Feel the Fire (Hotshots)

by Annabeth Albert

  Tucker’s shoulder wiggled, making Luis glance down. Instead of continuing to play with Luis’s chest, Tucker had worked his other hand under himself. From the way he was moving, he was at least putting pressure on his cock if not outright jerking off.

  “That’s so hot, you touching yourself. You like sucking me?”

  “Mmmm.” Tucker made a happy noise around Luis’s cock. And those small, sexy movements of his body against the couch were as arousing as any blatantly explicit display. Knowing he was turned on by what he was doing made Luis’s own enjoyment that much more. He loved being something other than merely a curiosity for Tucker.

  “Think you can come when I do?”

  Not stopping what he was doing, Tucker made a desperate sound in the back of his throat that made Luis’s cock pulse.

  “Fuck. You’re so sexy. If you don’t come, I’m going to suck you too. Make you feel so good...”

  Tucker moaned as he pulled back enough to do more flicking with his tongue. That combined with the fast friction from his fist had Luis panting, no more sexy boasts.

  “Close,” he warned.

  “Good. Want it.” Tucker dove back down, sucking harder. His body moved faster too, his shoulders tensing against Luis. Fuck. Somehow every sex act with him felt brand-new, sexier than ever, imbued with a new level of meaning that had Luis burning bright.

  Moaning, he skated along that edge of soon-but-not-yet for a few blissful moments. His thigh muscles ached with the effort of keeping still, not thrusting, and his hands dug hard into the arm of the couch. Then Tucker discovered how to use his tongue on the underside of Luis’s cock while sucking, and the edge evaporated, tumbling him into a powerful orgasm.

  “That’s it. Coming.”

  Tucker swallowed the first spurt then pulled back, moaning and still stroking Luis through the rest of his climax. Still groaning, Luis sank back the couch, little more than rumpled clothing and still pulsating muscles. Pleasure had taken over every cell, and he wasn’t sure when he’d last been this relaxed.

  “Oh, wow.” Tucker rolled slightly, head still on Luis. He was a sticky mess, and Luis swiped at the come dripping from his cheek.

  “Wow, indeed. Not bad, rookie.” With his other hand, Luis brushed at some of his disheveled hair. “Did you...”

  “Uh-huh. Pray for my couch cushions, but I couldn’t hold back.”

  “Damn. Knowing that is almost enough to get me off all over again. You seriously liked doing that?”

  “Yeah. It surprised me too, honestly. But making you feel good makes me feel good too, in ways I never expected.”

  “I get that. It’s why I love doing that to you. There’s a connection there—a power trip, but it’s also kind of humbling, being trusted that much.”

  “Exactly.” Tucker gave an adorably happy sigh.

  “Soon as I can brave the stairs, we’re heading for that magic shower of yours. You’re more than a little bit of a mess.” He spared a glance for Blaze, who hadn’t moved from her position as a feline bookend, casting her judgment over all their ridiculous human behaviors.

  “But you like mess.” Tucker grinned up at him.

  “That I do.” Luis had to laugh along with him.

  “Maybe I’m your mess.” Tucker’s dancing eyes said he meant it as a silly tease, post-orgasm fooling around, but Luis felt the words in his soul. Yours. Tucker was. He was all Luis’s, and hell if he wanted to ever let him go.

  “You are.” He couldn’t even make it to the laugh he’d planned when he had to exhale hard and whisper, “What am I going to do with you?”

  Instead of the flip response Luis expected, Tucker went more somber, his playful expression buttoning back up. “I know. God. Is it so wrong that I want the arson case to drag on and on?”

  Oh, Tucker. Any estimates Luis had made on the size and scope of the damage this was likely to do to his heart were woefully inadequate. And he was a guy who prided himself on such calculations, both professionally and personally. And unfortunately, the professional part of him had had a pretty kick-ass day apart from the whole missing-Tucker thing.

