26. Julian
Chapter 26
Julian
I stood outside the fire station, craning my neck around the parking lot, wondering if I’d missed seeing Sunshine’s little blue sedan coming along the highway.
Logan had asked her to bring me over some leftovers from Taste of the Town, since she was free, and he was swamped.
It had been three weeks since she had started dating my pack and I’d never been happier.
Instincts clawed at my skin, the urge to take my entire pack up to my nest and disappear from the world. I let out a slow breath. I wasn’t going into heat for another three weeks. It was too early to start feeling agoraphobic and needy.
I swallowed a whine, nerves jumping under my skin. I needed to formally ask Sunshine if she was okay coming to my heat. It would be rude to assume she was okay with it and then put her on the spot if she wasn’t.
But I didn’t know how I would get through it without her. Rather than dwell on the worst-case scenario, I told myself that it was a problem for the future.
Sunshine’s car appeared, and I waved like an idiot.
Directing my arms like an air traffic controller, I showed her to the parking lot beside the living area so she wouldn’t accidentally block the garage in front of the fire trucks.
By the time she opened her door, I was at her side, pulling her into a hug.
She laughed, hugging me back. Clean air and linen hit me like a battering ram, and I inhaled her for long seconds.
“Nice to see you too. It’s been…five whole hours since we’ve seen each other.”
I pulled away, and Sunshine beamed. Her honey blonde hair was pulled into a bun, and she wore loose fitting slacks and a blouse. She’d had a lot of meetings this morning, so was all dressed up.
“You got time?” I asked even though she was off the rest of the day. “I could show you around.”
Her eyes lit up. “Yes please.”
I didn’t miss the heat in her gaze as she looked at me, her eyes bouncing around my face to my arms to my legs and back up again. I always had amazing sex with Sunshine and our alphas in the morning, but sometimes Sunshine would pull me back into bed after I’d gotten dressed.
She’d never said so, but I had the feeling she thought me being a firefighter was hot.
I grinned. Maybe it would be easier to convince her to be part of my heat than I thought.
I helped my beta carry the stacks of tin foil trays into the fire house. Usually, when Logan said he had leftovers it meant someone had canceled on a catering job, or he was experimenting in the kitchen.
He’d been working on Mrs. Cullen’s menu recently, which meant the rest of us got the benefits of leftover food.
As we walked inside, Sunshine moved closer to me, looking around with interest.
“Hey, Sunshine!” Chloe waved as we passed the living room area. “And you’re here with food!”
“Logan made it.” She lifted the trays slightly. “I’m just the delivery girl.”
Chloe got off the couch and helped us carry the trays into the kitchen.
Once she put her load down, Sunshine kept looking around with thinly disguised curiosity.
“You like?” I put my arm around her waist. “This is our new station. The old one was falling apart.”
“Literally.” Chloe snorted. “And we could only fit a ladder truck and an engine. Now we can hold up to six apparatus.”
I laughed at the blank look on Sunshine’s face. “Six different types of fire trucks. You know, some have ladders, some carry water.”
“Oh! That makes sense.”
Chloe started pulling out plates, then gestured at the living room. “Why don’t you give your beta the tour? Everyone else is either catching some Zs, in the exercise room, or at that CPR cert course.”
“Great.” I waved a hand around the kitchen. It was sleek and state of the art, with a kitchen island, linoleum floors, and a long table at the other end. There was an enormous stainless steel fridge with double doors, and lots of cabinets.
“This is the kitchen, obviously. We have a duty roster for cooking, and everyone takes turns.”
Chloe laughed. “And by ‘turns’, he means that when his name comes up on the roster, Logan cooks enough food for an army.”
“Hey, I can make grilled cheese or loco moco.” I pretended to be offended as I walked Sunshine away into the lounge. It was true though, everyone loved when I brought food.
“This is where I kick your butt in Race to Win .” I gestured at the living room.
Sunshine tucked some loose tendrils of hair behind her ear. “That reminds me, you need to water my flowers on my island. To make up for that stunning defeat.”
The space was made up of a huge sectional couch in the shape of an L and with more couches to the side. A big TV stretched across one wall, and there were several gaming systems set up. The couches were covered in a cozy blue flannel fabric, and the same hardwood linoleum continued out from the kitchen.
The whole effect was surprisingly homey, even with all the ventilation that was included both to make sure the harmful smoke never made its way from the apparatus bay and laundry room, and also to make sure no one got too squirrely from other people’s scents. One of the many duties we had when we weren’t on a call was making sure everything stayed clean.
“This looks like a college dorm,” Sunshine said, tucking the same stray hair. She seemed a bit nervous, and I wondered if it was the unfamiliar environment or if there was something else on her mind.
“You’re right. And you’ll think it even more true when you check out the bedrooms.” I led her further down the hallway, to the bedrooms. Most of the doors were closed, which I explained meant that crew members were catching some sleep. I showed her into one with an open door. It was set up in a classic dorm style with two beds one on either side of a light wooden dresser, using the same blue flannel pattern.
