by Lily Rede
THE HADEN HOUSE WAS a smoldering shell by the time the Fire Department had arrived and gotten it under control. He hid in the ditch across the road, flat on his stomach, watching them battle the blaze, knowing he was invisible under cover of night. There would be nothing left to find – just a heap of ash.
Thank God.
The cops would be so busy focusing on their pursuit of the Mallow boy that he would go unnoticed. He could complete his work and then vanish. And if the boy took the fall…well, he was a criminal after all. No need for that kind of trash in Bright’s Ferry.
THE WAVE OF RELIEF that swamped Grace as Adam emerged from the conference room, clearly still a free man, was so intense that she felt dizzy as she hurried forward to meet him.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“What did they say?”
“Don’t leave town, you yellow-bellied scum,” Adam mustered in a credible Western drawl.
“Seriously?”
Grace glared at Evie, who stepped out of the room with Sheriff Tony and Matt.
“I’m going to fix this,” she declared, dragging Adam toward the front door, ignoring Matt as best she could, “They can’t just assume that you’re a criminal. They would also have to assume that you’re an idiot, because I can’t think of any other reason you would come back to town only to torch it. Why set fire to a place where they already expect you to walk around carrying matches and lighter fluid?”
Grace knew she was rambling, but she couldn’t help it as she tugged Adam out of the building and steered him back in the direction of home. The night was dark and cold, but the smell of fire lingered.
“Can we stop and pick up a pizza?”
“How can you be hungry at a time like this?”
Adam shrugged.
Boys.
“How did your date go?”
The question came from out of the blue, and Grace scowled.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
And she didn’t – not about Matt, not about fires, not about the fact that she still wasn’t wearing any panties. Her body flashed hot and cold, remembering Matt’s hands stroking the curves of her ass and the jerk of lace that accompanied the ripping sound.
“And you wore that? If your plan was to convince him that you’re secretly a nineteen-fifties Sunday School teacher, that dress definitely would have done the trick,” Adam teased.
“Shut up.”
“Did you at least bring home a toolkit?” he sighed.
“What?” Grace tried to make sense of the abrupt change in subject.
“I’ll take that as a no.”
Adam rolled his eyes.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you – I’ve got a job interview, day after tomorrow.”
Grace stopped short, eyes widening.
“Oh my God, where!?”
“Lansky Construction. Russell convinced his brother Darryl to give me a shot. It’s kind of appropriate, right? I burned stuff down, and now I get to build things up. I know there are going to be some people who think…well, they won’t like it.”
“Who the fuck cares what people think? A job is a job.”
Adam smiled, clearly pleased with her approval, and Grace felt a pang – Adam hadn’t had much of that in the last few years. For all of his big talk about standing on his own and being an adult, he could use a serious dose of unconditional support. At least she could give him that.
He pulled her to a stop in front of the local pizza place. The lights were still on, though through the window a busboy was busy stacking chairs and mopping the floor.
“Seriously, I’m starving. Let’s convince Mr. Franzi to take one more order. He likes you, right?” Adam sounded hopeful.
“He likes anyone with breasts.”
“Perfect. You flash him, I’ll order.”
Grace punched her brother in the arm, but smiled, her first real, relaxed smile since her disastrous date with Matt had ended so abruptly.
“How about you flash him and I’ll order.”
Grinning, Adam pushed open the door.
CHAPTER SEVEN
MATT FELL INTO BED feeling like he could sleep for a week. Technically, he should still be off duty, but the fires had put the entire department on call, and Chief Hammond was already arranging for backup from nearby towns. He had taken one look at Matt and ordered him to go home and sleep before he got himself, or someone else, killed.
For once, the dreams left Matt alone and he woke, stomach growling. Late morning light streamed across the bed, and Matt absently remembered that he had to get to work on the storm shutters and finish weatherproofing the house before the first snows. He lay back in bed, scratching his stomach, and let his mind drift, filled with images of fires and of an anxious Adam Mallow. Someone was working overtime to make everyone point fingers in his direction, but Matt was starting to think it was a little too easy. And Grace would never buy it. She had faith in the kid.
