Stay(13)

Braden sighed, and Wes wondered if he saw that already. Saw that Wes really was shit to have for a friend and definitely not good at anything more than that. That made sense, anyway. He might as well see how Wes was up front.

“I’m going to head out.” Braden stepped away from the sink but then stopped. “She’s a cool kid. I work three twelves, so I’m around four days a week. If you ever need help with her again, I’m around.”

“I’ll be working three twelves, too. I don’t know my days yet, but Lydia can usually pick her up from preschool. We only had a problem today because of being sick.”

Braden nodded and started for the door. Wes went behind him, telling himself it was just because he needed to lock up. Like Wes had earlier, Braden got as far as putting a hand on the doorknob before Wes’s voice stopped him. “Thanks. For helping out today. For rushing over here and...hell, for helping me at all. I know I’ve been a prick.”

Braden turned toward him. He had fire in his eyes. His square jaw sexy as hell, with that fucking hair Wes loved. He didn’t know which of them moved first—maybe both of them—but suddenly Braden’s mouth was on his and Wes pushed his tongue in, wanting nothing more than to taste him.

Hands were everywhere, Braden’s up the back of Wes’s shirt, hot callused hands against his flesh. Wes wrapped his arms around Braden, digging into Braden’s shoulder muscles that he’d been admiring earlier.

Braden’s mouth ripped from his, sliding down before his teeth bit into Wes’s neck. “Fuck, I’ve wanted to do this again since the last time.”

As much as he hated it, he had, too. This he could give—sex, release. But this time, this time he wanted Braden. He wanted to be the one doing the fucking.

Wes pushed him backward. Braden laughed as he hit the door, grabbing Wes and pulling Wes with him.

Their mouths fused together again when Jessie’s shaky voice broke through the haze. “Uncle Wes! I threw up!”

Wes jerked back. Fuck. Fuck! What had he been thinking?

“Shit. I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry,” Braden said. “Want me to help with her?”

Wes didn’t realize he was already walking away until he stopped to reply to Braden. “I got it. You can go.” He almost went for Jessie again but added, “I appreciate it, though.” Because he did. When he met the man, he’d assumed Braden was a flake. He seemed to coast through life just having fun, but the fact that he was here said a lot. The fact that he offered to help when Wes’s niece vomited said a lot. Damn it all to hell, because there was more to Braden then he’d realized. This would be a whole lot easier if there wasn’t.





Chapter Five


Braden ripped off his helmet and fell into place on the fire truck. His gloves came next before he dropped his head back against the side of the truck.

That had been a close one, a really fucking close one to get those people out before the building collapsed around them. He still felt the lingering effects of the heat. Adrenaline still pumped through his body, making his leg bounce up and down.

They’d done it. That was all that mattered to him. But like it always did after a fire, his body felt amped up even more than usual. Like he couldn’t catch up with himself. He still felt the woman’s body in his arms, high on the fact that he’d gotten her out because nothing else had been an option.

“Good job in there today, Roth,” Charlie, one of the men in his crew, said.

“Just doing my job.” He leaned a little as the truck took a corner.

It didn’t take them long to get back to the station. They took care of business, and a few hours later, he climbed into his truck after work. He should be dead on his feet. In a way he was, but that’s not really how Braden worked. There was no way he could rest and recoup tonight. His body still hadn’t shut down from the day.

When Charlie came out after him, Braden rolled down the window and called out, “Want to go grab a drink or something?”

Charlie shook his head. “Nah. Sarah would kick my ass.”

Braden chuckled. “You guys are back on this week, then?” They were always breaking up and getting back together. He couldn’t keep up with their relationship, not that he tried to.

“For good this time. We’re getting married.”

“No shit?”

Charlie nodded. “She always spoils my ass when there’s a big fire. Not missing out on it to have drinks with you.”

Braden couldn’t blame him. Instead of saying goodbye, he grinned, shook his head, and rolled the window up again, missing the cool air when he did. He loved fall in Colorado. Loved the slight crispness in the air. Not that you could always count on the weather there, but when it was like now, he thrived. Cool, sunny days and cold nights.