Freed by Fire

by Christine, Ashley

  “Great idea,” Caid said as he nipped my lip with his teeth and pressed his growing erection into me. “I think we may just have an explosion on our hands before we get there though…”

  “Caid!” I bucked my hips into him. “You don’t ever get tired of that, do you?”

  “Nope.” He frowned. “Why, do you?”

  “Not a chance.” I pulled him back down and kissed him as hard and with as much desire as I could. Every kiss was like our first and our last.

  “Why do you smell like me?” he asked, his head cocked to one side.

  “I used your deodorant.”

  “That’s pretty hot, you know.” Caid sat back up and held out his hands to me. I gave him one hand and held his phone in the other. As I stood I swiped the screen from one Google search page to another. I blinked. “Caid…”

  “Emery.”

  “You Googled me?”

  “I may have.”

  I didn’t have much room to speak, since I searched him online last week. But, it was a tad surprising to see my author page on his phone. “Well...”

  “Well, what? I may or may not have read the free online snippet of your book while you were sleeping.”

  “Oh…”

  “And, I may or may not have enjoyed what I read. It was possibly very uplifting.”

  I gaped and tossed him his phone.

  Caid tipped my chin up with his finger. His eyes searched mine. “I think there is so much more to you, Emery. There is someone in there that is dying to get out. I can see that in your book…and that was only one chapter.”

  “You read the entire chapter?”

  “May or may not have, love.”

  “It’s fiction.”

  “On paper, perhaps,” he said as he trailed his finger down my neck until it reached my heart. “But I think it’s more of a biography because it came from here. You wrote those words. You felt those feelings. Not…what was his name? Ah, yes. Toby.”

  I started to blush. I didn’t even have complex conversations like this with the fans of my books. It was as if Caid saw past the paper and ink and saw me sitting at my laptop while I wrote each and every word. He saw me, the author. Not the characters and what I made them endure.

  The tent came down in much less time, and everything was packed and put away in the large tote by one-thirty. I walked behind Caid this time, watching his body move as he carried the heavy box. It looked light as a feather in his strong arms.

  “Nice view, Burke.” I whistled.

  “Yeah, I work out,” he said, in a confident and teasing way.

  He probably did too. Then my thoughts traveled to him shirtless again, running or lifting weights. Kickboxing…oh, hot damn. We reached his truck just as my mind started to really go crazy. I was in the gutter and digging myself deeper. He hadn’t touched me in that way since yesterday, and he hadn’t been inside me since we were in my old bedroom at my mom’s.

  I was turning into a fiend. I craved him. I longed for his touch, his tongue and fingers and…oh, God, that cock. Yes, I’ll be blunt. I was a beautiful thing. Large and gloriously perfect. It wasn’t even how good it felt, it was how he used it. He had mastered his skill.

  ***

  Sunday, July 14 – 9:57 pm

  “Is that everything?” the young kid behind the counter asked.

  “Uhhh, nope…” Caid said, perusing the display of candy bars. “This one too.” He placed down a bag of chocolate covered raisins. “That’s all you want, Em?”

  “Yep, I’m good.” I took my popcorn, slushie and bag of Swedish Berries and thanked the kid. He nodded quickly then eagerly asked to help the next people in the line—a group of five bubble-gum blowing high school girls who were too busy on their cellphones to pay attention to anything going on around them.

  “I bet they’re here for the explosions and half-naked ladies,” Caid teased.

  I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, definitely not for the other movie.”

  When we climbed back into Caid’s truck, he lifted the center console and pulled me over to sit beside him. “The movie might be scary. I may need a cuddle buddy.”

  “Pfft. Sure, Burke. You’re probably hoping to cop a feel later.” I ripped open the bag of red berries and popped a handful into my mouth.

  “I can’t help myself, you just smell so good.” He purred and nuzzled my hair.

  Oh, right. The deodorant.

  “You’re right. I do smell pretty fantastic.”

