Burn (L.A. Untamed #2) (34 page)
Read Burn (L.A. Untamed #2) Online
Authors: Ruth Clampett
She turned to me with an alarmed look and then narrowed her eyes as she slowly nodded her head. “Sure Murphy, two carats or nothing. I don’t come cheap.”
We were on a roll and it felt great. “Okay, two carats it is. Nothing’s too good for my sweetheart.”
She was close enough that I reached over and grabbed her by the hips, and pulled her to my lap. “You’re mine, woman. Go big or go home.”
I imagine the guys could hear the roar of laughter from the living room.
That night was the first time we made love since the firestorm. I’d been fighting my raw need for her from the day we left the hospital, but I think we were both afraid to even try since I was such a physical mess. But once we were kissing and naked under the sheets, we figured out that being tender and slow could be satisfying too. Besides there was plenty of time later for wild stuff, this was about love.
After, I pulled her into my arms and she rested her head on my chest as she settled down.
“Do you remember that time at the station that I told you that I’d paid attention to you longer than you realized?”
She nodded and then snuggled further into me.
“Do you want to know what I meant?”
She paused and then nodded slowly. “If you want to tell me.”
I chuckled, it all sounded funny in the moment, when it wasn’t funny at all at the time.
“It was your first day at the station. From the moment I met you I knew.”
She lifted up and looked at me, her brow arched. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“I had no idea,” she said.
“Of course, I made sure you had no idea about how I felt. You were married, so it was impossible. After Sharon and all the game playing with other women I’d been with before her, I needed someone who’d be straight with me and always have my back. I realized you were exactly the kind of woman I’d always wanted, yet never had. You were right in front of me, but you couldn’t be mine. It was torture. I asked Chief if we could fix the schedules so I’d never be working with you.”
She looked up at me, recognition lighting up her face. “So after my marriage imploded . . .”
I nodded. “I knew this was my chance.”
“But I chased you,” she argued. “I offered my land to you.”
“And I accepted,” I said. “I knew you needed time, and that was the one thing I had on my side. I’m a patient man.”
“Wow,” she said.
“Wow?” I asked.
“Well, remind me not to play cards with you because I bet you’re masterful at not showing your hand.”
So the weeks passed and good things were happening. Trisha’s house sold above asking price after only two days on the market, despite or perhaps because of, all that fancy furniture inside.
And I had to hand it to her ex, Mike—his friend Bruno was a craftsman and artist and he fixed Betty up beyond what I’d hoped for. Mike also insisted on paying for the work that insurance didn’t cover from his part of the house proceeds.
I respected him for that, stepping up like a man and following up with Bruno and sending me pictures of the progress when I couldn’t physically get there. Through the process of my healing and Betty’s repair, we found our peace.
It took a while to get Trisha to agree to our plot of land in the hills of Burbank. After Malibu she didn’t want to live anywhere near wild brush. But I convinced her saying what were the odds that we’d be trapped in a wildfire again. As I figure it, we have a free pass for life.
Yesterday we went to see the progress on the KitHaus that Trisha wanted in our “compound” as she calls it. The modular home that she calls Burt, is bigger than Betty and not on wheels, but all stream-lined and modern. Jeanine had told her about the L.A. company that designs and builds them.
The best part is that now I get to tease her that it’s
kind-of
a tiny house. She teases me back that she needed a back-up place to sleep when I piss her off. But based on the full kitchen that’s the focal point of the space I suspect she was angling to get me cooking again. I think I might be ready to do just that.
We went for the whole thing—the hot-tub, the outdoor shower, and a wide deck between Betty and Burt. It should all be done right before I return to work at the station. I’ve really appreciated Jeanine putting us up, but I’m ready for Trisha and I to be in our own place so we can start our new life together.
So now as Trisha sits across from me on the deck attached to Jeanine’s guesthouse, I’m sure you aren’t surprised to know that there’s nothing about this woman that I’ll ever take for granted. Trisha gave me life, not just that day in Malibu, but the day she let me into her heart and gave me a reason to take a chance on love again.
Every day, one way or another, I thank her for saving me. She normally tells me to shut up, or rolls her eyes and says that I would’ve done it for her or any of the guys. But today she falls quiet instead.
