  She laughed and moved so he could sit next to her. “So, what sort of work do you do? I’m assuming, since you’re not in a suit that it isn’t a lawyer or something in the financial sector…let me guess.”

  “Take your best shot.”

  “You’re a…” she stalled, tapping her lip in a way that made Danny stare a little too long at her mouth. “Well one things for sure, you’re definitely a man.”

  “Sorry,” he said, grinning. “I’ve just always been a sucker for a gorgeous woman with a sumptuous mouth.”

  “Charming too,” she winked.

  “Okay, my bad. Take a guess, really.”

  “Alright,” she said, starting over. “You’re a lumberjack.”

  “No,” he said, not elaborating on the fact that she was damn close with her guess.

  “A mason.”

  “Nope.”

  “A laborer?”

  “You’re getting warmer, although I’m not technically a laborer.”

  “You’re a cable technician.”

  “No,” he laughed.

  “Fine,” she said, pouting. “I give up.”

  “I’m a fire fighter.”

  “See!” she said, “I knew you did something like that.”

  “Smart one, aren’t you?”

  “You know it,” she laughed.

  ***

  Rebekah had met her fair share of guys in bars, most of them useless as tits on a fish. Then, in strides Danny and somehow his goofiness attracts her. He’s not pretentious, nor does he seem like the hit it and quit it type. Instead, he’s funny, sincere and down to earth. “Where’d you come from?” Rebekah asked, trying to hide the fact that she hadn’t actually meant to ask that question out loud.

  “Sorry?” Danny said, eyeing her with a look of intrigue in his sexy hazel eyes.

  “I just…I don’t usually meet guys in bars who are actually worth my time.”

  “Oh,” Danny said. “I don’t usually frequent bars. My friend and brother and I are out for a celebratory night off. My friend just had twins and was next to insane. My younger brother can’t help tagging along and I just finished a six month assignment. I’ve got the next six months off before returning to work.”

  “Do you do that often, take six months off?”

  “No,” he grinned. “But I haven’t
taken a sabbatical in about three years. Taking six month contracts around the clock can be tiring. I was due for a long vacation. Not to mention, being single, I can afford it.”

  “You really make that much?”

  “Well I’m not a billionaire, or even a millionaire,” Danny smiled. “But I do alright. I own my house and I’ve got a boat I can stay on, even if I were to lose my house for some reason.”

  “So you like to go boating?”

  “It’s more of a yacht of sorts. A little more than your average boat.”

  “Nice,” she smiled.

  When he pulled out his phone, Rebekah waited to see if what he’d described was even close to the truth. The pictures he pulled up were more than impressive. “Whoa,” she said. Long and sleek the yacht wasn’t ostentatious, but it was definitely not your average fishing boat. “Nice.”

  “You’re repeating yourself,” Danny grinned, adding a wink that made her system wake up.

  “Do you wanna get out of here?”

  “Isn’t that supposed to be my line?”

  “Take it as you like.”

  Chapter Two: Acceptance

  Not that he was long in the tooth or anything, but Danny felt every single one of his twenty-eight years when he rolled out of bed in the morning. Sometimes his aches had aches, his body was so battered. That didn’t mean he was dead, however, and spending a night, or several, with Rebekah seemed like a good way to start his vacation.

  “Sure,” he agreed, standing and offering his arm. He stopped by his table, a wide grin on his face. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Sure,” Alex said, and Danny knew he was hiding a grin a mile wide.

  “You know it, bro,” Cade said, a wink was all that gave away his approval.

  “Ready?” he said, meeting Rebekah’s pretty eyes. Dark and intense, Danny saw an intelligence there that was just as attractive as the body she walked around in. He wasn’t one for complaining anyways, but what was there to complain about?

  “So, what now?”

  “You tell me,” he grinned. “Leaving was your idea.”

  “How does a sunrise walk on the beach sound?”

  “Great,” Danny said with a lopsided grin. “Except that it’s going to be a long wait. It’s only midnight.”

  “I’m sure there’s some way we can manage to while away five or six hours,” Rebekah said, stepping closer, smiling and then unceremoniously pressing her lips to his. Shock-waves of pleasure sparked through his system and Danny had to fight not to take her right there. Torn, he tugged her dark hair, groaning a little when she opened, letting his tongue slide past her lips. Eager didn’t begin to describe the woman kissing him. She was practically stripping him on the street.

  “Rebekah!” he rasped, finally pulling back enough to breathe.

  “What is it?” she said, her eyes glassy and her pupils pinpoint small.

  “How about we go back to my place for a bit?”

  “Sure,” she said, grinning.

  Danny hailed a cab, took her purse and keys and helped her inside. “124 N. Platte Place.”

  Half an hour later, Danny helped Rebekah into his apartment and laid her down on the couch. He covered her with a blanket and took off her shoes, rubbing the soles of her feet until she was sleeping soundly. “You’re worth more than a quick fling,” he whispered when he kissed her cheek.

  Sighing he stripped down to his boxers, tossed on a pair of pajama bottoms and crawled into bed, falling asleep by sheer force of will.

  ***

  He smelled coffee and the night before came back into severely clear focus. “Rebekah?” he said, walking into the hallway. She was standing in his kitchen, one of his old hockey jersey’s skimming her thighs.

  “Sorry, I…I was pretty bad last night huh?”

  “No,” he said. “Hold that thought though.”

