Into the Flames (Out of the Ashes Book 2)

by S. M. Lynn

  “My dear you have us. I know it’s not the same but we will always be here for you.” Marlene wipes a stray tear from my cheek.

  “Lauren, well other than Gavin, you are like the daughter I never had.” Everyone laughs at her remark.

  “Thanks a lot mother!” Gavin sputters as he tries to control his laughter around a mouthful of beer. “Just because I like boys, doesn’t make me a girl. No way could I handle all the crap that runs in Lauren’s head all day. That’s probably why I like men so much, we mean what we say and say what we mean. And besides without me you wouldn’t get to enjoy all the benefits of having a shopping and spa partner.”

  “Now Gavin, you know I’m only joking. But I do love you like a daughter, Lauren. You turned Gavin and I’s couple into a trio and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”

  As soon as Marlene and Kathleen release me, Ian pulls me back into his arms. “Sweetheart, we all love you and would do anything for you. And as I have already promised I won’t let anything happen to you, to any of you.”

  I wipe my eyes and give him a gentle kiss. “All right, all right. I know you all love me and you are the best family anyone could ever ask for but if we don’t stop this now the entire dinner is going to burn and I won’t be responsible for that.”

  That gets a little giggle from everyone and gets this holiday back on track. “Love, you have absolutely outdone yourself,” Ian beams I set the final dishes on the already heavy-laden counter.

  “Well, I hope everyone doesn’t mind the informality but we will have to fill our plates here and then move to the table as there is no way our plates would fit with all of this.”

  “Perfectly fine, dear. Plus buffet style prevents everyone from having to pass everything around and then having to eat cold food.” Marlene takes in a deep breath. “Oh everything looks and smells lovely. I’m so glad you wanted to do this.”

  Once everyone has filled their plates, we all take our seats and dig into the food. I can’t help but look around the table and think how truly thankful I am for each person here. Without all of them, none of this would have happened. I shudder to think where I would be right now without these people. Finally I begin to hope that this might all turn out alright.

  Chapter 14

  “Lauren, that was wonderful.” Ian places a light kiss on my lips as I finish putting away the dishes.

  “Really, you should be thanking everyone else. I only made a couple side dishes. Everyone else brought the rest and of course you and Gav are the master turkey makers.”

  “No I meant the whole day. And before you start, without you that would not have happened. It was your idea and you did all the work to make it happen. So I don’t want to hear another word of protest from you.” He kisses me firmly this time to emphasize his point. I know when he gets like this it’s pointless to argue with him. I allow myself to melt into his kiss and enjoy the moment, which comes to an end all too soon with Gavin loudly clearing his throat.

  “Could you two kindly keep that in your room or at the very least send out a warning so I know what I’m walking into?”

  “Gav, knock it off. I was just finishing the dishes and Ian was keeping me company.”

  “Oh I’m sure he’s great ‘company’ but I don’t want to see it. Well…”

  “And that,” Ian’s face turns three shades of red, “is my cue to go. I know it’s a holiday sweetheart but I have a couple things that need my attention at the office.” I want to protest but he has been by my side day and night lately and that can’t be good for business. He must see the reticence on my face. “Don’t worry I won’t be too late.” He drops a kiss to my head and heads to the bedroom for his case. “Oh and make sure to save me at least one slice of that leftover pie. I know how you two can be.” He winks on his way out the door.

  Suddenly the apartment seems empty and an ominous feeling washes over me.

  “Oh I know that look. Don’t worry darling he’s only going to the office and I’m betting nothing could keep him away that long. Now we have at least 2 more bottles of wine calling us and that pie Ian so graciously left for us.” He winks as he walks around the counter and grabs the glasses, the pie and two forks. “We don’t need plates right?”

  Laughing, I nod in agreement. “But,” I turn to the kitchen and return with a knife and plate. “we should save Ian a piece and I have a feeling if I don’t take it out now there won’t be anything left for him.”

