CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Brittany
“I’m in shock,” Dad says, holding my hands in his. “But, Cupcake, I want you to know that I want the best for you. Only and always the best.”
“That’s what I have,” I tell him. “That’s what Dom is.”
“Then…” Dad sighs, lets go of my hands, and passes his hands over his face. “Then I guess… you have my blessing.”
He looks older somehow, like the last hour has taken years from him. I glance over to where Dom is waiting for me by the door, patient and inscrutable. I step forward to plant a kiss on Dad’s cheek and squeeze him quickly in my arms. “Love, you Dad,” I tell him.
“I love you too, Cupcake,” he says. He steps back, letting me go.
I move over to Dom and follow him out of the house, then down the road. The last month has been full of sneaking around, heading over to his place after work, on days off, whenever I have the chance. Dad must have been suspicious, although he didn’t say anything until today.
But at last we have his blessing, and that’s what matters.
We walk hand in hand. Dom only lives a couple of blocks away, one of the reasons why he and my Dad got so close in the first place. Even if it made things awkward, I’m grateful. I wouldn’t have known him at all, otherwise.
Dom unlocks the door, and I step inside, instantly turning my nose up to the air. A familiar scent hits me. As Dom moves out of the way, then I see them trailing up the stairs, rose petals…
“What is this?” I ask, looking around in surprise.
Dom laughs. “Okay. I was going to wait until later, but I can’t,” he says, shutting the door behind us and taking hold of my hands. “You’re just too adorable. I’ve got to do this now, so that afterwards we can go up and have the best night of our lives in the hot tub.”
“Do what?” I ask, my heart jumping into my throat because I think I know, but it’s too wonderful to believe.
Dom pauses for a moment, flashing me a brilliant smile with his white teeth, transforming his face. He might be hot when he wears that stony expression like a man carved from stone, but when he smiles, it all gets so much better.
Then he drops down onto one knee, and I can’t breathe.
“Brit,” he says. “You were the thing I didn’t know was missing from my life. I thought I was fine with being alone. It turns out I was just waiting for you to come back here. I love you, and I don’t want to spend another day without you. Will you marry me?”
With tears in my eyes, I reach out to take the small jewelry box from his hands. It’s only been six weeks, and anyone else might think we were moving too fast.
Anyone else wouldn’t know the way it feels when we’re together, how right it is. How we fit together like puzzle pieces. How it feels like I’ve spent my whole life growing up just to be here at this moment, where I’m meant to be.
“Yes,” I tell him, gasping with happiness.
EPILOGUE
Epilogue –
Dom
I shuck off my coat, stained with soot and sweat, and hang it on the wall. My helmet joins it, and I wipe a hand across my brow. It comes off black. I must look a state.
I take a quick stop by the locker rooms to wash off my face and hands, before heading into the dispatch room. I wouldn’t want Brit to see me looking like I just stepped out of a fire. She might not be as twitchy about the nature of this work as her Mom was, but I don’t want her to worry right now. It wouldn’t be good for the baby.
“Hey, princess,” I say, leaning my head around the door.
Brit has her headset on, but she is relaxed, looking at something on her phone. She turns, her face brightening to see me, and gets up. “Dom! How was the call-out?”
I shrug, showing her that I am whole and in one piece. “It went fine. Property took some damage, but it’s repairable. We got there fast enough.”
“Well done, sweetie,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck. We laugh, as we inevitably do, at how big her belly is between us, how she almost stands at arms length to hug me now.
“You ready for Friday?” I ask. I gesture with a nod towards her desk, where she has a small collection of personal items that she’ll need to gather up soon. She passed the six-month mark of her pregnancy last week, and Friday is her last day before she goes on maternity leave.
Brit makes a face. “I don’t want to go,” she says. “I’ll just be sitting at home, worrying. I like being here, where I can see you’re not hurt.”
“You’ll still see me every night, mama,” I say, rubbing her belly. “You know I’m staying safe. Not taking any risks. I want to meet our little mini-me.”
She takes hold of one of my hands, twisting the wedding ring around my finger. “I know. It doesn’t seem like long enough. I’m used to seeing you around throughout the day.”
