Burned (Cunningham Security Book 5)

by A. K. Evans

  My hands went to the hem of my shirt. One second it was covering me, the next it was on the floor.

  Pierce wasted no time in appreciating his prize. His mouth dropped to my chest while one hand came up and cupped my breast.

  Pressing my back harder against the door, I rolled my hips against Pierce, desperately seeking friction.

  His mouth came back up along my throat back to my ear, where he delicately pulled the lobe between his teeth. Shivers shot through me, causing me to writhe harder against him.

  “Zara,” he whispered.

  “Pierce,” I moaned.

  He moved us away from the door but was only willing to walk as far as the couch. Lowering me to my back, his body came over mine. I immediately reached for his shirt and tore it off. He slid his arm between the cushion and my back where he unhooked my bra.

  Once my breasts were exposed, Pierce’s gaze grew more intense. He kept his eyes on mine while his hands went to the button of my jeans. A minute later, I was wearing nothing as Pierce’s eyes roamed over my body and he removed the rest of his clothes.

  “Beautiful,” he breathed, his hands trailing up my thighs.

  “Please,” I begged.

  Pierce didn’t move. He continued to trail his fingers lightly over my skin, teasing me.

  Unable to wait any longer, I lifted my back from the couch. My hand went to Pierce’s shoulder where I nudged him backward.

  He twisted his body and sat back. My legs straddled his, the hardened length of him tucked tight between our two bodies.

  Framing his face in my hands, I wondered, “Can I feel you?”

  Confusion washed over him.

  “Just you,” I offered as further explanation.

  Realization dawned, and Pierce’s gaze heated. “Birth control?”

  “Covered.”

  His fingertips pressed harder into the flesh of my thighs. I slid my hand down between us and wrapped my fingers around him. Because I was initiating this and I was the one with the sordid past, I eased any additional concerns he probably had, but may not have felt comfortable asking, when I continued, “Once I learned he cheated, I got myself tested. I was okay and you’re the first and only man I’ve been with since.”

  The grip he had on my thighs got tighter. “I’ve always worn protection, but still get tested regularly. Got tested before we were together, so if you want this, beautiful, you’ll be safe.”

  God, I loved him.

  I positioned Pierce’s cock between my legs and slid the tip of him through my wetness before I guided him into me.

  For the first time, I heard my own sounds. The ones that Pierce seemed to enjoy so much. He felt so good.

  “Can you move, Zara?” he asked, his voice husky.

  I moved.

  With Pierce’s hands roaming over my body, his mouth everywhere, and our bodies connected in the best way possible, I let go of everything else. Because all that mattered then was the two of us and what we felt for one another.

  My pace started slow. I took it up a notch for a bit before I went back to gradual. Pierce seemed content to let me do that for a bit while he had his mouth on my breasts or on my mouth, but eventually he had had enough of me being in control.

  Flipping me to my back, he drove in deep. His pace was steady, somewhere in the middle of where mine had been. It was enough to push me to the edge of an orgasm, and Pierce knew it.

  “Love those whimpers, Zara,” he shared. My eyes went to his and he went on, “Love you.”

  That did it. Hearing him say those words sparked something inside, and pleasure burned through every inch of my body.

  Just as the flame started to die down, Pierce thrust hard, buried himself to the root, and groaned through his orgasm.

  Minutes later, after I’d moved to the bathroom and cleaned up, I was lying on top of Pierce’s body in my bed. He had one hand in my hair, the other at my ass.

  “I never expected that today,” he declared.

  “What part?” I wondered.

  “All of it, honestly. But I was referring to what you said to me after everybody left,” he clarified.

  With my cheek pressed to his chest, I smiled. “Well, if I’m being honest, I didn’t expect it either. It hit me when you said what you did.”

  Pierce’s grip on my hair tightened, but he didn’t respond.

  “We match, Pierce,” I stated.

  “What?”

  “I finally believe that we match. In Tasha’s Café, when I saw you for the first time, all I could think was that I’d give anything to have just one night with a man like you because at that time, I didn’t think I’d ever be worthy of someone as gorgeous as you. Over these last few months, you’ve always been there to say something uplifting when I’m feeling particularly bad about myself. Whether I’m sweaty, smelly, and red-faced from one of our hikes or dressed to the nines ready to go on a date with you, not once have you ever made me feel like I was less than stunning. I’m beautiful, Pierce. I finally believe that, and I’m not sure it would have ever happened if you hadn’t walked into my life,” I rasped.

  He gave me a squeeze.

  I went on, “I feel so lucky.”

  Pierce took the opportunity to roll us in the bed. With his body hovering over mine, he searched my face as he ran the back of his finger along my cheek.

  “Since the day of the fire at Harvey’s Toolbox, I haven’t been able to get you off my mind. I didn’t know it then, but as time went on, I found that you were everything I’d ever wanted. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with you, Zara. I didn’t say it sooner because I wanted you to get to a place where I knew you’d be able to handle hearing it. I wanted to know that I could tell you how I felt and that you’d believe me.”

  Looking up at him through hooded eyes, I smiled and assured him, “I believe you.”

  Pierce touched his mouth to mine. Not even a second later, Callie vocalized her presence and the fact that she was ready for dinner.

  With his lips just barely touching mine, Pierce proclaimed, “I love you, Zara.”

  My fingers tightened at the base of his skull. “I love you, too.”

  After sharing one more kiss, Pierce and I got up to make dinner and see to Callie.

  I looked down at the beautiful woman sleeping in my arms.

  I’d just woken up. Or, more accurately, I’d just been woken up.

  By Zara and her noises.

  And it didn’t bother me in the least.

  Because Zara admitted to me yesterday that she loved me.

  Staring down at her now, I took the time to process everything that had happened from the minute I got that call from Trent yesterday.

  Hearing him tell me that Zara’s ex was in her shop, my thoughts went wild. I’d been slowly seeing the changes in Zara over the few months we’d been together, the best of which was watching her smile every single day. Even with those changes, she hadn’t made it abundantly clear to me just how much improvement she’d made.

  When Trent called, all I could think about was getting to Zara’s place so I could make sure her ex didn’t do anything to put her mind back into the horrible place she’d been. Thankfully, I had already been on my way to her shop, so it didn’t take me long.

  It was a relief when I finally walked in and saw that despite him trying to blame Zara for his choice to cheat on her, she remained strong-willed. I was so proud of her.

  I almost felt bad for the guy, considering he threw away a gem. But once he started trying to fill Zara’s head with nonsense, I realized he really wasn’t worthy of her.

  And after he got the hint that she was done and everyone else left, my girl told me she loved me. While I knew that she’d come a long way since I’d first met her, I hadn’t realized just how much things had improved.

  Before I had the chance to really consider what hearing Zara say those words to me meant, she stirred in my arms.

  I watched as she took in a deep breath, stretched her body out, and looked
up at me.

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  She grinned at me. “Morning, sexy.”

  I couldn’t help but smile back at her. “How are you feeling?”

  Pressing her body into mine, she declared, “So loved and so very happy.”

  That was a relief. Even though I hadn’t seen anything last night that indicated she was affected by what her ex said, I was still worried about her.

  Apparently, I’d remained silent too long thinking about that because her voice pulled me from my thoughts.

  “Pierce?” she called.

  “Yeah?”

  “Is everything okay?” she wondered.

  Now it was my turn to take in a deep breath. I nodded slowly and explained, “Yeah, I was just thinking how relieved I feel to know you’re happy.”

  Zara’s brows pulled together and she scrunched up her nose. “Why would you be relieved? Were you worried that I wouldn’t be happy?”

  “Maybe a little,” I admitted.

  When I didn’t immediately explain, Zara’s face grew concerned. I didn’t like seeing it, so I quickly enlightened her. “Baby, I didn’t know it until I heard it yesterday, but today was supposed to be your one-year wedding anniversary. I was just thinking and had concerns that it might be weighing on your mind.”

  She let out a laugh and insisted, “Pierce, I am not upset that I didn’t marry a cheater.”

  “I know that,” I assured her. “But that doesn’t mean you don’t have any feelings about it. I just want you to know that if you do have anything that you want to talk about, I’m more than happy to listen.”

  Zara pressed a kiss to my chest before pressing her hand over my heart. “You’re such a good man,” she remarked. “I am so lucky to have you. And you’re right. I guess I do have thoughts about today not being my anniversary. When Brad and I set our wedding date, I never would have expected that I’d wake up a year from that date in the arms a man who wasn’t my husband. But that doesn’t mean that I’m upset that that’s the way it turned out. I love the way I feel now, Pierce. I feel good about the choice I made to leave and come out here. I feel good about opening my own floral shop and the success I’ve had with it. I’m proud of myself for the things I’ve accomplished over the last few months, the best of which is opening my heart and falling in love with you. I meant what I said yesterday. This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I couldn’t feel better about being exactly where I am right now.”

  “I’m so proud of you, beautiful.”

  Zara cuddled closer. “You stuck by my side while I worked through my stuff. I was convinced it was better to stay closed off so I could protect myself than it would be to open up and risk getting hurt. I only get sad when I realize I wouldn’t have experienced your love if you hadn’t been patient and taken things slowly with me. Thank you for being what I needed.”

  I touched my lips to her forehead. “You’re welcome.”

  “You were right.”

  “About what?”

  “It was okay not to be okay.”

  My arms tightened around her. “Zara…” I trailed off.

  She squirmed against me and urged me to my back. When she positioned herself on top of me, she searched my face a long time. I grew concerned because she didn’t say anything for so long.

  Eventually, she shared, “It wasn’t okay at home. With the exception of Gwen, there was nobody there to lift me up when I needed it. The people who should have been there for me were the ones making it not okay. When Brad showed up here yesterday, Trent, Cruz, and Lexi didn’t leave me to fend for myself. They knew something wasn’t right and they stayed. Not only did I get you, but I also got everyone that comes along with you. You have no idea what that means to me. I needed this…I needed you more than I could ever tell you.”

  It took about a half a second for me to flip Zara to her back, settle myself between her parted thighs, and kiss her. When I pulled my mouth from hers, I ordered, “We’re done talking for a while.”

  Grinning at me, she replied, “Okay.”

  “Love you, Zara.”

  I didn’t give her a chance to respond. I took her mouth again before I showed her just how good it felt to hear her words that morning.

  No sooner did I accomplish that when Callie began demanding her breakfast.

  “So what’s the plan for the rest of the day?” Zara asked from the passenger seat of my truck.

  After making love to Zara this morning, we made breakfast and spent some time with Callie. We had planned to go back to my place to pick up Blaze, but since there was still an arsonist out there, Zara was not comfortable leaving Callie alone.

  During the week, she’d always have one of the neighbors keeping an eye out. In fact, Harvey had insisted Zara bring Callie over to the hardware store, which thankfully had only minor damage from the fire and was back up and running in a very short time. Sometimes, Zara did. Other times, she’d just pop in and let him know she was heading out for a hike so he could keep his eyes open. Harvey’s store wasn’t officially open at that hour, but he always came in early to get things done. Unfortunately, Sunday mornings didn’t work out that way since nearly all the other neighbors were closed or not open that early.

  I told her that Ms. Millie and Arthur would be more than happy to watch Callie while we took Blaze out. So, we packed up the cat, and after giving Callie a few minutes to adjust to new people and a new place, we did the pet exchange with my neighbors.