  “Investigators working the human side of the case found a pretty good lead today, actually, one that dovetails with my theories and analysis.” The little clues were starting to add up, and while on site earlier, they’d lucked into a rare piece of physical evidence, a metal disc, that might match evidence from another site’s possible ignition point. They should have enough to tie the fires together, and the suspect list was coming together too, according to those investigators.

  “Oh.” Just like that Tucker deflated, and Luis felt like his too-full heart might do the same.

  “But you know how these things go.” He was quick to backtrack. First time ever he wanted to be wrong. “Investigations are unpredictable. The lead could dead-end, and we could get another huge callout before the season’s done.”

  “One way or another though, it is going to end.” Tucker dropped his head back to Luis’s thigh.

  “Yeah,” he quietly agreed, stroking Tucker’s messy jaw. “But we don’t have to think about that right now.”

  “True. Let’s not.” Tucker still sounded sad and far away though, and Luis would have given a lot to be able to take that hurt away.

  “Maybe—”

  “You said we don’t have to talk about it.” Tucker’s expression took on the same stubbornness Walker displayed so well.

  “But—”

  “Come on. My magic shower and bed await you.” Sitting up, Tucker hefted himself off the couch, subject effectively closed. Even Blaze nodded like she was dismissing the topic. But he couldn’t let it go. He was painfully aware that while he might be able to move his body, make himself follow Tucker up the stairs, there were plenty of immovable facts and realities standing between him and Tucker and anything resembling what their hearts might both want.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Luis needed time to slow down. But as always, the universe refused to listen to him, sending him rushing from one task to another.

  Wednesday, Tucker dragged him to another family dinner. Not that Luis was complaining—Isaac made his famous macaroni and cheese, which was every bit as good as advertised. The company was good too, fun kid antics and interesting conversation that beat eating alone. And somehow, he and Blaze kept right on staying over, even when that meant enduring some teasing from Wade.

  Walker, meanwhile, continued his grumpy mood, but had the rare distinction of being a human Blaze actually tolerated, something that seemed to please the kid. Tucker joked that no way could Luis take the cat away from her newfound buddy, and Luis didn’t exactly put up much of a fight when it came to where he slept.

  And apparently Saturday he was going to the gathering at Garrick’s house. It was all very...couple-y, very fast, but then again there was little point in moving slowly, not when time kept right on ticking away.

  Friday seemed to appear out of nowhere, tumbling after long workdays in the middle of the week. Luis came out of one meeting at headquarters and rushed to another.

  Proving his point, Adams opened the meeting with an acknowledgment of how quickly the week had gone by and how many hours people were racking up.

  “Rivera, we’re sure working you hard too. Making the most of our loan, at least. Tell me about the latest from the arson investigation.”

  “Oh, I don’t mind the work. Burn pattern analysis is continuing to show links between the fires, and in addition to circumstantial evidence of similarities, we now have some forensic evidence from a few of the sites. Small metal coin, kind of a lucky charm medal sort of thing, and that feels like a calling card to those on the investigation team. Law enforcement is focusing on connections to the fire community, and they have some strong leads. I wouldn’t be surprised if next week we see some suspects brought in for questioning.”

  “
Good, good. Any chance of predicting where the next spot fire might be?”

  “I’m working on that, actually. We’re making a list of possible sites to keep heavier surveillance on. I’m pretty confident in my calculations.”

  Across the table, Tucker’s eyebrows went up, admiration clear in his eyes. Impressing him was fun. It was one thing to show him something new in bed or to cook for him, but this professional recognition was another thing altogether, a certain respect that passed between them, that Luis liked a lot. Mike had always been the sort of guy who was one hundred percent convinced he was the smartest person in the room and the hardest worker, so it was refreshing to have a...whatever Tucker was these days, who didn’t mind Luis getting some recognition too.

  “Excellent. We’re going to miss that mind of yours when Angeles gets you back. You can tell you worked the front lines—your kind of fire savvy is hard to teach.”

  “Well, you’ve got me for a while longer at least.”

