Jaxson: Guardians of the North, #1

By Kali Hart

Blakely

I've been looking forward to visiting my Coast Guard brother in Alaska since I broke off my engagement.
A little time away in beautiful Alaska with my camera is just what I need.
But when my flight lands in North Haven, my brother is nowhere to be found.
Instead, the sexiest man I've ever laid eyes on is calling out my name, insisting he's my ride.
Jaxson Daniels is exactly who'd I'd pick for a no-strings-attached hookup during my long weekend away from home.
Only problem is he's my brother's best friend.
It's a line neither of us should cross, no matter how badly we want each other.
But the more time we spend together, the more the lines blur.
The stronger feelings I shouldn't have are growing.

Jaxson

After an exhausting water rescue mission, all I want is a relaxing weekend at home.
But when my buddy calls me up and confesses he has food poisoning, I can't turn down his request to pick up his little sister from the airport.
I've never met Blakely Harris before.
But one glance is all it takes to know I'll never be able to forget her.
The more time we're forced to spend together, the hotter the chemistry between us sizzles.
There are a million reasons why I should resist her.
Yet, the harder I try to fight our growing attraction, the more I crave her.
And not just for the weekend—forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie M. Wallick
• Release date: Feb 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223726821

Book preview

1

BLAKELY

I’m ten final reconciliations away from freedom. Just ten little spreadsheet lines and I can log out of my computer. Come on. You’ve got this.

I rub my eyes, willing them to refocus even as I reach for the last swallow of a watered-down Dr. Pepper. Should’ve finished it when the ice was still ice. I grimace, but swallow, convinced the sugar and caffeine will see me through.

My brain is practically mush, but the desire to see my brother after three years is enough to propel me through the grueling monthly task. Four wonderful, office-free days.

Clickety-clack.

Nine lines.

After the hell I’ve been through in the past month, this Alaskan vacation is just what I need to recharge.

Eight.

I drop my gaze to my left hand. The familiar relief surges at seeing the naked finger. I don’t know why I keep checking, as if the ring I never really wanted could magically pop back on my finger. Why did I say yes? Well, just what in the hell is a woman supposed to do when a man proposes to her in a very public setting?

Clickety-clack.

Seven.

Are you ready? Mindy’s chipper voice pulls me from my gloomy thoughts and reminds me I have better things ahead.

Almost done. I nod at the screen. If I never have to do another monthly reconciliation spreadsheet again, it’ll be too soon. I’m good with numbers, but this is so not my passion. The job does pay well enough and offers fantastic benefits. It doesn’t feel right to complain. Yet, it still feels a little like my soul is dying each day I’m here.

Six.

I’m so jealous of you, you know. Mindy sits on the end of my cubicle desk and reaches for the framed photo of Jordan and me, ogling the picture taken at his Coast Guard boot camp graduation. She’s had a crush on my brother’s photo since I met her. Never mind that she’s happily married with two teenaged kids. I adore Mindy. Take me with you? I’ll behave.

No you won’t, I tease.

Five lines to go.

You’re right, I totally wouldn’t. She sets the photo frame back in its place. You don’t have to either, you know.

What?

Behave.

You know I’m not ready to put myself back out there. I can feel the compassion emanating from Mindy, but I don’t dare look back at her. I can’t stand the pity I know I’ll find in her eyes.

I returned the ring a month ago. I’m still adjusting to my new normal. I’ve had enough space to realize I didn’t love Ryan like I thought I did, but it still feels different to be on my own after two years. I never realized how smothered I was until a few days went by without hearing from him. Even if I had to block his number to make that happen.

Sweetie, you’re only going to be in that little Alaska town for three nights. I’m not suggesting you snag a future husband.

Four lines.

I reach for my water tumbler and take a long sip to avoid having to say anything. Mindy means well, she really does.

You don’t need a relationship, she adds. You need some hot, meaningless sex.

I choke on my water hard enough to make my eyes water and cause two coworkers to poke their heads over the tops of their cubicle walls to make sure I’m not dying. Or maybe it’s their morbid curiosity that drives them to look over. Truth. No one likes these spreadsheets.

Outside of Mindy, I haven’t met a lot of genuinely kind people at this job. Of course, I haven’t really tried to make meaningful connections. I never planned to stay long term. Mindy kind of forced her friendship on me, despite our age difference. She’s the only person who makes this nine-to-five tolerable.

Surely your brother has some hot Coast Guard friends, Mindy says after she no longer deems it necessary to pound on my back. My face it no doubt beet red and my eyes are watering heavily, but she’s not deterred. Hook up with one of them. Maybe it’ll inspire you.

"Inspire me to what?"

Mindy’s expression shifts when her gaze catches someone in the distance. It’s the look that says the boss is approaching. She slides off my desk and stands, straightening her long skirt. You’re meant for more than this place, sweetie. She pats my shoulder. Don’t forget to send me pictures.

I return my focus to the dreaded spreadsheet and quickly knock out the last three reconciliations. But I’m not fast enough to avoid my manager.

Blakely, how’s that monthly recon coming? There’s something sickeningly sweet in her voice that’s always grated on me, but I’ve never offered her anything colder than a kind smile.

Almost done. Just two left—

Good, good. Her gaze drops to the photo on my desk. The same one Mindy was practically drooling over a minute ago. I wait for her to ask about my trip or my brother, but instead, she returns the conversation to work. Send it to me when you’re finished. I’ll do a quick review so you can make any changes before you head out for the day.

But—

My manager moves to the next cubicle before I can straighten out this misunderstanding. I slip