Heart On Fire

by A. L. Cook

  As Cam rounded the front of the truck to start the engine and get the heater going, Ebony’s face twisted. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that gingers shouldn’t wear red?” she hissed spitefully.

  Erin looked down in surprise at the deep red pea coat she had on. With the big brass buttons on the cuffs, chest and collar, the wide belt that pulled in to emphasise her waist and the flattering, military-style cut of the wool, it was one of her favourite wardrobe pieces. And she knew she looked damn good in it. “I guess not,” she said, quirking an eyebrow. “Maybe you should give Nicole Kidman a call, and let her know, too.”

  Cam came back around the truck to open Erin’s door for her. “Call me when you’re done with this one,” Ebony called lightly as she turned and walked away.

  Erin stared at Cam as he shook his head and closed her door carefully. As he got back into the car and clipped his seatbelt up, she laughed. “Wow,” she said finally as they pulled out from the curb. “There are really no words for that.”

  “I’m pretty sure she’s getting worse,” Cam sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Call her when you’re through with me, I guess,” Erin laughed again.

  “Well, I’ll add that to the list of reasons why I never plan on letting you go,” Cam told her. His tone was light, but his words had heat, and Erin reached across the centre console to rest her hand on his thigh as he drove, feeling the play of the muscle there beneath his jeans.

  Erin directed Cam where to go to pick up their dinner order. She went in and collected it while Cam waited with the engine idling, and soon the cab of the truck smelled like Thai food. By the time they turned onto Cam’s street, both of their stomachs were growling. Driving slowly up the elevated road, Cam hit the button for the garage door opener and they turned into his drive.

  Erin loved Cam’s house. It was painted a light grey, with white detailing and a slate-shingled roof. There was a neat, waist-high hedge bordering one side of the walk to the front door, and garden beds on either side of the front steps, full of bright yellow and white crocus. The large windows had peaceful forest views, and with the way his property was tucked away at the end of the street, he only had a neighbour on one side, hidden from view by a neatly planted row of spruce. Everything about the home spoke of a man who took the time to enjoy carving out a space for himself in the world, a place that could be a haven, a retreat, or even somewhere to have a few drinks with friends.

  They entered the house through the garage, Cam carrying Erin’s bag while she carried the cake box and the bags with dinner. Cam put her bags with his by the front door, and returned to the kitchen to begin unpacking their dinner. Erin had ordered enough to feed them both a few times over- spring rolls, tom yum, garlic prawn noodles, cashew and satay noodles, and an enormous serve of steamed rice. They carried their takeout containers into the living room, along with a beer each and a bottle of water for Erin, turning the tv on and making themselves comfortable as they ate.

  They spoke about nothing of particular consequence, but as their meal progressed, Erin felt desire pool in her belly, molten and liquid. She could sense the tension in the room amp up a little every time she caught Cam’s eye, every time he brushed against her when he moved. By the time they had finished eating, they were barely speaking. They moved in near-silence as they put the leftovers in the freezer and Cam took the empty containers out to the recycling. Erin did what little washing up there was, and as she finished drying her hands when she was done, Cam had had enough.

  Taking her in his arms, he kissed her slowly and deeply, his hands sliding restlessly up and down her back. Erin hummed happily as he pulled her body tight against his, shifting as close as she could as she kissed him back. They stood there in the kitchen, locked in a passionate embrace for what seemed an eternity. The heat of his skin through his clothes beneath her hands spiked her arousal the same way the faint rasp of his stubble against her skin or the hard press of his thigh between her legs did. She thought she could happily stay right there and do exactly what they were doing for the rest of her life, but no sooner had she thought that Cam slid a hand down the back of her jeans, cupping her backside and pulling her against his erection.

  Then their mood shifted as abruptly as it had previously built slowly. Erin felt herself being guided backwards, her back connecting with the pantry door as Cam slid his hand down to hook under her thigh, pulling her leg up and hooking it around his waist. He rocked against her even as he slid a hand up and under her shirt, cupping her breast and thumbing the nipple over the thin fabric of her bra.

  Grinding back against him, Erin lost herself to sensation. The way he made her feel was an explosion of sensation, and it was all she could do to hang on for the ride. The pressure at the core of her was building, slowly and teasingly, and it wasn’t even close to being enough. She began shoving at Cam’s shirt, pushing it up his torso and then, when he released his hold on her, over his head, her mouth seeking his as soon as the garment was gone. She pulled her own off, breath hissing out of her nose at the cool of the door when her back touched it again, even as her hands went to his belt and fumbled with the button on his jeans.

  Without breaking their kiss, Cam pushed her hands out of the way and undid his pants, his knuckles brushing his as she did the same with hers, shoving them impatiently down, taking her underwear with them. Cam grabbed a condom from his pocket before Erin managed to push his jeans down just far enough for his erection to spring free, flushed and glossy at the head. He covered himself with the latex and lifted Erin’s leg back up over his hip, sliding into her as he did so.