  Ten minutes later, he was standing companionably next to her, pouring coffee into a mug. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, for taking care of me and for not taking advantage.”

  “It wasn’t a problem,” he smiled. “You’re worth more than a quick romp.”

  “Well, a quick romp isn’t always a bad idea.”

  “No,” he agreed. “But the first time I just think it should mean more.”

  “Why?”

  “Because,” Danny stumbled. “Why shouldn’t it mean more?”

  “I’m not saying that it can’t have meaning, I’m just saying that I don’t think of it as an absolute.”

  “Yeah,” Danny muttered, unable to explain his sudden irritation. Sexual frustration was obvious, but the underlying resentment was misplaced and yet he couldn’t shove it aside. “I can give you a lift back to the club whenever you’re ready.”

  ***

  Rebekah wasn’t one to pry, usually, but something about Danny’s attitude was off. He was smoking hot with all that brooding, pent up energy. The contrast between dark eyebrows and light eyes made her mouth water and yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Fine,” he snapped and she saw the lie for what it was.

  “Alright,” she said. Reaching down, Rebekah grabbed the hem of her shirt and lifted it over her head, letting the nakedness of her body speak for itself.

  “Jesus,” he breathed and she grinned when she saw desire flash in his eyes. Then he smothered it beneath something she couldn’t put her finger on.

  “Why are you doing that?”

  “I’m not doing anything.”

  “Liar,” she huffed. She wanted to cover up, to pull the shirt back on and get on about leaving. But something about him pulled harder and she found herself walking, still buck naked, toward him. “Why do you pull back when I can plainly see that you want me?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Danny sighed, closing his eyes a moment. “I like you, Rebekah. I think you’re smart and funny and gorgeous-“

  “And you want to sleep with me.”

  “I’d have to be six feet under with no male organs not to want to sleep with you.”

  “Then why are we still standing here?”

  “Because,” he muttered so softly that Rebekah barely heard him. “I want it to mean more than a challenge.”

  “Why are you so hung up on this meaning more shit? Can’t sex just be sex sometimes?”

  “No,” Danny said, his eyes now bright, sharp with something akin to anger. “Not from where I’m standing.”

  “Okay,” Rebekah sighed. Holding her hands up, she turned and headed for the bathroom. When she was dressed and calmer, she came back out to see him pulling on a jacket. “Just so you know, I’m not a whore. I meant it when I said I appreciated how you treated me. But that doesn’t excuse the way your rejection makes me feel.”

  “I wasn’t rejecting you.”

  “No?” she said, raising up an eyebrow. “Then why are we getting ready to leave instead of riding one another into oblivion?”

  “Because you don’t care if it means more than just sex,” Danny sighed. “And I do.”

  “Right,” Rebekah said, breezing past him and into the hallway outside his apartment. “You can drop me off now.”

  ***

  The tension in the car couldn’t have been cut through with a machete as neither Danny nor Rebekah broached the idea of actually talking to one another. Still, sexual tension was a welterweight bitch and Danny’s body strained at the bit to get his hands on her.

  He’d meant what he said when he’d told her she was beautiful. Being pissed about the way things went didn’t change that he wanted her, like a starving man looking at a feast. When they parked by the club, Danny grabbed her arm when she went to get out. “For the record,” he said somberly. “I enjoyed last night.”

  “Me too,” she smiled sadly. “Mostly.”

  ***

  Danny watched her go and sighed deeply, wondering what was so wrong with him that he couldn’t simply enjoy
a fast, hard bout of steamy sex and move on. Unbidden, thoughts of Lily flooded his mind. He’d met her when he was sixteen and by the time seventeen rolled around, she was too beautiful to resist.

  She’d approached him during a rainstorm one afternoon when he’d gotten caught on the golf course tool shed. One look at her in her wet, tight tennis outfit and he’d been hard as a rock. Her mouth had tasted like sweet apples when she’d kissed him, and when he’d put his hands on her, she’d only pressed closer.

  “Come on, Danny,” she’d purred, her hand reaching down to grope his crotch. “I want you inside me.”

  His mind had simply melted in favor of the heat steamrolling over his body. He’d feasted on her and when she’d opened to him, he’d taken what she offered. That first heady rush was like Heaven when he filled her and then it was like a race he couldn’t help but run. She moaned when he started pumping into her, harder, faster. The hard slap of flesh on flesh and the riotous moans of pleasure peaked as he spilled into her, her body clenching in climax.

  “Thanks, Danny.” She’d dressed and walked out of the shed as if they’d only had a chat. For two months afterward, Danny had tried to get close to Lily; leaving notes in the clubhouse, stealing her towel so he could give it to her personally. Every time, she rebuffed him, obviously not interested in anything he had to offer.

  Furious with how things had turned out, how she’d used him for her own sexual buffet, Danny vowed that he wouldn’t take another woman to bed, until she meant something more than just a quick fling. Sex was meant to be part of a relationship, an act of love two people shared beyond the physical. If he couldn’t offer a woman something more, he wouldn’t offer his body either.

  Shaking his head, Danny cleared his head with a trip to the gym. He swam for an hour, long laps end to end. Then he showered and lifted weights, working up a hard sweat and pumping iron until his muscles screamed with exhaustion.

  Physically worn out, he headed home to burn off the rest of his pent-up energy in the kitchen. “Something smells good.”

  “Shoes off,” he called to his brother, not looking up from the cast-iron skillet he was using.