Page 21 of Firefighter Midlife Wolf

His heart ached at the thought. Depression sounded like such a big, heavy word for a kid who was usually running track, hanging with his friends, playing the guitar, and chasing his sister around. Jack had his grumpy and tired moments like any other teen, but he was always full of energy otherwise. “What do you think I should do?”

“Follow up with his doctor,” she advised. “That’s the first step. They might recommend some counseling.”

“Oh, boy. He’s gonna love that.” Hayden shook his head. “We’ll deal with it, though. At least I have an idea of where to start.”

“One step at a time, right?” Jessica subconsciously fiddled with her earring, a little shiny bauble.

“Exactly.” He hadn’t noticed the earrings before. He was suddenly intrigued by something so small and insignificant, yet he couldn’t let go of it. His wolf rose in him, and anything Jessica did or said was suddenly incredibly appealing. It was the way the thin material of her shirt clung to her body, showing him the curves that were usually obscured by her scrubs. It was the way the sunlight that came through the window highlighted a bit of red in her hair, just as it had that first day he’d met her. Even something as simple as her gestures as she spoke had him entranced. His wolf was churning inside him, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be able to control it.

“I really do appreciate you coming by, Jessica.” Even her name on his lips was exquisite. “It made me feel a lot better.”

Her chest swelled as her breathing increased. Jessica’s eyes were zeroed in on his, and he swore he could feel her wolf reacting. The energy was electric between them. “I’m happy to. Hayden, I—” She broke off and looked away.

“What is it?” He dared to take a step closer, closing the gap between them. He wasn’t touching her—yet—but it would take only a simple movement of his hand for his fingers to close around her hip. Hayden managed to hold back. For now.

She closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head. When she looked back up at him, she was almost laughing at herself. “I just can’t seem to keep my mouth shut around you. I know…I know there’s more going on here.”

“You think I had an ulterior motive when I called you?” he challenged with a smile.

“No, it’s not that, but?—”

“But it’s true,” he interrupted. Hayden had reached the end of his patience with fate and circumstance. “I wanted to see you.”

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “I wanted to see you, too. I was just meaning to say that I know we have more going on than a professional relationship. Not on the surface, but it’s in there. Isn’t it?”

“Yes.” His blood boiled. Hayden’s hand drifted forward to touch her hip.

She closed her eyes and inhaled, just as impacted by the touch as he was. “I know we can’t do anything about it, and I’ve been battling that ever since I met you.”

“So have I,” he admitted, his wolf swirling in ecstasy as her hand rested on his bicep and slid upward. “It’s just that you’re here for Jack. I wouldn’t want you to do anything that would compromise your job, no matter how badly I might want it.”

“Right.” Her teeth grabbed her lower lip for a moment. “And there are the kids. Paige has to be my number one concern, even beyond what we have.”

“Of course.” His heart thundered in his ears, and now his left hand rose to grab her other hip. Hayden swore he could still control himself and keep the couple of inches of space between them. “I feel the same way about Jack. I couldn’t possibly get involved with anyone when he has all of this going on.”

“Exactly.” She made a small noise in her throat as her other hand slid up his arm this time, her fingers pressing along the lines of his muscles as she did. “The kids are the only thing that matters.”

The rest of the world had blurred out, and the only thing Hayden could see was Jessica. His mate. The woman that fate had dictated would belong to him, just as he belonged to her. Their wolves were so close, and his beast was wild in a whole new way. “That’s how it has to be.”

Her chin was lifted, her lips parted. Her eyes drifted to look at his lips and then quickly flicked upward again. “It’s a good thing we understand each other.”

Hayden had never understood anything so well in his life. He pulled her close, reveling in the way her body felt against his as he pressed his lips to hers. Jessica was just as soft and warm as the fantasies that’d been plaguing him at night. He ran his hands over her curves, wanting to breathe her in. He dared to part his lips and tease her with the tip of his tongue.

Jessica readily took the bait, opening up to him. She rose up on her toes, and there was no question of any space between them now. Her fingertips pressed long, slow lines into the back of his neck and up into his hair, and she melted against him as their tongues twined.

She was heaven in his arms and everything Hayden had ever dreamed of. His wolf was swiftly taking over his thoughts, reminding him of everything else he’d imagined about Jessica.

“Mom!”

Jessica pulled back like she’d touched a hot stove, her eyes wide and her face flushed. Her lips were moist, and she quickly wiped them as she turned to the kitchen door.

They hadn’t been caught, though. The door was still shut.

Hayden wondered if it was possible to bring his body back under control. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have?—”

“No, that’s not your fault.” She skimmed a hand over her hair. “We just…but we shouldn’t…”

“Just getting it out of the way, right?” As if that would calm the blazing fire inside him.

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