by Morgan Fox
Once the scene was cleared, the firefighters returned their gear to the truck. Just as Sage gripped the handle to board the fire truck to return to the station, a flash of headlights drew her attention. It was another police cruiser arriving on scene. It wasn’t uncommon for several units to arrive. They kept the firefighters and tow crews safe, diverting traffic while assessment and clean-up was ongoing. Dismissing it, she climbed the last step and took her seat, twisting enough to see the new officer approach, flashing a devilishly sexy and all too recognizable smile.
Jace Burnette.
A flutter of something unfamiliar took up residency in her stomach. Three nights in a row she’d seen him and the affect he had on her had been the same. Unsettling.
Facing front, she pretended not to notice him. Her brain hurt, working overtime, pondering why she was thinking about a guy she shouldn’t be. His apparent interest confused the hell out of her. She didn’t like it and she certainly wasn’t prepared to handle it.
The engine revved and the rig started to move. The urge to glance back at Jace gnawed at the back of her mind, teasing the hairs on the nape of her neck to stand on end. She closed her eyes, blowing out a controlled breath, hoping to keep her racing heart contained in her chest. Jace was driving her mad and this awkward flirtation, if that’s what it was, had to be stopped.
“Why do you look like you’re going to be sick?” Jeremy asked through their headpiece.
She forced a smile, glancing in his direction. “I’m good.”
“Sure about that?”
She frowned. “Stop prying, Jeremy, or I’ll tell everyone here your nickname from Zerina.”
He chuckled. “If you do that, then I’ll have to tell everyone here who has the hots for you.”
She locked her jaw, narrowing her eyes. “That’s playing dirty.”
He grinned. “That’s love and war, baby.”
Her glare intensified. “Not funny. Not funny at all.”
He laughed. “So is he the reason you look sick. I don’t blame you. He’s not the kind of guy I’d want to see you with. He’s looking for a one night affair. Not a commitment. I’d prefer to see you with a guy who—”
How did Jeremy know what Jace wanted? Had Jace talked with him after she left the party? “Wait? How would you know anything about this?”
“He told me,” he said candidly. “In fact, he told everyone at the party. He’s a player, Sage. He doesn’t want long-term. He wants sex. That’s it.”
Sex? Only sex?
Why did that sound good?
Shit, right now the desert is wetter than me.
“And you think I’d want a long-term relationship?”
Jeremy eyed her, his expression curious as if baiting her for the right answer. “Don’t you?”
Did she? No. Maybe if things were different, and she wasn’t ashamed of her body, then she’d want someone around all the time. But trusting someone like Jace to not make fun of her or be repulsed by her, that wasn’t possible. He was too perfect. Too interested in—well, she didn’t know.
“You already know I don’t. We’ve talked about this. Relationships are for people like you and Zerina. Not me. I like my freedom. I don’t need a man.”
Why did hearing those words move from her lips feel like the biggest lie she’d ever told?
Jeremy raised his hands to ward off her visible irritation. “Just checking. Things change.”
She closed her eyes, picturing Jace smiling at her as they made love, his fingers dragging intimately over the scars on her back. His touch upon her skin set fire to her soul, warming her straight to her toes. He wasn’t repulsed. He was anything but. Too bad that was only a fantasy, to be with a man who saw her, not her scars. That was a future she wasn’t destined for. A life alone was the life that was in store for her. The one she had no other choice but to embrace.
The one I’ve been preparing myself for since the accident.
Swallowing the vile acid that churned in her throat and settled on her tongue, she stiffened her spine and stared out the window of the firetruck, hoping to rid herself of the wayward thoughts that circled around Jace. He’d somehow worked his way into her mind and he wouldn’t go away.
Was it possible that her sexual needs were trumping her logical ones? Whatever was happening to her, whatever desires that were surfacing, they had to stop and they had to stop now or she was likely to do something stupid like show up at Jace’s house and beg him to sleep with her.
With the lights off, of course.
* * * *
Jace watched as the fire truck drove away with Sage inside. He hadn’t expected to see her as he arrived. But doing so had only reinforced his desire to see her again.
He had to come up with a plan of action, a way to get her alone without the chance of escaping him. All he needed was a few minutes to show her all he could offer her and then she’d be putty in his hands. No woman could resist him when he went full out and he was prepared to do that for her.
Reaching for his cell phone, he texted Zerina. He needed backup, a wingman other than Janie who only taunted him. Now that Janie had found a love of her own, she wouldn’t rest until he did, too, and that was not about to happen. So, Zerina it was. She at least knew where he stood and since Jeremy had mentioned that Sage was a career woman who might consider a no ties night of sex, he was sure she would be interested in helping him.
The message was simple: Hook me up with Sage.
He grinned, hoping she’d have some way of getting him some face time with Sage. He didn’t want to seem like a stalker or some freak who was hard up for firefighters. But he had to admit, her profession was a turn on. He liked that she was tough and in a field like his. He respected her and that made her only more attractive.
His phone vibrated and he read the screen with a smile. I was hoping you’d ask.