“Just like sleep away camp,” Sunshine laughed. “This is so cozy.”
“Very much,” I said, even if it was only half true. I didn’t mind sleeping at the fire station, but it wasn’t the same as in my own bed, with my alphas and beta.
Sunshine insisted she was interested in every part of the station, so I showed her the personal laundry room, and then back outside to the small building we housed our equipment, heavy turnout gear, and the laundry room attached for use after attending a fire.
There had been multiple studies about the long-term effects of breathing in the residue smoke on our protective equipment, so when the fire department decided they had to build a new station, they’d made it as state of the art as they could.
“And last, but not least…” I walked to the back of the living quarters. I almost didn’t want to go in, because Chloe had said the rest of the crew were in there, and they’d want to stop and talk to Sunshine. They were like a second family, but I wanted to be selfish and spend all my time with Sunshine while she was here.
I opened the door and walked inside. Chuck and Bill were lifting weights and Roger was on the exercise bike.
“Food’s here,” I announced.
Bill nodded. “Thanks, man.”
Chuck gave me the stink eye. “I see you brought your beta.”
“I did.”
Bill rolled his eyes at Chuck. “And what was the name of the firebunny you had here last week, when you were trying to score brownie points with her?”
Chuck huffed, and I left the gym before we could get pulled into a pointless conversation.
“What’s a ‘firebunny’?” Sunshine asked as we walked back inside.
At her question, heat zipped through me at the thought of having my beta here. I could show her what a firebunny was, just by letting her strip me out of my uniform. I could make my bed smell like her, so tonight I’d sleep with her scent all over me.
I shot that down as a bad idea. There was no guaranteeing I wouldn’t get a call between now and sleeping time, and it was rude to scent mark beds.
I could still steal some of her scent. I pressed her against the wall. “Someone who finds this whole firefighting thing sexy. A turn on.”
“Oh.” She sighed against me, her whole body melting into mine. I wasn’t trying to start anything serious, but she was making it tempting. Other people had had sex in the beds, careful to clear the space out of scent after they were done, but I’d never been tempted. I had to be extra careful with my omega pheromones and I’d never be able to risk that.
I nuzzled into her neck and she whimpered. “Does that sound familiar at all?”
“You know it does,” she breathed. “You’re so sexy in your uniform.”
My skin prickled, feeling too tight, while my instincts were screaming to drag her back to my bed. If I did, I could be inside her in minutes, coating myself with her scent.
I dragged my mouth over hers, kissing her hard like I could seal our bodies together. She tasted sweet, like honey and citrus, and the freshness of her scent rose up to mingle with mine, the aroma reminiscent of a day at the beach.
I ran my hands down her sides, and I could feel her hips flex against me as I ground my pelvis into her. I wanted her. More than that, I craved her. Every fiber, every cell called out for her.
It had only been three weeks since we’d started dating, but I wanted this beta to be mine. Mine mine mine , the voice in my head chanted. I wanted my alphas to bite her, right now.
The outside door opened, and I jumped. I gave Sunshine a sheepish look. Her eyes were glazed over and her lips were swollen.
“Jeez, Kahele, your perfume is all over the place.” Chuck snapped. “We just cleaned this morning.”
“It’s fine,” Bill said, walking past me and Sunshine to the hallway leading to the kitchen. “No worse than the last time Chloe brought her alpha around.”
Shame doused some of my desire. I tried so hard not to perfume around my coworkers, so hard to keep my instincts in check.
Bill winked at me and Sunshine. “See you two later.”
Chuck followed Bill down the hall, still grumbling, and I waited until I heard the door to the kitchen and living room close behind them.
I sighed, keeping an inch of space between me and my beta. “Sorry. I got carried away.”
“I’m not sorry.” Sunshine’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. “You’re hot.”
“Actually…” I sighed. Time to ask her and put myself out of my misery. Dragging it out longer would only make me feel more unsettled. “I wanted to ask you…”
“What?” Sunshine took both my hands in hers, giving them a squeeze. “You can ask me anything.”
In that case, I would just ask her to bond into the pack. I shook my head. “My heat’s three weeks away.”
At most, I added mentally.
“Oh!” Sunshine perked up. “I was going to ask you if I could take you shopping. For whatever stuff you need.”
Her reaction immediately made me feel lighter. “That’s really sweet.”
“It will be fun. We can make a whole day of it.”
I nodded, already picturing spending the entire day with her. We could go to the nest store, and then hit the beach.
“So does that mean you’ve decided if you’re okay being a part of my heat?” I tried not to look too hopeful. “It’s okay if you’re not. It’s intense and I would never want to do anything to make you feel like you’re in a situation you can’t get out of.”
