Page 12 of Where There's Smoke
Elliot pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration while Fitz’s face broke into a large grin. He was trying not to laugh, but tiny bursts of it were escaping through his lips.
“Yep, and this guy behind me is Luke, one of the firefighters here.”
The unknown man waved at me, looking thoroughly confused.
“So, I guess you’re staying here with us, then?” Fitz asked.
“Apparently so,” I mumbled. Elliot looked far too pleased with my response, so I glared at him again, making a face as the words tumbled from my mouth. “I don't know why you think I would want to room with a bunch of stinky firefighters, though.”
“You think I'm stinky?” Fitz asked with a pout that was adorable and tugged at me. He knew he was handsome in that boyish, cute way, and he clearly wasn't above using it for his benefit. I wanted to be annoyed at that, but he was too charming to allow it.
I scrunched my nose. “Actually, I have no idea how you smell. All I can smell is smoke. Ever since the fire, I haven't been able to smell anything else…”
Elliot turned toward me, the scowl dropping away, replaced by a look of curiosity. He got up in my face, taking it in his fingers and checking me over.
“W-what are you doing?” Leaning away wasn’t stopping him, and I tried to move my face out of his hold.
“Anosmia,” Elliot said, like that explained everything.
“Use your words, buddy,” I growled. This was the worst damn day.
Luckily, Fitz spoke for him. “That's the technical term for when you temporarily lose your sense of smell. It happens occasionally when people have been in fires, and I assume you inhaled a good amount of smoke while you were rescuing all those cats and dogs.”
“So, she can’t smell us at all?” a deep voice asked from behind Fitz.
Craning my neck, I saw the giant firefighter from earlier.
“Nope,” Fitz said, a smile spreading across his face. “Oh, and I don’t know if the introductions were made, but this is Elliot and Samson. You’ve already figured out Elliot’s the boss, and both are my pack mates. Obviously, I'm the pretty one. Luke was lucky and avoided joining the pack, on account of finding the love of his life. Personally, I think he was just intimidated by my beauty!”
I scoffed, making Elliot withdraw his fingers.
“Also, the comedic relief, apparently.” Samson smiled before turning to me. “Is everything okay? Why are you here? Didn’t you have that friendto go stay with?”
Fitz whirled around to face him, a giant grin on his face. “Hmm, seems Elliot found Melody in a rather prickly situation. Found her sleeping in her car outside of the rescue and decided to bring her back here.” His voice was full of barely contained glee.
“Seriously?” Samson’s eyebrows rose.
“You guys are acting like this is very shocking…” I trailed off, confused.
“Oh, it has nothing to do with you, firecracker. Elliot is simply grumpy, and when we suggested you stay here after the fire, he was all, ‘We don't take in strays!’ And nowhe’sthe one who brought you here. Don't get me wrong, I'm freaking elated, but I am barely resisting the urge to sayI told you so…”
Fitz grinned boyishly at me and Elliot, and while I was charmed as hell, I could see the anger flare through Elliot’s eyes. Part of me bristled at being called a stray by Elliot, but then again, he wasn't exactly wrong.
“I can lea?—”
“No,” Elliot growled, his voice firm and leaving no room for disagreement. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to just start listening to the orders barked by a man I barely knew. Still, where else was I going to go? I didn’t love the idea of sleeping in the car. That would only work temporarily, and again, it’d be easier to take care of the puppy here.
Crap. Was I losing my mind? Was I actually considering staying at a fire station? It wasn't like I had many other options, but…
All these guys had been sweet to me.
Well, other than Elliott. He was just a bossy dick who clearly got off on being in charge. But, hey, many alphas were like that.
“Come on. Your room will be down here,” Elliot stated, nodding to a hallway that led out the back of the lobby. “Once you're settled, I'll show you the kitchen, and you can get everything you need set up for the dog.”
“You've got her here?! Yes! That’s perfect. Every good firehouse needs a Dalmatian!” Fitz exclaimed, rushing forward to take a look at the bundle in my arms.
“Are you going to be a little firehouse pooch?” I hummed, nuzzling the puppy in my arms.
