Page 53 of Silver Fox Firefighters Next Door

“We didn’t think this was possible for us, Eve, but it is. Because of you.” Aiden stood next to Nash and gripped one of Eve’s thighs. “We were so sure of our plan that we almost fucked up and lost you. Never again.”

I was afraid to get too close because I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop touching her once I started. “We care about you. We don’t want to leave you. We thought we had to but we don’t. We don’t have to go anywhere and now you’re stuck with us.”

She stared between us with wide eyes. “You don’t want to stay here. You’re leaving.”

“No.” I inched closer. “We accepted permanent positions with the fire department. We’re not going anywhere.”

“But you didn’t want me.” Her eyes filled with tears and I gave up the fight. Nash shifted so I could pull her into my arms and hold her tight.

I stroked the back of her head and enjoyed the feeling of her limbs tightening around me. It felt like the beginning of something. “We were wrong, Eve. We’re supposed to be here. With you.”

“Everyone knew it but us.” Aiden rubbed her back. “This town is full of matchmakers and they’re willing to go to some pretty wild places to make things happen. I don’t want to see what your grandpa is willing to do next so maybe you should forgive us for being slow to the draw and we can call off the matchmakers.”

I kissed the side of her head. “We can be the men who give everything to you. Let us. We’ll build the fucking picket fence and paint it whatever color you want.”

She lifted her head and her entire face was bright red. Through tears and a runny nose, she still was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. “You’re serious? You’re staying?”

“We’re staying.” Nash ran his knuckles over her cheek. “To be with you, Eve. You’re enough. You’re all we need.”

“What if I’m not enough? What if you want to leave after a few months here? What would I do?” Her hands balled into fists on my shoulders. “I can’t go through this feeling again.”

“We were talking on the way here. Would you having a dozen of our babies be enough to convince you we’re staying with you forever?” I laughed at the shocked expression on her face. “We’re not going anywhere, Evie, and it would be nice if we could start our life together now. I’ve missed the shit out of you. We would’ve come to you earlier but we thought you needed space.”

“You’re serious.” Massive tears filled her eyes and when she blinked, they rolled down her cheeks and splashed onto the front of her shirt. “You guys want to stay here with me?”

Aiden nodded. “Yeah. Forever. We’re sure about this, Eve. It took us long enough to get to the answer. Don’t make us wait anymore.”

She looked between us and took a deep breath. When she blew it out, I felt the tension leave her body. “You’re staying.”

“Yeah. We can work out the details later. I think we need to buy a house and all that. We have the fencing to worry about. There’s the issue of finding a bed big enough for all of us. That can all come later, though. Right now, I just really want to get that shirt off you, for a multitude of reasons, and show you how much we missed you.”

Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled. “Okay.”

“Okay?” Nash grabbed the hem of her shirt.

She slapped his hands away and laughed, the sound so sweet to my ears. “Not out here!”

“We’re leaving the jeep here. Hank and his real Deputies can come get it.” Aiden scowled at the vehicle. “I don’t know what we’d do if something happened to you, Evie. I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you’re happy and safe.”

She rested her head on my shoulder as I carried her toward our truck. “If I wake up and this is a dream, I’m going to lose it.”

CHAPTER 43

Eve

My heart wouldn’t stop racing. I chewed on my lip as I watched the guys. Nash was driving us toward the cabins and they all seemed…normal. It was like they hadn’t just changed their entire life plan for me. That was crazy. I couldn’t accept it because I couldn’t believe it. I wanted them more than anything but I was terrified. If I believed they were mine and then they left, I’d be destroyed. I wasn’t sure my heart would survive being broken again.

Before I knew it, we were parked in front of their cabin and Nash was outside my door, reaching in for me. I held up my hands and then fanned myself as a hot flash hit me.

“Eve?” Nash leaned in and ran his eyes over me, in medic mode. “What’s wrong?”

I swallowed and my throat was so dry I started coughing. I fanned myself harder and felt an embarrassing amount of emotion building inside me. I was going to fall apart and they were going to be forced to watch it happen.

Nash pulled me out of the truck and carried me inside. He sat on the couch with me in his lap and put his fingers to my wrist, checking my pulse. “Your heart is racing, Eve. Take some deep breaths for me.”

I suddenly burst into tears and tried to laugh through it. “I’m sorry. I’m fine. It’s okay.”

Nash cupped my face to stop me from hiding it from them. “You’re not okay. Is this about us?”

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