Heat

by Opal Carew

  Rikki had gone through the photos she’d taken so far and identified several for each of the first few months of the calendar, as well as a selection of others she thought might be useful for promotion.

  Cassie sat down beside her and gave her a hug, then glanced at the screen. Rikki walked through the photos for the first two month slots, then the action shots.

  “Oh, those are really good,” Cassie said. “I especially love the one with Kyle leaning against the truck.”

  “We always knew he was your favorite,” Tanner called out.

  Cassie laughed. “Oh, Kyle is pretty special, but you know you’re all my favorites. And, Tanner, that one of you with the axe in your hand and that fierce expression on your face looking like you’re going to take on the world…” She smiled. “Very sexy.”

  While they went through the other photos for the months Rikki had so far, the alarm sounded. The men rushed out. Rikki watched as Simon and Carter hurried after them. Carter glanced back and their gazes met. She sent him her please-be-careful look and he nodded, then disappeared out the door.

  Rikki continued showing Cassie the additional photos she’d taken, while telling her about the idea of setting up a Web site and social media and how she suggested they use the pictures. Cassie thought it was a great idea and that it would be good experience for more work that she could do for Cassie’s clients.

  Finally, Rikki shut the computer and suggested they grab some dinner. Instead of going out, they ordered in a pizza—Rikki suggested the place they’d tried the other night—and they sat back at the table and enjoyed their pizza and sodas.

  “Sooo,” Cassie said, gazing at Rikki speculatively. “What was that when Carter was heading out the door? I sensed a little magic there. Have things progressed with you and him?”

  “Uh … yeah.”

  Cassie smiled. “Oh, really? And what about Simon?”

  Rikki nodded.

  Cassie gripped her arm. “Seriously? You’ve been with both of them? Was that at the same time, or you’re just seeing both of them?”

  Rikki couldn’t help but laugh at the glittering delight in Cassie’s eyes.

  “That’s pretty personal stuff.”

  “Come on, Rikki. Just spill the beans. I’ve always told you all my sexual secrets. Don’t torture me with suspense. I want details.”

  “Okay, fine. I was with them. Both. At the same time.”

  “I thought so! You lucky thing. So how was it?”

  “It was…” She was going to say great and leave it at that, but she knew Cassie would push her for more and … well, Cassie was her best friend. If she couldn’t talk to her, who could she talk to?

  “Yes?”

  Rikki sighed. “Cassie, there’s something I’ve never told you.”

  Cassie’s smile faded at Rikki’s serious tone.

  “When I was going out with Jesse, I’d never been with a man.”

  “I knew that. You told me how young you were and that you and he were waiting for your eighteenth birthday.”

  “And that he died three weeks before that.”

  Cassie’s hand rested on hers. “Yes. I know it was horrendous for you.”

  Rikki just nodded. “Well, what I didn’t tell you is that … after Jesse died, I just couldn’t bring myself to…” She shrugged. “Move on.”

  “I know you were reluctant to get serious about anyone because of Jesse.”

  “No, not just that. I mean … I never … I mean, the idea of being with a man after that … It just felt wrong. I dated from time to time, but it never led to anything serious … or physical.”

  “You mean, you never…?”

  Rikki shook her head.

  “So you’re a virgin? I mean … you were?”

  “Yes. Until Simon and Carter.”

  “Oh, my God. So you gave up your virginity to … both of them? How does that even work?”

  “They each gave me a first.”

  Cassie’s face split into a grin. “Oh, my God, you bad girl.”

  Rikki suddenly realized exactly what Cassie thought. The same thing Carter had discussed with her the other night, when he’d said he didn’t want her to feel pressured to be with both of them—front and back—at the same time.

  Now Cassie gazed at Rikki with admiration, like she was her hero.

