Light My Fire

5. Brooke

CHAPTER 5

Brooke

I don’t know if I’m proud of myself or horrified that I suggested Fifty Shades of Grey for our movie. How did that come out of my mouth?

Wine. I’m going to blame the wine.

Except that I’m sober right now.

Okay, I’m almost totally sober right now. I’m still a little sleep deprived and I’ve had more wine tonight than I have in months and I’m definitely feeling discombobulated by these three guys showing up and the snow storm and the power outage and everything, but I’m mostly sober.

Sober enough to know that watching that movie with these guys was a bad idea when I can’t get to my room and my vibrator for at least a couple more hours.

I’m definitely all hot and bothered now and wishing I’d chosen a silly comedy instead.

Sitting on Wyatt’s lap hadn’t helped. Especially feeling his erection pressing against my ass the entire time. Not that I had any desire to move. I was very comfortable. His big body is hard all over—muscle on top of muscle—but he’s so warm, and the way he wrapped his arms around me, his big hands resting on my thighs, his chin over my shoulder so our cheeks were right against each other made me feel safe and protected and, stupidly, cherished.

I mean, he doesn’t cherish me. Of course not. That’s ridiculous. But being wrapped up and held like that put that word in my head and I can’t shake it loose.

It’s how I hold scared dogs when they come into the shelter I volunteer at sometimes and how I cradled the three sick kittens my roommate and I found in college and nursed back to health in our dorm room before we had to find them permanent homes. Comforting. You’re-special-to-me. I’ll-take-care-of-you. All of that seemed to soak into me from his hold on me.

And yes, I’m aware that comparing myself to dogs and kittens probably isn’t sexy or even flattering, but I like how Wyatt makes me feel and I want more of it.

More of the way his hands would stroke up and down my thighs from time to time. too.

More of the way he eventually shifted so that his hands were resting on my lower stomach.

More of the way his warm breath felt against my neck.

My nipples wanted that warm breath on them. So did my inner thighs. And my pussy.

More of the hard-cock-against-my-ass part, too. Or against other parts of me.

I shift on the cushion where Wyatt left me after the movie ended and he said he was going to take a look at the generator. I would really like to slip down the hall to my room for a little alone time and take care of this horny-as-hell problem I suddenly have.

“Are you okay?”

I look over at Luke. He’s still in here with me on the couch, though the second—and I mean the second —the movie ended, he’d scooted away from Wyatt and I.

Wyatt had tried to get Luke and Jackson to both come out to look at the generator with him, but Luke had said he knew nothing about generators and Jackson said he didn’t have the right boots for tromping around in the snow.

I actually don’t believe either of them.

Luke oozes with competence and a take-charge air. He wanted to stay inside for some reason. And I don’t think it’s because he worries about the cold or snow. Firefighters battle fires in some of the worst conditions imaginable.

Which is so sexy. Whenever I look at Luke, I’m hit by a wave of God, he’s all man . It’s almost hard to look him directly in the eye. I wouldn’t call what I feel intimidated exactly, but I can just feel how much more experienced and mature he is. I’m sure he sees me as a little kid and if he knew how attracted I am to him, he’d laugh. He’d consider it a crush and nothing more.

Jackson, on the other hand, isn’t daunting at all. But he’s clearly a flirt and just likes to ruffle feathers. Luke’s, for sure. And mine, I think. He likes making me blush. He likes teasing me. But I don’t completely buy the playboy persona.

Wyatt says he just fucks around and Jackson said that he’s charming, good looking and rich twenty-four-seven, but I can tell there’s more underneath all of that swagger. He’s comfortable in his own skin. He clearly really likes Wyatt and Luke and has a meaningful friendship with them, and he didn’t blink an eye about sitting cross-legged on the floor to eat at the coffee table.

I don’t know many millionaires—my brother, who almost doesn’t count because I’ve known him forever and he’s a hockey player, not really a business-type millionaire, and now Jackson—but I don’t imagine many of them sit on the floor to eat loaded baked potatoes. Jackson also casually played with my hair during the movie. It was hanging down over my shoulder on the side where he was sitting, and I felt a gentle tug at one point and found him twirling the end of a strand around his finger. But his eyes were on the movie. It was almost as if he didn’t realize he was doing it. It was strangely sweet.

