Blaze & Bind: A MFM Firefighter Romance (Surrender to Them Book 10)

by Kelli Callahan

  “Thanks.” He nodded in appreciation and opened the glove box.

  We spent our twenty-four-hour shift resting between calls. Thankfully, it was pretty quiet. We didn’t even have a candle fire, which was pretty remarkable since a lot of people had gotten them as gifts during the holiday season. Gerard slept a lot during his shift, which didn’t surprise me, so I spent time with some of the other guys. We played cards, bullshitted, told jokes, and basically killed the time that we had in front of us. When it got close to the end of our shift, I went and changed into my regular clothes. Gerard was still pretty sluggish, although his hangover seemed to have worn off. Our shift usually started and ended at seven in the morning, so I was surprised to see that the chief was in the office when I walked out of the locker room—he usually didn’t roll into the station until nine unless there was some sort of emergency. Seeing his light on gave me an idea, and since Gerard was still getting changed, I decided to go talk to him.

  “Hey, Chief Dade? Do you have a second?” I lightly knocked on the edge of his door.

  “Yeah, come on in Liam. What can I help you with?” His tone was friendly, and he motioned for me to take a seat.

  “This is—kind of a confidential matter.” I turned and closed the door before taking a seat.

  “Oh? Do you need a recommendation for a barber? When are you going to cut your hair, son?” He chuckled and leaned back in his chair.

  “No, it isn’t about my hair.” My lip twisted into a half-smile. “This is serious.”

  “Okay, sure.” He nodded and leaned forward.

  “You know Robert Townsend, right? I mean, you know of him.” I lowered my voice, even though the door was closed.

  “Well fuck yeah I know who he is. Who doesn’t?” He raised his eyebrows. “I remember when he was just small time—running loans to the gamblers over at the horse tracks. That’s where he got his start.”

  “Let’s say I have a friend—and this really is a friend, I promise I’m not involved in this at all.” I sighed. “A friend who borrowed a lot of money from Robert Townsend.”

  “Go on…” He narrowed his eyes.

  “What if this friend can’t pay him back?” I exhaled sharply. “Like, there’s seriously no way he can—at all.”

  “I’d tell you to tell your friend to get the fuck out of town and take his entire family with him.” Chief Dade nodded quickly. “The cops won’t touch Robert Townsend. Judges go to him when they want campaign donations—hell, the mayor’s last campaign might as well have been fully financed by him.”

  “You don’t know anyone at the police department that might be able to help?” I tilted my head to the side. “A good cop that might not be on Robert Townsend’s payroll?”

  “What do you want them to do? Arrest the man for collecting a debt that’s owed to him? The real shit that he does? Nobody will ever get him on that. He’s too smart.” Chief Dade shrugged. “Trust me, I worry about that man more than I should have to.”

  “Why?” I blinked in surprise. “Has he done something to you?”

  “No, not yet—and hopefully not ever, but about a year ago, the chief on the south side of the city decided to take an early retirement. Everyone figured his second in command would get the job, but suddenly a new guy was in the running—a firefighter that had only been there a few years. There were rumors—rumors that Robert Townsend backed him.” Chief Dade sighed. “I don’t know if there was more to it than just what people said, but I do know that after he got the job, arson rates went through the roof. The investigators suddenly found themselves fighting through all sorts of red tape just to investigate the fires.”

  “You think Robert Townsend had something to do with that.” I continued blinking as I processed what he said.

  “I do, but I’d never be able to prove it. My job as chief is to make sure the red tape gets cut, not to wrap it around the hands of those trying to do their job.” He shook his head back and forth. “So yeah, I worry about Robert Townsend, and if you know someone who owes him money, I’d suggest they take the threat very seriously. His money goes into the right pockets, and at this point, I think he’s untouchable.”

  “Right…” I nodded. “Okay, thanks. I appreciate your help.”

  “You were serious right? This isn’t you that owes him money…” Chief Johnson eyed me suspiciously.

  “It doesn’t sound like it would matter much if it were…” My words trailed off, and I left his office.

