Heat

by Opal Carew

  She didn’t know what Carter wasn’t telling her. She hoped he wasn’t just trying to calm her down with an overly optimistic assessment. Or an outright lie.

  “Can I go to the hospital with him?”

  “I’ll drive you,” Tina offered.

  Carter nodded. “That’s a good idea. I’ll meet you over there as soon as I can.”

  Then he wrapped his big arms around her and held her close. He stroked her hair back and his lips brushed her temple.

  “Don’t worry, baby. He’ll be okay.”

  * * *

  As soon as they got to the hospital, Rikki rushed into the building, Tina right behind her, and they hurried to Emergency. But no one would tell them anything, no matter how much she pleaded.

  About twenty minutes later, Carter arrived. He strolled right to Rikki, dropped the backpack he was carrying, and gave her a warm hug.

  “They won’t tell us how Simon’s doing,” she said, her eyes wide and her stomach roiling.

  “It’s okay,” he said in a soothing voice. “I’ll go find out.”

  He walked across the waiting room to the reception desk. The two uniformed woman there greeted him warmly and he chatted with them for a few minutes, then handed them the backpack.

  He walked back to Rikki and sat down. She wrapped her hand around his as she gazed up at him, her stomach clenched. He squeezed gently.

  “He’s doing fine. He took in a lot of smoke, so they put him on oxygen and they’re watching him for a while. He also has a gash on his leg and some burns, but they’re not too severe. They’re patching him up.”

  His words eased her anxiety a bit, but the idea that Simon had been burned upset her.

  “When can we see him?” she asked.

  “Probably not for an hour or so, but then we can take him home.”

  “Really?”

  Carter smiled. “Really. I brought a change of clothes for him because I figured as much.”

  “Do you know what caused the fire?” Tina asked.

  “The investigator’s still checking it out,” Carter said, “but it looks like an electrical fire in the unit next door.”

  He turned back to Rikki and stroked her hair behind her ear. His tender touch sent warmth through her.

  “And in case you’re wondering, you’ll stay with us. Right?”

  She let a small smile creep across her face. “Thank you. I would love that.”

  He hugged her and she melted against him, loving the feel of his protective arms around her.

  When she finally drew back, Carter turned to Tina.

  “Do you have somewhere to stay? Because if you don’t, we have a guest room.”

  Tina smiled brightly. “That would be great. Really. But I have a sister in town. She’d kill me if I didn’t stay with her.” She shrugged. “Besides, she and I are the same size, so I can bum clothes from her. An important consideration since this is all I’ve got right now.”

  She gestured to the worn jeans and T-shirt she’d pulled on to go to the ice cream place that stayed open twenty-four hours during tourist season.

  Tina glanced at her watch. “In fact, I should head over there now. I texted her a while ago to let her know I was all right and I know she’s anxious to see me.”

  She stood up and gave Rikki a hug. “Keep in touch, okay?”

  Rikki nodded. “Thanks for staying with me.”

  Tina patted her hand. “Of course.”

  The next hour seemed to take forever to pass, but eventually a nurse rolled Simon out in a wheelchair.

  As soon as she saw him, Rikki bolted to her feet and lurched toward him.

  “Simon.” She stopped in front of him and hesitated, not sure if she should touch him or not. She didn’t want to hurt him.

  He smiled and opened his arms and she leaned in and hugged him. His big arms closed around her, feeling as strong as ever.

  “I was so worried,” she murmured against his ear, feeling tears prickle at her eyes.

  “Believe me, I know exactly how you felt. I thought you were trapped in that blaze.”

  She leaned back and saw the intensity of emotions in his eyes, showing just how desperately he’d been worried about her.

  “Hey, you two. Let’s roll.” Carter grasped the handles of the wheelchair.

  Rikki straightened up and followed Carter to the exit as he pushed Simon in the chair.

  “Wait here while I pull the car up.” Carter disappeared out the glass door.

  She turned back to Simon. He looked pale.

