Fire & Flesh

by Kerri Carr

“Hoo-yah, right?”

  “Something like that. So what do you need me to do?”

  “Keep me company. It can get lonely around here sometimes.”

  “I’m all yours.”

  “Maybe you could rub my feet?”

  “Deal. Come on over.” He put his big hands on her shoulders to help her walk, and she frowned at him.

  “I can still walk, you know.”

  “Sorry, babe. I’m trying to take care of you.”

  “I know, and it’s nice that you care, but you’re over-reacting. I have no problems moving around. It’s standing that tires me out.”

  He waited until she settled onto the sofa before sliding in under her legs, lifting them gingerly as he moved into place. He pulled her slippers off one by one and began by rubbing his thumbs along her soles, pressing firmly as he slid them from heels up to her toes.

  Avery let her head drop back as deep, warming waves of heat spread through her feet. The deep ache that had plagued her for weeks began to fade immediately. Ross repeated the rub over and over, each time using firm pressure, but slow hands.

  “Mmm… that’s nice, baby.”

  “Your skin’s so soft,” he remarked.

  “One of the benefits of being pregnant,” she murmured as his big hands sent warm waves of pleasure through her feet. “Wrap your hands right around as you move them up.”

  “Like this?” As he moved his hands up from her heel, he curled his fingers around to cover her feet entirely, stroking the tops of her toes until he slipped off the end, returning to massage her over again. After a few strokes, Avery reached down to the floor and retrieved a tube of massage cream. Once she applied it to her feet, Ross’s hands slid over her skin more easily.

  “I’ve missed that so much.”

  “Not the same when you do it to yourself?” he asked.

  “Nothing ever is,” she replied with a wink.

  “Now, now.”

  “Sorry. I’m enjoying it so much.” She let her head fall back onto the cushions. She curled her toes as he stroked her feet, wriggling them each time he returned to her heels. “You’re so good at that, I might let you do my whole body later.”

  “One piece at a time,” he said. “Let’s get your feet feeling better, then move onto your calves. They look swollen.”

  “They are, and they ache when I’ve been standing for a while.”

  “Let’s see what we can do about that.” Ross reached for the massage cream and squirted out a generous portion into his big hand.

  “Careful with that stuff. It’s only supposed to go on my tummy—to keep the stretch marks at bay.”

  “I’ll get you some more. There, how’s that?” His fingers easily enveloped her right calf, his fingers overlapping on the opposite side. She sighed happily as he slid his hand up her leg, stretching the skin as he moved, until her reached her knee.

  “Better?”

  “It’s soothing. Maybe you could keep doing it?”

  “My pleasure.” He repeated the action, each time squeezing a quiet sigh from his fiancée. It wasn’t any chore for him. They’d watched TV together, with Avery’s legs draped across his. He’d massaged her feet absently for most of a movie, and when she requested it, her calves as well. If it had been late at night, he’d moved higher, above the knee to soothe her thighs. There’d been nothing wrong with them, but they both enjoyed the experience anyway.

  And after that? Well, ‘after that’ was Ross sweeping Avery up in his arms and carrying her off to bed.

  “I’ve missed having your hands on me,” she said.

  “I’ve missed doing this.”

  “Well, you have three days to rekindle old memories.”

  “Maybe we should put a movie on.”

  “And see if you can rub my feet for ninety minutes? I’d like that.”

  “Thinking about it, I should get out of this uniform, or I’ll get cream all over my pants.” When Avery smirked, he continued. “Massage cream, babe.”

  “Oh, right. Of course.” She lifted her legs so he could stand, then watched as he began to undress, removing the jacket, his dress shirt beneath, and finally his Marine pants. He folded everything carefully and laid it aside, then returned to the sofa, wearing only a white t-shirt and his dark boxers.

  “You didn’t need to stop,” she said.

  “You can remove the rest later, if you want to.”

  “There’s no if involved, Marine. Of course I want to.”

  “I thought I’d leave some of the unwrapping for you.”

