11. Zoe

By the timethe shift was over, darkness had fallen.

I hopped out of the fire truck for the third time that day, almost stumbling because my legs ached from so much running around. Only the first call of the day had anything to do with the arson case, while the other calls were general medical calls that the guys often had to respond to. Despite me being exhausted, it was incredible seeing all of them in action.

Obviously, storming into danger and helping people was their job, but it was still breathtaking watching them basically give death and danger the middle finger. It was a level of control and bravery that I was far from grasping. When faced with unexpected chaos and tragedy, I crumbled like dust.

On the scene of my mom’s accident, I could barely move, much less try to help anyone like my panicked father. I did find the strength to scream and cry, but I was… useless. At the fire on Grady Street, I wasn’t even near the house and ended up injured because I couldn’t even stay conscious.

These men were sturdy and strong. I admired that more than they knew.

“You were amazing helping that little girl,” I told Gabe as he started pulling off his gear, leaving him in a t-shirt and khaki work pants.

Just an hour ago, they’d responded to a call for a car accident. We were the first at the scene, and Gabe attended to an eight-year-old girl who had a hurt arm, while the others checked on the other crash victims.

Gabe smiled and hung his coat over his arm, a faint streak of soot adorning his left cheek. His dirty blonde hair was a bit matted from his helmet, but he still looked good after a long, hard shift.

“I like being able to help the kids. Most of the time, they don’t really understand what’s going on. It’s scary, but it helps me take their mind off things while I make sure they’re okay,” he explained.

“My brother, the All-American hero,” Garrett spoke up from behind me as he walked over to us, bumping the side of his fist against Gabe’s. “Good shift.”

“Good shift,” Gabe repeated before the two brothers faced me.

Their sudden attention on me made my heart rate spike, my face warming up. After their genuine apology, I saw them differently. I looked past what happened years ago and now saw two hardworking, honest men.

Trust me, if their apology wasn’t as great as it was, I wouldn’t have been so quick to forgive and move forward.

“What do you guys typically do after a shift?” I inquired as I glanced around, seeing the others change clothes and prepare to switch out with the firefighters coming in for the next shift.

“When we work this late, we usually head home. All the restaurants are closed, so we cook dinner and hang out until we basically pass out,” Gabe replied with a light chuckle.

“You guys live together?” I asked, unable to reel in my curiosity just yet. Most people were nosy about what their high school classmates were up to during present times, right?

“We’re renting a house for now,” Garrett answered.

That made me wonder if they were both single. From what I could tell, no one on the crew was married, but that didn’t mean there weren’t girlfriends and fiancées around somewhere.

“So am I. Well, kind of. My job set me up in a house for the time being, but it’s pretty bare bones. I think all I have in the fridge are a few bottles of water and pre-packaged salads,” I laughed out. I had been so focused on recovering and working that I hadn’t even gone to the grocery store yet.

I supposed that was a bit of a flaw of mine. When work started, the rest of my life came to a halt. Investigative journalism was the perfect thing to hyper-focus on, because digging up clues and crafting pieces of information into a captivating story demanded all of my attention and effort. But lately, those things had been divided between work and the alluring firefighters that I was trying to cooperate with.

Gabe nudged Garrett, his eyes lighting up with a sudden thought.

“Let us make you dinner,” Gabe offered. “I promise it’ll be better than pre-packaged salad.”

I wasn’t sure if going home with them was such a great idea, especially since this was our first day together after being apart for years. And also after having a rivalry for a few years before that. However, the hope in Gabe’s voice, along with his kind gesture, was hard to say no to. My stomach rumbled at the thought of a warm meal, selling me out in front of them.

“Can’t say no now,” Garrett teased, with an expectant look in his eyes. He was more serious than his brother, but it wasn’t in an unsettling way.

It was one meal, and it wasn’t like I had much to eat at the house.

“Okay, thanks,” I accepted with a nod.

Once I pulled my jacket on, I followed them out of the fire station and went to my car so that I could follow them to their house. My headlights lit up the dark road, illuminating the back of their black truck as we left the middle of town behind in exchange for the neighborhoods on the east side. My heart rate remained quick, even if this was simply dinner.

I just never expected myself to share a friendly meal with the Wallace brothers, and I couldn’t predict how our present, new relationship was going to develop.

When we reached a small but homey brick house, I parked behind them and met them on the front porch.

“This place is nice,” I complimented.

“It’s not bad,” Garrett agreed as Gabe unlocked the front door. “Make yourself comfortable.”

I nodded my thanks and wandered into the house, able to see more when they flicked on the lights. While they disappeared into the kitchen, I walked through the living room, admiring a few framed photos of them with their friends, family, and fellow firefighters that were scattered around on the coffee table, the wall, and the entertainment center. Their house smelled like cedarwood with a touch of something sweeter. Maybe vanilla.

