Fire (Beautiful Ashes Series, Book 2)

by Ann, Lora

  An eerie silence pushed against Tar’s chest, making breathing strained. His skin prickled with awareness. Something evil was close. The taste of stagnant air on his tongue. A rancid odor in his nostrils drew him right instead of left. His mind began to process the scene. She was so small and so broken. A teenager he realized on closer inspection. Her clothes told him she was a runaway who’d been surviving on the streets. Not long from what he could tell through all the blood. He bent down knowing she was long gone. No need to check for a pulse. Poor child suffered a horrific death. Nothing less than a monster had torn into her and left her most private areas exposed in a disgusting display. Tar shut his eyes tight. His emotions locked up as he searched for anything to give the dead girl an ounce of decency. He prayed silently, knowing he needed to call it in. There was protocol the team followed, and as soon as he could, the report would be filed. Shit. He wished he’d brought a cell phone with him. But being off the grid meant phones were a no go.

  A man’s stern command brought Tar to full attention as he followed the sounds of a struggle. Odd. Most murderers didn’t need another fix so fast. But what he came upon wasn’t that at all. Mitch had a hold of Keeley as she tried with all her might to get away. “Damn it! Hold still and just listen to me,” Mitch pleaded, and Tar could tell he was trying hard not to hurt her. Keeley was making that almost impossible.

  He stepped into Mitch’s line of sight. A nod passed between them. Tar grasped Keeley from behind and her head thrashed. He cupped her jaw and hissed in her ear. “Knock it off, Tigress.”

  Keeley stilled instantly. She tried to call out his name but only managed a squeak.

  Mitch assisted with, “She’s lost her voice.”

  Tar chuckled darkly. “Under other circumstances that could be fun.”

  Damn him for turning her on, she thought and attempted to smack him with the back of her head. His hold made that move difficult at best and all she managed to do was rub up against him in a way that made both of them groan at the contact. Mitch interrupted, “We need out of this alley. Bad vibes, man.”

  Tar turned to him. “I need to make a report.” No need to say more, Mitch read between the lines.

  “How far?”

  “Block and a half west.”

  “On it. Take little Miss-Pain-in-the-Ass over to the warehouse. South side is empty,” came the implied if you’d like privacy.

  Hell yes, he did want her all to himself. Tar turned her to face him, leveling his gaze on hers. Everything in him wanted to just pick her up and carry her away so he could tell her all he felt, all he needed, with his body buried inside hers. But he acknowledged verbal communication would make or break them. Silence wasn’t the way to handle any problem, especially theirs. “Will you give me a chance to talk?”

  Keeley held his regard and nodded.

  On the walk back he clasped her hand with his, gauging where she stood with him. She didn’t pull away, which was a good sign. They found a secluded office. Tar lifted Keeley up onto a desk and pulled a chair over to sit in front of her. “How’d you lose your voice?” His head angled with concern.

  She shrugged and hoarsely whispered, “Long story.”

  “You okay otherwise?”

  Her eyes darted down to her thigh and he tracked them. His big hand gently rubbed along the spot she stared at and he felt her tension. “Did you hurt yourself?” His gaze raised to hers and she noticed his brow furrowed.

  Keeley reached forward to smooth out that deep V between his eyes and heard his deep intake of breath. So much to say but she wasn’t sure how long her voice would cooperate, or if he’d be able to hear her raspy whisper. Frustration filled her, spilling down her cheeks, which brought more worry to his brutally handsome face. “I’m sorry. So, so sorry for hurting you.” She wiped the flowing tears away and continued, “Sorry for lying to you. I sh-should…”

  “No. No. No should’ve. It’s not all your fault, Keeley. I owe you an apology, too.” She leaned within kissing distance and he sweetly pulled out of range. Next, he hit his knees before her but never broke eye contact. “I failed you. I let you down. I broke a promise. A man is nothing without his word. I violated that in the most dishonorable of ways.” More tears streamed down her beautiful face as she shook her head. “Yes, I did. You know it’s true.” His hand was now above her left breast against her heart. He felt it beating harder. “You feel it,” not a little awe in his voice laced with hope. “Let me make it up to you. Show you how sorry I am. Prove to you that your love is enough. That we can work through this and be stronger.” Her breathing hitched but she was still shaking her head. “Your darkness doesn’t scare me, Tigress. Please, can I have another chance to prove that to you?” He waited on baited breath. This was it. That question determined it all.

