Deck the Fire Halls

Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

ROB

Oh boy, oh boy.

Soren.

Soren was amazing. Blisteringly hot, sugar sweet and, god help me, well endowed.

He was also thoughtful and kind. And he had manners when he ate, which, believe me, I’d seen men who didn’t. He even cleaned up after breakfast. Said that was the rule if I’d cooked.

It’d been an incredible night.

I was so bummed when he’d had to work instead of coming over. But I understood that. Lord, did I understand that. But then he’d come by as soon as he could, as eager to see me as I was to see him.

As soon as he’d walked through the door last night, the undeniable chemistry was there. The sexual tension crackling between us. From zero to scorching in an instant.

I wanted to jump him the second he walked through the door, and I was surprised we made it through him eating a late dinner. We didn’t get much further than that though, before we ended up on the couch, frotting, grinding to orgasm.

Like teenagers. It felt reckless and wicked, too worked up to take it to the bedroom.

I hadn’t been that desperate since I was eighteen years old. Hell, I almost came from him kissing me. Before we had our pants undone.

Then I’d asked him to stay and I woke up with my head on his chest.

His glorious, well-defined, muscular chest. And his arm around me, and his warmth, and strength. His scent.

It had been so long since I’d woken up with a man. Hell, since I’d even been with a guy or had any kind of physical contact. Even sleeping next to him was comforting, and I can’t remember ever sleeping so soundly.

So safely.

Because I hadn’t ever felt so safe with anyone. I hadn’t had any man touch me in months and even then, it was just a quick and terrible exchange.

But Soren’s strong arms, and his big hands were like nothing I’d ever felt before. I was about to initiate another round of sex when I remembered that he wanted to take things slow, that we both did, and proceed with caution, so I jumped out of bed and suggested breakfast instead.

And then he had to go be completely perfect and help me decorate my Christmas tree. Oh, I was enamored already. And this sexy, younger, so-damn-fine man wanted me.

Me?

He kept saying I turned him on, and that was pretty evident by his prominent erection. And that he had to make himself leave because he wanted to take me back to bed.

The crazy part? I’d have let him.

I’d have fallen back into bed in a heartbeat. I’d have begged him to take me any way he wanted because, sweet mother of mercy, I wanted it too.

I wanted him inside me. I could just imagine his huge cock pushing into me, and if I thought about it, pictured it, I could almost feel it. I ached for it.

But we had a bike ride to get through first.

Admittedly, I was not a fan of motorcycles. But from the second I’d laid eyes on him on that very first day, the way he straddled it, the way he smirked at me... I wasn’t so opposed.

And the way his whole face lit up when he’d offered and I’d said yes?

Totally worth it.

So, after a shower, I put on my jeans and my boots, pulled on my jacket, and a minute later I was knocking on his front door.

He opened the door and almost stole my breath.

He looked freshly showered, wore black leather riding pants and a black T-shirt that was just tight enough.

“Wow. Those pants are...” Don’t say that out loud. “Is all black a biker thing? Was there a dress code?” I looked down at my very boring blue jeans and green sweater. “Because I missed the memo.”

He laughed. “You like the pants, huh?”

“Well, obviously, yes. Because...” I couldn’t help but look at them again. They looked a bit like jeans but different, and they were snug. I mean snug . “Damn. I would go home and get changed but I have nothing that comes even close.”

“You look great. Come in, come in. I just need to make sure this fire is built before we go, if that’s okay?”

“Yeah, of course.”

He went to the fireplace and knelt down in front of it, giving me a wonderful view of how those pants stretched across his ass and thighs, and he carefully placed a bigger piece of wood on the fire. “It was dead cold so it was a good opportunity to clean it out and build a new one, ready to be lit when I get home.”

Oh right. The fire. Not the pants.

Concentrate, Rob. Jeez.

“I didn’t think a firefighter would have a wood fire in his house,” I mused. “Not that I’d given it much thought before, but you know, fire safety and all that.”

“Wood fires are fine,” he said. “If they’re properly maintained and have the correct grills and guards, of course. Most house fires start with an electrical fault or appliance. Dryers are common. Electric blankets, phone chargers are a big one too.” Then he snorted. “Sorry. Don’t mind the fire safety spiel that comes out every so often.”

