He carried the food to the breakfast nook and set the plates on the small rectangular table. How many meals had he eaten here? Frozen dinners? Takeout? More than he could count.
And tonight would be the first time a woman sat across from him since he’d moved in.
Ptomaine leapt up into one of the chairs. Meow.
“Yeah. Crazy how a few hours change everything.” He scrubbed his knuckles over the tom’s head, his pinky grazing the partially missing ear. “You and I know that better than most.”
If he could just get Jess to trust him, to tell him what was wrong, he could help. Maybe his life would change for the better this time.
Or maybe not.
“Aiden?”
Her voice pulled him around to face her, and he startled.
Jess stood at the far end of the kitchen. The T-shirt he’d given her swallowed her, stopping mid-thigh, leaving her long legs exposed down to her bare feet. She clutched the shorts in her hand. Damn things were probably so big they just fell right off. He worked his way back up to her face, unable to stop himself from staring at chest, where twin peaks poked at the shirt, adding extra points to the Dallas Cowboys’ star. Lord have mercy.
“Aiden, who are you talking to?”
His focus shot to her face, framed by—
Her long wheat-blonde hair.
Gone.
Cropped-off black strands crowned her head.
The dark color only served to make her bottle-green eyes bigger, more intense. Her lips rosier. Her skin creamier.
Holy shit. The room spun a little as all his blood rushed south. “Jess?”
Chapter Five
His gaze moved over her with such hunger, she fought not to tremble. The shirt she wore seemed as thin as tissue, her body responding to the lust darkening his eyes. Her breasts grew heavy, and her nipples tightened, straining against the fabric. She clutched the shorts in her hand. Stupid, stupid. I should’ve put these on. Found a clip or something to keep them up.
He took a step toward her. “Jess?”
The way he half-growled, half-groaned her name set her every nerve on fire. Her eyes locked with his, their connection so palpable, she could feel his warm breath on her skin, his hands skimming over her body, his fingers bringing her pleasure….
Aiden took another step and stopped. The war waging inside him danced across his face. She understood what he felt. Her heart banged against her ribs, hard and fast like pebbles in a tin can. Did she want him to take her in his arms, kiss her like he did before?
Yes.
Tearing her gaze from his, she peered down at her feet. No. Too dangerous. She plucked the hem of the T-shirt. Why wasn’t this damn thing longer?
He cleared his throat. “Your, um…hair.”
She reached up, toying with the short strands. She’d looked completely different in the bathroom mirror. But standing here before him, caught in the heat of his stare, she’d almost forgotten what she’d done. What she’d had to do. “Is it horrible?”
“No. God no.” He blew out a breath. “Just caught me off guard.”
“So it’s okay?”
“Yeah.” His eyes widened a little. “I mean your hair before was great. Um, gorgeous. Long. Blonde. But this”—lust swirled in the depths of his gaze—“is different. Sexy.”
He backed up a step and turned toward the table behind him. “Don’t know if you’re hungry or not, and I don’t have much, but if you want….” He gestured toward the plates.
Ding!
His jaw tightened. “Washer’s done.”
“Thanks.” She walked toward the table as he moved to the side, both of them dancing to avoid colliding. If her nerves twanged any harder, she’d be a banjo playing bluegrass.
When he paused next to her, she looked up.
“I should’ve known those shorts would be too big for you.” He held out his hand, and she gave him the garment. He stood there a moment longer, his gaze roving over her face, making her self-conscious. She reached up and fingered her shortened locks again. “Back in a sec.”
He disappeared around the corner and down the hallway.
Reaching the table, Jessica sat down, tugging the shirt hem toward her weakened knees. She peered through the large breakfast nook windows and out into the backyard. Twilight lengthened shadows, the sky darkening with dusky hues of purple and pink. Movement behind her drew her attention.
Aiden approached the counter. “I was going to make iced coffees.” He chuckled. “Course, that’s what got us here to begin with. But, if you want one, I’ve got plenty. Or you can have hot coffee. Or I have bottled water. Beer.”