Still, Wyatt is definitely more my type. He’s easy going and just so damned nice . He seems to be so aware of me and wants to take care of me without being overbearing. I thought he was going to kiss me out on the deck before the power went out and I’d wanted that. So much.

So yeah, if I was going to get intimately involved with one of these guys, it would definitely be Wyatt.

Though they all make my heart beat faster and my body feel more aware and jumpy than I’m used to.

“Brooke?”

Luke’s deep voice pulls me from my thoughts and I realize I’ve been staring at him.

He leans in, a concerned frown on his handsome face. “Are you okay?” he repeats.

I nod. “Um, yeah.” My voice sounds scratchy. “Yes. Sorry, just thinking. And I’m…” Do not say horny. Do NOT say horny. “Tired.”

Luke’s concerned look doesn’t ease. “I don’t want you going to bed until Wyatt gets the generator working. It will be too cold in there.”

The four of us could snuggle together. Bet I’d be plenty warm then.

I scold my inner voice, who seems to be a bit overeager suddenly. “Right. Yeah, that’s true.” I force a smile. “I guess I could just sleep out here. By the fire.”

Luke looks almost pained by that suggestion. But he nods. “Yeah. We’re probably all stuck out here together if there’s no power.”

Wow, I imagine that’s how he’d say ‘we’re probably all going to need a root canal’.

Jackson soothes my ego, though. “I call Brooke’s couch.”

I smile at him. “My couch?”

“Wherever you’re gonna be,” he says with a wink. “You can keep me warm.”

I laugh. “Wait, I don’t know if I want the pressure of keeping you from getting frostbite.”

He grins. “No worries. I’m sure I’ll be able to find nice warm spots to put any…extremities… that might be in danger.”

I press my lips together as I feel tingles everywhere. Yeah, see, that flirty stuff is really easy for him, almost second nature. But there’s also this part of me that wants to dig deeper and find out what’s underneath all that charming fun stuff.

Not that charming fun is bad…

Luke makes a strange, low growling noise. “Knock it off.”

I look over, and he’s glaring at Jackson.

“Hey, you can take her other side,” Jackson says. “I’ll share. She’s not very big, but I’ll bet we can both find places to put our extremities.”

My tingles now sprout tingles. Because the extremities I immediately think of are not fingers and toes, and I’m certain Jackson’s emphasis on that word was intentional.

And just when I was thinking that Wyatt was my type and Luke thinks I’m just a kid, I’m now imagining myself in a Jackson and Luke sandwich.

I’m suddenly not feeling cold at all.

Luke shoves himself up off the couch and paces over to the fireplace to poke at the fire that doesn’t need poking.

“You want to go check on Wyatt and see how the generator is coming along?” Jackson asks him.

“No, I don’t,” Luke says shortly, his back to us.

I’m staring at his ass as he bends over. I’ll admit it.

“He might need some help,” Jackson says.

“Doubt it.”

“Maybe another pair of hands,” Jackson suggests. “I know I don’t need an extra pair in here.”

Luke turns and plants his hands on his hips. “If you’re worried about Wyatt, why don’t you go help him?”

“Because I’m afraid if I leave you alone with Brooke, you might bite her,” Jackson says.

I’m watching them toss words back and forth, but I frown at that. Did he mean to say ‘bite her head off’?

Luke’s gaze finally comes to me and stays for a long moment. I feel my pulse drumming. Shouldn’t he be saying something about not biting my head off? Or biting me at all?

“I’ll be nice,” he finally says.

Jackson smirks. “Well, nice is in the eye of the beholder.”

Luke’s eyes finally leave mine. “I’ll be better behaved than you will be,” Luke tells Jackson.

Jackson nods. “Oh, I have no doubt of that.”

What is going on? There is definitely innuendo here that I’m sensing but not entirely picking up.

Suddenly, the lights flicker on and the hum of the heating system fills the room.

“Fucking thank God,” Luke mutters.

“Hot tub!” Jackson says, his grin huge as he pushes up from the couch. He steps forward and holds out a hand. “Let’s go.”

