If there is one thing Dustin is good at, it’s putting up a false front. While his friends and coworkers think he’s easy going, happy and flirtatious, inside, he’s really scarred, sad and self-conscious. After being in a destructive relationship that left him hurt in more ways than one, Dustin never really recovered and is determined to never trust anyone again. So he resolves to lose himself in his job as a paramedic while he continues to hide his true self.
Pontiac City Firefighter, Vaughn finds himself immediately attracted to Dustin the moment he spots the paramedic at the annual EMS Neighborhood Beautification event. Dustin is everything Vaughn likes in a man, cute, smart and sexy. Every time he tries to get close, however, Dustin pushes him away. Undaunted, Vaughn decides that Dustin is just playing hard to get and vows that he’ll get the other man in his bed if it’s the last thing he does.
When Vaughn learns the secret pain Dustin has been hiding, he realizes that everything may not be as it seems with the other man. Will Vaughn be able to convince Dustin to give love another chance or will the paramedic forever be lost to the horrors of his past?
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Three Alarm Fire
Copyright © 2011 Stephani Hecht
ISBN: 978-1-55487-842-0
Cover art by Martine Jardin
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by eXtasy Books
Look for us online at:
www.eXtasybooks.com
Smashwords Edition
Three Alarm Fire
EMS Heat
By
Stephani Hecht
Chapter One
“It’s about time you got here,” Dustin bitched as he climbed into the car.
His friend, Forrest, shot him a jaded glance before putting the car in reverse and pulling out onto the road. “Are we in a mood today?”
“Yes, we are,” Dustin countered as he cradled his bandaged hand to his chest.
“Why? You’re usually buckets of sunshine,” Forrest replied with just a bit of sarcasm.
“Bite me,” Dustin returned.
Forrest gave a smile, showing the insult didn’t bother him. Although to be fair, it usually took a lot to ruffle his feathers. That was one of the reasons they got along so well together, both at and away from work. In fact, if Dustin wanted to be honest with himself, he’d even go so far as to say that Forrest was his best friend. He sure as hell was the only one Dustin trusted anymore. Given what had happened to Dustin over the past couple years, that said a lot.
There’d even been a very brief time where Dustin harbored a secret crush on the other man. With short, dark hair and sensual do-me eyes, Forrest had the sex appeal thing down. Add in that he was only a little bit bigger than Dustin, thus making him completely non-threatening, and it made Forrest damn near perfect.
But then Forrest found himself a nice hunky doctor and fell in love, which meant Dustin had to give up his crush. Although, Dustin hadn’t been too disappointed. Not that Forrest wouldn’t have been a great catch or anything, it’s just the last thing Dustin was looking for was a relationship.
“So why is Mr. Grumbles so cranky today?” Forrest teased.
“Aside from the fact that you’re making me volunteer for this stupid Fix It Up thing?”
“It’s called the EMS Neighborhood Beautification Project,” Forrest corrected. “Besides, it wouldn’t hurt you to be charitable every now and again.”
“I’m very charitable. Just the other day I told that nurse, Abby, that her hair looked good, even though it really reminded me of the lead singer from Twisted Sister.”
“You mean Dee Snider?”
“Who? I already told you I was talking about Abby. I don’t know anyone named Dee.”
Forrest rolled his eyes. “Dee Snider is the name of the lead singer from Twisted Sister.”
“Oh.” Dustin blushed, knowing he’d come off looking like the dumb blond piece of fluff yet again.
“Besides, telling Abby anything about her mess of a hairstyle isn’t exactly the kind of charity I had in mind.” Forrest gave him a sharp look. “Why are you being such an ass this morning? I want the truth this time.”
Dustin rubbed his eyes. “I’m sorry, it’s just I’m tired. I took on an extra shift at St. Anthony’s last night and didn’t get any sleep.”
“Again?” Forrest cocked a dark brow. “That has to be the third one this month. Isn’t the overtime you already pick up at the ambulance company enough?”