Fire (Beautiful Ashes Series, Book 2)

by Ann, Lora

  *****

  The green house with white trim sat on a beautiful tree-lined street. Each yard was well-manicured. A scene that screamed families as Tar took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of flowers. He had to hand it to those who put the team together, they knew how to hide them in plain sight. Walking inside, he noticed the home was clean and tidy with a fully stocked kitchen. Wonder who all was assigned here. Tar was in no hurry to go back to where Lisa was staying and brewed himself some coffee. What the ever-loving hell was he going to do about his brother’s wife?

  He leaned his head back and let his mind wander. So much was at stake. When Chase was rescued, he’d have to destroy him with the knowledge that Lisa attempted to seduce Tar. And if they didn’t get to his brother in time, he’d die in a horrendous way. Although, killing a public figure would bring attention the cartel wouldn’t want. A saving grace? Possibly, but still leaving their captive alive could put them all in prison. Hard to know which way they would go. The longer they held him, the more likely he wouldn’t survive.

  A lone tear slipped down Tar’s cheek. He’d just gotten his brother back. They’d finally worked through their crap. He forgave him for taking Lisa away. Again, thoughts drifted back to her. Was she trying to seduce him? Were those her tactics when he was gone and Chase was with her? If so, why would she want Tar back? Then an awful thought traveled through his mind, what if she wanted both of them? God, he was going to be sick! Tar had not lived a sheltered life. He’d seen things up close and personal that were downright disgusting. Acts others did to one another for sexual pleasure and those performed for torture. He bolted up off the couch and barely made it to the toilet.

  After washing his face and brushing his teeth, Tar went to lie down on the California King in the master bedroom. He kept telling himself he was wrong about Lisa, but that undeniable niggle in his gut told him something completely different. Question was, why now? He yawned and turned over as recent memories took over.

  Keeley’s head thrown back in utter pleasure filled his mind as he recalled their last rendezvous. They still had a lot to work through. Incredible sex wouldn’t fix all that was broken. And despite everything, he loved her with all his heart. Wanted to marry her, knowing they could have happily-ever-after if they were willing to work for it. He moaned out her name while dreams invaded.

  *****

  A lot of self-encouraging on the drive to her mom’s house was met with disappointment when she found her mother wasn’t home. Keeley ended up in the last place she ever expected. An odd comfort covered her like a warm familiar blanket as she slowly walked through the cemetery. Death never frightened her. Hell, most of the time she courted it. She found herself not far from her father’s grave, noticing a woman kneeling in front of his head stone. On closer inspection, she realized it was her mother. She’d lost weight, too much, which concerned Keeley. “Hi, Mom.”

  She stood but not with ease. Again, Keeley noted how frail she looked and held out her hand to assist. Her mother took it with a smile then pulled her in for a hug. “My angel.”

  “Mama, we’ve had this talk. I’m no angel.”

  “You are. I saw you!”

  Okay, what was Mom talking about? “Where did you see me?”

  “On the television. You helped that little boy,” she gasped, “and oh the light that was around you!”

  Keeley stood speechless. She convinced herself that the bright light she’d encountered was the result of an adrenaline rush. Now her mom was saying she saw it on TV?

  “Your guardian angel was right there helping you help that child. You precious girl,” she said in awe and hugged her again.

  She held her mom close, thinking once more she was too thin and changed the subject. “How are you?”

  Her mother laughed. “Anytime you don’t want to talk about something you ask questions.” She shook her head. “I suppose some things never change. And I’m fine.”

  Keeley shot her mom a speculative look. They were close to the same height putting them almost eye to eye. “I couldn’t have possibly learned my tendencies from you.”

  She grinned. “Whatever gave you such an idea?”

  They walked arm in arm to a stone bench and sat. Keeley had never been one to beat around the bush. “Mama, are you eating?”

  Her hand flew up to her mouth but she didn’t quite stifle the shocked intake of breath. Another tell she had was looking down and away. Keeley acknowledged she, too, did the same thing. She put a finger underneath her mom’s chin and lifted, surprised to see the tears brimming. “Keeley Ann, I-I…”

  She knew what her mother couldn’t say and filled in the rest. “He left you in debt.”

