Wildfire (9 page)

Elaine knew she should address the kiss at some point. She sat quietly pondering how to approach the subject. Finally, she muttered, “Um, about yesterday. I’m sorry for kissing you. I don’t know what got into me. I hope you will forgive my impulsiveness.”

Devon, even more confused than before, didn’t know what to say. “Okay. Well, let’s just chalk it up to a lapse in judgment. On both our parts. Fair enough?”

Elaine nodded, glad that neither wanted to make a federal case out of it. She knew deep down that it wouldn’t be that easy to put it behind them, but at least they had acknowledged it. She decided work was the safest topic. “How are the samples looking?”

Devon was well aware that botany bored most people, even forest rangers. But as they ate, Elaine continued to ask questions that showed she was not only listening, but was actually interested. Devon found herself telling Elaine everything about the tests she had taken right after the spill and the results of what she was currently working on.

They shared stories of their personal experiences during the spill, both agreeing that they had obviously not met during that time.

Their conversation began to gravitate from work to their personal lives. They exchanged stories about how they had gotten into their respective professions and neither noticed when the snow began to fall.

“How long have you been a ranger?”

Elaine mentally counted. “It has been fourteen years now, I guess.”

“How long have you been captain?”

Elaine smiled as she reflected on her career, “About three years. I would probably be further along if I could bring myself to play politics.”

Devon returned her smile. “Why, Captain Thomas, I would not have pictured you as a rebel.”

“This coming from a rogue botanist!”

Devon’s smile widened and she shrugged. “I can’t say I particularly like the politics myself.”

Elaine arched an eyebrow. “I’m sure you are far better with it than I am.”

 “Probably, but you chose a profession where you are out in the field. You are out there every day.” Devon gestured toward the mountains beyond the windows. “You spend your days in the forests. I’ve had to earn that right. I’ve always been good at research, tucked away in the lab and I’ve always loved plants. So it made sense for me to become a botanist, but it has been difficult for me to prove that I need to be where I can do the most good. And sometimes, well, a lot of times, that’s in the field.”

Elaine nodded in understanding. She went to the fridge to get them each another beer. She opened a bottle and set it in front of Devon, who hadn’t been shy about getting a second helping of dinner. Elaine wasn’t sure if Devon just enjoyed the chili because it wasn’t freeze dried or if she actually liked it. Either way, Elaine was glad to see Devon indulging in another bowl.

Several hours later, after the dishes had long been washed and the fire was burning low, Elaine headed for the bathroom in her stocking feet to take a shower. Alone for the first time, Devon studied the cabin. The room was small, but cozy. Or perhaps Devon found the cabin comfortable because of the company. It had been a long time since she was able to talk to someone other than her family or co-workers about her job. The more they talked the more Devon realized that they shared common interests and the conversation was genuine and comfortable.

Maybe Elaine wasn’t a puzzle after all, but then again, what was with her kissing and running? And then apologizing?

Several minutes later Elaine emerged from the bathroom. She was wearing boxer shorts and a tank top. Not surprisingly, she was incredibly fit. Devon couldn’t help but notice her strong stomach visible beneath the ribbed tank top. Her legs were equally muscular as were her arms. She could barely smother a laugh when she noticed the prominent tan lines midway between her elbow and shoulder. They were clearly a result of the many hours she had spent in the sun wearing her uniform. Her entire body, silhouetted by the fire was divinely feminine.

Elaine seemed lost in thought as she towel dried her hair in front of the fire and sifted the long auburn locks through her fingers. The dancing flames highlighted the hints of gold that had been previously concealed in a thick braid. Devon was thankful for the dim lighting as her face grew heated and without a doubt flushed, at the sight of Elaine’s body. She was embarrassed when she noticed that Elaine had caught her looking.

“Do you want me to put some extra blankets on the bed or will you be warm enough?”

“If I take the bed where are you going to sleep? No offense, but this couch doesn’t seem like it would be particularly comfortable for sleeping.”

Elaine shrugged. “It’s probably not the most comfortable, but it will be fine.”

“You were kind enough to share your cabin, so you should take the bed.” Devon didn’t relish the idea of sleeping on an uncomfortable couch or the floor, but she would. It certainly wouldn’t be any worse than sleeping in her sleeping bag.

“No, Devon, you’re a guest and this is my job. You take the bed, I’ll take the couch. It’ll be fine.”

Devon, not wanting to argue any further, reluctantly agreed. She watched as Elaine collected a pillow, sheet and quilt from the built-in cabinets across from the bed.

Elaine threw a few more logs onto the fire to ensure the fire would warm them throughout the night.

Once the couch was prepped, they climbed into their respective beds for the night. Bidding each other goodnight, Devon settled deeper under the covers. The sheets still held Elaine’s scent and like a Pavlovian reaction, a dull throb began between her legs. The thought of being in Elaine’s bed had tantalized the peripherals of her imagination over the last several days. Now she was here, not under the circumstances she had fantasized about and her mind wouldn’t still as she lay listening to the crackling of the fire thinking about how much nicer it would be if Elaine’s arms were wrapped around her. She rolled over trying to quell the ache that built inside of her as well as her rampant wayward mind. She desperately hoped sleep would claim her soon and release her from her self-imposed torment.

Elaine awoke first, thanks to the frigid temperature. The fire had consumed the logs during the night and the quilt she had counted on to keep her warm wasn’t sufficient without the warmth of the fireplace. As quietly as possible, so as not to wake Devon, she dressed and slipped outside the cabin to gather more firewood, cursing herself for not being more thorough the night before.

Distracted, much?
She had only herself to blame. She knew once she had a fire going, it would take little time to warm the cabin to a comfortable temperature.

