Prairie Fire

by Tessa Layne

  God, he loved how she touched him. He couldn’t stop himself from thrusting against her hand. It felt too damn good, the pleasant ache that swelled his cock and set his nerve endings on fire.

  It would hurt her more to turn her down. Maybe that was an entirely selfish justification on his part, but the reptile part of his brain was very quickly taking over.

  Cassie’s fingers threaded through his hair, and she pulled his head down for another kiss, her mouth insistent against his. With another groan, he gave into her pleading and opened. At the first stroke of her tongue against his, he was lost. Shifting to his knees, he pulled her flush against him, his hands roving up and down her back underneath her shirt and settling lower to cup her ass and squeeze.

  He could give her this. Fill her up with his love. Chase away whatever demons haunted her. Make her forget everything for a blessed moment except the heat of his mouth, the force of his thrust when he filled her up. He might not be able to give her much, but he could give her this.

  He pulled off her shirt, and with it, her sports bra, dropping them to the floor. His own shirt followed. Gently, he lowered her to the floor. He stared down at her, eyes raking over her. He recognized the frenetic hunger in her expression. He’d seen it the first night they’d been together. But now he understood what he was seeing. Blind need. Desperate to push out the darkness. By God, he would be her light.

  He settled over her, bracing an arm, and tracing her body from hip to shoulder with the other. He grazed his fingers over her collarbone and around the curve of her breast, reveling in its heavy softness and the way it stiffened with his touch. Dipping his head, he marked the same path with his tongue, nipping at the sensitive skin at her collarbone, navigating over the downward arc to sweep up and capture her dusky pink peak.

  With a quiet sound of surrender, she arched into him, offering more. He took it, taking more of her into his mouth, circling his tongue over her heated skin. He caressed the swell of her hip, thumb dipping under the elastic of her station pants to find the ridge of her hipbone. There was a spot just below it that set her on fire when he pressed on it. Sure enough, her hips rocked into his when he pressed.

  “Parker…”

  If she was talking, she was thinking. And if she wanted to forget then he damn well wasn’t going to let her think. He covered her mouth with his, tongue sweeping into hers, tasting her sweetness and her sorrow. Licking into her and drawing little whimpers from the back of her throat. Tearing his mouth away, he worked his way over her jaw, down the arc of her throat to the hollow at the base of her neck. While he worked her with his mouth, he pulled off her pants, baring the rest of her to his touch.

  He cupped her pussy, rubbing back and forth in time with the rhythm her hips set, and dipping a finger into her wetness only when she moaned. He slipped inside her heat, palming her clit as he stroked. But tonight – this morning – he wouldn’t give her the release she sought just yet. He moved with her but pulled away when her thighs tensed and began to tremble.

  He kissed her deeply as he drew his hand away, swallowing her cry of need. His cock jerked in response to her vocalizing, but he pushed his own need aside, keeping his focus entirely on Cassie. She needed this, needed him.

  Sitting back, he licked a path down her ribs, across the concave breadth of her belly, to the slight swell below her belly button which led to heaven. Slowing his pace, he inhaled deeply, letting her scent fill him, and brought his mouth to rest on her mound, right at her pubic bone.

  She lifted her hips, and he let her grind into his mouth before he started to lap the area, his tongue flicking closer and closer to her clit. Raising his hand, he traced a thumb over her lower lip while he kissed her swollen pussy lips.

  Taking his lead, she turned her head, nipping and sucking his thumb, drawing her teeth across the pad. Slowly, he ran the flat of his tongue across her most sensitive spot, smiling as she shuddered with delight.

  He lapped and licked, diving into her sweetness and letting her essence flow across his tongue. She was close. He could tell by the way her breathing changed, became more shallow, while at the same time she clutched at anything her hands could touch.

  Parker shoved down his sweats, freeing his cock and raised himself on an elbow, taking himself in hand and rubbing the head of his cock against her clit over and over again. She was so wet he couldn’t tell where he ended and she began. All he knew was touching her like this felt damn good, and it made her thrash and moan.

