Lost in Flames (Lost Series Book 2)

by Nicholson, C. T.

  "Where do you want to eat?" He squeezed her hand. "I'm not picky and I want you to choose."

  Tears began to blur her vision and she swiped at them with her free hand, getting Mike's attention. He pulled over in the parking lot to the seafood place.

  Putting the car in park, he pulled her as far into his arms as he could in the snug car. "What's wrong? Did I say something?"

  She sniffled and shook her head furiously against his neck. "No. I don't know why I'm so emotional."

  "Sweetheart, you've been put through hell and it's not uncommon to be emotional." He nudged her back enough so he could see her face. "You can cry all you want if it helps you."

  "You gave me the choice of where we eat. My marriage was all about what he wanted or needed. It didn't matter what I wanted as long as it suited him. It was hell even before he turned into a pyromaniac. I just never realized relationships weren't meant to be that way." She felt embarrassed to admit that, but she really did never know what she was missing by being with Richard.

  "That crazy piece of shit will get what he deserves and so will you. I swear I'm going to make you see how it's supposed to be. You deserve to be worshipped and I'm going to do just that and in every way possible."

  He wiggled his brows up and down suggestively, bringing a giggle out of her.

  "I bet you will."

  "Now that we've cleared everything up, what do you want to eat?" He brushed a loose piece of hair back behind her ear and kissed her lightly.

  She looked around at the restaurant they were parked in front of. "This place caught my eye right before you asked. I love seafood."

  "A woman after my own heart!" He threw his hands over his heart in a dramatic gesture.

  It was cute how cheerful he could be. She'd noticed it before, and without as much to worry about, he was even more so. They got out and she stood outside the door while Mike went inside to get a wait time. There were a few small families waiting outside and from the peek she got when the door opened, a few more stood inside. Mike came out with a pager in his hand.

  "They said twenty minutes." He shoved the square pager in his pocket and they walked around the restaurant admiring the sculptures of sea creatures.

  Her favorite was the killer whale and dolphins. "They're so beautiful."

  She'd always felt like the whales and dolphins that were being held captive in amusement parks. Honestly, she could relate to any captive animal that ached to be free. All of this might change for her, so she planned to enjoy what freedom she had.

  "They are. I could never go see them at one of those parks, though. It's awful how they are forced to live." He frowned and his forehead creased with the disturbing thought.

  "Are you in my head?" A legitimate question, considering how in sync they were.

  "Nope. I just can't stand the thought of them living cooped up in tanks too small for them and getting exploited just so people make money. Any animal captured. I'd love to see them in person, but not to that extent." He laughed when a small boy came running around them and up to the statues.

  They stepped out of the way, but not far. His blond hair had her thoughts drifting to what Mike's child would look like. What their child would look like if life weren't so cruel. She knew if they had a boy, he'd look just like his daddy. It would be perfect and she'd love seeing a little boy or girl running around her like that. One that would call her mommy.

  "Hi!"

  The small voice jerked her back to the now and she smiled down at the kid giving her a curious look. "Hi! What's your name?"

  "Jackson. That's my mommy." He pointed to the bench right beside the statues where a young woman watched her son with a grin.

  She spoke up, "Jackson, you shouldn't bother them."

  "He's okay," Tessa said, and then turned her focus back to Jackson, not at all minding entertaining the young boy. "How old are you?"

  "I'm five!" He held his right hand up, showing all of his fingers. "This is my new toy."

  The innocence of him warmed her. He grinned so big, proud of the new action figure he held.

  "I like it! What's his name?"

  "Oh!" He squealed, his eyes growing wide as he raised the pager in his other hand then ran off to his mommy. "It worked! We can go inside now."

  Tessa laughed at how the simple pager made the boy jump with joy.

  "Cute little thing," Mike said.

  "Yep." She sat down, pressed up against him at the now empty bench, thankful they had that time together. He had his hand resting on her thigh, rubbing his thumb back and forth, tempting her to change her mind about waiting on their dinner and hurry back to the house instead.

  ****

  Tessa's eyes fell shut, her skin flushed, and she squeezed her legs together. That's when Mike thought he was losing control, and then she bit her bottom lip, just as her eyes popped back open. Their gazes connected and he was glad he didn't pick her up and carry her off like some caveman.

  "Pizza good?" she offered, her voice turning husky.

  "Hell yes." They didn't waste time and practically ran back to the car. "I don't know why we even left anymore."

  Without removing his eyes from the road, he found her thigh and resumed right where he'd left off. He slid closer to her hips, while making sure he inched his way to the inside of her thigh. There, he gave a little squeeze and then traced his index finger lightly over the inseam of the pants. She groaned when he let his finger graze the inside of her thighs.

  Her legs fell open a little more, giving him more range of motion. Reluctantly, he pulled his hand away when he parked in the driveway. He studied the beach house, happy the other houses stood farther from it. The darkness had settled outside. The look he gave her must've given her a clear idea of what he had planned, because her eyes widened and she darted her gaze around them.

