They knew it was dangerous to be gay in the all-male, macho world of firefighting, but when Dane Garrison and Robert "Bear" Barrington are stranded in a shack and forced to sleep together to keep warm, the barriers to expressing their love and satisfying their hidden lust for each other break down. Terrified for them both of being outed, Bear shuts Dane out of his life after their brief time together, as if their passion had never existed.<br><br>Dane, however, wants this man in his life forever. More aggressive and secure, he fights against Bear's resistance to their relationship.<br><br>How Dane will win, or if he will win, will seal their fate forever ...

Tie 'Em Up, Hold 'Em Down

Blood bayed long and loud in his excitement over the find. The patrollers laughed. Bear scratched him behind his big ears and planted a kiss on his wet head. “Come on, we need to get you warm, too.” Blood looked expectantly at him with sad eyes. “Don’t worry. I have a treat for you in the car.”


At the sound of the word “treat,” Blood ran alongside Bear to the car.


The snow was falling faster as they toweled off the dogs in the SUV after removing their wet shoes and vests. The patrol team had left with the rescued boys before Bear realized the slide had completely blocked the road to the main highway. They couldn’t get out that way.


Chapter 18