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  Fire at the River’s Edge

  Missoula Smokejumpers Prequel

  Piper Stone

  Blushing Books

  ©2017 by Blushing Books® and Piper Stone

  All rights reserved.

  No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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  Piper Stone

  Fire at the River’s Edge

  EBook ISBN: 978-1-61258-427-0

  Print ISBN: 978-1-61258-515-4

  Cover Art by ABCD Graphics & Design

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.

  Contents

  What’s Inside

  FREE Books for Amazon Customers

  Foreword

  1. Stoker

  2. Landen

  3. Garcia

  Other Titles by Piper Stone

  Piper Stone

  EBook Offer

  Blushing Books Newsletter

  Blushing Books

  What’s Inside

  “Hey, cowboy, is this a party for one or can I join in?”

  He snapped his head up, his eyes struggling to focus. Then he smiled. “Mmm. So, I’m a cowboy now?”

  She flipped her long hair behind her shoulders and sashayed into his office, closing the door with a soft click. “You’re my cowboy. You better not be touching anyone else.”

  “Come here, baby. I need those long legs of yours wrapped around me.” Landen shoved the glass on top of his desk as he watched his gorgeous girlfriend sway her hips back and forth, the move provocative and forcing his cock to push against his already too tight jeans. Samantha was good for him, too good, but the woman kept him sane and satisfied. “Better get over here or I’m gonna spank that pretty ass of yours.”

  Samantha blew him a kiss and continued her sultry dance, sliding her open hands down her chest and back up, cupping her breasts. She moved closer, her eyes never leaving him.

  “You are such a naughty vixen. What I want to do to you.” Landen grinned as he stroked his aching shaft, running his fingers up and down the length of his crotch.

  “Oh yeah? Tell me,” she purred and inched closer as she unbuttoned her blouse, exposing her crimson lace bra.

  “Damn, woman.”

  “Mmm…” She widened her legs and shifted her hand, easing her fingers under her short skirt. “Come on.”

  “When I get ahold of you…” The words trailed off as he moved to the edge of his seat, watching the show.

  She winked then turned in a circle, bending over and lifting the hem, showing him her tiny thong.

  His breath shallow, he growled before rising from his chair and in a split second had her over his desk, his hand on the small of her back. “Bad girl. Very bad, and do you know what bad girls get?”

  Yelping, she giggled as he lifted her skirt, exposing her naked ass. “No, tell me.”

  “This.”

  Crack! Pop!

  “Oh!” Jerking up, she palmed his desk, digging her nails into the cool wood.

  “A hard spanking. Just like you deserve.”

  Whap! Smack!

  He smacked her ass, moving from cheek to cheek, his adrenaline kicking into overdrive. Lust roared into his system and he panted as he continued punishing her. This was their game, the way of their relationship.

  Pop! Crack!

  Moaning, she wiggled yet didn’t fight as he continued. She opened her legs and closed her eyes, a smile crossing her face.

  “I should spank you every day,” he murmured and rubbed her already reddened ass before beginning again.

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  Dedicated to the men and women firefighters

  and smokejumpers who risk their lives every day

  to keep us safe.

  They are our true heroes…

  Foreword

  In all things, there is a turning tide, a moment that changes our lives forever.

  In our life there are memories, some bringing joy while others bring only sorrow.

  Fire at the River’s Edge is the creation of life, love and friendships forged.

  Just as the mighty Mississippi, with all its power, fury and grace has a beginning and an end, so do the lives of the smokejumpers.

  For seven men, heroes seeking solace, this is their journey…

  Labor Day Weekend - 2010

  Stoker

  “You bet I’m going to pass the test with flying colors,” Stoker Hansen spouted as he lifted his beer and slapped the top of the bar. “You are too, right Coop?” Eyeing his buddy of too many years to count, he grinned and took a gulp of the cold brew. Damn, he was in a good mood.

  “Such an asshole. Why don’t you actually pass the test first?” Winking, Cooper McKenzie shook his head.

  “Oh, come on. I’ve passed every other test like a champ. No problem. Just one last test and I’m a bona fide smokejumper. A Zulie. A Jackal.” Bowing from the assorted catcalls and whistles, he waved to the crowd. “Thank you. Thank you.”

  “You mean ‘we’, brother. Don’t you?” Jabbing Stoker in the ribs, he leaned back, planting a kiss on the closest girl.