Regardless, it smelled good, and it didn’t take long for another scent to enter my nose. I followed it into the kitchen where Garrett was pan searing chicken breasts and Gabe was boiling potatoes next to him.

“Are you making mashed potatoes?” I asked Gabe as I stepped up to his side.

“If you don’t like mashed potatoes, I’d have to declare you a psychopath,” Gabe chuckled.

I smirked and bumped my shoulder against his.

“Luckily, I’m clinically sane,” I assured him before leaning forward so that I could see Garrett. “I didn’t know you guys could cook. Quite a few guys I dated only knew how to throw a frozen pizza into the oven.”

Gabe and Garrett shared an amused look before shaking their heads.

“We prefer to be more self-reliant than that,” Garrett replied before gesturing around. “The house actually looked pretty sad before we moved in. I had to do a lot of repairs.”

My eyes swept over the kitchen, now noticing the gleam of the polished wooden cabinets and what looked like a brand-new windowpane in the kitchen window. I remembered him being in a workshop class back in high school. Meanwhile, Gabe was cracking people up with an unforgettable stand-up comedy routine in the school’s talent show.

“It looks really nice,” I said, enjoying the warm atmosphere that settled around us as we chatted while dinner cooked.

Once everything was plated, we all took a seat around the wooden, oval-shaped dining table next to the kitchen. Gabe sat to my right at the end of the table, while Garrett took a seat across from me and placed a glass of water next to my plate.

“Thank you,” I expressed sincerely as I looked between them.

Wow, things had changed. But we were older and more mature now. Arguments and conflicts in the past seemed so petty now.

“What have you guys been up to since graduation?” I wondered as we got to eating. As expected, the chicken was juicy and flavorful with hints of garlic and paprika, while the mashed potatoes were just as fluffy as I liked them.

“I was a mechanic for a while,” Garrett replied. “I like to work with my hands.”

Oh, how simple of a human being I was. My eyes immediately darted to his hands, admiring the length of his fingers and how his knuckles were slightly scuffed. He certainly did work with his hands.

“I worked at the gym until I went into the fire academy,” Gabe answered. He must’ve worked out while off his shift because the muscle tone in his arms was impressive. “And you left town to be a journalist.”

“We didn’t think we would see you again. Glad we were wrong,” Garrett commented as he cut into his chicken breast, his eyes briefly meeting mine.

Something stirred low in my stomach whenever I felt their eyes on me. Even when I couldn’t stand them in high school, there was a twisted part of me that always found them attractive, but I never allowed those desires to become more than fantasies. That was even harder now because I could stand them.

Truthfully, I liked them. They seemed like good guys.

“Me too,” I agreed, passing them a smile before taking a bite of my mashed potatoes.

“You should come by for dinner again,” Gabe told me as we started to finish up. “My brother is great, but I’m sure we both wouldn’t mind some new company.”

Garrett smirked and gave his younger brother’s arm a light push.

I cracked an amused smile and shrugged in a teasing manner.

“Maybe. It’s definitely cozy in here,” I replied before glancing at my phone, my eyes widening. “It’s already past midnight!”

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Gabe quipped before standing to collect everyone’s plates. “Sure you want to leave? It’s nice and warm in here and cold out there.”

“You should stay. I don’t want you to drive if you’re tired,” Garrett insisted as his eyes met mine. Those bold, dark eyes. How could his words sound like an order and a kind suggestion at the same time?

“I don’t want to put you guys out,” I denied him as I shook my head. They already went out of their way to make dinner for me.

Garrett shook his head back and rose to his feet.

“Gabe has some old clothes you can change into,” he told me. “You can take my room.”

I got up and walked around the table toward him.

“If I’m going to stay, I’m not taking anyone’s bed. Besides, your couch looked super comfy,” I stated in an equally firm voice.

Garrett held my gaze, his brow slightly furrowing like he wanted to argue. He then sighed as the side of his mouth turned up.

“I’ll get you some blankets and a pillow,” he told me before walking off.

My heart fluttered as I walked to the living room in a trance, thinking about the way he towered over me. How it felt like he was looking into my soul. Gabe’s warmth and inviting nature made it that much harder to deny their request. It looked like I was staying the night.

Gabe and Garrett met me in the living room. While Garrett made up the dark blue, polyester couch for me, Gabe walked over to me with a white t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.

“They’ll be a little big on you, but it’s better than sleeping in your work clothes,” he replied.

“I hope I’m not taking your sleep clothes,” I said as I took them, already able to smell his sweet and woodsy scent on his garments.

