Caught in the Flames

by Kacey Shea

  “No.” His voice goes low and deep. The yellow hue in his eyes overtakes the green to create a deep shade of whisky. “I’ll fuck you so hard and so good that you’ll forget how to say his name.”

  Holy fuck!

  Ash has never spoken to me this way before. My entire body pulses with the need to crawl on top of him while he makes good on his offer. His eyes don’t leave my face and that’s when it hits me that he must be messing with me. I burst into laughter and Ash’s brow forms deep scowl lines across his forehead.

  “You’re fucking funny, Ashley,” I go to punch him in the shoulder. He catches my fist in his hand and rolls to his side to look down on me.

  “What? You don’t believe I can do it?”

  “You can’t be serious.” Oh shit. He is serious. Dead serious, and somehow I managed to deflate his ego. I don’t know why that provides me with a slight satisfaction. Probably because I’m tired of being everyone’s punching bag. It feels good to hold the power. But Ash is a friend and I don’t want to hurt him. “Look, Ash. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. I’m sure you’re a very capable fucker of women but my mind is still caught up in Chase. I’m still trying to get over what he did. Plus, he was like insanely good at sex. Like ridiculous. He was even an expert at kissing. I—”

  I hardly see it coming. One moment Ash is at my side, frowning at my rant, and the next he braces himself over my body. Claims my lips with his own while his left hand weaves under my back and up to the nape of my neck. He grabs my hair, tugs, and sends a flood of heat between my legs. I gasp and his tongue takes advantage with a sweep inside my mouth. His lips are soft but firm, moving with practice and purpose. He tastes like lingering mouthwash, clean and crisp.

  “Ash,” I moan.

  “Yeah, say my name.” His lips crush mine and his hand leaves my hair to skim along my side. I wish I could feel his hands all over my skin, and my entire body sings in anticipation of how far he’ll take this. I know it’s probably a horrible idea. He’s become a friend, but his body—mouth, lips, taste and touch—feels amazing.

  “Ash,” I say again but this time with purpose. “Ash, we should stop.”

  His lips trail down my neck to my clavicle and his hands go to my sides to hold himself over me. “Why?” He lifts his head to meet my stare but his lips move to the valley between my breasts. My sex tightens and I’m already wet.

  “I think it’ll ruin our friendship,” I answer half-heartedly and my fingers find their way to his ears. I don’t know why, but all of a sudden with him trailing kisses along the neckline of my shirt I feel the insane need to grip his ears and guide his head lower to where I’m a pulsing bundle of need and wetness.

  He meets my gaze and shakes his head. “No. Only make it that much better. Let me do this for you, Callie.” At that he rolls us so I’m on top of him and lifts my shirt up and over my head in one fluid swoop. “Fuck, you’re beautiful, you know that?”

  My body warms as his gaze travels over every inch of my skin. His fingertips skim up my sides and move toward my breasts. Shit. I just realized I’m wearing a boring white cotton bra and reach to cover myself.

  “Don’t you dare cover these tits.” He molds his hands to them and gives a little squeeze. “You’re fucking gorgeous. And I love your hair. All wild and sexy as fuck. Let me make you feel good, Callie. We’ll still be friends, I swear it. I don’t want to give that up, either.”

  I can feel his hardness between my legs and my sex begs to let him inside. My skin is warm and aware of his gaze, one so sincere that I believe him. I nod my head and he rolls his hips while pinching at my nipples from where they push against the fabric.

  “Say it, Callie. I need you to say it.” He lifts his hips and my body starts to rock in time with his, wanting, needing to match his rhythm.

  “Fuck me, Ash.”

  “Good girl,” he growls and claims my lips again. His right hand reaches inside my mess of hair to pull me to him.

  Good or not, I want this. I want him. His lips and the way his unshaved cheeks scrape against my skin excites every nerve of my body. His left hand smooths along my spine and two fingers slide under my bra.

  I gasp. He’s unclasped it already. “Damn Ash, you are a ninja.”

