Dallas Fire & Rescue: Hearts Afire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (MacKay Destiny Book 3)

by L. J. Garland

  She stared up at him, desire glazing her eyes as she tugged at his shirt. “Off.”

  Yes.

  No. He hesitated. You have to stop this.

  He wanted her more than he’d wanted any woman in his life, but he couldn’t risk her rejection. He forced himself upright onto his knees. Leaving her warmth almost killed him.

  A frown marred her lovely face. “Aiden?”

  I can fix this. The need to possess her rode him hard. He had to have her. Some way. Somehow.

  “Take your shirt off.” The words came out rough and demanding. “Now.”

  She stripped off the T-shirt and tossed it to the side, and… Dear God in Heaven above. Two pert globes begged for his touch, their gentle slope leading to tight dusky nipples. From there, her waist narrowed to where her hips flared. He knelt between her long legs. And, at the juncture of her creamy thighs, a thin scrap of lace covered her mound. She lay on his sheets, a treat for him to devour, every inch of her skin waiting to be explored with his hands and mouth. Touching. Licking. Tasting. “Beautiful.”

  Her cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink.

  Moving to her side, he lay next to her and dipped his head to capture a nipple in his mouth. He laved the tight bud with his tongue, circling round and round then dragging his teeth over the tip. She dug her fingers into his hair to hold him there, arching against his mouth. Sliding his hand over her ribs, he cupped her other breast then tortured the sensitive point, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger, pinching and tugging until she moaned.

  “Spread your legs for me, Jess.” Words he’d only dreamed of saying to her tripped off his tongue in a raspy voice he almost didn’t recognize as his own.

  Reaching down, he caressed her mound through her panties then dipped beneath the bit of lace, slipping his fingers between her folds. “You’re so wet.”

  He stroked her, exploring and learning her reactions to what he did to her. Moving to the top of her cleft, he circled her hard little bead round and round then gave it a quick pinch. She drew in a sharp breath, and the sexy moan that escaped her lips almost did him in right there.

  He ached to fill her, to drive himself deep into her wet heat, but, instead, he pressed his rigid length against her thigh. “God, Jess. See what you do to me?”

  Leaning down, he returned to torturing her breast as he thrust a finger inside her. In and out, he stroked her, over and over, then added a second finger. She trembled beneath him, her breath coming in short pants as he drove her higher and higher.

  “Oh God…yes!”

  Her hips lifted off the bed, moving against his hand. Changing the angle of his thrusts, he curved his fingers and drove deeper. He knew he found the right spot when she gasped.

  He increased his pace, pushing her toward the edge. A beautiful flush crept over her chest and up her neck to stain her cheeks. She was close. “Come for me, sweetheart.”

  Catching her nipple between his teeth, he held it firm then flicked the tip with his tongue. She tensed, a spring wound tight, and, with a hard swipe of his thumb over her clit, she flew.

  “Aiden!”

  Her hands clutched his head and shoulder as she arched off the bed, her core gloving his fingers. She shattered in his arms, her head thrown back, and the sexiest cries coming from her mouth. That he’d brought her to orgasm was the most amazing feeling he’d ever experienced. He continued pleasuring her, trying to make her climax last as long as possible. She shuddered, again and again, until, eventually, her body tapered off to soft tremors.

  She inhaled then released a deep sigh. “Wow.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Oh yeah.” Turning her head, she looked at him, her eyes soft with pleasure. “Definitely wow.”

  He grinned and rolled to his knees. “Not done yet.”

  Grabbing the edges of her panties, he pulled them down her long legs and tossed them to the floor. For the first time, her mound lay exposed to him, the nest of dark-blonde curls neatly trimmed. He licked his lips and grasped her ankles, pushing her knees up high toward her chest and spreading her thighs wide.

  Gorgeous. Everything about her was gorgeous.

  He lowered his head between her thighs and blew on her mound while he gazed up the length of her body. Wide green eyes stared back.

  “Aiden, I don’t think I can. I’ve never—”

  Smack!