  Now, we’d finished our hike and were on our way back to my place. I didn’t necessarily have anything planned for the day, so I shrugged my shoulders in response to Zara’s question and answered, “Doesn’t really matter much to me. What do you want to do?”

  “It’s so hot out today,” she sighed. “I hate this weather. I’d love to go swimming.”

  Thankfully, we’d just stopped at a red light. My head snapped in her direction. “Are you serious?”

  Nodding, she replied, “Yeah.”

  “This is probably the only chance we’ll get to take a dip in the lakes. Any later in the year, it’ll be too cold to go. If you really want to go, I will absolutely take you.”

  “I really want to go,” she confirmed as the light turned green.

  Grinning, I turned my truck back toward her place. “We’ll stop and get your bikini before we head back to my place.”

  “Why do you assume I have a bikini?” she asked, her tone light and playful.

  “Wishful thinking,” I shared.

  Twenty minutes later, Zara had gotten her bikini and we were back at my place.

  We checked in on Callie. Ms. Millie and Arthur loved her and were thrilled to be able to spend the day with her.

  Zara had just gone into the bathroom to change into her bikini when my cell rang. I pulled it out of my pocket, looked at the display, and immediately knew my plans with Zara were going to be put on hold.

  “Reynolds,” I answered.

  “We’ve got another one,” Detective Baines offered his greeting.

  “When and where?”

  “An hour ago. At the tax prep office on Center Street.”

  I sighed. “Alright. I’ll be right over.”

  I disconnected the call and slid my phone back in my pocket. Frustrated and disappointed didn’t even begin to describe how I was feeling.

  Zara was finally at a point where she was feeling good about her body that she wanted to go swimming, and I was looking forward to it. Now, I had to postpone it. If nothing else, I knew that when I found out whoever was setting these fires, I might find it difficult to control myself.

  Just then, my girl stepped out of the bathroom with a bright smile on her face. She took one look at me and instantly knew something was wrong.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  Closing my eyes, I sighed, “I have to go to work. I’m sorry, baby.”

  “Another fire?” she wondered.

  I answered with a nod.

  Her shoulders fell. She wa
s just as disappointed. “Well, I guess I’ll run over and get Callie. Are you able to take me home or should I call for a ride?”

  “I can take you home if you want, but I’m happy to have you stay here as well. I’d love knowing that you’ll be here waiting for me when I get back.”

  Zara’s eyes widened. “Really? You don’t mind if I stay?”

  “Why would I? Besides, Blaze will love the company.”

  “I can have a lazy Sunday in your bed watching movies until you get back?” she asked.

  I groaned.

  “Is that not okay?” she worried as she bit her lip, clearly misinterpreting my reaction.

  Letting out a sigh, I reassured her, “It’s okay, Zara. I just don’t want to leave you now. I’d rather be in my bed with you.”

  A frown washed over her face briefly before she perked up and suggested, “How about you invite me for a sleepover? You always stay at my place. I’d be happy to stay here if you think you’d like that.”

  Suddenly, I felt better about the fact that I had to leave. I still wasn’t happy about it, but knowing my girl would be waiting for me when I returned and would be spending the night with me made it a little easier to accept.

  “If you give me your key, I’ll stop by your place on the way back and pick up extra food for Callie. Do you want me to get you anything?”

  “You’ll never find my stuff,” she stated.

  “Beautiful, I’m a private investigator. Give me a little credit,” I suggested.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry,” she began. Zara cocked an eyebrow and asked, “Can you handle getting some things out of my drawer of unmentionables?”

  I squared my shoulders. “Piece of cake.”

  She let out a laugh and threw her arms around me. Squeezing tight, she whispered, “Be careful, Pierce.”

  I tightened my arms around her, turned my head to kiss her on the cheek, and promised, “I always am.”

  After holding Zara for another couple seconds, I stepped back and watched her while she moved to get her key. She gave me a list of things she needed from her place before she kissed me once more.

  Then, I left my woman and her cat at my place with my dog while I went to work.