Page 6 of Holiday Flame

My ears turn red and I tug at the collar of my flannel shirt, which suddenly feels hot against my neck.

“Could you keep it down?” I hiss. “People are staring at us.”

“Oh, let them. It’s a good joke.” Anderson wipes away at the tears now streaming down his face. “You couldn’t last till New Year’s.”

My jaw ticks. “I could so.”

“I’m pretty sure your chestnuts would fall off into a roasting fire if you didn’t use them.”

“I can go till the end of the month,” I say a little more loudly, straightening my spine and ignoring the curious stares from around us. “Hell, I bet I can go without well into the new year.”

Actually, this might be a good way to show Maverick just how serious I am. I already haven’t gone out with another woman in weeks. Staying celibate for a few more won’t kill me. Plus, I’d already planned on it.

In the meantime, I can focus on work and maybe even befriending Jade. Lay some groundwork. And at the end of it all, Maverick will see that I’ve put my Tom-catting ways behind me.

It’s almost too perfect of a plan.

Plus, I can wipe that shit-eating grin off Anderson’s face. And knowing our crew’s penchant for placing bets, maybe I can make this even more beneficial to me.

“Okay, how about this.” I cock my head to the side. “If I spend the holidays celibate, you’ll do my paperwork for a whole month.”

Anderson snorts. “And when you don’t last more than a few days?”

“He oversees all of the equipment prep for next season,” Maverick says. “For the whole team.”

Shit. That would take me forever to do. It’s a good thing I have no intention of losing this bet.

I extend my hand. “You have a deal gentlemen.”

No sooner have we all shook on the deal, then Maverick’s phone starts ringing. He checks the display and jumps to his feet.

“I’d better take this. It’s the wife.” He sighs. “Pregnancy cravings.”

Anderson nods in understanding. “I should probably check in on my woman too. The baby is teething.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes as they both leave to call their better halves. I plan to be a devoted and supportive partnerwhen my turn comes. But I guarantee you won’t catch me being so lame like my smokejumper brothers. Especially not on guy’s night.

“No, sir,” I mutter to myself,

I reach for my beer, but there’s a slight scuffle. I look up just in time to catch Jade.

As she falls into my lap.

THREE

JADE

Remington clears his throat and shifts underneath me. The slight movement only heightens the warm fluttering that has been present between my thighs ever since I saw him earlier this evening.

The pom on his Santa hat tickles my chin, and it’s all I can do not to giggle. Or moan.

“Jade,” he clears his throat. “What are you doing?“

Taking a deep breath, I push aside my nerves and try to recall all the advice my friends gave me. “Just sitting in the best seat in the house.”

His lips part in surprise. “What?”

“Well,” I swallow hard, determined to keep my courage now that I’m resolved on my course. “Seeing as how you’re Santa, and all, I thought

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