“You’re just sad we won’t be able to hook up in any more closets,” I tease her. Something about being pregnant has sent Brit’s horniness into overdrive.
“Speaking of,” she says, biting her lip with a wicked smile.
Then her expression changes, switching to professional. She turns from me quickly, pressing a button on the side of her headset. “Fire Department 408. How can I help you?”
I squeeze her shoulder briefly by way of a goodbye, but linger in the doorway to watch her work. Damn, my wife. She’s good at her job. I listen as she starts taking details, my eyes lingering down to that perfect ass, and finally leave her to it.
I’m a lucky man.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
Brittany
“Come on,” I say, jiggling baby Reed into my other arm while I reach out for Natalie, our five-year old wanderer to stop her from trailing out into the road. “This way, kids. This is where Mommy and Daddy work. Isn’t this exciting?”
Natalie nods with a giggle, but behind her, our oldest boy Cyrus, and Kathryn for Dom’s mother look unimpressed. It’s not like they haven’t been here before. When Cyrus was born, ten years ago, I came back to work as soon as I could. The arrival of Kathryn two years later didn’t slow me down, either.
The two of them take the lead, walking quicker than a woman carrying a baby and trying to keep a toddler in check could. They know the way, and today we’re surrounded by friends. I still keep a close eye on them, right up until I hear Cyrus shout “Daddy!” and run forward.
I pass through the crowd of people with Reed and Natalie, smiling and greeting people I know on the way. My colleagues and their families. Dom is, as I might have predicted, manning the grill, waving a spatula around as he chats casually with some of the other members of his crew.
“Hey, baby,” he says, turning to plant a kiss on my lips. “And baby,” he adds, smiling at his own joke as he plants another kiss on Reed’s forehead.
“How’s the food going?” I ask, peering over his shoulder at the meat sizzling away on the grill. It looks almost ready.
“Oh, I don’t know,” he says, giving me a mischievous look. “It might be ready in about four, five hours or so.”
“Nooooo,” Kathryn complains, hugging her father’s leg and tugging at the bottom of his shirt.
“Daddy, we’re so hungry,” Natalie informs him gravely, putting on her best pouty face.
“Okay, well, Daddy will turn the grill up and get it done in about five minutes. How’s that, champ?” he asks, ruffling Cyrus’ hair.
Cyrus, who is going to be starting middle school in the fall and is therefore way too old for Daddy’s games, brushes his hair back into place. “Can I have ice cream?” he asks.
“That’s for after the meal, buddy,” Dom laughs.
“Can we go play with Nathan and Allie?” Natalie asks, looking out over the yard to the children of another firefighter who they play with often. I agree with a few cautions about being careful, and watch them as they run off to have fun.
“Getting bored of it yet, Brit?” Matt, one of Dom’s crew mates, asks with a smile.
“I never
get bored of it,” I say, shaking my head. “But I’m looking forward to getting back to work.”
“Us, too,” Matt grins, clinking his beer bottle against that of another member of the crew. “We need our Captain back up to fighting shape. He’s just not as effective when it’s not his beautiful wife sending him out on calls.”
There’s laughter from the group, complete with Dom digging his elbow into Matt's ribs. “Fill that mouth of yours with some burgers,” he says, “Before you get any ideas about complimenting my beautiful wife.”
I laugh at that, the fact that even after nearly eleven years together Dom can still get jealous. I would never stray, and he knows that. But it’s cute when he does his caveman routine.
“Mommy wants a burger,” I say, pretending to muscle Matt out of the way.
“Sorry, men. I have to serve the hottest woman in the place first,” Dom grins, handing me a plate as there are general groans of faux complaint around us.
I take a plate heaped with four burgers in buns and retreat, calling the kids back to eat. As they each start chowing down hungrily, I look up, and catch my husband watching me as he serves the rest of the cookout. He looks at me, in that special way that only he has, and I know what it means.
I love you, princess.
And I smile back that special smile I reserve only for him. The one that means, I love you too.
I’m a lucky woman.
