Fly with Me

by Angela Verdenius

  “By the way, did you hear about any accidents? The cops, ambo and fire tanker all went out earlier.”

  “Mmm.” Ash frowned. “Heard on the grapevine by someone who saw it that there was a rollover outside town. Some traveller going over the speed limit, apparently, though I don’t know how reliable that is. They had to get the jaws of life to open the car and get him out.”

  “Is he alive?”

  “Don’t know. Won’t know until later, I guess.”

  They sat in silence for awhile, each lost in their own thoughts before Elissa finally got to her feet. “I’m going to get a cup of tea. Want one?”

  “Please.” Ash watched Tilly plodding up the garden path. “Better bring some Whiskas milk for Her Highness, too.” She followed the fat tabby’s progress as Tilly waddled past them to stop at the front door, looking at it with a vaguely disgruntled air that it wasn’t opened immediately for her. “Or maybe she’ll just have it inside.”

  “Got it.”

  They spent a happy afternoon relaxing, Ash going over some last minute details with Julia over the phone while Elissa checked the newspaper for rental properties, of which there were none.

  “Something will come up,” Ash assured her. “Otherwise you can stay here until something does.”

  “No way. I am not bumming off friends, especially newly-married ones.” Elissa folded the newspaper. “Julia runs a boarding house, I can go there.”

  “But-” Ash subsided when Elissa pointed a finger at her. “Okay.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’re a little bossy, did you know that?”

  “You mean you didn’t?”

  Elissa and Ash were sitting in the kitchen when Scott walked in. He looked a little grim, though he smiled when he greeted them, stooping to give Ash a kiss on the lips. He lingered, deepening it before obviously remembering they had company and straightening.

  Ash looked at him searchingly. “Everything all right?

  “I’m fine.” He leaned back against the kitchen bench. “Heard from Laz that there was a rollover outside town.”

  “That’s what we heard, too.”

  “Had to get the jaws-of-life to open the car.” Hands braced on the bench, he looked down at the floor. “One man and a little boy.”

  “Are they all right?”

  Elissa had a prickling of foreboding. “Simon was there.”

  He looked up at her. “The kid died in his arms.”

  She felt a little sick. “But the ambulance-”

  “They couldn’t get into the car until the jaws of life got it open. Simon was the one who got the kid out. Died in his arms.” A muscle ticked in Scott’s jaw. “It happens. No matter how much you try, sometimes you just can’t get them back.”

  “Poor Simon.” Ash stood and went to Scott, hugging him. “Was Ryder there, or Kirk?”

  Scott shook his head as he cradled Ash to him. “Nope. Donny, Laz, Simon, Phil, a couple of others.”

  “Where is Simon?” Elissa queried.

  “Back at the fire station cleaning up, doing paperwork, attending a debriefing with Laz.” Scott sighed. “The father had a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit.”

  “Stupid.” Ash shook her head. “Stupid, stupid, stupid. It happens time and again, they never seem to learn.”

  And because of that, a little boy had died. And Simon, sweet, caring Simon, how would he be feeling? Elissa glanced at the clock. He wouldn’t knock off until eight o’clock, another three hours away. He’d go straight home. Alone.

  She didn’t want him to be alone, to lie there and think about a little boy who had died in his arms, unable to be saved. The man was dedicated to his job, cared so much for people, this would be something that would stay with him for awhile, she just knew it.

  “Elissa.”

  Scott’s calling of her name finally penetrated and she looked up to find him watching her. “Yes?”

  “Simon’ll be all right,” he assured her quietly. “We’ve all done this before, it’s part of the job.”

  “It’s not easy though, is it?”

  “It’s never easy. Some things disturb us more than others, we each deal with it in our own way. We talk to each other, and some of us are lucky enough to talk to our families.”

  “Simon talks to you all, I know.” Didn’t mean it would make it easier for him, nor did it stop her worrying about him.

  Scott hesitated.

  “What? What’s wrong?” Worried, Elissa straightened in the chair.