Reaching over, she takes my hand, and squeezes it gently.
“So now we’re even,” she says.
“How’s that?” I ask, and wait for her snarky reply.
“We saved each other, Joe.”
God I love this woman.
My breath catches as our eyes meet. She nods. There’s an intensity in her gaze that can’t be denied. I hold my arms open. “Come here, sweetheart.”
She gives me a lazy smile and navigates her way onto my lap carefully. She doesn’t need to be so tentative. I keep telling her not to worry. I’m healed and strong as ever, albeit with a metal rod in my leg.
When I pull her close, she nuzzles her face against my neck.
“This is nice,” she whispers
“Hmm,” I hum. “I love you, T. Rex.”
I can feel her lips spread into a smile, and I swear I sense her heart fluttering as she lets out a contented sigh.
“Ditto, Murphy. Now shut up and give me a kiss.”
And I do.
Also by Ruth Clampett
Wet ~ L.A. Untamed Series Book 1
Work of Art ~ Book 1 The Inspiration
Work of Art ~ Book 2 The Unveiling
Work of Art ~ Book 3 The Masterpiece
Many thanks to those of you that
take a moment to leave a review
~ it’s much appreciated.
Acknowledgements
The experience of writing this book made my admiration for firefighters and their families grow tenfold. I have so much appreciation and respect for the brave women and men that put their own safety on the line to help others.
Thank you to my wonderful friends who have held my hand through the creation of this story: Erika, Susi, Dawn, Kellie, Suzie, Lisa, Glorya and DJ. And a big shout out to my #1 girl, my daughter Alex, who always inspires me and lets me know she’s proud of my efforts. It was such fun working with her on the BURN trailer.
I love our community of indie bloggers, authors, and readers and I’m so grateful for their support of my work. Thank you!
Huge thanks to my wonderful content editor, Angela Borda, who with great humor and grace pointed me back to the correct path with this story every time I veered off course. Her many talents and kindness make me look forward to the editing process.
My cover designer, Jada D’Lee is the yin to my bookcover yang. She puts up with my nit picky ways and outlandish suggestions. The requirements for the BURN cover had all the potential to create a hot mess ☺ and yet once again Jada made magic. Thank you so so much, my friend.
It’s been a delight working on promoting BURN with Jenn Watson from Social Butterfly PR. She has an astounding ability to calmly talk me through my anxious musings, and make me laugh at all the crazy. Our friendship is the icing on the cake.
Thank you Flavia Viotti and Meire Dias of Bookcase Agency for believing in me, and my stories. I appreciate your support so much.
Many thanks to Melissa, of There For You Editing, for cleaning up the error of my ways…and to Christine of Perfectly Publishable for doing a terrific job formatting.
Love and thanks also to smart friends Elli, Helena, Marla and Angie who all contributed to the book’s final polish. And a special second shout out to Elli Reid for her amazing and inspiring Pinterest board for BURN.
Finally, a heartfelt thanks to you, dear reader. Writing is my passion and I love my characters like old friends. The fact that you read my work and share your enthusiasm for it completes the circle of joy for me in a profound way. I am very grateful.
About the Author
Ruth Clampett is a 21
st
century woman aspiring to be Wonder Woman . . . now if she could only find her cape and magic lasso. Meanwhile she’s juggling motherhood, a full-time job running her own art business, and writing romance late at night. Travel is her second obsession after writing, and it’s enabled her to meet reader and writer friends all over the world. She’s happily frazzled, and wouldn’t change a thing about her crazy life.
The rooms in her home are all painted different colors and her books are equally varied, infusing humor, drama, and passion into the romantic lives of strong heroines and their worthy and determined counterparts.
Ruth has published seven books:
Animate Me
,
Mr. 365,
the
Work of Art Trilogy, WET and BURN
. She grew up and still happily resides in Los Angeles, and is heavily supervised by her teenage daughter, lovingly referred to as Snarky, who loves traveling with her mom with a sketchbook in hand.
Connect with Ruth
For book stuff:
Facebook ~ Ruth Clampett Writes
For a more general stuff: