Page 4 of Joel (Guardians of the North #6)

JOEL

For the first time in the three years since I purchased my hot tub, I finally take the cover off, give it a thorough clean, and fill it with water.

I’ll have to take a picture to show the J-Squad later because there’s not a chance in hell anyone will believe me.

It’s a running joke in our group that I have a hot tub I never use.

But tonight, it sounds like a nice way to relax after the insane day I’ve had.

I dropped Kylie off at the hotel hours ago. I resisted the urge to ask her to dinner or out for a drink, despite her mentioning the nice cold beer she was looking forward to enjoying. It sounded like an invitation, and I feel like a fucking idiot for not taking her up on it.

It’s better this way .

There’s something primal and possessive that has roared to life inside me when it comes to Kylie Robinson. And I strongly suspect I’m not the only one who feels this animalistic lust between us.

But the risk of running into any of the J-Squad—fellow coastguardsmen or their wives—in this small town is just too fucking high. We’d never have any privacy, and any one of them could scare Kylie off with talks of true love and soulmates. It’s the last fucking thing I need right now.

But I did give her my phone number in case she needed anything.

I stare down at the screen now, at the text response she sent to confirm my number was entered correctly earlier.

Kylie: Thanks for saving me, Ocean Eyes

My dick starts to harden, because I can hear her flirty tone saying those words out loud.

I’ve yet to find relief since I got home.

It’d probably take three pumps, and I’d fucking come all over the tile shower.

I nearly nut in my pants as that fantasy flashes in my mind again, the one with Kylie’s hair spread over my thighs and my cock in her mouth.

“Fuck it.”

Joel: You get that beer you wanted?

I settle into the hot tub, grinning like a damn fool as I see those three little dots appear instantly.

Kylie: I was just about to take an Uber to the bar, but apparently you don’t have that here.

Two thoughts pop instantly into my mind. One: she’s a city girl. Two: she was going to go to the bar alone .

A surge of possessiveness rushes through me.

The last thing I fucking want is for her to be at The Iceberg all alone, getting hit on by the desperate men of this remote small town.

She’s gorgeous and charismatic. The bloodsuckers would be on her like leeches.

My jealousy makes no sense. I don’t know Kylie.

I have no claim to her. Yet, she feels like mine .

Joel: I have beer.

Joel: It’s from an Alaskan brewery.

Joel: And I have a hot tub.

Kylie: A hot tub? Prove it.

I hold the phone over my head, snapping a picture that captures most of my body and hit send.

Kylie: You always wear orange when you’re in the water?

I laugh so rarely that I hardly recognize the sound leaving my throat. When was the last time a woman made me feel…anything? Fuck, I like this curvy beauty. I like her a lot.

Joel: Does neon orange offend you? I can take them off.

There are several beats with no response.

No text bubble to indicate she’s typing one.

I fear I’ve crossed a line. Hell, I’ve known this woman less than twelve hours.

I’m sure she gets hit on all the fucking time, and here I go, one step away from being one of those assholes who sends her unsolicited dick picks.

I’m in the middle of typing out an apology when a text appears.

Kylie: Or I could come over and take them off of you myself.

I sit up straighter, certain I’m misreading that text. Or maybe I passed out the minute I got home and I’m dreaming this whole conversation.

Joel: Don’t say things you don’t mean, sweetheart.

Kylie: Would I offend your girlfriend if I showed up in a matching bikini?

My dick hardens fully now, the image of Kylie dressed in a skimpy bikini crawling into my hot tub and right onto my lap working me up. I’m also amused that she’s fishing for information.

Joel: Jealous?

Kylie: Nope.

Kylie: I just don’t believe in trespassing on someone else’s territory.

Hot and respectful.

I’m a fucked man.

Joel: No girlfriend.

Joel: And before you ask, no, I haven’t fucked anyone in my hot tub.

Kylie: Why not?

Joel: This is the first time I’ve ever used it.

Kylie: Is it new?

Joel: I’ve had it for three years.

Kylie: What? Really?

Joel: I’ve been busy.

Kylie: For 3 years???

Joel: Yeah…

Kylie: Well now you have to pick me up.

The steam of the hot tub makes it harder to keep my screen clear. I pull myself out of the water and grab a towel, already decided that I’m heading straight for the hotel. But because I enjoy this back and forth banter, I don’t immediately admit my plan.

Joel: I do?

Kylie: Yes.

Joel: Why?

Kylie: Because I’m going to be the first woman you fuck in that hot tub, Petty Officer Pierson.

Kylie: And that’s an order.

Fuck me, I’m so damn turned on right now.

It’s lust.

Very strong lust.

But I plan to enjoy the hell out of it while I can. With any luck, none of the J-Squad will catch wind of this. I just want to enjoy Kylie, without the peanut gallery trying to convince me it’s more than some good old-fashioned adult fun.

Joel: You’re giving me orders now?

Kylie: Yep. Better get used to it.

Could this woman get any hotter? I pull on a T-shirt, grab my keys, and head out the door in my wet neon orange swim trunks.

Joel: I hope you can put your money where your mouth is, because I’m on my way over to pick you up.

Kylie: Oh I have plans for this mouth.

Kylie: Plans you’ll thoroughly enjoy!