  “Actually, Simon goes to the debriefings but he doesn’t really talk much about this kind of thing with us.”

  “I don’t understand. Surely he talks to you?”

  “On a surface level he’ll discuss things like this, but he never gets in-depth about it or really reveals that much. He’s the kind of bloke who deals with things on his own, always has done.”

  She hadn’t expected that, actually felt a little confused. “Why? You’re his best friends.”

  “Because we all deal with it in our own ways. There’s the company debriefing, and then there’s our own private ways to cope. Simon’s is to be alone, to do what he…well, does, I guess.”

  Silence filled the kitchen.

  Ash was still leaning against Scott, his arms around her as he cradled her close, his chin on top of her head. Ash looked over her shoulder at Elissa, concern in her eyes, but definite relief also that Scott was safe with her.

  And that was just it, Simon wasn’t with anyone, wasn’t being held, wasn’t being comforted. Did he want company, did he want someone to listen to him?

  Elissa looked at Scott. “Will he go straight home or to the pub?”

  “Simon never goes to the pub after this kind of thing. He’ll go straight home.”

  It didn’t really matter, wherever he headed for, she intended to be there first for him. “Can I borrow your car tonight, Ash?”

  “Of course,” Ash said immediately.

  The gratitude in Scott’s eyes was genuine.

  The next couple of hours were long, giving Elissa plenty of time to have doubts, strong doubts. Maybe she’d be intruding on his time, maybe he wouldn’t want her there. Maybe he wanted to be alone, to think about things. Maybe she’d overstep her boundaries.

  Okay, she assured herself as she slid into the car at ten to eight that night, maybe he wouldn’t want company, that was all right. She could always come back. But she wanted to be there to greet him, give him a hug, let him know she was there for him if needed, and if she wasn’t needed, no harm, no foul. She understood. She just wanted him to have the choice. Wanted him to know she was there for him.

  And, truth be told, she needed to be there for him.

  His house was in darkness when she pulled up in the driveway, parking on the side to allow him plenty of room to pass her to go into the garage. The veranda sensor light flared on as she locked the car door and strode over to the veranda, climbing the steps to cross over the smooth wood and sit on the swing chair.

  It wasn’t long before the sound of a heavy motorbike rumbled through the still night air, light beams cutting through the darkness, lighting up the gate as the motorbike slowed and turned into the driveway.

  Doubts plagued her again as she watched the motorbike pass the car and drive into the garage, her pulse picking up pace nervously as she stood. Had she done the right thing, the wrong thing?

  The powerful engine stopped, quiet once more descending.

  As she watched, Simon came out of the garage and walked towards the house, the helmet under one arm, long legs advancing steadily. Face expressionless, he took the steps easily, almost lazily, taking the last step to come to a stop right in front of her.

  She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, his usually happy face grim, eyes narrowed a little, his normally laughing mouth tight. Tension practically vibrated from him. Silently he looked down at her.

  God, he was so big, towering over her, his shoulders blocking out her immediate view of t
he night sky.

  And so grim. So very grim. So unlike his normal self. Her heart thudded as she looked up at him. Had she made a huge mistake?

  Chapter 11

  He couldn’t believe it. Expecting the usual silence and solitude of his home to absorb his emotions, to think things through as he normally did, he’d instead found Elissa waiting for him.

  She looked like an angel in that moment, those big eyes uncertain but compassionate, her shoulders stiff, standing her ground. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, a soft, tumbling cascade of silkiness over an emerald green cashmere jumper that draped low over her linen slack-clad hips.

  A pretty angel waiting for him.

  Elissa was life, sweetness, everything he wanted, everything he needed. So glad she was here, that she’d come to see him.

  Reaching out, he laid his hand against her cheek. “I’m not the best company right now, Lis,” he said a little hoarsely.

  “I’m not looking for the best company.” Her gaze searched his. “I’m looking for your company.”