  This shit is out of our league—I think it’s time to have a real conversation with Gerard and Rachel about leaving town.

  11

  Rachel

  Yesterday

  Gerard and Liam were at work, and I had time to kill before I went to work. Unfortunately, that left me sitting on the couch in the living room thinking about everything that was going wrong. I logged into my Dad’s bank account, something I had never done without his express permission, and looked at his finances. The only way he was going to be able to come up with twenty-five thousand dollars was if he cashed out his 401k. It also looked like he was enjoying his vacation based on the transactions I saw on his account. There was even one for a strip club, which brought a smile to my face, but also made me have a completely different view of the stoic man who barely looked at a pretty girl when she walked by. At least he was having fun because I was going to have to drop a fucking bombshell on him when he got back. One that was going to leave our family in ruins, and possibly cause us to have to leave everything we knew behind to get away from the madman my brother owed money too.

  I just don’t see any other way—any at all.

  On the other side of complication was Gerard and Liam themselves. I couldn’t get my first or second kiss with Liam out of my head—nor could I really ignore my desires for more than just a kiss. My body begged for him twice. Once we were interrupted, and then I managed to push him away—but he was in my dreams. Too bad he wasn’t the only one. Gerard was right there with him, reigniting a fire I tried to let burn out. I finally understood why he deserted me, but it really didn’t erase what he did.

  I needed him then—and realistically, I didn’t need him anymore. I wasn’t a naive eighteen-year-old girl willing to blindly trust a guy who called me pretty—he broke that girl when he shattered my innocence. I guess it’s true what they say about the heart—how it never forgets. I didn’t feel like Gerard deserved a second chance, but the night we shared was not something I could get out of my head—I couldn’t even get the dream out of my head. I wanted closure, and I had the only version of it that I was going to get. The truth just didn’t make me feel any better.

  He seems remorseful, but I’m not sure that is enough.

  I went to work later that afternoon and came home to an empty apartment with dinner in a bag from the sandwich shop on the corner. Gerard and Liam were going to be working overnight for their shift and would probably make it back after my run the next morning. Having the apartment to myself wasn’t that exciting—it was kind of lonely. I might have been confused by what I was feeling for Liam and the lingering thoughts about Gerard, but I did like having them around. It was nice to have people I could talk to that I wasn’t related to. I had lost touch with several friends since high school, and I hadn’t made that many at college. I barely even talked to Annie and she was one of my very best friends—the only one I was eager to share my news with when I started dating Gerard. I turned on the television, watched a movie that was background noise more than anything, and caught up on social media—the lives of happy people.

  I guess I should go to bed. Seeing all of these happy, ecstatic status updates just makes me depressed right now. I don’t even have the mental energy to hit the like button.

  I kept telling myself to get up and go to bed, but the couch was really comfortable. Plus, it smelled like Liam—hot, beautiful Liam—with his stupidly-sexy grin that greeted me when I showed up at the front door. With lips that set me on fire. A man that wanted me, a man that I wante
d too. His scent made me think of him as I drifted off to sleep—and then I was in that haze again, on those clouds. They were both there, just like the previous night, telling me that it was a dream and my fantasy could become a reality—as long as I kept my eyes closed. Did I really fantasize about both of them—at the same time? That wasn’t something I ever really thought about until they joined me in my dreams. It was hot, but it was not reality—I couldn’t even sustain a relationship with one guy—how could I sustain one with two. They were ready to come to blows over me, so they definitely wouldn’t want to share.

  “You want us both, don’t you?” Liam was against my back with a hand on my ribs and another moving towards my pussy.

  “Of course you do—because you can have us.” Gerard grinned, and I saw his thick cock engorged and ready to take me back to the height of pleasure I felt the night we were together.

  This is just for pretend—it’s fantasy. If I can’t enjoy my damn dreams, then I’m honestly a lost cause.

  “I do—I want you both. Liam, Gerard. I want you inside me.” I motioned for Gerard and felt Liam’s lips on my neck.

