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My forehead drops, and I hang my head. I should've known better than to come here. I'm not ready to introduce Brooke to Ryker and Tyson. God knows they've heard enough stories about her over the years; now they're glowing with interest and somehow completely charming her.
Ryker points to the platter between us. "You're sharing a meal? How cute. I've known Mack for years, and he never once asked me to share with him."
I give him my deadliest glare.
Tyson takes over. "It's nice to meet you, Brooke. It looks like we're going to be neighbors. The Brockers are putting us up in the stablemaster's house for now, and I hear you and your aunt will be right down the road in the manager's cottage."
Ryker grins. "How convenient."
It doesn't matter if Brooke is sleeping in the same house as me. After today's discussion, my best action plan is to keep her at arm's length.
Possibly farther.
BROOKE
Frost Forest is not known for hosting events that cause traffic to slow, but today my jaw almost hit the floor when I saw the sheer amount of firefighters swarming Lyons Station's recruiting event.
And there, in the middle of it all is Mack, standing in his captain’s shirt greeting and directing visitors. I can’t stop staring at him. Tips of tattoos peek out from underneath the sleeves of his black collared captain's shirt, piquing my curiosity and reminding me that there are mysteries about this man that I don’t know.
He looks calm in the chaos, standing squarely with his hands resting easy at his sides. Why did I never notice how insanely attractive he looks in a uniform?
And then there’s what’s under his uniform. My ex was a small man, slight in nature. I can’t even imagine what’s waiting for a woman underneath Mack’s clothes. He's so much bigger, thicker, and stronger than he was even in his early twenties. When we were together, he was on the cusp of manhood, and me of womanhood. But now there's no questioning it: Mack's a full-grown alpha male and he's caught my undivided attention.
Unfortunately, he's also caught several of the female recruits' attention too. I can't blame them for eying Mack like a candy shop. He literally looks good enough to eat.
I stand rooted, my gaze traveling the length of him, taking in every detail as he gives directives to his men and helps visitors. He’s completely in his element, a natural leader.
I stare from afar like a lovestruck fool with heat radiating off my cheeks. My very nerve endings feel electrified as a gentle breeze caresses my arms and bare legs under my skirt. I’m captivated, helpless, and my imagination is now dominated by one very fine Captain Drake Mackenzie.
Blinking several times, I try to refocus. It doesn’t help; my eyes keep making a beeline back to him. What has gotten into me? I've been purposely avoiding stepping back into the dating scene after my divorce, and now I fear I'm in for a bumpy reentry.
But here I am, imagining pressing my lips to the base of Mack’s throat, on the triangle of tanned skin that peeks through his open collar. My stomach flutters at the thought of his warm skin, inhaling his musky, masculine smell, and unbuttoning his shirt so I can peel it off over his massive shoulders. I can almost feel the hot, taut flesh of his chest and abdomen against me.
I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. I’m so sex-starved after a sexless last year and a half of my marriage and then tack on another year of being bitter and divorced. Ugh, has it actually been that long? I bet Mack could help me fire things back up in that department. A small smile curls my lips at the thought of Mack lying back and letting me do whatever I wanted. I’d ride him until I drained every last ounce of—
“Brooke!”
I gasp and start so violently at the sound of my name it feels like I jumped out of my skin. Cheeks flaming, I turn as Owen approaches. Did he just catch me gawking at the captain? Irrationally, I fear that my steamy thoughts about Mack are written all over my face.
“Mr. Brocker!” I flick the bead of sweat forming at my hairline before he walks closer.
He strolls over, grinning from ear to ear. “Would you look at this turnout!”
I widen my eyes and shrug my shoulders. “I know, I’m just as amazed as you are. I had no idea we’d generate this much interest. The last few days I’ve been working with my head down, totally focused on rescheduling cancelled tours due to safety concerns and bad press from the truck burning incident. I’m going to love being able to tell perspective buyers about this.”
Brocker shakes his head. “Those assholes who lit Mack’s truck on fire, their days are numbered. Mack had a dozen cameras set up throughout the development and wildlife cams back into the interior. Just having him join our team with Ryker and Tyson, there’s been a decrease in activity.”
It’s true. Since Mack arrived, there has been a noticeable sense of safety around Golden Meadow, and having him and his guys moving into the stable house has given me the courage to start planning my and Aunt Trudy’s move into the manager’s cottage.
Owen nods to a group of firefighters that I haven’t seen before. “Those guys are California smokejumpers that Mack was able to talk into coming out. I wanted the best for residential and wildland fire safety, and he’s helping me make it happen. There's no better than the smokejumpers—do you know they parachute into the wilderness and fight fires that most people don’t even know about? Tough sons of bitches.”
I smile, and Brocker shrugs. “Sorry, I’ve been hanging out with Mack and his crew too much. Have you met Ryker and Tyson yet? Ryker swears like a sailor, and the other night I let something slip in front of the twins. I thought Samantha was going to have my hide.”
“Oh, no, these boys are going to get you into trouble at home!” I tease.
“We’re lucky to have ended up with them. Mack was able to reach out to a wave of smokejumpers who were ready to try something new. Now the stablemaster’s house is a boarding house for my firefighters and security, but it’s a great selling point, so be sure to talk about it on all future tours.”
“Absolutely.”
