COOPER (Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue: Rookies #1): a BBW, firefighter instalove short romance Read online

  COOPER

  Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue: Rookies #1

  Kate Tilney

  Copyright © 2020 by Kate Tilney

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this 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 author.

  Cover Photos by

  SSilver/ depositphotos

  nejron/ depositphotos

  phoenixstockphoto.gmail.com/ depositphotos

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Epilogue

  One

  COOPER

  The traffic light switches to red. I contemplate gunning my truck to run through it. I’m late for my first day of training at Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue. My whole life, I’ve dreamed of becoming a firefighter. And after completing my military service, that dream is about to come true.

  It’s those years of service—and my new job—that makes me pull to a complete stop.

  Part of being a firefighter is setting an example. I wouldn’t be setting a very good example if I ran a red light. Would I?

  Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, I impatiently wait for the light to turn green. I glance in my rearview mirror a second before I feel and hear it.

  Screech. Crash. Thud.

  My body jerks forward but the seatbelt pulls me back. I sit in stupefied silence for half a minute. Then, I slam my hands on the steering wheel and mutter an expletive.

  “Un-fucking-believable.” Fumbling with my seatbelt, I unstrap myself and throw the door open. “Today of all days. Are you fucking kidding me?”

  I jump out of my truck to assess the damage. My hands ball into fists as I stalk to the back. I unclench a little when I see that only a back tail light is broken. My truck was built to last, and there’s not so much as a dent in the bumper.

  Well, that’s something, at least. It’s so little damage, we won’t need to get the insurance companies or police involved. Now, I just need to talk to whoever the idiot is that rear-ended me so I can get back on my way.

  With any luck, I can slide into the training facility unnoticed with a minute to spare. Otherwise, I’m sure I’ll never hear the end of it. At least not for the next thirty or so years. Son. Of. A. Gun.

  The driver in the other car still hasn’t moved. Fortunately, their car—if you can even call something this old and rusted a car—doesn’t seem to be any worse than it was before. I squint at the car to see the driver. I can’t make out much through the windshield, but there is in fact someone sitting in the driver’s seat.

  I hope they aren’t hurt. I should probably check to make sure they aren’t. While I haven’t been through my firefighter training yet, I did learn enough about trauma care in the Marines should I need to act. Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I move toward the driver’s side door.

  I’m just reaching for the handle when the door swings open.

  “Oh my God,” a woman wails. “I am so sorry. Today has been the day from hell. And it isn’t even eight.”

  I start to reply but choke on my tongue as the woman steps out of the car to stand next to me.

  Spirals of curly brown hair falls over her shoulders. I ball my hands back into fists to keep from reaching out to touch even one of them. Her full lips are painted a soft pink, and they’re set in a pout. Behind a pair of thick-framed dark glasses are a pair of the most gorgeous dark blue eyes I’ve ever seen. They remind me of the ocean on a clear, windy day. Sparkling and shimmering with an untamed wildness in them.

  And that’s not to say anything for her body.

  Though she’s wearing scrubs, I can see the swell of her full hips and breasts. My fists squeeze tighter as I have the sudden vision of stroking every inch of her body with my lips and fingers.

  This definitely isn’t the time, dude. She’s clearly upset. And I’m late for training.

  Clearing my throat, I tuck my fisted hands into the pockets of my gym shorts.

  “The good news is, neither of our cars seems to have much damage to them.” I offer her what I hope is a comforting grin.

  She blinks at me a couple of times, then swallows hard. “I’m sorry, could you say that again?”

  “Your car and my truck don’t seem much worse for the wear.”

  “But your brake light is broken.”

  I lift a shoulder. “My brother has a repair shop. He can put in a new one after I get off of work tonight.”

  At the word ‘work’ her eyes go wide again.

  “Shoot, I am so late for work.” She shakes her head, sending those glorious curls of hers flying. Reaching into her purse, she pulls out a crumpled up receipt and a pen. “If I give you my name and number, will you call me and let me know if the damage is any worse?”

  “Sure.” I take the offered paper. I have no plans on charging her for what little damage there might be. But I don’t mind knowing her name or number. Glancing down at it, I read the name out loud. “Lucy Hewitt.”

  “That’s me.” She glances up at me. “And let me know if your neck or back hurts at all. I could help you with that.”

  I imagine her fingers massaging my neck, digging deep into the tissue and the muscles. My dick twitches.

  “I’m sure it’s fine, but thanks.” I hold out my hand to her. “I’m Cooper by the way.”

  She hesitates a moment before taking my hand. A jolt runs through me as her smooth palm meets my calloused hand.

  “I’d say it’s nice to meet you. But I’m sure we both would rather we didn’t.”

  “I never mind meeting a gorgeous woman.”

