Free Stoking the Embers (New Adult Romantic Suspense): The Complete Series by Leslie Johnson Page A

great job. It would be a pleasure to have you working here. I need you to fill out a couple of papers, and then you can go hang out with Ed and Octavio.” He points at the two paramedics who tip their head in acknowledgment.
    “Thanks,” I say and shake his extended hand. “I’m looking forward to it. I think.”
    “I’m Captain Frank. I’ll be giving you a quick tour and we’ll complete those consent forms.” He leads me toward a set of offices. I look at Ken, but he just gives me a little salute. I follow the Captain, high stepping it to catch up. He’s already in tour mode.
    “I’m proud to say we’re an I.S.O. Class One fire and safety department. We house both the firefighters and paramedics for this section of the city.” He stops and points to a wall of certification and licenses. I nod and make the appropriate noises of agreement.
    “Everyone in this building is trained as a first responder and holds a basic EMT certification. A call comes, we go out. Fire, car wreck, heart attack… doesn’t matter.” He starts walking again and I fall behind him, peeking into various rooms as we go. “Our building also serves as a training center for firemen, like Ken, who also want to become certified as a paramedic. Then he’ll need to pass the certification exam required of Nevada paramedics and we’ll have ourselves a damn fine double whammy, fireman slash paramedic.”
    Finally, we’re in his office and he tosses me a ‘LVF&R in training’ t-shirt.
    “Restroom is around the corner. I’ll give you a temporary badge when you get back and have you sign these.” He points to a notebook. I hurry off and switch shirts and am back in just a few moments.
    “These forms basically say you hold us harmless of any injury—physical or mental—you might receive, even death, while on this ride-along. Still game?”
    I scan the form and sign without giving myself too much time to think. I hand the clipboard back. “When do we start?”
    I nearly jump out of my skin as bells begin to clang. The Captain breaks out into a big grin and says one word, “Guess.”

Chapter 9—Ken
    Stephanie skids around a corner, looking around. Her eyes are so wide they almost eat up her face.
    “Stephanie, that’s your cue,” Ed yells at her. “You can ride with us or in the truck. It’s up to you.”
    Stephanie bites her lower lip, her eyes still wide as saucers. “What’s the call for?”
    “Looks like another wreck on the 215, not sure of the injuries. You game or not?” chides Octavio. “Don’t worry, you can sit in the truck if it gets too hairy for you.” He cuts her some slack. “After seeing you in action the other day, I don’t think you’ll have that problem.”
    Stephanie grins at the compliment and yells her best macho yell, “Fuck that, I’m in!”
    Who is this girl? She isn’t the same one who fled the restaurant a couple hours ago. Fuck me, I like both sides of her—the soft and the bold. I watch her tits bounce as she gives Octavio a high-five. My dick versus my brain, the same old story.
    Octavio tosses her a helmet. “Just in case. You can sit up front with me.” Did he just put his hand on her ass to give her a boost?
    Before I can even think about why that matters, Captain Frank grabs his jacket off the rack and runs towards the rig. “Ken, it’s your turn to drive, let’s get rollin’.”
    Grabbing my helmet and pulling up my suspenders, I open the door and grab the pillar, pulling myself up. No need for the girly step. I love driving, almost as much as I love first responder medicine.
    Driving down Pecos, it’s a short drive to the freeway on-ramp. Traffic’s already backed up a quarter mile. This isn’t good. “Captain, should we go the long way?”
    Reviewing the accident coordinates again in his mind, Frank agrees. “Yeah, head up to Eastern, we can come in the other side. I’ll call dispatch and make sure the emergency lane is clear.”
    I hope this is just a typical whiplash