Firefighter Griffin (Fire & Rescue Shifters 3)

Danny’s jaws worked a few times. He spat out the soggy cookie, glaring at it with an air of wounded betrayal.

“Of course, lion tongues do work a bit different to human ones,” Griff added casually, as though this thought had only just occurred to him. “Can’t taste sweet things. Now, real lions don’t know what they’re missing out on. But you know how that cookie should taste…”

Griff trailed off, a broad grin spreading across his face as the air around Danny shimmered.

“Danny!” Hayley snatched her son up, overcome with joy. She anxiously patted him, searching for any remaining hint of whiskers or fur, but he was entirely back to normal.

And also, stark naked.

He wriggled impatiently out of her embrace. “Can I have a cookie now, Mommy?”

“You can have a cookie.” Nearly faint with relief, Hayley shoved the whole jar into his hands. “You can have all the cookies.” Leaving Danny to his feast, she threw her arms around Griff. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!”

She felt his hard chest rise with a sharp intake of breath. His strong heartbeat thudded against her cheek, his pulse as fast as if he was running a marathon, though he was absolutely motionless under her hands.

“Oh!” Hayley jerked back as if he was literally rather than just metaphorically hot. She was certain she was blushing from throat to forehead. “I-I’m so sorry, I just-”

“My pleasure,” he interrupted her, his voice a deep, rough rumble. He cleared his throat, glancing down at Danny. “Lad, where’d you leave your clothes?”

“Out in the yard,” Danny mumbled, spraying crumbs.

“Are you clever enough to get dressed all by yourself?” Danny nodded in response. “Off you go then, before you have any more of those. I need to have a word with your ma here.”

Griff waited until Danny’s bare backside had scampered out of sight before he spoke again. “Dad not around, I take it?” he murmured, very quietly.

Hayley couldn’t help flinching a little at the old wound. “No,” she said, trying to sound casual. “He left before Danny was born. He…wasn’t ready for kids. Why?”

“Shifting is hereditary. You get the occasional surprise quirk of genetics, but as a rule, shifter kids have at le

ast one shifter parent.” He cocked an eyebrow at her in unspoken query.

“Well, he certainly didn’t get it from my side of the family! But Reiner never said anything…” Hayley gasped, one hand creeping up to cover her mouth. “Oh. Ljonsson.”

“Dad’s last name, I take it?” Griff grimaced. “I’d say that’s pretty conclusive, then. Reiner Ljonsson. Hmm. He never told you what he really was? Not even after you became pregnant?”

Hayley shook her head. “He didn’t want anything to do with it.”

A low, savage growl ripped from Griff’s throat, making Hayley jump. “Sorry,” he said, looking a little embarrassed. “Lion got the better of me. We’re rather big on family. Or at least, we’re supposed to be. Do you have a way of getting in contact with him?”

“I can try,” Hayley said dubiously. “But I don’t think-”

“Mr. Griff, Mr. Griff!” Hayley cut herself off as Danny ran back into the room, his face aglow with triumph. He had his T-shirt on inside-out and his pants back-to-front, but he proudly presented himself for Griff’s inspection. “I did it all on my own!”

Griff’s eyes gleamed with suppressed laughter, but his face was solemn as he looked the boy up and down. “So you did, Danny. Well done.”

“Mr. Griff?” Danny sidled closer, his expression turning a little shy as he peered up at the towering firefighter. “Can…can I see your lion?”

Something flashed across Griff’s face, too quickly for Hayley to read. “I’m afraid not, lad,” he said, ruffling Danny’s blond hair. “I have to go, unfortunately. No doubt it’s nearly your teatime, and I’m expected back home for my supper too.”

Danny’s hopeful face fell. Hayley felt just as disappointed, which was completely silly of her. She couldn’t help glancing at Griff’s left hand. He wasn’t wearing a wedding band, but lots of men didn’t.

Of course a man like him would already have a partner. It’s no business of mine, anyway. Why should it make any difference to me whether or not Griff has someone waiting for him at home?

The corner of Griff’s mouth twitched up. “Just a friend who needed a place to stay,” he said, as if her entire embarrassing train of thought had been printed on her forehead. “He’s still a bit new to the entire concept of cooking, so it’s best if I’m home before he can get into too much trouble. It’s unfortunate for a firefighter to set his own kitchen alight, after all. But I’d like to come and see you both again soon, if that’s all right with you?”

“O-of course,” Hayley stuttered, trying not to let her expression betray the ridiculous leap of her heart at the prospect. “I’d love that. I, I mean, I have a lot of questions I’d love to ask you.”

“Here’s my number,” Griff said, handing her a card. “If Danny shifts again, or you’re worried about anything—anything at all—give me a call. I promise I’ll come straight away.”