  The asshole that shattered my innocence wasn’t the man pressed against me in my dreams. It was just an illusion created inside my mind. I could pretend he was a better version of Gerard—one that would always want me. I could have Liam’s kiss without pushing him away because it was just pretend. I sank into my fantasy. I let them ravage my body—I felt Gerard’s cock inside me, and it wasn’t real, but it was the good part of the memory I shared with him being extracted. I moaned—my body begged. They both erupted inside me. I could make Gerard say he would never leave me—never betray me—because he was just a dream puppet under my control. I could make Liam pledge the same thing. I could even make them tell me I had nothing to worry about when it came to Robert Townsend because they were going to fix things. Yes, it was the darkest depths of pretend, a gloss that coated reality so that I didn’t have to see it for what it truly was—and that was okay.

  “Yes…” I moaned. “Liam, oh god. Yes—Gerard—harder.”

  “Uh, Rachel?” It was Liam’s voice, but it wasn’t the puppet in my dream—no it was real.

  “What?” My eyes flew open, and I saw the light—it was morning—and the men from my dream were literally standing in the living room. “Oh my god!”

  I hopped off the couch—my panties were wet. I could tell by the confused look on their faces that I wasn’t just saying those words in my dreams. My brother used to say that I talked all the time in my sleep—I hoped it was nonsensical babble and not the exact phrases I used. I was scared to make that assumption. My whole body blushed in embarrassment, and when I got to my bedroom, I locked the door and sank to the floor. My panties were soaked. So much so that my lust had smeared to my thighs—and if what I could see was any indication, I had likely left a wet spot right where I was laying on the couch. I could have just died of embarrassment right there on the spot and gladly taken my place in the afterlife. That seemed like a better option than having to face either of them knowing that they saw me enjoying my dream—and possibly heard the words I said.

  I’m just going to lock my door and never come out. Yep. That’s precisely what I’m going to do.

  “Rachel.” It was Gerard’s voice, followed by a light knock. “Can I come in?”

  “No, please go away!” My words were hurried.

  “You don’t have anything to be embarrassed about. Everyone has wet dreams…” I could hear a hint of laughter in his voice—which didn’t make me feel any better.

  Great, that confirms it. I have the dream-brain of a horny teenage girl and apparently, I even talk about it in my sleep.

  I wanted to stay locked in my room until they were gone—then I just wanted to move out. I didn’t want to face them again. How could I? If they heard me say their names—oh god. That was even worse. Liam was the next one to try and coax me out of my room, but he was greeted with the same quick response and a request to leave me alone. He didn’t listen, of course, but I still tried. Eventually, he walked away, and I got some time just to let my thoughts go crazy. They couldn’t even begin to comprehend how embarrassed I felt. I was beyond humiliated. It felt like my whole body was still blushing, and my face was so red that I thought I was just going to burst into tears or spontaneously combust—I wasn’t sure which was going to come first. An hour passed, and then there was another light knock at my door, and I heard Liam’s voice.

  “Rachel, I made breakfast. You don’t have to come out of your room, but you should at least eat something. I can leave it at the door and walk away if that would make you feel better…” A sigh followed Liam’s words.

  There’s really no way that I can stay in her forever, and truthfully, I’d rather talk to Liam than Gerard right now anyway.

  “You—you can come in.” I unlocked the door and scooted away from it.

  “Are you sure?” Liam cracked the door peered through it.

  “Yes, it’s okay.” I pulled my knees against my chest and wrapped my arms around the front of my legs.

  “Here, I made sure that the bacon didn’t get anywhere near your plate.” He smiled as he came in, and then he sat down on the floor across from me.

  “Thank you—I’m just not sure I have much of an appetite.” I took the plate and put it down beside me.

  “It’s really okay—neither one of us are upset.” Liam tilted his head to the side. “Actually, I’m kind of honored that you dream about me—especially if it’s a dirty dream.”

  “That just makes it worse!” My face tensed up.

  “Sorry.” He tried to suppress a smile, but it still formed on the edge of his lips. “Is that something you dream about often—two guys?”

  “No!” I shook my head back and forth rapidly. “I’ve never—well, not before I moved in here!”

