Fighting the Fire

by Jennifer Conner

  She shook her head.

  “You think that I’m protecting you because I love you…which I do.” He closed his eyes and paused. “If you’re responsible for the fire, then tell me how you started it?”

  “You’re asking me this when you already know the answer. What kind of question is that?”

  “Just answer it.”

  “I started the fire.”

  “How?” His eyes bored into her.

  “With my powers. The fire must have started after I fell asleep. Nothing Orenda said was true. I have no control over it. Now someone has died.” Tears blurred her vision and she wiped at her nose.

  He studied her for a second before answering, “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

  She put her hands out and crossed them at the wrists. “If it’s a confession you want before you take me in, you have it. I did it.”

  “Stop.” Cy grasped her forearms. She felt a sharp snap, but he didn’t let go. “No, you didn’t.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s the opposite. You didn’t start either of the fires. Before we left Sally’s house the captain found paint cans outside. The same paint cans that started the fire at your house. We have a serial arsonist linked to both fires. You can’t blame yourself because you didn’t do it. You. Did. Not. Do it.”

  Mia blinked as she tried to process what Cy just said. He stepped closer and reached for her. This time she didn’t try to stop him.

  “You didn’t cause the fires.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “I saw the paint accelerants behind Sally’s house with my own eyes. You didn’t start the fires.”

  Mia sank against him and he held her tight. They stood silent for what felt like forever.

  Cy lifted her chin. There was so much emotion in his eyes. “You didn’t start the fires, but someone did. We have to find who did, and that’s where I need your help.”

  “I don’t know.” Her lip trembled. “I told you before, I don’t know.”

  “In the morning, we’ll work on it. But right now I need you.” He paused, and she felt a tremble run through him. “Mary—”

  “Tell me.” Suddenly she wanted to be there for him.

  “It was terrible, God, Mary’s body.” His voice broke as he pulled her tightly against his chest. She smelled smoke and Mia could tell from his deep shaky breaths that he was crying. “I shouldn’t talk about it, you have enough to worry about, but when I got the call about the fire, I thought I’d lost you,” he muttered into her hair. “I was frantic. Sick. Crazy. That’s when I realized how important you’ve become to me and the thought of living the rest of my life without you was unbearable. Sometimes you wait too long to tell people that…you know?”

  He was holding her so tightly it was hard to breathe, but Mia barely noticed.

  “I told Sally I loved her tonight. Over the years she was there to help raise me, but I’ve never come out and said it. I thought I’d lost two of the most important people in my life, and I’d never gotten the nerve to tell them how I felt.” He stopped before saying, “I love you, Mia.”

  Her heart shattered. The armor shell she’d built for protection melted away like a spring thaw. She raised her hand and slowly stroked a path down the side of his face hoping, praying he wouldn’t turn away.

  She nodded. “I know you would never hurt me. Never. I can feel that in you-. I know that above all else, you’re not your father. The violence he carried wasn’t inherited, it stopped with him. You said the terrible things that happened to you as a child were still part of you, but you’ve chosen to live with your demons. I realize I’ve always run from mine, and never faced them. I never thought I could because I was always alone.” Her fingers brushed down the hard angles of his jaw. “I’ve fallen in love with you, too.”

  “Mia...”

  She placed a finger to his lips. “I know that I can stop being afraid every second that I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone. I’m safe here with you. No one’s going to hurt me, because I know you won’t let them and you’re not going to walk out on me one day. What happened is in the past, and the past is gone for both of us. If it’s true that I wasn’t responsible for those fires, then we need to find out who was.” The night wind rustled leaves high in the trees and blew across her face. “Could you hold me?”

  Laying her head on his chest, she could hear the slow, strong beat of his heart beneath his shirt.

  “Did you just say that you love me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  She nodded. “I did. I don't have much to base it on from my past, but I know how I feel. I love you.”