  He uses both hands to slide the straps down my arms. His eyes follow the action and he groans when my breasts are finally free. “If I’m a ninja, you’re a fucking goddess.” He pushes up on one elbow and uses the other hand to squeeze one breast while his lips lock around and suck my nipple. Hard. Oh, fuck, that feels good. I rock my hips over the erection that pushes against his jeans.

  “I’m sure you say that to all the girls.” Just as the words leave my mouth Ash rolls us so he’s once again over me.

  “No. None of that. There are no other girls.” He’s so bossy that I have to nod. “Just you. Got that? Say it, Callie.”

  “Yes, Ash. I’ve got you,” I whisper and he rewards me with a rock of his hips.

  His lips pull into a wide smile and he grinds against me once more before he drops his lips to mine and kisses me better than I’ve ever been kissed before.

  Gasps, moans, and groans fill the now inky dark room. My eyes flutter open as Ash moves from my lips to my neck, to my breasts, and then lower to where I ache for him.

  His fingers dip inside my yoga pants and my eyes snap open. Oh shit! Shit, shit, shit!

  “Wait! No! You can’t—” My fingers leave Ash’s ears—damn it, I didn’t even realize I was holding those—and grab my waistband to keep my pants in place.

  “What—?” Ash leans back on his heels. His chest rises and falls beneath his shirt and I really want to peel it off. But—

  “Callie, I can’t what?”

  My hands leave my waistband to cover my face. Damn it. Thankfully, it’s dark in here, but I still can’t chance it. He can never see the underwear I’m currently wearing. Fuck. I wasn’t planning on getting naked with anyone when I got dressed today, let alone Ash. I should’ve thrown this pair out months ago. Maybe years.

  If I’m remembering correctly, and I’m sure I am, these are the pale pink ones, covered in little bunnies. Which used to be cute but now they’re stained from two periods ago, a spot really, that I couldn’t get out and was too cheap to throw away reasoning no one would ever see them on my person.

  I open my fingers so I can watch his reaction.

  “I don’t want you to see—” God, why is it so hard to admit?

  “What?” Ash says with complete patience.

  “My panties. They’re awful.” There. I said it.

  “Oh, I’m certain I need to see them now.” Ash chuckles and skims his fingers down my inner thighs toward my center. I clamp my legs together and scoot away. It’s dark in the room; the only light sneaks in off the front porch from between the blinds. It’s dim enough that I think I have a fighting chance.

  “Only if you can catch me!” I scramble off the ground and race through the living room. Ash jumps off the ground way too quickly and blocks my entry to the kitchen. Damn the recliner that hinders my quick escape! I move to go left, feint right, and he follows my movement. Fuck! He’s too fast for me.

  I glance down at the ground, let fear and horror wash over my face and scream “Oh, my God! Ash! It’s Silas!”

  My ruse confuses him enough that I make it to the kitchen. I almost laugh as Silas glares up at me from the window sill. I swing open the door to the basement.

  Ash’s laughter follows me, but he doesn’t know Kiki’s furniture placement as well as I do. “Fuck! Mother fucker!” He swears at the bump of wood on wood. I’m sure he caught his foot or body on one of the kitchen chairs.

  I tear down the stairs, laughing at how ridiculous I must look running shirtless in a race to get to the bathroom. If I can lock the door, I’ll take off these undies and hide them. Then I’ll discard them so they never see the light of day!

  Fingers on the handle, I glance over my shoulder.

  “Gotcha!” Ash grabs my
waist and his fingers dig into my most ticklish spots.

  “No!” I scream through my laughter. He’s gracious and doesn’t torture me too long. He picks me off the ground and I try to get him back. I try everywhere—armpits, sides, and belly—but I don’t think this man is ticklish. Maybe on his feet, but I don’t get the opportunity to find out as he drops me onto my bed.

  His smile is wide and his stare heated as he peels off his shirt and tosses it to the ground. He toes off his shoes but leaves the pants, then crawls over my body to claim my lips once again.

  We kiss until I’m breathless. My fingers explore. I run them over his chest, arms, and back, but ultimately they find their way back to his earlobes and tug.

  He releases my lips and leans back on his heels. His hands yank my pants down past my hips before I realize it. Oh, God! No!