  As the screen lit up to show the opening credits, I sipped my iced mixture of sugar and red dye and Caid reached to turn the radio up. I glanced up to the screen and saw that the movie wasn’t the one I had expected. It was the one with the hunky-dreamboat. Channy Taytee.

  “I thought…”

  “You thought what? That what you want to see is out of the question? Hell, Em. I’ll watch a flick full of girl-on-girl with you. If that’s what you’re into…” He smirked and elbowed me playfully. “Is that what you’re into?”

  “You wish.” I set the drink down and smiled. “Really, though, I don’t mind if we saw the one you wanted to.”

  “I want to do whatever you want to do. Now shut up so we can watch the man I’m up against and see what all the fuss is about.”

  I was in awe. Matt would never have sat through a romantic movie with me. He didn’t even watch movies. We had Blu-ray and Netflix simply for him to be able to watch reality television shows on repeat. If I wanted to see a movie with hearts and flowers, I would have gone alone.

  The movie was good. A bit teary, and I made it through without swooning and gushing over the male lead. Caid’s phone lit up a few times during the show. He ignored it after checking to make sure it wasn’t Caleb’s grandparents calling.

  As promised, Caid took me back to his house for a “sleepover”. Even though sleep was the least of what took place once we got there. The last thing I remembered, before finally falling asleep was Caid gently tracing his fingers over my naked back.

  ***

  Thursday, August 1 – 6:37 am

  “Shit, shit, shit, shit!” Maggie clambered around the house waking me from a peaceful sleep. “I’m so fucking late!”

  I staggered out of my bedroom and rubbed my eyes. Blinded by the scorching sun. “Mags? Everything okay?”

  “Shit,” she said again. “Sorry, Em. I slept in. I’m supposed to be at work for seven and it’s going to take me at least half an hour to get there. I’m not even dressed yet.”

  “Can I help you with anything? You want me to make your lunch?”

  Maggie laughed and peeled off her long t-shirt. “No, mom. I think I might have lunch in the cafeteria with all the cool kids today.” She buttoned up her blouse and hopped on one foot while trying to put on her heel. “What are you doing today? Is Mr. September coming over again?”

  “I should have never said anything about that,” I whined.

  Caid, along with other members of the CFD had been asked to pose for photos that would be used in calendar form to raise money for a charity. They weren’t naked, and you couldn’t even see their faces. Caid was Mr. September. I asked him if he chose that month because it was my birth month but he smiled and denied it.

  He was set in front of a black background, with his back turned. He held a long axe over his shoulders—picture a stockade—and his hands were gripped around each end. The muscles rippled in his back and shoulders. The dragon stretched and deliciously blew its fire. He wore low-hung jeans that let the waistband of his underwear peak out.

  “You wouldn’t have even known yourself if Daniel hadn’t told you. Besides, you should be proud. He’s hot.” Maggie raised an eyebrow and stuck her tongue out. “Anyway, I have to go. Have a good day, darling!”

  I waved my fingers as she left and headed to the kitchen to pour myself some coffee. No sleeping in for this girl today. I opened my laptop and fired up my manuscript. Time to get down to business. I set a goal for myself to have it completed within the next two weeks, and
back from my editor before the end of the summer.

  My phone chirped, and I swung around the in the desk chair when I saw it was a text from Caid. I hadn’t seen him for almost one week. He was working tirelessly, and to boot, it was all night-shifts.

  Caid: Good morning. I’m just heading to bed.

  Wishing you were here. I can’t sleep without

  a little drool on my pillow.

  Me: Good night, sir. I’m choosing to ignore

  the comment regarding my supposed salivation,

  and simply tell you that I wish I were there as well.

  Caid: I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

  Me: Same. Do I get to give you

  birthday spankings?

  Caid: You get to do no such thing, love.

  Birthday….blowjobs, perhaps.

  Me: Go to sleep, Burke.

  He didn’t text back. He called.

  “I said go to sleep.”

  “I can’t without hearing your voice first.”

  I liquefied hearing his deep guttural rasp. “This is the sound of my voice. Close those beautiful eyes and go to sleep. Tomorrow is your birthday and you need to get some rest for all of the wicked things I plan on doing with you.”