  He rested his head on the top of hers and breathed in deeply. “I thought I might live my whole life without hearing someone say those words to me, and really mean it. Mia, I don’t deserve you.”

  “You deserve everything, including me, if that’s what you want. You’re a good man, Cy Brennon, the best.” Mia tipped her head. “If the fire hadn’t started that night, I may have never met you? Maybe this power of the moon thing is not as bad as I had originally thought.” Mia stepped back, spread her arms, and then raised them toward the full moon in the night sky. “Make the power of the moon mine.”

  Cy raised an eyebrow in question. “What did you do?”

  A grin broke across her face, as she glanced through her long lashes. “I don't know, but it looked kind of cool, didn’t it?”

  He groaned and shook his head, dimples indenting crescents into his cheeks. “You’re crazy.”

  “I remember calling you that. I’ll do anything for a smile.”

  “What will you do for a kiss?” His grin faded as he closed the gap until she could feel the heat that radiated off his body. “Neither of us can change our past, but we can change the future.” His mouth came down on hers soft and gentle. Always waiting until she was ready to take everything he had to offer her and then more.

  Chapter 14

  “No snap?” His lips finally left hers but he remained inches away. “Green means go?”

  Mia watched his gaze grow dark as she nodded. He was there again, his mouth settling in for a kiss. She parted her lips and felt the pull to him, physically and emotionally. Her body was drawn by that invisible force.

  Cy took the offering, deepening the kiss, mastering her reactions, filling her senses until she felt nothing but him, tasted nothing but him.

  He explored her lower lip as though trying to claim it as his own. “I want you to be mine, Mia,” he said, his voice deep and husky. “With my father, I thought that if you felt something was yours, it meant you could inflict pain on that person.” He nuzzled her smooth, high cheekbone. “But I’ve realized there are two sides. The other, being when you love someone, truly love them, they become yours. But that possession is used to see that the other person is happy and safe. That’s the way it should be, not the way we knew it.” He whispered, “I love you.”

  Everything faded but the feel of him pressed against her.

  “I could kiss your mouth all night,” Cy said, running a thumb slowly over her lips as he came in for another deep kiss. “Is our time up?” She pushed him away. “Damn. With you, it's always so good.”

  “I want you to make love to me.”

  His eyes widened. “Mia, you don’t know what you’re saying.”

  “We’ve waited long enough.”

  “It’s not about me or solely my choice. I’ll give you all the time you need. We’ll work through this together and when it’s right…”

  “I haven’t let anyone touch me for all those years because I thought it would be dangerous. But you said the blue orb is there for my protection and not to start fires. It’ll be safe with you. I know it. It’ll be...right. You’ve waited, but so have I. I need you to touch me. Let me be there for you tonight.” She longed to feel him, making the emptiness she’d always held inside disappear. “If it’s not working, you’ll be the first to know,” she said with a forced smile. “I just
don’t want to hurt you. I’m still not sure what might happen, but I’ll tell you if you have to stop.”

  “Stopping might just kill me too. I’m not that strong.” A crooked grin lit Cy’s face, as he rolled his eyes. “You know what you’re asking? Mia, are you sure?”

  “If you are.” Mia’s desire raged through her; it was all a matter of control. She looked around the weathered wooden porch. “Staying here won’t work. I need water close by, just in case something goes wrong. I don’t know about the bed.”

  Cy followed her gaze around the porch but then his eyes grew bright and he reached for her hand. “I have an idea.”

  “You do, do you?” Mia couldn’t help but return his smile. “The man who is always out to solve the problems of the world.”

  “Right now, I don’t care about the problems of the world. Come on.” He took her hand and led her down the creaking steps. She wanted Cy, but the apprehension of finally being with him made her heart thunder.

  The night sky’s full moon shone a silvery path through the trees, lighting their way. There was the soft crunch of the pine needles under their bare feet as they walked holding hands down the pathway.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, being led forward.

