Kayla Perrin - Burning Desire

Their passion’s rising…

Ever since the tragedy that tore through his life, Mason Foley guards his heart, never letting any woman get too close. Yet the gorgeous, independent Sabrina Crawford is perfect for a sizzling fling, even if she does seem resistant to his charms. He’ll just have to turn up the heat, igniting a longing the hard-to-get wedding photographer can’t resist.

Once burned is enough for Sabrina to swear off a man’s touch forever. But it’s impossible to ignore the hunky San Diego firefighter who’s making her temperature soar. And when Mason puts his life on the line to save hers, Sabrina knows she’s found her ultimate hero. If she gives in, though, is she headed down the road to heartbreak once again? Or will she find a love to keep her soul ablaze forever?

Lord help her, that first touch of his mouth on hers was like she had touched a live wire. She felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her body. It was as though a part of her had been shocked back to life.

Her heart pounded out of control as Mason began to move his lips over hers with tantalizing slowness. Sweet heat spread through her.

And it felt so good.

Sabrina let herself surrender to the kiss. She let herself surrender to this gorgeous man. Because there was something thrilling about being chased….

But then thoughts filled her brain that jarred her from the moment. Cat and mouse. A game. This wasn’t real, just something for Mason to entertain himself with.

Her lust subsiding, Sabrina broke the kiss and pushed him away from her, then quickly stepped past him.

She breathed in and out heavily, catching her breath. Regaining her sanity. Why had she allowed him to kiss her like that? As though he had any rights to her?

“Why did you do that?” she demanded. “And after I told you to leave.”

“Are you saying you didn’t like it?”

“You can’t just go around kissing people! There are laws against that!”

Mason flashed her an easy smile. “If I’m guilty of liking you, then I’ll do the time.”

KAYLA PERRIN

has been writing since the age of thirteen and once entertained the idea of becoming a teacher. Instead, she has become a USA TODAY and Essence bestselling author of dozens of mainstream and romance novels, and has been recognized for her talent, including twice winning Romance Writers of America’s Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year Award. She has also won the Career Achievement Award for multicultural romance from RT Book Reviews. Kayla lives with her daughter in Ontario, Canada.

Burning

Desire

Kayla Perrin

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Dear Reader,

What is it about a uniform that makes a man that much sexier? Whether a police officer, naval captain or firefighter, there’s something incredibly sexy about a man in uniform.

Maybe it’s the fact that we know the men wearing these uniforms are strong, noble and can save you when your life is in duress. Or maybe it’s just because they look good in their attire.

Sabrina Crawford has what many would consider a dream job: she’s creating the annual firefighter’s calendar. But for her, it’s just another job. Having suffered one too many heartbreaks at the hands of a gorgeous man, she’s immune to the men she’s photographing. Though Mason Foley certainly gets her blood boiling—in more ways than one. Sabrina’s determined not to succumb to his charms. Mason is determined to make her his.

Welcome to the world of the Ocean City Fire Department. I’m excited to be writing about firefighters for the first time in a new series for Mills & Boon Kimani Romance. I hope you enjoy the first book!

Kayla Perrin

This book is dedicated to first responders everywhere.

Thank you for your brave acts of heroism that make a difference in people’s lives every day.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 1

The flames raged out of control, consuming Jodi’s Steakhouse, a popular new restaurant in Ocean City’s downtown core. The sparks flickered in the night, illuminating the dark sky in a dance that was both magical and menacing.

Mason Foley, captain at Station Two of the Ocean City Fire Department, led the charge, doing what he did best—battling the fire. In many ways, he was like a gladiator stepping into a coliseum, knowing that with each battle it was kill or be killed.

And he would do everything in his power to emerge the victor.

At least there was no one inside the building, something that had been determined from the initial 911 call. And when Mason and his team had first gone into the building, they had used their thermal cameras to determine that indeed, there were no bodies inside. Given that it was nearly four in the morning, it hadn’t been likely that they would find anyone in the restaurant, but you could never be too sure.

But despite the early hour, there was chaos around him on the downtown streets. People who were up at this time had converged on the scene to watch the firefighters battle the blaze. Others observed from the windows of the condominium across the street.

While some captains did more overseeing and doling out of responsibilities at a fire scene, Mason believed in getting his hands dirty. After giving his team directions, he and Omar Duncan, a friend as well as a colleague, held a hose on the dying flames licking the inside of the building. Firefighters from the ladder truck had vented the roof, and then proceeded to attack the fire with hoses from the aerial ladder.

An hour and a half later, the fire was out. The battle was won. And most importantly, the men and women of Station Two had kept the fire from spreading to the neighboring restaurants.

Mason’s body was filled with adrenaline, and though he should be tired, he didn’t feel any exhaustion. He pulled his oxygen mask from his face as he exited the building. He walked to the middle of the street and surveyed the damage. Smoke still billowed into the sky, and the once upscale restaurant was now a burned-out shell.

Tyler, one of his best friends and the engineer in charge of the pump truck, approached him and gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Good job, man.”

“You, too.”

Tyler followed Mason’s line of sight to the burned structure, then faced him again. “I know that look. What are you thinking?”

“Second restaurant fire in a week? Same hour of night? I’m wondering if we’ve got a serial arsonist on our hands.”

“The same thought crossed my mind,” Tyler said.

Mason walked back toward the building, passing firefighters who were drinking water and opening their heavy jackets to cool down. He headed straight for the restaurant’s back door to see if his hunch was right. Amid the debris he found what he had at the other scene, five days earlier. Signs that the back door had been pried open, as well as a discarded gasoline can in the back alley.