  “As a surprise, you mean? Like opening a Christmas present?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Except it’s a present I’ve opened scores of times already.”

  “You getting bored with your package?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Of course not, sweetheart.” She stroked his cheek, enjoying the rasp of stubble beneath her fingertips.

  “Then we can play later, once you’ve rested. I can take over the painting, if you want.”

  “It’s pretty much finished. But there’s a crib to assemble, and new lights to wire up, and the furniture to slide back in…”

  “Hey, wait. You were moving furniture? In your condition?”

  “Relax. It was the self-build stuff, and it was empty. That set of drawers weighs less than a cardboard box.”

  “I don’t want you overdoing things.”

  “Then you can move them back in. You’ll see. They weigh next to nothing.”

  “You stay down here. I’ll finish the upstairs.”

  “I have a better idea.” She raised an eyebrow. “How about you run a bath for me?”

  “I can do that. What scents do you want me to add?”

  “The ones on the side of the bath. Lavender and lotus.”

  “You’ve been experimenting?”

  “They’re the ones that relax me the most.”

  “Lavender and Lotus… they sound like Nickelodeon characters.”

  “Two little girls, fighting crime?”

  “Lavender would be American, and Lotus could be Oriental.”

  “I like it.” Avery closed her eyes. “I can imagine them right now.”

  “You should write it down. Maybe you can write some stories when you have the time.”

  “I don’t think I’ll have much time to write.” She stroked her bump. “I’m tired most of the time, and I still have ten weeks to go.”

  “Write it down anyway. You never know, I might write them for you.”

  “You?” She snorted. “When did you ever write anything that didn’t involve a bathroom wall?”

  “Hey, I write training notes. How hard can it be to write a story?”

  “Try it and see. It’s not as easy as you’d think.”

  “I’ll take that as a challenge to my manhood. In the meantime…” He slid out from beneath her legs and padded barefoot toward the door.

  “Your manhood has nothing to prove, sweetheart.” She stroked the bump again, sliding her hands down the sides, then underneath before drawing them back up the center.

  “Yeah, I know. All my fault, right?”

  “I seem to remember being present at the conception.” She grinned at him.

  “I have fond memories of that night,” he said as he walked out. The moment he was out of sight, her grin dropped. Ross had definitely been there the night she’d conceived. But so had the rest of his squad.

  She had only vague memories of that night. Everyone had been very drunk. Wives and girlfriends of the twelve Marines had partied hard into the night, only leaving because they had families to return to. In the end, only Avery and her friend Alice had remained, drinking with Ross and his buddies.

  What had happened next had largely been Alice’s fault. She’d started groping Ross’ Sergeant. When the Sarge had threatened to pull her top off, she’d raised her arms and let him undress her in front of the whole squad. The guys had cheered loudly and formed a circle as Alice’s jeans had come down. Somehow—an
d Avery had no idea how—Alice had encouraged Avery to join her and the pair of them had ended up standing together in their underwear, much to the guys’ delight. Ross had returned from the men’s room to see his girlfriend surrounded by Marines, about to unhook her bra—and he’d stepped into the circle to stop her. He’d been booed loudly, and Avery had berated him for being boring. The next memory she had was of her on her knees, sucking on him. Alice was doing the same to the Sergeant, much to the delight of the squad.

  The rest of the evening was a drunken blur. She remembered being taken from behind—by Ross, she assumed, and when he’d had enough and staggered away after filling her with liquid heat, one of his buddies had quickly moved in to take his place. Avery had been too drunk to object, and a line had formed. Alice, not to be outdone, had enjoyed the attentions of at least three other Marines before she passed out, leaving the rest of the squad for Avery.

  She’d been rolled over and taken again and again, pleasuring the waiting Marines with her mouth as their buddies emptied their lust into her. Sweating, flushed and incredibly sticky, she’d drifted off into a drunken stupor with one guy still using her body.

