Chapter One
Jasper Reid
Because I was born and raised in Heart Falls, Montana, I’ve barely left the state but when the chief presented me the opportunity to go to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a fire safety conference, I jumped at the chance. Now, I am sitting in the middle seat of a budget airline, next to the girl of my dreams and my best friend. The three of us are going to learn the latest techniques and bring them back to the station.
I met Alex Lynch at Sunday school when I was in kindergarten and he was in preschool. Even though he’s a year younger than me, we’ve been friends ever since. He’s snoring on my left in the aisle seat, but it’s who’s in the window seat that has captured my heart, though she doesn’t know it yet. The more time I spend with her feisty ass, the more I fall in love with her. She’s asleep as well, her head resting on the window. I get to stare at her unhindered and I relish in it.
Devyn McCallum came to town about two months ago. From the first moment I saw Dee, I knew she was mine. Her shoulder length dark hair shines bright when the sun hits it exactly right. Her whiskey colored eyes are always bright and shining. Her cheeks are always just a little flushed whenever I talk to her. Her heart shaped face is sprinkled with adorable freckles. She has these thick, perfect, kissable, bow shaped lips. I crave her on a level that I didn’t know was possible. She is perfect for me in every way. I wanted to claim her that very first second, but unfortunately, she started her probationary status while Chief Sanders was still in charge. He had a strict no fraternization policy among the crew and I refused to jeopardize her career just because I needed her like I needed oxygen.
Just because I couldn’t have her yet doesn’t mean I didn’t stop every man in town. I made it quite known that I wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone who even talks to her. I know what true love looks like. My parents have been married for thirty-two years and show each other every day how much they love each other. My grandparents also led by example. When I was younger, I made the conscious decision to only ever sleep with the woman that will be my wife. Dee is that woman.
Now that Gunner is chief, he has no such rule and I have been working hard to make sure that everything will be perfect for my queen when I finally bring her home to the house I have been remodeling for her. I even went so far as to use my position as assistant chief to get her contact information and called her father. I don’t know what I was thinking other than ahead. I asked for his permission to marry his daughter. After he stopped laughing, we talked for about an hour, after which he gave his permission. After that, I went to a jewelry store in Billings and picked out the perfect ring for her. A two carat, square cut diamond in white gold. I didn’t go overly extravagant because I want her to be able to wear it with her fire gear.
I am pulled out of my thoughts when her head delicately drops onto my shoulder. Her hand touches my elbow and she mumbles in her sleep.
“Jasp, please,” she whispers but doesn’t wake up. My heart soars at the thought of her dreaming about me. My cock, on the other hand, hardens like it never has before. I breathe in the scent of her shampoo. It smells like coconuts and sunshine. She smells like summer.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our descent into sunny Myrtle Beach. The temperature is a balmy ninety-six degrees and the local time is noon. Please fasten your seatbelts and return your seat trays to your upright and locked positions. Thank you for flying with Air Regal.” She stayed perched on my shoulder for the rest of the flight until the captain started speaking.
“Sorry, Jasper. I must have been tired,” she says, yawning.
“No problem, Dee,” I tell her, giving the hand that is still on my elbow a squeeze. She straightens up and tightens her seatbelt before wringing her hands in her lap. “You don’t like landing either, do you?” I ask, remembering our earlier conversation. She gripped the armrests so hard on takeoff that I thought she’d break them.
“I really don’t. I prefer to drive everywhere,” she says, smiling weakly at me.
“You’re doing so good, Dee,” I tell her, reassuringly.
“Thanks, Jasper. You’re a good friend.”
“Friend?” I growl. Like being her friend even remotely covers what I feel for her.
“Okay, co-worker, then,” she says looking defeated. Damn it. That was not my intention at all. I hate that I’ve made her sad.