I smiled. “It’s fine. I have a similar spiel about preventable diseases.”

He chuckled, stood up, closed the door to the fireplace, adjusted the damper, and put the grill in front of it. “Are you ready for your first ride on a Harley Davidson?” His excitement was contagious.

“Uhhhh, yes?”

He came over to me and squeezed my arm. “You’ll be completely fine. I’m a safe rider, and we won’t go too far. I’ll take you for a scenic tour; then we can grab some lunch. How does that sound?”

“Good. I think. I am nervous,” I admitted, though he could surely tell. “But I’m also excited.”

He took my hand. “Me too.” Then he led me through his kitchen to his laundry and mudroom, and if I thought my house was tidy, his was meticulous. Not one single thing out of place or even a speck of dust, that I could see, anyway. As he pulled on his riding boots in the mudroom, I noticed even the towels on the shelf were folded and stacked with military precision, his detergents neat enough for hospital surgical standards.

“Your house is very tidy,” I noted.

He laughed as he did up the second boot. “It’s my training. Fire hall requirements. I spend more time in any given day cleaning that place than doing anything else. All fire halls are the same.”

“Fire hall. I haven’t heard them be called that in a long time. I notice you say it a lot. Is that an industry thing for you to call it a fire hall instead of a station?”

“Nope. It’s a Canadian thing. Well, it is where I’m from anyway. But people know what I’m talking about when I say it.”

And then, as if he wasn’t already hot enough in all black and boots, he had to go put on a leather jacket. This was a riding jacket. Still insanely cool, but it was built for safety, should the rider meet the road.

And he was so dang hot it made my heart race .

“Well, I’m really glad that doesn’t make you ten times sexier,” I joked. “I’d hate to be distracted.”

He laughed and straightened my very uncool, sensible jacket. “If you enjoy today and think it might be something you want to do again, we’ll get you a proper jacket. Maybe some leather pants.”

“Me? In leather pants?”

He lifted his knee and tapped it. “Kevlar fabric. Kinda cool, huh?”

“Well, yes. The doctor in me, who has tended far too many motorcycle riders in the emergency department, fully approves. But how come you get the cool Kevlar pants, and I get leathers?”

He grinned without shame. “Because then I get to see you in leather pants.”

I walked right into that. It made me blush, and Soren let out a pained sound. My eyes met his and he put his hand to my face, thumbing across my cheek. “This color. It fucking kills me.”

Oh.

Of course, I blushed a whole lot harder.

His nostrils flared and he did that thing where instead of leaning in to kiss me, he pushed forward with his whole body, so not only did his lips meet mine but his body did too.

It was a little bit domineering and a whole lot of hot.

My breath caught. My heart thumped so hard it almost hurt. His lips, his body, his hands... I wanted more. Needed it.

And then he pulled back with a frustrated groan. “We’re going out on the bike,” he mumbled. “This is me doing the right thing. I’m not going to take you to bed. I’m taking you out on the bike. It’s going to be fun.” He took a step back. “Which is why I’m all the way over here.”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed, dazed and happy. “It’s kinda crazy, huh? This.” I gestured between us. “Phew.”

He nodded. “Glad it’s not just me.”

“It’s really not just you.”

He stared at me, then shook his head and whined as he went to the back door and held it open. “This is me doing the right thing again. Leaving the house and being a gentleman.”

I laughed and went out onto his back deck. The fact he wanted me, that he felt this undeniable sexual energy between us too, it was such a heady feeling.

I felt giddy.

I felt... happier than I’d felt in a long, long time.

His bike was out of the shed, two helmets on the seat, and... oh, dear god, I’m getting on a motorbike.

My nerves were starting to feel a lot like anxiety and regret.

“Um,” I said. “I’m not sure about this.”

Soren picked up one of the helmets and stood in front of me. “If you hate it or don’t feel safe, just tap my leg and I’ll bring you straight back. But just try it.”

The fact he acknowledged my fear and gave me an easy out was reassuring. The fact he wanted me to at least try was the least I could do.

I nodded. “Okay.”

His grin made my already-pounding heart squeeze. He pecked my lips before putting the helmet on me and fixing the strap. He checked it for size and fit. “How does that feel?”

