It’s up to you. I don’t want you to get sick from both of us.I didn’t catch as many viruses as the EAs, but I was almost always guaranteed to come down with the same illness as my son a couple days after him. Just in time for him to start feeling better.
I want to see you. I’ll wear a mask if I have to. Plus, I have a surprise for Kirin.
My heart felt like it would explode with the sweetness of this man. I still had no idea how I’d been lucky enough to catch and keep his attention.Sure, if you’re willing to take that risk.
I’m willing. See you around four. What apartment number?
205.As I hit send, I glanced around the apartment at the scattered toys and craft supplies, the random bags and baskets of unfolded laundry. If Blaze was coming over, I needed to clean up while taking care of a sick child. All while butterflies attacked my stomach because I had another date with the hot firefighter.
Chapter Eight
Blaze
I grabbed the bouquet of dragon flowers I’d bought for Ladon, the bag filled with goodies for his son, and our dinner, out of my truck then closed the door. After turning around to face the apartment building, I took a deep breath. Going to an omega’s home for a date was a big step I was sure my co-workers would advise against, especially since it was only our second date. But my dragon was insistent. It was hard enough to convince that part of me to wait until four o’clock to show up, the time I’d told Ladon.
Before leaving, I’d texted him to ensure Kirin hadn’t gotten any worse and that Ladon wasn’t too tired for company.We’re both looking forward to seeing youwas what he replied.
My dragon nudged me forward, with no qualms about dating etiquette or how to come off as an aloof alpha, only wanting to be with the omega he was sure was his fated. I wasn’t as convinced but did enjoy looking at and spending time with Ladon.
Inside the front doors, I buzzed 205 and waited for a response.
“Hi, firefighter,” Kirin whispered before the door unlocked with a click.
I pulled on the handle then went inside to take the stairs to the second floor. One would think all apartment buildings would be built the same with the stairs and elevators in the same spot. But no, some had stairs at either end with an elevator in the middle, while others had a set of stairs in the middle near the entrance and another at the other end, but no elevator. Ladon’s place was like the latter, the staircase to my left before the door to the main floor.
I took them up, two at a time. It was easier with the momentum from my dragon’s anxiousness. When I opened the fire door to the second floor, a little boy ran down the hall toward me.
“Kirin, get back here.” Ladon rushed out the door after him and scooped him up. “You are supposed to be resting, remember?” Then the omega turned to me. “Hi. I was in the washroom and didn’t realize you’d buzzed up until I saw the open door and the back of my son.”
“Hi.” I didn’t know what to say. My plan to hand Ladon the flowers and kiss his cheek at his door was thwarted by a wiggly preschooler, so I followed them back to their apartment. “I guess he’s feeling better?”
“Yeah.” Ladon pressed his palm to Kirin’s forehead. “The fever went away within a couple hours, but I still don’t know what he’s fighting or if I’ll catch it, too.”
“Hopefully that’s the extent of it, but I’ll take my chances.” As Ladon entered his apartment, I waited at the threshold to be invited in. I wasn’t a vampire but found it awkward to enter someone else’s home without their permission.
“Come in.” After setting Kirin down, Ladon went to grab the bag of food from me.
I handed him the flowers at the same time. “These are for you.”
“Blech.” Ladon turned his head to avoid a face full of flowers.
I pulled my arms back when I realized what I’d done, but Ladon still had forward momentum and crashed into my chest. I resisted the urge to wrap my arms around him, not wanting to drop everything and make a mess on the floor.
He pushed off me and brushed his hands down his chest. “Sorry. I didn’t know… And you… I’m just so nervous.”
“It’s okay.” I removed my shoes then stepped over to the island that divided the kitchen from the living room, settingdown the food and the goodies for Kirin. “Would you believe I’m nervous, too?” This time, I handed the flowers to Ladon and leaned in to kiss his cheek.
He blushed. “First of all, I do love snapdragons. Thank you.” He opened a cupboard and pulled out a vase. “And secondly, I didn’t think alphas got nervous. Especially hot firefighters.”
“Did you call me hot?” I was sure that was what he said, and I refused to let it go.
His cheeks turned a brighter shade of red before he spun around to the sink to fill the vase. “Um, maybe.”
I sidled up beside him, not sure what he would let me do, especially with his son around. I set my hand on the counter beside him and leaned closer. “Well, I think you are unbelievably sexy, and I haven’t stopped thinking about you.” My dragon wouldn’t let me.
Turning to face me, Ladon pushed on my chest. “Liar. I doubt you thought about me while at work. At least, you shouldn’t.”
I shrugged. “Okay, maybe not all the time, but a lot. I really like you.”