  She groaned at the sensation of being filled so completely and let her head thump back on the door, arching her back and thrusting her breasts forward. Cam curved his body forward and ever-so-gently captured one hardened nipple between his teeth, flicking it over and over with the very tip of his tongue, that sensation hitting Erin right between the thighs where she grasped Cam within her. His hands kneaded the muscles of her ass, before he grabbed her and lifted her up so both her legs were around his waist and he was as deep inside her as he’d ever been.

  He began to thrust in earnest as Erin braced herself against his shoulder and lowered her face to his, her hair falling down to curtain them in a private world where nothing existed but their mutual pleasure. They moved together, balancing a knife’s edge, until it became too much for Cam and he came, his muscles tensing as he continued to thrust into her through his orgasm.

  Erin’s voice caught as a growl in her throat, and Cam chuckled as he lowered her so both feet were on the ground, stepping out of his jeans and going to his knees before her. She immediately slung one leg over his shoulder as he grabbed her hips and slid his tongue over her, taking long, rhythmic licks over her clitoris and sliding two fingers into her until she came, crying out with her eyes squeezed shut and her hands clenched in his hair.

  As she drifted down from her climax, Cam rose and kissed her again, lingeringly, tenderly, while one hand ran up and down her hip and the other rested at the base of her neck.

  “That was not how I intended tonight to go,” he said eventually, his voice gravelly.

  “Seemed alright to me,” Erin smiled dazedly.

  “I was going to go slow, take my time tasting every inch of you,” he told her. “How do I always manage to underestimate the effect you have on me?” he asked, bewildered.

  “If it’s any consolation, I do the same,” Erin told him sympathetically.

  Cam laughed and reluctantly let go of her, both of them beginning to feel the chill in the kitchen. They collected their clothes and made their way through to the bedroom, cleaning up a little and getting ready for bed. Erin was already starting to drift off when Cam slid in next to her and set his alarm. She rolled over and wiggled around so that her back was pressed up against him. Turning off the lamp and shifting his pillow, Cam fitted himself tightly behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist and letting the fresh lime scent of her hair surround
him. He pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her neck and closed his own eyes.

  The night may not have gone the way he planned, but there was no way he’d complain when it ended like this.

  Ten

  The alarm went off at eleven thirty, startling Erin awake. She stretched as she felt Cam groan, his erection firm against her ass. When she wiggled it against him he snorted a laugh and grabbed her hip to hold her still.

  “As much as I’d love to,” he told her, twisting to turn off the alarm and turn on the lamp, “and believe me, I would love to, we don’t have time.”

  Erin giggled as he tickled his fingers lightly against the skin on the inside of her hipbone before he rolled over and got out of bed. Erin stretched again, luxuriating in the way his eyes studied her with an intensity that made her skin prickle all over. She deliberately lifted her arms over her head and arched her back, letting the blanket pull down so her breasts were exposed to his gaze.

  “You don’t play fair,” he told her with a scowl, making her laugh.

  She blew him a kiss as he went into the bathroom, the sound of the shower starting prompting her to get up. She got a pair of clean underwear from her bag in the hallway, returning to the bedroom and entering the ensuite. She brushed her teeth and tied her hair up, passing a towel to Cam as he stepped out of the shower, and hopping in under the water after him. She soaped up and quickly shaved her legs before shutting off the water and coming out to dry off and get dressed.

  She padded barefoot out of the bedroom to see what Cameron was doing, finding him microwaving oatmeal for them for breakfast. They sat at the island counter together as they ate, discussing the upcoming trip while tangling their legs together between their chairs.

  “Thank you for this,” Erin blurted suddenly, then felt herself blush.

  “You’re welcome,” Cam smiled. “I normally make it on the stove, but we’re kind of short on time, so-“

  “Not breakfast,” she told him. “Well, yes, that too, I suppose, but I meant this,” she said, gesturing expansively around herself. “All of it. Taking me home with you for Christmas, your patience, your generosity with your affection, all of it.” She dropped her gaze to her bowl, her appetite suddenly gone. “Sorry, I know you guys tend to be awkward with the emotional stuff. I just wanted you to know,” she finished lamely.

  Cam took her hand where it rested in her lap and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of her fingers. “I’m glad you can talk to me about the emotional stuff,” he told her. “And I’m glad that you’re happy. I appreciate everything you give me too, for what it’s worth.”

  Erin looked incredulous. “I don’t give you anything,” she told him bluntly. “There’s so much about me you don’t know, so much that I can’t share yet, and-“

  “There it is,” Cameron smiled. “’Yet’. That implies you will one day, and I can wait. The fun we have, the way you care for and look after me, the way you let your guard down when there’s no one else around, all those things are special to me, even if you don’t value them.”

  She wanted so badly in that moment to tell him she loved him. He deserved to hear it, and she knew he wanted to, but until she’d told him everything, shared all her reservations with him and allowed him to make a choice based on that information, she wouldn’t. She didn’t want to manipulate him into a situation he later resented because he’d been given only half the relevant information.

