The Lineman by Casey Morales

A brawny lineman, a ginger English teacher, and a horny pup. What could go wrong?

Mike Albert hates moving. Absolutely hates it. But there he was, standing in the driveway of his brand-new home, exhausted, exasperated, and—thanks to his hyperactive Jack Russell, Homer—already causing a scene.
Then he sees him.
Eliot.
All broad shoulders and thick, his chest coated in sweat and debris, his voice like honey over gravel, wielding an ax like it’s an extension of his own body.
It’s too bad Mike’s introduction involved his dog aggressively humping the man’s leg. Like serious, puppy making humping.
Eliot, a no-nonsense power lineman, was used to storms—both the electrical kind and the messes people make of their lives. He didn’t expect the nervous, fast-talking new guy next door to turn his world upside down. But with Mike’s awkward charm, penchant for disasters, and a dimple that should be illegal, Eliot found himself intrigued.
What started as a neighborly friendship quickly turned into something more—something warm, electric, and undeniable. But Mike had a history of playing it safe, and Eliot spent years keeping people at arm’s length.

Could a jittery schoolteacher and a grounded, gruff lineman find common ground? Or would their connection short-circuit before they got a chance to light up the night?