About Sparks Fly

by Kiernan Kelly
30 pages / 6900 words
Ebook zipped file contains - html, lit, Adobe and Sony optimized pdf, prc, epub

Riley and Rocket are two pyrotechnic experts who meet to put on a Fourth of July fireworks show. Soon enough, they find that the only things hotter than the incendiary devices they handle are the sparks flying between them.

Sample

Riley bit back a curse, angry with himself for assuming Rocket would be idiotic enough to try to stage a show in a small parking lot. Of course Rocket would know it was safest to set off fireworks over a body of water. Helping Rocket out seemed a good way to apologize without actually saying the word again. Once in one night was enough. Besides, even though he didn't let the thought fully form, he wanted to spend some time with somebody who didn't think he was a complete waste of oxygen. "Sure. What time is the show?"

"Booker wants it to go off at midnight. That gives us about two hours. I did the majority of the prep yesterday, so we have plenty of time."

Riley looked over the explosives in the back of the truck, more carefully this time, and saw that Rocket was being truthful -- the fireworks were just about ready to go. Knowing Rocket had always been meticulous in his prep work made Riley feel better. "Okay, then. Let's go. Kelly, are you coming, or are you going to stay here?"

"Me? Go anywhere with two pyromaniacs like you guys? No, thanks. I'll stay here and keep the bartender company," Kelly said. She smiled, and kissed Riley on the cheek. "You know," she whispered in his ear, "I always thought you should be with Rocket. Now's your chance."

Riley shook his head, and shot Kelly a warning look. "Let's go," he said to Rocket, then jumped into the passenger seat of the black pickup. Leave it to Kelly to dream up the impossible. Him and Rocket? It was absurd. Ridiculous. Rocket had never showed the slightest interest in Riley.

Why should he? Rocket was as handsome as Alex ever was, albeit in a diamond-in-the-rough sort of way. He could have anybody.

While the thought of having Rocket warmed Riley's belly, the knowledge that it was never likely to happen left him feeling oddly bereft, and just a little angry.