  Stoker wagged his hand. Cooper had always been the lady’s man. “Ooh la la. Get it on.”

  Cooper laughed and lifted his beer. “When you got it, you got it, brother.”

  “Stoker, you are such a wise ass. What if you don’t pass the test? Ever thought of that?” The girl sashayed into the middle of the group, flitting her hands until the others took a step back.

  “Watch out, Stoker,”
one of the guys said.

  “Vanessa is a ball buster,” another shot off.

  “Too hot for you,” a third added, bursting into laughter.

  Stoker jumped off the barstool and threw his arms back. “I am the King of the World.”

  “Schmuck is more like it,” Cooper said as he hit him in the gut.

  “Ouch!” Stoker chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Vanessa, pulling her against his chest. “Wanna dance, sweet thing?”

  She smirked and pinched his earlobe. “On my terms, cowboy. Come on.” Leading him out onto the dancefloor, she held out her hand, giving him a provocative look.

  He adored the girl, had since high school and the feisty woman certainly had his number. Could see right through his bravado. He danced an awkward move, turning in a full circle before grabbing her hands. Keeping up the persona was part of his charm, or so he liked to think. As soon as they hit the dance floor, the music changed. Groaning, the slow song didn’t suit his mood. “Let’s wait this one out.”

  “Oh, no you don’t. I never get to dance a slow song with you.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she purred and licked around his lips as she swiveled her hips. “Maybe later we can take a walk, find a secluded spot. I’ll even let you spank me.”

  The friction overwhelming, his cock swelled, pushing hard against his jeans. “You are one very bad girl. Remember, you aren’t in control. All naughty girls need hard spankings.”

  “Promises. Promises. Besides, that’s why you love me.”

  Love. The word had always been difficult for him. Smiling, he captured her mouth, slipping his tongue past her lips. The kiss was passionate as well as comfortable. As she crushed her breasts against his chest and moaned into the kiss, his thoughts drifted. He adored Vanessa, could even say he did love her to some degree, but he wasn’t in love with her. The thought startling, he eased back and cleared his throat. He knew in his heart she expected a proposal, but he wasn’t a commitment kind of guy.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, just worried about the test, I guess.”

  “Then don’t take it,” she suggested.

  Taken aback, he searched her eyes. “Vanessa, all I’ve ever wanted to do was be a firefighter. This opportunity may never happen again. To be chosen for something so incredible is, is… Being a smokejumper is special. I’m very proud I’ve gotten this far.”

  She frowned and looked him in the eyes. “Stoker, look, I…” Her words trailed off.

  “Tell me.”

  “I don’t want you to do this. Okay? I just don’t.”

  “What? Why are you telling me this now?” He slowed then stopped, his adrenaline kicking in.

  Nibbling on her bottom lip, she tried to look away.

  “Hey, don’t do that.” Using the tip of his index finger, he eased her head back to face him. “I care about you. I want to know what you’re thinking.” When she still didn’t answer, he took her hand, kissing her fingers and nodding toward the door. “Let’s take that walk. Okay? We’ll talk.”

  Shrugging, she held his hand as he led her through the crowd.

  As he passed by Cooper, he tipped his head, easily able to look over his buddies. “Tomorrow at Blackfoot river?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it. Have fun, but not too much fun,” Cooper chortled.

  Stoker remained quiet until they were outside. He glanced up at the bright moon as he walked away from the honkytonk bar, the glowing orb breathtaking. “Now, talk to me.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “What’s in your heart.”

  Vanessa leaned against his shoulder, hesitating. “Do you remember the first time I met you?”

  “Vaguely.”

  “Which means, not a chance in hell.” Laughing, she gripped his hand. “Second day of school. Tenth grade. Just after Labor Day. You walked by, all cocky as you usually are, and I whistled. I didn’t even realize I’d done that until my girlfriend screeched in absolute horror. You turned in my direction and lifted your sunglasses.”

  “Oh, yeah. Now, I remember. Your friend was the geeky one, right?” Teasing, he issued a mischievous smile.

  “You mean the valedictorian who will be a Doctor of Psychiatry at the end of this year, thank you very much.”

  Stoker bumped her shoulder. “I remember the dress you had on. Whew, baby.”

  “No way.”

  “Hell, yes. White. Low cut and tight in all the right places. The sun was behind you and as you moved, there was this beautiful shimmer, highlighting your curves. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.”

