Feel the Fire (Hotshots 3)

Meow. Blaze yodeled from her perch on the fridge, and they both laughed.

Tucker shook his head. “I’m not sure if that’s an objection to us getting naked or if she’s warming up to my presence. Seems more likely that she’s planning my demise as soon as we’re...distracted.”

“I’d offer to put her in her carrier, but she’s likely to get louder if I do. But ignore her for now. What do you want?”

“You.” Tucker pulled him closer, giving him a soft and sweet kiss full of promise before he groaned low.

Too late, Luis remembered his spicy add-ins to the food. “Oops. Forgot about the salsa. Hope you didn’t burn your lips.”

“You’re cute. Turns out I don’t mind spicy as much when it’s you.”

“Nice. Still, let me do this.” Skin heating, Luis fished a mint out of his pocket and quickly chomped it.

“And let me do this.” Tucker found his mouth for another kiss, this one deeper and more purposeful. Tucker was such an intriguing blend of tentative and assertive, cautious and unrestrained. And Luis was perfectly happy to find out what he wanted, where this would lead. As it turned out, that meant several long minutes of trading kisses, awkward position forgotten in the rush of how good Tucker’s lips and tongue and teeth could make him feel.

“Damn.” Breathing hard as Tucker let him up for air, he rolled his shoulders, trying to not let his back stiffen up.

“Hey, off the floor with you.” Tucker offered him a hand up, then gave him a long, considering look that had Luis’s toes curving into the carpet. “Can I see your tattoo?”

“Which one?” Fingers already going to his shirt buttons, he winked at Tucker, loving how his eyes went wide and lips fell open.

“All of them,” he breathed with all the reverence of a kid presented with a tray of cookies.

Shrugging out of his shirt, Luis preened under his obvious admiration. In addition to the stylized flames ringing his biceps, he had a baseball mitt on his left pec with his dad’s name on it, and a small version of Mike’s fire helmet on his back. His other biceps had his first tat, a fire department badge he’d gotten on a dare at his first firehouse assignment. It was fun to watch Tucker’s eyes rove over his various tats, but two could play at this little game.

“Do I get to see you too? Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from any cat claws.”

“Well, in that case...”

As Tucker unbuttoned his work shirt, Luis wasn’t sure who would be protecting him and his heart from Tucker, from his soft little grin. And Tucker might be a busy guy, but he clearly made some time for weights with nicely defined arms and a chiseled chest that was unexpectedly and delightfully fuzzy.

“Damn, you’re sexy.”

“Right back at you.” Tucker laughed self-consciously as he kept going, removing his pants as well and setting them by the boots he’d taken off earlier. Like Luis, he had various scars including a long one on one calf. Such battle marks were almost a given in their line of work, and if anything only added to Tucker’s rugged appeal. “Sorry that I don’t have any impressive ink like yours.”

“No, you’ve got an impressive you.” Luis took Tucker stripping down to his boxer briefs as permission to do the same before he put his hands on Tucker’s bare shoulders.

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” Leaning in, Tucker gave him a playful kiss, nipping at Luis’s lips until he couldn’t stand the teasing a moment longer and had to capture Tucker’s mouth for a thorough exploration that left them both breathless.

“Flattery enough to get me here?” Gently, he steered Tucker toward the bed, stopping short of tumbling him onto it.

“That and more of those kisses.” Tucker took the hint and stretched out, patting the spot next to him. Joining him, Luis was only too happy to indulge him in long minutes of kissing, hands lightly skimming Tucker’s arms and back as they lay on their sides. Tucker’s intense appreciation of even the smallest gestures made kissing that much more fun, discovering what made him shiver and what made him groan. He seemed to like it most when Luis took control, moaning softly when Luis sucked at his lower lip and clutching his shoulders when their tongues met.

“Good?” Luis retreated far enough to study Tucker’s face, trying hard to follow his signals for where he might want this to go.

“Very.” Stroking Luis’s jaw, Tucker met his gaze. “What do you like? You’re so concerned about what I need and want, and that’s appreciated, truly. But I want to know about you too and what turns you on.”

“You turn me on.” He laughed, but Tucker made a frustrated noise. “Seriously, I’m pretty easy. Getting you off turns me on, however that happens, but simply kissing is great as well. I want you comfortable.”