  “Damn it, you always ruin all my fun.” Gavin smiles mischievously.

  “We can share… a little.” I cut and cover a small slice and place it in the fridge before joining Gavin in the living room. “So is it chick flick night?”

  “Do we always have to watch chick flicks?”

  “We don’t always watch them. You and Ian have picked the last two movies. I think it’s my turn now. And I want a chick flick.” I grab the remote from his hand and search until I find what I’m looking for.

  “I’m going to grab more wine because there is no way I’ll make it through this without it.” He grumbles.

  ~

  The clicking of the lock was the only signal of the passing of time. The TV had gone black though when, I couldn’t tell you. The wine was still flowing freely and Gav was in the middle of saying something extremely funny, but at some point I lost the ability to hear what he was saying. My laughing head lands in Gavin’s lap causing more laughter to bubble forth.

  “Well hello, beautiful.” Happily I notice that my words slur only slightly as I greet Ian. He leans over the back of the couch and I place my arms around his neck, drawing his lips toward mine.

  “Well hello to you too.” He says once I allow him to come up for air. “You always greet men visiting your apartment this way?”

  “Just the hot ones.” My joke is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard judging by the laughter that follows.

  “Oh no, sweetheart. That’s not funny at all.” He grabs me around the waist and swings me into his arms. “You are mine, love. And I think I already told you I don’t share.” His lips devour mine.

  “And that my friends is my cue to find somewhere else to be.” Gavin hurriedly stands and I think he is about to walk back to his room when I see him at the front door instead. “Brett gets off work in about 30 minutes anyway. See you two in the morning.”

  “Bye, Gav. Thanks for the movie and the wine. “

  “Yeah Gav. Thanks for liquoring her up and then dumping her on me.” Ian’s voice is playful and I know he’s looking forward to what will happen once Gavin leaves.

  He wastes no time as the door closes in carrying me down the hall. “Did you have a good night, sweetheart?”

  “Yeah, Gav let me pick for once. What about you? Did you get your work all done?”

  His face hardens before he quickly shakes it off with a smile. “I don’t want to talk about work right now. There are so many other things I would rather be doing with you… to you.”

  His hand grasps mine and he kisses his way up my arm. “I’m glad you and Gav had fun. I’m not sure you’ll be thanking him tomorrow for all the wine you two drank but it was well worth it for me.” His lips capture mine in a soft but possessive kiss. It’s like he’s claiming me, marking me as his and I wonder what has happened to make him behave like this. Not that I’m complaining.

  “Ian? Is everything alright?” I finally manage to ask when he allows me to come up for some air.

  Looking deeply into my eyes, he replies “Lauren, I’m fine. It was just a long night and now all I want to do is be buried inside you and not think of anything else.”

  His words shoot straight through the most sensitive parts of me. I know Ian well enough to know that he’ll tell me what’s going on when he is ready and not before. I can’t help but feel a little guilty as most of the stress he carries right now is because of me. If it weren’t for the situation with Dean and then having to manage alone so often because I cannot travel, he wouldn’t have had to go into the office on Than
ksgiving night in the first place. So the least I can do for him tonight is allow him what he needs and not pry into whatever is going on.

  My hands roam his torso feeling the hard muscles under his shirt. Unable to control myself any longer, I reach for the hem and pull it swiftly over his head. I take in the sight before me. His hard, smooth chest rises and falls with each stuttered breath. The smooth lines of his muscles cry out for my touch and I happily oblige them, running first a finger over each path and then planting kisses and licking along each one. As I work my way down his chest and over his abdomen, my fingers work diligently at his belt and then his pants.

  My heart races at the thought of having him naked before me, of pleasing him in ways that only I can. Ian, however, has other plans. He grabs me under the arms and hoists me up his body until his lips once more capture mine. Then he turns us as one and backs me up until my legs bump against the bed.