Gabe chuckled a little and brushed his fingers through the same dirty blonde hair that his brother had. The only difference was that his was more grown-out, slightly covering his ears while the rest of the waves were pushed back from his face.

“I don’t really wear much to sleep in,” he admitted.

A zing of heat lit me up, simmering low in my stomach at the thought of him sleeping with just briefs beneath the covers. Or maybe even less.

“Oh, well… I mean, that makes sense. Sometimes it can get hot at night,” I stammered, starting to babble because my brain was getting overheated with thoughts that I didn’t need to be thinking.

“Hopefully, you’re warm enough tonight,” Garrett’s voice sounded behind me.

I took a step back to face him, but I miscalculated just how close he was and ended up crashing my back against his broad chest. My body tensed as I looked up and over my shoulder at him. They weren’t in any hurry to put any personal space between us, but I didn’t want them to. All day, I had been so pent-up, fighting my raging desires and trying to focus on work.

But I wasn’t working right now. Their light brown eyes were far darker right now, and I couldn’t bring myself to say goodnight and bury myself under the soft sheets that Garrett brought out for me. No, I didn’t want to be under any sheets.

I wanted to be under them.

“And if I’m not?” I asked, hearing Gabe release a sharp exhale right as those words left my mouth. I opened the floodgates. There was no closing them now.

Garrett searched my eyes for a moment, making sure I stood by what I said. When my eyes slipped down to his lips, he leaned forward, kissing me over my shoulder as his hands gripped my waist.

All oxygen fled my lungs in that moment, my skin tingling with heat and need as our lips brushed and moved. Before our kiss could deepen, I felt his hand on my jaw, turning my face back forward. A whine of protest nearly left me until I came face-to-face with Gabe, who cupped my chin and smiled at me before pressing his lips against mine.

Garrett remained behind me, his fingertips dipping beneath the edge of my sweater to draw the material out of the waist of my skirt. He kissed the back of my neck, sweeping my hair to the side so that his lips could touch bare skin.

I shuddered, my lips parting enough for Gabe to brush his tongue against mine. One of my hands rested on Garrett’s, while the other dove into Gabe’s hair as our kiss deepened. Every logical thought in my head melted away as they started stripping my clothes off, leaving me in a white bra and light pink panties.

Garrett unclasped my bra so that Gabe could tear the material off, warm air hitting my skin. He kissed my shoulder before letting his lips linger near my ear.

“I was hoping you’d stay,” he murmured.

Gabe lowered his head, taking one of my nipples in his mouth as his hands caressed my breasts.

A gasp rang from me as the warm wetness of his tongue made my nipples harden. I pushed my ass back against Garrett, already feeling his erection through his black joggers.

“Why? So you could do this?” I asked him, shivering as his lips ghosted down the side of my neck.

“And plenty more,” Garrett assured me before slipping his fingers under the waist of my panties to drag them down my legs. “Get on the couch so that we can show you.”

Gabe offered his hand to me.

“I’m going to be greedy first,” he stated with his trademark charming grin on his face. “I want you to sit on my face.”

My stomach twisted in knots at the thought, my face flushing. I never thought I would ever hear such dirty words from Gabe’s mouth. The same mouth that would crack jokes and blow air kisses at me in high school just to annoy me.

Gabe led me over to the couch, having me kneel in the middle so that he could lie down behind me with his feet planted on the ground. He grabbed my hips, while Garrett took my hands to steady me, guiding me back so that my knees were on either side of his head.

“Fuck,” he breathed out before kissing my inner thighs. He brushed his forefinger along my glistening folds teasingly before leaning up to lick along the same line.

My body tensed as my fingers carded through his hair, my head tilting back in bliss. Every stroke of his tongue felt like ecstasy, waves of heat washing over me. When I lowered my head, I saw Garrett stripping his clothes off, revealing just how strong and built he was underneath. My eyes slid down to his erection between his fit thighs, making me swallow hard at how worked up he was.

Garrett walked over to me, leaning down to press a lingering kiss against my lips. When I wrapped my fingers around his cock, he let out a faint groan, his forehead touching mine.

“I don’t believe I told you that you could touch me yet,” he murmured.

I worked my hand up and down in slow strokes.

“Want me to stop?” I asked as our eyes met.

Garrett smirked and pushed my hand away so that he could stand on the couch, his cock now looming in front of my face.

“No, I want you to use your mouth,” he demanded.

I could’ve melted on the spot, and I was already feeling like jelly because Gabe had set the perfect pace on my clit. My thighs threatened to shake, and when Gabe pushed his tongue inside of me, I nearly doubled over.

“Feels so good,” I breathed out as I ground down against his face without a thought.

“Fuck, keep doing that,” Gabe urged me as he dug his fingertips into my thighs, encouraging me to rock against his face.

