Page 43 of Into the Fire: Before

Taryn

Can’t wait.

Twenty-one

Taryn

Ilikedtherain.I liked it a lot more when I was watching it from inside rather than schlepping two huge garbage bags out to the dumpster amidst Agua-geddon. Which led to me standing behind the counter, damp and shivering in the air conditioning, loose strands of wet hair curling around my face and sticking to my neck.

Still, as I watched the clock eke closer and closer to half past two, my spirits rose. Sure enough, right on schedule, Lin burst through the front door of the shop, the bell nearly ringing off its stand as he rushed in out of the rain, his suit jacket pulled up over his head. The door closed, and he lowered his jacket, shaking out his dark hair and peeling his soaked button-up from where it clung to his sculpted torso.

Okay, rain, I forgive you.

Ten days had passed since our first magnificent date night. Between all our hectic schedules—well, Brea’s, Lin’s, and Brooks’ hectic schedules—we hadn’t been able to all gather againsince then. Brooks and I had texted a bit and snuck quick chats and kisses in between his comings and goings, but I didn’t think Brea had seen either of them at all.

This morning, Lin had texted that he planned to stop by in the afternoon, that he needed a pick-me-up after a particularly mindnumbing financial meeting. The hopeful part of my brain thought maybe he just couldn’t wait three more days to see me.

Lin continued toward my spot at the counter, looking down at his drenched suit with disgust. “Last time I trust Brooks to check the weather,” he muttered to himself.

“So it’s the beta I have to thank, then.” Lin’s head popped up at my teasing. “Good to know.”

He was silent a moment, his own gaze tracing down my body. “And who do I have to thank forthat?”

I plucked at my thick black apron—thankfully dry, as I’d thought to take it off before venturing into the maelstrom. “This is canvas, baby. May as well be lead. There’s no way you’ve got a peek of anything happening under here.”

“Ah, but Ididhave a peek. Therefore, I can superimpose what I know ishappening underneath”—His hot gaze slid down my frame again before meeting my eyes—“anytime I want.”

I leaned forward, balancing on my elbows on the counter. “I do appreciate a man with a good imagination.”

His chuckle bordered on an amused growl. “Oh, darling, you don’t even know how good my imagination is.”

Heat coursed through my limbs, coloring my cheeks. The way he looked at me, the way I’d seen him look at Brea—it was enough to set me on damn fire.

Maybe this Sunday night, we’d finally get a real look at these two beautiful men. Brea and I planned to broach the idea of them passing my heat with me, which had the potential to spin off into a repeat of Spire Night.

Despite how well things had gone thus far, I was a little nervous. I still didn’t fully understand their dynamic with Caine—would he be opposed to his two packmates shacking up (albeit temporarily) with the omega downstairs for a days-long orgy? We didn’t want to cause strife among them, even if I still held a bit of a grudge against the reclusive alpha.

Hence why the conversation needed to happen sooner rather than later. Better we knew ahead of time if we needed to book with certified heat attendants. But, god, I hoped we didn’t.

Three. More. Days.

“Excuse me, miss?” A beta man stood in line a few feet behind Lin, having entered while we were caught up in our conversation. “In a hurry.”

I stood up sharply, clearing my throat. “Right, yes, sorry. What’ll you have?” Lin simply stood to the side as I took the beta’s order, then two more who rushed in from the downpour as well, including my acquaintance-slash-protest-buddy Sheyna. All three sat near the front windows, clearly waiting for the weather to pass. Only then did I allow even an ounce of my attention to return Lin.

“You’re going to get me fired,” I whispered through a smile.

“Which would mean taking off the apron and bringing my fantasies to life. I’m failing to see the downside here.”

I chuckled, wiping down the mild mess from the orders I’d just handed out. “Downside being then Brea and I go broke, can’t afford rent at your fancy sex-stablishment anymore, and move into those grungy gross apartments across town. What would you do then?”

“I’m sorry,” Lin said, closing his eyes. “Sex-tablishment?”

“What else would you call your own in-house fun bunnies?”

“Preferably something that doesn’t make our building sound like a literal brothel. And also,” he added, exasperation lighting his features, “fun bunnies?”

It took everything in me to not smile. He really was such an easy mark. “Friends with benefits, F’s with B’s, fun bunnies. It’s clear as day. Catch up.”

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