Page 1 of Passions Ignite

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LUX

The soft morning light filtering through the blinds stirred Lux Valentine from her sleep. Her eyelids flickered open, slowly taking in the familiar sight in front of her: a powder-blue wall with abstract white designs streaking on it—her bedroom.

Lux stretched and blinked furiously again. The sheets felt warm against her bare skin, and she could feel them tease against her nipples.

A soft sigh caused her to turn. It was Phoebe, twisting and turning but still sound asleep. Lux turned her head slightly, taking in the peaceful sight of Phoebe—the gentle rise and fall of her breasts, the soft curve of her lips.

Phoebe always craved fiery, sensual lovemaking, and Lux wasn’t a stranger to fire. She was chief pilot at the Phoenix Ridge Fire Department.

With a sigh, Lux slipped out of bed, the cool hardwood floor satisfying under her bare feet. The room was a jumble of discarded clothes and half-empty wine glasses.

Her eyes caught sight of the digital clock on the wall:10:23 am.Being a helicopter pilot meant she had less free time onher hands. Phoenix Ridge was a forest fire hazard in summer, so firefighting from above was essential. Something none of her previous girlfriends ever understood.

Lux shrugged as she walked over to the wardrobe. What she shared with Phoebe was a fling, but it didn’t mean they couldn’t have a great time during it.

Her mind drifted aimlessly as she thought about her relationships in the last year. They’ve all been similar. No matter how much she tried to make it into a serious relationship, it never worked. They never saw how important working as a firefighter was to her. Lux felt like they never really saw her—the real her; they just liked the idea of her.

She had long decided to ignore relationships completely. What mattered to her was her job at the fire station, nothing more.

Lux slipped into her uniform.

As she pulled on her boots, the loneliness she kept tucked away floated to the surface. In the quiet moments, she wondered when—if—she’d ever find love. She managed to shrug off the thought and focus on getting dressed.

A sleepy voice called out from the bed, “Lux?”

Phoebe blinked, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

“Hey,” Lux replied, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Someone looks like they had a great time.”

“It’s always a great time with you,” Phoebe said. “I never want it to end.”

Lux paused, then continued getting dressed. She walked over to the mirror in the corner and fixed her tie. She could still feel Phoebe’s eyes following her intently.

“Leaving already?”

“Got to be at the station, Phoebe,” Lux said. “You know how it is.”

“Yeah, yeah. You show up, we make love, then you disappear.”

“Make love?” Lux snorted. “We fuck, Phoebe. I don’t make love.” She turned around. Phoebe propped herself on one elbow, pushing her hair out of her face.

“Forgive me, Lux.” Phoebe rolled her eyes. “I forget every time.”

“We’ve talked about this a million times before.” Lux turned back to the mirror. “I can’t deal with a relationship right now.”

“And why’s that?”

Lux sighed. She had gone over this so many times with Phoebe. She just didn’t have feelings like that for her. Yet, every single time, Phoebe always got clingy afterward.

“Phoebe, darling,” Lux said, “I can’t commit to anything serious right now. Maybe sometime in the future, but right now, I can’t.”

“Can’t make it official, you mean?” Phoebe asked.

Lux paused, her hand freezing mid-air. “Official?” she echoed, her smile fading. “Did you hear anything I just said?”

Phoebe nodded, her gaze unwavering. “You know, like...a real couple.”

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