  I cannot stop the whimper that escapes my lips though what I want I couldn’t tell you. My body is a mass of nerves and sensations and what I crave most is his touch, any touch from this man that controls me - heart, body and soul.

  “Ah Lauren, always so impatient. Sweetheart, you should know by now that I would never deny you anything. You have but to ask and I will give you whatever you want.”

  Through the fog in my mind, I hear his words. Damn that Gavin for bringing out so much wine and damn my weakness for having so many glasses. His lips come down forcefully on mine, devouring me, consuming me; making my body crave his in the most desperate ways.

  He pushes me back further until I’m seated on the bed. His open belt and pants sit at eye level and I long to reach out and free him from his confines. He must sense my urgency as I earn a warning glance from him.

  “No, Lauren that’s not going to happen yet. And if you can’t keep your hands to yourself, I’ll tie them behind you. Now sit like a good girl. I have a surprise for you.” I raise my eyebrows at him and smirk. “Don’t give me that look. Now close your eyes and I’ll be right back. No peeking and trust me I’ll know if you peek.” I see his smile as I close my eyes and he heads for the bedroom door. Though I want nothing more than to open my eyes and see what is going on especially when he re-enters the room a few moments later, I keep them firmly shut using all my will. If Ian desires suspense and anticipation, he has certainly done a fabulous job of building it. My skin feels like it’s on fire and with one touch I will melt. My insides have already liquefied with my need and desire. He’s the only thing that can satisfy me even though I know it will fan the already raging inferno inside me.

  I can hear his footsteps moving quietly through the room. The smell of sulfur drifts up my nostrils and I can almost see the candles he’s placed around the room. The aroma from them surrounds me next. My senses all feel heightened. The scent from the candles, his footsteps as he moves around the room, and softly somewhere I hear Snow Patrol singing about lying together and forgetting the world. Then there’s something else that I can’t quite name as well. That’s not until I feel something plump and soft against my lips. I open my mouth willingly and take in the sweet and juicy fruit. Juice runs down my chin and I reach out with my tongue to lick it up only to find another mouth there already doing that for me. “You like strawberries, sweetheart?”

  I hear the “mmmm” come from me before I even realize that I’m responding.

  “Do you want another?” I smell the strawberry he is dangling in front of me and had no idea I was so hungry until he fed me the first one. It’s not so much hunger really but the intimacy of the act, of him feeding me, taking care of me in such a simple, primitive way. I nod in response and the berry is brought to my lips; only this time I feel a flat, smooth surface unlike the one before. I lick at it with my tongue and taste the chocolate on the outside of the berry. Wanting more than anything to take a bite, I open my mouth wider. His movements are so slow; it’s agonizing but he very slowly slides the berry into my mouth and I bite through the hard outer shell. Taking a small piece of soft fruit and crunchy chocolate into my mouth. The flavors meld together and slide down my throat.

  His lips are once again on mine and his tongue invades my mouth tasting me, the chocolate, and the strawberry. His hot tongue entwines with mine then suddenly I feel cool air on my tongue as he pulls away. My eyes flutter and start to open. “Sweetheart, I never said our little game was finished so keep them closed or I’ll pull a tie out of the closet to help you keep them closed.” His words sound so tantalizing I want to open my eyes and reach for him at the same time just so he will have to make good on his promises to restrain me. The thought makes me giggle.

  “Something funny, love? Please share it with me.”

  “Oh it’s nothing really. Being blindfolded and tied up is sounding kind of fun so I was just thinking about breaking your rules so you would have to follow through.”

  “Give her a little wine and she turns into a naughty minx. Well, if that’s how you want to play…” His voice trails off as he walks across the room. Then he is back, he must be kneeling in front of me because I feel his chest against my legs. “I told you, Lauren, if you want something you just have to ask for it. So your wish is my command.” Cool silk wraps around my eyes covering them. I open my eyelids but am greeted only by blackness. Ian’s hands graze my stomach and he grasps the bottom of my shirt and lifts it over my head. Quickly he drops another kiss to my lips while his hands work their way around my waist taking my hands with them until my hands rest in the small of my back. Another piece of silk, which I know now is one of his ties, encircles my wrists before he ties it in a tight knot.