  Their future.

  Their love.

  She held his heart in the palm of her tiny hand.

  God, the man was breathtaking. She did not deserve him. The kind thing to do would be to set him free. But her heart, her soul refused. “I’ve made mistakes. Some…unforgiveable.” Her head dropped while she stared at the floor.

  Firm fingers lifted her chin. “Look at me, Keeley Ann Kincaid.”

  She didn’t want to. Had no desire to see his disappointment or chastisement. Again, she focused in another direction.

  He sighed heavily. “You’re killing me here, Viper. Please look at me,” he begged.

  That got her attention and brought her tear filled gaze to his. What she saw stole her breath. Unadulterated love danced in his gorgeous emerald eyes. Brighter from the unshed tears he held at bay. She couldn’t help but study how they clung to his thick raven lashes. For her. He was pleading for her forgiveness, for her love. For a second chance. “All that is shattered can be mended,” she barely whispered and locked her little fingers around his large ones on her chin, shifting them away.

  A flash of hurt flitted across his face at not understanding. It was her undoing. She grabbed his harsh face and met his mouth with force. All of those pent up emotions flooded that kiss. The mating of tongues and colliding of teeth desperate to convey every apology, every ounce of love. A meteor shower of so much feeling. Neither could pull away from the other as each gasp was replaced with more. So much more.

  Tar forced himself to back away. He saw the confusion dance in her eyes. With slow precision, he locked the door and went to close the blinds that opened to the warehouse. A sexy smile tugged at her lips as she reached for the hem of her T-shirt. He shook his head, and she stilled all movement. “You are my gift. I want to unwrap you slowly. Savor every single inch of your glorious body. Meld my soul to yours as we join together.”

  She covered her mouth with her hand. God, that was the most romantic thing she’d ever heard. “I love you, Tar.”

  He was now standing in front of her. “Say it again,” he growled low.

  Keeley stood and tip-toed, wrapping her hands around his neck and kissing along the edges of his mouth. He felt the words across his lips. “I. Love. You.”

  Tar lifted and Keeley wound her legs around his waist. Another passionate melding of mouths brought the two of them leaning over the desk, where he made good on his words. Each area revealed to him brought his lips, his tongue in contact with her skin. The tease so exquisite she began to writhe underneath his big body. He pulled her hands from him, not wanting her to undress him. “I need to…”

  “Kiss me all over,” she mouthed against his throat before sucking hard.

  Fuck. He wanted that sweet mouth of hers wrapped around his cock. But not before he worshipped her pussy. Again he steadied himself and gently pushed her back. She rested on her elbows, hooded gaze locked on his. Tar continued where he left off at her bra strap resting on her shoulder. He peeled it down, trailing with licks and sucks until her right breast was exposed. A sinful twirl of his tongue on the turgid tip brought her legs around his. His large hands once more releasing her hold with a firm restraint on her hips. He lifted his head a
nd met her lips with his. Tongues gliding before he whispered, “Behave or I’ll spank you.”

  Keeley’s head fell back and Tar heard the small whimper. He made a mental note to start experimenting with spankings. The idea went straight to his cock, licking with heat. He repeated his earlier actions on her left side, but that time he sucked her nipple until she cried out. “You’re so beautiful.”

  Though she was lost in the pleasure he was bringing her, those words stilled her. He raised his head from her pretty tits and held her searching gaze. “It’s true, Keeley.” The doubt played across her features. Something he couldn’t stand. How did she not know? The tip of his tongue began to tickle the hardened peak. He spoke against the swell of her breast. “More precious than diamonds.” Tar sucked along her flesh, moving down. “More priceless than gold.” His teeth nipped around her bellybutton ring. Quick fingers worked her out of her jeans and panties. He stepped back to just stare at her. “You are a treasure.”