Once outside she was surprised to find that the snow had begun sooner and at a much heavier rate than had been predicted. Over a foot had already accumulated on the ground. She gathered as much wood as her arms could hold and headed up the snow-covered stairs into the cabin. She fumbled with the doorknob trying to open the door without dropping any of the logs she held. Just as she managed to open the door, she felt herself sliding. Within seconds, not only was all the wood she had been carrying on the cabin floor, but so was she, flat on her ass.

Devon flew out of bed, noticeably startled. “Oh my God! What happened? Are you okay?”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just went out to get some firewood and as you can see, busted my ass on the way in.”

“Why didn’t you wake me for heaven’s sake? I could have helped, you know?”

“There was no reason for us both to freeze our asses off.”

Devon all but rolled her eyes as she stood over Elaine, hands on hips. “Well, let me help you up. Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine. A little embarrassed, but fine.”

“You are you sure you’re okay?” Devon asked skeptically.

“I’ll get a fire started and then make some coffee. How does that sound?”

“Heavenly, nothing better than a nice cup of coffee after being woken up with the thought that the walls are caving in around you.”

“Yeah, sorry about that.”

Devon waved off her words. “No need to apologize. I’m just glad you didn’t hurt yourself.”

Just my pride.
Elaine rubbed her backside as she continued stacking logs in the fireplace. “There is quite a bit of snow out there. Not sure how much work you will be able to get done today.”

“Yeah, I hoped that might not happen, not on this assignment. I always give myself a little extra time on assignments like this just in case bad weather comes my way but it wasn’t going to work out this time. But it’s March—we could have seventy degrees and blazing sun tomorrow. Why don’t you go put on some dry clothes and I’ll get the coffee started?”

Elaine nodded in agreement and once the fire was going, she padded off to the bathroom to change into much warmer and dryer clothes. When she emerged, the aroma of coffee had permeated the cabin and the fire had warmed it considerably. Two cups of coffee sat on the kitchen table and Devon was whipping up a quick breakfast.

“Hope you don’t mind. Thought I’d make some eggs and toast for breakfast.”

“That’s perfect, thank you. And again, I’m sorry for waking you.”

“Don’t worry about it; I would have woken up at some point.” They exchanged a quick smile.

As much as she tried, Elaine couldn’t tear her gaze away from Devon. She was, by far, the most beautiful woman Elaine had ever seen and the most amazing part was that she doubted that Devon even knew how remarkably attractive she was.

Elaine kept replaying their kiss over and over in her mind, like an old black-and-white movie. Elaine’s gaze traveled the full length of her body. Her tongue unconsciously wet her dry lips as her gaze finally settled on Devon’s full breasts. It was clear that Devon wore no bra and her erect nipples strained against the shirt that covered them. Elaine felt the now familiar wetness flood her body as she imagined her lips and tongue on Devon’s nipples, pulling each one deep into her mouth.

Elaine forced her eyes higher but her breath caught when she saw the slightly parted lush lips that were begging to be kissed. When she finally met the dark gray eyes, she half expected to see irritation at her blatant appraisal. Instead, what she found sent another wave of desire crashing through her. Devon’s dark gray eyes were glossy and unfocused and filled with the same carnal desire that Elaine was sure her own eyes reflected.

Elaine quickly looked away, searching for any excuse to escape the moment they had just shared.
Fire, yes, I will stoke the fire.
She rose quickly from the table and headed to the fireplace.

Elaine forced herself to shake off the thoughts. There was no way she would be able to get through the day if she continued to let her mind run rampant this way. She just needed to focus. Just because she and Grace hadn’t had sex in what seemed like forever and her attraction to Devon was relentless, that was no reason for her to act like a horny teenager. Not to mention Grace
had
just moved out. It didn’t really matter that Elaine had accepted the relationship had been over long ago. There were still very good reasons for her not to get involved with another woman any time soon. But then again Devon McKinney was unlike any other woman she had ever met.

When Elaine could find no other reason not to return to the table, she slowly made her way back to the cup of coffee awaiting her. As she watched Devon stare blankly outside into the pure white wonderland that nature had created overnight, she wondered what she might be thinking. She wondered if perhaps Devon was wishing she was someplace else.

“Are you going to have to postpone your research now?”

Devon turned her gaze from the cabin’s front window toward Elaine, but she couldn’t bring herself to make eye contact. “No. Once the snow ends, I’ll be able to brush it aside and get what I need.”

She was relieved by Elaine’s question because it shook her from her own musings. She had been staring blindly at the snow wondering why every part of her body longed to feel Elaine’s touch. Why had it felt so right when Elaine had pulled her close and kissed her so passionately? Even more importantly, why had Elaine dismissed the kiss so easily, when Devon felt like it awakened in her something she had not felt in a very long time, if ever?

Maybe she was just lonely. Maybe it was the setting, a remote cabin in the woods in the midst of a snowstorm with an extraordinarily gorgeous woman.
Oh God! How cliché is that?

Deep down she knew that wasn’t true. The very first time she had laid eyes on Elaine, she felt her chest constrict and just the sight of the woman had taken her breath away. She had met beautiful women before, but not like Elaine. Most women use makeup to cover their imperfections and highlight their attractive qualities, but Elaine was a natural beauty. She wasn’t dressed in designer clothes created to accentuate every curve. She was completely authentic and the most amazing woman Devon had ever seen.

Elaine was far too attractive to be single, if indeed she was. Devon couldn’t imagine that there was any woman out there stupid enough to let Elaine get away, unless Elaine wasn’t the type to commit to just one woman. That thought disturbed Devon more than it should as did the realization that Elaine better
damn
well be single after laying such an unbelievable kiss on her; a kiss that left her not only throbbing and wet, but weak in more areas than one.