Grace.
All concerns over the fires fled as Matt pondered the woman who wouldn’t get involved with him because she thought they were sexually wrong for each other.
Hell, she’s one-hundred percent right about that. But –
Part of what terrified Matt, thinking back on Grace’s mind-blowing confession, was that, beyond his knee-jerk horror at her revelations, he was interested. He was more than interested. His entire adult life, Matt had avoided even the hint of anything kinky or extreme in his sexual partners, too afraid of what that kind of relationship might unleash in him.
But with Grace –
For Grace –
It was tempting.
Cautiously, Matt let himself consider the possibilities. After all, domination and submission was mostly about fantasy, right? Could he do it? Could he indulge in her fantasies, talk a little dirty, maybe push his own boundaries a little without losing control? If the alternative was Grace moving on to someone else, Matt quickly realized that he was willing to take the risk. The thought of Grace with another man had Matt scowling. He was sure there were plenty of jerks that would give up one of their nuts to have Grace under them, submitting to their every sexual whim, arching that gorgeous body up for their pleasure. They’d never be able to give her what he could – a real relationship instead of just a quick fuck.
But she doesn’t want that.
Pushing away that train of thought, Matt propelled himself up and into the shower, glad he’d finally gotten the water running properly. His brain wouldn’t let it go as hot water rained down. Grace didn’t want a relationship, but what if she was just scared, like he was? He wouldn’t be surprised – a woman so used to being scorned by the town would surely have a problem trusting someone with anything more than her body. But that was the part he was worried about – intimacy didn’t scare him.
How far could he go? Could he talk dirty to her? That shouldn’t be a problem – he’d been fueling his fantasies with erotic wordplay for months. And tying her up didn’t seem all that scary – as long as he was careful and made sure that the restraints didn’t chafe her delicate skin. Toys? Maybe he could handle a few toys. Beyond that – well, that was another story.
Fear skittered along his skin and he turned the hot water up.
I can’t let her go, he acknowledged to himself.
“Whatever it takes,” he muttered, and felt grimly amused – in order to win the heart of the girl of his dreams, he was going to have to treat her body like a sexual plaything. He groaned, thinking about it, and blood pooled in his groin, filling his cock to astounding hardness. Matt wrapped fingers around the throbbing length, stroking firmly as he thought about Grace, her head thrown back in ecstasy as she rode him, that long violet hair teasing his thighs, her nipples peaked and her whole body flushed rosy with pleasure as she took every inch, her pussy gloving his cock like she was made just for him.
Hell, yes, he thought, and came into his hand.
GRACE LEANED ON the main desk and ignored Dreyer
Morton, who was busy pretending to ignore her as he scanned the New Releases. His disapproval was tangible, even from across the room, and he wasn’t the only one. Skeptical and scornful eyes darted her way from all of her customers this morning, except the kids, because, well, kids were awesome and didn’t care. Grace was surprised to find that she felt a little hurt – she’d been Head Librarian for years, and though she was used to the stares and occasional murmurs that seemed to follow her around, this felt…different. Wrong. Everyone assumed that Adam’s return to town and the rash of fires was not a coincidence, and nothing she could say would change their minds.
Fiona dropped a stack of books to return on the desk in front of her, snapping her out of her reverie.
“We’re going out tonight,” she said.
“Thanks, but I think I should just stay home,” sighed Grace.
And start preparing for the torches and pitchforks.
“And let those jackasses think you’re hiding from them? Since when do you care what they think?”
“I don’t. But I hate that they’re so quick to judge.”
“Then show them that everything is fine. Come on. We’ll stay in town, go to Clark’s, have a burger and a couple of drinks with Evie. She thinks you hate her, FYI.”
