Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire
crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts…
Smoke jumper Lincoln Reid
is speechless to see Jacob Hartman among his squad’s new recruits. Linc had
promised his late best friend he’d stay away from his little brother. And yet here
Jacob is…and almost instantly, the same temptation Linc has always felt around
him is causing way too many problems.
Jacob gets everyone’s
concerns, but he’s waited years for his shot at joining the elite smoke jumping
team, hoping to honor his brother’s memory. He’s ready to tackle any challenge
Linc throws his way, and senses the chemistry between them—chemistry Linc
insists on ignoring—is still alive and kicking. This time, Jacob’s determined
to get what he wants.
Close quarters and high
stakes make it difficult for Linc to keep his resolve, never mind do so while
also making sure the rookie’s safe. But the closer they get, the more Linc’s
plan to leave at the end of the season risks him breaking another promise: the
one his heart wants to make to Jacob.
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[…] Linc ended up heading
outside to the firepit like he hadn’t known all along where he was headed.
Jacob was just working on lighting the thing as the evening temperatures
dropped.
“Need a hand?” he asked,
squatting down next to him.
“Yours? Always.” Jacob was far
too flirty for his family being close by, but Linc liked the warmth in his tone
too much to call him on it.
“Here.” Linc handed him some
kindling. Same as with the baby, they worked together silently, doing this task
like they’d done it a thousand times before, when the reality was that the
firepit had always been Wyatt’s domain, not Jacob’s. He liked working alongside
Jacob, something that had both annoyed and buoyed him the last week, the way
Jacob could often read his mind, anticipate what he was about to ask.
And somehow once the fire
was going, they ended up the only two out there in the big wooden chairs, alone
but not really. They sat in a companionable silence for a while before Jacob
shifted, leaning forward, voice a bare whisper. “You know, I’ve been thinking—”
“Please don’t.” Linc wasn’t
trying to be funny. The look on Jacob’s face, at once mischievous and earnest,
so damn appealing, both turned him on and put him immediately on edge.
“We need to get this—” Jacob
gestured between them “—out of our systems. Once and for all.”
“No.” It didn’t work like
that, and it spoke to how damn young Jacob still was that he thought it did.
“Hear me out. One night.
Then we can concentrate on work after. Put it behind us. Take away the mystery
maybe.”
Linc snorted. It might be simply curiosity
for Jacob, but it sure wasn’t for him. “It wouldn’t work.”
“Maybe not, but I at least want to try.
You don’t?”
“I’m not an itch you scratch once.”
“That sure of yourself, huh?”
More like he was that sure of Jacob, but
he said nothing, just stood. His no might be firm now, but he wasn’t made of
iron either. Enough wheedling from Jacob and he might get twisted up enough to
agree to that ridiculous plan.
“Night. You have a nice time now with your
family. And see you tomorrow. At work.” He chose his words carefully, reminding
them both about the two big reasons they couldn’t do anything foolish.
“Just think about it,” Jacob urged.
“It’s cake time!” someone called from the
house, saving Linc from answering. But he would. He’d think about it all right.
He’d think about it tonight, alone in his bed. And probably tomorrow, in the
shower. And he’d want it, just like he had for years now, every cell in his
body aware of what he could have but wouldn’t allow himself. Lord, how he’d want
it, especially now that Jacob had made this diabolical little offer. One
night.
And it didn’t help that a small piece of
himself kept whispering, It might work. Never know. It could work. That
part was wrong, of course, but it spoke to his want, wormed its way into his
thoughts until he wasn’t sure how long his willpower could hold out.
About Annabeth Albert
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her
favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a
variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to
redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.
Connect with Annabeth Albert
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