Read Online Jacob's Ladder by Z. A. Maxfield - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Z. A. Maxfield
Tags: M/M romance
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sand.
I began walking until I knew I was heading in the right direction based on the beach parking signs and the way that the small-town businesses gave way to convenience stores advertising umbrellas, camp chairs, sunglasses, towels, and sunscreen. Each little tienda advertised beer and firewood in prominent letters on store windows as spring turned into summer.
I was heading for the pier I could finally see in the distance, when I heard a voice behind me call out, “ Yasha . I thought that was you.” I discovered I"d headed down the street where the fire station was located, and some of the men of the Santo Ignacio Fire Department were scrubbing down one of the trucks in the driveway of the big garage.
“Hi.” I walked across to one I thought looked familiar. “I can"t help being envious of all your wonderful toys.”
JT shoved a toolbox into the cargo compartment on the little EMS rig and slammed the door shut. He picked up a clipboard and hugged it to his chest as he leaned back against the rear fender of his unit. “I am living the dream,” he teased.
“What are you up to?”
“I thought I"d look around. What do you suggest I look at?” St. Nacho’s 3: Jacob’s Ladder
41
“The beach is great this time of year. And Nacho"s Bar is known for its Sunday brunch, but it"s a nice place to get a drink and unwind anytime. A group of us will be heading over there after our shift at around six. Do you want to—”
“Who"s your friend, JT?” A muscular giant of a firefighter wrapped a beefy arm around JT"s shoulders, causing him to give up a soft oomph.
“This is Yasha.” JT performed the introductions from a choke hold. “Yasha, Cameron.”
“Ow.” Cameron winced when he got a good look at my face. “Did our boy wizard pull you out of a wreck or something?”
“Or something.” I extended my hand, and he let go of JT long enough to give it a pump.
“Yasha was sick—”
“And you saved the day,” Cameron said, not unkindly. He ruffled JT"s hair.
“Good boy.”
“Thanks.” JT yanked his head out of the way of Cameron"s heavy hand.
Cameron looked at me. “So did I hear we"re going for drinks at Nacho"s?”
“Sure,” I said.
“Cool.” Cameron shot me a look that didn"t take an Enigma machine to decrypt, and I might have returned it in kind. He was bigger than big and handsome, and I couldn"t help but notice that he"d lingered a bit longer on our handshake than was strictly necessary. JT looked oblivious, and I thought that was telling. I had wondered about JT"s interest in me, whether it was simply follow-up care or something more. His indifference to the way Cameron hustled me back, leaning an arm on the truck behind me and hemming me in, subtle as it might have been for straights, seemed significant.
Cameron lowered his voice as he leaned over me, his big hand flat against the rig next to my head. It was such a powerful move, it shifted something inside me and made me shiver a little. Which was also significant. Why the fuck did I always respond like that with guys who could crush me? “So. How long will you be in town?”
With his arm raised like that, the short sleeve of his unbuttoned shirt strained to contain his bicep. A quick glance up into his eyes told me that Cameron was enjoying the interest it generated.
“Not long. I"m going up to Santa Cruz to visit my brother.” I was pleased that my words came out measured and even.
“Well.” Cameron"s eyes were warm and blue and held a hint of teasing. “Maybe we can entice you to stay on for a while.”
“Maybe,” I told him. I was probably staring at the way his tight undershirt caressed his massive chest when I felt a tug on my arm.
“Have you seen the beach yet?” JT asked.
42
Z. A. Maxfield
“No.” I let JT pull me out to the street and waited to see why he"d done it, if he"d tell me or if he was simply going to pretend he hadn"t just dragged me out from under a good-looking guy who was flirting with me. I
I began walking until I knew I was heading in the right direction based on the beach parking signs and the way that the small-town businesses gave way to convenience stores advertising umbrellas, camp chairs, sunglasses, towels, and sunscreen. Each little tienda advertised beer and firewood in prominent letters on store windows as spring turned into summer.
I was heading for the pier I could finally see in the distance, when I heard a voice behind me call out, “ Yasha . I thought that was you.” I discovered I"d headed down the street where the fire station was located, and some of the men of the Santo Ignacio Fire Department were scrubbing down one of the trucks in the driveway of the big garage.
“Hi.” I walked across to one I thought looked familiar. “I can"t help being envious of all your wonderful toys.”
JT shoved a toolbox into the cargo compartment on the little EMS rig and slammed the door shut. He picked up a clipboard and hugged it to his chest as he leaned back against the rear fender of his unit. “I am living the dream,” he teased.
“What are you up to?”
“I thought I"d look around. What do you suggest I look at?” St. Nacho’s 3: Jacob’s Ladder
41
“The beach is great this time of year. And Nacho"s Bar is known for its Sunday brunch, but it"s a nice place to get a drink and unwind anytime. A group of us will be heading over there after our shift at around six. Do you want to—”
“Who"s your friend, JT?” A muscular giant of a firefighter wrapped a beefy arm around JT"s shoulders, causing him to give up a soft oomph.
“This is Yasha.” JT performed the introductions from a choke hold. “Yasha, Cameron.”
“Ow.” Cameron winced when he got a good look at my face. “Did our boy wizard pull you out of a wreck or something?”
“Or something.” I extended my hand, and he let go of JT long enough to give it a pump.
“Yasha was sick—”
“And you saved the day,” Cameron said, not unkindly. He ruffled JT"s hair.
“Good boy.”
“Thanks.” JT yanked his head out of the way of Cameron"s heavy hand.
Cameron looked at me. “So did I hear we"re going for drinks at Nacho"s?”
“Sure,” I said.
“Cool.” Cameron shot me a look that didn"t take an Enigma machine to decrypt, and I might have returned it in kind. He was bigger than big and handsome, and I couldn"t help but notice that he"d lingered a bit longer on our handshake than was strictly necessary. JT looked oblivious, and I thought that was telling. I had wondered about JT"s interest in me, whether it was simply follow-up care or something more. His indifference to the way Cameron hustled me back, leaning an arm on the truck behind me and hemming me in, subtle as it might have been for straights, seemed significant.
Cameron lowered his voice as he leaned over me, his big hand flat against the rig next to my head. It was such a powerful move, it shifted something inside me and made me shiver a little. Which was also significant. Why the fuck did I always respond like that with guys who could crush me? “So. How long will you be in town?”
With his arm raised like that, the short sleeve of his unbuttoned shirt strained to contain his bicep. A quick glance up into his eyes told me that Cameron was enjoying the interest it generated.
“Not long. I"m going up to Santa Cruz to visit my brother.” I was pleased that my words came out measured and even.
“Well.” Cameron"s eyes were warm and blue and held a hint of teasing. “Maybe we can entice you to stay on for a while.”
“Maybe,” I told him. I was probably staring at the way his tight undershirt caressed his massive chest when I felt a tug on my arm.
“Have you seen the beach yet?” JT asked.
42
Z. A. Maxfield
“No.” I let JT pull me out to the street and waited to see why he"d done it, if he"d tell me or if he was simply going to pretend he hadn"t just dragged me out from under a good-looking guy who was flirting with me. I
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