Page 37 of Packed in the Fire house

My words had the desired impact, and her face broke out into a smile as she laughed, shaking her head at me. “That is pretty impressive.”

“You ain't seen nothing yet. After dinner, I'm going to make milkshakes.”

“What flavor?” Sunny asked, narrowing her eyes at me. “I will be judging you based on your answer, just so you know.”

I barked out a laugh, preparing for the beautiful omega’s judgment. “I like variety. We tend to do vanilla, chocolate, and when we have cake or cookies lying around, we throw those in. I was thinking those cookies you baked would be excellent in a shake.”

Her eyes widened and she nodded. “Oh yes, they would be excellent in a milkshake.”

“Did my answer pass your judgment?” I asked playfully.

“For now.” She smirked up at me.

This close, all I would have to do was lean down, and I could kiss her. Our chests were inches apart, as if we had gravitated toward each other while discussing the milkshakes. Not thatI was complaining about it. Having her close to me was the sweetest torture.

Maybe I was becoming a masochist, because I loved it.

Looking up at me, her eyes were glassy, her head tilted up almost in an invitation.

Fuck, I wanted her.

Only, Walker's words from the previous night rang in my ears. We needed to do this right.

So, as much as it pained me, I gently grabbed her waist and swapped positions so she was standing in front of the stove.

“I've been stirring this for twenty minutes, but it needs a lot more stirring,” I said. “You up to the task?”

Her waist felt fragile in my hands, and I could have scooped her up with little effort. It was like my hands belonged there, touching her.

“I-I can,” Sunny stammered. Did I affect her just as much as she affected me?

God, I hoped so.

The gumbo started coming together quickly, and Sunny stayed in front of the stove, stirring constantly as I handed her ingredients to add.

“Okay, we just need to let that simmer for a bit, and then it’ll be ready to eat!” I declared.

“It smells so good, you—” Her soft words were cut off by the alarm ripping through the station.

There was a fire.

Unaccustomed to the sound, Sunny jumped when it first rang through, and my instinct had been to wrap my arm around her waist and pull her back from the stove and the potential threat of burns.

“Sorry, Cher, we’ve got to go,” I said, my disappointment evident. “Walker is going to stay here, he’s doing paperwork.”

“What about the food?”

“Have some. We’ll have to reheat it when we get back,” I said, looking anxiously between her and the trucks.

“Go! I’ll be fine,” she insisted, waving me off.

Leaning forward, I kissed the top of her head and rushed off with a quick goodbye.

Usually, I was excited to get to work, putting out fires, saving people. It’s what I loved doing.

Only, in that moment, I hated that it was taking me away from Sunny.

Chapter 14

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