Aaron Jones quits his job as an IT tech and decides to tour the east coast of the U.S. before flying home to Britain. But hitching rides isn’t easy, especially when there’s a heat wave going on. Standing on the side of the road, thumb extended and bottle of water empty, Aaron starts to despair. Seeing a cute guy trying to hitch a ride, trucker Ben Knight picks him up before the cops do. Aaron is relieved to be out of the heat, but gratitude almost instantly heats up into something more potent when he gets a look at his rescuer -- a handsome, mature bear. Ben cannot believe anyone as incredible as Aaron could be interested in an overweight guy with too many miles on the clock. What happens when they finally reach Newark and the heat between Ben and Aaron rivals that outside?

Heat Wave: Newark

“They’ll get a thump in the gob if they say anything.” Aaron stood, hands on hips, determined look on his face.


Ben’s bladder was sending out more urgent messages. “Okay, Scrappy, calm down.” Given how late in the morning it was, Chad, Seth, and the others would be long gone. Oh, why the hell not! Ben thought, deciding to live dangerously for once. And it’d please Aaron, too. He accepted the vest and put it on.


“Yes!” Aaron pumped his fist in the air. “Hot!” He dressed in rapid style and fished for his phone. “Want a picture of you in that sexy clobber.”


Ben shook his head and slid into his boots. “Come on, let’s go.”


But Aaron was determined. He shot out of the cab and stood in the parking lot, phone held up to his face. “Slowly,” he encouraged. “No, no, put those shades on.”


Ben rolled his eyes again but went back into the cab for the dark glasses. The sun had kinda been in his eyes anyway.


“Great!” Aaron said when Ben stood on the running board. “Look all mean and butch.”


Chapter 15