by Kim Loraine
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Giving you some privacy.”
“I don’t want privacy.” My whole body aches for him. “I want you. We agreed to a two-night-stand. You owe me one more night.”
His eyes flash with desire and frustration. “You were the one who left. Technically, you owe me.”
“Then get over here so I can pay up.”
Chapter 10
Sawyer
I don’t want to take advantage of this beautiful creature in my bath. Clover is fragile after such a traumatic experience. But damn if I can’t stop staring at her. Her full tits bob in the water, begging for me to take them in my hands as I lick and kiss every inch of her.
“Please, Sawyer? I’ve been dreaming of you every night. I need you.”
That’s it. I’m done. Self-control destroyed. “Fuck, sweetness. You’re killing me.”
“Then get in. I want to wash away this horrible night and replace it with memories of you and me.”
I shove my boxer briefs down my hips, aware of the throbbing erection between my thighs and not a bit embarrassed. This is what she does to me. What she’s done since the first time I saw her. Stepping into the hot water, I settle myself behind her, and nestle her between my legs. That perfect ass of hers rubs against me, teasing and tempting me.
Her long hair floats in the water, obscuring my view of her nape and shoulders. I want to taste her skin. With gentle fingers, I brush the locks to the side and dip my head to feather my lips over her. She shivers and moans as I bite down on the tender spot between her neck and shoulder. I love making her react this way. She’s mine and I’m not letting her go. She might think this is only for one more night, but I’m going to do everything I can to make this last forever.
My hands find her breasts and I cup their weight, loving the softness of her skin. “Mine,” I whisper against her ear.
“Yes,” she moans. “I’m yours.”
Then she turns her head and takes my lips with hers. I’m desperate to be inside her again. She’s been dreaming of me? I’ve been obsessed with her. My hand drifts down her front, trailing lower until I’m between her thighs. She bucks at my touch, and when I sink two fingers inside her tight heat everything in her tenses.
“Oh, God.” Her words are laced with desire.
“Do you want me, Clover?”
“So much.” She groans and shifts, brushing her ass over my cock. “But you’re so big and I’m so small. You’ll have to be careful.”
I bite her shoulder and roll my thumb over her clit. “I’ll always be careful with you, sweetness. I never want to hurt you.”
I’m not going to fuck her in this tub, but if I don’t stop, I’m going to have a hell of a time containing myself. Moving my hand away from her center, I begin massaging her shoulders, the tight muscles instantly relaxing under the pressure of my hands. “Why are you so good at everything?”
A laugh rumbles from my chest. “I’m not good at everything.”
“You’re a hero, you can dance, you know exactly how to touch me…”
Pride fills me. “You’re really good for my ego.”
“It’s true. I think you might be a figment of my imagination.”
I grab the body wash and pour some of the gel into my palm. “I’m one-hundred percent real, sweetness. And I’m all yours.”
She leans forward as I run my hands over her, soaping up her skin. “For now,” she murmurs.
“We’ll see about that.” I have no plans to let her leave this house without guaranteeing she’ll be mine. “Lean your head back. Let me wash your hair.”
She does, her long locks dipping below the surface of the water, breasts floating and tempting me. But I contain myself. I focus on my job, getting the scent of smoke from her beautiful hair. When she’s clean and relaxed, I let the water drain and help her out of the tub.
I’m hard and aching, desperate for her, but I have to ask. “Are you sure you want to do this? It’s been a long night and I didn’t bring you here to get you in bed.”
Her hand slides down my front until she grips my cock. Sparks ignite between us and I reflexively thrust in her grasp. “I’m sure. But, can I ask for one thing?”
“Anything,” I moan as she strokes my shaft.
“I want to be on top.”
My knees nearly buckle. Jesus. My balls tighten as she rolls over the crown and all the way back down. I’m going to fucking come all over her right here and right now. “I’m going to need you to stop doing that.”
Eyes widening, she stills. “What?”
“Sweetness, you’re going to make me come if you don’t stop. I want to put every drop inside you, where it belongs.”
Her nipples are tight little buds, dusky pink and ready for me to taste. I grab her ass and lift her until she’s nestled against my cock with her legs wrapped around me. Then my lips find her nipple and she cries out as I suck hard. Warm wetness has her pussy sliding along my length. “Bed,” she moans.
I carry her into the bedroom, nipping and sucking her as she grinds herself on me. Fuck, even that has an orgasm threatening to erupt without permission. I lie back on the bed, taking her with me, so fucking ready for her to ride me.
“Your turn to own me now,” I say, staring into her eyes.
She grips me as she rises to her knees. “I don’t really know—”
My hand slides across hers, and I position myself at her entrance. “Just slide down slowly. You’re in control. Take as much or as little as you want.”
My tip presses inside as she sinks down at an excruciating pace. Warmth covers me with every inch she envelops. “God, you’re so big.”
“You don’t have much to compare me with.”
“I’ve watched porn. You’re bigger than those guys.”
I grin. “You’re so naughty.” Then I grip her hips and pull her down just a little more. “I should spank you.”
“Yes,” she cries, taking all of me in one final movement. “Yes, please.”