  “Are you in pain?” she asked.

  “Not right now. They gave me some painkillers. But ask me in a couple of hours.”

  Carter was back in a flash and soon they were all in the car. When they got back to the house, she helped Carter guide Simon up the stairs to his room. The painkillers they’d given him were pretty strong and he was a bit wobbly.

  Simon stripped down to his boxers and climbed into the bed. Rikki was disturbed by the large bandage around his right thigh and another on the left side of his torso. She hesitated, then kissed his cheek.

  “I’ll see you when you wake up,” she said.

  But before she could move away, he grabbed her hand and tugged her back.

  “Where do you think you’re going? I want you right here.”

  “But you’re hurt.”

  He smiled. “All the more reason for some comfort.”

  She smiled, too, and dropped her jeans to the floor, then she slid in beside him on the right side. He wrapped his arm around her and drew her close. She tried not to brush against the bandage on his leg, but he pulled her closer and her leg rested lightly against his.

  “Now I can get some sleep,” he murmured as he closed his eyes.

  His deep sigh of contentment relaxed her and she realized she was pretty sleepy. Soon she drifted off right alongside him.

  * * *

  Simon woke up feeling like he’d been hit by a truck. He shifted and the pain in his leg and torso jolted through him.

  “Are you okay?”

  He glanced toward Rikki’s voice to see her lying beside him, her green eyes wide.

  “Yeah, just a little stiff,” he lied.

  She bit her lip and stared at the bandage on his torso. She ran her fingers along the edges of it, her soft touch triggering a longing deep inside him. The last time they’d talked, she’d told him she’d kissed another man, and he’d been struggling with the pain of that revelation ever since.

  He didn’t want to lose her.

  “Can I get you something?” she asked. “Coffee? I could bring you breakfast in bed.”

  He smiled. “Not if it means you leaving the bed.” He slid his arm around her and drew her close. She snuggled up to his side, resting her hand on his chest, avoiding the bandages.

  A tap sounded at the bedroom door.

  “Come in,” Simon called.

  The door opened and Carter stood in the doorway.

  “I thought I heard voices in here. I’ve got bacon cooked and pancakes ready to put on the griddle.”

  “And I smell coffee,” Simon said. “Sounds great.”

  Rikki hopped out of the bed and hurried around to his side. All she wore was her T-shirt, leaving her long, beautiful legs bare, and her long auburn hair bounced around her shoulders in glossy waves.

  God, she was so sweet and sexy. All he wanted to do was pull her back into bed with him and hold her all day.

  But she drew back the covers and held out her hand to help him up. He took it and started to ease up, then jerked her hand toward him, catching her off guard. She fell against him, her eyes widening in horror, but he just laughed as he scooped her into his arms and squeezed, despite the pain. He wrapped his hand around her head and drew her in for a kiss, then swirled his tongue deep into her mouth. When he released her, her breathlessness filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction.

  “I really am fine,” he murmured against her ear.

  Then he sat up. She scra
mbled to her feet.

  “I see you’re going to be tricky to take care of,” she said.

  “And you intend to take care of me?” he asked with eyebrows raised.

  She smiled. “Well, I need to earn my keep somehow. Carter invited me to stay here since my townhouse is…” Her smile faded. “Gone.”

  In her eyes, he saw a plethora of emotions. She might not have been in the house when it burned down, but her roommates had been, and they’d been in danger. Also, all her stuff was toast.

  And he knew damned well this was going to push her buttons about losing him or Carter on the job. It had brought it home fast and hard for her.

  She was here now, caught up in her concern for him, but once things settled down and she really understood that he was fine, would she end it with them for good?

  * * *

  After breakfast, Simon sat on the couch reading while Rikki cleaned up the dishes and Carter did some yard work.

  All day, Rikki waited on him hand and foot. She and Carter prepared a nice dinner together then afterward, they all decided to sit down together in the living room to watch a movie.

  Rikki sat beside Simon, leaving several inches between them, her back rigid.