  He didn't give her enough time to be rational before sliding his seat all the way back and then, he twisted and reached across her body, making sure he touched as much of her as he could, pushing the button to move her seat back as well. Her heavy breaths fanned his hair while he leaned over her to lay her seat down. The task proved difficult in the confined space and he wanted to move them into the house. However, that would take time and he needed to touch her right away. He unbuttoned her pants with shaky hands and slipped one inside to touch her. Moans filled the quiet car as he pushed two fingers inside of her, the tightness of her pants not making it easy, but forcing the palm of his hand flat against her. From the way she bucked against his hand, the snug fit added to the pleasure of his invasion.

  He maneuvered his body around, never ending the pleasure he was giving her, only getting in a better position to give her much more. With his free hand, he lifted her shirt up to the bottom of her breasts and bent over to kiss below each of them, then, moved his way down slowly. He circled her belly button and made a straight line down to where his hand covered her.

  "I can't take it anymore!" she cried.

  "Yes, you can." He lifted his head and kissed her, driving his tongue in and out of her mouth to match the motion happening lower. Then, he circled her tongue and copied the movement between her legs.

  She broke their kiss and screamed his name. The tightening around his fingers had him aching to be inside, joining her in the release. He had to close his eyes and take deep breaths before he could concentrate on moving.

  "I can't believe we just did that." She buttoned her pants after he pulled his hand free. Then she looked around to check their surroundings.

  "No one saw us." He kissed her again, taking his time tasting her. "I want you completely now. To myself."

  She nodded and he didn't waste any time getting out of the car and helping her do the same. Pressing her back against the vehicle, he kissed her neck, ear, cheek, and lips, giving her a good idea just how bad he wanted her, by letting her feel what strained behind the zipper of his pants.

  "Let's get inside. I'm going to get my dessert first, even as I work at burning off all that
sugar we were talking about." He picked her up in his arms and ignored the ecstatic feeling it gave him to carry her across the threshold. It was then he decided that he loved the idea of making her his completely and being able to do the same thing with her as his wife. One day he'd do so, because if not, he didn't know how he'd move on with his life.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Mike kissed her and Tessa swore she'd melt until they were one if they didn't stop. For the first time in a long time, everything was going to okay. No, better than okay. She could imagine what the goofy smile on her face looked like when he pulled away from her. Nothing was taking that away from her.

  "What's that look for?" He popped another kiss on her lips, seeming unable to resist touching her.

  "I'm just so happy. The hell I've gone through is finally over and I'm safe. We're all safe." Getting that phone call that Richard had been arrested had been the sweetest words she'd ever heard. They'd stayed at the beach for a few more nights and then came back to his home. Where would they go from there? Since she never thought she'd actually be able to settle down anywhere or with anyone, she tried not to think about the future. She had that chance of having something special with Mike and wondered what the future would bring.

  "Me too. I'm not sure if you've realized this, but I love you, Tessa. It may be too soon for you." His face looked flushed, but he didn't turn away.

  "No! I made the mistake once for jumping too quickly." She touched his cheek when his smile vanished. "What we have is nothing like the mistake I made with Richard. This is real. Something I never believe could exist in real life. I love you, too."

  "Good. Marry me." The uncertainty and fear showed in the tightening of his mouth and the way he held strong to her hips. Again, he didn't look away.

  She stared at him in disbelief. He'd popped the question so fast—not in a month or year, but in the two weeks or so they'd known each other. How long had it been, again? Her mind raced; her answer sat on the tip of her tongue, but she was unsure if he was really thinking it through. "Really?"

  He must have misunderstood her because he dropped to kneel on one knee and grabbed both of her hands. "Sorry. Will you marry me?"

  Tears stung her eyes at the sight of him kneeling in front of her. How adorable he looked! Even if it was crazy. They'd both obviously lost their minds, because she was going to say yes.

  "I'm still married." Why did she say that? He already had her heart and their souls were one. Had been since the day they'd met.

  "I know, but not for long. When the time comes, I want you to be mine forever and I want to be yours. I have to know if you want the same thing." His hands shook, holding hers.

  The tears spilled over. He seemed so nervous that she'd say no. She saw it in the way he stared, not straying, in the way he held on to her, squeezing tight. She pulled one hand from his and pressed it to his heart, feeling its pounding under her touch, almost to the tempo of her own. "Yes. I would want nothing more than to become your wife."

  "Oh, thank God!" He jumped up and jerked her in for a kiss she'd never forget.

  "Mmmm, as long as I get that every day we're together." She never thought she could be so happy and yet she was. The man holding her did that for her and she'd be grateful to him for the rest of their lives.

  The loud sound of Mike's radio went off. She held him tight as he listened to the call. It didn't sound good. "You have to go, right?"

  "I'm not on call, but they asked for all to help. I can stay." He caressed her back and slowly dropped his hands lower.

  "No sir. You go and be a hero for someone else." He'd always be hers. "You don't have to babysit me anymore. I can handle being here on my own. Promise."

  He pinched her butt. "I don't consider it babysitting. That's more like play time to me. I'll be back as soon as I can."

  "Be safe." She did fear his job, but it was part of his life and he saved people. A hero. "My hero."

  "No baby. You're my hero." He left her with that and a quick kiss on her lips.

