Rebel: Prequel: The Firehouse, #1

By Anna Joung

A gorgeous playboy. An indecent proposal. How hard can it be to resist?

Struggling artist Summer Griffin doesn't know Rebel Brand, until he ends up at her studio as her nude model. It's her first big painting gig, and she needs to focus. But the devilishly charming Rebel makes that difficult. Now she knows his reputation.

A Heartbreaker.
A playboy who's allergic to commitment.
His name alone spells trouble…

Getting down and dirty on a studio sofa isn't exactly how she imagined going back into the love game, but the passion and chemistry between them are undeniable. Combustible.

Then Rebel shocks her with an offer. Live with him and pretend to be his fiancée for one month, while he's trying to gain back custody of his son. Which suits Summer great, since she needs a place to stay. But she's not planning to trust her heart to a playboy by any means, so she sets a few ground rules!
However...her body wants to break every single one of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Joung
• Release date: Jun 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223363224

Book preview

Rebel

Brand, you made a good decision moving here. I’m telling you, Chicago is a prime hunting ground.

I resist rolling my eyes when they lift to meet Jay Green’s. The man doesn’t shut up. He’s been dropping that same line since I moved here. You know, I’ve been here for an entire year, right?

Hands on his hips, he nods, his expression puzzled. Yeah...so?

So, you can hop off the fucking welcome wagon already. I can’t say it out loud, of course. I moved to Chicago because I got into trouble at my last fire station. I have to avoid fucking up here. If I snap at Green the way I really want to, he might want to start a war or something. From what I’ve seen, he’s the overly defensive type. Besides, I think the annoying bastard is just trying to be nice. The least I can do is pretend to appreciate his wisdom.

Blowing out a breath, I mumbled, Yeah, I guess you’re right. Prime hunting ground.

He chuckles. I should know. His chest inflates as he prepares to brag about yet another conquest. Man, the stories I have. Hey, did I tell you the crazy shit that happened last Friday?

He did. Many, many times. Nope. I know how much he loves to talk. I can humor him a little.

I’m saved from hearing the story again when Bane, my best friend, sticks his head around the door. Guys, we gotta start setting up.

Thank the fucking lord. I spring up from where I sit on a chair in the lounge. Clapping Green on the shoulder, I say, You can tell me about it another time, buddy.

A disappointed Green, huffs. Yeah. It’s a good story.

I’m sure.

Bane lifts a brow, a smile playing on his face. Out of Green’s earshot, on our way downstairs, he finally lets his amusement show. Chuckling, he asks, Was he about to tell you about last Friday again?

Unfortunately.

Bane snorts. How many times has he told us the same story?

Five. I think if I hear it one more time, I might lose control and wrap my hands around Green’s neck. That’s just how the man gets his kicks.

Pretend to be Hugh Hefner incarnate when in fact he barely gets laid?

My lips twitch, but the smile stays hidden. He doesn’t have to know that we know the truth. Let the man live in his fantasy, Bane.

Since when are you so nice?

Not nice, just sympathetic. I was awakened from my fantasy three years ago. I spiraled into a place so dark, I was still trying to claw my way out. Or maybe I’d stopped trying. Nowadays, I just drink and fuck all my pain away. So, let Green revel in the awesome life he has going on in his head.

He’s one of those guys who swears he’s a womanizer when really it’s the few women he gets that’s playing him. The narcissistic bastard also thinks he knows and is good at everything. He isn’t. But let him keep thinking he’s great. If he sees the truth, the fragile man I see beneath the surface will be broken. As I am. I don’t wish the downward spiral of my life on anyone. I’m just a shell of my former naïve self going through the motions.

Bane’s voice rescues me from my deep thoughts. Don’t do it, man. Don’t think about it.

What are you talking about?

Bane’s clear blue eyes are penetrating. Whenever you go quiet like that, you’re thinking about her and what she did to you.

He knows me well. Clearing my throat, I swerve in a different direction. The cause of my misery isn’t something I want to discuss. How long before we get started?

About ten minutes. Let’s hope playboy wanna-be doesn’t fuck this one up.

Bane and I are in charge of educating the younger generation. Unfortunately, Green is a part of our little team and he’s useless. Every month we visit schools to put on fire prevention and safety presentations or the students come to us. Today, they’re coming to us. We’ll be giving a tour of the firehouse and everything. It’s also a good way to advertise how cool being a firefighter is. I love my job. I always have. That’s why when I messed up at the last fire department, I was relieved I was transferred instead of fired.

We make our way outside where two school buses were pulling up. "They’re