Page 86 of Packed in the Fire house

Flitting around the firehouse kitchen, I prepared a large batch of chili in the slow cookers. Next to them was a little buffet of all the possible toppings the guys could want. Cheese, jalapenos, corn chips, stuff like that. The idea was that the guys could come and grab a bowl whenever it was good for them. They were always running in and out of the kitchen between calls and all the general firehouse tasks that, despite their best efforts, they didn’t get a chance to sit down together to eat often.

The least I could do was make sure my guys were fed.

It still felt weird to call themmy guys, but there was no denying it anymore. The bite mark on my neck solidified the bond; there was no walking away from this.

Not that I wanted to walk away. I hadn’t even thought about finding my own place in a long time, and now it was obvious that I would be living with my pack instead of finding a place alone. The idea of living apart from the pack was almost physically painful. Deep down, I knew that was the bond, but there was nopoint in fighting it. We had just made our bond official; there was no changing things now.

I was a bonded omega, and I needed to get used to that. Every time I saw my brother’s pack spoiling their omega, I was green with envy. So, why was I so reluctant to let my pack spoil me in that way?

They wanted me, baggage and all. Blaze had also made it painfully clear that he was all in and excited to bond when the time was right.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t even register that Blaze had entered the kitchen until I was engulfed in that rich chocolate scent as he wrapped an arm around me from behind.

“What you making, sunshine?” he asked, his lips tickling my ear. There was a scuffling behind us, so I assumed someone else had entered the kitchen with him. Judging by the mild motor oil scent, it was Merrick.

“Chili.” I smiled. “It’s all in crock pots, so you can grab it when you’re hungry.”

“You’ve made us a feast!” he declared, kissing my neck. “Is there dessert?”

I pulled out of his grip, turning and kissing his cheek. “There will be, but not for a few hours. I was going to make some sort of cobbler. Hi, Merrick!” I craned my head around Blaze to smile at the quiet alpha.

“Good afternoon, Sunny.”

“Any cobbler requests?” I asked.

Merrick pursed his lips. He never asked for anything, so if he actually gave me a request, I was going to jump on it.

“Why does he get asked?” Blaze pouted. “I’m your man!”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re a spoiled brat, that’s why.”

Merrick’s lips twitched at my words. “Do you have the stuff for a peach cobbler?” he asked after a moment’s thought.

I beamed at him, ignoring Blaze’s pout. “I do! The farmers market had delicious peaches, so I’ll have a fresh one whipped up in a few hours.”

“Thank you.” He gave me a small smile.

“Sunshine!” Blaze whined, pulling me into his arms. “But I want a strawberry cobbler!”

“Then I’ll make you a strawberry one—but Merrick is getting his peach one first,” I told him in a firm but playful voice, picking up my wooden spoon and pointing it at him.

“Fine,” Blaze sighed. “I get that I’m not loved.”

Drama king.

“Shall I go tell Walker that you’re being mean to your teammates?” I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Blaze held his hands up in surrender, a look of mild panic overtaking his features. “I’ll behave!”

“Now, either go get yourself some chili or get out of my way. Luka will be up from his nap soon, and I want to get a start on baking,” I said, shooing him out of the way.

He turned to leave, thought better of it, and turned back to me, grinning as he smashed his lips against mine in a quick, demanding kiss that made my legs quiver. Fuck. How could a quick kiss affect me so much?

“See you soon, sunshine!” he declared before scampering out of the kitchen, leaving me breathless and reeling.

What a butthead.

Merrick gave me another of those small smiles. “I’m going to grab some chili, if that’s okay?”

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