An Inner Fire

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You Could Never Disappoint Me ~ Excerpt from 'An Inner Fire'

“I know you don’t like to hurt people. Don’t worry about disappointing me tonight, if you’ve changed your mind.”

His breath rushed fast and hot against her cheeks.

“If you want to wait, I’m okay, but once I start kissing you, I’m not sure I can stop.”

Her heart accelerated pulsating to every pressure point. She had never met a man like Davis. He didn’t want her to feel pressured, to feel she couldn’t say no. She could see the dark grains of stubble on his chin, his chest rising and falling with an uneven force.

“I haven’t changed my mind.”

He let out a shaking breath. “Now, I’m worried about disappointing you.”

Her heart expanded, danced. Davis, the tough, invincible male, showing his vulnerability. “Davis, you could never disappoint me.”

His calloused hands held her face and his lips explored her jaw, nibbling playfully. He teased her ear, whispering how sweet she was and how much he wanted her.

She outlined his full lower lip with her tongue, tugging on the sweet fullness. She felt the hitch of his breath against her chest. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she explored his mouth with her tongue, searching.

He pressed her against the refrigerator. The cold metal against her back with the heat of Davis moving against her front sent waves of pleasure. She wanted to feel his skin, to touch all of him.

“Can we move to the bedroom?” His voice strained against her ear, his breath burning.

She took his hand and led him the five steps to her bedroom. He pulled her back and kissed her deeply, his tongue thrusting in and out, showing her what he wanted from her. She sucked on his tongue, pulling it deep into her mouth, pulling them both into passion.

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More Than a Connection ~ Excerpt from 'An Inner Fire'

It was more than liking; it was a connection, a force. When Grayce had looked into his eyes, he had a sensation of transparency, as if she peered deep into his soul. He’d had the same unfamiliar sensation when she’d gazed at his dad’s picture in his office. She understood his loss; somehow she knew he had suffered when he could do nothing to stop the agonizing progression of his dad’s bone cancer.

Oblivious to the rain, he crossed Fremont Avenue. What had the receptionist said? Grayce was always taking care of everyone.

She had rushed to the rescue of an injured dog. It wasn’t hard to imagine Grayce Walters consoling anyone in pain. Obviously, the receptionist was one of her charity cases. But who took care of Grayce Walters?

During this visit, like in his office, she had appeared worried. Was her fear more pronounced today or was he more attentive? He had the same gut reaction then. Grayce Walters was hiding something. He didn’t suspect for a minute she was involved with the wharf fire. There was nothing criminal about the sensitive woman.

For the first time in his career, he doubted his ability to be objective about a witness.

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So Tasty ~ Excerpt from 'An Inner Fire'

Grayce stood in the doorway wearing his shirt. Mitzi stood behind her. A surge of possessiveness hit him in the gut. He wanted Grayce Walters to belong to him and only him.

“How long have I been asleep?” She stretched her arms over her head. He watched his shirt hike up to reveal her thighs, high enough to tantalize, high enough to cause heat to pool under his clothes, under his skin.

“Three hours.”

“Wow, I was really out. I had no idea I was so tired.”

“My fault. I didn’t plan on a workout when I invited you for dinner.”

A patch of red appeared on each cheek. A woman who blushed, a woman with no artifice.
How had he gotten so lucky?

“Are you working?”

“I was.” He stood. He wanted to go back to bed and do all the things they had done to each other and more. Desire drummed through him in a slow, steady beat. With her hair sleep-tousled around her shoulders, she looked like the cover of Maxim, like every hot-blooded male’s fantasy.

He pulled her into his arms. She smelled of lemon and warm, sleepy woman.

“Are you hungry?”

“I am, but you keep working. I’ll fix something.”

“I’m hungry too.” He leaned down, taking bites of her earlobe, nipping at her neck. “So tasty.”

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Remembering Henny the Fire Dog

Being a writer has introduced me to many amazing people, but one of the most memorable individuals I met was Henny the Fire Dog. An active, intelligent Lab, Henny initially flunked out of training as a seeing eye dog. The ATF recruited her to become an Accelerant Detection K9.

I met Henny and her human handler while researching arson investigation for my first contemporary romantic suspense, An Inner Fire, Book 1 in the Grayce Walters series. All of the firefighters and crew at the Seattle Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit were helpful, but Henny really made an impression. She embodied all of the qualities that make working canines true heroes: energy, dedication, drive, courage and affection.

I recently learned that Henny passed way after a quiet retirement with her handler and his family. She enjoyed trips and vacations and continued to interact with people until the end.

I wanted to share Henny’s story as a reminder than many of the elements in my stories are inspired by real people, real animals and real heroes. I hope my portrayal of working canines reflects the time, talent and commitment of the men and women who train them, handle them, and ultimately, love them.

See how Henny inspired my story, An Inner Fire. The book is currently free on Amazon.

A Special Touch ~ Excerpt from 'An Inner Fire'

Grayce’s morning passed quickly—a few minor behavior problems, adjustment to a new relationship, and hairballs.

Hollie appeared at her door. “Your new client’s here.” With her pierced eyebrow arched in contempt, Hollie emphasized new like it was infected.

Grayce nodded, trying to decipher Hollie’s odd behavior. Always loving with the animals, Hollie kept a safe, cool distance from two-legged clients. Hollie didn’t look cool.

Grayce scanned her schedule. “Mr. Davis with Mitzi, a standard poodle.”

Hollie returned with the new client. Grayce stared. She blinked twice. Mr. Davis was Lieutenant Davis. Bewildered to see the fire investigator in her office after last night’s nightmare, she blurted, “Has there been another fire?”

“No, I’m a patient. I mean my dog’s a patient.”

Grayce rechecked her patient list. “Mitzi?”

His face flushed when she used Mitzi’s name. Had she gotten the name wrong? She seldom did. The black poodle’s ears perked at the mention of her name.

“Yes, Mitzi.” His face remained red as he led his dog into the room. Grayce focused on the haughty poodle, limping protectively next to her owner. There was something about the spunky dog she couldn’t grasp.

Grayce couldn’t envision the lieutenant comfortable in the overstuffed chintz treatment chair. She gestured to the chair across from her desk. “Please be seated. How can I help you…and Mitzi?”

“Mitzi was injured at the fireground,” he said.

Grayce bent on one knee, not touching the stressed dog. “Mitzi, what an amazing protector.”

She never knew where the words came from when she spoke to animals, but she knew they came from a deep part of her. She offered the words while observing the effect of her voice. Mitzi outwardly appeared calm but her eyes remained alert, watchful.

Grayce gently touched Mitzi’s head, needing to comfort, connect with the injured dog. Showers of blue sparks danced in her peripheral vision like those from an overloaded circuit. The charge flowing from the dog to her hand topped any ampere scale. Lightheaded from the power surge, Grayce forced herself upright and stepped toward the old pine table that served as her desk.

Looking across the table, she saw Davis’ concern.

“I’m fine, just got up too quickly.” She knew he didn’t buy it, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

Read more contemporary romantic suspense: An Inner Fire