  She fought not to cover herself as he stood there taking her in. What she saw in his eyes was the very thing that kept her hands away. Desire, yes. But it was the adoration that made her feel his words. For the first time in her life, Keeley felt beautiful, treasured, and oh God, priceless. She opened her legs wider inviting him in. Tar went to his knees, raising her foot and kissing. There wasn’t any place on her he didn’t want to make love to. He worked up to the flare of her hip, then went to the other foot and began again at the tips of her toes. She squirmed under his torment as he nipped, causing a moan to escape her.

  Tar traveled up her leg and paid close attention to her wound. He softly stroked his lips around the edge, then looked up until their gazes met. “Next time you need control, Tigress, you tell me. Never,” he sucked long and hard on the inside just shy of the nasty cut. “are you to harm yourself.”

  She gasped, not only at the sensations he brought but also by what he said. “How can you do that?”

  He heard the worry behind the question. Damn, he would never ever destroy her. “I can give you what you need without leaving scars.”

  “Pleasure with pain,” she hissed as he slowly licked along the outside of her pussy.

  “Whatever you need from me. But know,” he stuck his nose along her seam and inhaled deeply, drawing her scent all the way in, “I will only do what honors you.” Stopping right at her clit ring, again he locked eye contact with her. “You are mine to cherish. And I will make sure you never doubt my respect for you.”

  Keeley swallowed hard. Part of her didn’t want to ask the question on the tip of her tongue, but he opened a door she needed to go through. “Are you saying like a husband should treat his wife?”

  He blew along her throbbing clit before raising up to take her mouth with absolute devotion. Her fingers splayed in his hair as she held him firmly to her, giving and taking. Both were panting with need when he pulled away on a single word, “Yes.”

  Her pulse fluttered and he felt her heart pounding as he made the slow trek down with fiery passion. Tar lost the gentleness he began with. By the time he reached that oh-so sexy clit ring, he was sucking without mercy. Her explosion was all over his mouth as he continued to eat her delicious pussy. Keeley was no stranger to multiple orgasms, especially with Tar, but what he was doing to her sent her into an orbit she never wanted to come back from. God, that stud in his tongue wreaked all kinds of new pleasure. She raised up on her elbows to watch him devour as he held her as wide open as he could. The naughty sight of him on her pussy made her say nasty things. She was met with utter shock when he raised his face, covered in her desire, and commanded, “I want to hear it again. Tell me how I make you feel when I suck this fucking beautiful pussy.”

  “I want my cum all over you. I want to lick myself off your lips then swallow yours down. You make me feel like there is no other woman who could ever please you. I’m wholly and completely desired by you. Loved beyond measure.” She choked back the emotion caught on those last three words and confessed her deepest desires, “I want to be messy. Completely covered in you. In me. In us,” she hissed as he brought her over the edge.

  His mouth on hers with ravenous hunger, making sure she tasted her pussy all over him. He licked along her lips, “You belong right here,” and dove deep with his tongue.

  Keeley sucked hard like she craved to do to his magnificent cock. She pulled back. “I need your cum marking me.” His sharp intake of breath told her he was on the edge with her. She grew more brave. “Straddle me and let me show you how much I love your dick in my mouth.”

  “Nasty little bitch,” he praised, giving her what she asked for. God, her hot mouth gripped him as she sucked and sucked, pausing to lick along his sensitive head and slit. Her fingers squeezing his hot as hell balls until her other hand reached back and enter his asshole, fucking him into orgasm. He came so hard and so fast she couldn’t swallow it all, and he gave her exactly what she requested. His cum covered her mouth and dripped off her chin. She pulled him to her and made sure he tasted himself mixed with her. “So naughty,” he said around her lips.