  “I’m coming over.”

  “No! Sleep.”

  “I don’t know why I put up with your bossiness.” He sighed. “Want to guess what I’m doing right now?”

  My cheeks turned red. I could only imagine what he was doing. “Closing your eyes?”

  “Close.”

  “Thinking of me?”

  “Closer.”

  “Caid…” I said. “I’m going to hang up now.”

  He let out a small laugh. “I’m almost there, just keep talking.”

  The thought of him touching himself on the other end of the line made me incredibly hot. Even if he was just teasing me, it started the wheel in my mind. “Here is a little image for you to think about…I’m going to shower now. I’m going to slowly…Ever. So. Slowly. peel off my clothes and stand under the steamy water…”

  “Oh, Christ.”

  “Goodnight. See you tomorrow.” I hung up the phone and fell back in the chair. Letting out a small sigh, I actually did go and take a shower. Not in the provocative way like I had let Caid believe. Just a quick in-and-out type of thing. Enough to wake me up and let me focus on my book. I managed to push over twelve thousand words without taking one bathroom break. I did, however, refill my coffee. Twice.

  Since it was the first of the month, it was time to pay my cellphone bill. I logged into my online banking account and paid the debt. As I sat and viewed my balance, which was an enormous number with the added money from the sale of my mom’s house, a twinge rippled through my stomach.

  She didn’t want her house to sit after she was gone.

  She wouldn’t want the money to either. I knew that, because she had told me.

  “Take a trip, Emery. Maybe one for just you. Live a little. Find the girl that I know is in there,” she had said months ago.

  I didn’t want to think about anything but her. Money meant shit to me. But now, I had more than enough to take that trip. Or to replace Blue (who was still sitting at a garage outside of the city). Or to take a small shopping spree and buy something to wear to the Birthday Boy’s celebration at Leland’s pub tomorrow night.

  I spun around in the chair. It wasn’t mom’s office chair. But it was good enough. I closed my eyes and pictured her here with me. Her warm eyes smiling at me as I laughed and gained my bearings from the spinning room. “God, I miss you so much, mama…” I whispered, holding my hand over my heart.

  I grabbed my purse, snatched the keys from the table and headed out the door. I wasn’t going to recreate Ellie’s wardrobe in my own closet, but I was going to buy myself something. Even if it was one thing. It would be mine, and no one could tell me I couldn’t wear it.

  I found myself in a glitzy boutique downtown. I felt extremely out of place in my $2.00 Wal-Mart flip-flops and JC Penney shorts and tank top. An employee approached me with a big smile, flashing pearly white teeth. Her short blonde hair sat just above her shoulders and swished as she walked.

  “Hi, there! My name is Lexi. Can I help you with anything today?”

  “Hi,” I said, timidly. Clearing my throat, I straightened my posture. “Lexi, I’m looking for…I don’t know actually.” I laughed nervously. “I need something to wear for a birthday celebration.”

  She put her finger to her chin, as if she were in deep thought. “Is this a child’s birthday?”

  I shook my head.

  “Another relative?”

  “No, it’s my…boyfriend’s birthday.” I didn’t know if Caid was that exact term. We hadn’t defined anything in stone. But I knew I cared about him enough that I considered him in that context. “It’s taking place at a pub.”

  Lexi’s eyes lit up and she grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the intimates section. “I have been bored all morning. Please tell me you don’t have any plans for a while. I would love to have a little dressing room fun!”

  I blinked at her. She wanted to take me into the dressing room? What?

  “Oh!” She giggled. “I mean…like, in Pretty Woman! Let’s get you out of that beater tank and find you something sexy. You need to show off that body!”

  Blushing, I let her go on about what she thought would suit me best. By the time I made it into the dressing room I had an entire arm full of clothes and a small black basket with bras and other…questionable items in it.

  “Well?” Lexi called over the door. I heard her foot tapping the tile while I dressed.