  He slapped his palm on the side of her ass. “Yes, ma’am, you can. And you will.” He chuckled. “Even if it takes the rest of the night.”

  He inhaled, the clean scent of her arousal making him harder than he thought possible. He parted her folds and gazed at her sweet, wet flesh. His mouth watered, and, unable to wait a second longer, he licked her from top to bottom and back up again. Lord have mercy if she wasn’t the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted. He licked her again, gathering her juices on his tongue. Moving higher, he focused on her sweet little bud, laving it. Her breathy moan rewarded him.

  Can’t come twice in a row, huh? He set about to prove to her how very wrong she was.

  Sliding a hand up her body, he cupped one of her breasts and began rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger while he continued to worship her body with his mouth.

  “Aiden, I….” Her thighs trembled. “Oh!”

  She thrust her hands into his hair, her nails scraping over his scalp. Her hips lifted from the bed, an offer for him to take what he wanted. He licked and sucked and dipped his tongue inside her. When he pinched her nipple, she bucked. Gripping his hair tight, she rode his mouth, panting as, once again, he drove her closer and closer to the edge.

  Her body tensed. “Oh, yes!”

  He tweaked and tugged her nipple then scraped his teeth over her clit.

  Jess arched from the bed, shaking, shudder after shudder racking her body. She whimpered as her climax took command, rolling through her in waves. Beautiful, erotic moans filled his bedroom, her soft cries the sexiest sounds he’d ever heard.

  At last, when the tremors tapered off, he moved beside her, kissing her and letting her taste her essence on his lips. When he leaned away, he found her struggling to keep her eyes open, so he reached over and turned off the bedside lamp.

  “Why?” Her sleepy voice floated through the darkness, her question making his heart stutter.

  “Why what?”

  She yawned. “Why did we wait so long?”

  “Dunno, sweetheart. Guess the universe is on its own schedule.”

  Gathering her against him, he held her close, hoping he’d done enough that she could look past the scars and see the man he was.

  Chapter Ten

  Bright morning sunlight streamed into the breakfast nook while Aiden stood in the kitchen, waiting for the coffeemaker to perk. He’d risen early, and, though loathe to leave Jess, her warm naked body snuggled against him, he’d needed to shower and dress. From the cabinet, he got two mugs and set them on the counter.

  Ding-dong.

  He hustled to the foyer, hoping the bell hadn’t wakened Jess. When he opened the door, his sister barged right in.

  “Well, come on in, Brigit,” he quipped, and followed her to the kitchen.

  His youngest sister set a shopping bag on the counter then helped herself to the coffee that had just started dripping into the pot. After filling one of the mugs, she took a deep sip, closed her eyes—relaxation washing over her—then looked at him. “So good.” She leaned against the counter. “My horoscope today said Neptune would bestow small gifts on me. I’ll count this as one of them.” She lifted her face to the ceiling. “Thank you, Neptune.” After another sip, she looked at Aiden. “What did you need a bag of women’s clothes for?”

  “Thank you for bringing them so fast.” He went to the counter and peeked inside the bag. Various colors and fabrics filled the bottom. He couldn’t tell what was what.

  “Fast?” She took another swallow of coffee then checked her watch. “It’s almost noon. You texted me at, what? Five this morning?”


  “Yeah, sorry about that.” Noon? He hadn’t realized the time.

  “My horoscope also said Pluto would be full of surprises today.” She watched him over the rim of her mug. “These clothes got something to do with Kat’s birthday? Because she’s a lot tinier than I am. A gift card would’ve been the safest choice.”

  He shook his head. “I have a guest who’s…in a little trouble.” Not that he didn’t want to tell his sister, but if he did, she’d tell Kat and their grandparents, and then they’d all be knocking on his front door, demanding answers. That, he didn’t want.

  Brigit’s eyes darted from him to the bag she’d brought then to the hallway. “She’s here? Like, right now?”

  He nodded. “Sleeping.”

  “That sly Pluto. Who is she? Do I know her?” She looked at the coffeemaker then at the mug in her hands. “Ohmigod! You were making coffee for her.” She set the cup on the counter. “Sorry.”