“Iced coffee sounds great. However you have yours should be fine with me.”
As he filled two glasses with ice, she glanced at the plates and then across the table.
“Well, hello. And who are you?”
The big gray cat perked at her address, his ears swiveling toward her—but something was wrong with one of them. The top half was missing. Had he gotten into a fight?
“That’s Ptomaine.” Aiden poured coffee over the ice. “We kinda met on the job, and he came home with me.”
“On the job?” Years had passed. This guy wasn’t the same one she knew in high school, the one who’d wanted to sing in a rock band.
He added milk and sugar to the glasses and stirred. “Firefighter.”
“Really?”
A slight limp to his step, he carried the glasses to the table, setting one in front her, then he dropped into the seat across from her. “Going on seven years now.”
She frowned. “But you were dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt.”
“I teach now.”
“Now, as in you used to fight fires?”
“Yes.” His jaw tightened. “But now I teach.” He reached over and picked up her plate, switching it with his.
Smooth way for him to change the topic change. “I’ll bite. Did I sit in the wrong seat?”
“Nope.” One corner of his mouth kicked up. “Just thought you’d appreciate the less-mangled doughnut.”
She glanced down at the pastry. What guy have I ever dated who would’ve shared half of his sandwich and a doughnut with me, instead of just wolfing everything down himself?
This isn’t a date.
No, it’s not. But I can enjoy the attention.
She picked up her sandwich and took a bite. Mayonnaise and fresh-baked bread mixed with deli meats, and— “Oh my gosh, this is good.” She hadn’t realized how hungry she was and took another bite.
His brow dipped over one eye as his face quirked. “That good, huh? When was the last time you ate?”
She swallowed. “Last night.” She picked up her coffee and drank, the sweet, nutty flavor washing over her tongue.
He frowned. “Last night?”
“Yeah.” My turn to change the subject. She took another bite and spoke around the food. “You named your cat Ptomaine?”
He chuckled, the deep sound vibrating along her skin. “Yes.”
“Don’t firefighters usually name their pets Ash or Cinder or Smoky?”
He shook his head. “Wouldn’t have fit him.” He took a large bite of his sandwich, a third of it disappearing into his mouth. The thought of him devouring her with such verve sent tingles dancing between her thighs. Ohmigod! Who knew eating could be sexy?
“Soooo…?”
He arched a brow and swallowed. “Kinda graphic. And we’re eating. You up for that?”
She laughed. “Not a problem. Tell me how your handsome kitty got such a bad, baaaad name.”
“Okay.” He drank some of his coffee then set his glass down. “Couple years ago, I was at a fire. Apartment building totally gutted. No one got hurt, thank God. We’re doing last checks, packing up, and Captain sends me to check around back.” He shrugged. “So, I take off.”
She nodded, took another bite then gestured at him with her sandwich. “Then what?”
“I walk along the back, looking in wi
ndows, scanning the eaves for any hint of flame or smoke. Then I hear it.”
Jessica stopped chewing. “What?”
“A baby crying. My heart was racing. I gotta find this kid, you know?”
“Of course.” Her gaze locked on his handsome face, animated as he shared what happened. “Did you find it?”
“I could hear it, this wailing through a broken window. So, I decide to go in. I gotta save this baby, right? But the door is jammed, so I get out my Halligan tool and—”
She held up her hand. “Your what?”
“It’s a bar used to pry doors and stuff open. So, I get the door unjammed. The whole fucking building— Sorry.”
She waved the slipped curse away. “Finish.”
“The building is creaking. Wood popping.” He gestured in the air with both hands. “I’m thinking the whole thing is gonna come down on my head. Right as I was second-thinking my move, the kid cries again. Er-oow. Er-oow. I head to a bedroom, but then I realize the sound’s behind me. I check another room but come up empty. Then, there it is again. Er-oow. So, I head back to the living room. Burned chairs, blackened walls. The only light coming in is from the broken windows. I get out my flashlight and start looking. I end up at this totally burned-out couch. I swear, smoke is still coming up from the cushions. But still, no baby. I’m starting to think I’m hearing things.”
