Page 43 of Knot Your Baby

I arch an eyebrow, intrigued.

“I got called to this building on fire.” He shakes his head as if trying to dislodge the past. “My commander told me not to go inside, but...well, you know how it is.” He chuckles bitterly. “Stupid kid thinks he knows better.”

“I know how it is.” I shift; cradling Stone closer while Zane’s face grows serious.

“I was surrounded by flames and smoke,” he continues, his expression clouding over with a distant pain. “The smoke was choking me first; I had no choice but to run through it.” His jaw clenches. “I thought I made it through until...until a ceiling beam came crashing down.” He shrugs his shoulders. “I woke up five days later with these.” He points to the puckered skin around his ear and then uncovers his shirt to show me his burned chest and shoulder.

I gasp as memories of my bakery flood back—the roar of flames and the terror of watching everything burn around me.

“You saved me after everything you went through,” I whisper.

“It’s my calling,” he says softly, eyes flickering between mine and Stone’s face.

“Your scars...” My voice trails off as concern wraps around my heart like a vise. “Do they hurt?”

“They feel tight sometimes. I need to keep them moisturized.” His fingers brushing his shirt against his body as if he was suddenly regretting revealing too much.

“This will help. It’s nipple cream but it’ll soothe the skin. I’ll put some on you when I’m finished breast feeding this greedy one.” I smile at my son and then at Zane. “Did it not put you off being a firefighter?”

“My brother hates my job,” Zane admits, frustration edging his tone. “Your brother should be grateful you’re still alive. My–” I swallow, unable to say anything more.

Zane stares at me, but doesn’t push. “He wants me to leave it and join him in the family business.”

“And you’re not ready for that?”

He shakes his head but glances longingly at Stone again.

Then I remember him sleeping on my couch. “Is that when they come?” I ask softly, watching his face. “The demons. Do they come at night?”

Zane’s eyes meet mine, surprise flickering across his features. “How did you know?”

“You’re here at six am. You said you can’t sleep at night.”

He nods slowly. “I sleep better during the day.”

“Or in my armchair, apparently.” I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips.

He lifts the throw blanket to his nose, inhaling deeply. “Or with your scent.”

Goosebumps race across my skin at his words. “My scent? You like my scent?”

“I love your scent.” His voice gets rougher as his eyes meet mine.

My heart skips. “I love yours too.” The words tumble out before I can stop them. Fear and excitement tangle in my chest as I ask, “Dare we swap what we smell?”

“I’ll give you one if you want. Strawberry.” His eyes lock with mine, intense and searching.

“With lime?” Hope makes my voice quiver. Tears spring to my eyes, but before I can say more, Stone vomits all over my skin.

“Damn it, not now Stone.” I grumble, dabbing at the mess.

Zane is there in an instant, scooping up my son from my arms. “Go clean up, I’ll settle Stone.”

I can’t clean myself quick enough. We share two parts of our perfume and I’m hoping and praying that we share the last one. Does he smell me the same as I smell on him?

My nerves are fraying as I leave my bedroom.

Zane’s looking at me with wonder. “Why are you not disgusted with my scars?”

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