Page 24 of Single Mom's Firemen

“We’re living in your house. Eating your food. You bought us clothes and other necessities, Wyatt. I will pay you back for everything as soon as I get on my feet,” I say.

“You don’t have to do that,” he replies. “I’m not going to accept your money, and rest assured my brothers won’t, either. In fact, they will feel offended.”

“I’m not a charity case,” I shoot back, letting my pride momentarily get the better of me. “I’m going to pay you back.”

“You’ve made our lives a tad better just by being there,” Wyatt chuckles softly. “Hearing Luna and Sammy laughing and running through the house, smelling the great food you cook for us whenever we finish a shift…. You have nothing to pay us back for.”

“Why are you and your brothers so kind?” I groan with slight frustration. It makes him laugh as I step even closer.

“You’re not used to being around decent folks, I suppose.”

“Guess not. The folks I thought were good turned out to be monsters,” I say, lowering my gaze for a moment.

It’s all Wyatt needs to reach out and clasp my chin between his thumb and index finger, inviting me to look up and meet his gaze. I’m drowning in those wild green pools of his for a moment, losing control over my thoughts as I struggle to keep my breath steady.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with whatever it was that brought you to our doorstep, Halle, but I’m not sorry you walked into our lives,” he says, making my heart beat faster. “If anything, I’m already looking for ways to stop you from leaving when you do get back on your feet.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I whisper, hypnotized by his magnificent presence.

“I’ll get back to you on that,” Wyatt replies, then leans closer and kisses the tip of my nose. “You keep doing what you’re doing, Halle. I’m loving every second of it.”

A small peck on the nose was enough to turn me inside out and upside down. I’m holding my breath as Wyatt pulls back and withdraws from the records room. A second passes. Then another. By the third or fourth, I become aware of the fact that I’m yet again on my own, my senses buzzing, turned on by another Danson man. What is it with these guys and their incredible sex appeal?

7

Halle

It’s the end of my shift but the guys still have about half an hour left on the clock. Normally, I’d wait for them in the lounge area since they’re always happy to drive me home. Saves me a short bus ride or a walk, but tonight I think a walk is precisely what I need to clear my head.

Besides, I’m afraid to be in the same car with the Danson brothers at this point. I’m so hot for them, and they’re clearly hot for me, it’ll only take one small move, one sexy word uttered, and clothes will start flying. I doubt we’ll even make it to the bedroom.

“Are you hearing yourself?” I whisper inwardly, shaking the thoughts out of my head.

I’m just about ready to walk out when Eric rushes over. “Halle, wait.”

“What’s up?” I ask, my tone as flat as possible. I wonder if he can tell that I’m trying to seem indifferent to him—and his brothers.

“You’re leaving?” He looks somewhat confused.

“Yeah, I’ve got to get home before Marie brings the kids back.”

“Mom knows to drop them off after seven p.m. It’s still early,” Eric replies, a subtle frown tugging at his brows. “I was actually hoping you’d let me take you out to dinner tonight. Wyatt and Chase will be more than happy to stay with Luna and Sammy.”

“Dinner?” I stare at him in disbelief. “You want to have dinner with me.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he chuckles. “Yes, Halle, I’d love to have dinner with you. Would you like to have dinner with me?”

It’s like he’s talking to a five-year-old. Slow and clear, repeating key words to make sure I understand what he’s trying to tell me. I must look particularly dumbfounded.

“I can’t,” my mouth says without my consent. “I need a walk to clear my head. Another time, okay? But thank you.”

Before he can say anything, I walk out.

I can feel those baby blues watching me as I cross the parking lot of the fire station and turn left, sticking to the main road to get me home. Evening has fallen over Dallas with explosive hues of pink, oranges and reds, and it smells like all the trees in the city have decided to bloom at once.

It is so beautiful and it gives me a faint sense of peace. The kind of peace I’ve been missing in my life. I’m not used to any of this. I am not used to seeing the prettier side of things. That wasn’t something I was able to do while I was living with Colby. He had a way of sucking the joy out of everything.

It’s time for me to start living again, really and truly.

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