Page 42 of A Baby for the Firefighter
“I don’t know. I’d like that, to be honest, but I haven’t asked yet.”
“You should,” Eli advised me. “I’m sure he won’t mind, not if he cares about you.”
“I know.” I sighed. “But he’s never stayed the night, and I just feel like… if I ask him then that means… that I should…”
“Stop,” my brother cut me off. “It’s not about sex, okay? He won’t suddenly think that’s on the table because you need his support after a rough day, and if he does, he’s a scumbag.”
“I guess. I just still feel bad about this. It’s not like I don’t want to touch him, it’s just…”
“I know. But don’t feel bad, okay? You’ve talked to him, right? He’ll understand.”
“Okay. Thank you. I’ll call you again tomorrow.”
“Take care.”
“You too.”
I ended the call and put the phone back in my pocket. Then I returned to the kitchen, where my boyfriend and my mother were still sitting with their coffee mugs, though they were empty now and the conversation had quieted down. I guess we were all tired.
“Everything alright with Elias?” my mother asked, looking up when I came in. “That’s who you called, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” For a second, I wondered how she knew, but then I remembered mentioning that I would call back at the hospital. “He’s fine. Do you have everything you need for the night? I’ll go put new sheets on the bed. Jake slept in it a little while ago.”
“Oh, no, that’s fine.” She stood. “Don’t trouble yourself. All that can wait for tomorrow.”
“If you’re sure.” I really wasn’t going to argue with her at this point.
“I’m sure. And I think I’ll retire now. Goodnight, Griffin. And you too, Dean. It was lovely seeing you again.”
“You too, Mrs. Stevens.”
My mother gave him a smile and went up the stairs. I exhaled, watching her go. That was that part of the evening dealt with.
“Tired?” Dean asked me.
“Yeah, kinda,” I admitted. It wasn’t even that late.
“I can leave,” Dean said, but he looked at me as if waiting for an objection.
“You don’t have to,” I made myself say. “I mean, I would like it if you stayed, I just… That doesn’t mean that we…”
“I know. Relax, I’m not expecting anything from you. But if there’s anything I can do to make you feel better, I’ll do it. You only have to ask.” He smiled. “And I don’t mean that just for today, either. Anything you need, anytime.”
“Thank you.” I felt like I was saying that a lot tonight, but he sounded so sincere and I didn’t know what else to say, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about the fact that he offered meanything, anytime, when all I could give him in return wasnot yet, maybe someday. But I was too tired to think too much about that now. “I’ll get ready for bed,” I said, just hoping that my decision to let him stay really was the right one.
18
Dean
Ireally, really needed to get my hormones under control. Griff had asked me stay with him because he’d had a difficult day, because he didn’t want to be alone. Yes, we were going to spend the night in one bed, but that didn’t mean anything was going to happen. I knew that. So why did the sight of him in his pajamas get me so goddamn horny?
Because you’re an alpha and he’s the sexiest omega you’ve ever seen and you’re lying in hisbed.You’ve dreamed about being in this bed.
I took a deep breath to shake off those thoughts. Personally, I hadn’t brought any pajamas, so I was sleeping in a shirt and my boxers… and I’d noticed Griff steal glances as I undressed. He was interested, so that was nice to know, but still, he wanted to take it slow. I could do slow. I could take itsoslow.
Oh, who are you kidding? You’re still staring at his ass.
I rolled on my back and looked at the ceiling instead. Enough staring. I was here to comfort, not to fuck.
