“Exquisite,” he whispered, his eyes drinking their fill.
Leaning down, he swiped his tongue over one nipple, then smiled when it budded up tight. The rate of her breathing increased. She buried her hands into his hair, moving her body against him, turning him on beyond belief.
He palmed the twin globes and watched her eyes roll back. The sound of her sigh had him bending forward, burying his face in her perfect cleavage. He slid his hands over her bare ribs, then cupped the undersides of her breasts, holding their weight, adoring the precious treasure. She gripped his hair, inciting him. He kneaded and squeezed, pinching her nipples and rolling the tight buds between his thumb and forefinger. God, she was beautiful.
He took one beaded nipple into his mouth, laving it with his tongue. She tasted so good. She groaned, the sound prompting him to suck harder.
She offered herself up to him, moaning, heaving, her body responding faster than his brain. He moved to her other breast, ravishing it as he had its twin. Her fingers tightened in his hair and she gripped with a vengeance, which only heightened his arousal.
Her movements grew more frenzied and the desire to kiss her became unbearable. He captured her lips, anchoring her mouth beneath him in a kiss meant to possess.
He thrust his tongue into her mouth again and again, showing her what he wanted to do to her body. The kiss devoured as he eased her back onto the cushions, his elbows bracketed her in, keeping most of his weight off her.
Cassie was the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted. Her tongue dueled with his while her fingers played with his hair, her moans causing him to shudder. She gripped his head, tugging him forward. Unable to hold back, his hips collided with hers, his erection burrowing into her stomach. She clung to him like he was the most important thing in her world.
Moving his hand over her belly and lower, he cupped her. Her instant reaction made him harden to steel. She pushed her lower body against him, her contented hmmm growing deeper as she rocked, sending his blood thrumming through his veins. They’d crossed some line. All he could think of was more. They both needed more.
His fingers moved to the band of her jeans and dipped inside, her smooth skin summoning him to explore further. The confining material needed to come off.
He could barely catch his breath long enough to say what he wanted.
“I swore if I was lucky enough to have you, I would make love to you properly and savor you for hours. But I …”
The brilliance in her eyes made him pause. His need so fierce, he thought he might explode.
“Say yes,” he whispered. “Please, say yes.”
Chapter 7
“Yes, Mike. Yes.”
A shudder went through him. He gave Cassie a scorching kiss, then lifted her. “Help me get these off.”
He quickly unfastened her jeans and dragged them down the longest legs he’d ever seen. Cassie was beyond beautiful. He savored the view splayed out before him like an incredible feast, his erection hardened to steel. First with his eyes, then with his touch, he appreciated her smooth skin. Taking his time, he slid his hand upward, over her calf and behind her knee. When he grazed the inside of her thigh, her gasp rang like music in his ears. He glanced up to see her teeth sinking into the flesh of her bottom lip, rousing his desire. He nearly ripped her panties in his haste to remove them. The blanket and towel long forgotten, he tossed her scrap of lace to the mounting heap on the floor.
His throat went dry at her magnificence. He had no words. The woman was beautiful beyond imagination.
He craved the feel of skin against skin. Mindlessly, he moved without thinking, pressing his chest to hers, hungry for her touch—he hissed at the stabbing pain in his side.
“Mike, your burn.”
“Forget the burn. I’m fine.” It hurt like a mother, but nothing would dissuade him from his goal.
With gentle pressure, he massaged her stomach, his fingers drifting lower on her belly. Reaching, mapping a path to promised delights.
She rolled her hips. A signal that she wanted more.
With slow precision, he smoothed one hand over her hip and downward, slipping his fingers behind her knee. He lifted one trim leg and kissed the inside of her silken thigh. She trembled. He took a peek at her face and found her passionate gaze locked on his. The look in her eyes begged him to continue and he was damn sure going to do just that.
He licked his lips and relished her hunger. Without words, he elevated the opposite leg, placing open-mouth kisses on her exquisite flesh. He hadn’t touched anyone like this in a long time. The sound of her gasps drove him, fueled his desire. He moved slowly, nibbling higher and higher, nuzzling her silky flesh.
The pliable patch of hair lured him. He blew a gentle breath over her curls, then flicked his fingers over her. She was wet, and ready. Slowly, he slipped a finger into her slick folds. Her whimper of delight fired his burning need. Blood roared in his ears. He wanted her. Now.
He delved and tasted, thoroughly enjoying the sensation of burrowing into her softness. She was so wet. So needy. So delicious. He used his tongue to drive her wild, working her pebble until she writhed. He massaged her bud while she flung her head from side to side, little moans escaping her lips.
He knew exactly what she needed and he took great satisfaction in giving it to her. He dipped one finger inside her exquisite sheath as he feasted. Her body tightened and her legs trembled. He needed to see her face.
He watched her—her emotions bare. Unable to lie still, she twisted and jerked, still he plunged, loving her reaction. Every little moan ratched his lust up a notch.
Suddenly, her eyes clouded over, her body tightened and a half groan, half scream escaped her throat. He’d never enjoyed watching a woman more than this moment. Immense pleasure filled his chest as he watched her spiral out of control.