  She raised her head, eyes flaming. “Parker. Now.”

  He drove home as her eyes grew wide, and a smile curved her mouth. He pulled out slowly then slammed home again, swelling in satisfaction as she gasped and reached for his ass. Her fingernails dug into him, spurring him on. He angled his arm to capture a fistful of her hair. Giving a gentle pull, he tilted her head up, exposing her throat. She squeezed his ass harder. Pure animal urgency short circuited his thoughts. He blazed a trail up the side of her neck, nipping and sucking, to claim her mouth in a searing kiss. He would fill her up.

  She raked her fingers up his back, and as his desire spiraled out of control, she cried into his mouth, body shuddering. As her pussy clenched around his cock, he cried out and moaned with her, shaking and emptying himself. He strained against her as relief finally melted his bones. After a moment, his frantic thrusts came to a halt. He was spent.

  She let out a satisfied sigh, and he dropped his head to her neck. “I love you, Cassie,” he murmured. He meant it too. This wasn’t just a lusty declaration made in the aftermath of great sex. They’d been having great sex already. This was different. He wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. That she was enough. And that she would never be alone.

  Her mouth curved into a tiny smile and she hummed, though her eyes remained shut. Post orgasm relaxation combined with his lack of sleep and suddenly, his eyelids were heavy. He dropped a kiss on the corner of her mouth and let his head come to rest in the curve of her neck.

  Parker started awake to the thumping bass of an 80’s metal band. Shit. One of the Benoit twins must have arrived for shift change. He and Cassie lay on the floor, a tangle of limbs. He disentangled his leg while giving her a shake. “Get up. Shift change.”

  Sucking in a deep breath, Cassie sat in a fluid motion, then stood gathering her clothes. Hopping to her feet, she stumbled to a chair in the corner and grabbed her leathers. “Where you going?”

  “Home.”

  “Don’t you want breakfast?”

  She shook her head, and he fought the disappointment that expanded in his sternum.

  “I need to go.” She met his gaze, and her face softened. Shaking her head, she sat on the bed and pulled a tank top over her head. “Don’t do this, Park. You don’t want to do this.”

  “Do what?” But he already knew what she was going to say.

  “I’m a hot mess. Last night is evidence enough.”

  “Don’t you think you should talk about it?”

  She shook her head. “Talking isn’t going to make anything better.”

  “Hiding isn’t going to make it better either.”

  Cassie rolled her eyes. “I don’t need a mother hen.”

  “Just because I care doesn’t mean I’m a mother hen,” he bristled.

  Muffled voices sounded on the other side of the door. Shit. He needed to get dressed. He didn’t give a shit what people said about him, it was Cassie he worried about. But she’d beat him to it. She shrugged into her jacket and yanked the door open just as he shoved a leg into his pants.

  “Ace?” Johnny Benoit’s voice drifted through the space. “Is that–”

  “Nothing. Not. A. Word.” Cassie uttered fiercely.

  Half of him was proud of her. The other half was pissed as hell that she felt the need to hide their relationship. This was Prairie, not the goddamned military. They might be on the receiving end of some good-natured ribbing, but that would be all.

  He pulled his tee over his head and stepped into the rec room
. “Where you headed, Cass?”

  Without turning to look at him, she spoke. “Mom’s already out at the food truck. I’m gonna pop in and check on her, then go help dad with chores.”

  “Catch up with you later?” He purposefully kept his voice light, even though he wanted to hit something right now. And wipe the knowing smile off Johnny’s face with his fist.

  “Yeah. Sure.” She kept her back to him. “Laters.” She raised an arm and took the stairs two at a time.

  He watched her flee, chagrin covering him like a blanket. He made the mistake of catching Johnny’s eye as he turned. Johnny stood, arms crossed, eyes dancing and wearing a smirk.

  “What?” Parker growled. “Get to work.”

  CHAPTER 14

  She couldn’t get out of the firehouse fast enough. How would she ever live this down? Worse, how could she ever look Parker in the eye again? She’d completely lost it last night. And then begged him for a pity fuck. Completely selfish of her. Not to mention pathetic.