I wobbled my head and it didn’t move around. “Fine.”

He gave me a quick rundown of the bike, like where to put my feet and where to watch for the heat of the exhaust, then put his own helmet on, completing the whole hot-as-hell look. He slid his leg over the bike, straddling it, and it did visceral things to my body.

He patted the seat behind him. “You gonna get on or just stare at me all day?”

I stepped closer. “It’s not my fault you look so hot right now. My brain stops working.” He laughed and put down the visor on my helmet. I slid my leg over, sitting right behind him. As in, right behind him. Flush against his ass, my thighs on the outside of his. “Oh.”

He took my hands and pulled me closer, my palms on his flat stomach. “Hold onto me.”

Well, this was certainly cozy.

But then he turned the key and pressed a button by his throttle. The bike started but it didn’t sound like a Harley...

“It’s just the starter,” he said, loud enough for me to hear.

Then he pressed another button, and the bike rumbled to life. There was a reason they called Harley’s a chopper—they sounded just like one.

Despite the nerves and anxiety, I was smiling.

It was thrilling! And I couldn’t believe I was actually doing this. That this was my life now. Just a few weeks ago, I was a burned-out zombie, ready to walk away.

Now I was on a Harley Davidson-riding date with a firefighter who was so far out of my league, who for some strange reason, wanted to be with me.

Soren looked down, checking my feet were on the right pegs, tapped my hands on his belly, and rode us out of his driveway. It was barely at a walking pace, very safe, but the thrill it gave me...

What a rush.

He took us down toward Main Street and turned left, going past the clinic and the fire station, and I wondered why I’d been so scared of this...

It was the best feeling. Exhilarating and fun.

I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d done something purely for the enjoyment of it.

Soren took us out on Ponderosa Road. Snow blanketed the ground, though it wasn’t banked up yet. He drove at a reasonable speed, much slower, I imagined, than he’d have gone without me.

As we passed some fields and a magnificent house below the mountains up on the left, he pointed to the sign on the gate.

Arabella Bed my cock free to stroke, my ass open.

Now, I’d never been particularly passive in bed, but he was one hundred percent in control of me, and it was so fucking hot.

I heard the rip of foil and felt the brush of his hands and his cock as he rolled the condom on.

Oh hell yes.

Here we go.

Then the feel of lube pouring down my crack, his thumb smearing and circling before slipping into me, working me, stretching me. Then his thumb was gone, replaced by two fingers, and I was stroking myself, rocking back on his hand.

“I need more,” I pleaded. “I need your cock. Bury it in me, please.” I was begging and didn’t even care. Shameless, desperate. “Now, Soren.”

He chuckled, a low throaty sound, as he fixed my hips to how he wanted them, pressed my shoulders down, and drove me forward. He pinned me with his weight, his cock at my hole, and he slowly, oh so slowly pushed into me.

I regretted my urgency. For those first few seconds of the breach, until the pop of relief as his cockhead slid in. I breathed through it, the sting soon subsiding as he moved, and I relaxed into the gentle push and pull of his hips.

He trembled above me with restraint, his lips at my shoulder. “Oh fuck,” he said, his voice strained. “You feel so good.” Then he slid one arm underneath my shoulder, across my chest, and his other hand raked through my hair, pulling on the strands as he pushed all the way in.

“Oh god,” I squeaked, as he hit the wall inside me.

“Hmm,” he moaned, his forehead pressed to the back of my head, to my neck. His lips, teeth and tongue sending shivers through me, his hot breath, his grunts and moans as he began to thrust.

Heaven.

I was in heaven.

“God, that’s good,” I rasped. “Oh yeah, just like that. Fuck yes.”

His arm around me tightened, his hand in my hair pulled harder as he thrust slower, deeper.

His thick cock filled me so completely, his arm held me, his face in my neck, lips kissing and sucking. I’d never felt so convincingly owned .

He had complete control, dominating my body, and I loved it.

It was so hot, so good.

Soren groaned out a pained sound, thrusting harder, faster. “I can’t stop,” he bit out between thrusts. “God, Robinson. You’re so fucking tight.”

I loved the way he said my first name.

