Page 15 of Sparks Fly

“A night beneath the stars for our first date, huh?” she drawls, her lips curling into a smirk. “My, my, how presumptuous of you, Lieutenant Hunter!” She punctuates her words with a playful wink, delighting in the way Hallie’s cheeks flush an even deeper shade.

“What? No, I didn’t mean—I just thought it would be nice to—” Hallie stammers.

But Kaia just giggles, cutting her off with a wave of her hand.

“I’m just teasing. It sounds romantic as fuck. Besides… I already let you take advantage of me in the showers. I don’t intend to play coy, now.”

Hallie can’t seem to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“You’re incorrigible, you know that, Montgomery?” she murmurs, shaking her head. “But you’ve got yourself a date.”

They both manage to relax into a comfortable routine over the following days, content in the shared knowledge that they can act freely once the weekend comes. Even during their one-on-one sessions, they maintain a professional demeanor, conscious that they could be spotted at any moment appearing too close.

By the time Friday rolls around, Kaia is wound tight with anticipation, practically skipping out the door after the final debriefing. Hallie watches her from where she leans against the desk at the front of the room, an obvious smirk spread across her sharp features.

“Big plans this weekend, Montgomery?”

“Nah, nothing too exciting, Lieutenant. Just happy to have some time to kick back,” Kaia throws over her shoulder, relishing Hallie’s scoffed laugh in response.

The following morning, Hallie pulls up outside Kaia’s apartment building in her sand-crusted truck, bright and early. Kaia can’t help throwing sidelong glances her way throughout their drive beyond the city limits, her blood heating with every shameless perusal of Hallie’s muscular frame exposed by her shorts and tank top.

“I’m so looking forward to a day of hiking with you under the desert sun,” she jokes, pulling at the neck of her already damp t-shirt. “Making me sweat even on our day off. You must be some kind of crazy sadist. Or masochist, seeing as it’s also your day off. Either way… crazy,” she finishes with a shrug.

Hallie chuckles, the sound warm and rich as the stunning terrain surrounding them.

“Hey, a good firefighter never stops training!” she says with a grin. “Besides, my family used to hike all the time back home. It’s in my blood.”

They eventually pull into the sheltered parking lot Hallie had selected for the start of their trail. Hoisting their packs onto their backs, Kaia bites back a groan at the weight of the supplies, determined as always to prove her strength to her unshakeable lieutenant.

The promised reward of a night with Hallie under the stars was more than enough to persuade her to hike this trail ten times over.

Intrigued by her earlier comment, Kaia peppers Hallie with questions as they start along the trail, eager to learn more about her past. Hallie indulges her, sharing stories of her childhood adventures and the tight-knit family that raised her to pursue her dreams.

As they walk, Kaia can’t help but steal glimpses of her date, admiring the way the sun glints off her golden hair, the way her muscles flex and ripple beneath her shining skin. The attraction between them is palpable, electric, and Kaia finds herself counting down the moments until they can relax in complete seclusion.

After a couple of hours of lighthearted conversation punctuated by stretches of slightly labored breathing, they reach Hallie’s favorite lookout spot. Kaia’s breath is taken from her completely as she surveys the flat ridge with a panoramic view of the desert valley below.

They work together to set up their small tent, Kaia settling into the comfortable rhythm of following Hallie’s instructions. Every so often, their hands brush as they secure the poles, sending shivers down Kaia’s spine.

As the sun begins to set, painting the sky in vivid golds and oranges, the two of them sit side-by-side at the edge of the ridge, their feet dangling over the ledge. The view is stunning, but Kaia finds herself more captivated by the woman beside her, the way the fading light dances across her features, softening them in a way Kaia has never seen before.

“I’m a little jealous, you know,” Kaia admits quietly, after a long moment of silence spent looking out over the beautiful desert. “Of how close your family is. I wish I had that.”

Hallie turns to look at her, her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?” she asks softly. “Aren’t you close with your family?”

Kaia sighs, picking at a loose thread on her shorts. “Yes and no,” she mumbles. “My mom and brothers are great; we’ve always been really tight. But my parents had a messy divorce when I was young.”

She takes a deep breath before continuing, the words spilling out of her in the comfortable safety of Hallie’s presence. “All my time with Dad was kinda tense after that, every other weekend. He was… Well, you already know how he feels about my career choices. He’s always treated me so differently from my brothers. Made a point of constantly reminding me that I’m a girl, that I couldn’t just follow everything they did.”

Hallie reaches over and takes Kaia’s hand, entwining their fingers.

“That must have been rough,” she murmurs, her thumb stroking soothing circles over Kaia’s knuckles. “He should be proud of everything you’ve achieved. But even if he isn’t, I know your mom must be, and your brothers. I know it’s easier said than done, but don’t let his judgement drown out your own pride in yourself.”

Kaia meets Hallie’s eyes, seeing the empathy shining there, and has to swallow against the lump forming in her throat.

“Thank you. I could never have predicted in a million years that this would happen.” She gestures between them, glancing down at their joined hands. “But, since that first day I walked into the station, all I’ve wanted to do is prove myself to you. To the one person I’ve met who truly understands what I’m going through and has beaten the odds to silence all the asshole men out there who doubted her.”

Hallie smiles, giving Kaia’s fingers a reassuring squeeze. She leans in, her lips finding the rookie’s for a soft, tender kiss.

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