Sunshine bit her lip, one of her nervous tells. “I’m okay…if you’re okay? I didn’t assume…”
I pulled her against me, squeezing tightly. “Thank heavens. I don’t know what I would do without you there, but I didn’t want to put you on the spot.”
“Oh, honey.” Sunshine wrapped her arms around me. She felt right. Like everything in my life had clicked into place. Like the high of going for a good run and having ten orgasms all rolled together.
She was mine. I had to be patient and let her see that herself.
“Thank you,” Sunshine said. “I’ve never been part of anyone’s heat before, but I would love to be there.”
Her scent grew more intense, and I chuckled. She was getting aroused again, probably picturing us together during my heat. I tilted my head and captured her mouth with mine.
She made needy sounds in my mouth, and I pressed my body against her.
“Room for three, Kahele?”
Chuck stood in the doorway, leering. He must have turned around and came back while we were talking.
Sunshine gave him a glare, and I stiffened. I really shouldn’t have let myself get hot and bothered at work.
“No,” Sunshine said, firmly. “We’ll be there for dinner in just a second. Thanks for checking on us.”
She was using her client voice, the firm tone that suggested the person rethink their current life choices.
Too bad Chuck wasn’t smart enough to figure that out.
Instead, he took a couple of steps down the hall, and tensing his muscles as he did, in an attempt to look menacing.
I wasn’t afraid of him hurting me physically. Or of him hurting Sunshine. I could take him in a fight if I had to, at least long enough for someone else to come along.
I was more worried about disturbing the fragile peace at work.
Chuck’s eyes roamed over me. His pupils were dilated, and I kicked myself for perfuming. I knew better than to let myself get this worked up while I was on duty.
“You sure?” His voice was husky. “Now that Kahele’s letting a beta into his pack, he might need another alpha to take care of him.”
“I have plenty of alphas.” I kept my arm around Sunshine’s waist and moved her with me as I took a step back.
Sunshine slipped out of my hold and stepped in front of me. “Are you propositioning your coworker?”
My stomach sank, and I gave Chuck a hard look. “He’s not. He’s going back to the dining room.”
Chuck looked between me and Sunshine, like he was actively debating his next words. He looked at Sunshine, but his gaze kept dragging back to me.
Stupid pheromones.
“No,” Chuck snorted, finally answering Sunshine directly. “Better shower off, Kahele. There’s rules about omegas and their perfume.”
He said the last like it was a dirty word, like he’d caught me snorting cocaine in the hallway instead of making out with my girlfriend.
“There’s rules about sexual harassment too,” Sunshine said, putting her hands on her hips.
Chuck just turned and stomped back down the hallway, slamming the door behind him.
Sunshine’s protectiveness was a turn on, making me want to drag her off to a bed even more than before. I took a deep breath and reined in my hormones. Once Chuck had gone, I smoothed my expression into something lighter than I felt.
“That asshole,” Sunshine hissed. Her eyes were narrowed into slits, and she looked ready for war. “I will tear off his balls if he touches you.”
“Oooh, so protective.” I grinned. “I like.”
“He’s not allowed to talk to you like that.” She scanned my face. “I can go with you to talk to your chief, if you want?”
My stomach dropped at the idea of all the fuss that would ensue, simply because Chuck said some things to me. I quickly shook my head. “I should have known better than to perfume at work.”
Sunshine did not look reassured. She glared. “And you’re in control of perfuming?”
“I shouldn’t have made out with you.” I opened up the door to the outside, trying to get some air into the space.
“Chuck has had a special friend over here, hasn’t he?” Sunshine crossed her arms over her chest. It did really nice things for her breasts, and I was momentarily transfixed.
“Yes,” I admitted, fanning the door back and forth. Man, it sure did smell like my perfume. Coconuts and pineapples saturated the air, until it smelled like someone spilled a pina colada.
“And other coworkers have, too?”
“Yes. It’s okay, though. I’m used to it.”
“It’s not okay,” she said. “That’s my point. Everyone else is allowed to get hot and bothered except for you?”
“But my perfume—” I started.
Sunshine shook her head. “Chuck is a grown-ass adult. It’s not your job to manage his urges. It’s his .”
Sunshine was right. I knew she was. But it had been hard enough for me to get a job as a firefighter as an omega, even in the twenty-first century. I didn’t want to play into every stereotype there was about making all my coworkers lust after me.
Sunshine sighed. “We can talk more later. I see you’re not comfortable. But this isn’t settled.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“Luca and Logan would feed his ass to the wolves if they found out he’d propositioned you.”
I grinned at that pleasant thought. I didn’t want it to actually happen, but overprotective growly alphas were always a delicious thought. “They would.”
I followed Sunshine back into the living room, and ducked into my room for a quick change. We had a pleasant dinner with my company, and I forced myself to focus on the current evening.
Not the thought of Sunshine in my arms during the heat. Not her writhing beneath me.