“I don’t hate her,” Grace grumbled.
“She’s just doing her job,” Fiona pointed out.
“I know,” muttered Grace, but pouted as she started checking in books.
“Come on, it’ll be fun. I’ll let you tell me every little detail of how hot Matt Harris looks without a shirt.”
“I already told you, and that was a mistake.”
“I wasn’t really paying attention,” grinned Fiona, “Tell me again. Slowly, this time.”
The whole story had poured out of Grace that morning before they opened for the day, and the young woman had been baffled by Matt’s reaction.
“There’s something weird there. You’re like, stupid hot, and what guy is going to pass up a chance to have you as a boot-licking sex slave?” she’d asked as Grace glared.
“You know that is not what I’m into, Fiona Morton. And he’s not weird. He’s a normal, stand-up guy who wants a wife, two-point-five children and a dog, not velvet handcuffs and crotchless leather harnesses.”
“If you say so.”
Fiona had let the matter drop, but her eyes twinkled as she walked away, shaking her head. Now she smiled at her friend, and Grace sighed, giving up.
“Fine, but you’re buying.”
“Yay.”
Fiona’s grin dropped abruptly as Dreyer stepped up to the main desk.
“Fiona,” he greeted her, still ignoring Grace.
“Hi, Grampa,” said Fiona, smoothing her skirt, “What brings you by?”
“I just wanted to inform you that your mother and her husband have decided to grace us with their presence for Sunday dinner. I was hoping you’d join us as well.”
Grace winced at the glint of anger in Fiona’s eyes. It was no secret that Dreyer despised Cal Iverson, who owned the local hardware store and had married Dreyer’s daughter Althea after she had finally worked up the courage to divorce her no-good womanizing husband. It wasn’t the interracial marriage that bothered him, but rather the fact that Cal was content being a small business owner instead of a hungry corporate ladder-climber. Fiona, on the other hand, loved him. Cal and Althea were deliriously happy, and Cal lavished all the love on Fiona and her younger sister that their father had never bothered with.
“I’ll have to check my calendar, but that should be fine,” said Fiona.
With a nod, Dreyer started for the exit, carrying the gold-tipped cane that he had no real use for except as a status symbol.
“You know, the fact that he invited your mom is kind of an olive branch,” offered Grace, “and how bad could it be with your aunts and uncles and cousins there, right?”
“He probably just wants to lecture me about hanging out with you,” groused Fiona, “and I know he’s still pissed at Mom over Colin.”
Before marrying Cal the previous year, Althea had had a brief affair with Colin Daniels, but it was hardly a scandal. Until Evie came along, their charming and handsome mayor had a tendency to get around. Still, it nettled Dreyer, who couldn’t let it go.
“Ugh. Now I definitely need that drink,” said Fiona, with an irritated shake.
MATT PARKED OUTSIDE OF Clark’s Bar & Grill, scanning the hills for signs of fire. For the first time in days, there was no telltale smoke lingering in the air as the sun went down, though the department was still on high alert. A quick call to Sheriff Tony confirmed no new information – just a hell of a lot of suspicion aimed at Adam Mallow. He hoped the kid had the sense to stay out of trouble.
Unwilling to face another can of tuna or a loaf of bread – Matt easily admitted that he couldn’t cook worth a damn – he washed off the grime amassed from spending the day working on the house and headed out to find a steak and a beer.
As he started across the crowded parking lot, a familiar little sedan pulled into a spot right at the edge.
Grace.
He didn’t realize he’d changed direction until he was halfway to her car. She spotted him as she was getting out and froze like a deer in the headlights, keeping the car door between them. She looked like herself tonight in a flirty black lace skirt that left her legs bare over hot lace-up boots. Under her leather jacket he spotted a tank top that cupped her delicate curves. Matt wanted to drool.
“Hi,” Grace managed.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” said Matt.
“I’m meeting Fiona and Evie for a drink.”
