Spotlight: My Wild Irish Dragon by Ashlyn Chase
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About the Book
ONE JOB OPENING
TWO SHIFTERS APPLY…
SPARKS FLY
Dragon shifter Chloe Arish is hell-bent on becoming a Boston firefighter. She uses her Irish charm and fake documents to score an interview, knowing she has to work every bit as hard as a man—harder if she wants their respect.
Born into a legendary Boston firefighting family, phoenix shifter Ryan Fierro can’t possibly let someone best him on the training course or the job. He’d never hear the end of it. When a feisty new recruit comes along who’s determined to do just that, Ryan plots to kick her out—until their sizzling chemistry turns explosive…
Excerpt
Ryan Fierro stared after the retreating figure of an incredibly surprising woman. She’d embarrassed him in front of an old family friend, and if it got back to his large, legendary firefighting family, he’d never hear the end of it. Even with that, he couldn’t help being impressed by the slender blonde.
She didn’t look back as she rounded the corner. Behind him, the chief’s door clicked shut.
Oh no. He wasn’t about to leave Chief O’Brian with that as his final impression. He pounded on the door.
As if the chief had been expecting a reaction, he opened it right away. He didn’t stand aside, however. Apparently they were to have their parting words right there in the hallway.
“You can’t… I mean… I hope you won’t consider her based on that little stunt she just pulled.”
Chief O’Brian folded his arms. “Not at all.”
Ryan let out a relieved breath—until the chief spoke again.
“I was already considering her.”
What? “But my family… If I lose out to a girl…” He scrubbed his hand over his face. He didn’t know how to finish that sentence. They’d never respect me? Never forgive me?
Sure, his mother would. She was a saint. Her face should be in psychology textbooks next to the words “unconditional love.” His father and six brothers, however, were another story. Their Sunday dinner conversations were unmatched when it came to firefighting bravado.
The chief clasped his shoulder. “Look, Ryan, I have to consider every candidate who makes it this far. I’m sure you understand that. It’s nothing personal.”
“Nothing personal? It sounds as if you’ve already decided.”
“Not at all.”
The chief took a good look at Ryan’s face, which must have been etched with worry lines. At last he lowered his voice and said, conspiratorially, “I’m going to speak to the commissioner. Perhaps we can find the funds to hire both of you.”
So it all comes down to money. What a surprise…not.
There wasn’t a damn thing Ryan could do about a budget. He doubted the chief could influence the commissioner—or the mayor—into allotting more money, even for the pricey Back Bay neighborhood. They had recently lost two firefighters in the line of duty. He’d heard one had already been replaced, but he assumed he would be replacing the other one.
Ryan gazed at his feet and nodded. “I understand. Well, thank you for the opportunity.”
“You’re not out of the race yet, boy. Something could still come from the background checks, or any number of things. I want to be fair and thorough. Don’t get discouraged if there’s a bit of a wait.”
“I won’t, sir.” The chief extended his hand and Ryan grasped it firmly. The handshake felt like a formal dismissal.
As the chief’s door closed, Ryan thought that maybe he should do a little background checking too. Just in case they missed something on the blonde.
About Ashlyn Chase
ASHLYN CHASE specializes in characters that reinvent themselves, having reinvented herself numerous times. She has a degree in behavioral sciences and has worked as a psychiatric and a Red Cross nurse for several years. She lives with her real-life hero husband in New Hampshire.
