Seducing the Fireman (Risky Business) (18 page)

With Becca, he was finally home.

Epilogue

Becca studied her date across the table, wondering how he felt about exhibitionism. No one was paying a bit of attention to them. If she wanted to give it a go, there was no time like the present. She slid her foot up his calf and between his legs, following the hard muscles of his thighs straight to his cock. Thank God for floor length table linens. Otherwise she’d be well
on her way to getting them both kicked out of the black-tie affair. Not that it would be the worst thing in the world. Getting kicked out meant they could go find a bathroom or a coat closet or some other very private place to finish what they’d started.

Okay, technically, what
she’d
started, but that was hardly the point.

Jax’s eyes nearly jumped out of his head as she massaged him
with her foot, his erection growing thick at her touch. He shifted in his chair, his face turning a deep shade of crimson. Enjoying the tortured look on his face, and knowing he’d return the favor later, she blew him a kiss.

It was a fancy-pants charity dinner, the kind they both hated, but it was for the FDNY, and as guests of honor, their presence would be missed if they slipped away for
a quickie in the bathroom. Especially since they’d soon be announcing the models for a FDNY Hall of Flames special edition calendar. Jax and his peers had been so popular they’d sold a record number of calendars, prompting a special edition for the New Year, with the most popular firemen of all time. Quinn liked to think sales were stimulated by her Bravest series, and maybe they were. The only
thing Becca knew for sure was that everywhere they went, women were fawning all over Jax.

Talk about irony. If someone had told her a year ago that she and Jax were a perfect match, she’d have laughed in their face. Hard.

Now? She couldn’t imagine her life without him. Or without moments like this one.

She rubbed her foot against his cock, applying more pressure.

He moaned.
And then he coughed, raising his napkin to his lips to cover up their bad behavior. She grinned. Twenty minutes ago the only thing she could think about was dessert. Unfortunately, dessert was nowhere in sight, and Jax was right across from her, looking far more delectable than any hotel pastry.

A year of hot, sizzling sex and they still couldn’t get enough of one another. The days he spent
at the firehouse were long and her bed lonely, but they made up for it when he was home. Now if they could just duck out…

The emcee took the stage, droning on and on about the voting process they’d all engaged in earlier that evening. She continued to work Jax’s cock with her foot, knowing there was a real possibility he’d be heading to the stage with the mother of all hard-ons.

He
threw his napkin on the table and slipped his hands below, capturing her foot before she could do any serious damage. When his gaze fell on her, there was a wicked gleam in his eye. He began to massage her foot, paying special attention to the arch, which was hella sore from the four-inch stilettos she’d worn against her better judgment
.

Crap. If he kept that up, she’d be putty in his hands.
Or possibly under the table.

The emcee opened the envelope and began to ceremoniously read the names of the twelve firemen who would grace the pages of the special edition calendar she’d be shooting.

Throughout the room, the men stood when their names were called, acknowledging the applauding crowd as they made their way to the stage. Some waved, some winked, one the younger guys flexed
his biceps, drawing a roar of enthusiasm from the women in the room.

“Mr. November: Jackson Hart!”

She jerked her foot free of his grasp, joining the others in their applause. Much to her relief, Jax was boner-free when he stood and waved to the crowd. He stepped around the table and lowered his mouth to her ear. “How fitting, since I have so much to be thankful for.” A warm blush
filled her cheeks as he brushed his lips across her temple.

She watched with pride as he joined the other men on the stage, the bright lights glinting off his blond hair. It was a stark contrast to the navy uniform that hugged his well-defined muscles as if the freaking thing had been custom made to torture her.

So much for having him all to herself tonight. Still, she couldn’t have
been prouder of him, and she was thrilled to be shooting the special edition calendar. After all, she sure as hell didn’t want anyone else shooting her man while he strutted around topless.

When all the fanfare died down and Jax returned to the table, he didn’t take his seat. Instead he reached for her hand, taking it gently in his own. “Ready to get out of here?”

“I thought you’d
never ask,” she returned, slipping the heels from hell back on her feet. It was going to be a long walk home, but at least she’d be in good company.

When they entered the lobby, he reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a room key. “I booked us a room for the night.”

“That sounds like the best idea ever.” She didn’t have overnight clothes, but who cared? The only thing she needed
was the man standing beside her. “I’ve been dying to get you out of that uniform ever since you put it on.”

Jax silently led the way to the elevator bank and ushered her into the first available car.

“You’re awfully quiet,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist. A fine sheen of perspiration coated his forehead. Maybe he’d had a little too much of the spotlight tonight. “Contemplating
your duties as Mr. November?”

His lips curved, hooking up on the left and revealing the dimple he’d used to get his way more times than she could count.

“Something like that,” he said, sliding his hands around her back and pulling her close. He lowered his face to hers and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, his mouth moving tenderly over hers.

