Page 37 of Burning Hearts

But was it enough?

Logan leaned down until his lips were a breath from hers.

A screen door creaked. “Jubal, come ’ere! Let’s eat!”

Logan turned his face away and put his forehead on her shoulder. She heard the groan leave his lips. “Grizz.”

The dog shook off, his tags jingling, and headed for the men’s cabin.

And the moment was over.

Maybe it was for the best. Jamie stepped back. “Like I said. Thanks.”

Logan nodded. “Anytime.”

And it seemed like he really meant it.

NINE

“Wheels are rolling out in five!”Mitch backed out the front door of the men’s cabin and let it snap shut.

Logan downed the rest of the coffee from the mug he’d been staring into for at least the last ten minutes. Kind of like the way he’d stared at the ceiling last night rather than sleeping. Going around and around over the fact he actuallyhadbeen about to kiss Jamie when Grizz came out and interrupted them. Unceremoniously calling the dog in to dinner, knowing exactly what he was doing.

His ex-girlfriend was a billionaire.

Did she think he’d renewed his interest in her because of the money? Maybe it was better that they hadn’t kissed.

Maybe he should stick to his guns and let her go back to her life. After all, having her here reminded him of everything he had loved about her.

Okay, fine. Still did love about her.

Back when they were dating, he’d wanted to protect her. The same instinct that drove him to do his job. He’d found a woman who needed him to rescue her from the things about her life that he didn’t like. The ways she could wind up hurt or in danger because of her family.

Jamie was exactly the kind of woman who would confront a drug dealer and try to pay back what her mom or brother owed them. Not that he thought Tristan had ever been mixed up in drugs.

Now he knew he’d never bothered going below the surface with her. He’d only seen in her what he wanted to see: the kind of woman he’d been looking for.

One who needed him to save her.

Logan set the mug upside down in the sink and grabbed his pack, sliding his feet into his boots. Everyone filed out, and he followed the crowd toward the runway, where the plane sat with the engine running. Neil was under the wing with a clipboard in his jumpsuit, already doing preflight checks.

Jade and Cadee came down the steps of their cabin. Sanchez followed them, probably to go with the rest of the hotshots into the bus. Tucker and Mitch would brief them, while Jade preferred to do hers while they grabbed their chutes and got suited up to go.

The rest of the smokejumpers didn’t much care what area they were going to parachute into. They hit the ground, they fought the fire. Didn’t really matter where.

Logan looked at the women’s cabin front door.

Jade said, “She’s been working at the dining table for a couple of hours already. She was on a conference call when we left. Said to tell you to be safe and let her know if you see Tristan.”

Logan nodded. “Thanks.”

“Good thing we’re headed back out to check the compound.”

Skye headed toward them from the parking lot, coming from her car and carrying a paper coffee cup and brown paper takeout bag.

Vince called over to her. “Oh, looks like the walk of shame.”

Skye crumpled the paper takeout bag into a ball and tossed it at Vince’s face. “Want to tell my husband you’re calling it that?” She rolled her eyes.

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