I reached for Garrett as he moved closer, my fingers curling around the base of his length so that I could wrap my lips around the tip. I slid my mouth down, taking in more inches of him with each bob of my head.

Garrett released a sharp exhale, his fingers pushing into my hair to adopt a light grip. He didn’t push me down, but the thought that he could turned me on even more.

“That’s it,” he praised me.

Gabe slid a hand under me, working a finger inside to thrust into me as his tongue brushed over my clit. It felt like he was everywhere all at once. Licking me. Fucking me with his fingers. Pulling me down to grind on his face.

The tension in my stomach doubled, making me feel like I was on the verge of exploding. I looked up at Garrett through my lashes, taking him in more and trying not to choke. Something told me that he would like that, though.

Garrett tilted his head back for a moment, reveling in the pleasure. He started moving his hips, thrusting down my throat and grinning when he felt me moan around him.

“Good girl. Take me,” he ordered.

Tears glimmered in my eyes as my cheeks flushed, but I was on cloud nine. His dirty words and his brother’s wickedly good mouth led to my quick downfall. I pulled off Garrett’s cock right as my orgasm crested, my body trembling as my forehead rested against Garrett’s thigh. A shaky moan broke from me, leaving me breathless and hot to the touch.

Gabe slid out from under me, his fingertips trailing up my back so that I looked at him. His lips were curled up in a pleased smile and glistening.

“Hot stuff, baby,” he breathed out.

I smiled back, feeling winded but also worked up at the same time. My eyes shifted up to Garrett as my expression became a pleading one.

Garrett clicked his tongue at me as Gabe undressed.

“Already wanting more? What a greedy girl,” he playfully chastised me before looking at Gabe. “What are we going to do about that?”

“Give her more,” Gabe answered before motioning for Garrett to move.

Garrett looked back down at me.

“Lucky girl,” he said before moving behind me. He grabbed my hips and pulled them back, forcing me onto my hands and knees. He knelt behind me and rocked his cock through my wetness, his lips gracing my spine. “If I had it my way, I’d make you beg for it. Maybe I still will.”

I could’ve groveled at Gabe’s feet for showing me some form of mercy. When Gabe knelt in front of me, I gladly parted my lips for him, letting him slide his cock into my mouth. I didn’t care if I looked desperate. I trusted them enough to let go, to fall into them and expect them to catch me.

I couldn’t remember when I’d felt this much pleasure.

Garrett nudged my thighs apart more, further exposing me to him so that he could slowly push himself inside of me. He exhaled just as patiently, steadying himself as he sheathed himself fully inside.

Gabe cursed when I moaned around his cock, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment. He trailed his fingers through his hair, pushing a few loose waves back from his face as I continued my motions.

“That’s good. Really good,” he praised me. “I bet you feel fucking perfect.”

“Incredible,” Garrett managed to breathe out before he started thrusting into me, starting gentle before getting progressively harder as my moans became more prevalent. “You take me so well.”

A hot, twisting sensation formed in my stomach again, growing stronger and stronger with each thrust from either side. I was at their mercy, being fucked and thrusted into over and over again and enjoying every second of it. My second orgasm approached far faster than my first, my body already tensing.

Gabe pulled my hair back from my face, burying his cock in my throat to the point where spit seeped out of the corners of my mouth. He didn’t care about the mess. He reveled in it, looking as pleased as he sounded.

Garrett grabbed my hips, holding me in place as he rocked into me. It felt like he was going deeper and deeper with each thrust, weakening my knees to the point where I felt like I was about to collapse.

“I know you have another in you. Come on, baby,” he coaxed me.

I whimpered around Gabe, the heat becoming overwhelming. It only took a few more deep thrusts to make my body nearly convulse, hard shakes passing through me as I dropped my head. Moans of bliss spilled from me, but I didn’t have much recovery time before I was flipped onto my back.

“Tilt your head back. Let me paint your face,” Gabe ordered as he peered down at me while stroking his cock.

Aftershocks of pleasure shuddered through me as I leaned my head back, gazing up at him with pleading eyes because I wanted him to give me everything. As I felt Garrett slip between my thighs, I tightened them around his waist, hearing him groan as he stroked himself.

It wasn’t long before I felt warm ropes of release on my lower stomach and face, my tongue lashing out to lick up a spot next to my mouth.

“Keep your tongue out,” Gabe breathed out, spilling the rest onto my tongue.

As the tension simmered down, we all caught our breaths, my head slightly spinning as Gabe helped me sit up. I was a complete mess, but I couldn’t help but smile at them.

Was this a mistake? My brain was too warm and fuzzy to make out a definite answer right now, but tomorrow was a whole other day.