  “Right, especially one who crashes into your car.” She rolls her eyes. “As I said, it’s already been a day. I’m just sorry my bad luck had to rub off on you.”

  Five minutes ago, I would have agreed with her that this was bad luck. Yet now, as I stand here next to this beauty, I can’t help but think that this might just be my lucky day. If I wasn’t running late for training, I’d stand here all day, maybe forever. But duty calls.

  I hold up the old receipt with her name and number scribbled on it. “I’ll be in touch.”

  And that’s a promise I plan to keep. Though, if things go my way, we won’t be talking about brake lights or dented bumpers.

  Two

  LUCY

  My hands are still shaking when I enter the Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue station.

  Dallas, the firehouse chief, pokes his head out of his office.

  “You made it.” He flashes me a grin. If my knees weren’t already weak from the morning I’ve had, they would be now. His wife is a very lucky woman. “I was about to put an APB to make sure you were okay.”

  “If you’d put it out ten minutes ago, you would’ve had a hit.”

  His dark eyebrows knit together. “Did something happen?”

  “I was in an accident. A little fender bender,” I add before he can get worried and insist one of the EMTs give me a full physical. “Nothing a glass of water and getting
on with my day won’t fix.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Please. I’m a nurse.” A nurse who’s actually here to help with the day’s training. “Are the rookies here?”

  “They’re in the back running through their drills.” Dallas hesitates a moment. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just a little frazzled.” Maybe if I say that enough times, I’ll start to believe it.

  Before Dallas can pull rank, I head back toward the new state-of-the-art training facility. A couple years back, the town’s firefighters and police officers started doing an annual calendar. After gaining major media attention, they’ve sold copies all around the world. The departments are making more money than they ever dreamed of with their now-annual calendars. With some of that money, the departments built new training facilities. This one is a mixture of classrooms, simulators, and work-out equipment.

  This rookie class is the first one to report for duty here. You can still smell the fresh paint and wood timbers. And for the next fourteen weeks, this new facility will be their home away from home.

  I’m here to check their vitals while they go through the first and—from what I’m told—the most hellish day of their physical training.

  Speaking of hellish days, this has been one. And then some.

  For some reason, the alarm on my phone didn’t go off this morning, and neither did any of the back-ups I usually have set. Now, it’s possible I shut them off and don’t remember. It’s just as possible I forgot to set them. I was up late last night studying. I work full-time as a nurse at Sunset Canyon Memorial, and I’m also working on getting my master’s degree. Once I have it, I’ll become a nurse practitioner. I just started, and it’ll probably take forever. But it’ll be worth it in the end.

  So after waking up later than usual, I couldn’t find the scrubs I usually wear when it’s my turn to report to the fire department. Scrubs are scrubs, but my favorite pair is more comfortable. And, it’s a little more flattering, if scrubs can be flattering. But, I couldn’t find them—and I didn’t have time—so I’m wearing these.

  Which, I just now noticed, have a coffee stain on them. Probably from when I burnt my hand on the coffee this morning and dropped my mug. I’d barely had time to clean up the broken shards.

  Then there was the accident. Oh, I could crumble into the ground thinking about that.

  I’d been distracted for one second. Just one second while I changed a God-awful on the radio. But that’s all it had taken for me to rear-end the world’s sexiest man. Cooper. I hadn’t even found out his last name or anything about him. Other than the fact that at about six-two and with broad shoulders, dark hair, and a sexy-as-sin smile, I know what I’ll be thinking about when I fall asleep tonight. And probably every other night for the rest of my life.

  I mean, apologies to my future husband, but it’s true.

  He’d been so nice and understanding, considering how I’d ruined both of our mornings with one act of distractedness. It’s probably best if I put him out of my mind. Sure, I gave him my number. But why would he call me unless it was to file a lawsuit?

  Sighing, I step through the doors of the training center and nearly run into one of the recruits.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just a mess today, I—” I cut myself off as I stare into the face of the man who’d just been on my mind. “Cooper?”

  That grin of his spreads across his face and my heart flutters in response. “Lucy, what are you doing here?”

  “I’m here to make sure no one passes out and to check vitals.” I glance over his outfit. I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before. Gym shorts and a Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue T-shirt. “You’re one of the new rookies.”

  “Reporting for duty on my first day.” He gives a full military salute with such skill, I have no doubt he’s done it before. Which would make sense. While his hair is too long for someone in active duty, his short brown locks have the look of someone growing out a crew cut. “What are the odds of running into you again?”

  “‘Running in’ being the key words there.” I can feel my cheeks flushing. “I’m sorry again about this morning. I’m really not at my best.”

  “If this is you not at your best, I look forward to seeing you at it.” He winks. “From where I’m standing, this isn’t so bad at all.”

