Page 52 of Hearts Storm

A few feet ahead, Brex hitches up his backpack, tossing me a quick look over his shoulder. “You okay back there, Pretty?”

I roll my eyes. To anyone else, he’s a harmless flirt. But to me, he’s a six foot five, muscular wet dream.

The crux of it is, even though I said we need to keep things professional, on the nights he stays away, I find myself wishing he would touch me again. Lying in bed in the dark, thinking about what happened between us in Portland. Wishing I would’ve invited him in. How he made me come until I fell dead sleep.

Sometimes, I dream about them both. Brex molding his body up against my back, kissing my neck, while Logan presses against my front, stroking me over my panties. It’s ridiculous, because when I come, I wake up and it’s my hand instead of his, pleasuring me in my sleep.

“Never better,” I pant. You’d think with as much of a workout I get doing aerial silk and pole work I would be in better freaking shape. Mud is no joke.

Brex pauses, broad shoulders silhouetted against a gray sky as he turns to face me. Mud clings to his boots, splattered halfway up his calves. Even in this mess, he looks good. Too good, actually.

Get your head in the game, Rey.

“Need a minute?” Unlike the soft patter of rain, the tone in his voice is gruff and sexy.

Lungs burning with each breath, I shake my head. “I’m fine. Just... this mud is a bitch.”

“Tell me about it.” His understanding smile comes quick. “We’ve got about another half mile before we reach the next cabin. You sure you’re good?”

“Positive.” I force myself to straighten, adjusting the strap of my medical bag. “Let’s keep moving.”

The 911 call came just before dawn. A frantic man reported that a mudslide had buried half his cabin while he’d been out checking his generator. He’d escaped with nothing but the clothes on his back.

Now, Brex and I are on one team, along with four other squads, scouring the hillside for any other isolated cabins that might have been affected.

The terrain is treacherous and slippery. Mud sucks at my boots, threatening to wrench them off my feet with each careful step I take. Fallen branches, hidden beneath the surface, are more than ready to trip anyone not paying attention to where they’re going.

Thankfully, the rain has slowed to a drizzle, but the damage has already been done. Water is still running in rivulets down the hillside, carrying debris along with it.

Brex stops, waiting until I’m beside him before continuing. He’s been doing that all morning—matching his pace to mine, always staying close enough to grab me if I slip.

“Logan is worried about you,” he says casually. A little too casual, if you ask me.

I stumble slightly, catching myself before I face-plant into the mud. “Oh?”

“About you being out here.” Brex doesn’t look at me as he speaks, eyes scanning the terrain ahead. “First major call and all.”

“Did he actually say that?” I can’t keep the edge out of my voice.

Brex snorts. “Logan? No, not a chance. He’s too busy pretending he doesn’t give a shit. I could tell by the look on his face when he watched you get in the truck.”

“Well, he’s made his intentions more than clear.”

Eyebrow raised, he smirks down at me. “The man has asked me about you every damn day since you started. How you’re doing. If you’re settling in okay. If anyone is giving you trouble.”

My heart does a stupid little flip. “Really?”

“Like clockwork.” He shakes his head. “It’s driving me nuts, actually. I’m starting to feel like his personal messenger boy.”

With no idea what to say to that, I focus on navigating around a fallen tree instead. The mud is deeper here, and I have to lift my knees high with each step.

“Careful,” Brex warns, reaching out to steady me when I wobble. His grip is firm, sending electricity shooting through my veins.

“I’m fine,” I say, gently shifting out of the hold he has on my arm.

We continue on in silence for about fifteen more minutes before a small cabin comes into view through the trees. It’s rustic, made of weathered logs with a stone chimney. The mudslide has clearly hit the property, but from what I can see, the damage isn’t catastrophic.

“Let’s check it out,” Brex says, tone shifting to professional mode.