by Cathryn Fox
He growled low. “You’re so wet,” he whispered, and she could tell he was fighting for control.
He worked his fingers inside her, brushing the tip over the sensitive bundle of nerves as his other hand slid over her skin. Heat radiated from his hand and he touched her in places so deep she thought she’d died and gone to heaven. His thumb brushed her clit. Pressure began building inside her and her toes curled when he flattened his hand on her stomach and held her down, clearly wanting her at his mercy.
She was close. So close…
“That’s my girl,” he said. “Come for me, Katy.”
She gave a low erotic whimper and pushed against him. “Oh, T,” she cried out as her orgasm hit hard. He pinned her with his hand as she clenched and vibrated and rode out the pulsing waves of ecstasy. She reached for him, to pull him to her, but he stayed between her legs and lapped at her hot flow of release until he drank in every last drop.
He tipped his head, and when his eyes met hers, her heart hammered. She needed him again. Needed him inside her. Needed to join them as one.
He quickly peeled off his pants, slid up her body and settled on top of her. She reveled in the weight of him pressing down on her. His skin glistened with moisture and the intensity in his gaze was as frightening as it was exciting.
Desire twisted her stomach and her pussy ached to feel his hard cock pumping inside her. Warm hands carrying the scent of her sex brushed her damp hair from her forehead, and he shook his head when he said, “Do you have any idea how crazy you make me?”
She smiled, loving that he still cared for her, that he still wanted her in ways she wanted him. Katy widened her legs, trailed her hands over his body until she cupped his firm ass.
“About as crazy as you make me, I believe.” She bucked forward and his cock breached her opening.
He clenched down on his jaw hard, and groaned. “What about protection?”
“I’m on the Pill.” Despite that, she’d never had sex without a condom before. She never trusted anyone with her body the way she trusted Trent.
As if he’d read her mind, he brushed his thumb over her mouth and whispered, “And I’ve never ridden bareback with anyone but you, sweetheart.”
When his dark eyes fixed on her, a fist squeezed her heart. She recognized that look. It was the same look her father had given her mother—a look that spoke of love and longing. “Trent?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“If you don’t do something soon about the flames building inside me, this place is going to go up like an inferno. Then the entire fire department will show up. Including Adam. And if Adam shows…”
“Katy.”
She tilted her chin bringing them face to face. “Yeah?”
His mouth curved enticingly and he looked so damn sexy it made her dizzy. Once again her body trembled. Almost violently.
“Shut up and kiss me.”
She parted her lips for him and when his mouth closed over hers, he drove his cock all the way up inside her. Katy gasped at the stab of pleasure and widened her legs even more as he sank into her wet heat.
“Katy, Jesus, you feel so good,” he whispered into her mouth and stroked a tender caress over her cheek. His hips began moving, his cock sliding in and out, in and out. “I’m not going to last, baby. I can’t. It’s been too long.”
“Same here,” she murmured as pressure mounted, gathering in her core and spreading onward and outward until pleasure danced in every nerve.
“It’s only ever been this good for me with you,” he admitted, and she knew exactly what he was talking about. Sex with him was perfect. Everything with him was perfect.
As basic elemental need took over, they held each other tight. She met each thrust, grinding herself against him and begging for more. Suddenly feeling frantic, crazed, she began burning up inside as he impaled her, harder and deeper, giving her his cock, but also giving her a piece of himself.
As she, in turn, gave herself over to him completely, he drew a labored breath, and slipped a hand between their bodies. He stroked her clit once, twice, and that was it. The world around her disappeared, and no longer could she hear the waves, the ocean or the trees rustling in the breeze. All she could hear was Trent, and the deep, needy moans coming from his throat as he made sweet love to her.
He threw his head back and drove harder, and she sensed he was seeking release, but also sensed, like her, he was seeking something else. She knew this encounter wasn’t just about sex, not for her and not for him.
Everything in the way they were touching was more emotional, less physical. Every stroke, every pump was about finding each other again, about regaining what they’d lost and melting away those painful years of longing.
“I want to feel your come inside me, T.”
He pinched her clit and that’s when she lost it, giving herself over to the sensations pulling at her. Her muscles clenched and tightened, and as her hot cream poured over his shaft, he stilled and let loose a long groan.
His cock pulsed, and he buried his face in her neck as he splashed his seed high inside her. He stayed there for a long time, until they both came back down to earth. A moment later he slid off and snuggled in beside her. Silence ensued as they basked in the afterglow.
Finally Katy tipped her head and smiled at him. “I really needed that.”
He grinned, slipped a finger between her legs and stroked her pussy. “Are the flames gone, baby?”
“Yes,” she said. “But I suspect it’s only temporary. I believe there might still be a few embers smoldering.”
Trent laughed. “You’re insatiable.”
“You make me that way.”
“And you make me crazy.”
She rolled in to him and gripped his cock, the love she felt for him churning inside her. Trent gave a contented sigh as he drew the blanket around them, but she knew the night was far from over.
They still had ten long years to make up for. Her mouth found his again, and as they exchanged a soft, lingering kiss, her hands roamed over his body. Before long they were making love again, and sometime throughout the night when the camera crews had dispersed, they made their way back to her cottage where they showered and fell into each other’s arms again and again. After lovemaking, they cooked together and talked about old times until the wee hours of the morning.