  “Not sure about that. There’s been a new rash of California fires too, and word is the hiring freeze might get lifted next week. They’ll probably let us keep you through next week, depending on how the investigation goes and if we get any callouts, but after that, your guess is as good as mine. Wouldn’t be surprised if they send you back, which has to be good news for you, right?”

  “Right,” Luis echoed weakly. He was supposed to want to go home, to his tiny apartment with his few scraggly houseplants that had inevitably died in his absence, and not supposed to care about leaving Tucker’s open kitchen and backyard oasis and Tucker.

  Tucker, who had looked stricken for the instant their eyes met, was looking down at his notepad now, expression shuttered. He’d been hoping for more time, that much was clear, and Luis’s neck tensed with the realization that so had he. He wasn’t ready for talk of his work here winding down.

  “They’ll probably still need me if they go to trial, so I might not be completely out of your hair either way,” he joked to Adams, carefully not glancing again at Tucker, even as the tension spread from his neck to his upper back.

  “Or you could save me a job hunt, put in for the position if the hiring freeze lifts.” Adams laughed jovially. “But I know you Californian guys. No way are you trading your winters for ours.”

  “Or the beaches and things to do,” Christine added, typing away on her laptop. “We’re taking the kids to Disney at Christmas break. I’m already looking forward to it, and the rainy season hasn’t even hit yet, let alone the snow.”

  “Have a great trip,” Luis said, grateful for the chance to ignore the remark about putting in for a job here, which Adams had clearly meant mostly in jest, a way to say he appreciated the job Luis was doing. He didn’t really expect him to stay. Tucker on the other hand...

  Well, that might be a whole different story, especially judging by how the thundercloud over Tucker’s head only darkened, unhappiness radiating off him when they passed in the hall a few minutes later as the meeting broke up.

  “Hey,” Luis said in a low voice. “You got a minute? Have you eaten lunch yet?”

  “I’ve got a hand crew to check in on. Was planning on grabbing something on the way there.” Tucker’s frown didn’t waver.

  “Oh.” Hell, Luis didn’t know what to say, especially not in the hall like this where anyone could walk by. “We should talk later—”

  “Thought we weren’t doing that,” Tucker said in a near-whisper. “Not gonna think about next week or what comes after that. Live in the moment.”

  “Yeah, but—”

  “It is what it is.” Tucker rolled his shoulders, still not meeting Luis’s eyes. “I better get on with my day. Should be in the field most of the afternoon.”

  “Ah. We still on for tomorrow?”

  Tucker’s gaze darted down the empty hall. “And tonight. Your cat is currently busy terrorizing dust bunnies at my place. She’ll want to see you.”

  “And you?” Head tilting, Luis studied him, trying to decipher all the things Tucker wasn’t saying.

  “Figured that much was a given.” Tucker gave him half a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

  “Maybe not. You seem in a mood.”

  Tucker blew out a breath, then softened his tone. “Not enough of one to not want you around.”

  “Not exactly a denial.” For whatever reason, Luis didn’t want to let this go, didn’t want tension simmering between them, hurts and resentments building up, not when they’d done such a good job of moving past the old ones.

  “What do you want me to say? Like I said, it is what it is. Us talking about it will only make things worse.”

  “You’re probably right.” This was hardly the place to unpack complicated feelings, and even if they were in a more private locale, Tucker had a point. Talking might simply make the pain more stark, underscore realities they couldn’t change. He might not want tension between them, but he wanted an argument even less. If they were down to days, he didn’t want to waste them.

  “I know I am. Listen, I’ll text on my way back from the field. You can help me figure out dinner.”

  Luis’s chest hurt as he laughed at that. So domestic. If only everything could be so easy. “That I can do.”

  But there was so much he couldn’t do. So much he couldn’t control. The future was rushing up to meet both of them, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

  * * *

  “You seem to have acquired a cat.” Heidi arched an elegant eyebrow at the cat, who was currently on her favorite bookshelf, the one that caught some of the morning light. Every so often the cat’s whiskers twitched, and she glanced toward the stairs, undoubtedly waiting for Walker. Or possibly looking for an opportunity to do Tucker in. With Blaze, he could never be too sure.

