“What I wouldn’t give to be at this rodeo and watch the sparks fly.” Rock hummed some stupid love song.
“Leave it alone,” I growled, although I had a good idea. “Although…” I glanced from one to the other. “It’s a charity event. There’s going to be some rescue groups there. We want picture ops to spread good cheer. You three are going to be there.”
“No way, man,” Dante huffed.
“Oh, you owe me. If you don’t, I’m going to tell your girlfriend you whistled at another girl when we were at Ziggy’s.”
Denver bent over laughing.
“Don’t think you’re getting away scot free. I saw you on the mechanical bull that night. I took a picture.”
“You did not!”
As soon as I pulled out my phone from my bag, he tried to grab it. “Blackmail. And Rock…”
“Fine,” he snapped. “We’ll be there to help. It’s all for a good cause.”
“Then you’ve been assigned to get as many smokejumpers there as possible.”
I was proud of myself for turning the tables. Now I could grin. Maybe the event wouldn’t turn out to be such a bad thing after all.
“You’re a shithead, Axe man,” Rock hissed under his breath.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Alright. Let’s roll, dudes. I have a date tonight.” Dante strutted by me, backing away as soon as I gave him a look and my finger.
After taking a gulp of water, I realized I’d gotten a text. Seeing it was from Kenzie, I couldn’t help but smile, even if I felt a twinge of disappointment. What did I expect, for her to be gushy? That wasn’t McKenzie Sterling’s style.
Kenzie:Be safe.
No, she was balls to the wall, a go-getter who refused to allow a surly guy like me to push her buttons. She pushed back. Damn if my cock wasn’t twitching. All I wanted to do at this point was to protect her. Just like before.
Only this time, the situation we were dealing with felt more dangerous. What I’d told her was true. I was worried she’d push her way into a situation she couldn’t get out of. She thought nothing could beat her. What she didn’t understand was that people who committed arson had no care about who they killed.
Which was why I didn’t trust her father and had made a phone call to an old buddy of mine in the justice department to see if there was any chance he was linked to the old mill site. If so, that could mean he was behind the arsons. I prayed to God I was wrong, but I was willing to do whatever it took to protect her.
Now, all I wanted to do was to call her, but had a feeling she needed time to sort everything out. Plus, I’d soon lose reception on my phone. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t pine away for her.
“Oh, the lover boy in action,” Rock teased as he walked by.
“Fuck off.” While I knew there were obstacles, for the first time I was happy.
And even more than that, the guys were right. She was the one.
The only one for me.
* * *
Kenzie
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight.” As my mother looked up from the book she was reading, she had a concerned look on her face.
“I just thought I’d drop by and see how you were doing.”
“I’m fine. Come sit with me.” After placing the book on the end table, she removed her glasses. “Grab a drink.”
“I’m okay for now.”