Tucking his phone back into his pocket, he moved to the other officer. With an unusual pep in his step, he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. Sage Nixon was about to get a taste of Jace and she’d never be able to resist him once she did. He was sure of it.
* * * *
Sage stepped into the back door at Iron Horse and glanced around to find Zerina. She wasn’t around. No one was.
She’d gotten a text from Zerina just before her shift ended at the fire station asking if she’d stop by this morning. There was no telling what she wanted. After meeting her, thanks to Jeremy, she and Zerina had instantly connected. Sage didn’t have many girlfriends, so having Z was special, like having a sister.
A loving, opinionated, and always in my business kind of sister.
She moved about the bar, searching for anyone. Before she could call out for Zerina, the back door opened. The muscles in her body locked up as Jace Burnette strolled on in.
She bit her tongue. Her mind needed a moment to register what she was seeing, what was happening. Again, her heart beat so hard she feared it would crack a rib. She placed her hand over her heart and gathered up a large breath of calming air.
Did all officers look that good in uniform?
“Hi,” Jace said, his deep voice tunneling its way into her ears.
“W—what are you doing here?” she stammered, trying to shove down effects he had on her—the fluttering tingles in her belly, the shivers of heat on her skin, the naughty thoughts that plagued her mind. Everything.
Jace arched a sexy brow—a brow that should’ve just been dark hair, but it was so much more—leaving a rush of heat charging through her veins. Then again, maybe it was his piercing hazel eyes that ignited something dangerous inside her. Maybe it’s a little of both. She shook with the need to brush her fingers through his hair and feel the softness against her skin.
“I came to see you.”
Her brain processed his words a little too slowly. She was sure he’d said he’d come to see her. But that couldn’t be right. Surely, he was just working at the bar today.
“What?”
He inched towa
rd her, a slow and steady progress that had her watching his every move. “I wanted to see you again, Sage.”
Oh God. “Why?”
His advancement quickened, moving like a panther, preparing to pounce on its prey. “Why do you think?”
She licked her lips, unable to think of nothing but two sweaty bodies touching, kissing, and loving one another until breathless and spent. An experience she’d never had in her life, and had fanaticized about daily, thanks to her celibate lifestyle. With Jace closing in, her nerves vibrated with unease.
Easing away, her spine went ramrod straight. “I wouldn’t know.”
The corner of his mouth curved upward, tormenting her eyes with its wicked intent. “Sure you do. I can’t imagine you’ve never seen a man look at you as I am. Hungry. Filled with desire.”
If her panties were made of anything other than cotton they would’ve melted clean off. Yet, she couldn’t make herself do more than resist his suggestions, his obvious sexual interest.
“I’m sorry, Jace. I’m not sure what you mean.”
He eradicated the distance between them, cornering her with no escape. His breath on her face, he whispered, “I want to fuck you, Sage. I want to give you a night of pleasure you’ll never forget.”
Her breath hitched.
“I don’t want marriage or an everlasting relationship, but I want you, and I’m pretty sure the idea of sex with me isn’t all bad.”
She laughed nervously. Wow, he was conceited. She’d give him that much. But at this point, sex wasn’t a bad idea. Being naked with him, with anyone, was. “You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
His chest was almost touching hers, his mouth dangerously close. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and cut with deep muscles that had her tongue thickening in her mouth. Damn, it wasn’t normal for her to want to nibble on a man’s neck like a vampire, or drag her tongue over his body like a kitten lapping up milk. But she did. His heated stare tempted her beyond reason. When the tip of his tongue dipped out to moisten his lips, she was sure she was done for.
“Follow me home, Sage. Follow me home and let’s spend our day off making love.”
She shivered as his fingers crept up her arms, brushing over her sensitive skin. She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“I’ll cook,” he told her, with an award winning smile. “I’ll make it worth your while. Come home with me.”
She closed her eyes, wiggling out from his touch. “No. I can’t.”
He turned to face her, his expression that of disappointment. He lowered his gaze and then pulled out his cell phone. He punched something into his phone and then slid it back into his pocket. Her phone jiggled.
“That’s my number and address. Let me know if you change your mind.” He took a few long strides toward the back door, but turned one final time. “I promise, you won’t regret it.”
That’s just it. I will.
The second Jace disappeared, Zerina entered the room, her hands dug into her hips. “Well, if you were a fighter pilot, that crash and burn would’ve been epic.”
Sage frowned. “What?”
“You were supposed to tear his clothes off and let him do you right there on the pool table. I was sure he’d have his hand in your pants and have you writhing like a freak.” She shook her head. “I’m so disappointed.”
Sage scoffed. “Sorry, but I’m not like that. I don’t even know him.”
“That’s the point,” Zerina barked. “He wants you. He’s hot. You’re hot. You’re available. What’s the problem?”
Available? Sage raked her fingers through her hair, tension resting on her shoulders. God, I’m so not available. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Zerina folded her arms over her chest and glared at her the only way Zerina knew how—with an attitude that said she’d never back down until Sage spilled her guts on the floor between them. “Try me.”