  “Aww . . .” Ash grins and pulls my pants the rest of the way off. “It’s little bunny foo foo.” He slides his body down between my legs and kisses just above the waistband.

  I try not to die of embarrassment. “I told you they were horrible.”

  “You’re right. Let’s get them off immediately.”

  I giggle and he chuckles. He still hasn’t tried to remove them, but watches me with such an unnerving gaze. His lips pull up at the corners and his thumbs rub tiny soft circles at my hips.

  “Hey,” I say without thinking. “You’re pretty awesome, Ash.”

  His smile catches the breath in my throat. “You’re pretty awesome yourself, Callie.” His brows rise and his smirk pulls to one side of his face. “Though I have to question your attraction to creatures with large ears. First these panties, and now this ugly mug.” He points to himself and I shake my head no.

  I know he’s joking, mostly, and probably to ease my own nerves, but I don’t want him to put himself down.

  “I love your ears. I’ve imagined pulling them to get your head between my legs so you can eat me out,” I admit.

  His eyes widen and in them I see his own lust mirror my own. “Fuck, I love that filthy mouth of yours. You want me to do that now?” He lays one kiss right on top of my dreadful underwear, just above my throbbing clit.

  I agree with Ash. These undies need to go. “Yes, please.”

  He hooks the sides and pulls the fabric away from my hips. It doesn’t rip, it just tightens across my belly. “The fuck? What are these things made of?”

  “What are you doing? Just pull them off.” I laugh.

  “I thought it’d be fucking hot to rip them off.” His face scrunches with determination and he sits up to give it another shot. “Shit. This is made of high quality chastity protecting super strength!”

  I burst out in laughter and place my hands over his to stop him from another failed attempt. “Let’s just take them off the old fashioned way.”

  Ash nods, a little disappointment and defeat written across his face.

  “I have better lingerie. I swear. It’s sexy as fuck. I can put it on right now and you can rip it off!” It’s a sincere offer to earn back his joy.

  He shakes his head, fingers hooking into the sides of my underwear. “Nah. I don’t need that. All I want is you.” And there it is again. I can’t breathe under the intensity of his gaze. I’m almost thankful for the stupid panties and our game of cat and mouse because being able to see him, like this, with the lights on is more sensual than anything I’ve ever experienced. His eyes don’t leave mine as he drags the scrap of fabric off my legs and tosses it over his shoulder.

  I eye his jeans. “My turn.” I reach for his pants. He slides away and uses his hands to push my legs open.

  “Sure. But first, I’m eating you out. I promised.”

  I don’t think he actually promised but I don’t argue as all thoughts and ability to speak coherent words leave my brain when his tongue licks between my folds. I watch him, his hands as they spread my legs apart, his face at my center, licking, sucking, and working me up to my release. My hands at his ears. Fuck! He’s good. So good. His oral skills are insane for someone who doesn’t walk around declaring it to the world.

  He moans at the same time he locks down over my clit to suck and I shout God knows what. My body covers in sweat and I’m hot all over. I’m so close, riding the edge, and I want nothing more than to get there.

  “Fuck, yeah. Come on my face.” He groans and moves one hand to finger inside me. He rocks two digits inside, working them in a come hither motion and my entire body shakes. I want him inside.

  “Fuck me, Ash!” I demand so breathy and sexy I almost don’t recognize my own voice. His hazel eyes travel up my body and lock with mine. He pulls his fingers from within me, replaces them with his tongue, and holds my gaze. His thumb flicks my clit, fast and steady, and that’s all it takes.

  I squeeze my eyes shut. My hips buck. Yes!

  Ash moans. His hands hold me steady as he sucks every bit of release from my body.

  When I finally come down enough to realize what I’ve done, the post sexual intercourse panic hits me full force.

  I can’t share orgasms with Ash and not fuck up our friendship.

  Callie, what the hell were you thinking?

  I hate that Ash sees me.

  “Callie, what’s running through that gorgeous head of yours?” He crawls up and over my body so that I have to meet his gaze.

  I chew on my lower lip. There are two ways to go about this. Be honest and lay out all the crazy that runs through my head, or lie.