Shit, there it is. I’m going to come. Just the thought of me reddening her ass as I fuck her, making her wet with my punishment, I don’t think I can hold off my orgasm. “I need you to move. Make yourself come. I can’t hold back much longer. You’re too tight and you feel too damn good.”
Rolling her hips, she works my length as I grit my teeth against the mounting pleasure. Her fingers dig into my chest as she picks up the pace. Her moans fill the air and my cock gives a jerk as I begin to pulse inside her. Then the familiar clench of her walls around me sets me off. I fill her with every ounce of my seed while she cries my name.
With a happy sigh, she rests on my chest, my arms wrapped tight around her. I’m still inside her and I don’t want us to move. I don’t want this to end. But she moves off me and lies on her side facing me. Her eyes are closed, and there’s a soft smile turning up her lips. I could watch her like this forever. Hers is the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen.
“I think I’m in love with you,” I murmur into her hair. She doesn’t respond, her long lashes still resting on her cheeks. I brush back a lock of hair and let my hand linger on her jaw. She’s sleeping, peaceful and perfect…and mine.
Chapter 11
Clover
I wake to an empty bed and cold sheets. Sawyer left me. Why? Did I do something to upset him? The ache between my legs is a combination of desire and the use of muscles I haven’t grown accustomed to. It’s a delicious soreness and I want more. The sound of a door opening and closing filters in from the hall, bringing a smile to my lips. He didn’t leave, not for good. Rising, I stretch and yawn before glancing around the room for my clothes. Then I remember my undressing happened in the bathroom.
I pad to the large bathroom and stare at the tub, that intimate moment between us will always be etched into my memory along with the scent of chamomile. But my clothes are no where to be found. Frowning, I walk back into the bedroom and make my way to the tall chest of drawers nestled in a c
orner. If he’s going to steal my clothes, I’m going to steal his. I pull a dark blue FDNY shirt from the top drawer and pull it over my head. It hits me at the top of my thighs, but everything is covered.
Music floats through the air, a new song by one of my favorites. Easton Harrison sings about his love being a whiskey sour and I fight a swoon. That man’s songs just speak to me. I follow the sound until I’m standing at the corner which leads to the kitchen. Sawyer is making pancakes in a T-shirt and sweatpants and I think I might orgasm just from the sight of him. He’s flipping the flapjacks, singing along, and looking like my idea of a wet dream.
“You sound like him,” I say, making him jump.
“Jesus, you’re fucking quiet.”
I can’t suppress my giggle. “Pancakes?”
He shrugs. “I had to go out and get my truck from the station. Figured you’d want breakfast.”
His gaze travels over my form and he smiles, setting down the spatula and striding toward me. In one smooth move, he’s pulled me in his arms and is kissing the life out of me. He only lets me go so he can flip the last batch of pancakes onto a plate.
I’m breathless and a little lightheaded as I watch him. “See? You can do everything. You can even sing like Easton Harrison.”
He laughs and a slight blush colors his cheeks. “Technically, he sings like me.”
“What?”
“He’s younger than me by two years.”
“I’m slightly concerned about your level of Easton Harrison trivia.”
Eyes twinkling with amusement, he lifts me until I’m seated on the cold marble countertop. I squeal when the chill hits my bare skin. “He’s my cousin.”
“You’re kidding?”
He avoids my gaze, raking a hand through his hair as he moves around the kitchen. “We wrote some of his first songs together. I still get royalties on them.”
“So you’re actually a rock star firefighter?”
“I’m not a rock star. I never was. That’s not the life I wanted.”
“That worked out really well for me.”
He cocks an eyebrow and meets my eyes. “How so?”
“If you were off being a famous musician, you wouldn’t have been around to save me.”
A bright smile changes his face from brooding and pensive to something completely surprising. He looks carefree, young—happy.
“Then I’m glad I made the choices I did.”
He adds a few cut strawberries to both plates and pours maple syrup on our pancakes, handing a plate to me once he’s finished. “Thanks,” I murmur, a little overwhelmed by him. “This looks fantastic.”
Another shrug has me wishing I could climb this man like a tree and show him just how much I appreciate him. “My mom always said a man should be able to cook for his woman. That there’s nothing more important than being able to provide everything for the person you love.”
My heart lurches. Love? “Why didn’t you come for me?”
His eyes darken, but he takes a deep breath. “I should’ve.”
Part of me wants to run away so I’m not able to hear any more. The expression on his face tells me everything. Something terrible happened.
He plants a hand on either side of my legs, leaning forward and I instinctually part my thighs for him. “I was going to come after you. As soon as you left. But I got a call about my mom.”
My chest hurts. “What happened?”
“Her transplant came through.”
“Transplant?”
“Mom has kidney disease. She’s been on the donor list for a kidney for a while. It wasn’t looking good. That’s why I moved back. She had to have dialysis three times a week and there was no one around to take care of my little brothers.”
“How old are they?”
“Ten and eight.” He looks away and then back at me. “I was the surprise baby, the one you get married because of. Mom and dad got divorced when I was five. She remarried and had the boys.”
