Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“So, the sex includes food, does it? Another rule, Thorne?”
He shrugged. “On occasion. Appetizer or dessert. Whichever you prefer.”
“What if I want both?” I asked, holding my breath.
He reached over, curling his hand around my thigh.
“Not a problem, Pixie. Not a problem.”
Chapter Seventeen
CASEY
The texts started the day he left for his next three-day shift. Simple at first.
I left the door inside unlocked.
I had to grin at his hint.
Great.
Miller ok?
I shook my head.
Yes. He is fine. It’s only been four hours.
Just checking. You good?
Fine as well. Trying to work.
I can take a hint.
Be sure to lock the doors tonight.
What was he doing? Was he worrying about me?
Thank God you reminded me.
I am sensing sarcasm.
You are a smart man.
He took the hint, but it struck me as odd. He usually only sent one or two short texts to check on Miller. He was being chatty.
Later that night, there were more.
Everything ok?
Thorne, are you expecting Armageddon? Everything is FINE.
Okay.
Work go okay for you? How’s the website coming along?
Do you want a progress report?
?
I drew in a deep breath, then grinned and typed a reply.
The new one is going well. The old one I’m trying to fix—yikes. The design is overclocking UX. So now, it’s a DDoS mess. Owner is lax with weak-ass auth. Allows bots in like it’s Free Beer night at Dusty’s.
Um, riveting.
You asked. Some men find tech a turn-on.
You’re my turn-on.
If I were there in your bunk with you, I’d turn you on.
Stop it.
I’d turn your software into a hard drive and ramp up your output until you ran out of memory.
Jesus. I am getting turned on now.
Careful. If that monster gets loose, it’ll be knocking on the bunk above you and scaring someone.
LOL – you are so good for my ego. I hate to tell you, but we have single beds, not bunks anymore.
Just speaking the truth. And stop ruining my fantasies.
Okay, then. Live your dream. Night, Pixie.
Night, Thorne.
No kiss goodnight? You gave me one last night. Several actually.
PITA – xx
Stingy.
Me – XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Better. Night.
I stared at my phone for a few moments, rereading the texts. I liked teasing, funny Thorne. He was usually so serious. Although, I had to admit, since we’d slept together, he’d been different. Lighter. Quicker to smile.
I wondered if he’d stay that way.
I was busy working on the website the next afternoon when my phone pinged with an incoming text. I broke into a smile when I saw it was Thorne again.
So I forgot to tell you, next week there’s an open house at the station. The public can come in, look around, ask questions, meet the crews. You could come if you want. I mean, if you were interested.
I would love to. Can I ride in a fire truck?
You can ride a firefighter if you want.
Cool. Which one?
ME, Pixie. You can ride me.
Oh. I thought you were offering something different.
You can ride me cowgirl style if you want something different, but it will still be with me. Clear?
Okay, then. Crystal.
Mark Wednesday off.
Done, boss.
Stop bothering me at work, Pixie. I’m a busy man.
I started laughing at that text. Teasing Thorne was still around. That was good news. I hoped he was around when he got home tomorrow. Maybe I would cook him a roast with extra gravy.
Go back to shining the truck, mister.
For your information, I’m shining the brass.
As in knob? LOL
I’ll leave that up to you for now.
I snickered at his humor, and my phone finally stopped pinging with incoming texts. I stared at the screen, grinning. I did like to rile him up. I had never ridden cowgirl style, and for fun, I looked it up, my eyes widening when I watched the screen.
I was definitely holding him to that one.
JESSE
I shut my locker, towel-drying my hair. I was anxious for this shift to end. To go home. See Miller.
Fuck Casey.
It was strange how much I missed her. Our fun texts seemed only to amplify that feeling. It wasn’t one I was used to, and I told myself it was because this was new. Different.
I ignored the laughter in my head. I was getting used to it being there. And thinking I would have her out of my system in a day or two proved to be wrong. I wanted her more now than ever.
I pulled on a fire station T-shirt and pants, ready in case we got a last-minute call. It had been busy yesterday, but today had been spent mostly in drills and card games. The sun was high and summer almost here. I was looking forward to taking some time off, planning some trips in the truck, Miller beside me as we explored parks, camped, and enjoyed nature.
I dismissed the thought of Casey joining us. This wasn’t a relationship. We’d set those ground rules very clearly.
And I disregarded the fact that we were both lousy at following rules. Or that, at times, I was tempted to sway from that one—it felt like a relationship of some kind.