N. J. Walters [Walters - Rescue Me

Rescue Me

When a raging fire engulfs her apartment, Martha Benson can do nothing but send up desperate prayers that she might somehow be rescueduntil she suddenly finds herself being carried out in the powerful arms of the one man she never expected to see again, Frank Ellis. When he miraculously parts the demonic wall of flames and leads them to safety, shes stunned to realize that this ruggedly handsome man who once broke her heart can still stir sensual desires shed long given up on ever feeling again.

As a young man, Frank was consumed by a haunting connection to fire that he did not understand and lived in fear that he might accidentally harm Martha. Forced to walk away from her for her own safety, he still dreamed of her and their youthful passion. And now that he has found her again nearly twenty years later, hes determined to never leave her, and he knows he must learn to harness his mystical power to win her trust and make her his own.

As their reunion sparks their desire anew and forges a deep emotional and erotic bond, Frank and Martha must both confront their fears to rise from the ashes of their past and rekindle a love that can never be extinguished...

Rescue Me

N. J. Walters

Beyond the Page Books

are published by

Beyond the Page Publishing

www.beyondthepagepub.com

Copyright 2015 by N.J. Walters. This novella originally appeared in the boxed set Into the Flames published in September of 2015.

Cover design and illustration by Dar Albert, Wicked Smart Designs.

ISBN: 978-1-950461-24-0

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Contents

Chapter One

Lights flashed and bounced off the surrounding buildings, smoke billowed upward into the blue sky and loud voices filled the air, yelling instructions. All the uniformed men and women moved quickly and competently, pulling out hoses, raising ladders and getting down to the job at hand. It might have looked chaotic to the untrained eye but it was really a dance that took great skill.

Hell of a way to start your vacation, New York.

Frank Ellis, aka New York to his brothers at the fire station here in Chicago, stared up at the blaze engulfing a portion of the three-story apartment building. Hed been only hours away from ending his shift and starting his two-week vacation. Yeah, hell of a way.

He strode up to Chief Riley and waited for the instructions he knew would be forthcoming. Ellis, you and Sanchez take the top floor. Its midafternoon and we dont know whos at work and whos home.

On it. Adrenaline pumping, Frank and his partner went back to the truck and pulled on their SCBAself-contained breathing apparatuschecked to make sure they were both strapped on tight and working properly, grabbed their axes and headed for the burning structure.

Frank was one of the few firefighters with two nicknames. His buddys mostly called him New York, after his hometown, even though hed lived in Chicago for more than a decade. Others called him Gabriel, after the archangel, because hed rescued so many people from fires. It was also the reason he was almost always sent into any structure where they thought there might be people trapped.

As Chief Riley had once told him, Son, youve got the instincts of a bloodhound when it comes to finding folks.

If the chief only knew the truth.

Hoses were being pulled from Engine 35 and water began to pour on the structure. Other stations had responded and were attacking the blaze from the other side. Frank led the way, as he always did, into the burning structure. The doorway into the lobby was open and smoke-filled.

He pointed up and Sanchez nodded. As always when he stepped into a burning building, his skin began to tingle and he had to work hard to contain himself and his excitement.

Frank knew the fire had started at the top. He didnt question his instincts, which screamed at him to hurry. There were three flights of stairs and both men were loaded down with pounds of gear, all of it necessary to their job. He took deep, slow breaths and squinted to see through the smoke as he made his way upward.

The burn and crackle of the fire was so loud it was almost like the roar of a living beast. And that wasnt too far off the truth. He knew fire intimately, knew it was a powerful entity to be respected. It called to him, sang for him, but most of all, it was in his blood. The temptation to strip off his protective gear and walk into the flames was almost overpowering. He clamped down on the urge and stuck to the job.

Frank knew his buddy was right behind him, both of them focused on saving the lives of anyone who might have the misfortune of being home on this beautiful summer afternoon.

When they reached the top of the stairs, they paused. Flames danced along the entire top floor of the older building, intent on consuming it whole.

Shit, Sanchez yelled. He agreed with his buddys assessment of the situation.

Im going in. He pointed to the right. His instincts were driving him hard and he never ignored them.

Frank had barely taken a step when his head jerked around, almost of its own volition, to focus on the apartment on the left side of the hallway. The fire licked up the walls and the heat was ramping up. He knew Sanchez had to be finding it difficult to navigate.

We need to go back. He heard Sanchezs voice over the radio but ignored it. Damn it, Ellis, his friend yelled when Frank didnt turn back.

Wait here, he told him. And get out if it gets too bad. The fire couldnt hurt him, wouldnt hurt him. The others might burn but not him. He and the fire were one.

Frank knew hed get in trouble for his actionshe often didbut that didnt stop him from doing what he knew was right. The apartment door was like a wall of fire when he approached it. Frank didnt hesitate. He lifted the axe in his hand, drew back and slammed the heavy head of the tool into the area just below the lock. The door flew open and he stepped inside the inferno.

The flames reached out as though trying to stroke his skin. They were so beautiful, so alive, it was tough not to become mesmerized by them. He shook his head to clear it. Ignoring the heat and smoke, he headed to the far end of the apartment. It took precious seconds for him to check the bedroom. Damn the smoke. It was so thick he could barely see his hand in front of his face.

He felt along the wall and found another door. He twisted the knob and shoved it open. It was the bathroom. He took a step forward and almost stumbled over a towel that had been shoved against the bottom crack of the door. His heart sped up.