Burnin' Love [Men for Hire: Firemen 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Jane Jamison

not.”
    The three of them gave her strange looks. Paul leaned forward, pressing closer. She could feel the heat from his body. Granted, it had been a long while since she’d found a man attractive and interesting enough to want him to make a move, but she didn’t doubt that he was attracted to her.
    “What about that baseball bat you used to wield like a sword?” Wade took a big drink. “I don’t suppose you still have that thing?”
    She jerked her gaze away from Paul and back to Troy. “My bat? Oh!”
    She felt like an idiot. They weren’t talking about sexual protection. Thank God she hadn’t said anything to give away what she’d really been thinking. “Actually, now that you mention it, I did bring it along.”
    “What’s the thing about a bat?” Paul had managed to down an entire piece of pizza in the short time that she’d been confused.
    “Daisy used to play softball in school and she was one hell of a hitter. On and off the field,” joked Wade. Trust me. You should’ve seen the way she slung it around. No one, but no one could stand up to her.”
    “And I’ve still got a pretty hard swing, if I do say so myself.”
    “Good. Then keep it handy just in case. One of us will be standing guard outside so all you have to do is yell if you need anything.”
    “Why not just stay the night?” The invitation was out before she’d realized what she was saying. Yet no way was she taking it back. “I mean, there’s another guest bedroom with two twin beds in it. One of you can stand guard while the other two sleep.”
    It sounded perfectly sensible to her. But then again, if it got them to stay, then almost anything she’d say would make sense to her.
    “Sounds good to me.”
    Troy was quick to jump in after Wade. “Me, too.”
    “There’s no need for all three of us to stay.”
    Damn it, Paul.
    “But I guess it wouldn’t hurt. It’ll save us travel time in the morning.”
    Now that’s what I like to hear.
    She studied him and he caught her doing it. The wall that he seemed to have built around him came up, harder than ever.
    He’d been hurt. His stoic exterior couldn’t hide that fact.
    The recognition that he was vulnerable made her smile. She loved a challenge and Paul was definitely a challenge. She’d break down that wall one way or another. She jerked her mind back to the conversation.
    “Yeah. Besides, we need to take shifts,” added Troy.
    “Great.” She pushed the glass of wine away. “I know it’s not kosher to mix alcohols, but I’m not really all that big on wine. How about I get out the bourbon and mix us a hot toddy?”
    Or more than one.
    “That sounds like what my grandmother would drink.”
    She laughed at Wade’s grimace. “Where do you think I got the idea? But this isn’t that kind of toddy. In fact, I’d say there’ll be a lot more toddy than tea. One of my toddies will go a long way to relax you.”
    “I’d just as soon take a shot of the bourbon than even bother with the tea part.”
    “You can have it any way you want it, Troy.” She met Wade’s gaze, hoping he’d understand the real meaning behind her offer.
    Wade paused, then nodded, harder than was necessary. “Hey, I’m up for anything. I don’t think we’ve had a lot of wine. And I wouldn’t care anyway.”
    “We need to stay sober. We’re on the job, remember?”
    Troy let out a groan. “We know, Paul, but a couple of drinks aren’t going to hurt. Loosen up, will ya?”
    She kept quiet, hoping that in this instance, silence would be golden.
    “Yeah, come on, Paul. You said it yourself. The likelihood of anything happening is remote. This Charlie girl doesn’t know who Daisy is or where she took Melissa.”
    Paul wanted to let go. She could see it in his eyes. Leaning forward, she let the front of her dress fall forward just enough for a little enticement. “Please, Paul?”
    His gaze landed exactly where she’d hope it would. “Fine. But one of us has to stay on guard at all