  “You haven’t figured it out?” Cy shot her a grin over his shoulder. “I told you, I have had lots of time to dream…no, let’s say fantasize about this moment.” He stopped, turned, and (pulled) her against him. “The river. You need water to make sure we’re safe. I’ll give you water,” Cy whispered huskily against her cheek as he brushed his lips and then his tongue across the smooth skin, nibbling down to her neck. “I’ll give you all the water you need. If it’s what you want. I’ll pretty much do anything in the world at this moment if it means I can make love to you.” He reached for the top button on her shirt but stopped until her eyes met his.

  She grasped his hand, guiding it. “Show me. I want to know what it feels like to be touched by someone who loves me.”

  Cy (pulled) her cascade of black hair back over her shoulder, as his finger traced the indent in her collarbone. He popped the first button, then the second and third, baring her breasts in a lace-covered bra and then drew her shirt off, dropping it in the grass.

  Mia stood like a statue, waiting for his touch, concentrating on pushing the powers deeper.

  Give me this. Please, give me this. I deserve it. Don’t take this moment away, Mia asked in silent prayer and tipped her head toward the glowing, full sphere of the moon. If this is my power then let me be the one in control, let me have him. Let me love him.

  Mia’s gaze snapped back as Cy grazed a thumb over one hardened nipple through the sheer lace and then caressed the mound of bare skin above.

  “How are you doing?” he asked. She knew he’d be willing to stop at any second if she asked him.

  Mia nodded and bit her lip. His fingers were warm to the touch on her cool skin. “Good. Do that again.”

  Cy’s eyes were dark blue like the river running beside them and heated by passion. Grasping her shoulder he turned her body, ran a hand down the slide of hair from her scalp to her back, then flicked the hook of her bra open.

  By instinct, Mia grasped the lace and held it to her chest, covering herself.

  Cy stepped away and pulled his T-shirt over his head. His arms bunched with muscles showing thick forearms as he shook his curly hair back into place and tossed the shirt aside. The tight rows of muscles on his stomach and chest glowed silver in the cascade of moonlight.

  Her legs wobbled. Cy’s face was easily read as were his emotions. He was too ruggedly handsome and how could he possibly want her as much as she was reading? Her gaze followed down his chest to the bulge in front, caressed by the faded denim of his jeans. Mia licked her lips, wanting to touch him. Needing to touch him, but not knowing how.

  Her fingers ached. Her body ached.

  He took a deep breath and said, “Tell me what you want. Tell me what to do.”

  She gathered her strength, concentrating on the man she loved before her, willing to give him everything she’d only let herself dream of before this moment. Mia swallowed. “Take off your clothes.”

  Cy nodded, letting the sounds of the forest weave a seductive spell. The rustle of the trees creaked above them and mixed with the rushing water of the river.

  He popped the button on his Levis, slid down the zipper, and then pushed the jeans down his muscled thighs. Cy tossed them to the side. Taking the elastic waistband of his boxers, he said, “I think we’ve been here before.” His gaze glinted under the moon and it felt like fingers caressing her.

  She nodded, feeling her pulse increase as he slid the boxers off in a fluid motion. He straightened and her eyes widened as she took in his glorious naked form.

  Mia watched his classically handsome face, down the hardened muscles of his abdomen to the trail of dark hair leading to a large erection standing proud and thick. Mia couldn’t help but suck in a breath of cool, night air.

  Cy grinned and looked down. Embarrassed, he said, “Ahhh, you better say something soon or I’m afraid my ‘ego’ will deflate.”

  Mia swallowed, her mouth having gone completely dry. “You’re amazing. You’re…”

  He laughed, easing some of the sexual tension between them. “Well, you know that they hire firemen on their ‘hunk’ quotient and not their firefighting abilities.”

  Mia giggled. “Then you were a shoo-in and go well above and beyond the call of duty.”

  They stood silent for a moment, as she clutched the lacy bra tight to her chest.

  “Take off the rest of your clothes. Do it for me,” he said.

  Mia dropped her bra to the ground but continued to cover herself with her hand.