She grinned. “I bet.”
“Yeah.” He smirked, his blue gaze teasing, and her breath caught. “Anyway, I turn to leave. Er-oow. So I start flipping cushions. Nada. Then I flip the couch.”
“Holy crap. The baby was under the couch?”
“Nope.”
She frowned. “No?”
Aiden leaned down and scooped up the cat. “This guy stares up at me. Covered in ashes and soot. He’s got burns. Looks like he’s been through hell and might not make it. So, I hustle him out of there. Captain says he’s surprised, since the complex doesn’t allow pets. He tells me to get it to the vet.”
“And off you go.”
“Well”—he picked up his doughnut and took a healthy bite, cream and frosting decorating his lips—“I had to drag the poor guy to the station first. Then I got in my truck and off to the vet.” He licked his lips…lips she wanted to lick. “And after twenty-four hours and no one claiming him, he decided to come home with me.”
She giggled. “Still doesn’t explain the name.”
“Oh, that.” He popped the rest of the doughnut into his mouth, grinning, teasing her as he made her wait. At last, he swallowed and pointed at her dessert. “You gonna eat that?”
“This?” She picked up her pastry and licked at the cream oozing from one side. His eyes darkened. Yeah, she’d gotten to him. And from the throbbing between her thighs, she’d done the same to herself. “Mmm.” She dared to run her tongue along the corner of her mouth. His gaze stayed glued to her movements. What the hell are you doing? If you keep going, you’ll put him in danger, too.
She set the pastry on the plate. “So?”
His gaze shot to hers. “What?”
“The name?”
“Oh. Um, right.” He shifted in his chair. “The vet called with his verdict. Part of the tail singed off. Half an ear missing. Some smoke inhalation. The cat needed rest. But, otherwise, the doc said he was good to go. After I got him home the next day, I had to go out that night. The guys had already planned a big dinner. One of our own was transferring to another station. We went out to a Mexican restaurant. Nachos, burritos, lots of tequila. You know.”
She nodded and, before she could stop herself, ran her fingertip through the chocolate icing on top of the doughnut.
“I came home, and, later that night, I was sick as a dog.” He stroked the cat’s head, but his focus remained on her finger as she drew patterns in the chocolate. “For some reason, as bad off as this guy was, he sat on the edge of the tub while I threw up my guts into the toilet. He didn’t move or meow. Just stared.”
“So you two bonded, and you named him Ptomaine.” She laughed. “You have a warped sense of humor, Aiden MacKay.” She drew an eternity symbol in the chocolate. “Course, you always did.”
“Yeah. And you were always sexy as hell.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
“And that hair?” He shook his head, lust dancing in his icy-blues. “Damn.”
“Yeah. Well….” Her nipples tightened, thoughts of his large hands caressing her breasts filling her mind.
He looked about ready to leap across the table and take her on the kitchen floor. Would she stop him?
No.
She crossed her legs, her thighs getting slicker by the second. She needed a way out of this. A way to keep him safe while she straightened out the hell her life had become. Maybe then….
She yawned.
“O-kaaay.” He gave her a dubious look.
“It’s been a long day for me. I was up all night.” Not a lie.
“Why?”
“Couldn’t sleep.” Another true statement, albeit vague and misleading. But she wasn’t ready to tell him she’d been running for her life.
And now she’d found a haven, a place she could lie low and figure this mess out. Whether she could keep her hands off the guy across from her until then remained to be seen.
He reached across the table, his large hand grasping hers. Leaning forward, he lifted her hand and inserted her finger into his mouth. Oh. My. God. Nothing in her life had prepared her for the heat rolling off this man. The lust. The desire. The need. She shivered as he swirled his tongue around her fingertip, cleaning the chocolate off. Having his mouth on her, his tongue laving her digit led to fantasies of him licking other parts of her body. And her licking him. The throbbing between her legs intensified.