The elevator doors slid open, and
he grabbed her hand, leading her down the hall, her heels sinking into the plush carpet with each step. When they reached their room, he paused at the door.

“Close your eyes,” he ordered, sliding the card in the lock and withdrawing it.

“Jax.”

“If you want me to finish that foot massage, you’d better close your eyes,” he warned, sweeping his fingers over her eyes and forcing
them shut.

“I don’t know what you are up to,” she teased, “but don’t think I’m going to forget about that foot massage.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” He planted a hand on her lower back and steered her into the room. She followed his lead, trusting him implicitly to guide her without letting her stumble over a piece of ill placed furniture. Soft jazz played in the background.

What the hell is he up to?

When they finally stopped, he took her hand.

“Open your eyes, Becca.”

She did as he instructed, finding the suite aglow in candlelight and overflowing with red roses. There was an overnight bag on the chair. And,
oh!
Jax was on his knee in front of her, looking up at her with such love, such emotion, she could hardly believe her eyes. It was like something
out of a movie, one of the many she’d watched growing up. Only it wasn’t a movie, not this time. This was her life, and the man she adored was on his knee before her.

“Oh my God!” she gasped, bringing her other hand to her mouth. “Jax?”

“Becca Mancini.” He reached into his pocket and removed a tiny box, his eyes glued to hers. “Before you came back into my life, I didn’t know the meaning
of love or family. You taught me both, helping me understand true love means taking the good days with the bad, and giving your heart to someone you love and trust unconditionally.” Her own heart swelled. This was really happening. He opened the box, revealing a brilliant round cut diamond. It was classic, elegant, and perfect. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you in my life, but I’m
sure as hell not going to let you go. Not now, not ever. Marry me, Becca.”

The day she’d dreamt of so many times was finally here, and the reality was so much better than any fantasy she’d indulged in growing up. Jax was on his knee asking her to take this leap with him, and she didn’t even have to think about it. He was the only man for her. Always had been, always would be.

The whole
moment was surreal, and she wanted to say yes, but she was frozen in time, her brain determined to preserve every last detail of the world’s sweetest proposal. Her silence stretched between them, with Jax’s hopeful gaze fixed on her, waiting for her answer.

“I have your mom’s tartufo in the fridge…”

“Yes,” she gushed, pulling him to his feet, her heart soaring. “Yes. Yes. Yes!”

“Yes to tartufo, or yes to marrying me?” he asked with a crooked grin, relief flooding his eyes.

“Both.” She wrapped her hand around his neck and crushed her lips to his, opening herself to him and enjoying the way his tongue skated over her own as he took the kiss deeper, melding their bodies into one.

No woman had ever loved a man as fiercely as she loved Jackson Hart. She was
sure of it. She loved him so hard she was bursting at the seams, barely able to contain the emotion stretching her body and spirit in new ways. Whatever the future held, they’d take it one day at a time. Together they’d build a life and a family, and dammit, she’d get her happily ever after with the sexy fireman whose soul completed her own, and who could ignite her panties with nothing more than
a look.

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Acknowledgments

Acknowledgements are always a little tricky. There are so many people who help bring a story to life, providing guidance, expertise, and encouragement along the way. And while I’d like to give awkward hugs to each and every one of them (because I’m a super awkward hugger—just ask my family), geography has spared them that fate. Seriously though, I’m so grateful for
each and every person that helped me share Jax and Becca’s story.

Thank you to everyone on the Brazen team for providing such incredible support for the Risky Business series. It’s always tough to close a series and say goodbye to characters I love so hard, but it’s been a wonderful journey! I’m so lucky to be part of this awesome community of editors, authors and publicists.

A special
thanks to Candace Havens for being such a kick-ass editor and for giving the best feedback. I can always count on you to make me laugh, even when it’s at myself.

To my family, for supporting me through this whole crazy journey. You’ve been patient and supportive, always reminding me what matters most. I love you all to the moon and back.

Thank you to all the readers who’ve shown so
much love for the Risky Business series! Your feedback and encouragement mean the world to me and help me push through when the plot bunnies get a little…
frisky
.

And to everyone who ever uploaded a picture of a hot firefighter to Pinterest, because…
inspiration
.

About the Author

Jennifer Bonds
writes sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy heroes, and a whole lot of mischief. When she’s not writing or wrangling toddlers, she can be found curled up with a good book and a bottle of wine. Jennifer lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where her overactive imagination and weakness for reality TV keep life interesting. She’s lucky enough
to live with her own real life hero, two adorable children, and a pair of rambunctious dogs. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, the Winchester brothers, and all things zombie. Sings off-key.

To connect with Jennifer, find her on
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,
Twitter
, or at
www.jenniferbonds.com
.

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