Page 36 of Some Cowboys Brave the Flames

Ash grabbed a handful of the flour without even looking at it. Charlie squealed and moved to dart away from him, but his arm reached out too quickly and ensnared her. It wrapped around her waist and pulled her against him. He held his hand over her head even though she pushed and shoved at his chest to be freed.

Laughter spilled from her lips as she shook her head. “Ash, don’t. You can’t?—”

Ash released the flour over her head, dousing her in a cloud of powder.

She gasped, blinking as the cloud dissipated. Preparing herself to lecture him on the wastefulness of what he’d just done, she lifted her eyes to meet his but only saw burning desire. His gaze pinned her like it had done so many times before. His arm tightened around her, making it impossible to slip away—though she wouldn’t have wanted to even if he’d given her the chance.

He brought his hand closer to her face, then rubbed his thumb over her lower lip. She tasted the flour immediately, and her tongue darted out to wipe it away. Without giving her a moment to make sense of his intentions, his mouth crashed down over hers, claiming her in a way she’d only dreamed about. He pushed his floured hand into her hair, and they clung to one another, giving up themselves in one of the rare moments they had alone together.

She soaked up his attention, the way he held her, the way she knew she’d never feel this safe or loved in another’s arms for the rest of her life. The blood in her ears roared like white water rapids. If she were to die in this moment, she would be content to have experienced the raw desire and passion that he’d given her.

Ash tore away from her.

No—he was torn from her.

In a flash of movement, loud voices, and broken dishes, Ash was yanked away from her. Daniel held his arms behind his back while Mason stood between herself and a surprised Ash. Neither one of them had heard her brothers come in while in the throes of their passionate kiss. And there were no words they could say to explain themselves.

Charlie screamed, “Daniel! Let him go!”

Ash wasn’t even struggling. He was only glaring Mason down. Out of all her brothers, Daniel would have been the onlyone strong enough to hold the firefighter back. He was taller and broader than Ash, but Ash made up for the height difference with all his training.

Charlie moved to get past Mason, but he threw his arm out to his side. “Go to your room, Charlie.”

She gaped. “What?”

He didn’t even bother looking at her. His voice was cool and menacing at the same time. “We’ll have a talk, later.”

She pushed his arm, but it remained immovable. “You’re not the boss of me.” It was likely a poor choice of words, but it was the only thing that came to mind. “Let him go, Daniel. Both of you need to leave right now.”

Daniel’s eyes darted from Mason to Charlie. There was a brief hesitation in the way he scowled—as if he might have had an inkling this relationship was taking place. But it quickly left when Mason whipped his head toward her. “I said getout.”

Charlie folded her arms. “I’m not leaving. Whatever you’re going to do, you’ll have to do it with me present.”

Mason growled. She’d never heard him so angry before. He was usually the level-headed, quiet one. Was he going to forcibly remove her? She wouldn’t have a chance against him if he threw her over his shoulder to accomplish it.

Her eyes darted to Ash, who still remained stone-faced and unmoving except for his heaving chest. She wanted to tell him to escape from Daniel’s grip. He could probably do it. He’d shown he knew so much more than he taught her in those self-defense classes. And yet he didn’t budge an inch.

Did he want this to happen?

Had he heard her brothers enter the house and allowed them to be caught?

Her stomach bottomed out at the thought.

Mason’s arm remained out to keep her from interfering, but she couldn’t bring herself to move either. All she could do waswatch Ash. He yanked his arms free from Daniel and rubbed his wrists, his eyes only flicking to her for a moment—but Mason didn’t miss it.

Her brother lunged forward and tackled Ash to the ground, knocking a nearby stool over and shattering its leg. Mason threw the first punch, and Ash’s head whipped to the side.

Charlie screamed again and bolted toward them, but it was Daniel who caught her around the waist and prevented her from interfering.

Ash could have fought back—could have knocked Mason on his backside if he’d wanted to, but he didn’t. He managed to get out from under Mason and back to his feet. She recognized the fighting stance, the way he held his fists up so he could block any oncoming attack. Why was he just letting Mason knock him around like that?

“Mason!” Charlie cried out. “Stop.”

Mason stood straight, his fists at his sides as he breathed heavily. “How long?” he demanded.

Ash glanced at her.

“Don’t look at her. How long have you been cheating on your girlfriend with my sister?” He spit the words, but Ash didn’t react.

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