“Where’s their dad?”
“Fuck if I know. My mom is a strong woman, but she’s got shitty taste in men.”
My heart aches for him. It’s obvious how much he loves his mother and brothers. “So, you came back and watched the boys while your mom had her treatments?”
“I did. Three days a week. I drove her to the treatments, entertained my brothers for four hours, picked her up. But there was a lot more. She was weak, sick, and I had to pick up the slack. God help me, I resented it all. That’s why meeting you was so perfect. I didn’t have to be the guy who had shit loads of baggage. I could be whoever you needed. You were exactly what I wanted.”
That brings me up short. “What am I now?”
“You’re the woman I wanted to run after in that hotel. If I’d had the chance, I would’ve scooped you into my arms and rushed us off to Vegas so I never had to let you go.”
What? He can’t be serious. “But, you couldn’t do that.”
“No. Mom got a kidney. She called right after you left me. I had to rush home, take care of the boys until she was in recovery. And then it was a long four weeks of rehabilitation, physical therapy, appointments, and me keeping things going for her.”
“Thank God. Is she okay?”
He nods. “She’s better than she’s been in a long time. She still has a few weeks of recovery ahead of her, but my mom is one of the strongest people I know.”
“So you really were going to come for me?”
He drops his forehead to mine and kisses me. “Fuck yes, I was. I don’t ever want to let you go.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely, sweetness. I’m in love with you.”
I thread my fingers in his hair and pull his lips to mine, fighting the tears that burn in my eyes. “I’m in love with you, too. I think I have been since the rehearsal.”
“Stay with me. Don’t go to a hotel when your insurance kicks in. I want you here, in my home, in my bed.”
I nod. “Yes. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”
Chapter 12
Sawyer
Clover has been here for two weeks, her perfection only adding to the sanctuary of my home. For the first time in a long time, going on shift has been hell. I used to love going to the station, getting called to emergencies, and the rush of not knowing what we’d be walking into. But now that I have Clover waiting for me at home, all I want is to return safely to her. She’s my world, and I’m going to ask her to be mine as soon as I get a moment alone with her.
The alarm rings through the firehouse, lights flashing, setting us all into action. One more call before this shift is over and I can crawl into bed with my love. I step into my waiting turnout gear and climb into my seat in the engine. I need this to be an easy call, something that will get me home to her at a decent time.
“What’s on deck?” I ask.
Anderson glances back at me. “It’s the middle school. Pretty sure it’s just an alarm.”
My gut clenches. “Preston is at the middle school.” Anderson knows my little brother. The kid has been at the station, hanging out after school, more than once.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” he says, shrugging. “Probably some kid pulled the alarm.”
Nodding, I fight the wave of fear cresting in me. “You’re right. It’s the end of the school year. It was probably Preston who pulled the alarm.”
We arrive at the school, all the kids are evacuated and standing in straight lines, well, straight-ish lines and I immediately spot my brother. Front and center, he’s standing with the principal and I realize I was right. Shit. My brother did pull the alarm. I’ll deal with him later.
After checking the interior and deactivating the alarm, we sweep the exterior and deem the school safe. Anderson is talking with the principal while my brother stands nearby, guilt written all over his face.
“Hey, P. What’s all this about?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light. I’m not his dad, but I am a lot older than him. It’s hard not to treat him like my
own kid rather than my kid brother.
“Preston here pulled the alarm,” the principal says.
“I figured.” I address the woman but keep my gaze on my brother. “Why would you do that? You know better.”
Preston shifts from foot to foot. “I wanted to see you. It’s been weeks.”
Guilt swamps me, a powerful wave nearly knocking me to my ass. “So you call me. You don’t pull false alarm.”
He hangs his head. “I know. I’m sorry.”
The principal clears her throat. “It’s a two-day suspension.”
My gaze snaps to hers. “Seriously? You know our mom just had a kidney transplant, right?”
“I’m aware. I am sorry about this, but it’s out of my hands.”
I drag a hand over my jaw and sigh, shaking my head in Preston’s direction. “I can’t take him with me right now, but I’ll come back for him after my shift.”
She nods. “He can stay in my office. I’m sure he’s got something to work on.” Her gaze goes to Preston. “Don’t you, Mr. Murphy?”
My little brother nods and I clap him on the shoulder. “I’ll be back.”
This was not how I wanted today to go. I had plans for my girl but I’ll be dealing with Preston instead. When I get back to the station, I immediately sigh in relief at the sight of the C-shift crew. They’re here and ready to take over, thank fuck. I change and grab my keys and phone. As soon as I close the door to my truck I call Clover, knowing I’ll wake her, but needing to hear her voice.
“Hello?” she says, a smile in her tone.
“Hey, sweetness. You up?”
She gives a soft laugh. “It’s after eight, of course I am.”
“Damn, I was hoping to catch you in bed.”
“Sorry to disappoint. I’ve been up since six.”
“Fuck, why?”
“I do work, you know. I had some paperwork to catch up on, and a few other things to do before the shop opened for the day.”
I sigh.
“Everything okay?” she asks.