Page 1 of Ignite

Chapter 1

Accidental Ignition

“AnotherscorchingdayinAustralia and we’re setting new records. Can the temperatures get higher or the dams lower? The total fire ban remains in force. Only a couple of months to go before the start of the fire season. Don’t leave it until the last minute to prepare your property or sign up for the Rural Fire Service. In other local news, the Meringa Hawks are looking to welcome their new Captain-Coach to town. After the first-grade rugby league team experienced a disappointing loss in the grand final, is Ethan Cooper the solution? This reporter can’t wait for next season.”

Ethan Cooper

“Are you damn well kidding me?”

In my year from hell and before I’d even had time to track down a second coffee, this day had decided to claim the title ofWorst Day Ever.

The airbag had smacked me in the face, but not before my head ricocheted against the headrest. My left hand felt trapped against the stupid satellite navigation controls, and I doubted I’d ever find 223 River Street in the dead-end country town of Meringa.

“Fuuuuuck!”

I didn’t have time for some asshole to hit me from behind.

For no reason.

I mean, the traffic lights were red. Was the idiot so damn clueless that they didn’t see either the red light or my old Ford Courier utility truck sitting patiently? Or did they figure that my insurance would pay out more than the decades-old beast was worth? Yeah, they’d have been right—if I could afford insurance.

Then again, if I could afford to insure my ute, I wouldn’t have traveled halfway across New South Wales for a football coaching job in a two-bit town. Country rugby league didn’t pay much even if it was for the first-grade team, but my love of the football code was the only thing I had left.

“Shit!”

The airbag slowly deflated, introducing me to the main street of my new hometown. Half a dozen people stood along the wide footpath, gawking at what must have been the highlight of their year. Behind them, shops that had seen better decades boasted family names with not a major franchise or supermarket in sight. It was a wonder the town even had a set of traffic lights.

Move on, people, I wanted to shout and wave them away.There’s nothing to see until football season starts and I show you what you spent your fundraising dollars to buy.

I jumped at the gentle tap on my window, my nerves already shot to hell.

“What!”

Immediately, my mood improved, and I clicked at my neck while trying to figure out the best play here. Wounded football star? Or the victim of a horrendous accident who could only be healed by the loving hands of a bad woman?

Whatever. Karma had finally decided to take a break and let me have one moment of happiness. The woman looking at me with concern through the window could make every dream come true—as long as she was still in my bed in the morning. Her full lips mouthed, “Are you alright?”

I wasn’t, but in her bed, I could be.

Waiting for my response, she brushed short, nude nails through her light brown hair. I liked her low-maintenance look, but it was her eyes that hit me. Large, soft brown orbs were offset against her creamy complexion with a sexy smattering of freckles. Natural. Perfect. And from the ringless hand still tapping on my window, unmarried.

Even better, I thought hopefully, I could play this scenario for all it was worth. If she’d seen the accident, we’d get to know each other by exchanging details, and then I’d buy her a coffee as a thank you for her witness statement.

Hello, asshole world my old friend.You’ve taken everything from me this year. Is this my reward?

“Are you okay?” The vision yanked open my unlocked door, giving me a first-row seat to the long, tanned legs under denim shorts—oh, yes, please.

Thank you, mama.I sent a silent prayer up to the one woman I’d loved. I was about to break a year-long drought that I’d never intentionally signed up for, but the woman standing in front of me could be my undoing. Was this town filled with naturally beautiful women or had I struck gold by being struck from behind?

“I’m so sorry—“ The stranger continued before I could decide on a killer opening line, “I didn’t see you—I didn’t mean to—are you okay?”

Hope and desire immediately deflated to the same shape as the airbag.

Shit. Dumbass fuckery. I couldn’t fucking catch a break.

She wasn’t my reward for the last year. She wasn’t anything but another thing life had decided to throw my way.

She. Hit. Me.

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