  “Ian?” His name falls as a question from my lips; suddenly I’m unsure of what he has planned and rethinking this whole decision to be blinded and bound.

  “Shh, beautiful, I promise I’ll always take care of you. You are the most precious thing to me and no harm will ever come to you while I’m around.” He kisses me again firmly sliding his tongue against my lips until they part and grant him entrance. His tongue slips around and over mine, I taste a faint hint of champagne. Oh, so my man thought he would have a little bubbly himself before embarking on our adventure. His fingers find my nipples through the lace of my bra and rub them gently until they peak with desire for him. A soft moan escapes my lips as his fingers continue to rub and massage my breasts.

  I want to move my hands, to touch him but then I remember that my hands are bound behind me. I try to be content with what he is doing to me but I want so badly to participate, to touch him in return.

  I feel his fingers working at the button on my jeans causing chill bumps to break out all across my body. The anticipation is more than I can handle. He must feel my shiver because he wraps his body around mine as he lays us down on the bed. “Are you cold, love?”

  “No, Ian. It’s just the waiting… It’s starting to make me crazy.”

  “Ah just being impatient again. Well I guess I better get to work again then.”

  His weight leaves the bed but I’m not sure where he’s gone off to. When he returns I smell another strawberry and my mind goes wild. “Oh no, sweetheart, this one isn’t for you. This is for me.” He bites into the fruit and juice drips all down my torso and across my breasts. “Hmm better get you cleaned up.” His tongue slides over me and around my breast licking all the juice from my skin. “Mm mm sticky and sweet just the way I like you.” I can hear him licking the remnants and juices from his lips before he takes another bite. This time only a few drops spill down onto my stomach but he wastes no time in lapping them up.

  His hands move lower again working at the waist of my jeans. He works his way down my body as his hands work my jeans down my legs in perfect synchronization. I lay before him in nothing but my lace bra and panties and feel his eyes as he drinks in the sight before him. A low groan escapes his throat as his body once more covers mine. “So beautiful and all mine.” His whispered words of love stir something deep in my heart. I will work for the rest of my life to ma
ke this man happy. There is nothing I want more in this life than him to be happy and find all the happiness that he so greatly deserves. When he melds our mouths together once again I pour all my love and wishes for our future into the kiss, hoping he is able to feel all that I am feeling in that moment.

  There is no greater joy than being in the arms of the man I love. I wish we could stay here forever and lock out the rest of the world. Remembering the earlier phone call, I realize that this is just a brief reprieve from that world and reality will be at my door all too soon. I vow to enjoy every single second like this that Ian and I have.

  He plants light kisses down my neck and across my breast then lower across my stomach until he comes to my soaked panties. He inhales deeply before pressing kisses to my swollen mound through the lace. There is no stopping the moans of pleasure he elicits from me.

  “Fuck, sweetheart. I love those noises you make.” He kisses me some more before moving down first one leg and then up the other. When he reaches my slick folds, he once again teases me through my panties before making his way back up to my neck and mouth.

  His pants are rough against my sensitive skin and I want to protest, to tell him to remove them but he beats me to the punch. Suddenly he moves away from my body and I hear his belt hit the floor. Then he's back on me and his hard length presses against my hot core through his boxer briefs.

  “Ian.” I cry out begging him to relieve me from my prison, to commute my sentence as it were. My pleading goes unnoticed until he tries to remove my bra. He works the clasp open but with my hands tied there is no way to remove it completely. Finally he pulls the front over my head and my own bra becomes another confine for me. I can almost hear the smile; he is definitely pleased with himself at this turn of events, knowing that I’m completely helpless and held captive by him.