  “Well,” I said. “I don’t know. It’s…very tight.” I opened the door and stepped out in my bare feet.

  “Shit, that’s it. That’s the one. Forget the rest, honey.” Lexi took my hand and led me to the large floor-to-ceiling mirror at the end of the aisle of dressing rooms. “Look at you. You’re stunning.”

  I didn’t know if she was being this nice because I was a potential customer. She probably laid the same lines on every woman who came in alone and looked completely like a fish out of water.

  I turned my body and looked at my behind. Shit, it was tight. I wore a black dress. It was so simple, too. Sleeveless, with a neckline that dipped just above my average breasts, with a full back. My legs were bare. It was short too. Turning to look again I checked out the rear.

  “If I bend over, you’re going to see my ass, Lexi.”

  She giggled. “You didn’t even look in the black basket!”

  I gave her a scrunched face. “Huh?”

  “Go put one of those power-bras on and tell me what you think.” She pushed me back into the dressing room and pulled the door closed.

  “Damn,” I said, looking at myself in the mirror. I wasn’t entirely sure why it was called a power-bra, but nonetheless it enhanced what I had by ten-fold.

  “Your beau’s going to have to keep his eye on you, girl!” Lexi stood back with her arms crossed, happy with herself.

  “I hope so,” I whispered.

  After I left the dressing room with my black shred of cloth—err, I mean, dress—I set it on the counter, along with the power-bra and a matching black pair of silk panties tied at the side with a little bow. I saw them and thought of Caid. I want to watch him untie that bow. I wanted to be his present.

  “You came in at the right time, girl! There’s a secret manager’s promotion right now. Everything is forty percent off.” Lexi winked.

  She probably thought I couldn’t afford full-price considering I walked in wearing clothing that was still cheaper together than the panties were alone. But, who was I to argue a good deal? I smiled, thanked her, and headed home before I changed my mind and returned the clothing.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Friday, August 2 – 11:22 am

  I sent Caid a message this morning to wish him a very happy birthday. He didn’t respond, but I knew he was out with Leland and Caleb. They w
ent fishing early this morning. Maggie asked me to have lunch with her this afternoon, so after writing a little more in my manuscript, I headed down to the Winston, Walker & Waverly building.

  “My name is Emery Finn, I’m here to see Maggie O’Halloran,” I said to the man behind the half-moon desk in the lobby of the skyscraper Maggie worked in.

  “The elevators are just over there,” he pointed and smiled, “go up to the sixty-second floor.”

  I stood in the crowded elevator holding my breath the entire time. It smelled like too much perfume and expensive cologne. Again, I stuck out like a sore thumb, in my jeans and t-shirt, while everyone else was clad in pressed suits and freshly laundered linen.

  I heard Ellie’s voice before I stepped out of the elevator and saw her standing with Maggie near the reception desk. “There she is!” Ellie squealed. I wondered to myself if she was always like that. Every time I saw her, she was bouncy.

  “Hey, guys.” I smiled and inhaled a breath of conditioned air. “Ready to go?”

  “Hey, Emery! We were just on our way down to meet you. I’m starving…let’s go!” Ellie said and took my hand to lead me back into the elevator. Maggie joined us and bumped my hip with hers.

  “Looking forward to tonight, Em?” Maggie asked. “Ellie hasn’t shut up all day about how excited she is.”

  “Daniel and I are official now. What’s not to be excited about? Plus, it’s Friday and I just want to go and drink with my girls!”

  I smiled at them both. “That’s great, Ellie! I can’t wait for tonight either.”

  We headed back down in the elevator, thankfully that time there were only the three of us and two others. A new sushi shop opened across the street from Maggie’s work, so we made our way over and sat down at a table near the window.

  “Mmm, this is so good.” I moaned while I ate my first bite of the deliciously perfect sushi. “I love avocado.”

  “Eww, I hate it. I should have read the menu better. Take mine,” Maggie said, scraping three rolls from her plate onto mine. “So, anyway…what are you planning to do with the birthday boy tonight?”