Page 109 of Steel

“That’s so exciting.”

“Yes, very.” When her laugh slowed, I groaned. “You’re the bearer of bad news lately. Why else did you call?”

“Maybe a little gossip? You up for that?”

“Sure. Why not?” I shifted through the pictures again, thoroughly happy with what I was looking at.

“There are rumors flying that the entire executive board is being terminated.”

“That rumor has been around since Eric bought the company.”

Her huff was stronger than before and her voice was hushed. “I know, but there have been a lot of closed-door meetings in the last two days.”

“Well, there is nothing we can do about it. Except push forward. Go alert the team and I’ll have everything emailed over in thirty minutes. But I need something in the morning so I can turn around and put everything together for Eric.”

One thing I didn’t want to do was to put my team in his bad graces. Not now. I couldn’t trust the man. What man could I trust? One. A sexy smokejumper.

“I’ll have them primed and ready. And I can’t wait to hear some stories.”

“Later. Get to work.” Hitting end, I tossed the phone on the desk and dropped my head into my hands. Everything was complicated.

Including my exciting tryst with Steel. We certainly weren’t in a relationship. But what would it be like if we were?

The sexy fog remained for a few seconds until I forced myself to concentrate on work.

“I don’t know how to choose,” I said to no one. I was standing in the room I was using as an office, staring at the screen in hopes of narrowing down the number of smokejumpers. I’d thought I’d be struggling for volunteers, but with Steel’s glowing recommendation, I’d been wrong. “How am I going to crush their manhood?”

“Gently. You use two hands and massage them before you break the news.”

The deep voice sent a penetrating jolt of current through my system. Instantly, a smile slipped across my face, but I took my time lifting my head. When I did, I was instantly rewarded with seeing the sexiest man of all crowding the doorway with his broad shoulders, handsome physique, and evil grin.

He was carrying a contractor’s bag, which brought another series of wicked thoughts.

“Is that your expert opinion?” I asked. “I mean there are so many extremely handsome men that it’s almost impossible to choose. I mean Mr. June and Mr. July are important. But so is Mr. October and don’t forget the god of love in Mr. February.”

His brow wrinkled and he even puffed up his chest on purpose. “They do have fragile egos.”

“You’re here as my contractor?”

Grinning, he held up the bag. “I am. Does the lady need some work completed?”

“Always.”

He lowered his gaze to my laptop. “You should take my advice on letting the boys down easy.”

“Yes, perhaps you’re right. I mean, to be in a terrible position of being forced to choose one over another is… Well, tragic. Now, Rock is a definite choice. His name suits him. All perfectly rock-hard muscles.” I took a deep, swooning breath and acted as if I was staring at his picture. I wasn’t. “And Axe of course. But who else?” I couldn’t help myself and seeing the flash of jealousy in his eyes created a throb deep within my core.

“Rock?” He spit out the question with a growl.

“Why, yes, he’s very… manly.”

“Well, they can’t all be cover model material likemoi. That’s why you need to be gentle with your strokes.”

“Don’t the boys prefer the rough stuff?” I dragged my tongue across my bottom lip, enticing the mood. Since I’d yet to pick up Damon, I had no fear of interruption.

And it felt damn good.

“Well, not all the boys can handle something so… erotic.”