  “Not a problem.” He reached for a replacement from the cabinet.

  “Okay, then. Sounds like you’re in the middle of something sooooo….” She waltzed toward the door, the corners of her mouth curling upward.

  He followed her. “I’ll pay you back.”

  She stood on the threshold and grinned. “You can pay me back by getting Kat a present that’ll knock her socks off.” She shrugged. “This year, I’m clueless.”

  “Every year you’re clueless.”

  “I know. She’s just so dang hard to buy for.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Not really. But don’t worry. I’ll order something online.”

  “I knew you’d come through.” She kissed his cheek. “Oh, and bring your mystery woman to Kat’s birthday dinner…that you’re making reservations for.”

  “Maybe.”

  “That’s a yes, then.” Laughing, she dashed down the steps to her Jeep.

  Light flooded Jessica’s eyelids. She cracked them open, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Tan walls, mini-blinds, soft blue cotton sheets, and…ohmigod, I’m naked. This was not the safe house. This was…Aiden’s bed! Her breath stuttered, but then memories of how he’d made her body sing the night before filled her mind, and she smiled. She rolled to her back only to find his side of the bed empty, the sheets cool to the touch. Where had he gone?

  Locating the clothing she’d tossed aside the night before, she dressed and tiptoed out of the bedroom to find him. When she walked into the hallway, voices from the front of the house drifted to her ears—one distinctly female. A delivery person…or a girlfriend? Last night, Aiden had made her feel so special. Surely he wouldn’t cheat.

  The scent of coffee caught her nose, and she followed it to the kitchen. Three mugs on the counter. Two empty. One half full. And a shopping bag sitting next to the coffeemaker.

  “Good morning.”

  She whirled around. “Morning.” Why did she feel guilty?

  He sauntered to the counter, poured a cup of coffee, and handed it to her. Then he filled the other empty cup and took a gulp. “Sleep well?”

  “I did.” She wanted to thank him, to kiss him, to curl herself around him and do whatever he asked—what was the proper etiquette after receiving the best orgasms of your life?

  Aiden set his mug on the counter and gathered her in his arms. To her delight, he lowered his head and proceeded to kiss her breathless. Heat shot from her lips to square between her thighs—the same place he’d lovingly kissed last night. When he withdrew his lips from hers, the blue of his eyes had darkened with lust, and his hardness pressed against her belly. What was it about this man that made her want to do the naughtiest things?

  “This”—he reached for the bag on the counter—“is for you.”

  She peeked inside. “Clothes?”

  “My sister, Brigit, just dropped them off.”

  She arched a brow. “What? You don’t want me running around in your T-shirt all day?”

  “Absolutely not.” A wolfish grin curled his lips. “I’d prefer you ran around in nothing at all. That way, I’d have free access to your sweet body any time I wanted to touch you.”

  She cocked her head. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  In one swift move, he peeled the T-shirt she wore over her head and dropped it on the tile floor. His large hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs brushing over the tight peaks and sending delicious tingles straight to her sex. Moving his hands to cup her bottom, he lifted her with thrilling ease, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “Well, let’s say I was hungry.” He carried her to the dining room, set her on the table, and spread her thighs. With his thumb he pulled the panties she’d just put on to the side and licked his lips. Dropping to his knees, he dragged the flat of his tongue over her opening, lapping up the juices his kiss had created moments before. “Delicious.”

  Her body trembled with need. But, this time, she wanted more. She tugged on his shirt. “I want to feel you inside me.”

  He straightened, pulled away. “Jess….”

  She frowned at the flash of pain on his face. He sat back on his heels—even farther out of reach—and stared up at her. “What? Did I do something—”

  “No!” His fingertips skimmed down her shin. “No, sweetheart.”

  Suddenly, she felt exposed, and she crossed her arms over her breasts. “Then what?”

  His shoulders dropped, and his eyes closed in defeat. His reaction made no sense. He was the sexiest man she’d ever met—girls had thrown themselves at him in high school, and surely he had women calling him now. He sure as hell knew how to give amazing orgasms—she could only imagine what having him inside her would be like.