  “You can come in a little closer,” Simon said. “I’m not fragile.”

  “You’re hurt. I don’t want to bump anything.”

  He laughed. “That’s funny. Because I’d love it if you’d bump some things.”

  He wrapped his arm around her and snuggled her to his side.

  She leaned her head against his shoulder. “You joke, but you were in that burning building because of me. You could have been killed because of me.”

  He stroked her shimmering auburn hair from her face.

  “Do you really think anything would stop me from moving heaven and earth to save you from danger?”

  She chewed her lower lip. “But you could have been killed. I was so worried about you.”

  His gut clenched at the agony he saw in her eyes. The same agony he’d felt when he’d thought she was in danger. When he thought about her trapped … hurt … maybe even dead.

  He leaned in close, gliding his hand along her cheek and through her hair. “That’s exactly how I felt about you.”

  Fuck, this was the fear she would face every single day if they allowed this relationship to continue. It was the reason she’d tried to avoid getting involved with him and Carter.

  Yet they had persisted. Just worried about what they wanted. What they thought was best. Not thinking about what it meant for her. The pain it would cause her.

  If they really cared about Rikki’s best interest—Simon’s heart clenched tightly in his chest—then maybe they should let her go.

  He stroked her cheek. But how could he when he knew he was falling in love with her?

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rikki was caught off guard by the intense emotion in Simon’s eyes. Love shone so brightly in those blue depths she felt her heart swell in response.

  Carter returned from the kitchen with some sodas and a big bowl of popcorn. He set them on the coffee table and stared at the two of them.

  “What the hell did I miss?”

  Rikki swallowed the lump in her throat. “I was just telling Simon how worried I was about him when he went into the townhouse after me.”

  She turned to Carter, and took his hand. “You, too, when you went in to get Simon.”

  Carter knelt down in front of her and squeezed her hand, then pressed it to his lips.

  “This is what we do. And when you’re the one who needs us, you better believe we’re going to do everything in our power to bring you out alive. Do you understand?”

  She nodded, blinking back tears. “Yes, I do,” she whispered.

  Carter leaned in and kissed her, his lips tender on hers. Moving softly. She opened, welcoming his tongue as it dipped inside, then stroked gently. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close as they kissed passionately.

  Heat welled through her, coiling through her stomach and outward, making her tremble. Carter ran his hands down her sides, then grasped her hips and arched against her. The bulge that pressed against her was thick and rock-hard.

  When their lips parted, Simon cupped her cheek and drew her toward him into a kiss. His lips—firmer and more insistent—moved on hers with passionate intent.

  “You know”—the words rumbled from Simon’s chest—“I’ve changed my mind about the movie.”

  She stared at him wide-eyed, aching for the feel of his and Carter’ bodies close to hers. Naked. Their hands stroking her. Their lips caressing.

  “But you need to rest,” she said breathlessly.

  “I’ve had lots of rest. What I haven’t had enough of is you.”

  “I second that.” Carter’s lips nuzzled her neck, sending tingles dancing along her spine.

  She gazed at his glowing amber eyes then back to Simon uncertainly.

  Simon stroked her cheek. “Since you’re worried about me, why don’t I just relax and … watch.”

  She settled against the back of the couch and stroked her hands over her breasts. Her nipples pushed against her bra, making peaks against the thin fabric of her T-shirt.

  “Like this?” she asked.

  “Mmm,” Simon murmured, his eyes lighting up, “that’s a great start.”

  She laughed and ran her hand over his jeans, feeling his cock swelling under the fabric.

  “It’s certainly getting my engine running.” Carter’s hand stroked over his bulge.

  “Yeah? Maybe you should show me.” Rikki’s gaze fell to his swollen ridge.

  Carter’s face beamed with his wide smile. He unzipped and drew out his long, rigid cock. She stared at it hungrily. She glanced at Simon to see his eyes darkening as she leaned forward, then wrapped her hand around Carter’s thick member. She stroked it, then leaned forward and kissed the tip. It was hard and hot against her lips. She opened her mouth and took him inside. Just a little at a time.