  And what had he done?

  Fucked her brains out beautifully. Magically. And told her he loved her. It was all more than she could handle right now. Christ, what a fucked-up mess. Why couldn’t she manage a simple relationship?

  Giving herself a shake, she hopped on her bike and rode the two blocks to Main Street where the truck was set up in front of the park.

  “Where’s your helmet young lady?” her mother called out as she stepped out of the truck.

  Cassie rolled her eyes as she parked the bike. “Calm down, ma, it was only two blocks.”

  “I don’t care how far it is,” she said sharply, her voice laced with concern. “Your head would still lose a battle with the pavement. Or a car.”

  “Fine. I’ll wear it next time. I always wear it on the road.”

  Dottie’s face softened, and she wrapped Cassie in a hug. In spite of her mother’s overbearing nature, she was the best hugger. Plump and squishy. Strong arms offering a soft place to land. Cassie settled into her mother’s embrace. This was why she’d come home. Her mother couldn’t make anything better, but her hugs helped. As did her food. “Can I have a special breakfast?”

  “Of course, Sweetie-Pie. Jamey’s making it this morning. Bacon breakfast hash with green chile and a fried egg.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  Dottie stepped back, giving her a hard look. “You have a hard night last night?”

  Heat crawled up the back of Cassie’s neck, and her chest suddenly felt tight. “Just tired, Ma. Yesterday was a long day.”

  Her mother’s eyes crinkled. “Sure was. Make sure you get some rest okay? You’re dad’s out in the south pasture mending fences today. Take him lunch when you join him?”

  So like her mom. She’d never rest until everyone had a full belly. She nodded and took a seat in one of the camp chairs set up behind the truck. A few minutes later, Dottie brought her a plate.

  Cassie ate quickly. Shift change was over, and Parker would be heading back to the Hansen ranch to put in a full day’s work over there. According to her mother, he stopped by the food truck most mornings. She couldn’t face him until she’d had some time to process last night. And get a grip on her nightmares. Last night’s had been particularly bad. Probably because of the stress of the Fourth. But what if it wasn’t? What if she was slowly going crazy?

  She crumpled her plate and tossed it in the garbage. She’d come back for her dad’s lunch after a nice long ride. Needed the concentration riding demanded and the thrill of the rushing wind. She needed it today like she needed oxygen.

  Giving her mother a wave once she’d tucked her hair into her helmet, she fired up her bike and slowly rolled out of town. As soon as she’d passed the city limits, she ducked down and rolled the throttle, letting the bike open up. Something deep in her gut hooked into place as she zoomed ahead, brown hills flying by in a blur. Right now, there was only her and the winding road in front of her. It was early enough in the day, her favorite route would be empty except for the occasional local truck, but she could easily zip around them.

  The only thing better would be flying. But she’d be back in the cockpit in two more weeks for a weekend of training missions. She liked her new team. The crew chief was the only one besides her who’d done time in the sandbox, and they’d quickly meshed. Her co-pilot was on her first assignment out of Ft. Rucker. Green, but smart. And Cassie was thrilled to have another woman on board.

  She downshifted and leaned into a sharp turn, knee almost scraping the asphalt. God, she loved how this bike handled. For the sheer joy of it, she popped a wheelie and increased her speed, roaring down the road. Speed didn’t matter on these rides, although she was probably going twice the posted speed limit. When she’d ridden to the point where her mind calmed, she slowed and pulled off on the shoulder. Normally, she didn’t stop, but it was a beautiful morning, and still relatively early. Not too hot or humid, and she just wanted a moment to breathe and listen to the birds.

  Cassie pulled off her helmet and turned her face into the sun. The breeze kissed her cheeks. Definitely no more than five knots. Perfect conditions for flying. Takeoff would be effortless on a morning like this. Shutting her eyes, she let her head fall back and breathed deeply. God, what she’d give to be on the flight line this morning.

  The air was soft.

  So gentle, a feather could float suspended, flitting and curlicuing its way to earth where it would land with the lightness of a sigh.