His forehead pressed against the side of my head as he tried to hold back, as he tried to stave off his orgasm. He thrust into me once more, upwards, driving into me. He cried out. “Fuck, please. I can’t stop. I need to come so bad.”

Lord, have mercy.

Soren grunted and his grip on me tightened as he fucked me. Pulling almost all the way out just to push back into me, his glorious cock harder and thicker.

I yelped and groaned at the severity, at his thick cock buried to the hilt inside me. But he never let go of me, he just gripped me harder, held me tighter, and impaled me deeper. His hand in my hair slid down to my mouth, covering it, silencing my moans of pleasure.

“I’m gonna come,” he ground out as he drove into me one more time.

I raised my hips to meet him and spread my legs. “God yes, please. Need to feel it,” I urged him.

He slammed into me one last time before driving me upwards on the bed, his cock impaling me as he held my shoulder for leverage. He came with a gasping roar in my ear, his cock swelling inside me.

I felt the pulse of his cock, shooting his load into the condom. And he groaned and shuddered with each spurt. “ Holy fuck,” he gasped, driving up into me one final time, gripping me so tight. “Oh god.”

It felt divine.

Everything about it was divine. His power, his body, the way he pinned me down and held me. His strong arms, murmured sweet nothings, and soft moans.

Everything about him was perfect.

He stayed on top of me, inside me, until he caught his breath, then slowly pulled out of me. I missed his cock already; my body bereft of where he’d been.

I wanted him to stay inside me.

He pressed his forehead onto my spine and collapsed on top of me again, his breath hot on my skin. “Are you okay?”

“I’m so good right now,” I replied, stretching my back, my shoulders, relishing the ache in my muscles. And my ass. I was very likely going to be sore tomorrow, but I still wanted to go another round. I wanted him to do that to me every day, for hours. I chuckled. “Good lord, I need more of that.”

He kissed my spine, then rolled me over onto my back. He kissed my sternum, then ran his nose through the hair on my chest. He sucked on my nipple, making me hiss and buck my hips.

He smiled like the devil, looking up at me through his lashes, then moved down lower, and lower, until he reached my cock. “Oh, I haven’t forgotten,” he murmured. “I’m going to make you come now, if that’s okay?”

I chuckled and relaxed, looking up at the ceiling, waiting... and waiting .

“Rob,” he said.

I lifted my head to look at him, confused.

He was lying between my legs, his face at my cock. I could feel his hot breath on my balls. “You didn’t answer me,” he said, half smiling. Then he licked a hot stripe up the length of my shaft. “Want me to make you come?”

My breath hitched; my whole body shuddered. “Fuck yes,” I said, fisting the base of my cock, holding it up for him, offering.

Begging.

“Suck it,” I hissed.

So out of character for me. I was never this brazen, this demanding. But with him? I needed him in ways I’d never known. In ways I didn’t understand.

He grinned as he sank his mouth over the tip, licking the slit, the frenulum, then sucking me down.

It damn near brought my hips off the bed, and I cried out. My orgasm rushed to the surface, so fast, so hard.

I tried to back down and pull away, but Soren gripped my hips and held me still as he devoured me. He sucked and tongued my cock, tugged on my balls, and with my freshly fucked ass, I had no hope of holding on.

I came so hard. So, so hard. My orgasm ripped through me, decimating my bones, my mind. My whole body surged as I shot my load down his throat. He drank it, swallowing every drop until I was wrecked and convulsing.

Unable to speak. Unable to think.

Floating on an incredible high. Ecstasy, like nothing I’d ever felt.

Soren collapsed on the bed beside me with a laugh. I lifted my hand, my arm so heavy. I still couldn’t speak. Hell, I could barely blink. Another tremor racked through me and I groaned.

Soren laughed again, lifted my hand to his lips, and kissed my knuckles. “So,” he said. “That was possibly the best sex of my life.”

I laughed, still not sure I could speak. Then Soren pulled me into his arms, pulled the blankets over us, and I slept like the dead.

My ass was sore the next day, but I didn’t regret it. Hell, if Soren walked through my office door right this second, I’d let him rail me again.

On my desk.

God, on the floor if he wanted to. Anywhere he wanted, any way he wanted me.

