Austin never imagined a one-night stand would change his life, but from the moment he gave into desire, the flames of ambition were stoked. As a fire at the legendary Masterson House rages, Austin is hailed a hero and the prime candidate to be named to the White Pine Fire Department's team for the annual Fire Ball contest. But the sexy, powerful Joey Silva from the opposing fire department truly ignites Austin's heart.
Tucker once called White Pine his home, but after following his heart and becoming a successful musician, he has returned to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. Taking up with the first love of his life, Ian Masterson, who survived a fire that nearly consumed his home, Tucker must battle small-minded people as well as his father, the local fire chief, to find happiness and love.
With White Pine getting set for the annual Hibernation Festival, the highlight of which is the Fire Ball, secrets are revealed and alliances renewed. Bragging rights are on the line, not only for the village of White Pine, but for the sexually charged men who live within its borders.
“What do we have?”
“Fire,” spoke Dicky Tenders, on duty tonight and all ready to roll out with the White Pine Fire Department’s lead engine.
“Gee, really?” Austin replied.
“Screw your sarcasm, kid, we’ll brief you on board,” the veteran Dicky said with his characteristic attitude. “And maybe if we get this one under control we won’t tell the Chief that you weren’t at your post tonight. Christ, Austin, you said you’d just be down the street at Sally’s. And yet here you come rushing up in your car -- which means you were not within shouting distance of the station house. What, you get lucky or something? Christ, you’re hornier than a rabbit.”
Austin tried to blow off the words, but he knew he’d fucked up. What were the odds of hot sex and a burning fire happening in the same night, at the same moment? Why did boring old White Pine suddenly have to be a hive of activity, and why did it have to mess up his plans? He could have been having his cock sucked right now, his ass fucked all night.
Such were his dirty thoughts as he donned his gear and hopped aboard the back of the engine just as Dicky careened out of the station. Traffic was non-existent at nearly three in the morning. Still, the flashing red lights of the engine and the blaring siren were in full effect; it was regulation, and actually the sound gave Austin a thrill. He liked the action, the drama. He was curious where they were heading and what was now being consumed by flames. His cock was still hard as they turned toward Paddy Rodgers Memorial Bridge and zoomed across it, heading out of White Pine.
“Where the hell is this fire?” Austin asked through the communicator built into his helmet.
“Masterson House,” Dicky said from behind the wheel. “Boys from the Hills requested back-up.”
Masterson House was a sizable mansion up in the mountains, and the Hills was actually Honor Hills, a neighboring village. Austin had of course heard of the place; anyone who knew the Adirondack region of New York State had heard of Masterson House. A one-time ski resort and spa, it had closed up about fifteen years ago, when old man Masterson had retired. There was some drama about the family, but few knew the details. No one had gotten the chance to visit the old house since it had closed, as the Masterson family had not only closed the business’s doors, they had gone into full recluse mode. But self-sufficiency only went so far, especially when fire was ripping through its well-built walls.
About two miles beyond the expanse of the bridge, the fire engine took a hard turn and began to make its way up the mountainside road, Austin holding on for dear life. As they rounded one last curve, the horizon lit up like dawn had suddenly cracked. The smell of burning wood was overwhelming, making Austin wonder if the house was going to be salvageable; he wondered about the family, if anyone even still lived there.
At last the engine came to a stop amidst a collection of other emergency vehicles. Austin made out the hook and ladder from Honor Hills, as well as the paramedics from White Pine’s medical center. Men in uniform were rushing around, holding hoses, spewing currents of water at the mansion, now lit by fire, the surrounding woods in danger of catching the heat and erupting into wild flames.
Off to one side, shouting out orders, was the Hills’ fire chief, the silver-haired Alex Silva, and when he saw the new arrivals he quickly made his way over, pointing to the woods. Soon the White Pine team, led by Dicky and four others, unraveled the hose and began to spray around the perimeter of the house, trying their best to keep the fire from spreading.
Austin stopped what he was doing, staring up at the house. Flames licked at the roof, shot out from windows on the upper floors. From what he could see, the lower two floors had yet to become engulfed, and the firefighters from Honor Hills seemed to have it well under control at this point.
“Austin, stop daydreaming about your stud,” Dicky yelled, “Let’s go, let’s go.”