  They were a sweaty, sticky mess and Tar was not even close to finished with her. He brought her leg up against his hip and entered on a deep moan. Slow purposeful thrusts, then hard fast ones. Repeating the rhythm until they came together. Both panting hard, he rolled to the side careful to not crush her but needing her on him. He held Keeley as tight as he could. “I will never have enough of you. Will never grow tired of loving you.”

  She was spent but managed to raise up and tenderly kiss him. “We are one,” the admission ripped from her soul as tears of love fell.

  “I am yours,” he confessed with not a little awe.

  What they just shared was the most beautiful thing Tar could ever imagine, like watching a hundred sunrises and not one being less breathtaking. The most amazing gift of all, Keeley felt the same way. He knew without a doubt she was his wife, and planned on making that official as soon as possible. Romantic thoughts that had never once played through his mind overtook him, as he held the only woman he truly loved.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Even and Lacey entered the passcode and waited with not a little patience. The weight of what they were entering into was suffocating. Both were worried sick over Keeley and Tar, not to mention Chase. “Will we ever take down these bad guys, E?”

  He turned to his wife, hating the doubt caught in her voice. Problem was, he knew all too well that when one ring was brought down another replaced it. But he couldn’t bring himself to shatter her hope. “We have to believe that justice will prevail, Sweetness.” E grabbed her hand and kissed it softly.

  “At what cost? How many will be lost in this battle?”

  Shit. He knew exactly where she was going with this line of questioning. The unspoken, will I lose my sister, hung over them like a guillotine. Even wanted to promise with all that was in him that Keeley would be safe, yet it would be a lie. And he’d recently learned hiding things from your spouse brought bad mojo. “Keeley is a strong girl. Don’t underestimate her,” he said with confidence. That much was absolute truth. The strength in his sister-in-law was awe-inspiring.

  She nodded and flinched when the door opened. A familiar face greeted them. Lacey’s gasped, “Leith,” gave away the shock they both had.

  “Mitch will be here shortly,” Leith confirmed, and E couldn’t help but notice the man walked down the hallway with an odd gait.

  As a man, he couldn’t imagine how the soldier could even be there, then realized his answer lay in that title. A warrior put his team, his mission ahead of himself at all cost. And paid in full registered with each step the SEAL took. In E’s eyes the stupid mistakes Leith had made were reconciled. He found himself hoping and praying that the man found happily-ever-after and could function properly. No one had earned it more. E shook hands with him as he led them to a boardroom. “Thanks, man, for everything.”

  Leith inclined his head. “Back attcha.”

  Lacey trai
led her fingers along the table, taking in the setup. Never a doubt that what she’d agreed to was dangerous and those she loved most lay in the balance. E came up behind her and coiled his arms around her waist. “Hey, try not to make yourself sick with worry.”

  She leaned back into her husband. “What will I do…” her voice broke on the overwhelming emotion.

  “Stop that,” he commanded. “It’s senseless to play the what if game.”

  Lacey only nodded, knowing he was right, but unable to shake the eerie feeling that something very bad was about to happen. The premonition licked at her, taunting and playing, before taking a bite. Goosebumps raised as the chill passed over her.

  E held her tighter, not oblivious to what she felt. “Tell that bastard to leave you the hell alone.”

  She turned to him. “You feel him too?”

  “That demon won’t win. But you have to stand up to him,” he demanded.

  Lacey swallowed. “I’m trying, E. I’m trying so hard.”

  He clutched her shoulders and locked his fierce gaze on hers. “You have the power, Lacey. Fight back.”

  Her voice shook on, “Help me.”

  “Always, baby,” he vowed and leaned his forehead against hers in a private battle. One he would sacrifice it all for. This was his wife and he would not permit the devil himself to even contemplate messing with her.

  Mitch walked in to a scene that stole his breath. There was something beautiful in the harsh lines of the couple standing in the middle of that room waging war. The battle furious as he watched them gain ground. He couldn’t hold back his, “Well done.”

  E shot him a sly grin. “Motherfucker should know better.”