We’d fallen asleep in his bed for an hour, and I’d woken up to him tracing gentle circles on my back. We showered together and he made me coffee, never more than a step away. Always touching, pressing soft kisses to my back, my shoulder, my neck, my lips.

He was a touchy-feely lover, and while I was very new to that, I loved it. Couldn’t get enough of it.

He was gentle, caring, attentive. In the bedroom was a different matter. He was totally dominating and in charge but still tender. The way he held me and kissed my shoulder while he nailed me was a juxtaposition I couldn’t get out of my head .

Was having a bit of trouble getting the blow job out of my head too...

“Doctor O’Reilly,” Katie said from the door. “You have a visitor. Captain De Silva. He’s not a patient here. He doesn’t have an appointment.”

Captain De Silva. Oh, I liked the sound of that.

My stomach swooped, excitement tingled through my veins. “That’s fine, Katie. I’ll see him. Send him in.”

Soren, dressed in black jeans and a dark gray sweater, appeared in my door, smiling and sexy as hell. He had his hand behind his back and produced a rose. A single red rose.

“For you,” he said.

My heart thumped and my grin became a laugh. “Really? For me?”

He nodded and stepped inside. “Of course. You have to accept it because the appointment’s been made at the florist to have my kidney removed to pay for it. Do you know how expensive these are at this time of year?”

I stood up, unable to stop smiling. “Then I accept it.”

He handed it over as if it were some kind of declaration in itself. Heck, maybe it was. “How are you... feeling?”

I ignored the heat in my face. “Can unequivocally confirm that I’m more than fine. Best I’ve felt in years, to be honest.”

His eyes danced and he chewed on his bottom lip. “Glad to hear that.”

We heard the clinic door open, and Katie greeted my first patient. Soren nodded. “I should go,” he murmured. “I have to do all the things I didn’t get done yesterday afternoon.”

Because we’d been unable to stop touching each other, even just wrapped up in each other in his kitchen, fully dressed. Or later, cuddling on the couch while he insisted we watch the Christmas movie channel on TV... but that had turned into more kissing than cuddling, until I’d made myself go home when it was dark enough so Mr. Ling wouldn’t see me doing the walk of shame.

The memory made me smile, but then I remembered that I would hardly see him this week. “You start night shift tonight?”

He nodded. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I understand shift work. Anyway, we’ll make up for it.”

He raised an eyebrow, his smile becoming a grin. “I’ll text you.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

He stood there for a beat, and we just stared at each other. My heart was now hammering, nearing tachycardia levels, I was almost certain. He nodded as if he understood. “I’ll see you soon.”

He left, and I had to put my hand to my heart and do some controlled breathing—and rein in my stupid smile—before my first appointment.

I put the rose on the bookcase behind me and went about my day.

I had a full day of appointments, ranging from an infected big toenail to a possible fractured hand, baby check-ups, elderly medication consults, and repeat prescriptions.

It was easy and incredibly rewarding to take five minutes to chat with each patient. To be reminded that patients are people and not just a number or an insurance statistic.

I was home early enough to make dinner and settle on my sofa with my book. I even turned the Christmas tree lights on and the lights at the front of my house. It was the most festive I’d ever been, in my adult life, at least. And something so simple as having a Christmas tree made me smile.

So did the few texts from Soren, and the ones I’d replied with. It was all so fun and flirty, a little bit dirty, but damn, that made me smile too.

I was the most relaxed I’d ever been.

And happy. But mostly I was sated. Not just my body, but my heart too.

I was, possibly for the first time in my life, content.

The next day I got a text from Hamish. He’d organized a small gathering for dinner at the pizzeria. I was certain he just wanted details, and given I had no other plans other than a few more chapters of my book, I agreed.

Plus, I really did like these guys.

And getting to actually hang out after work with friends over pizza sounded pretty damn great.

It was snowing, so I drove the short distance to Main Street, hurried inside, and pulled my beanie off as I walked inside. I’d not been in the pizzeria before and I was immediately transported back to my childhood in the old Pizza Huts. The décor, the smell. I loved it already.

Gunter and Braithe were in a booth so I made my way over. “Hey,” I said. “How amazing is this place?”

Braithe laughed. “Right?”

“Pizza Hut, circa 1985,” Gunter said.

“Exactly,” I agreed.