  “Oh, well . . .” Look at me. At a complete loss for words just because a big, hulking, handsome firefighter-to-be is flirting with me. A firefighter-to-be who is currently—and technically—under my care for the day. With that thought, I straighten my spine. “Don’t let me keep you from training.”

  “Yeah, I should probably start my next round of laps.” We both look over at the bleachers that the rest of the rookies are running loops around. “Maybe we could grab coffee later.”

  “I’m not sure that would be such a good idea.”

  “Why not?” He frowns. “You don’t think I’m going to call the cops or your insurance company about the accident, do you? Because I meant what I said, there really isn’t damage.”

  “That’s not it, though it’s good to hear.” Despite myself, I can’t help but grin at him. “I’m here as your nurse for today and tomorrow. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

  “That’s a shame.” He flashes me another grin before he turns to join the group. “A damn shame.”

  And even though I know it’s for the best, I can’t help but agree with him. It is a damn shame I have to keep him at a distance. For now, at least.`

  Three

  COOPER

  As the end of the second day of training comes to an end, every muscle in my body feels like it is burning. I consider myself to be an in-shape guy. I had to be. But my body hadn’t been this beat up or abused since I went through basic training. Only, I’d been eighteen then. Today, I’m feeling every minute of my thirty-three years.

  While I’d love nothing more than a hot shower, I take a spot at the end of the line to meet with the nurse. Yesterday, Lucy had said she couldn’t say yes to coffee with me while she was on duty. I’m hoping I can change her mind now that her time with our crew is wrapping up.

  Because I’d like to do more than share a cup of coffee with her. I’d like to wine and dine her. I’d like to treat her like a princess and show her exactly how worthy she is of everything good.

  Then, I’d like to explore every inch of her body while she screams my name.

  “What are you grinning about?” Forrest, one of the other rookies, asks me.

  “Just thinking about plans for later.”

  Lennox wiggles his eyebrows. “He must have a hot date.”

  “Oooh,” Russell and Brooks, the rest of the class say in unison.

  “Shut up. You guys are as bad as high school gossips.” I keep my grin to myself the rest of the time I’m in line.

  When it’s finally my turn to duck behind the current, I narrowly stop myself from checking my breath or my hair. The guys have given me enough teasing for one day. I don’t need to give them more ammo.

  As I step behind the current, my breath catches. Lucy is bent over picking something up off the floor. I turn to look at the wall, but only after I’ve gotten a good look at that luscious ass of hers. I try to be a gentleman. Even when every part of me wants to wrap my arms around her and see how those lips of hers feel against mine.

  Clearing my throat, I wait until I’m sure she’s upright and facing me before I return my attention to her.

  “Cooper.” The hair on the back of my neck stands straight. The way she says my name is like a caress. “How was day two?”

  “Oh, it tried to kick my ass. But I think I won.” I flash her a grin. “It reminds me of basic training.”

  “You were in the Army?”

  “The Marines.”

  “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”

  She gets it. Just like I suspect, if she gave us a chance, she’d get me too. “So what do you need from me today?”

  “I just have to run
through this questionnaire with you.” She holds up a clipboard. “Then we’ll check your vitals and you can be on your way.”

  “And I’m the last person you have to see today.”

  “That’s right.”

  And then, I’ll be free to ask her out for a proper date. Taking a seat on a stool, she gestures for me to sit on the examining table. Flipping open a folder, she clips it to the board and pulls a pencil out from the bun on top of her head.

  “Did you experience any dizziness today?” she asks.

  “Nope.”

  “Any shortness of breath or discomfort.”

  “Nothing notable.”

  We work through the rest of the list, which includes several questions that should be embarrassing. Like when the last time I had a sexual partner and so on. But it really doesn’t bother me that she knows. Couples should know as much about each other as possible in that area. I’m almost tempted to ask her the question in return, but that would be inappropriate. I’ll ask her over dinner tomorrow night.

  Once she’s finished the questions, she pulls out a stethoscope. Wrapping a blood pressure band around my arm, she holds the stethoscope in place and pumps. I take a deep breath, and I notice that she smells like roses. I like that.

  As she checks my heartrate a moment later, I notice that she seems to be breathing a little more quickly than she was before. I like that too.

  Stepping back, she scribbles down the last notes. “Okay, that’s it.”

  “Everything look good?”

  “Really good. So good.” She swallows hard. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”

  Now’s my chance. “Would you be free for dinner sometime this week.”

  She pulls a face. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

  “Aren’t you done here after today?”

  “I could always get called back.” She chews on her lip, and I find myself wishing I was the one nibbling on it. “Look, the truth is, I’d love to have dinner with you. But”—she holds up her hand before I can say anything—“I just don’t think it’s appropriate when you’re my patient.”