  “Gerard and I have done that before.” He swallowed and looked down at the floor. “Shared a girl…”

  “What?” I blinked in surprise.

  “Some girls are into that sort of thing.” He shrugged. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of—if that’s your fantasy.”

  “It’s not my fantasy.” I shook my head back and forth again. “It’s just—my fucked-up brain trying to make sense of everything.”

  “You’re dealing with a lot of stress right now. Hell, we all are. This shouldn’t be something that you agonize over.” He sighed and reached out to take my hand, which I reluctantly released from the vice-like grip I had on my legs.

  “Yeah, I guess I am.” I nodded in agreement.

  “Seriously, I get that you’re conflicted. It might have been easier for the two of us had we met without your past with Gerard hanging over us…” He sighed again.

  “That’s just it—I don’t want that to hang over me. I got over what he did. It’s not something I was ever going to forget, but it wasn’t supposed to haunt me forever.” I squeezed my eyes shut when I felt a tear trying to form.

  “Then don’t let it…” His words trailed off. “Own it.”

  “Own it?” I opened my eyes and looked at him in confusion.

  “It doesn’t have to be so fucking complicated. If you want us both, then just say it.” Liam’s lips formed a warm smile. “Let’s just see where it goes.”

  “Just—forgive Gerard for what he did?” My jaw tightened.

  “Maybe.” Liam shrugged. “Or just pretend your eyes are still closed, and this is all a dream—but I bet it’ll be a lot better than what your imagination cooked up.”

  I didn’t know how to respond. It was a dream—a fantasy that I was enjoying because it was safe. There no real emotions connected to it. My brain was just trying to process the conflict in a way that chased something unrealistic. I never imagined that it could actually happen—that they would be willing to share me. I didn’t have to leave it to the imagination though. Liam stood and pulled me to my feet as he did. He started kissing me, and his hand reached for the door. After a few seconds
of passion, he pulled away and called for Gerard. My heart was racing. There was a part of me that wanted to slam the door before Gerard came down the hall and another part that hoped he would hurry up before I had a chance to really think about it. Then he was there—and the look in his eyes was the same as the night he took my innocence. I swallowed hard as he stepped into my bedroom and pulled me close for a kiss.

  Oh my god. This is really happening.

  12

  Rachel

  Kissing Gerard was like a memory coming back to life within me. It brought the fire back—the one I let burn out once my phone was silent. But that fire was stronger than ever—because it was being teased by the one Liam had lit inside me as well. Liam started kissing my neck while Gerard ravaged my mouth with his tongue. My pussy was tingling, and the raw lust was mixing with what had been left behind by my wet dream. Gerard finally pulled back from our kiss and left me gasping for air. All I could do was stare into his gorgeous eyes—and moan when Liam’s lips moved up to my ear. I felt two sets of hands tugging at my clothes while they pushed me back towards the bed — the concerns I had started to melt away when I felt their lips on my skin. The images from my dream were mixing with reality. I couldn’t separate it from what was happening right in front of me, but I knew it was real—the desire was in their eyes, and it might as well have been a beacon pulling me towards the inevitable.

  “I want you more than you could ever imagine.” Gerard’s lips were against my ear as he spoke. “If you trust me again, I’ll never hurt you—I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that.”

  “And I’ll make sure he keeps that promise,” Liam whispered into my other ear. “You’ve done things to me—made me forget the pain that I thought I would never be able to erase. I need you.”

  Their hands teased and touched me as their words seduced my fears—calmed my worries—and turned me on. They pushed me back onto the bed, and Gerard peeled off his shirt. I would have never forgotten his gorgeous physique, but he had added some additional ink since the night we spent together. Liam pulled his shirt over his head, and I saw a few scars, undoubtedly put there by his job as a firefighter. He was covered in beautiful ink as well, which only made him hotter. Both of them were gorgeous. Seeing that in real life was incredibly different from my dream. It was mesmerizing. I let the thoughts of the past go—quelled the turmoil—and just focused on the two men crawling into my bed. They belonged to me—and if their words were true, it wouldn’t just be for one night, nor would it just be a dream.