Page 76 of Packed in the Fire house

The large plastic hamper in the corner caught my eye. It was piled high with clothing. Smelly, worn clothing. Grinning to myself, I started rummaging through the items, pausing occasionally to sniff them.

One dark gray T-shirt reeked of graham crackers in the best way. Maybe it was a gym shirt? I should have found it gross, but my insides were dancing with happiness at the smell. This was what I needed.

Next I managed to find the perfect sweet, marshmallowy item.Thank you, sweatpants.

All I needed was a chocolaty one.

“What are you doing, Cher?” That warm Cajun voice spoke behind me, making me jump.

“Rune!” I gasped, turning to gape at him with a guilty look.When did they get back? How did I miss hearing them?

Wearing his turnout pants and a T-shirt, he looked deliciously sweaty, and his scent filled the room almost immediately.

“Hi…” I smiled awkwardly, trying to figure out how to explain away what I was doing.

“Hi.” Rune chuckled, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe with a smug smile. “Doing some laundry?”

“Yes!” I said, but my voice wasn’t believable in the slightest. I huffed. “I wanted your scents,” I admitted in a small voice. “I’ll leave them, I’m sorry.” I threw the shirt back and started to stomp out of the room, only there was a giant leaning against the doorframe in my way.

Ducking my head, I intended to squeeze through and hide in my room for the rest of the night. Maybe the rest of the week.

He had found me digging through his sweaty, dirty laundry, huffing it like it was goddamn glue. I must have looked insane.

He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me in for a hug. It took monumental effort to stop myself from inhaling his scent.

“Take whatever you want, Cher. You don’t need to ask. Though, I think it’s only fair I get some items that smell like you too.”

I gaped up at him, at that easy grin on his face. My core clenched as my skin heated with familiar need.

Fuck.

I wanted him.

Rune had discussed wanting to court me and take me out in time… but did I really want to take time? The sex with Walker had been mind-blowing; what would it be like with Rune or Blaze? Walker and I had only happened a couple of times—I was under the impression he didn’t want to push me, considering our bonding was rather sudden and unplanned.

Biting my lip, I decided to throw caution to the wind. I was wearing yoga pants and an old T-shirt of Blaze’s with one of my old bras we had recovered from my place. A sheer, slightly small bra that made my tits practically spill out. Armed with that knowledge, I grabbed the hem of the T-shirt I had worn for the last two days and yanked it over my head, handing it to an astonished Rune.

His eyes honed in on my chest, and he swallowed, unable to look away.

“Fair is fair. A shirt of mine for a shirt of yours.” I smirked as I handed over the shirt.

I hadn’t thought this through, though. It wasn’t like I could just walk out of the room. I didn’t care if Walker or Blaze saw me. In fact, I would have probably liked that.

Unfortunately, they weren’t the only firefighters at the station.

Hands on my hips, I waited a moment for Rune’s brain to reboot.

“I… uh…”

I bit back a laugh. There was something empowering in the knowledge that I was the one reducing this sexy giant to a babbling mess.

God, I wanted to touch him.

Rune shook his head, snapping out of his haze. Lurching forward, he gently grasped my neck, pulling me in close for a bruising kiss.

He tasted as good as he smelled, which I didn’t think was possible, because he smelled like fucking perfection. Smoke clung to his skin, so much stronger than normal, but I was so lost in the feel of him that I honestly didn’t care.

What did the rest of him taste like?

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