  She stood there in shock. Unreal! She went into the kitchen to see about trying to fix something special for Mike. Imagine that; it didn't take long for her to burn the simple hamburger helper. She was scraping the mess into the trash when she heard the door open. Feeling flushed, she tried to compose herself before rising from behind the counter to face whoever it was, knowing the burnt dinner still stunk up the house. It could only be one of his brothers, since she didn't expect him back that soon.

  "I didn't think you were a cook. Guess I was right about that." The disturbing voice chilled her to the bone.

  Ice ran through her veins and she began shaking. No. She was asleep. It was a nightmare. How else could she explain the horror of hearing Richard? He was in jail. He couldn't get her anymore. That's what they'd said.

  She ignored the way her thoughts raced and straightened up with the pan tight in her grip. There he stood, gloating with his satisfied grin. "How?"

  "It wasn't hard. You know I have friends. All I had to do was have one of them call the precinct here and tell them I was in jail. It was pathetically easy to set this all up. I even picked the farthest location from the fire department and let things fall into place. I didn't have to set a fire this time. One anonymous call about an old plant being on fire and they all went. Even your new boyfriend. I never thought you were the cheating type." He ran a finger over the counter as he walked around toward her.

  She backed up with every step he took. "You weren't happy with me either. Why are you doing this? I didn't want anything from you."

  All she'd wanted from the sadistic man was her freedom. A life without hatred, murder, abuse. She could've had that with Mike, but it seemed she'd die by Richard's hand. The worst thing about her dying was that it would hurt the man she loved. The one she'd said yes to only an hour before Richard showed up. Without taking her eyes from him, she moved toward the door.

  He waved a finger at her. "Uh, uh. Be careful. Not only would I make sure you didn't take another breath, I'd make sure your new life ended first. Think about your firefighter, before you answer. His family. I'll do everything I can to ruin you."

  The promise wouldn't be broken. He'd do everything to hurt her and then he'd kill her. She saw the news and read how cruel and just plain evil people could be. What she never thought was that she'd be living that life. That she'd have married a sociopath. "If I leave with you, will they be safe? You have to promise that we'll leave right away and no one is harmed. No more killing."

  She stood composed. Time for her to quit wasting her tears on him. When she was alone, she'd shed her tears for the life she could've had. If Mike and his family were safe, then she'd leave. He mattered so much to her and so did they.

  His eyes narrowed and then a sinister grin appeared on his cold face. "As much as I want to gut the bastard, I'll let him live. It seems fitting to let him suffer knowing that you chose me over him. That's what you'll let him think."

  A foul taste filled her mouth and her stomach roiled, believing Mike would think that. If he did, then it would be easier. Maybe he wouldn't come for her. Then he'd stay safe. "Let's go. He'll be back soon."

  "Don't tempt me." He moved closer and she didn't budge.

  The urge to back away proved nearly too much, but she held her ground. For her love. At least he'd always have her heart and soul. It hurt to know he wouldn't think so.

  She tried not to cry out when Richard grabbed her arm painfully. When she pulled back in reflex, he jerked the free hand back and she prepared for the slap, but it didn't take away from the shock. The sting brought the tears and she hated him even more. With all her hatred, she yearned to hurt him as much as possible. She knew he could take her easily, but if it weren't for wanting to keep everyone else safe, she'd have done at least a little damage.

  She didn't resist when he yanked her toward the door. Outside, he kept walking, tugging her along until he stood behind the car. He popped the trunk and shoved her in, then grabbed her legs to
send her rolling into the small cage. "I won't try anything in the front."

  "Like I'm chancing it. I'll let you out when I'm ready and we've left this piece of Hell." He slammed the door shut.

  Darkness engulfed her and she finally gave in to the pain, sobbing for the life she lost. She wasn't upset about being in the trunk as it just meant she could have her moment alone, no matter how short. She could only hope she'd suffocate before he let her free. Then he'd lose. This wouldn't be exactly a win for her, but if it meant he'd be miserable and hopefully pay for his evil doings, then she'd call it such.

  Suffocation was unlikely, though. She swiped at the tears and closed her eyes in defeat. He'd won and would always win. That was how it worked in the real world.

  ****

  Mike wasn't the only truck as he joined three rigs at the old abandoned plant. There was no smoke, no fire. "I don't understand. I thought there was a fire here."

  "Yes. An anonymous man called in. He was frantic and stated he could see the building engulfed in flames. Since it's so big, they sent out a call to both towns nearby," TK answered.

  The connecting town fire department was already driving off. "I guess they weren't too curious. This doesn't make sense. A damn false claim."

  Damn pathetic that people didn't have better things to do than to waste first responders' time. He pulled out his phone and called Tessa. No answer. His phone rang as soon as he hung up and the smile that came to his lips faded when he saw it wasn't her. "Marcus?"

  "I'm sending an officer to your house now. I'm heading there myself. He was never arrested." He sounded distanced from his car phone.

  Mike caught the words either way and dread ran over him, seeping through his skin, and he fell against his truck. TK grabbed him, concern in his eyes. Whatever he was saying didn't register when Marcus began speaking again.