Page 4 of Light My Fire

I notice they’ve dropped luggage on the hardwood floor.

Luggage.

Oh, God.

They’restayinghere?

I can’t tell if Luke thinks it’s a good surprise or a bad one.

The stranger-to-me, who has a pleasant and easy smile, is unlacing his boots. He stands back up and eyes all of us curiously. He has a sharp jawline and adorable dimples in his brown cheeks.

“I take it you’re Brooke, Blake’s sister. Hi, I’m Jackson.”

“Uh, hi, Jackson. Nice to meet you. Yes, I’m Brooke,” I manage to choke out. “Blake’s sister.”

I mentally groan at myself. He just said that.

I’ve never been great at social situations, especially ones I’m not prepared for. I prefer animals to crowds.

Not that this is a crowd, but it certainly feels that way. I cannot believe I’m being confronted by three gorgeous guys and I’m in pajamas with orange fingertips. My hand flies to my head. And a messy bun with unbrushed hair. I try to straighten my bun but all that does is cause it to flop from the right to the left.

It also reminds me that I’m not wearing a bra.

Something Luke seems to have noticed. His eyes drift to my chest. I’m wearing a tight soft gray tank top with a loose granny sweater half-falling off of my shoulders. My tight nipples are clearly visible.

“Sorry we’re crashing your party by showing up early,” Jackson says, glancing over at my wine bottle and glass.

I have books and unhealthy snacks strewn all over the coffee table.

Sadly, this is the kind of party I have on a regular basis.

Not only am I an introvert, I’m also very busy in my third year of vet school. This is a typical Friday night for me. Just normally, I do it back at my apartment in Minneapolis.

“I’m just here on spring break, studying. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Jackson grins. “That isnothow I did spring break. Which probably explains why I don’t have a college degree, just a lot of dropped classes.”

I have no idea what to say to that.

Jackson is wearing an expensive looking winter coat better suited for strolling downtown than hiking in the woods. His boots look brand new. But that’s not what is interesting to meabout him. It’s the easy, confident smile, his sharp cheekbones, and his easy stance. He’s both very handsome and clearly self-assured, in spite of his teasing words.

“You’re early?” I ask, trying to figure out why they’re standing here in my brother’s cabin. “For what?”

“Guys’ weekend,” Luke says.

“Yeah, we’re going to fish, hike, drink beer around a bonfire, play poker.” Wyatt steps forward in his socks, leaving his duffel bag on the floor behind him. “Your grandma thought we should come early since there’s a storm rolling in.”

He holds his arms out to me for a hug and I step in automatically, out of politeness, and because this may be my only chance to be this close to a man with this many muscles. I’m not sure our level of acquaintance really warrants a hello hug, but I’m not about to turn it down.

It feels as good as I imagined. He smells like soap and fresh air and he envelopes my body like a weighted blanket has been tossed over me. My nipples press against his sweatshirt, the scraping contact making them even tighter. Over Wyatt’s shoulder, I see Luke watching us steadily, intently.

Again, I can’t read his expression.

That, and Wyatt’s grip tightening on me, his hand drifting down to my lower back, has me pulling back quickly.

Then I register what he said. Wait a second. “My grandmother told you to come early?” I ask, crossing my arms tightly over my chest.

“Yep.”

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