I was calling you earlier when your name and number flashed up on my cell’s screen. But instead of it being you, it was Chris.”“You still have my number programed into your phone?

Touch me. Kiss me. I want you. I’ve never done it just for my pleasure, just for fun.

Eager?” “Just a little,” I breathed.

Lie on your stomach,” I ordered between kisses.He pulled away. “Why?”“Just do it.

Come, Adan,” Lock ordered. “Come so hard you squeeze every fucking drop of cum from my cock.

It’d take a lot more than a quick fuck to lose me, Lockland.”He smiled and nipped my lower lip. “Plus,” I murmured, pulling back, “your cock is pretty nice. I think my ass would miss it.

You know, we can still put that suit to use, though.” I glanced toward the truck and Lock’s face lit up as I closed the distance between us. “What happened to needing a shower?” “Showers are overrated,” I whispered, holding his gaze through the visor. “Plus,” I turned my head to look down the hall, “Jay is down there now.” “That’d be right. Let me just hang up my hat.” He was pulling away when I caught his wrist. “Nuh-uh. Keep the helmet. I want to be with my firefighter.

Mmm, carry me.”I laughed, reaching for my sweatpants. “I carry girls, boys, and women, not fully grown capable men.”“Slacker.” He grinned, shoving me.

What?” The corner of his mouth turned up, his white teeth gleaming in the light.“Just thinking how hot you are.”He scoffed and playfully rolled his eyes. “Thanks—but aren’t all firefighters hot? I mean, we do basically live in fire.

Do you remember how your mom would wrap the presents so well it’d take at least five minutes to find where you could rip the paper?”I snorted. “Yes, and they were wrapped so much it was like unwrapping a hundred packages from morning ‘til lunch. It was Mom’s way of extending Christmas.”“I loved that—it always built the excitement. Just when you thought you had it, you had to unroll it. I miss her—she was like a second mother to me.

Is it okay?”I nodded and continued chewing. “Y-you made me my first sub.”He smiled. “You remembered.

I knew,” he breathed, pressing his forehead to mine, “when I developed a crush on you.” My eyes flashed open. “But we drifted apart,” I whispered.He shook his head. “I was scared of how you’d react, that my feelings would complicate things, ruin our friendship. That is why we didn’t hang out much as we got older. We didn’t drift apart. I pushed you away.

I-I can’t sleep and I was going for a walk when I noticed the truck moving… and then I found you two and, um, I mean—”Lockland cut him off midsentence with a calm, serious tone. “Jay?” Jay’s gaze shot up to Lockland’s.“Spit it out!”“I was wondering if I could… I-I don’t know… join you?

I’ve wanted to do that since you saved me.” -Lockland

Hmm, do you mind if I put out your fire then?” I brushed his earlobe with my upper lip.

Sometimes, I just want to be comforted—I don’t want to be or appear to be stronger than I am.

You’re scared of sharing me in case you lose me?” - Adan

Fuck… that was…” “Good?” I grinned, licking my lips, looking up at him. “Shit yeah!” Jay wailed.

Have a drink, Coughffles.” “Stop it with the names!” I laughed and coughed.

He disowned me,” I murmured. “Kicked me out and told me to come back when I changed my choice.”“He seriously used those words? That it was a choice?”I nodded. “You can’t change it. Your sexuality is like your DNA. You can’t cut off your finger so it’s no longer there, because it is you. You’re born with it—you just discover it when you mature.

Ouch. What is that?”“Water, you wimp.” Humor colored his tone and when I looked up, he was smirking again, but this time it was different. He was beaming, radiating—like he used to.

Why did you come out when you knew how your family would react?” I murmured, wrapping my arms around his waist. I brushed my lips the length of Lock’s neck.“Because I didn’t want to hide. I hated acting like I was someone I wasn’t.”“I never did thank you for that sub.”Lock laughed. “Adan, you’ve thanked me a hundred times over.”“I don’t recall.”“Every time we’re together, or when you kiss me, it’s a constant reminder of how we met, and I wouldn’t exchange that for anything.

I’ll see you later,” I murmured.“Yeah.” Our foreheads pressed together. Our lips lingered half an inch apart. Thin ropes of dark hair hung over his forehead as sweat glistened across his face in the streetlights. “Love you.”“Love you more,” he murmured.

A smile curved the corners of his mouth under the dust-and soot-covered visor. “You’re crying? I answered his question with my tear-stricken gaze.“I’m not going anywhere.” He reached his hand out and I grasped it tightly.

I’m not leaving him, Sam! And I’m not waiting for the others to help.

Now,” he murmured huskily into my ear, licking the skin below my lobe. I shivered. “It’s your turn.”“Tease.

Gee, you don’t sugarcoat things, do you?” “At least if I’m at a club, I won’t have you pressuring me.”“No, you’ll have heaps of strangers instead.

Colt, you’re going to be a nurse, not a cop. If anything happens, I’ll pay the fines for you.”“Still don’t need it.”“Why?” She paused for a moment, thinking. “Because you’re still trying to get into Daddy’s good books?”“Shut up,” I muttered, blowing my frustrations into another balloon—it grew between my palms. This had nothing to do with my father.“From what you’ve told me of the guy, he’s a jerking dick, Colt. I don’t know why you’re seeking his approval.