  “I want to see you.” The words he spoke burned across her chilled skin, driving her on.

  Reaching for the button of her jeans she released it and then wiggled out of the tight denim. She rose but left the thin scrap of lace covering her most intimate part. His gaze never faltered as he stepped in, grasping her hands.

  Cy smelled musky and rich, overheated, and intensely male. There was still a slight scent of smoke on his skin.

  He gently took her hand and removed it, looking down her naked body. “Mia, you’re so damn beautiful. This is all I want to see tonight and all I want to think about.” His fingers trembled when he finally touched her, showing that he was fighting for control just as she was.

  She understood that he needed the memories of this night to be forgotten, replaced. He eased the lace to the side and entwined his fingers in the hair there as he slipped the elastic band over her hip and pulled the triangle down her legs. She lifted a foot, shivering as he ran fingers back up her inner thigh and discarded the scrap of cloth.

  His deliciously sinful mouth was on her again; they both felt a pop of electrical current but neither could stop, as he deepened the kiss. The brush of his tongue along her teeth sent a charge through her, snapping along the hairs of her skin. His mouth pressed down hotly, as his tongue swept into her mouth and pushed past her teeth, claiming her.

  Heat lanced through her from head to toe, a wild kind of heat she’d never dreamed before.

  “Give me more.” He buried his hands in her lustrous black hair and pulled her head back, kissing a trail down the pulse beat of her neck to the tip of her breast. Slow, deep erotic nips as he pulled at the pink bud, his mouth hot against the cool nipple. His erection pressed into her thigh as his hands dropped, to cup each breast. Possessively moving his tongue from one to the other.

  The power built, burning her core feeling his emotions flood her. Electricity snapped at their bare skin in visible sparks.

  Make it do what you want. Mia heard Orenda’s voice in her mind. “Water,” she gasped, as his fingers stroked across the bare skin of her hip.

  “Right. I forgot. When I’m with you, you have a way of sucking every rational thought from my head. If you left it up to me, I’d be a flaming pile of rubble.” He
nuzzled her neck and rose, sweeping her up off the ground and headed toward the river’s edge.

  Mia wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “Isn’t this how we met, without the burning building, of course?” The feel of his bare skin against her was shooting signals through her as she rubbed her nose on the sandpaper stubble of his jaw and breathed in. “You smell like trees.”

  Cy’s chest shook in a low laugh. “It’s my favorite cologne ‘Ode Tree Sap.’” He stopped, his lower legs immersed in the river, and sucked air between his teeth in a hiss. “The river’s not exactly warm. Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.” The water reached to mid-thigh but Cy was still hard as steel, she could feel the tip of him pressing against her bottom.

  She wiggled against him. “The cold water is good. I think we’re going to heat it up a few degrees and I hope we don’t kill all the fish.”

  “Global warming at its best.” He lowered her slowly, inch by delicious inch, until she dropped her legs and stood in the swirling darkness of the river. The strong pull of the water ran around their bodies and pushed them closer together. “It gets deeper a few steps out, and then there’s a rock shelf about fifteen feet down that way.” He pointed downriver.

  “Even in the dark, you know this river pretty good. Are you sure you don’t have some Indian tracker blood in your ancestors?”

  “Nope, just a bunch of Europeans.” He kissed the tips of her fingers. “But I’ve spent a lot of time in this river over the years. Fishing, swimming, but never making love. This is a first.”

  “Never?”

  “Never. Cross my heart.” He drew an X on his chest, then scooped a handful of water and drizzled it down her chest.

  Mia’s nipples grew stiff from the cold water, but also from Cy’s heated gaze. She repeated what he’d done running water down his bare chest muscles, then over the brown nipples. He pulled in a breath as her hand trailed in the crisp, dark chest hair pinching the nub then lower, down his stomach.

  Cy sounded a bit ragged, as he asked through clenched teeth, “Do you feel more in control with the water around you?”