  In air like this, there was no rush. No marking of time. Only this moment, silent and beautiful. Peace stole over Cassie, settling on her like a gossamer cloak.

  She had no idea how long she stood there, completely at ease, drinking in the air. Her reverie shattered when a passing truck backfired. And just like that, she fell back to earth, weighted down by all that had transpired overnight. Tucking her hair inside her helmet, she hopped on her bike again. Turning and giving the little area a final look, she fired up Sally and with a wheelie, sped off back toward Prairie.

  The bike chewed up the miles as the sun rose higher, heating her under her leathers. Sweat began to pool at the back of her neck. A bead of sweat erupted at her temple and ran into her eye. In the span of time it took to shake the drop away, all hell broke loose.

  Cassie came careening around a bend, then opened up as she always did on the straightaway. Only this time, a large truck and trailer blocked the road a short distance in front of her.

  “Fuuuuuck,” she hissed as she checklisted her options in very quick succession. None of them good. Everything slowed.

  She didn’t have enough time to bring the bike to a stop.

  No ramp to use to jump over the obstacle.

  There might be a small patch of road in front of the truck, but the dirt was soft, she’d flip the bike.

  The trailer and truck were too low to the ground to attempt a slide under.

  That left one thing.

  Ditching the bike.

  She was fucked.

  All senses clicking into hyper focus, she quickly assessed the right side of the road had more vegetation to break her fall. If she shed most of the speed before she ditched it, maybe the bike wouldn’t be too beat up. And if she aimed for the trailer she might survive through the crash into thin metal so the driver could chew her only one new asshole instead of three for hitting something more substantial.

  She glanced down. 7,000rpms. This would be a hard landing. Sorry, Sally. Offering a silent prayer as she hit the back brake and pulled the clutch, starting the skid. As she barreled closer to the trailer, she turned the wheel hard, dropped the clutch and throttled back, drifting the bike and dropping it. As the bike lay down she pushed with all she had, leaping away and toward the ditch, curling into a ball and tucking her shoulder, she braced for impact.

  The landing knocked the wind out of her, and she rolled, once, twice, three times. At the same time, she registered the scrape of metal against asphalt and the crash of impact.

  “Crap.” />
  Cassie shut her eyes, head falling back, and she quickly scanned her body, starting first by wiggling her fingers and toes. Check. No spinal injury. She would be in a world of hurt tomorrow, though. Her ears rang, and her blood pounded in her head.

  Maybe she should lie here a minute before she tried to get up. Bring her heart rate back to normal. She circled her wrists and ankles, then moved her elbows. Still okay. Bracing a hand on the ground, she pulled herself to sitting.

  Her body scan came to an abrupt halt when a man, presumably the owner of the truck, crouched over her, shouting. “Cassidy? What. The. Ever. Loving. FUCK?”

  Staring down at her with a murderous expression, was none other than Travis Kincaid.

  CHAPTER 15

  She tried to raise a hand but winced as she lifted it. Yeah, her shoulder was gonna be in a world of hurt tomorrow, but it didn’t feel broken. She gave Travis a sheepish smile. “Hi, Travis. Nice morning?” He was in street clothes instead of his usual police chief uniform. Of course. Fifth of July. He’d probably worked an eighteen-hour day yesterday.

  “Are you fucking out of your mind?”

  “Nice to see you too.”

  He dropped to his knees and started squeezing her legs at her ankles, checking for broken bones.

  “I’m fine, Travis. I can move my fingers and toes. No spinal injury.”

  “What about the rest of you?”

  “I’ll be sore. Ow.” She winced as she squeezed her right knee.

  “You’ll need to get that checked out.”

  “I’ll be fine. I probably hit a rock when I tumbled. Nothing a few aspirin and some ice won’t cure.”

  He glared at her. “You should go to the doctor.”

  “And get grounded? No thanks. I’m fine.” She tried shrugging him away as he brought his hands up to her neck. “C’mon, Travis. Help me up.”

  “Not until I know I’m not injuring you further,” he growled. “You never should have sat up.”