“Oh, I…” I hadn’t brought my swimming suit. I’d sat out in the hot tub the first night I was here, but I was alone, so I’d gone naked, of course. “We should wait for it to warm up, don’t you think?”

Jackson reaches over and hauls me to my feet. “There was a lid on it, right? It hasn’t been that long. It will be warm enough.”

I guess I’ll be wearing a bra and panties out there. Because honestly, sitting in the hot tub does sound amazing. Now that the blanket is pooled at my feet, it’s cold in here.

“Okay,” I say. “Let me grab some towels.”

“Eureka!” Wyatt declares, coming into the room, grinning widely.

I can’t help but smile at him. He’s so cute. And it’s definitely sexy that he can fix things like generators. I hate to think what I would have done if I’d been here alone, honestly. I could have kept the fire going, but no way would I have been able to do a thing to the generator.

“My hero,” I tell him.

His eyes soften when he looks at me. “I like that.”

He tosses his gloves and hat on the table, and shucks out of his coat. He’s already taken his boots off. His fingers go to the button down flannel shirt he’s wearing. As he begins to unbutton, my eyes widen.

Then Jackson strips his sweater off and the shirt underneath, leaving him naked from the waist up.

“Need any help?” Jackson asks me. “Zippers or buttons you can’t reach?”

His grin is playful, and I grin back at him. “Um, nope. I actually need to go in and put more on .”

“You can’t wear clothes in the hot tub, sweetheart,” he says.

“No, not clothes,” I agree, gathering my sweater around my body. “But I need a bra.” There—might as well just lay it out there.

“You don’t need a bra,” Jackson says quickly.

“You wear whatever you want,” Luke says almost over the top of him.

I give Luke a smile. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” I spin on my heel and head for my bedroom.

Yeah, it’s freaking cold down here. I definitely don’t want to sleep in here until it warms back up. So I guess I’m killing time with the guys for the next few hours. No vibrator time for a while, I think, casting a glance at my bedside table.

But the hot tub will be fun.

I’m shaking with shivers by the time I strip, pull on a bra and change my panties so they match the pale blue bra. I know better than to wear white.

Or I could…

Stop being like that! Jackson would be a one-night stand at best and Luke would find that one more reason to think you’re ridiculous and be upset you’re crashing the boys’ weekend.

Wyatt would like it.

Yeah, well… maybe Wyatt and I will have time to explore each other’s underwear after this weekend.

And with all of those thoughts straightened out, I wrap myself in the fleece throw from the bottom of my bed and pad out into the hallway and to the living room.

Where I find myself alone.

But I know exactly where they are. They’re already in the hot tub. Which means I get to shed the blanket and climb into the tub in only my bra and panties with an audience.

You’ve worn swimming suits this same size, basically. Who cares?

But I do. Because I want them to care.

There. I said it. I’m very attracted to all three of them and even if nothing is going to happen between me and Jackson or me and Luke, I want them to wish it could.

That’s normal. Probably.

I take a deep breath and cross to the door leading to the deck. I slide it open and step out.

And I’m not going to dawdle. The snow is still falling, and the wind is swirling around the house. Though the hot tub is in a protected corner with an overhang, the air around it is blizzard air.

“Ahh!” I shriek as the blast of cold hits me. I drop the blanket and run to the hot tub, practically launching myself over the edge and into the hot water.

Wyatt somehow catches me under my arms and hauls me up before my head goes under.

They’re all chuckling, even Luke, and I grin up at Wyatt. “Thanks for the assist.”

“My pleasure.” He draws me close and sets me on the bench next to him.

He stretches his arm along the edge of the tub behind me.

I settle in, the water coming almost up to my chin, where it hits Wyatt at mid-chest.

I sigh as the warmth surrounds me. Yeah, this is nice.

We all just soak for a few minutes. I tip my head back, watching the snow swirl against the inky sky above us.

It’s so quiet out here, it almost seems wrong to talk.

That doesn’t stop Jackson, of course.

“Name three celebrities that you’d love to be snowed in with for two days.”