  “Nothing.” I attempt a smile.

  His lips pull up at one side and he shakes his head. “Wrong answer. Callie. What’s wrong? I know you came because . . .” His smile pulls wider. “Well, because I felt it on my face and I love how you taste. So, what gives?” His fingers skim up and down my belly and his touch sends goosebumps all over my flesh. My sex tightens, my nipples harden, and I can tell he notices my body’s reaction because his eyes go lusty again, the hazel more amber than green.

  “Ash. I don’t want to lose our friendship.”

  “Okay, you won’t . . .” he draws out, watches my eyes, and traces shapes around my breasts and over my stomach.

  “Stop distracting me,” I pant. Attempting to focus my concern is not easy while he does that. I want to take off his pants. Shit. I glance down to find my fingers at the button of his jeans. I drop my hands to my sides.

  His fingers stop their delicious torture and he leans on his side so our bodies still touch. His fingers tilt my chin so our eyes meet and I roll from my back to my side, propping my head on my hand so we’re face to face.

  “I have a proposition that solves everything,” he says soft.

  “What?”

  “Come home with me.”

  I chuckle and shake my head. “Were you even listening to me?”

  “Hear me out. Come stay with me, just for the weekend. We’ll hang out, eat junk, watch movies, and fuck. Mostly, we’re gonna fuck because that was really good and I only made you come with my mouth. Can you imagine how much better the real thing will be?”

  I can imagine it. I want to roll him over and straddle his hips right now.

  “But won’t things get weird between us? I don’t understand how this can work.”

  “Let me lay it out for you. You want to get laid but you’re not ready to date. Me? I’m in the same boat. It’s perfect, really. We each help the other out.” His eyes light up as the words tumble from his mouth.

  “Wait, why aren’t you ready to date?”

  His smile dims. He blows out a deep exhale and rubs his hands over and through his hair. “Callie, you asked me once . . . The reason I decided to pick up and move two hours from the only place I ever called home, well, that’s my reason I’m not ready to date. Hell, I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.”

  “Tell me?”

  He pauses and takes one deep breath before nodding his acceptance. “Her name is Melanie. We were college sweethearts, stayed together while she went on to grad school and I joined the departme
nt. It wasn’t always easy, but we stuck it out . . . or so I thought. Last Christmas I asked her to be my wife, she said yes, and we were planning our wedding. Would’ve been this month, actually.” Bitterness drips from his words and I reach over to lay my hand over his heart, knowing whatever comes next isn’t good. It beats steady and fast through the ink on his skin.

  “I walked in on her and my best friend—practically my brother from all the years we fought fires together. I may have lost my mind for a short second.” Ash cringes and I have to ask.

  “What did you do?”

  “I punched him in the face while he was still inside her,” he admits with a smirk.

  “Ashley!” I exclaim, both impressed and horrified. I wish I could’ve punched Chase. “That’s why you transferred?”

  “Not by choice. I was placed on leave for three weeks to attend anger management classes and then given the choice: be transferred or fired. He was also my supervisor. That sort of behavior isn’t tolerated.”

  “But him fucking your fiancée is?” I’m horrified for him. That someone could be so cruel, especially after all the kindness he’s shown me.

  Ash shrugs as if it’s nothing. But I know exactly how that sort of betrayal feels. This is why he gets me. He knows. Ash drags his gaze down my naked body and my flesh prickles with awareness. Bam! Just like that I’m ready and wanting another one of his delicious and expertly delivered orgasms.

  “Melanie was an idiot.” I caress my hand down his abs and to that glorious dip near his hip that leads inside his pants.

  “Chase is an idiot too,” Ash says so earnestly he draws all my attention from his torso and back to his hazel hues. “So, what do you say, Callie Gordon? Care to partake of a little friendly fire?” He waggles his brows.

  “Okay.” Ash has my best interests at heart and would never hurt me. He’s right. We both want the same thing here. What could go wrong?

  “Okay?” His lips pull into a hopeful grin.

  “But how will this work? Don’t we need rules, guidelines?” That part inside of me, the one that craves order, buzzes with nerves at this turn of events.