They whispered quietly until both finally fell into a restful sleep, and when Katy woke, she reached for the man beside her. But when her hand came up empty and she found her bed cold and unoccupied, she jolted upright, her heart racing.
Chapter Seven
Trent hated to walk out on Katy while she slept, but he was needed at the firehouse and didn’t have the heart to wake her. She’d finally fallen asleep near dawn and looked so happy and contented he thought it best to leave her and let her get caught up on her rest, especially after all the energy they’d exerted throughout the night.
He’d left her a note on her pillow, in much the same manner he used to years ago when he would slip through her open bedroom window, spend the night cuddled up in bed next to her, then sneak out before her parents surfaced.
Just thinking about those times brought a smile to his face. But thinking about the past also had him wondering about the future. Not once had Katy brought up Chicago, or her job. They’d talked long into the morning and Trent had made numerous attempts to discuss her career, her life in the city, but she’d always redirect the conversation.
Still, he didn’t miss the sadness in her eyes, that spoke of longing, loneliness. Katy was a light in the darkness, shining brighter than any lighthouse beacon, but lately, whenever he’d caught her daytime cooking show, he’d noticed that her light had dimmed, the spark gone from her beautiful blue eyes.
He knew her well enough to know that she was unhappy. But last night the spark had returned tenfold. He’d seen it when they were playing pool, and when they were up at Dresden Bluff, which begged the question—was Katy trying to find her way home?
He couldn’t say for certain, and he honestly had no idea what she was hoping the next eight weeks would bring, but he was damn well going to give her an incentive to stay. He was never one to be selfish, especially when it came to Katy, but it was about time she realized where she belonged, and he was just the guy to help light the path and show her the way back.
He glanced at the clock as he worked on a new seafood primavera sauce. It was nearing lunch and he was hoping to take a break and catch Katy at the Seafarer. A noise behind him drew his attention, and he spun around to see Katy standing in the doorway, dressed in her sexy, fifties-style uniform from the restaurant. She held a tray with coffee and muffins and her wide smile showcasing perfect white teeth took his breath away.
“I thought you’d run away,” she said, her eyes bright, alive and playful when they locked on his.
He shook his head, and without thinking said, “I’ve never run out on you before.”
Katy frowned and he instantly realized it was a poor choice of words.
“Didn’t you get my note?” he hurriedly said, not wanting to put a damper on her visit.
The corners of her mouth turned up. “Yeah. Just like old times.”
He dropped his spoon and closed the distance between them. He pitched his voice low and said, “Katy, about last night.”
Her smile dissolved and a worried look came over her face. “What about it?”
“I’d like a repeat of it tonight.”
She grinned, and looked so damn beautiful it was all he could do not to take her right there. He leaned in and dropped a soft kiss onto her mouth, and took pleasure in the new, easy intimacy blossoming between them.
She kissed him back hungrily, then said, “It’d be my pleasure, but…”
Trent shook his head. “No buts, Katy.” When she got quiet for a moment, her blue eyes narrowing with concern, he asked, “Okay, what is it?”
She paused, and seemed to weigh her words carefully before blurting out, “Well, it’s just that Granddaddy Errol told me business was down at the Seafarer and he thought I could come up with new menu ideas to attract more tourists. I’ve been working on a menu and need the kitchen tonight after closing to try them out.”
He shook his head, perplexed. “Business is down?”
Katy handed him his coffee and they both sat at the table. “Yeah, I know. I thought the same. But why would he lie about such a thing?”
Trent shrugged, not really sure, and took a slug of the rich brew. “Maybe there are things you don’t know.”
“I suppose.” She opened a napkin and laid out the muffins. She crinkled her nose and added, “Look, he asked me not to say.”
Always priding himself on trust and honesty, Trent shook his head and pressed his fingers to her lips. “Hey, did you forget who you were talking to?”
Her smile turned sheepish. “Sorry.”
He took a moment to mull over Errol’s concerns. As he considered them, he couldn’t help but recall the voice on the other end of his cell, the one that had warned him of the trash-can fire. Something wasn’t adding up, but now wasn’t the time to be dwelling on such things, not with Katy sitting next to him, smelling like honeyed candy and looking so damn sweet and sexy, she had his cock thickening to the point of pain.
He redirected the conversation. “So if not tonight, tomorrow?”
“I’ll be counting down the minutes,” she answered, a spark dancing in her eyes as she bit into her muffin. “And besides, aren’t you on shift tonight?”
He cocked his head and questioned, “How’d you know that?”
She grinned. “Maybe I really do know more about you than you think.”
“Maybe,” he said, then frowned. “But soon the world is going to know everything about me too.”
Expressive blue eyes met his. “I really don’t know what the sudden interest is all about? And I don’t know who tipped the media off or even why anyone would do such a thing.”
“Did they follow you here?”
“Yeah, but I managed to ditch them before sneaking in the back door.”
He leaned into her, and brushed a muffin crumb from her mouth. “You always were very stealthy, Katy.”
