Free Seducing the Fireman (Risky Business) by Jennifer Bonds

Becca reminded her friend with a wicked grin. “Can you go grab Hot Dog from the back?”
    When Quinn grudgingly returned withthe Dalmatian costume, she handed it off to Jax with a disclaimer. “I do this under extreme protest.”
    “What?” Becca asked, striving for innocence. “Hot Dog is the FDNY mascot. He’s integral to fire safety education throughout the city. It’s perfect for Mr. October.”
    Mr. November and Mr. December seemed to share her amusement, snickering at Jax’s predicament.
    “Anything for theFDNY.” Jax slipped into the costume without protest, owning it like he did everything else. It was like the man had an endless supply of confidence. “Besides, women love dogs. I’ll bet I get just as many likes as those studs over there.”
    “Sure, as long as you remember not to hump their legs,” Becca returned, adjusting the lights. “Okay, let’s get a few shots of you by the truck.”
    Much to her annoyance, he did everything she asked, no matter how ridiculous. And damn if he didn’t look good doing it, which Quinn was too happy to point out when she wasn’t complaining about what a mistake it was to cover up such a fine specimen. The only time her friend expressed favor was when he got down on all fours.
    Finally, Becca gave up, opting for a few traditional shots in histurnout gear. They all knew she wasn’t actually going to submit the pictures with Hot Dog anyway. At her direction, Jax grabbed an ax and swung it over his shoulder, looking hotter than hell in the process. With the smoke machine blowing and the light sheen of sweat he’d developed wearing the fur suit, he’d be melting hearts all over the city.
    With one notable exception.
    “Try not tolook so cocky,” she instructed, adjusting her lens as he posed, the sculpted muscles of his pecs and delts drawing her eye as he swung the ax.
    “I’m a FDNY firefighter. It kind of comes with the territory.”
    “Wow. That’s deep. Do you actually need a hose to put out fires?” she asked, dropping her camera. “Because from where I’m standing your ego looks big enough to smother any flameit comes in contact with.”
    He flexed and continued goading her. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
    “What cover?” She snorted. “You’re parading around here half naked like Chippendale’s finest.”
    “Damn straight!” Quinn chimed in with a giggle.
    Becca shot her a dark look.
    “Just doing my duty.” Jax winked at her and climbed up the truck’s ladder. Strutting around bare-chestedand sweaty, he was to-die-for scrumptious against the backdrop of a flame wall. Talk about unfair. “Seriously, though. You do know this calendar is about more than twelve months of hot firefighters, right? The proceeds will fund fire education and safety programs, as well as provide assistance to families in need.”
    Ignoring him, Becca snapped away on her camera. She just needed to get theshot. No matter what she said or did, he was going to look good, and it was her reputation on the line. Why did the man have to be so damn sexy? Or self-assured, for that matter? He was infuriating. And of course the stupid camera loved him. As far as she could tell, Jax didn’t have a bad side. Which was ridiculous, because everyone had a bad side.
    Everyone .
    Except Jax, apparently.
    Her stomach growled, reminding her that she was starving. Exhausted, too. It had been a long day, and all she wanted to do was go home and take a long soak in the tub after eating the biggest, greasiest burger she could get her hands on. She’d grab takeout on the way home. Judging by her stained T-shirt, there was no way she could actually eat-in. Not unless she wanted to risk looking likea vagrant, anyway. Maybe hunger was screwing with her judgment, too, because once again she was wrestling feelings of guilt over what she’d done to Jax. She had to give him credit, though. The man did not give up. Still, he was just the sort of here today, gone tomorrow guy she