He slipped her finger out of his mouth but didn’t release her hand. Instead, he turned it over and pressed his lips to her palm, once, twice then kissed her wrist. Then he brushed his lips over her pulse point, and higher. His heat suffused her arm, racing to her chest, stealing her breath as her mind whirled with indecision. So hot.
He glanced up at her, seeming to see right inside her. He’d never looked at her like that in high school. Hell, no one has ever looked at me like that.
He straightened but still held her hand captive, his long finger drawing designs on her palm. “I’ve missed you.”
She gulped. “I can tell.”
“You can sleep in the spare bedroom. It’s already made up.” He stroked her fingers. “Or you can sleep in mine.”
Yes. “The spare room is fine.”
He gave a slight nod. Still holding her hand, he rose and led her through the dark house to the room. How did it get so late?
He flicked a switch inside the doorway, and an overhead light came on, illuminating the quaint space. “If you want, here’s the ceiling fan.” He turned it on, the large blades coming to life, spinning round and round.
Jessica looked up at him. “Thank you, Aiden. I know all this is strange and sudden and definitely unexpected…. Did I mention strange?” God. She hated when she rambled.
He nodded. “It’s okay. Get some rest. Tomorrow, you’ll tell me what this is all about.”
Could she? Should she? “Okay.”
Still holding her hand, he pulled her to him. Her breasts crushed against the hard planes of his chest. She reached out to steady herself, her free hand grasping his biceps.
“I’m going to kiss you.” His sexy rumble tore through her.
“O-okay.” Was that breathy response hers?
Aiden dipped his head, brushing his lips over hers. Testing. Tasting. Teasing. He moved closer, his body fitting against hers. His tongue darted out, tracing her lips.
Something bloomed deep within her. A craving she’d never felt before. She lifted onto her toes, parting her lips and twining her tongue with his.
He moved forward and she back, until a wall stopped her. Releasing her hand, he slid his palm over her hip, along her side, and up to cup her breast, his
large hand warm through the shirt. His thumb brushed across her nipple, sending delicious shocks through her body and straight to her core. Needing to get closer, needing more, she arched into his touch.
Seeming to hear her silent plea, Aiden plucked and teased the tip, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger. Leaving her lips, he trailed his mouth along her neck then dropped to one knee to worship her other breast. He laved the tight bud through the cotton fabric while he continued to torture the other.
She dug her fingers into his hair, dragging her nails over his scalp to hold him in place. His mouth on her awakened a desire she hadn’t known before. She trembled beneath his assault. Wanting more of him, to touch, to feel him, she slid her hands to his shoulders, dipping her fingers beneath the collar of his shirt. Warm skin met her fingertips. She delved farther, exploring his hard muscles.
Aiden rose to his feet, capturing her mouth once more in a searing kiss. She reached for him, sneaking her fingers beneath the bottom of his shirt. He shuddered then grasped her wrists, pinning them to the wall on either side of her head. He pressed his forehead to hers, their breath mingling between them as they panted.
“I want you.” His rough voice made her thighs quiver.
“Me, too.”
“We need to talk first.”
“Yes.”
He eased away an inch, met her gaze. “You’re not gonna bail, are you?”
She lifted her chin. “What if I did?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’d have to come after you.” He dragged his lips over hers, branding her, underscoring his words. “Stay. Let me help.”
She nodded.
Releasing his hold, he backed up a step. “I’m just down the hall.”
“Okay.”
When he’d gone, she sank onto the edge of the bed, her heart beating a rapid tattoo. Oh my God that man can kiss.
But how did he know I’d planned to leave?
She reached over and turned on the bedside lamp then got up and shut off the overhead light. She set the alarm on her watch for two a.m. then sat on the bed again, leaning against the headboard. After being up for over twenty-four hours, she desperately needed a few hours of sleep.
Dallas Fire & Rescue: Hearts Afire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (MacKay Destiny Book 3) Page 3