Chief Distraction by Stella Kelly Read Free Book Online Page A

we have 270 fire fighters, fifteen fire
stations across the three islands, ten fire stations in Maui alone.”
    “That’s a lot of muscle and testosterone. Any
female fire fighters?”
    “Two at other stations. Wanna join? I’m sure
we’d love having you around.”
    Blythe’s face flushed. He could tell she enjoyed
his flirtations. “Tell me about your equipment,” she blurted before realizing
how it sounded.
    Mak coughed a little and laughed. “My equipment
or the station’s?”
    Blythe’s cheeks flushed even more if it were
possible and she grimaced. “The station’s of course.”
    “Well, we have fifteen fire engines, five
tankers, three rescue boats, eleven utility vehicles, three personal water
crafts, three mini-trucks, two helicopters, and my personal fave, the hummer as
mentioned.”
    “So lots of machine to back up the muscle. And
don’t tell me, each and every vehicle has been blessed.”
    “In a special ceremony, yep.”
    Blythe wrote feverishly until the waitress
arrived to take their order.
    “So how may calls do you get a year, on
average?”
    “About eight thousand, give or take a thousand
depending on the year.”
    Blythe’s face flashed with obvious worry, “So
you endanger yourself that often?”
    “Not exactly, but thanks for your concern. That
number includes major and minor fires, medical calls, technical rescues, car
accidents, and natural disasters.”
    “Like floods, hurricanes, high surf, stuff like
that?”
    “Yep. And mudslides.”
    Blythe flipped the page and kept writing. Again,
Mak took advantage of her absent gaze to stare her down and devour her beauty
as he inhaled the scent of her luscious perfume. She intoxicated him to no end.
Did she have any clue what she was doing to him?

 
                      <><><>

 
    Over
the course of the meal, the conversation veered away from Chief Kalani’s career
into new territory, as directed deliberately by Blythe.
    “How about your family. Are you married? Kids?”
she pried, trying to get a reaction.
    “Um, no.”
    “Why not? A good looking guy like you?”
She noticed him stall as he rubbed his clean-shaven chin, thinking. “It’s
complicated.”
    “Oh, how so?”
    “Man, you really are a reporter. Can’t you turn
that skill off for a minute? We’re here to talk about wildfires, not my wild
personal life.”
    His use of the word ‘wild’ made her sit up
straighter. “Sorry, I get carried away. And you’re right, your wild personal
life is none of my business, although I’m tempted to ask what your definition
of wild is.”
    Chief Kalani laughed. “Very tame, I can assure
you. I’m a pretty simple guy. Just fighting fires and big wave windsurfing,
that’s it.”
    “I can one-up you in simplicity,” Blythe said as
their eyes locked. “I only have a career, nothing more. No hobbies.”
    “Nothing?”
    “Nothing.”
    “What about sports?”
    “Nope. I’m a city girl, remember?”
    “A haloe , I forgot. No cooking or shopping
addictions?”
    “Cooking? Are you seriously asking me that
question after the ham incident?”
    “Right, forgot about that too,” he shook his
head and smiled. “Your sister was right. You should come out to Big Beach with
me sometime. Get on a board. I’ll show you a few things.”
    Blythe fought a grin. From what she knew about
his reputation, he probably could teach her a few things. But she wasn’t that type of girl. She
suspected she wasn’t wild enough even though he claimed to be tame. Besides, his
supposed curse was like an invisible force field keeping her at bay –
that and her secret. Her practical side fought his intriguing lure, but it took
a lot of energy not to succumb. Especially after seeing him half naked at Makena
Beach yesterday. Those images of his taut, tanned physique were burned into her
brain forever.

 
 
    After
they ate, they chatted lightly about the island and some of the harrowing
rescues he’d been a part of until he paid the