  “Well, it wasn’t like he planned to die so soon,” she huffed, searching for a tissue in her purse.

  “No. But he’s the one who chose to live above his means.”

  “Stop that, young lady. Your father loved you and your sister very much. He wanted the best for you.”

  “Bullshit, Mama.” She stood and planned to walk away until she noticed her mother blanch. Keeley fell on her knees. “Mom, are you okay?”

  Catherine Kincaid had lived a lie for so long. She’d told herself her husband was short tempered because of stress, but she knew the truth. He wasn’t a kind man, cruel even. “It is not okay to speak ill of the dead,” she muttered.

  “Mama, you’re scaring me,” Keeley screeched, grabbing her tiny shoulders. “God, you’re skin and bones!”

  “You knew. You always knew the truth. That’s what he hated,” the confession ripped from her on a sob.

  “It doesn’t matter now,” Keeley cried, worried sick about her mom.

  “But it does.” She reached forward and cupped her daughter’s face. This was the child who looked just like her, yet had her father’s personality. Except she didn’t let hatred fill her like he had. “He loved you the best he knew how.”

  Keeley shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mom, but that’s not true. He loved money, power, what others thought of him. He loved Lacey,” she wailed, “but not me.”

  Catherine wanted to deny that with all she had in her, yet to some extent her daughter was right. Her husband did love how much Keeley looked like her. But he couldn’t stand how much she acted like him. “You are stubborn and sassy. Everything I wished I could be.”

  Keeley blinked several times. “I thought you didn’t like that part of me.”

  “No, no, no, I was jealous of it.” She leaned in and kissed her cheeks.

  “You were jealous of me-e-e?” Keeley hiccupped.

  “I’m sorry to say, yes. You see, you have your father’s traits but you never turned them against anyone else. You don’t force yourself on others. You internalize way too much.” She reached for Keeley’s arm and softly stroked the scars of a razor on the inside. “You tried to hide the pain we caused you by harming yourself.” Catherine’s voice broke and Keeley caught her mother as she fell into her arms.

  “Mom!” she yelled, then recognized her mother was sobbing silently. Her body wracked with tremors gave it away. Keeley held her tightly. When had it happened? When did the child become the parent? She whispered what her heart pleaded for her to say, “I forgive you, Mama.”

  Time seemed to stand still. The breeze paused. Birds silenced. There was only mother and daughter caught in the embrace of mercy and grace. Light encompassed the scene, beauty in a moment of brutal rawness. Both women poured out their souls that unforgettable day as love began to infuse, mending all that was once shattered.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Tar woke up to an unfamiliar noise. First thing he did was check his phone. All was well with Lisa and Cole. He owed Mitch a huge thank you for giving him this much needed break. Though he was pretty sure the man was suspicious of his sister-in-law. Mitch was never a fan of hers, especially after Tar’s suicide attempt. Lisa wasn’t at fault. He took full responsibility for his own darkness and wrestling with his demons. Many things had sent him into that spiral. He
owned his shit. No one thing caused him to fight with the devil himself years ago. Hind sight, he needed to overcome and walk through that fire. All of this was why he understood Keeley’s battle so well.

  The faint cry brought him to full attention. Gun drawn, he eased into the living room. A tiny figure lay curled up on the sofa. He approached who he thought was a child. In the dim light he couldn’t make out anything more than the person was female. She was crying in her sleep. Tar holstered the gun and eased next to the distraught girl with her face turned away from him. She’d found a blanket and was wrapped up like a burrito. Not wanting to scare the ever-loving daylights out of her but needing to offer comfort and reassurance, he gently rubbed between her shoulder blades. “You’re safe. Everything will be okay.”

  A muffled, “No, it won’t,” got his attention.

  He knew that voice! “Why are you so upset?”

  “Because,” she sighed heavily, “I can’t tell him face-to-face.”

  Hold up! ‘Tell him’? Just who the hell was she referring to? “If you could, what would you say?”

  “That I-I,” she hiccupped, “for-for-give him.”

  His voice gentled, “Didn’t you already take care of that?”