  “Now you’ve made me want to be more adventurous. I’ve never had a threesome before, not outside my fantasies anyway.” Cassie grinned broadly. “I would think Dodge and Tanner would be an incredible combination. Tanner’s so charming, and Dodge…” She rested her hand on her chest. “Well, those tattoos! And his take-charge attitude.”

  Rikki laughed. “I think I created a monster.”

  “So you’re just having fun and keeping it light, right? I know you didn’t want to get involved with firefighters.”

  “That’s what I intended originally but what we have is so great … They asked me to give the relationship a chance, and I agreed.”

  Cassie’s smile faded. “Oh sweetie, this isn’t going to end well.”

  “Why would you say that? I thought you told me to open up and see where things lead?”

  “Okay, let’s get serious here.” Cassie’s expression turned no-nonsense. “You’re having sex with two guys at the same time. A threesome. There’s no way that’s going to work out in the long run. Someone’s going to get jealous … possessive … whatever. And they’re friends. So there’s no way everyone’s going to walk away from this unscathed. If it was just a few rounds in the hay, then sure. But a relationship?” Cassie took her hand. “You have to know that can’t be good for any of you.”

  She squeezed Rikki’s fingers. “Look, I think you’re just feeling there’s a deep connection because of the situation. They were your first lovers, so you think you have special feelings for them. But that doesn’t mean love. Or even anything serious. And they’re probably just feeling protective of you, since I assume they know it was your first time.”

  Rikki nodded.

  “So you see? You’re all just caught up in that. But you might want to stick with the plan to keep it light and casual. You don’t want to put yourself back in the position where you’re living with fear every time they go out on a call.”

  “Like they are right now.” Rikki shrugged. “It happens so often I’m getting used to it.”

  She didn’t admit that it still worried her every time she heard the siren and they swarmed out.

  “Thanks for your concern,” Rikki said, “but it’s complicated and I need to figure this out on my own.”

  Cassie squeezed her hand. “I know. I just don’t want to see you hurt again.”

  * * *

  Rikki heard the truck return, then the men began to file into the house, their expressions grim. Instantly, Rikki filled with anxiety.

  “What’s happened?” she asked when she saw Tanner and Dodge come in. She hadn’t yet seen Carter and Simon and she was sure she’d heard someone mention the hospital.

  “It was a tough one. It was a warehouse fire and several people were trapped inside the building,” Tanner said.

  Oh, God, she didn’t like where this was going. She glanced at the door. There was still no sign of Carter or Simon. Her chest clenched.

  “Was one of the men hurt?” she asked, praying he’d say no.

  “Yes,” Dodge said. “The chief called us out, because the structure was too unstable, but Simon and Kyle had found a woman trapped and were trying to get her free.”

  “Oh, God.” Her knees were weak and she sucked in air.

  “Part of the roof collapsed and a beam fell on Kyle.”

  “No!” She sucked in a breath. “Is he all right? And what about Simon?”

  The thought of Kyle hurt or … worse … made her ache inside. And she hated herself that she was actually relieved it was him and not Simon.

  “It’s okay,” Tanner assured her. “Simon is fine. And Kyle is at the hospital, but it looks like it’s just a broken rib
. He’ll be off work for a while, but he’ll be okay.”

  “Thank God.”

  Then she saw Carter and Simon enter the house. She couldn’t help herself. She raced toward them, then threw her arms around Simon.

  “Oh, my God, I’m so glad you’re all right.”

  He tightened his arms around her and squeezed.

  “I’m all right, too,” Carter said.

  She slid from Simon’s arms and hugged Carter.

  “I heard about Kyle. I’m so sorry he got hurt,” she said.

  Carter tightened his arms around her.

  “He did, but he’ll be okay,” Carter said.

  She nodded and as she stepped away from Carter, Simon drew her toward him again, locking gazes with her.

  “Rikki, it’s part of the job. Sometimes we get hurt. But Kyle will be back on the job after his ribs have mended. And Carter and I are both fine.”

  She nodded, relieved they were both here, healthy and in one piece.

