Firefly Mountain by Christine DePetrillo Page B

getting anywhere near him with her camera no matter how much fun the other fighters were having.
    ****
    “Tuck the pup under your chin, Steven.” Gini adjusted her camera lens. “That’s it right there. Perfect.” She looked at the current firefighter model and enjoyed the way the sun made his skin all golden. He had a ripped chest and arms so corded with muscles she was certain he could crush her with a hug.
    Haddy fanned herself as she stood next to Gini. “The temperature escalated like twenty degrees back here when he took that shirt off,” she whispered.
    Gini giggled and snapped her camera. She pulled it off the tripod and went in for some closer shots, experimenting with the light and perspective. Haddy’s golden retriever wiggled in Steven’s oversized hands, but his grip surrounded the small pup easily.
    “This calendar is going to be awesome,” Gini said.
    Steven smiled then sneezed.
    “Bless you.” Gini pulled her camera from her eye. “Steven, are you allergic to dogs?”
    He nodded, long eyelashes fanning across his cheeks as he looked down.
    “Yikes. Haddy, get that pup away from him.”
    Haddy rushed in and scooped up the dog. Gini put her camera back on the tripod. Steven slipped into his shirt.
    “Why didn’t you say something, Steven?” Gini asked. “I could have given you another animal.”
    “Wouldn’t matter. I’m allergic to all of them.” Steven shrugged and dug his heel into the dirt.
    “Well, why did you agree to do this then?” Haddy asked. “Not that we’re sorry you did. You looked amazing holding Spike.” She bounced the puppy in her arms.
    “It was only for a few minutes.” Steven sneezed again and Haddy offered him a tissue. “I didn’t want to let you down, Gini.” He blew his nose.
    Gini patted his cheek. “Thanks, Steven. I appreciate it.”
    “You appreciate it enough to kiss me?” He stuffed the tissue into his pocket and grinned.
    “Nice try.” Gini waggled a finger. “How about a kiss on the cheek?”
    “I’ll take what I can get.”
    Gini rose to her toes and pecked Steven’s right cheek. He kept his hands by his sides like a gentleman and tipped his head.
    “Thanks. That should carry me along.” He gave Haddy a quick hug and headed for his car.
    “Tell Nick and Drew they’re up next.”
    Steven waved a hand in acknowledgement and slid into his car. As he drove off, Haddy sidled up beside Gini.
    “I could photograph firefighters for the rest of my life.” Her voice was light and dreamy.
    “We’re already halfway through unfortunately.” Gini tapped the schedule stuck to a clipboard.
    “Pity. Such beautiful scenery.” Haddy shook her head. “I loved the way Jonah looked next to my Titan.” She rubbed her Doberman’s silky black back as the dog pushed his nose into her leg.
    “I’ll put Jonah in May for your birthday.”
    “That’d be nice. Who are you going to put in July for you?” Haddy reloaded the film in Gini’s second camera so it would be ready for the next round of shots.
    “Haven’t seen anything I truly like yet.” Gini pulled the saddle off Nyx, figuring she’d do some bareback poses with the next guys.
    “Or,” Haddy said, “you’ve seen what you truly like, but he won’t let you take his picture.”
    Gini brushed Nyx’s ebony coat until it shimmered like a puddle in moonlight. “Don’t think I’ve given up on photographing Patrick. I have a plan.”
    “What kind of plan? Sneak attack?”
    “No, that wouldn’t be fair. I’m going to reel him into my net of charm then persuade him to let me take his picture.”
    “Net of charm? Sounds devious,” Haddy said. “I like it.”
    “He’s just shy being new here and all.” Gini thought about Patrick’s rudeness when they first met and knew that wasn’t the kind of guy he was. Not after spending time with him last night. She’d come on too forceful that first meeting. Now she knew how to handle Patrick. He required gentle, subtle, sweet. She could be