  “Sort of,” she exhaled.

  Now he was confused. Keeley and him had talked through all of this. Yes, there would be more conversations as they healed, learning to trust and lean on each other. Damn, that’s what marriage was about. Ideas changed, emotions changed, bodies changed, you had to keep communicating and readdressing. Hard work for sure. But to Tar, so, so worth the effort. He wanted that with this beautifully broken woman. To show her what true love really was. That she could count on him to cherish her, honor her, treasure her as the gift she truly was. Valuable. Worthy. He leaned down and softly kissed her ear. “Let me show you how much I love you.”

  She turned her head toward him. “There’s nothing I want more than to ask you to make love to me.” He moved his mouth to the corner of hers. “But I need to talk.”

  Fresh tears met his lips and he acknowledged this crucial moment. Tar would give her anything she asked for. He picked her up as he sat, placing her on his lap. “I’m not going anywhere. Take your time.”

  Keeley wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

  He felt more wetness as he held her close. “I’ve got you, Beautiful.”

  The tender endearment brought out a sob. She regained some composure and pushed off his chest. Holding his chiseled jaw in her small hands, she admitted, “I do not deserve you.” The scruff on his face tickled her lips as she brushed them across his chin. “I love you,” she breathed along the seam of his mouth.

  “Keeley,” her name was strained. “I’m trying my damnedest to give you what you asked for.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “But if you kiss me again, I’m taking you. Hard and fast, right here. And then I’ll make sweet love to you in that bedroom for the rest of the night.”

  Her breathing hitched and she forced herself off his lap. “God, I want you to fuck me,” the confession rushed out of her with a mind of its own. She didn’t want soft and sweet either. Could he really handle what she craved?

  All thoughts of talking left her on a whoosh as he stood on a growl, grabbing her hand and yanking her against his hard body. “Stop me now,” he warned as his hands went to her ass and squeezed tight.

  She needed to know if he could really deal with her need for pain. “Push me against that wall. No foreplay. Just fucking,” her last two words held a challenge.

  He gave her a level look and she saw it, the instant Tar accepted her challenge. Something wicked danced in his eyes. A man on the edge of his control. Keeley gasped, knowing his beast was about to come out and play. And she was fully cognitive that did not translate to his cock. Her monster taunted his, “You want it, take it.”

  “You want feral.” His tongue ran over his full lips. “Oh, Tigress, let’s hope you don’t break.”

  That was her only warning. He gave her a little push and fisted her feminine black cotton shirt. The material ripped right down her middle, and he gave her no time to react as he did the same with her bra. Keeley stood there with a defiant that’s-all-you-got tilt to her head. Little bitch was going to make him play rough. Tar liked hard fucking that was no secret. But he’d never come in contact with a woman who wanted him to take it to the next level. Until her. He loved her so much and had no desire to hurt her. Hell, he despised men who purposely harmed a woman. Abuse was never okay whether that was physical, sexual, mental, or emotional. She saw the war waging behind those gleaming green eyes. He cared about her. His love was tangible. She felt it with each breath he took. “I need you to show me.”

  He grabbed a handful of her hair but didn’t pull, just held her steady. “You stop me if I scare you. If you in any way feel threatened, say the word, and it all stops.”

  Keeley couldn’t exactly nod her agreement. But she knew how much he loved for her to talk dirty. “Fuck my mouth. Fuck my ass. Fuck my pussy. Don’t you dare leave one place untouched by your cock.” For emphasis, she cupped his balls through the stiff denim.

  He squeezed a perfect breast as he yanked her head back and took her mouth with fierce urgency. Fucking God. Her filthy mouth did things to him. There was an edge of violence in that kiss, in his hand pulling her hair, in his fingers twisting her nipple ring. “I’m going to come,” she panted.

  Everything stopped. He towered over her and she had to lean back to meet his gaze. His hands came down on her shoulders with the command, “Get on your knees.” Oh, hell yes. Please let me suck his cock. Tar shocked her when he walked away. But not before he gave the order, “Head down. Hands on your thighs.”