  But if anything had happened to them … if one of them had wound up dead … The pain that lanced through her at that thought was almost unbearable.

  * * *

  Carter and Simon had headed to the shower to clean up and when they got out, Rikki was waiting for them in their room. She’d left Cassie at the laptop to go through the photos and narrow down which ones to use for the calendar.

  As soon as the men stepped into the room, Rikki threw her arms around Simon.

  “I’m so glad you’re all right.” She pushed up on her tippy toes and kissed him.

  He drew her tight to his warm, still slightly damp body, a towel slung carelessly at his waist. She wanted to whip it away, then tackle him onto the bed and stroke his cock until it was stiff and ready, then ride him to heaven.

  Then do the same thing with Carter.

  She slipped from Simon’s arms and threw her arms around Carter.

  “You, too. I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to either of you.”

  She kissed Carter and his hands cupped her bottom, pulling her tighter to his body. She could feel the swell of his rigid cock.

  “Baby, you’re making it awfully hard for us to go downstairs and get back to work,” Carter murmured against her ear, then nipped her earlobe. Tingles danced down her spine.

  She stroked her fingers through his hair.

  “Can’t we stay up here a little while?” She smiled seductively and pressed her body tight to his rising cock.

  Simon laughed as he stepped close behind her and curled his hand around her waist.

  “You really are trying to make up for lost time.” Simon nuzzled her neck, sending heat washing through her. “But the men are waiting for us. We had some drills planned.”

  “And I thought you had plans with Cassie tonight,” Carter said.

  She stroked one hand over Simon’s raspy cheek and the other through Carter’s hair.

  “Cassie will understand,” she said, her words coming out husky.

  “Okay, you little nymph.” Simon drew her from Carter and turned her around, then captured her lips. “You’re soft and sweet,” he said with a smile, “and definitely alluring, but as much as we’d like to do this with you right now, it’ll have to wait until after shift.”

  He kissed her again. “So you go out with Cassie, have fun, and we’ll pick you up in the morning. Then we can do whatever you like all day long.”

  She laughed and ran her hand down Simon’s hard, muscular chest. “Mmm. All day long sounds just perfect.”

  * * *

  Cassie and Rikki went out to dinner and a movie. She’d wanted to go see Kyle in the hospital in between, but he’d already been released. After Cassie dropped her off at home, Rikki went right to bed, trying not to think about Simon and Carter going out on a call overnight.

  But then morning came and there was a knock at the door.

  “Hey in there,” Tina said. “Your two sexy firefighters are at the door.”

  Rikki leaped out of bed and began pulling on her clothes. “Tell them I’ll be right there.”

  Five minutes later, she raced down the stairs. Simon and Carter sat in the living room, Tina flirting with them outrageously. But when they glanced up at Rikki, their eyes glowed at the sight of her.

  “I’m sorry. My alarm didn’t go off.”

  Simon stood up. “No problem. There’s nowhere else we have to be.”

  Carter stood, too, and she followed them to the entrance.

  Tina grinned at her as she went out the door.

  “Have fun,” Tina called after them.

  Once they arrived at the men’s house, Carter opened the door and she followed them inside.

  “How’s Kyle?” she asked. “He’s home now, right?”

  “He’s staying at his sister’s for a while, until he can get around better,” Carter explained.

  “But that’s not really what you want to talk about right now,” Simon said as he pulled her to him.

  She stroked his whisker-roughened cheek. “True. In fact, talk isn’t what I had in mind at all.”

  She pressed her hand to the front of his pants and squeezed, feeling his cock rise within her grip. She laughed, then stepped back and peeled off her T-shirt.

  Then she turned her back to them and undid her jeans as she walked into the living room. She dropped them to the floor, then turned back to them in just her bra and panties.

  The men were right behind her, shedding clothes as they went. They were in just their boxers now.

  Oh, God, both their cocks were thick, hard columns. It never failed to amaze her that she had that effect on them.