Okay, good, a twenty-questions kind of thing. We can relax and get to know each other. Though these guys already know each other very well. I’d still like to know them better. I start thinking about my answer.

“Jenna Ortega, Yara Shahidi, and Danielle Bradbery,” Jackson rattles off without waiting for anyone else.

I lift a brow. Wow, he really doesn’t seem to have a type.

“Who is Danielle Bradbery?” Wyatt asks.

“Country singer,” Jackson says, spreading his arms out to rest along the tub’s edge. “Beautiful. Has this very sweet air about her.”

He’s looking directly at me as he says that.

“You do not listen to country music,” Wyatt tells him.

“I listen to everything,” Jackson says. “I have eclectic tastes.”

I’m still trying to think of my three. I glance at Luke. I can’t imagine the grumpy fire chief playing a game like this.

He catches my eye and says, “Gal Gadot, Catherine Haena Kim, and Stephen Colbert.”

There’s a beat and we all laugh.

And dang, he didn’t even really seem to have to think that through either.

“I didn’t realize Colbert was your type,” Wyatt says.

“You said three celebrities to be snowed in with,” Luke replies. “I think Colbert would be funny and interesting to talk to for two days.”

Wyatt nods. “Agreed. And now I worry that your standards are higher than I realized and that we might be a disappointment.”

Luke doesn’t even hesitate before he says, “I worry about the same.”

We all laugh again. Luke isn’t smiling, but his expression is more relaxed and I like knowing he has a sense of humor.

I also note that the two women he chose are nothing like me. Stunningly beautiful, more curves, far more confident and bold—at least the characters they play are—sexy, and at least ten years older than me.

Got it, Luke. Loud and clear.

“How about you?” I ask Wyatt.

“Okay, Luke had a good point, so I’m going with Stephen King—he’d be interesting to talk to. Dan Levy—because he’s Dan Levy, though I think he’s way too cool for me—and Josh Johnson—comedian, absolutely hilarious.”

I shake my head with a smile. “Not one single woman? Really?”

He lifts a hand and pushes my hair back off my shoulder. “Since I met you, I just can’t think of any other women.”

I know he’s flirting and sweet-talking me and kind of kidding, but I like it. “Aw, well now I feel bad saying that I can’t even narrow my list down to just three.”

Everyone chuckles and I feel proud of myself. That was very flirtatious for me and the surge of adrenaline it produces is addictive.

Wyatt playfully narrows his eyes and wraps my hair around his hand, tugging me closer and tipping my head back. “Is that right?”

I give what I know is a very fake apologetic look. “Only three ? When there’s all of Hollywood and all the rock stars and don’t get me started on the athletes.”

Wyatt’s gaze drops to my mouth. “Now see, you’re just begging me to make you forget about all of those guys.”

My breath catches in my chest. Yes, yes, I basically am.

“So veterinary school?” Luke asks. “Wyatt said you have exams coming up.”

The mini-stare down between me and Wyatt is broken, and he smiles and lets my hair go, but he doesn’t let me float away from him.

I clear my throat and think about what Luke asked me. “Yes. I’m a third year. I’ll start my clinical rotations soon.”

“Why veterinary medicine?” Luke asks.

This is a much easier conversation than choosing celebrities to be stuck with or thinking about how glad I am that I’m here with these three guys instead of anyone famous.

“I love animals,” I say. “I was always a good student, excelled in the sciences, and students like that are often encouraged to think about medicine or other healthcare professions. The idea of working that closely with people every day was not appealing at all but then a friend had a dog get really sick and it occurred to me that I could do that.”

Luke has watched me throughout my explanation with his typical intensity, and I find myself feeling a strange restlessness. But not an uncomfortable restlessness. This is like a pull to float across the hot tub, straddle Luke, and tell him all my secrets.

Not that I have many, but I feel like I could say anything and I’d be safe.

Geez. What the hell is that?

“How about you?” I ask, trying to cover up that Luke flusters me. “Why did you decide to be a firefighter?”

“Was fascinated with firefighters, fire trucks, all of that since I was a kid,” he says.

I’m almost surprised that he answers me without hesitation and with full, complete sentences.

