Page 28 of Sizzling In the Mountains

I know it’s boys’ night, but I can’t help myself. I just received the first calendar and I have to show the guys. They’re even more excited about it than I am.

Two middle-aged guys are punching each other in the cage as I run to my man’s regular table in the front while clutching the calendar to my chest. I don’t look at the fight. Instead, I look at James sitting there all relaxed. He’s not fighting anymore, which I’m happy about. He says that since he met me, he doesn’t feel the need to step into the cage. He told me that I’m all the adrenaline rush he needs.

How sweet is that?

His face lights up when he turns and sees me. “Victoria, what are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry to crash boys’ night,” I say, not wanting to be that girl. “But I got the calendar.”

“You did?!” Mason says, perking up. Everyone turns their attention to me as I lay it on the table.

“How come I’m not on the cover?!” Doug says, looking outraged. “I called dibs!”

“Again, we need more than just your mother to buy a copy,” Mason says with a laugh. “I thought we went over this.”

“James only got on the cover because he’s dating the photographer,” Doug says, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, that’s why,” Mason says with a laugh.

Anyone looking at the calendar would know why James is on the cover. He’s the sexiest man alive. Those tattoos, those arms, those eyes… I kind of want him all to myself right now.

Ethan grabs the calendar and flips through it until he gets to his picture in August. He grins when he sees the picture of himself leaning against the open door of the firetruck. “Man, I look good.”

“There are only six of you, so I used each of you twice,” I say when Ethan spots his second picture in November.

Doug flips to his second picture in May. He grins when he sees it. It’s the one of him spraying the fire extinguisher. He went a little crazy with it at the firehouse and made a huge mess, but the photo looks good.

“Mr. May,” he says with a satisfied grin.

Mason leans over to look and probably make a joke, but he slaps Doug on the back instead while nodding. “Looking good, Mr. May.”

Doug’s smile widens.

“Another hot white wine?” the gruff waitress asks as she comes over.

“No, thank you,” I say politely. “I’m leaving shortly.”

“What’s that?” she asks when she spots the calendar.

I grab it from Doug and show her the sexy cover. “Fireman’s calendar. Engine Company 38. Only twenty-five bucks.”

She digs a wad of cash from her apron and peels off a bunch of twenties. “I’ll take four. My sister will love it.”

“Yes!” I say with a fist pump as I take the money. “I have more in the car.”

I race out and run to my trunk. This is going to work. I know it will. I already set up a website and reached out to a few sites for promotion. I already got seven hundred and six pre-orders which I have to mail out this weekend.

I’m going to fix that library even if it kills me.

“Am I only on the cover because we’re sleeping together?”

I turn around and chuckle when I see James walking toward me. “You’re on the cover because that’s the sexiest photo in the history of photography.”

He walks right up to me and puts his strong possessive hand on my waist. I get a little shiver. He’s always giving me shivers.

“You should have chosen the one where I’m holding my hose,” he says with a sly grin.

“That one is only for me.”

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