God, she was beautiful. Wild and hot and unbelievable. And he was iron hard.
As she floated back to earth, the corners of her mouth lifted in a satisfied smile. Her eyes fluttered open.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Mike … please.” She spoke in a just loved, satisfied voice.
Taking his time, he kissed his way up her body, nuzzling her curves, gliding over every inch of her skin until he found the sensitive flesh behind her ear.
“What baby?” he whispered. “Please what?”
“I need you.”
He wanted to make love to her, give her every pleasure imaginable, everything her heart desired. He’d been hanging on by a thread and she’d just said she needed him.
“Mike,” she uttered, barely above a whisper.
He lowered his head and took one nipple into his mouth. His tongue laved and swirled while his hands caressed, needing to touch her body, arousing her back to life.
“Oh, God. You’re teasing me,” she whimpered. He loved the little sounds she made.
“You want this? You’re sure?” he grunted between his teeth. If she denied him now, she’d kill him.
“There’s no way you can stop now. Make love to me.”
He wasted no time snatching his wallet from the coffee table. He tore the packet open with his teeth and quickly sheathed himself. He glanced up. Cassie’s eyes were fixed on his erection. He was a big man and this part of him was no exception. When she ran her tongue over her lips, savage need raced down his spine.
He shifted his body and positioned himself between her legs.
“Don’t think,” he rasped out. “Kiss me.”
Bracing most of his weight on his elbows, he licked her lips and when she opened, he took her mouth passionately. A rising tide of desire swept him into its current. She tangled her tongue with his while her nails raked his back, her appetite enflaming him, causing him to groan and press her deeper into the couch.
Her fingers gripped his buttocks. Desire pounded his temples. Unable to hold back any longer, he tilted her upward and buried himself in her welcoming heat.
He lost all sense of coherent thought.
Waves of liquid fire licked through his body, setting every nerve on edge, unlike anything he’d ever known and could not describe. Sensation rocked him to his core.
Another moan fed his desire, urging him to move. He pulled out as far as he dared and slowly, maddeningly, thrust back in with just enough force to let her feel all of him. The friction fired his blood. The muscles in his arms bunched as he held himself above her. She wrapped her legs around his, her back arching. With long slick strokes, he drove in and out, sliding deep. He never expected this to feel so erotic. So fucking good.
Their kiss intense, he growled into her mouth with rising hunger, then broke free. Passion propelling him, he increased the tempo.
“Come, baby,” he gasped, his breathing ragged. “Come for me.”
“Oh, God. Yes!” she shrieked, her eyes tightly closed. Her nails dug into his back as she rocked with him, riding the waves of passion.
Overwhelming pleasure shot through him fast and hot. He bit back a yell as her spasms gripped him, sending him over the edge. He threw his head back as burning lava poured through his veins, his chest heaving and his lungs panting at his throbbing release.
Unable to hold himself up any longer, he dropped his frame, his body sinking into a puddle of softness, his mind swimming in a pool of ecstasy.
A little shocked at his intense climax, he couldn’t move. His chest heaved as he listened to the sound of their harsh breathing. Moments passed before he realized he must be crushing her, yet when he moved, she grasped his neck.
“I’m too heavy for you.”
“No.”
He chuckled. “Yes I am. And I need to move to my good side.” Shifting his weight, he eased himself out. Her gasp nearly had him shoving back in. He rolled to her side.
Damn couch wasn’t big enough.
His bandage was hanging half off.
“Mike. Your burn.”
“What burn?” he said drawing Cassie next to his heart.
“You know what burn. Your side must be aching.”
“Hard to tell. My whole body is throbbing.” With the most remarkable sensation he’d ever experienced. When she made to move, he tightened his arms, then pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’m good.”
He relished a few moments of bliss and realized he needed to get up. He shifted again and managed to stand, smiling at her moan of disappointment. He slipped to the bathroom, then hurried back, not wanting to be away from her a moment more than necessary. Lifting her up, he held her exquisite body against his and carried her down the hall.
“Umm.” She rubbed her cheek in the grove of his neck.
“Yes, I know. Mmm.” He padded into her room and placed her on the bed.
With her arms locked around his neck, she tugged him to her. He stretched out beside her and brought the comforter over them, nestling into a cocoon of warmth. She curled her body into his as if they were one. He thought of the pleasure they’d just shared, and now a tender moment of sweetness he’d never felt before. She’d kindled his emotions, triggering his protective instincts. Her passion surprised him, roused him to unimaginable heights. He’d never been a possessive man, but he suddenly found he wanted Cassie to be his. She felt good. This felt good.
She had the face of an angel and a body made for sin. He’d been completely captivated and already he wanted her again. He massaged her thigh with one hand while the fingers of the other stroked lazily over the smooth skin of her shoulder, wondering what the morning would bring.
Before long, he realized she’d drifted off. He never liked his dates to sleep over and he rarely spent the night with them. Yet, here he was all snug in Cassie’s bed, with no intention of leaving. He didn’t want to be anywhere but exactly where he was.
A calming peace settled over him. Cassie had given him a serenity he hadn’t known he needed or wanted. This sensual woman belonged here, in his arms.