“I just came to get a bite to eat. Where’s Adam?”
“Fixing the upstairs bathroom faucet which was, and I quote, ‘a disgrace to faucets everywhere,’” she said lightly, “I left him to it. So.”
Awkwardness hung in the air between them and, not for the first time, Matt wished he’d been given the gift of charm. Colin had it in spades, but the only time Matt managed to express himself the way he wanted to was in his fantasies, with Grace pliant and willing beneath him. There, he was a god. Here, he was back in high school debate, struggling with a desperate case of stage fright.
“About last night – our date, I mean – ” began Grace.
“Don’t say it was a mistake.” The words tumbled out in a rush, and Matt started again, “Look, I’ve had some time to think about it today, and I want you to give me another chance.”
He almost laughed at the shock on her face.
“Why?” she blurted out.
Matt took a step closer, the door still between them.
“You want what you want, and I’m okay with that.”
“Matt, I don’t want you to be something you’re not…” she trailed off helplessly.
“The things you want…some of them I don’t think I can do.”
“I know.”
“But some of them…what if I said I wanted to try?” Matt couldn’t help the uncertainty in his voice, and hoped she also heard the eagerness, but she only frowned.
“That’s not a good idea. I couldn’t do that to you.”
“It’s give and take, Grace. You get what you want, and I get what I want.”
“What do you want?”
Matt grinned, seeing the heat spark in her eyes, though she still looked wary.
“I want to date you, Grace. Hearts and flowers and walks by the bay. Intimate dinners for two.”
“That’s – ” She shook her head.
“Scary?” Matt offered.
Grace nodded.
“So we’ll be a little scared together,” he said gently, reaching up to trace her jaw with his fingers, loving how her breath hitched with excitement at his touch.
“What are you scared of?” she asked.
Matt shook his head – this wasn’t the time for that conversation. This was the time to prove to Grace that he could fulfill her fantasies, even just a few of t
hem.
“Let me try, Grace.”
GRACE MEANT TO SAY no. She really did, but instead she found herself nodding dumbly while demented frogs did handsprings in her stomach.
Heat flared in Matt’s eyes and Grace felt an answering throb low in her abdomen. Her mouth went dry as he closed the gap between them, moving her out and then shutting the car door. With only the briefest hesitation, he gently turned her to face the car and crowded her against it, pressing her front against the cold metal and glass, caging her with big arms.
The parking lot was filled with cars, and faint music drifted from inside the building, but otherwise, they were alone.
“Let me,” he breathed.
She let him. Let him press his body against hers, feeling his strength and heat along every inch of her back, and his swelling erection solid against her ass. Let his warm fingers brush her hair away so he could place soft, open-mouthed kisses against her neck, and then gently nip her earlobe so that she jerked.
“I haven’t had a lot – well, any practice at this, so you’ll have to tell me if I do something you don’t like.”
His breath was hot in her ear, making her shudder.
The man didn’t need practice, Grace thought, knees weak, He’s a fucking prodigy.
“Give me your panties, Grace.”
Her brain had barely processed the question, delivered in a seductively rough growl, before he gave her a little room and she was fumbling to do as he asked. Matt waited patiently as, trembling, she tugged the wisp of fabric down her thighs and pressed it into his hand.
Her pussy clenched hard when she saw him hold the damp scrap up to his nose before slipping it into his pocket, and every thought in her head scattered as he slid those big hands under her skirt to cup the cheeks of her ass. Slightly rough, his touch sent tingles up her spine and down to her clit as he kneaded and shaped the curves of her flesh.
“Sweet little ass,” he said, reverently.
Matt rubbed said ass against the heavy bulge in his jeans, and Grace felt her juices slide along her folds.
“Should I take you right here?” Matt murmured roughly in her ear, “In the parking lot out in the open?”
“We shouldn’t,” she breathed, though she was aching for him, dazed that he could have this effect on her with just a touch and a little light teasing.