  “So are you two big strong firefighters here to rescue me?”

  “Of course, ma’am.” Carter stepped closer. “We’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

  He scooped her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Are you going to take me outside now?” She glanced to the patio doors.

  “Of course, ma’am.” Carter carried her to the doors, then out onto the wooden deck. Simon preceded them down the stairs to the patio.

  Carter set her down on the hot stone.

  “You’ll be safe here, ma’am,” he said.

  She smiled as she reached behind herself and unhooked her bra, watching the heat building in their eyes. The elastic loosened around her ribs and she drew the straps down, but held the bra to her chest.

  “I want to thank you both,” she murmured, then dropped the bra to the ground.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Both men’s gazes locked on Rikki’s naked breasts, watching her nipples peak under their intense stares.

  She stepped to Carter. She pulled the elastic of his boxers forward and down enough to reveal his cockhead, then she leaned forward and kissed it.

  The feel of his hot flesh against her lips sent heat fluttering through her. She dragged her tongue over the tip, teasing him for a few seconds, then she turned to Simon and did the same thing.

  When she stood up again, they both stared at her like starving men ready to devour her.

  She laughed then stripped off her panties and tossed them aside.

  “I’ll do anything you want.”

  Simon’s eyes gleamed. “First, I want you thoroughly wet.”

  Oh, man, with him looking at her like that, she was already getting wet.

  Both men dropped their boxers and kicked them away, then marched toward her. But instead of pulling her into their arms, they each grabbed an arm and walked her backward toward the pool. A second later, she was falling through the air, then into the cool water.

  She sputtered as she surfaced. Both of them closed in on her and guided her to the side of the pool.

  She laughed as she pushed her hair back from her face. “Well, I’m definitely wet now.”

  “Prove it,” Carter said, then he lifted her onto the side of the pool.

  Water dribbled down her body, glistening in the morning sunshine.

  She widened he
r legs and opened her folds with her fingers. Her stomach quivered at so boldly showing them her intimate flesh, but their glowing masculine gazes had her practically panting in need.

  “I can’t really tell,” Simon said and he pulled her closer to the edge, so her butt was perched on the very side of the pool. Then Simon dragged his fingertip over her slick flesh.

  “Mmm. That’s good,” he said. “But I want you wetter.”

  “I can fix that,” Carter said as he pressed her legs wider and leaned forward.

  First, he brushed his fingertips over her, just like Simon had done. Then his fingers dipped into her passage and he stroked, making her moan.

  “She is pretty wet,” Carter said, “but this will make sure.”

  His mouth covered her slick folds and she groaned. His tongue lapped over her slit, teasing the petals of flesh, then gliding inside her. As he swirled and licked, her fingers coiled in his wavy hair.

  He drew back, to her murmur of protest, but then Simon leaned in and licked her. His hands flattened on her inner thighs, pressing her legs a little wider, then he pressed his mouth deeper into her. His lips massaged her tender flesh as his tongue worked over her opening, drilling deep, then swirling. Then it glided along her slit and found her clit.

  She arched as he dabbed at it with the tip of his tongue, but his hands held her tight to the warm stone of the deck. He licked and suckled her button, flooding her with intense pleasure.

  As Simon continued licking and teasing her, Carter pulled himself from the pool and crouched behind her. His hands covered her breasts and he squeezed her nipples between his fingertips. She leaned back, resting her head against his shoulder.

  Simon’s tongue continued to wreak havoc on her senses as Carter moved back, laying her on the warm stone. Then he leaned over her and pressed his mouth to her aching breast, taking the nipple into his mouth.

  As both men sucked on her, her body churned with rising need. Pleasure coiled deep in her belly, tighter and tighter like a spring, until she could barely stand it. Carter suckled her other breast, teasing the first with his fingers. Simon glided a big finger inside her, stroking her channel as his tongue fluttered over her clit.