  “I’m borrowing her,” Tucker said lightly, not looking for a deep conversation with Heidi, especially not this early in the morning. The boys were due to leave soon for the SAT, and Heidi had arrived with breakfast muffins from Isaac.

  “And the cat’s owner?” Heidi broke off a piece of muffin, apparently in no great hurry to leave.

  “Borrowing him too.” Tucker couldn’t keep the sadness that had plagued him the last twenty-four hours or so out of his voice. The inevitable was coming, and he remained sure that talking about it would only make things worse, ruin what little time they did have. However, living in the moment was also complicated by the very real emotions that kept bubbling to the surface. Like now.

  “Aw. Tucker—”

  “Don’t say it.” The last thing he needed was pity.

  “I warned you.” She might be his best friend, but she wasn’t Tucker’s keeper, something she sometimes forgot. She’d warned him about other things too—coming out to his family sprang first to mind. But much as Tucker appreciated her in his life, he’d always had to go his own way, learn his own lessons.

  “Since when has that ever stopped me?”

  “Good point.” She sighed and leaned against the counter. “You could try listening to me.”

  “I’m not looking for advice.”

  “You’re more stubborn than Walker, you know that?”

  “Guess he had to get it from somewhere.” Keeping his voice mild, he gave her a pointed look because she too had a tenacious streak.

  “Did I hear my name?” Walker stumbled down the stairs, carrying his prep book. Tucker hoped he’d gotten at least some sleep. For someone determined to stay local, he sure was taking the test seriously, which again made Tucker wonder what was truly in the kid’s heart.

  “Your mom brought you and Wade muffins because apparently cornflakes won’t cut it this morning.”

  “Did...uh...she bake them?” Walker eyed the muffins warily.

  Hand over her heart, Heidi sighed dramatically. “Isaac made them, and we all had to suffer a test batch on Thursday to make sure t
hat the protein-packed recipe he found was actually tasty. So you get muffins version two-point-oh, and I swear I’m just the delivery lady. I figured I’d let Isaac sleep in, just like your dad is letting—”

  “Okay, how about we save some muffins for Wade?” Tucker cut Heidi off before she could tease him more about Luis, who was indeed sleeping upstairs, although Tucker thought it was also highly possible he was hiding out reading on his phone rather than join the chaos down here.

  “Okay, okay.” Muffin in each hand, Walker put one back. “I don’t know why you guys are making such a big deal over this either. Dad packed us snacks.”

  “Actually, I suggested snacks, but Luis did the chopping.” Tucker tried to give credit where it was due. And it had been fun last night, making little baggies of veggies and a homemade dip for the boys together. They’d cooked a shrimp and rice dish for dinner that Tucker had remembered Luis’s mom making, one of her favorites from growing up in Baja, and Luis’s version was almost as good. The boys had certainly scarfed it down at least.

  Far peppier than Walker, Wade bounded in wearing his lucky football jersey and immediately scooped up two muffins. “I’m all about the free food. I’ll take the stupid test again if it means more snacks. Then tonight, party! Mitch’s mom is making celebratory lasagna and then we’re marathoning all our favorite car chase movies.”

  “I thought you had a boring time last time you hung out with them?” Tucker asked.

  “And then I met his sister.” Wade gave a dreamy smile.

  “She’s in college, doofus.” Walker jostled his shoulder. “She’s only visiting, and just because she’s willing to watch movies with you and Mitch means—”

  “Everything. True love is built on compromises. Don’t you listen to Mom about anything?” Wade rolled his eyes.

  Compromise. Tucker tested the word out in his brain. He still wasn’t asking Heidi for love life advice, nor was he going to take Wade’s crush-of-the-week as evidence either, but maybe his current avoidance tactics weren’t the only way of coping with the next week either.