  So instead she smiled as he kissed her hand once more and released it, and wondered for the nth time how she had gotten so lucky. They finished their breakfast and cleaned up, and Cam called a taxi to take them to the ferry terminal. They sat outside on the porch swing while they waited, Cam with his arm around Erin and her head resting on his shoulder. The night was cold and drizzly, but the biting wind had all but disappeared and Erin was quite comfortable with they way they were snuggled together.

  Cam dropped an absent kiss to the top of her head and gently rocked the swing. “Will we see whales today?” she asked.

  “There’ll probably be some around,” Cameron told her. “Not likely to be orcas, but humpbacks, maybe, or greys and minkes.”

  “What’ll we do when we first board?”

  “Well, I went ahead and booked a room,” Cam told her, “so we can sleep for a few hours if you like? We’re scheduled to arrive in Sitka around ten, but there’s not too much to see until the sun comes up.”

  “Good plan,” she told him with a yawn, watching as headlights illuminated some the houses at the end of the street, before turning and coming towards them. “I think this is our ride,” she yawned again, getting to her feet and collecting her bags. Cam followed with his own and they got in the cab.

  Cam made conversation with the driver as they travelled, while Erin rested her head on the window and watched the lights of the town go by. She was nervously excited to meet Cam’s family, though the house full of people and kids did sound a bit overwhelming. She wondered if she was going to have to explain the odd trajectory their relationship had taken to his family, and if his mother was going to be as fiercely protective of her little boy’s heart as she knew some mothers could be.

  They pulled up at the terminal and Erin passed the driver some cash, telling him to keep the change. They collected their luggage and headed into the terminal, waiting in line. When they reached the desk, they showed ID and Cam showed the man at the counter their booking confirmation on his phone. Their tickets and boarding passes were printed, and they made their way to the ferry.

  Having taken it before, Cam led the way, showing Erin to their cabin. It was small and had two sets of bunk beds in it, but it was all theirs. They stowed their gear, Erin making sure the cake box was secure and not likely to slide around, and then made their way to the observation deck. They took their seats and waited, talking quietly as the rest of the passengers boarded. Erin once again leaned on Cam, and his quiet strength was like a port in a storm for her.

  “Are you nervous about my family?” he asked, his hand trailing lazily up and down her arm. Beneath them, the ferry’s engines started, the bass rumbling and slight shuddering of the deck heralding their departure.

  “A little,” she said. “It’s intimidating being on someone else’s home turf and being subjected to their interrogatory techniques.”

  “Interrogatory?” Cam laughed at her. “She’s my mom, not an inquisitor, Erin!”

  “Call it what you will,” Erin replied haughtily. “But all moms have skills that would put inquisitors to shame, no matter how you swing it.”

  “Well that sure smacks of experience,” Cam laughed again.

  “My mother could extract information from a man with no voice to speak,” she smiled, remembering. “The first boy I brought home didn’t know what had hit him. I remember him leaving my house with the slightly shell-shocked expression of someone who’s had a bomb detonated right in front of him: stunned that he got out alive.” The ferry began to move as Cam snuggled Erin in a little closer. “She was lovely, but she was a total ninja. The intel she could scare up would put the NSA to shame.”

  “What was your dad like?”

  Erin sighed. “’He looks like an all-American hero: tall, gorgeous, great hair, perfect smile’. That’s how Mom always described him, and she wasn’t wrong. But he was sweet, and thoughtful, and had the patience of a saint. How he didn’t murder either my mother or me when I was an early teenager I’ll never know. He inspired a love of reading I still carry with me, and a passion for cooking. Some of my earliest memories are of Sunday mornings with him, baking chocolate chip cookies, roast chicken, grilling steaks or experimenting with different curry spice combinations.”

  “They sound like good people.”

  “They were,” Erin smiled to herself. God, she missed them so much.

  As they pulled further out into the channel, Erin turned her face up to Cam for a kiss. “Want to go to bed?” she asked, a fatigue headache looming. It had been a long few weeks with not nearly enoug
h sleep, and she could only imagine how Cam was feeling.

  He stood, and they walked back to the room, Cam using the toilet while Erin searched for her toiletries bag. They both brushed their teeth and took a moment to arrange themselves comfortably in a bed really too small for two quite-tall adults. Nevertheless, they settled in and both quickly drifted off to sleep.

  They managed to sleep in until two hours before they were due to arrive in Sitka. They went almost immediately to the cafeteria, both of them hungry, and ordered a hot breakfast. Cam fetched them each a cup of hot coffee and they sat down to eat at a table by the window, watching the islands go by as they ate. Cam gave a running commentary, pointing out seabirds, bald eagles, seals, and even a small pod of dolphins. The scenery was breathtaking, snow covered peaks on islands covered in evergreen firs, and steely grey waters reflecting an overcast and foreboding sky. Erin drank it all in as she wrapped her cold, slim hands around her mug. She was glad Cam had chosen the ferry for her first trip to Sitka; despite the time it took, it was an incredibly beautiful trip, and it was nice to be seeing it from ground level, so to speak, rather than the abbreviated aerial view a flight would have provided.