  “Ah, baby, that feels so good.”

  She took his whole cockhead in her mouth and licked it thoroughly, to his murmurs of approval. She stroked his shaft with her hand as she began to suckle.

  She released him and leaned back again. She pulled her T-shirt over her head and tossed it aside. Then she unzipped her jeans and wriggled them down her hips and kicked them away. Carter watched her raptly, his cock pointing straight forward.

  She rested her head against the couch and cupped her breasts, then caressed them.

  “Do you like watching me, Simon?” she asked.

  His liquid-silk sapphire eyes were locked on her hands.

  “Oh, yeah, baby.”

  She tugged down the lace of her bra to expose one breast, then teased the nipple between her fingers.

  “You like me making my nipples hard for you?” She revealed the other breast and teased that nipple to a ripe, swollen bud, too.

  He licked his lips, nodding.

  She turned to Carter, and saw his amber eyes were ablaze.

  She glided her hands down her stomach, watching the two men watching her hungrily. She slid her fingers under her panties and found the soft folds hidden there.

  “Ohhh,” she moaned softly. “I’m so wet.” She ran her fingers through the slickness.

  The intensity of their hot gazes sent ripples of delight through her.

  Slowly, she drew the front of her panties down, revealing her petals. She held the panties with one hand while she stroked her wet flesh with the other.

  Carter leaned forward and captured one of her nipples in his mouth. She moaned softly as his heat surrounded her. His tongue swirled over her—round and round—driving her wild. Then he suckled and she moaned.

  His hand glided down her stomach, then his fingers joined hers gliding over her slit. When his finger pushed inside her, she moaned and arched upward against his hand.

  He chuckled. “You are ready.”

  He stood up and dropped his jean
s to the floor, then his boxers, but before he could kneel down again, she wrapped her hand around his cock and drew it to her mouth again. She wrapped her lips around him and surged forward, swallowing him deep inside.

  Simon stroked her hair back and held it in a handful behind her head as she squeezed Carter in her mouth. Carter moaned. She glided back, then forward again. Taking him in and out.

  “Yeah, that’s right, baby,” Simon said. “I love watching you suck Carter’s cock.” He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, “I love watching you make him come.”

  Carter’s hand wrapped around her head and he urged her to a faster pace. She took him deep. Faster. Squeezing and sucking.

  She could feel him tensing. Getting close.

  She squeezed his base, and slid her mouth free, then stroked with her hand. She licked his cockhead like a lollipop, lapping her tongue over the entire surface with a delightful thoroughness.

  Then she leaned back and slid off her panties, then opened her legs. Carter knelt down and pressed close to her, between her knees. He reached behind her and unfastened her bra then pulled it away.

  He leaned forward and suckled her right nipple. She sighed happily, her eyelids falling closed. Then she felt Simon’s mouth on her left breast and she sucked in air.

  “Oh, that feels so good.” Her voice was breathy and filled with need. “Please, Carter. I want you to fuck me.”

  His mouth moved away, leaving her nipple aching for more. Simon sat back again and watched as Carter pressed his cock to her wet flesh and glided the tip up and down. The feel of his hot, hard flesh caressing her sent wild surges of delight through her.

  “Oh, yes.” She sucked in a breath. “I want to feel you inside me. Your big hard cock filling me.”

  Carter smiled and pushed forward a little, his cockhead stretching her. More and more as he moved slowly into her.

  Then he stopped, his cockhead barely halfway in, and she groaned.

  He laughed, then drew back and rocked forward again. This time he slid a little deeper, his cockhead not quite all the way in. Then drew back again.

  She ached for him. Needing him inside her.

  Simon watched Carter’s cock teasing her. He freed his own cock and wrapped his hand around it. Rikki bit her lip as she watched Simon’s hand glide up and down, wishing Carter would just surge deep inside her.