At least, for now.
***
The sun rose finding Mike already out of bed. He braced a hip against the kitchen counter and wondered what the hell had come over him. People usually saw sense in the light of day. Yet after two cups of strong coffee, the elation he felt had not weakened. They’d shared great sex. And when she’d nestled right up against him in bed, he’d been damn content.
He could get used to this.
Hell. Who was he kidding? It was one night of sex. Hopefully a lot more. But not a lifetime. What woman would stay for the long haul? He shook his head in disgust. His mother sure hadn’t.
He was a firefighter. That would never change. Some guys lived for the thrill. With him, the job held more meaning. Saving lives. Giving help to those who needed assistance. Sometimes the job offered more grief than reward. Finding horror in a burning house, a fatality at a collision on a freeway, or seeing anguish on a family member’s face ripped his guts out now and again. Still, firefighters were his lineage. His grandfather, his father, dauntless and daring had been bred in his blood.
He cringed when people called him a hero. He just did his job.
It felt good when a burning house held no victims or a car went into a river without its occupants. He couldn’t describe the relief when he felt a pulse or saw a chest rise after a near death encounter. And then there were the days he experienced immense satisfaction knowing his team had survived unharmed. Many nights he’d catch a few hours’ sleep before he had to jump back in a truck when the alarm sounded again.
For some relatives, the occupation predestined doom. The danger, the threat, the waiting for your man to come home … Women couldn’t handle the pressure long term. He better well remember that.
“Got another cup?”
Deep in his musing, he hadn’t heard Cassie slip into the kitchen. A whistle died behind his teeth. Blonde hair mussed, eyes bright as the morning sun, she gave him a smile that made him want to take her right back to bed.
Wearing a T-shirt that hung midway on her shapely, bare legs, she leaned her shoulder against the door frame. One knee bent and the toes of her foot curled on the instep of her opposite foot while she shot him a sultry smile. Damn, the woman was hot. Provocative. She had the sexiest legs and last night they’d been wrapped around him.
His shaft thickened.
He’d never done the morning after, so he hesitated on what to do. His first instinct—nail her to the door frame. The more rational side reminded him this was new and he didn’t want to scare her away.
“Sure thing,” he said and opened a cabinet door to retrieve another mug. After pouring coffee into the cup, he counted to five before turning to face the intoxicating creature again. Being on edge was alien to him. And damn irritating. He wasn’t a player like Jared, but he’d never experienced this kind of agitation over a female.
She finger-combed her long thick hair, drawing his gaze to her neck. The sudden urge to kiss that tantalizing spot behind her ear kicked him in the gut. Remembering how soft her skin had felt against his lips last night, he thought he might die if he didn’t make love to her again. Now.
“Thanks.”
He blinked. “Uh, cream? Sugar?”
“Maybe a dab of milk. I’ll get it.”
She opened the fridge and he hoped she would bend over so he could see if she wore anything underneath that skimpy shirt. His tongue swelled in his suddenly dry mouth. She grabbed the carton, poured some milk into her cup, and placed the container on the counter. Then, she lifted her mug and blew at the top.
Damn.
“I need my morning coffee to make me feel human again.”
“Lady. After last night, I know exactly how you feel. I could use several evocative adjectives …”
Her cheeks flushed red. He’d not meant to embarrass her, but the words were out of his mouth before he knew it. His voice had been gruff. It was a wonder he could speak at all with lust crowding his mind.
If anything, Cassie grew bolder. She sipped her coffee and stared at him, inviting him with her eyes.
He waite
d. Her move.
“Okay, handsome. I’m all ears.”
He gave a slow perusal down her body and back up again. She electrified him and stroked his ego. He took a step forward. “Perhaps I could demonstrate.”
She drew in a quick breath. Her reaction to his nearness pleased him, and he hadn’t even touched her—yet. Grasping a lock of her honey hair, he inhaled, then curled it around his finger. Smooth like silk. He stared into her turquoise eyes and stroked one finger down the side of her face. He sketched a path over her chin, tracing the vein in her neck, feeling her pulse speed up. Her eyes blazed with heat, latched onto his as he drew one finger across her collarbone. Her chest rose in apparent anticipation. He slid a hand to the plumpness of her breast and palmed the nipple through her shirt. Her eyes fluttered closed. The breath hissed from her lungs.
“Soft,” he murmured. “So soft.”
She slumped against the counter. He slid his arm around her waist and brought her body flush against his chest. His chin resting on her head, he whispered, “Shall I go further?”
Cassie lifted her arms around his neck. “Please, Mike. Yes.”
His lips crushed hers, giving her the mother of all kisses. Open mouth, and lots of tongue. She gave back, lick for lick. When neither one could breathe, he broke the kiss and swept her into his arms.
Beep. Beep.
Damn it.
He gently lowered Cassie to the floor. He shook his head, amazed at how fast he’d succumbed to desire. With a flare of frustration, he grabbed his phone. “Yes. What’s up? Right. Thirty minutes tops.”
He shoved his phone in his pants pocket and glanced up, knowing what he’d find. The heat in her eyes had turned to concern.
MIKE The Firefighters of Station 8 Page 7