Page 15 of Big Daddy Firemen

All she saw, though, were images of a snarling, hairy beast peering in her windows, its yellow eyes and matching yellow fangs sizing her up for its next meal.

She threw the covers off, reached for her phone from the nightstand and tore it from the charger. Austin was the first name in her contacts, so that’s who she called.

“Hey. I’m sorry to bother you. But I’m kind of scared and?—“

“Honey, open your front door,” Austin said.

“What?”

“Just open your door and take a look.”

She hurried into the living room, worked the locks, and swung the door open. There, on her front porch, with Cane andAustin in the two wicker chairs that rested on either side of a small table, and Walker leaning against a column, were the three firefighters.

“What are y’all still doing here?” she asked with a laugh.

“You weren’t fooling us, little girl. You were scared. So, we stayed,” Austin explained.

“You want us to stay here or you to stay at the firehouse?” Walker asked.

“It makes more sense for me to stay with y’all,” Daisy pointed out. “Here, y’all would have to sleep on the floor. There’s an extra room for me over there, though.”

“Too bad about that extra room,” Cane said. “I’d rather you be with me.”

“Hey, if she sleeps in anyone’s bed, it’ll be mine,” Austin said, jerking his thumb toward his chest.

“Now, honey.” Walker pushed off the column and stepped closer. “I think you’re as cute as can be, but you need to get dressed before we walk you back to the firehouse. While I would love the view, it’s too chilly out here for that cute little bottom of yours to be so exposed.” His eyes fell to her cheeky underwear. The way she was standing, he had a few of her side, and she immediately started flushing as she realized her state of undress.

She covered her mouth as the men appraised her. She waited for their faces to morph into masks of disgust. They’d never be unkind to her, but some things you just can’t hide. She’d be able to read the revelation in their eyes.

But it never came. Instead, it was more than a little evident, based upon their approving smiles, that they liked the view.

I’m not sure why. I’m getting chunky and frumpy. Yuck! I’m surprised they aren’t shielding their eyes before they vomit!

She tried to forget about her self-doubts, though, focusing on enjoying the night. She would be in the firehouse, with the guys.

And something told her that, despite not being a Little, she’d sleep like a baby.

CHAPTER NINE

The following morning, Daisy awoke early and got ready in the firehouse’s bathroom before showing her face to the guys.

They’d seen her last night without makeup. She couldn’t do anything about that. But she sure wasn’t going to add insult to injury by letting them see her after a night of sleep, with her brown hair tangled and messy and bags under her eyes.

So she fixed her hair, put on her face, and then sauntered out to find the men already working out in the garage. Cane was finishing a particularly intense set on the bench press with Walker standing behind, spotting him.

“Twelve!” Cane yelled with a grunt, as the barbell clanked loudly in the metal grooves. He sat up, grabbed his tumbler of water that rested beside the bench, and took a long swallow.

Sweat was ringing his dark t-shirt. His muscles were bulging so much that it seemed as if they might tear the fabric right in two.

Daisy was disappointed when that didn’t happen.

“Good morning,” she sing-songed.

“Good morning, cute stuff,” Cane said.

“You sleep okay?” Walker asked.

“Yeah. But I feel ridiculous. I can’t believe I let those Littles scare me!”

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