  When morning came, and the first hints of daylight filled the room, she awoke in Ross’ arms. He was sound asleep, and they were alone in the bar room, comfortable on one of the cushioned benches, and covered with a blanket. That was the night she had conceived, and Ross had definitely been there. But so had eleven of his buddies, and any one of them could have been the father.

  But now they were all dead, except for him. In a morose way, it had all worked out for the best. None of the other Marines would ever contest Ross’ claim to fatherhood. None of them had even mentioned it in the weeks following the drunken celebration, and one by one, as they failed to return from the action, her fears shifted from worrying about too many potential fathers, to her baby ending up with none at all.

  She’d often wondered how much her fiancée remembered of that night. Only Alice had spoken to her about it, in a low and embarrassed voice, filling in a few of the details Avery had forgotten. She’d never even heard of double penetration, never mind tried it.

  But Alice had.

  *****

  Five minutes later, Ross returned, carrying a large, fluffy towel.

  “What’s that for?”

  “I thought I could wrap you up in it. It’s fresh from the radiator.”

  “A warm fluffy towel? You’re so thoughtful.”

  “And your bath is running.”

  “What about our crime-fighting cartoon girls?”

  “Enjoying the warm water. The bathroom smells odd.” His jaw stretched into a huge yawn.

  “I told you those scents were restful.”

  He blinked his eyes wide. “I might not be awake long enough to join you in the water.”

  “Oh? You’re thinking of joining me?”

  “Isn’t there room for a little one in there?”

  “There’s nothing little about you, Marine.”

  “So that’s a no?” He pouted.

  She stood on tip-toe and kissed him. “I’m sure I could squeeze you in somewhere, big guy.”

  “Does that mean that’s a promise?”

  “I haven’t seen you for six weeks. What do I you think?”

  “Is it still safe, babe? I mean, with the bump and everything?”

  “So long as we’re careful, babe. There are ways we can manage.”

  “I’m suddenly wide awake again. Let’s go upstairs? I can carry you if you like.”

  She shook her head. “I’m shocked. One mention of physical contact with me and you’re a powerhouse.”

  “You’re going to say you can manage to walk up the stairs, aren’t you?”

  “Sweetheart, I’ve been painting the nursery all week. If you remember, the nursery is upstairs, as is the bedroom. What do you think?”

  “I think you’re a capable and independent woman.”

  “Textbook answer, Marine.” She tapped his nose with a forefinger, then headed for the door.

  “What about the warm towel?”

  She shook her head. “It’d fall off as I walked.” She patted her swollen belly. “Plus, this would stick out too much. Put it back on the radiator, and I’ll enjoy it later.”

  “As you wish.”

  “Now, lead me to that scented bath.”

  She took his hand. It was twice as big as hers. Ross had huge hands. He could cup both her butt cheeks in one hand, which she found hilarious. He followed silently as she led him toward the bathroom. As she walked, her free hand unfastened the buttons on the over-size lumberjack shirt. By the time they stepped into the bathroom, the shirt was open. Avery slipped it from her shoulders and allowed it to fall to the floor, leaving her naked and proudly pregnant.

  Ross stared. “Babe, your boobs are huge!”

  “One of the benefits of pregnancy, sweetheart.” She cupped her swollen breasts. “Do you like them?”

  “Your nipples are twice as big as before.”

  She glanced down at her darkened areolas. “All the better to kiss, big guy. But later. I really need that bath.” Ross held her hand as she stepped carefully into the tub. He couldn’t help but glance at her neatly-trimmed pubic hair as her legs parted briefly.

  Once she was settled into the warm water, he stripped off his t-shirt, pulling it over his head with unnecessary slowness, revealing tantalizing glimpses of hard, rounded pectorals and a hard stomach. Her man was pure eye candy, she decided. She caught her lower lip between her teeth as her gaze drifted to the swelling at the front of his boxers, and the stretched material which struggled to contain his manhood. He hooked his thumbs into the waistband and pulled downward, revealing tight, wiry curls of dark hair.