She blew out a harsh breath. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Yeah, I’m picking up on that and I don’t give a shit. What’s going on, Sage? What’s got you so scared you can’t give a hot guy like Jace a chance to get into your pants?” She hiked her shoulders high, almost touching her ears. “I don’t get it. It’s the perfect set up for benefits with no commitment.”
“He won’t like me.”
“He already does.”
She tossed her hands in the air and faced Zerina, her pulse thumping hard at her temples. “Not once he sees my back. He’ll be like everyone else then. An asshole just waiting to make fun of me.” Her eyes rounded, hearing herself say the words aloud to someone else felt raw and revealed just how vulnerable she was. Acid churned in her belly. “Look, forget I said anything. I’m not interested in dating or fucking anyone. So you can stop with the matchmaker stuff, okay?”
“No,” Zerina snapped. “It’s far from okay. You don’t just dump that information on a friend and then say forget about it. Why do you think he’d make fun of you? Are we even talking about the same guy?”
Sage pursed her lips, a cold chill racing through her. She didn’t want to talk about her past, hated the way it made her feel, the reminder that she, not only had an unattractive body, but that she’d lost her parents. A child should never have to go through what she did. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair.
Zerina would never leave her alone if she didn’t say something. She knew that firsthand, but explaining her past wasn’t something she was prepared to do.
So she blurted out what she could. “I was thrown from a car when I was a kid and the glass cut my back, scaring me. The boy I lost my virginity to started rumors about me and it spread through school like wildfire.”
“What a douche,” Zerina snapped, curling her lip. “What’s the prick’s name? I’ll have Reid or Luke go bust his balls.”
Sage smiled, appreciating her friend’s gesture to have their cop friends rough up someone who’d hurt her. “Thanks, but I’m good. It’s been awhile anyway.”
“And still you won’t give Jace a chance because of said douchebag.” Zerina smirked. “Maybe you’re not really over it, after all.”
Sage grimaced.
Zerina raised her hands in a non-threatening manner. “I’m just pointing out the obvious. I’m also making you aware that douchebag and Jace are two different people at two different periods in their lives. Douchebag was a kid. Jace is a grown man who happens to adore women. He also finds you hot, sexy, and apparently irresistible.”
“He’s blind.”
Zerina laughed. “Or you’ve got something he really wants a taste of.”
A moment of sexual lust engulfed her as she imagined the kind of sex she could have with a man like Jace. She blew out a breath and glanced toward the pool table. A blush burned her cheeks as Zerina’s words echoed in her mind, taking shape as she lay on the pool table with Jace’s face buried between her legs, lapping at her wetness like a man starved and craving only one thing. Her.
She bit the inside of her cheek to stop the racing desire from saturating her panties. It was too late. The damage was done. She was attracted to Jace and wanted him to pleasure her the way she imagined. She just didn’t think she could get past the humiliation of her unattractive body.
She pulled out a chair and sat down. Lost and confused, she covered her face with her hands.
Zerina knelt in front of her and eased her hands down. “Don’t panic over this. Trust that Jace won’t be like that other guy. Trust that it won’t be a bad thing. He’s actually a really cool guy. He loves the gals that work at Iron Horse like sisters and he’s so protective of them. Ask Janie about the background check and verbal warnings he gave to Victor when she started dating him. A douchebag would never be like that.” Zerina smiled. “Jace might not want a committed relationship, but it doesn’t mean he won’t treat you with respect. Let sex be sex. Let getting to know him be fun. If you don’t want a relationship, what harm could come from relieving a bit of sexual frustration?”
Sh
e could list a few things, but she didn’t want to. She’d prefer to be with a hot guy like Jace without fear of humiliation, but she couldn’t change who she was and hiding from him was clearly not an option. He was recruiting her friends to help him, for crying out loud. It was obvious he was interested in her, more so than any man had been in a long time.
“Give him a chance. Dinner, drinks, see where it goes from there. Can you do that?”
She twisted her hands in her lap, her heart lodged in her throat. “I don’t know, Zerina.”
Zerina stood. “No pressure or anything, but I bet Jeremy $100 bucks and five blowjobs that you’d give Jace a shot. If I lose, I won’t be a very nice person, Sage.” She patted her shoulder. “But like I said, no pressure.”
Sage laughed. “Right. No pressure.”
Chapter 4
Staring in the mirror, Jace’s stomach clenched. Damn, he was working way too hard to get into a woman’s pants. He ground his teeth as tension twisted the muscles in his chest, shoulders, and arms. Flexing his hands open and closed, annoyance saturated his thoughts. Sage’s constant rejections were beating the hell out of his self-esteem, something that had never happened in his life.
What the hell am I doing wrong?
He cocked his head, studying the angles of his face, the slight lines around his eyes, the shadow of hair on his head, everything. He looked good. Not even a pimple. Sighing in frustration, he wrangled himself out of his uniform and tugged off his undershirt, tossing it onto the bed. Snaking a pair of khaki shorts from his dresser, he slid them on and made his way into the kitchen. He wanted a beer. More like needed several to ease the wonder of dismissal from his mind. Sage had looked at him like all women did when they were about to drop to their knees and beg him to do what he did best, but damn it if she told him no. He had never heard the word no, not ever from a woman.