Finn Ward has two passions: being a firefighter and being single. Although his parents are constantly nagging him to settle down, Finn just wants to enjoy himself while he's young. Then, at a union meeting, he meets a gorgeous lawyer with a dazzling smile-and suddenly, settling down doesn't sound so bad.
Rory Adams is fresh out of law school and looking to make a name for herself at her mother's firm. She doesn't have time for silly games anymore. But when she catches the eye of a dashing fireman who makes her body tingle from across the room, something instantly ignites between them. The only problem? Her father is Finn's boss.
Their relationship turns both of their lives upside-down. Rory tames Finn's wild ways, while he shows her that life can't be all work and no play. But it'll take some serious determination to keep their love secret-and real courage to admit the truth.
Release date:
April 4, 2017
Publisher:
Loveswept
Print pages:
350
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“It’s time to settle down. You’re almost twenty-seven.”
My mother’s voice was on repeat while my feet pounded the pavement beneath me. I dragged in a deep breath, the early fall air filling my lungs while I pushed myself harder as I ran through the Fens. I loved running in this park. It was close to my job and my condo. And not that I would ever admit it to anyone, but I loved the gardens. Picking up my speed, I headed down Boylston Street. Normally during my runs, I would stop at least once or twice to talk to a pretty girl looking my way, but today I wasn’t in the mood. Not after having dinner with my folks last night. Their constant nagging to settle down had me in a foul mood today.
“Morning, Finn!” Mr. Thomas called out.
Lifting my hand, I called back, “Morning, sir!”
“I’ve got fresh berries!”
Laughing, I spun around and ran backward. “I’ll be by when my shift is up!”
Turning back around, I picked up the pace.
My T-shirt was soaked with sweat as I made my way toward the firehouse. Stopping outside the open door, I rested my hands on my knees and took in a few deep breaths.
“Your birthday is coming up and you’re already feeling it, huh? Old age.”
I glanced up to see my best friend standing there with a smirk on his face. I shot Colton a dirty look. “Go to hell,” I mumbled as I straightened and walked into the building.
Slapping me on the back, he laughed. “Someone is grumpy. What’s wrong? Didn’t get laid last night?”
I grabbed a water and downed it. Tossing it in the trash, I replied, “No, I didn’t. I haven’t in the last week, and therein lies the problem. Well, that and the fact that my mother will not stop talking about me finding a girl and settling down.”
A look of horror moved over Colton’s face, and I chuckled. “What? Doesn’t she know you’re in your prime time of life right now? Endless pussy is bountiful.”
With a lighthearted laugh, as I headed upstairs to shower I responded, “Apparently not. My poor little sister Angela is taking the brunt of it, though. For some reason my mother is hell-bent on her finding a guy.”
“Have I ever told you your sister is hot?”
I stopped and turned to face him. “I don’t care how long we’ve been friends, don’t call my sister hot. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
Rob Mason, another firefighter, walked down the stairs past me and added, “Dude, your sister is hot.”
“Oh come on, Rob! Not you, too.”
Colton pushed me up the steps. “Come on, our shift starts soon and you stink.”
Twenty-four Hours Later
Walking into the conference room, I took a quick glance around. My eyes were immediately drawn to the curvy woman in the pencil skirt. That ass alone was enough to make my dick jump. I was drawn to her, and couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Shit, I need to get laid.
She was standing with her back to me talking to our new fire chief, Rick Adams. He was a hard-ass and had already formed his opinion of me and Colton as the station’s resident playboys. We were two of the younger guys in our house, even though we had both been in service for almost nine years.
“See something you like?” Colton asked with a slap on the back.
Grinning, I nodded my head. “Who is she?”
We took seats near the back. I had a clear view of the front podium where the speakers sat, and I hoped like hell she’d sit at the end of the table so I could see her. Everyone else quickly found seats.
“Lawyer with Adams, Burks, and Monroe.”
I lifted my brow and nodded. Zeb Clark sat next to me as he reached out for my hand. “What’s up, guys?”
Colton and I both gave him a head nod and replied at once, “Not much.”
“All right, let’s sit and listen to the same bullshit we always listen to,” Zeb whispered as I let out a halfhearted chuckle.
I appreciated our union, but damn these meetings were the same old shit time and time again.
The meeting hadn’t even started and I soon found myself nodding off to sleep. I forced myself to keep my eyes open as long as I could before my head dropped and I dozed off. I jerked awake when Colton hit my arm, then he leaned over and whispered, “The lawyer is watching you, and if you’re not careful, Adams is going see you back here sleeping.”
I lifted my eyes and caught hers. Holy shit. I could see the blue in her eyes from where I was sitting. The left corner of her mouth rose into a smirk while she shook her head. With a shrug, I gave her a wink, which made her blush.
Damn. If winking at her made her blush, what else could I do to make those cheeks turn such a beautiful rose color?
“I think I’m in love,” I whispered as Colton chuckled.
“I’m not gonna lie, she’s good-looking, but I don’t think she’s your type, dude.”
My head snapped over to him. “What makes you say that?” I asked in a hushed voice.
“Dude, look at her. The innocence is dripping off her. What are you going to do? Ask her to join you in a threesome?”
The idea of sharing her with anyone else made my stomach turn, and I didn’t even know this girl’s name. But with the way she kept glancing my way, I knew one thing for sure—she was as captivated by me as I was by her. Colton was right, though. She looked to be about our age, which meant she was fresh out of law school and most likely a workaholic. But damn, what I wouldn’t do to put my hands on that body.
When she looked back my way, I smiled bigger. The moment her teeth sunk into her lower lip, she grinned wider. I was screwed. Then, for some unknown reason, the room felt like it was spinning, and I lost my breath.
What. In. The. Hell. Just. Happened?
I glanced down as I dragged in air. My heart felt like it was sitting on the bottom of my stomach.
“Is it hot in here to you guys?” I asked while rubbing the back of my neck.
“No,” Colton and Zeb replied. My gaze moved back to her. I had to find out her name. Ask her out. Ask her to marry me . . .
No. Shit. Ask her out. Jesus, what is wrong with me?
All right, Ward, it’s time to get your game on. Play it cool.
When I glanced back at her, she was leaning over talking to the dick next to her. He was dressed in a suit, and I could tell from first look he was also a lawyer. The way he stared at her pissed me off.
“Ward, you look like you’re about to rip someone’s head off. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Pulling my stare off them, I tried to get a hold on these crazy-ass feelings I had.
“Um, it’s been a rough few days. Plus, I have a damn surprise birthday party my mother is throwing.”
Zeb hit my arm. “She still trying to fix you up?”
With a slight moan, I nodded my head.
It was strange how I felt her eyes on me. Glimpsing back over, I couldn’t help but smile at her again. When her tongue darted out and quickly licked her lips, my dick jumped. She pressed her mouth together, and I swear those blue eyes of hers shined even brighter.
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