  “It’s not been a good day.” He inhaled deeply, the scent of her filling him, warming the chill corners of his soul that had been so cold since that little body went limp in his arms, those wide, pain-filled blue eyes dulled.

  “Not every day is.” She stepped closer, looking up at him. “But I’m here, Simon.”

  That was all he needed, all he wanted.

  Leaning down, he brushed her lips with his, the tenderness of them making his heart ache with another emotion entirely. The warmth of them beckoned to him, her scent a siren’s call, her soft, warm body welcoming him home as she leaned into him.

  God, she filled him with warmth, filled him with the reminder that life was precious, life was fragile, life was here right now, and life could be good. She was a light amongst the darkness that had wrapped him in tight tendrils of sadness. An angel leaned against him, his angel, and he wanted nothing more than to have his angel wrapped around him, lose himself in her lushness, her sweetness, lose himself in everything that was her.

  He deepened the kiss, tasting her, filling himself with her, heart lifting when she kissed him back, the lightness of her, the compassion and inner beauty lightening his load so much.

  Lifting his mouth from hers, he looked down deeply into her eyes. “I need you.”

  “Yes.”

  “Stay with me tonight.”

  No hesitation, her eyes soft, lips softer. “Yes.”

  There was no need to say anything else.

  Unlocking the front doors, he took her hand and led her inside, flicking on the small wall light that bathed the hall in warmth. Relocking the doors , he placed his helmet on the hall side table, the keys in the glass dish, then still holding her hand, he walked to his bedroom.

  She followed unhesitatingly, coming to a stop beside him when he switched on the bedside lamp before straightening and turning to her.

  Her eyes were so trusting, her gaze on him when he reached for the hem of her jumper, obeying his unspoken command when he lifted the jumper to raise her arms and allow him to tug it up and over her head, all that silky hair spilling around her shoulders and down to curl around the light green, lacy bra that cupped those enticing, plump globes so lovingly.

  As he reached for the bra she leaned up and kissed him gently. So gently. Nothing hurried, nothing awkward, just a leisurely sweet kiss as though they had all the time in the world.

  They did. They had all night.

  He took her kiss, revelled in it, unclipping the lacy bra, pulling it gently from her arms before sliding his palms over her hips as he eased the slacks down over the generous curves, letting them drop free to slide his arm around her and pull her close.

  Silky hair, satiny skin, moist kisses, his hot little angel who stoked his flames higher, burning away the cold, replacing the sadness with desire and renewal of life.

  She took all that was bad and replaced it with all that was good, her hands sliding the jacket off his shoulders and down his arms to fall away, fingers unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it off to join the jacket on the floor.

  Simon didn’t know when it happened, not even sure when it happened or how, but suddenly he was the one being kissed, being stroked, Elissa’s soft palms smoothing down his chest, the buttons of his trousers being undone, the zipper pulled low, her thumbs hooking into his briefs to slide them over his lean hips, pushing them down to fall around his ankles.

  He toed off his boots and socks, kicked the pants and briefs free, and then, sweet Jesus, his shaft was between them, hot, hard, throbbing with need.

  He started to push her back towards the bed but she resisted, and for one second he had a sudden flash of fear that she didn’t want this, that she’d only allowed it to happen to comfort him, but when he broke the kiss, lifting his head to see her expression, she caught him off guard by dropping to her knees.

  Totally shocked him.

  And aroused him.

  God yes. How could he not be aroused by the sight of Elissa kneeling before him, her eyes so hot as she looked up at him, that slow, wicked lick of her lips as she reached out and -

  A groan fell from his lips, head dropping back, teeth sinking into his lower lip as her fingers closed around him, palm around his shaft, fingers encircling, squeezing gently but firmly, and then she started to pump him. Long and slow.

  The muscles in his thighs hardened, clenched, tension curling through him as hot, languid heat gathered in the apex of his thighs and trembled out in fiery trails to spread hedonistically down deep in his sac, prickling up the insides of his thighs, spiralling low in his belly.

  “Lis…” He gasped, hips jerking when her tongue suddenly rasped right across the swollen head of his shaft.

