Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning in for a kiss. Judd immediately stopped talking and kissed me as if it had been months since we’d last seen each other instead of hours.
When I finally pulled away to catch my breath, he was smiling. “I’d like to feed you my cookies.”
“Now you’re the one making it dirty,” I said with a laugh.
We teased and flirted as he pulled out the cookies, still warm from the oven. “What were you doing out in your truck if you just made these tonight?” I asked. When he’d pulled into the Timber lot, I’d assumed he’d been on a call or running errands.
“It was nine thirty, and you still weren’t here. I came looking for you.”
My stomach flipped. “Really?”
He nodded. “I missed you. And I wanted to see you in person so I could make it official. I’d like to take you out on a date. A real one.”
I stared at him. Judd Kincaid was seriously asking me out? And calling it a real date?
“I would invite you to my sister’s wedding in Napa the weekend after next, but I would imagine a Marian family wedding weekend as a first date would kill any chance at a second date.”
He laughed as he propped himself on the edge of the kitchen counter. “I think you’re right. Baby steps. I was thinking maybe we could head up to Billings and check out the deals at a big-box store I know.”
I moved between his legs and put my hands on his chest. “You could always take me to the Palomino. Make all those other boys jealous.”
He leaned in and kissed me. “They’d be jealous, alright. I’d be there with the most beautiful man in Montana on my arm.”
All of this was a dream. One I didn’t want to wake from.
“Maybe we could just go see a movie,” I suggested. “I’ve never gotten to hold hands in a movie with a guy.”
He nodded. “Dinner and a movie it is. Also, I’m headed to a conference that weekend, so even if I was brave enough for a Marian wedding, I wouldn’t be available. But I’m counting on you regaling me with tales of flammable decorations, the venue exceeding capacity, and unsafe storage of alcohol. It’s the Marians, after all.”
I tickled him in retaliation, which led to the sexiest wrestling competition of my life and ended in a shouted orgasm with my head hanging off one side of the bed while Judd finger-fucked me into oblivion.
“Anything else I can do for you, Firebug?” he teased breathlessly after he fed me his cock while I was still high from my own orgasm.
“Need my special effects permit reinstated,” I croaked, my voice still wrecked from the abuse of my throat.
Instead of killing the mood, my words made his deep laugh echo around the room.
“I reinstated it three weeks ago. Don’t you ever check your email?”
Sure enough, the next day at work, I found an email from early October.
Dear Mr. Marian,
Following review of the incident and confirmation of your compliance with fire safety protocols, the suspension of Timber’s special effects permit has been lifted effective immediately.
Your establishment is once again authorized to use approved special effects in accordance with Legacy Fire Department regulations. Please ensure continued adherence to all safety measures in place, including staff training, proper equipment use, and routine inspections.
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to maintaining a safe environment for both your staff and patrons.
Respectfully,
Judd Kincaid
Fire Chief
Legacy Fire Department
I closed my eyes and pictured Judd Kincaid’s face the way it looked when he’d barked at me to come a few hours earlier in the shower. His eyes dark as pitch, his jaw clenched, and his entire focus on my pleasure.
Respectfully, my ass. Knowing Judd the way I did now, I knew he wished he could revoke that permit permanently, if only to keep me safe. It had most likely taken all of his self-control and professionalism to write that email.
While he knew now that it was a twenty-year-old who’d made the mistake that had led to the bar top fire, he still hated anything that put people in danger.
And I understood now the reason for his vigilance.
I hoped he understood that I wasn’t a shot-slinging bartender at a club in a big city, trying to impress people for tips. I cared deeply for Timber and its people, and that included feeling responsible for the historic building it was in.
I hit Reply on the email.
Dear Chief Kincaid,
I know how hard that was for you to send, and I appreciate it. Timber and its people will take the utmost care to make sure we continue to serve the people of Legacy with strict adherence to all such safety measures and concerns. Thank you for your trust in us.