  Anticipation grew as she heard him rattling around the house. Bastard was doing it on purpose. His bare feet came into view and Keeley snuck a quick peek up his—holy shit—naked body. Right at eye level was his amazing dick. “Ah, Tigress, you didn’t do what you were told.”

  She knew speaking out of turn would earn her more punishment. “Are you going to spank me?” There was no denying the coy lilt in her tone.

  Tar fought his smile. She really had no clue who she was up against. But he planned on enjoying every second of introducing her to all of him. Keeley needed to learn that the pain she craved came in many forms. He needed to use extreme caution, she was fragile. Yeah, she was battling her demons, and doing a damn good job, but she was also vulnerable. “Hands in front of you. Clasp them together,” he added.

  She watched him wrap a belt around her wrists. Good God, she was so close to an orgasm and he didn’t do anything. Yet. Keeley knew he was going to do things to her that she was unsure of. That excitement mixed with her trust was taking her to unfathomable heights. She glanced up and met fire in his eyes. His cock was so hard and begging for her mouth. Without breaking the hypnotic moment, she traced her lips slowly before leaning forward. Her hot breath skated over his head as she waited for permission. The tip of her tongue darted out to tease his slit. He didn’t stop her. She licked along his crown, moving down to the sensitive ridge. He fisted her hair and held tight. “May I suck?”

  “No,” came his graveled reply.

  Aww, Tarius wanted to be teased. That she could do. Keeley licked down the thick vein to the base and then back up. She repeated the same path several times before growing bolder and licking along his sac. His groan told her she found a most pleasurable spot. “Do you want me to suck here?” She flicked her tongue along one of his balls. He threw his head back and growled, “Fuck.”

  She scooched further underneath him, forcing his legs wide, and traced along the muscle behind right before reaching his asshole. She began to tongue fuck him until he barked out, “Enough.”

  Keeley stilled as his big hands came down over her ass. She was still wearing shorts but her cheeks were hanging out. There was a whoosh of air before her butt was on fire. She yelped, “What the hell?” Again, he lit her ass up—oh, my God. It stung l
ike hell, yet her body craved more. As if he read her thoughts, his fingers began to caress where he just struck, bringing a deep moan from her. He tore at her shorts and ripped them off her body like a crazed animal. She didn’t have time to question anything as he bent over and latched his mouth on the seam of her ass, tongue fucking her puckered hole. He was a force like no other working his finger deep into her sex. If he touched her clit, she’d break apart for him. But he never did. Tar continued until he had her right where he wanted her, and then stopped. She panted, “I’m right there, baby.”

  His chuckle was dark. “I know,” he swatted her pussy making sure to only strike her folds.

  “Fucking bastard,” she growled.

  He repositioned and was now in front of her, standing. Tar lifted her arms until she stood. His mouth connected with hers. Again, he ate her. His tongue doing wicked things with hers. Holy shit! If he’d just…she pulled back gasping, “Do that to my pussy.”

  “Oh no, sweetheart, I don’t want you to come.”

  “What?!”

  He picked her up and commanded, “Arms around my neck. Legs around my hips.”

  “And if I don’t want to,” she huffed.

  Tar backed away a few steps. “That’s fine. I can jerk off while I stare at your pretty tits and watch your glistening pussy. But you can’t get yourself off like that.” He nodded toward her bound hands.

  “You’re a dick.”

  He shrugged. “Just stating the facts, baby.”

  She muttered a few more choice names under her breath before meeting him toe to toe. Another low chuckle met her ear before he captured a lobe and sucked. The stud in his tongue was bringing new sensations. Damn, she could come like this if he’d keep going. He whispered, “You’re not coming for a long time, if at all tonight.”

  She would’ve retorted if he hadn’t moved to her mouth once more. This time he didn’t need to tell her what to do. She draped her tied hands over his head and wrapped her legs around his waist, bringing her open pussy right in contact with the tip of his cock. Keeley tried in vain to connect their bodies but Tar was in full control, lifting her ass so she couldn’t. There was no protest as he pushed her against the wall and entered her on one powerful thrust. He pulled back making sure he hit her clit just right. He looked down and watched his dick disappear inside her wet silk. Her walls squeezed and he pulled out before she could orgasm.