Wildcat: A Strong Woman Firefighter Romance comes out today. So you'll love this secret chapter

Dodging reporters, Cleveland defensive end Trevor Hampton got to one of the phones in the locker room. He called her house first.

Her answering machine picked up on the fourth ring, and he hung up. It was late enough that she should have been home.

He dialed a different number.

“Hello, Firehouse 15,” her voice answered on the second ring.

“Hey, Leslie. It’s Trevor. Why are you at work?”

“I’m at work because I’m a firefighter, and firehouses are open twenty-four seven.”

“I thought you were twenty-four hours on and forty-eight hours off. Shouldn’t you work tomorrow?”

“No. My shift got split. This is actually your fault.”

“How is it my fault?” Trevor asked.

“Because you turned my entire firehouse into Browns fanatics. A guy on C shift swapped most of his shift today for mine tomorrow so he could watch the game. It’s after midnight, and he’ll be taking over.”

“You watched the game?”

“No, I didn’t watch the game. I never watch the game. They put me on desk during the game so they can watch the game.” She was testy at midnight.

“So you didn’t see the game?” he confirmed.

“No. Did you lose?”

“No, we won. It’s preseason, and we kicked the asses of the Chicago Bears.”

“Are you having an emergency which requires the services of Firehouse 15? I’m at work.” Her tone was all business.

“I’m’ at work too. I’m calling you from the locker room. I want our date, and now I know you’re free tonight.”

“You won a football game, and you want a date after midnight?”

“What I really want is to take you back to your apartment and relive Friday night.”

“I’m down for that,” she offered too swiftly.

“Nope. I’m a principled guy, and I need food. I want you in that dress. We’re going to a steakhouse. You eat steak?” He could eat a nice, rare, red steak. Then he could eat out his redhead.

“You watched me eat a McRib. It could have been steak or pork or rat. One problem: it’s late. Everything is closed.”

“Not to me. We have a club for this. Private rooms. I’ll pick you up, take you there with the dress on, take you to your place, and then take the dress off.”

“Can’t we do that and skip dinner?”

“Not a chance. I like to win, but I need to play the game first.”

There was a noise on her end. “Hey, Jim. Good game, right?” More noises. “Yes, I’m heading straight home right now.”

She hung up her phone, and Trevor jumped in the shower, skipping all interviews today. He had a date.

If you love alpha males with soft sides who meet their matches in strong women, then Wildcat: A Strong Woman Firefighter Romance is perfect for you!