  “You are kidding?” Her lips formed the perfect ‘O’.

  “Not in the least.”

  “I told my buddies that I was taking you to the prom that year. And did I?” he asked, giving her his sexiest voice.

  She exhaled and gave him a heated look. “You did. All the girls swooned too.”

  “You trusted me then. Why doubt me now?”

  Slowing down, she waited until they were under a tree before answering. “I trust you with my life. Look, I know you don’t love me. I mean not—”

  “Hold on,” he interrupted.

  “Shh.” Placing her finger over his mouth, she shook her head. “Let me talk. Not in the way that a man should love a woman. We’re close. We’ve been through so much in our years together and I will always love you, which is why I need to say this to you. You crave danger. You always have. You race cars down the mountainside. You sprint your horses against trucks. You’ve done mountain climbing and whitewater rafting. I love you for all of that and for so many other reasons. I do.”

  “But?”

  “No buts. Just that this smoke jumping gig terrifies me. It’s like I can see into the future.”

  “Honey, no one can. Not really and this isn’t a gig. This is supposed to be my life, the reason I’m here. To save people. Can’t you understand that?” He kissed her forehead and sighed, hearing the angst in her voice.

  She nuzzled his neck then eased back, her eyes filled with tears. “I do.”

  “Okay. Then, I don’t get your concern.” When she lifted her head, he saw terror in her eyes.

  “I can see your death.”

  Rattled, he had no idea what to say. Swallowing hard, he glanced at the moon, hesitating before he answered. “No one knows when we’re going to die, not even God. We can’t live our lives being afraid. That’s just not me. I’m a lucky man in so many ways and this is what I need to do. I hope you can understand that. I just have to do this.”

  Vanessa’s eyes roamed back and forth across his. “I do and I respect you for your decision. You’re a wonderful man.”

  Pulling her against his chest, he kissed the top of her head as he continued to stare at the mesmerizing moon. He’d done nothing but question his decision for months, but he knew this was the right one. “Come on, let’s go back to my place.” Letting her go, he held out his hand.

  “I’d like that.” Sighing, she reached out until just the tips of their fingers were touching.

  In those few seconds before they walked to the car, he experienced a tremendous sadness. Everything in his life was about to change.

  Stoker stretched and rubbed his face into the pillow. Opening his eyes, he winced as the stream of sunlight splashed through the open blinds. “Shit!” He rolled over, pitching his arm across the bed.

  Thump!

  “What?” Lifting his head, he expected to see Vanessa’s beautiful sleeping form lying next to him. The empty bed made him grimace. “Baby. Where did you go?” Hearing nothing, he slapped his hands and arms down on the bed. The commotion always made her giggle. “Va-ness-a!” When there was still no sound but his refrigerator clicking on and off, he crawled out of bed and padded into the kitchen. Yawning, he grabbed the OJ out of the fridge and glanced out the window. She hadn’t taken his car so where had she gone?

  Scratching his head, he turned around. The folded note caught his attention. From where he stood, he could read his name writ
ten in purple ink, her favorite color, the same swirling letters were a girlie reminder of her sensuous side. Swallowing hard, he exhaled before finding the courage to grab the note. His fingers trembling, he unfolded the piece of paper.

  Stoker

  This is very hard for me because I love you so much, but we weren’t meant to be together forever. My fears will just hold you back. I’ve accepted a position in Denver and I think the separation will be good for us. Please take care of yourself and remember, I love you and always will.

  Vanessa

  A moan slipped past his lips as he took a step backward, hitting the edge of the counter. Tears brimmed his eyes and for the first time in so many years, he felt utterly alone. After re-reading the note, he folded the paper into a tiny wedge and pushed it to the middle of the table, the very cheap table. He’d made nothing of his life so far. No wonder she’d left him.

  Stoker tipped his head, bopping his head against the wall. He was a dumb fuck. The woman deserved a special man, one who would give her a fairy tale life. He was no such man.

  After glancing at the clock, he headed for the bedroom to change. Time at the river was exactly what he needed, a moment to soothe the savage beast. If only he could.

  Before he left the house, he stood still and glanced over his shoulder, remembering all the time spent in his crappy apartment. Issuing a half smile, he cleared his throat. “I’ll make you proud. I promise.”

  “There you are. Thought I was going to have to get the cavalry after you,” Cooper said as he cast his fishing line.