Wrecked: Guardians

Everett: There are a ton of reasons why falling for my tiny, adorkable best friend is a terrible idea - starting with the body in my trunk. I have other reasons - he still mourns his late husband. I’m way older, he’s a foot shorter, my tattoo shop is a front, he’s an assistant professor at UT. Still, I can’t help but think we’d be perfect for each other if I didn’t kill people (very, very bad people) for a living.

The first time I saw Anders F--king Bash, he was shirtless, armed, and simultaneously the most beautiful and frustrating man I’ve ever met. He has not gotten any uglier. Or any less frustrating. And today I finally took a swing at him. Our boss thinks a simple op in East Texas is exactly the thing we need to mend our relationship and restore the team dynamic.

Letting him go was the biggest mistake of my life. Giving me a second chance might be the biggest mistake of his. I’d spent a year as Ronan’s friend-with-benefits, convincing myself that he could never feel the way I felt. I was floored when those three little words flew out of his mouth. So, I ran and have regretted that decision every day for the last five years.

So many close calls, drunken flirtations, exchanged glances…and then his unfailing sense of duty would kick in. He has always outranked me and was never going to cross that line. Even though we’re no longer in the service, he insists he’s not good enough for me. And sure, he’s still the boss…of our highly illegal mercenary organization. But that’s not the only thing holding him back. He’s scarred and in pain and believes his physical limitations should deter me. What he doesn’t seem to get is that I would sacrifice a limb for him. Major organs. My entire heart.