  “I thought I could make you see….” He shook his head then lifted his gaze to meet hers, his blue eyes icepick sharp as an invisible wall surrounded him. He curled his fingers against his thighs. “I haven’t been with a woman in over a year.”

  Was he worried he’d forgotten how? She smiled. “Well, you sure could’ve fooled me. Last night…. Those were the best orgasms I’ve ever had. I’ve never come like that.”

  But his expression didn’t change. He remained aloof.

  “Aiden?”

  “You were honest with me, Jess. And I’ll do everything I can to help keep you safe and sound. But—”

  “But what?” Her heart lodged in her throat. “After that, we go our separate ways? This is just a fling to get you back in the saddle after a year’s hiatus? That’s fine.” Liar. “I’ll stay tucked away here, and we can be fuck buddies till I head back to Tampa.” She slid off the table and headed to the kitchen to get her shirt. “Whoever she was, Aiden, she sure did a number on you.”

  Clutching the loaner T-shirt to her chest, Jess grabbed the shopping bag and hurried to the opposite end of the house. Never before had she felt so exposed, so vulnerable. Safe inside the guest room, she closed and locked the door then leaned against it.

  He doesn’t want me. The thought made no sense. He’d pleasured her in such an attentive, loving way. How could he…? Unless what he said was true. That he’s been out of the game for over a year, and I’m just practice. God…I must have imagined the whole connection between us.

  She squeezed her eyes closed.

  And you threw yourself at him. What guy wouldn’t take such a blatant, desperate offer?

  Desperate? Well, crap. I was, wasn’t I?

  She stumbled to the bed and emptied the shopping bag onto the bedspread. T-shirts, shorts, undergarments, socks, hair clips…his sister seemed to have thought of everything. Jessica picked a lime-green flower-print T-shirt, a khaki leggings, and silky cream-colored bra and thong. Everything fit close to perfect. She stuffed the rest back into the bag then paused.

  Aiden’s shirt still lay on the bed.

  She picked it up, pressing the soft cotton to her nose and inhaling. Sandalwood and fire. She wasn’t sure how fire smelled, exactly, but, every time she was near him, his scent sure lit one inside her. She raked her fingers through her new dark hairdo, gathere
d her gumption, and opened the door. She made a beeline for the master, where she’d left her sneakers the night before. She couldn’t leave barefoot. She’d just snatch them up and go.

  Thankfully, the room was empty. The rumpled sheets caught her eye, but she forced herself to ignore them. At least she’d gotten to experience mind-blowing orgasms. For that, she was grateful.

  So why not stay and fuck each other blind?

  Because I’m not that kind of girl. She went to the far side of the bed where she’d left her shoes. I’ve got dignity. They weren’t there. She knelt on the carpet and looked under the bed.

  A big gray cat lay on top of her shoes. She dragged them and the tom out into the light. Ptomaine lifted his head, opened his luminous gold eyes, and yawned. A deep purring thrum filled the quiet.

  “You’re a good, brave boy.” She stroked the sweet cat who purred harder under her touch. Then he crawled into her lap, stretching out over her thighs. Scooping him up, she set him on the bed, grabbed her sneakers, and got to her feet.

  “Jess.” Aiden’s rough voice brought her around to face him.

  Chapter Eleven

  Damn she was beautiful. And smart. And as headstrong as an unbroken filly. “Stay.”

  She got her back up, hissing and spitting. “I’m not a damn dog.”

  “Never said you were.” He stepped toward her, and she stiffened. Ptomaine got to his feet and stood between them on the bed. Turncoat cat. He met Jess head-on. “But you will stay.”

  “The hell I will.” She strode toward him.

  He blocked the doorway. “Don’t be so damned hardheaded, and listen to me.”

  “I think you’ve made yourself perfectly clear.”

  “No, Jess. I haven’t. Sit on the damn bed and listen.”

  Fire dancing in her eyes, she plopped onto the mattress amid the tangle of sheets and pillows and bedspread. He wanted to kiss her so bad his teeth ached.