NEWSLETTER
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Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justice
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
Book 72: Possessive Canadian
Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire
Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop
Book 75: Possessive Brazilian
Book 76: Hockey Obsession
Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter
Book 78: Halloween Next Door
Book 79: Possessive Russian
Book 80: Baseball Mine
Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive
Book 82: Instalove Island
Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend
Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss
Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor
Book 86: Possessive Portuguese
Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop
Book 88: Russian’s Obsession
Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas
Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot
Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day
Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker
Book 93: Italian Mountain Man
Book 94: Aggressive Russian
Book 95: Possessive Valentine
Book 96: Possessive Hunter
Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend
Book 98: Russian Teacher
Book 99: Australian Obsession
Book 100: Russian Next Door
Book 101: Dad’s Irish Friend
Book 102: Nanny for the Russian Mafia
Book 103: Best Friend’s Dad
Book 104: Basketball Babymaker
Book 105: Possessive Veterinarian
Book 106: Brother’s Fireman Friend
Book 107: Brother’s Canadian Cowboy Friend
Book 108: Summer Vacation with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 109: Dad’s Italian Mafia Friend
Book 110: Dad’s Irish Mafia Friend
Book 111: Dad’s Football Friend
Book 112: Possessing His Dancing Queen
Book 113: Brother’s Cop Friend
Book 114: Halloween With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 115: Claimed By Her Boss
Book 116: Possessive Rider
Book 117: Dad’s Ex-Biker Buddy
Book 118: Possessive Undercover Cop
Book 119: Falling For Her Boss
Book 120: Claiming His Fashionista
Book 121: More Than Dad’s Best Friend
Book 122: Thanksgiving With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 123: Bossy Italian
Book 124: Christmas With Dad’s Mafia Friend
Book 125: Maid For The Italian Mafia
Book 126: Nutcracker
Book 127: Cowboy Cerrone
Book 128: Chef’s Kiss
Book 129: Claimed By The Russian
Book 130: Bought By The Italian Mafia
Book 131: Hot Nerd
Book 132: Dad’s Italian Mafia Boss
Book 133: Mine
Book 134: Taken By The Thief
Book 135: Curves Ahead
Book 136: Her Mafia Valentine
Book 137: Doctor Valentine
Book 138: Maid For The Irish Mafia
Book 139: Winning Her Curves
Book 140: Dad’s Cartel Best Friend
Book 142: Lawyer’s Obsession
Book 143: Attending Her Curves
Book 144: Maid for the Russian Mafia
Book 145: Priest
Book 146: Claimed By Dad’s Best Friend
Book 147: His Curvy Office Obsession
Book 148: Easter with Dad's Best Friend
Book 149: Veterinarian's Obsession
Book 150: Curves For Her Older Boss
Book 151: Mob Lawyer's Curves
Book 152: Maid For The Doctor Next Door
Book 153: Possessive Forest Ranger
Book 154: Nurse For The Russian Mafia
Book 155: Dad's Fireman Friend
BRATVA BEAR SHIFTERS
Book 1: Dad’s Russian Mafia Bear Best Friend
Book 2: Babysitter For Dad’d Russian Mafia Bear Friend
Book 3: Dad’s Bratva Bear Friend
LAIRDS & LADIES
Book 1: Possessive Highlander
Book 2: Taken By The Highlander
Book 3: Alpha Highlander
RUSSIAN UNDERWORLD
Book 1: Brooklyn Bratva
Book 2: British Bratva
Book 3: Bratva Billionaire
Book 4: Bratva Babysitter
Book 5: Bratva Boss
IRISH WOLF SHIFTERS
Book 1: Dad’s Irish Wold Shifter Friend
Book 2: Claimed By The Irish Wolf Shifter
Book 3: Claimed By The Enemy
Table of Contents
Contents
Dad's Fireman Friend
Copyright
Dad's Fireman Friend
NEWSLETTER
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Extended epilogue
NEWSLETTER
A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
BRATVA BEAR SHIFTERS
LAIRDS & LADIES
RUSSIAN UNDERWORLD
IRISH WOLF SHIFTERS