  Avery watched with a smile as his swelling excitement was revealed to her hungry eyes. For weeks, she’d dreamed about having her man home again, to be held and protected by his strong arms. She’d slide into bed and cuddle his pillow, pretending he was there with her, and in the darkness, she got herself wet by imagining what she would do with him when she got him into bed—and what she’d love him to do to her.

  For the moment, she was content to feel his hands on her body. She leaned forward and used cupped hands to trickle water down her back as he soaped up his palms. When she was ready for him, he slowly massaged her shoulders, rubbing the tense muscles around her neck until she sighed contentedly.

  “I’ve missed you doing that,” she said.

  “Then I’ll try to make up for lost time.”

  *****

  The three days flew by, and it seemed only moments before she was hugging Ross at the door. She dreaded him leaving her again, fearful he wouldn’t return to her. He was the last of the twelve, and her only remaining hope of a proper family. She clung to him tightly, as if she could prevent him from leaving her. But his departure was inevitable. It was what he did. It was purely by chance, and good fortune that he’d survived the brutality of war. She could easily have been hugging Casper, Manny or Jeff. Even now, she knew one of them might be little Erica’s biological father, even though Ross would be the one the little girl would know and love. Would any of the others have shown such loving dedication to her? She doubted it, although she’d never know for certain, not now.

  “Come back safe,” she pleaded as he opened the door and stepped outside.

  “Always do,” he said.

  The others didn’t, she thought. It felt too fatalistic to say the words out loud.

  “I’ll see you in ten days.”

  “I need you,” she said. “I need you to come back to me.”

  “Don’t work too hard on the nursery.”

  “I won’t. Now you’ve shifted the furniture for me, it’ll be easier.”

  “Try to put your feet up more. Relax.”

  “I won’t relax until you’re home again.”

  He kissed her forehead. “I’ll call every night if it’d help.”

  “It would.” His hands slid throu
gh hers, and then he was out of reach, heading back to his unit, and the war which had taken the lives of his buddies. Avery watched with a heavy heart until he drove away, then she closed the door and faced her empty house. Suddenly, it was too much for her to bear. She needed to be with someone, a friend who understood.

  A friend like Alice.

  *****

  “That’s terrible,” Alice said. Her eyes glittered as tears formed. She dashed them away quickly and picked up her coffee mug.

  “I know, right? Ross tried to be matter-of-fact about losing his buddies, but I could see he was he was struggling to hold it in.”

  “Did you get him to talk about it? Talking can help.”

  “No, he’ll deal with it in his own way. He would never have let himself cry in front of me, anyway. You know how guys are.”

  Alice rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know how guys are.”

  “He’s gone back to his unit now.” She toyed with her mug. “I hope they don’t send him anywhere dangerous.”

  Alice squeezed Avery’s hand. “He’s a Marine, babe. That’s what they do. Dangerous stuff.”

  “I’m so worried…” Avery choked back a sob. “…that he might not…”

  “Might not come back?”

  “Mm-hmm.” Avery pressed a paper napkin to her eyes. “I don’t… I don’t…”

  “Hey, hey. It’ll be fine.” Alice squeezed her hand again. “You’ll see.”

  “It wasn’t fine… for Jeff and… and Casper, and… Manny…”

  Alice sighed. “I liked Manny. I liked him a lot.”

  Avery managed to smile. “I think I remember. Three times, wasn’t it?”

  “Oh, it’s coming back to you, is it?”

  “Little bits. In a way I’m disappointed I remember so little.”

  “It was a wild night. I don’t even understand how it started.”

  “I do. You were groping the Sergeant. He dared you to take your top off, so you did.”

  “Did I really?”

  “And then you dragged me into the circle of Marines. I think you were regretting what you did and needed a buddy.”

  “Do you hate me? I mean, it was my fault you got pregnant.”

  “Hate you? Of course not. It was a crazy night, and I loved it. I’d never do it again, but it was amazing—the bits I remember.”