Page 33 of Deck the Fire Halls

I put my hand to my heart, wounded. “No, no burning. As a firefighter, that’s a smoke hazard. And as a gay man, it’s a crying shame should you bring harm to my most favorite pride pajamas in the world.”

He looked a mix of embarrassed, amused, and a little mad. It was cute. He ignored all mention of the pride pajamas. “And I don’t want you to walk to work on my behalf. That’s unfair to you and inconsiderate of me. Plus, I’m awake at that time, so it’s not a bother.”

I finished pulling my socks on, then plucked my sweater off the back of the couch. “I don’t walkto work.”

“Oh.”

“I jog.”

He rolled his eyes. “Is that somehow better? Because I think it’s actually worse.”

I pulled the sweater on, giving my abs a pat before the sweater covered them too. “I need to keep fit. You’re doing me a favor.”

He blinked at my now sweater-covered midsection, then as if he’d lost his train of thought, his eyes met mine and he sighed. “I’m so sorry. Please feel free to ride to work. I don’t want Harley to blame me...” He winced, presumably at himself. “You know what? I totally should have called instead of coming over. Your body is lovel—house. Yourhouseis lovely. Oh my god.” He put his hand on the door handle. “You know, on second thought, I don’t think dinner is a good idea?—”

I stalked over, pressing my hand on the door, caging him against it. He spun around and we were so, so close. “I think dinner’s a great idea,” I murmured. “And thank you for the compliment. On my house and my body. I like to take care of both. I feel a burning need to take care of everything I consider mine.”

Was that ridiculously cheesy and laden with sexual innuendo? Hell yes. Did I care? No. Because it totally worked.

He sucked back a breath, his cheeks a wonderful pink. “Soren, I...”

That was beginning to sound a lot like a knock-back, so I smiled at him and gave him some space. “Hold on one sec,” I said as I pulled my boots on, then took my coat off the hook by the door. I met hisgaze, still smiling brightly, and acted as if he weren’t just about to tell me this was a bad idea. “Are you ready? I’m starving and we’re already a bit late.”

He blinked a few times and swallowed hard. “Uh, sure.” This time when he opened the door, I held it for him and pulled it closed behind us.

Now, if he genuinely didn’t want to start anything with me, then I’d take his no for what it was. But I got the feeling that was just a knee-jerk reaction, a measure to guard his heart. From the way he looked at me, from how he blushed and kept looking at my lips, I was more than certain he did want something with me.

He just needed some time. Time to get settled, time to see that I was genuine. So I could give him that.

We fell into step beside each other down the sidewalk toward Main Street. The night was dark, cold, and crisp. Our breaths were steam, our boots crunching in the snow.

“You’re already used to walking in the snow,” I said, remembering how he’d slipped and slid a little the other night.

Then, right on cue, he slid a little and I was quick to grab his arm.

“Whoa,” he said. “You jinxed me.”

I laughed, reluctantly letting him go. “Sorry.” I was really only sorry he hadn’t fallen closer into me, brushed up against me, perhaps. “You okay?”

He nodded and we began walking again. “So you were out at a job today?” he asked. “You mentioned sap.”

“Yeah. A barn fire out on Cottonwood Road.”

His eyes met mine, alarmed. “Oh goodness.”

“Nothing too serious, thankfully. Welding sparks and dust and hay are never a good combination. He wasn’t hurt, didn’t lose any animals or equipment. Gonna need some new walls though.”

“Is that the kind of thing you have to deal with a lot?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Was it like that at your last job?”

“In Missoula? Not really. More house fires, warehouses, cars, abandoned houses, that kind of thing.”

He made a face. “More of a human element.”

“Yep. Not all bad though. Got to save a few people. Made it all worth it.”

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