“I told my mom and dad I wanted to be a fireman when I was seven and I never changed my mind. Every birthday cake was a firetruck. They took me on a fire station tour where I got to meet firefighters and climb on the truck when I was ten and they got me a dalmatian puppy when I was twelve.”

I am delighted by all of that. “Are you close to your family?”

He nods. “Yep. My parents are the best. Everyone still lives in Chicago.”

I give him a big smile. I’m so glad he shared that.

I look at Wyatt. “How about you? How did you end up as a firefighter?”

“It’s in the family,” he says. “My grandpa, my dad, and my uncle, a couple of cousins.”

“Wow.” I love that too. “That’s really cool. And they all live in Chicago?”

“Grandpa and dad and uncle. Cousins have scattered a bit.”

I feel the relaxation washing over me. The water, the quiet night, these guys. It’s all so nice . I’m really glad they showed up.

“So, how many times have you had sex in a hot tub?”

And the relaxation is replaced by tingles and heat just like that. I look at Jackson, waiting for him to answer. He winks at me.

“Twice,” Wyatt answers.

“Probably four or five,” Luke says.

I look at him with wide eyes. He chuckles and I think my panties might have just dissolved. Damn. I find him very hot when he’s broody, but laughing? I’m on fire. And I don’t think that fireman is going to put the flames out.

“I’m forty,” he says. “I’ve had more hot tub experience.”

So he has fifteen years on me. Probably twelve or so on Wyatt and Jackson. I guess he’s been making good use of those years.

“And more experience in general, right Chief?” Jackson asks.

Luke shrugs. “Yeah, probably.”

“How about you?” Wyatt asks Jackson.

“Twice. Once was with you.”

My head turns so quickly toward Wyatt that I feel a little muscle spasm.

“Not with Wyatt.” Jackson chuckles. “There was a girl there, too.”

“Oh.” I say that out loud, but my thoughts are now spinning. They’ve had hot tub sex together with a girl.

That’s so… hot.

“How about you, Brooke?” Jackson asks. “How many times in a hot tub?”

Oh boy. So, the virginity thing is going to come up right away. Fantastic. I have not had great experiences with this. Some guys think “high body counts” are a turn-off, supposedly, but they also think virginity is some kind of defect. Or maybe it’s just the guys I’ve chosen.

I haven’t dated much. I haven’t wanted to date much. And when I have, it’s never really gone anywhere or lasted long. But the one damned time I liked the guy enough to take my clothes all the way off, I told him I was a virgin and I swear I’ve never seen anyone put pants and shoes on faster or lie more hilariously on his way out of my room. And out of my life.

“Oh, um… none. Never,” I say. That’s true. I’ve never had sex in a hot tub.

To my relief, Jackson takes that at face value. He nods. “You’re missing out.”

I’m starting to think he’s right.

“How about in a tent?” Jackson asks the group. “I know we’ve got this gorgeous cabin in the woods this weekend, but anyone ever had camping sex?”

“Sure.” Luke answers first, to my surprise. “But are you asking about sex while camping or sex in a tent?”

“What are you talking about?” Jackson asks.

“Well, camping in a camper or RV is also camping,” Luke says. “Though tent camping is superior.”

I do not agree with that at all, but I’m not going to say that. I want the sex answer.

“Okay, so both,” Jackson says. “How many times have you had tent sex and then camping sex?”

Luke seems to be thinking—or counting—for a moment. “Six times and fourteen times. Maybe more.”

Jackson whistles. “You like camping?”

“I like sex.” His expression loses some of its openness. “Marci liked camping.”

“Ah,” Jackson says.

Who’s Marci? Now I have to know.

“I’ve only got two,” Wyatt says. “Both in a tent. Same camping trip, actually.”

Jackson shakes his head. “None. Not a big camping guy. Unless it’s like this,” he says with a grin, moving his hand through the bubbly, warm water.

“Me either,” I say before he can ask. “Never in a tent.” I look at Luke. “Or an RV. Though that sounds better to me than a tent.”

His jaw tenses and I regret my comment. I don’t know who Marci is but clearly she’s a woman who makes Luke’s grumpiness even worse.

