Page 14 of Big Daddy Firemen

Another few moments of silence ticked off the clock.

“What if it is a bear? Will it break into my house?” she wondered aloud.

All three men shook their heads, but it was Cane who answered. “Black bears don’t hurt anything. I mean, I wouldn’t corner one—especially if it’s a mama with cubs—but otherwise, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them. Heck, I’ve seen one scamper up a tree in someone’s backyard because a French poodle charged it.”

The mental image of that made Daisy giggle. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

“Honey, you took the call! Remember?” Cane said. “The property owner didn’t know what to do, so we responded. Quinn came, too, but it wasn’t until a local game warden showed up and shot the thing with a tranq that we were able to get it down.”

Daisy nodded as she remembered. “It wasn’t hurt, was it?”

“No, honey,” Cane replied. “Just got him down from the tree and took him deeper into the woods. He was just looking forfood. You’ve been around these parts long enough to know they just want to rummage through your trash cans. But they’re not about to break into your house unless you cook a big roast or something and leave your back door open, just inviting them in.”

“True,” Daisy acknowledged. “Thank you for walking me home and checking the house. I’m fine now. I promise.”

“You sure?” Austin questioned.

“Yep. All good.” She gave a little nod, trying to convince them. And herself.

“Alright. I would tuck you in,” Walker said, “but we want you to lock that deadbolt when we leave. And if you need anything, call us.”

“Ah, man,” Cane said. “I didn’t think about that lock. I wanted to see her looking all cute in her little jammies and then be the one to pull those covers up tight around her.”

Daisy momentarily forgot about her fear as she started giggling for the umpteenth time that evening. The guys just had that effect on her.

“I can tuck myself in,” she told them. She hoped she’d kept the disappointment she felt from being obvious. She’d much rather them do it, but that was just a dream.

It’ll never happen, Daisy. You know how they are. They flirt, but that’s all there is to it. They’re just messing around.

“Goodnight,” she said, standing up and starting to escort them out of the bedroom.

They made it across the small, cozy cottage-style house in just a few seconds. She started to open the front door when Walker said, “Whoa there, little lady. You think you’re getting rid of us without hugs?”

“No,” she said.

“Then come here.” He held his arms out and she hugged him yet again. It was a lingering embrace and she was feeling allkinds of warm and flustered when she went into Cane’s arms. She repeated the process, hugging Austin last.

She felt more at ease now. Not to mention aroused.

Her panties were so freaking wet!

“Be a good girl and lock this door the second we’re out,” Walker told her. “Understand me?”

“Yes,Daddy,” she said in a somewhat mocking tone, smirking at him the entire time.

“I like the sound of that,” Walker said.

She thought of telling him she was only playing, but instead just blushed as she opened the door for them. They filed past and she fought the urge to reach out and latch onto each one.

“Goodnight,” she told them.

“Goodnight,” they replied in unison.

She smiled, waved, and then closed the door. She was a good girl and locked it just as Walker had told her to.

That didn’t do much to ease her fear, though.

She ran to her room, hurried to get free of her makeup and clothes, and then brushed her teeth. Wearing just a short tank top and panties, she climbed beneath the covers and pinched her eyes shut tightly, trying to will herself to go to sleep.

---