Braithe made a face. “Wasn’t alive then.”

Gunter nudged him. “Oh, shush.”

I chuckled just as Hamish arrived. He slid in next to me, taking his beanie and gloves off, ignoring the others and smirking right at me.

Yep.

This was going to be an interrogation.

“Sooo,” he began.

“No details,” I said, putting my hands up.

He sighed dramatically, then spoke to Braithe and Gunter. “Good evening,” he said cheerfully. “What a wonderful night for some delicious pizza and some details on the newest Hartbridge Christmas Cupid victim.”

I laughed. “Victim?”

The three of them laughed and nodded. It was absurd.

“I do not kiss and tell,” I declared.

Hamish met my gaze. “But there’s been kissing.”

“Oh, yes.”

“And? There’s more, I can tell.”

“We . . .”

“Oh my god, you got railed,” Hamish said. “It was after the bike ride, wasn’t it? Because that was hot as fuck.”

I didn’t have to answer because my face betrayed me with a searing blush.

“Oh my god,” Hamish said. Thank god no one was paying us any attention because he was loud. “Spill the deets.”

“I already said, I don’t kiss and tell.”

“Yes, but there’s a difference between kiss and tell and getting railed and telling us,” Braithe said.

“I don’t do either,” I said. They all stared at me, and I relented a smile. “I’m not saying anything... except...” I had their complete attention and this whole meeting was all so ridiculous. “Except, nothing. No details.”

“Bike ride?” Gunter asked.

Hamish tapped the table in front of the other two, as if he had the gossip of the century. “Oh, yes. The other day I just happened to be at the store, working very hard, staring out the window, when who should I see pull up on his big sexy Harley Davidson motorbike but Soren. And whoooo should be on the bike with him but our very good doctor here.”

Gunter and Braithe both smiled at me. “Really?” Braithe asked. “Doubling. You had to hold on to him and everything?”

Hamish nudged me with his elbow, his smile very knowing. “Oh, I think they’re well past the holding onto him stage. You can say you don’t kiss and tell, but your face gives you away.”

My face flamed and I hoped the red décor and lights made it unnoticeable .

Hamish’s little wiggle-dance in the seat told me otherwise. “I knew it.”

I had to tell them something. There was no point in denying it, and if anyone here understood the absurdity of it all, it’d be these guys.

“We’re dating,” I admitted.

Braithe did a little clap. “Oooh, yay!”

Gunter just smiled warmly at me. “I’m happy for you.”

“It’s this town,” Hamish said. “I keep telling y’all.”

“Y’all?” Braithe asked in his slightly affronted English accent. “Did you just say y’all?”

Hamish grimaced. “It’s terrible. I’ve been binge-watching the Atlanta Housewives. And I miss Jayden. He’s been working so much lately, I’m losing my Australianisms.”

“He’s working tonight?” Gunter asked.

Hamish nodded. “They have a lot to get organized with the B&B. Christmas is always so hectic for him and Cass. And the diner of course. Those are two busy boys.”

A waitress came over and took our order. We agreed on two pizzas for us to share. “And can I order one to go, but when we’re ready to leave?” I asked.

“Sure thing.”

She went on her way and the others were all looking at me, so I explained, “Soren’s on the late shift. I’ll take them a pizza later.”

“Oh, that would be why he wasn’t at the fire safety talk at the school today,” Braithe said. “It was Doug and Raf.”

I wasn’t too sure what that meant . . .

“Mmm,” Hamish buzzed. “So... just how is dating the sexy firefighter going?”

Braithe sighed. “It’s easier just to give in, Rob. Tell him something. It keeps his pervy heart happy.”

I sighed. “It’s going... great?” I shrugged. “But I keep waiting for the shoe to drop, ya know? He’s funny and sweet and romantic, and...”

God. I couldn’t say it.

“And?” Hamish asked, hanging on every word. “And what?”

“And . . .”

“Really hot in bed?” Hamish prompted quietly. “I mean, he’s a firefighter. It’s gotta be smoking hot, right? On fire, even?”

“Those puns are terrible.” I laughed, embarrassed. “But not exactly untrue.” I fanned my face. “Holy hell. Like nothing I’ve ever had.”