She arched a manicured brow. “Is that why I was the only girl you let climb the trees with you?”
“Among other reasons.” When heat suffused her cheeks, he added, “I’m just glad you were able to ditch them. I hate all the attention.”
She chuckled and waved her hand over her bubble-gum-pink uniform. “Yeah, well ditching them with this on was no easy task.”
When Trent laughed, she pursed her lips and in a sober voice asked, “Have you been watching television?”
“No.” The last thing he wanted to see was himself splashed across the screen.
“Well, the media is making me out to be America’s sweetheart, and you, the heroic firefighter, my teenage crush who once again swept me off my feet. Apparently people are eating it up.”
“They don’t really care anything about us, Katy.”
“I know.”
“They’re not even respecting our privacy.”
“I know that too.” She let loose a long sigh. “And when the next breaking story hits, we’ll be forgotten like yesterday’s newspaper.”
“Well let’s hope that happens sooner rather than later.” He slid his hand across the table. “At least it’s good to see the townsfolk trying to protect you. They care.” Which made him feel secure in the knowledge that no one from Whispering Cove would have alerted the press to her return. Unless, of course, they wanted Katy to realize who she could count on and exactly where she truly belonged.
She gave him a warm smile, then blinked and looked past his shoulder. The pot on the stove and the aromatic scent wafting through the kitchen seemed to draw her attention. She inhaled. “What are you cooking?”
“It’s a new seafood primavera.”
Katy climbed from her seat and walked to the stove. “Trent, this smells amazing.”
“Want to try?”
He grabbed a spoon and gave her a taste. Her eyes widened in delight. “This is delicious. When did you learn to cook?”
“Well, my ex-girlfriend is a famous celebrity chef. And because of that, the guys around here expect me to know my way around a kitchen.” Trent watched her, gauging her reactions and giving her an opening to correct him on the ex-girlfriend comment. She didn’t. Instead she took another bite and looked over the ingredients.
“Will you teach me how to make this?”
Trent straightened. As he stared at her, he jammed his thumb into his chest. “Me? Teach the Kathleen Wilson how to cook?”
“I think this would go over great at the restaurant.”
He pulled a towel off the counter and tied it around his waist. “Okay,” he agreed. “On one condition.”
Incredulous, she clutched her chest and feigned surprise. “You have a condition?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, what is it?” she conceded.
He gave her a devious wink. “Today we cook in my kitchen, tomorrow night we cook in yours.”
“Same old Trent.” Katy rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Do you ever give up?”
“No, Katy,” he answered honestly, and something warm and intimate moved between them when his glance locked with hers.
A long moment passed as they stared at each other. “I’m glad,” she finally murmured in a soft voice that had his heart pounding and his body aching to make love to her on the firehouse floor.
Needing a distraction before he did just that, he handed her the wooden spoon and instructed her to stir the sauce while he took a moment to pull himself together. In no time at all, the two fell into an easy camaraderie, enjoying themselves and the few stolen moments together. Out on the streets, the cameras were still rolling, but here, alone in the firehouse and cloaked in a cocoon of intimacy, they could talk quietly and touch freely.
The next hour flew by as Trent and Katy exp
erimented with new menu ideas, and he couldn’t help but think how much it felt like old times. Before he knew it, her lunch break had come to an end and she had to return to the restaurant. Once she was gone, he tidied up and stored the sauce in the fridge. Katy had added a few touches of her own to the sauce. The men working the graveyard shift were in for a real treat tonight. Once he had the kitchen in order, he pulled his cell out of his front pocket and put in a call to Brody.
“Hey, Trent,” Brody said when he answered the phone.
“Hey, just checking to see if you had any information on the cottage.”
“Yeah, looks like a few of the cedar boards over her door came loose. They were banging in the wind. Nothing serious.”
Trent considered it for a moment. Brody’s theory was possible, but still he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that someone had been outside.
“You’d better get them fixed up before they cause any real damage.”
“I’m on it.” Trent checked the time and heard Adam outside shooting hoops. He’d come in early, which meant that Trent could get him to cover for the next few hours so he could do the repairs himself. He was about to hang up but then another thought struck. “What’s happening with the damn camera crew?”
Jesus, he hated the paparazzi, and the last place he expected to find them was in Whispering Cove. How the hell had they found out about Katy and him? He knew there was a part of her life that was public, but over the last ten years she’d kept her private life…well, private. Why were the media suddenly so interested in her, and her love life now?
“We’ve got them under control,” Brody assured him. “We can’t keep them off the streets but we can keep them out of the shops and restaurants.” He grunted something under his breath and added, “I also can’t keep tourists, or anyone else for that matter, from being interviewed. So far it appears the town’s protecting her privacy.”
Trent clenched his jaw, happy the townsfolk had her back and unhappy about the fact that he couldn’t spend time with her without their every movement captured and splashed across the TV.
After hanging up, he talked to Adam then loaded his truck with tools and made his way to the beachside cottage. Waves sounded in the distance and a few blocks away Trent could hear the vendors vying for the tourist dollar as he walked the perimeter and examined the exterior. He stepped onto the cedar deck and shooed away the seagulls that had taken up perch on the railing.