  He couldn’t help it, tipping his head forward, fists clenching as he watched her administer to him.

  Drive him insane with every flat-tongued lick scraping across the highly-sensitised head of his shaft, the tip of her tongue playing in the small slit, then as he groaned again, his hard shaft twitching, heat unfurling along the hard rod, his muscles braced for an eruption that never happened.

  She stopped licking, leaving him with his mind churning, his shaft so angry in her hand. Unbelievably, she released him, leaving his shaft to jut urgently up against his belly, turning her attention instead to trace lightly along his groin with the tip of her tongue, eliciting new sensations, a shiver of carnal desire snaking out along the fiery path her tongue made against his skin.

  She was driving him insane. His hips jerked again in need, seeking, searching, and automatically he reached for her, fingers twining in all that wealth of hair, tugging her head back gently but firmly when his instincts screamed to yank her head back, take her mouth. The carnal side could be ruthless, but his heart tempered it.

  Just.

  It totally undid him when she looked up at him, her eyes all soft and warm, a light of emotion in the light brown depths that shook him, but he didn’t have time to think about it, to wonder, not when his blood was so hot, so thick, his nerves stretched so erotically, tantalisingly taut, heat drumming along the fragile threads.

  Her nails raked lightly up the back of his thighs, the slight sharpness an alluring threat as she raked her nails around the inside of his thighs as she moved higher, her knuckles gliding against the heavy sac between his legs. The rake of her nails on his skin, the gentle glide of her knuckles against his sac, was a contradiction that drove his libido higher, fired up anticipation.

  “Simon.”

  His name so huskily spoken had him refocusing on her, seeing her face, watching as she locked her gaze with his and moved her head forward.

  Close, so very close, her palms trailing up the backs of his thighs to spread over his buttocks, one palm on each cheek, nails pricking lightly as she held him, using him to brace against as she rose up on her knees.

  Her breath was hot against his shaft, those thick eyelashes lowering, hiding her eyes from his as she tilted her head dow
n a little, breathing on the hot skin of his shaft.

  “Lis…” His voice was a harsh rasp in the room, his nerves so taut, heart hammering, the anticipation killing him, the need, the pure heat and the - “Oh God!”

  She sucked him in deep. One second her hands were on his buttocks, the next the dexterous fingers of one hand were around his shaft, holding him for her wicked mouth as she took the length of him in a sure slide to the back of her throat.

  His knees almost gave out, forcing him to lock them, his hands still bunched in her hair gripping convulsively. His head tipped back as pure, unbridled lust surged through him, his blood so thick and hot, pumping through him in a searing wave.

  He didn’t know what she did, how she did it, didn’t really care. Pure sensation burst through him, ardour clawing at his sac as she drew on him, her tongue rubbing against the underside of his shaft before she sucked hard then gentle, alternating the pressure, driving him wild.

  She readjusted suddenly, fingers leaving him, and then he felt her hands gripping his hips, thumbs pressing into the tender area of his groin on each side, sending flares out as the sensitive areas were pressed.

  Liquid heat flowed through him, the primal urge to claim, to thrust, and he couldn’t stop it, couldn’t help it, could only hold onto all that thick, lush hair as he started pumping into her mouth, hips snapping faster, harder.

  Ardour bit deep, knotted rigidly inside him, a fist of erotic hunger that clenched tighter, harder, every thrust of his shaft between those hot, plump lips into the depths of that tight, hot, wet mouth dragging his libido to screaming pitch.

  Then she deep throated him, his shaft buried up to the base in her mouth, and she swallowed hard, once, twice, three times, forcing that fist to release with shocking suddenness, hot seed boiling forth from his sac, erupting in a hot flood as he pumped hard, strained, the sensation of her throat closing around him making his head tip back, a throaty growl ripping from his throat with guttural prurience.

  She took everything he had, sucked him dry, ripping euphoria from him, flinging him out into a shattering cloud of erotic crystal.