They laughed and Hamish gave my forearm a squeeze. “This is what I’m here for.”

Gunter studied me for a long few seconds. “But you’re worried about how fast it’s moving, and you don’t know if it’s real or just lust, and it scares the hell out of you.”

It wasn’t a question, but oh boy, he’d nailed it.

I conceded a nod. “I’ve, uh, I’ve been alone a long time. My whole life was work, work, work. So this is all such a change of pace for me, and everything is perfect. So perfect.”

“Too perfect?” Braithe added.

“Like something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie?” Hamish asked .

Yeah. They got it.

I nodded. “Yes. And I have professional obligations to this town, so I need to be mindful of that.”

“Is he your patient?” Hamish asked.

“No. He’s not on our books.”

“Then it’s a non-issue.” He patted my arm again. “And as for the whirlwind, crazy-fast falling-in-love thing, we all questioned it when it happened to us.”

Both Braithe and Gunter nodded again.

“It’s this town,” Hamish said with a sigh. “Where better to meet your perfect man than in a perfect town at the perfect time of year, huh?”

That made me smile.

“Just see where it goes,” Braithe said. “Don’t fight it. If falling in love is the worst thing that happens, how bad could it be?”

Our pizzas arrived and we ate a few slices in silence before talk turned to Braithe’s school Christmas play and Gunter’s youth center, and by the time we were done, I felt so much better.

The laughs and the friendships were a big part of that. But also voicing my concerns over this crazy whirlwind romance with Soren too. Acknowledging, to myself at least, that I already had feelings for him but it was normal to be scared and excited at the same time.

Was it a silly Christmas Cupid thing?

My rational brain said no, but my heart was saying maybe... maybe it wasn’t as silly as I thought.

I took the pizza box and the four of us walked outside. It was still snowing, just flurries and dustings, but the way it all looked by the streetlights and the Christmas lights in shop windows and on awnings, it really was like something out of a Hallmark movie.

We each said our goodbyes, and I stood there for a second taking it all in. How utterly serene it was. And pretty. And how even something as simple as waving goodbye to friends before I took a pizza to my boyfriend at work was just so surreal, I couldn’t believe it.

You just called him your boyfriend.

You said boyfriend. Like he’s your boyfriend, but he’s not. Not yet, anyway.

“I know. Shut up,” I grumbled to myself, fully aware I was now talking out loud to myself.

But the voice in my head was, thankfully, silent as I carefully walked to my car. I drove the short block to the fire station, and taking the pizza, I walked to the door. The rolling door was down, so I wasn’t even sure he was here, but I rang the buzzer anyway.

Suddenly feeling very foolish, I regretted not texting first. Would he mind me bringing him food? Was this out of line? Would his colleagues tease him?

Oh god. Did they even know about me?

This was bad.

Before I could turn and leave, the door opened and a man who was not Soren stood there in coveralls and a beanie. “Uh...” He said, confused. Then he did a double take. “Hey, Captain? Soren!”

“Yeah,” a familiar voice called out from somewhere. A few seconds later, Soren appeared. He was wearing his coveralls and beanie, and his huge firefighter coat, looking a dozen kinds of incredible.

He broke out into a grin. “Hey. ”

“I’m not interrupting, am I?” I cringed. “I was just having pizza with the guys and thought you might like some.”

The other guy’s face lit up. “That’s for us?”

Well, Soren, but yes. “Sure.”

He took the box like a kid who just got a candy bar, and he began walking backward to what looked like an office or break room. “You got two minutes before this is gone.”

Then it was just Soren and me. The fire engine was parked just a few feet away, there were ladders and gear, but the place was immaculate. But Soren... he was smiling at me in a way that made my heart two sizes too big.

He took my hand and pulled me into the fire station, and cupping my face, he pressed his lips to mine. Clearly he didn’t care who saw, and neither did I.

But then, without a word, he took my hand in his, wrapped his other arm around my waist, and he began to lead us in a waltz. Slow and ridiculously romantic, all I could do was laugh. He kissed the side of my head before he spun me out and under his arm, bringing me back in for a soft kiss.

And yeah, those feelings I’d thought about earlier tonight, that I’d tried to ignore, that I was too scared to name?

There was no ignoring them now.