“Okay, in front of a fireplace,” Jackson says. “That one I’ve got three. No, four,” he adds quickly with a grin. “Yeah, four.”

I look at Wyatt and he looks like he’s mentally counting.

“Two, maybe three,” Luke says.

Jackson frowns. “Dude, you have a fireplace.”

“So?”

“So why aren’t you fucking in front of that thing all the time?”

“Because I have an amazing bed upstairs that’s a lot more comfortable than the hardwood floor in front of the fireplace,” Luke says.

Jackson shakes his head. “Okay. But beds are pretty basic.”

Wyatt laughs. “Well, sometimes having a really soft surface is a plus.”

Jackson laughs. “Okay, I hear you. I’m just saying a unique setting can make it more fun.”

“Well, I’m boring, I guess,” Wyatt says. “I think only once in front of a fireplace.”

Jackson looks at me. “How about you?”

“Um, none.”

He gives me a half-grin. “None again. So are you a traditional, vanilla, only-in-bed girl?”

Would that disappoint him? I’m not saying I am, but I’m curious if Jackson needs all those extras to be interested?

“If you need fancy settings, maybe you’re not as into the woman as you think you are,” I say. “Seems like if you’re really into the other person, it doesn’t matter where you are.”

Jackson looks totally surprised. Then he grins. “Maybe, Brooke. Maybe. I would be very into testing that theory.”

“So where is the most exciting place you have had sex?” Wyatt asks.

Here we go. I really should just put this out there. Get it over with. Put out any sparks between us before it goes too far, and he ends up disappointed.

I take a breath and focus on the bubbles in front of me instead of any of the men. “I’ve actually never had sex, so I don’t know.”

There are several seconds of quiet. No one even moves.

Then Jackson asks, “Wait, you’ve never had sex anywhere ?”

I finally lift my gaze and look directly at him. “No. I’m a virgin.”

Again, several seconds tick by without anyone speaking.

Then Jackson says, “Oh, okay, holy shit. I was not expecting that.”

“Way to go,” Luke mutters. Then he lifts himself out of the tub.

I’m relieved and disappointed equally to find that he’s wearing boxers. He slicks the water off his face and stomps toward the house.

“I, uh…” Jackson blows out a breath. “I’m sorry, Brooke. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Then he lifts himself up out of the tub too. He grabs one of the towels from the stack they brought out with them, sets it up on the edge of the tub and also retrieves the blanket I dropped just outside the door, draping it over the ledge close enough for me to reach. He gives me a smile. “I’ll get the hot chocolate started.”

I watch him disappear inside.

Then, with another deep breath, I turn to look at Wyatt.

He’s watching me with a look on his face I can’t decipher.

“I’m sorry we… got into all of that,” he says.

“Don’t be,” I rush to assure him. “I wasn’t uncomfortable. It was all just teasing. Good-natured. I know that.”

He nods. “It was. I mean…” He runs his hand through his hair. “You’re a gorgeous woman. We’re all attracted to you. I’m sure that’s not a shock. But we would never… expect anything… or want you to think…” He sighs. Then he meets my gaze directly. “We do like to flirt and tease. We, obviously, don’t make a secret of it when we’re drawn to a woman. But I don’t want you to think that I… we … any of us… would ever pressure you.”

Watching him stumble over all of this makes me realize two things. One, Wyatt Doherty is a really good guy. And two, me being a virgin makes everyone uncomfortable.

“Thanks,” I say. “And I know. I’m not uncomfortable,” I repeat. “And I trust you guys. I’m inexperienced, but the flirting is fun. So, no worries, okay?”

He looks relieved. “Okay.”

He hauls himself up out of the tub and then reaches for the towel and holds a hand out to me.

I rise out of the water and am absolutely chagrined when he diverts his gaze as I step out of the tub.

Ugh.

He wraps the towel around me, rubbing my shoulders briskly. Then he reaches for the blanket and also drapes that around my shoulders.

I pull it together in front of me and then we run across the snow covered deck.

Once inside, we all head to the bedrooms to dry off and change clothes.

And I opt for baggy clothes and a bra. Because obviously I’m not seducing anyone this weekend.

Being a virgin is such a pain in the ass.