Brandon Russo can't stand the sight of blood and the current heat wave makes doing almost anything outdoors unpleasant. So when an SUV sideswipes a bicycle right at the gate of the storage facility in Burlington, Vermont, where Brandon works for his aunt, he considers just locking himself in the office and calling 911. But he's rewarded for letting his good nature overcome his squeamishness when the man he rescues from the ditch turns out to be absolutely gorgeous.<br><br>Scott Seay is a photographer on the trail of a legend. A strong lead has brought him to Vermont for the auction of a storage unit whose owner had been obsessed with Champy, the creature rumored to live in the depths of Lake Champlain. When Scott winds up in a ditch outside that very same storage facility, being rescued by a hot, chivalrous man who literally sweeps Scott into his arms ... well, Scott's always believed in fate.

Heat Wave: Burlington

“Well, don’t I feel stupid?” Brandon gasped, between howls of mirth.


“I’m so glad you’re amused by my abject humiliation,” Scott said. “I was scared to death you were gonna notice I was getting a bit turned on and drop me on my ass in the parking lot.”


Brandon managed to get a hold of his giggles, issuing a few snorts. “Only if you’d put up a struggle,” Brandon said. He rubbed tears out of his eyes, leaving a smear over one cheek, then grimaced. “Blech. Ditch water. Gimme a minute.” Brandon got to his feet, peeled off his muck-covered T-shirt, and dropped it on the chair. He headed through a small door and Scott could hear water splashing in a sink.


Chapter 5