Fire and Ice: Rekindled (The Fire and Ice Series Book 2)

by Delaney, Kiara

  Every night, the bouncer at our door, Dave, offered to walk me to my car, which was literally across the street, and every night I shooed him away. Tonight was no different.

  "Heading home Trinity?" Dave asked in a chipper voice. I always got the feeling he secretly had a small crush on me. He was every girl's fantasy. Muscled from head to toe, a clean-cut head of blond hair, light green eyes, and a hint of stubble on his chin. Unfortunately, I didn't feel a connection between us. I sighed at the thought. He was probably a great guy, too. Why didn't I fall for guys like Dave? Apparently, I was a glutton for punishment. I had a track record in highschool for dating 'bad boys', which always left me heartbroken. And my last relationship...well, let's just say it was a sinking ship from the beginning. But when you're being lavished with flowers and jewelry after every fight, I guess love really is blind. I suppose in the end, it taught me a hard lesson, and really opened my eyes. It'll be a long time before I trust another man, that's for sure. Maybe that's why I just can't seem to give Dave a chance. He may be the perfect package, but I'm just not ready, yet.

  I nodded my head, held up my hand, and shook my keys. "See ya tomorrow, Dave." I knew he wouldn't let it go at that. He never does. So, I prepared myself to have to turn down his offer of an escort to my car, as I did every shift.

  "Can I walk you to your car?"

  "Um...no thanks, Dave," I said timidly as my eyes darted back and forth. "I, uh...gotta go. But I'll talk to you later, ok?" His face fell in defeat. This felt awkward, and I needed to get out of there as soon as possible. I usually thought of it as just gracefully turning down his polite offer, but tonight, it felt like I just insulted the poor man. I sure hope he didn't take it that way. I would never want to jeopardize our friendship over a slip of the tongue.

  I made off for the door, but was abruptly stopped, as Dave wrapped his strong fingers around my wrist, catching me before I had a chance to escape. I turned to face him with trepidation in my eyes, as he said, "Trinity, I just don't want to see anything happen to you." Damnit! This was just getting way too uncomfortable, and it was obvious he wasn't trying to hide his affection for me. I needed to distance myself from him. The last thing I wanted to do was lead this gentle giant on.

  I lowered my gaze from his and nodded my assent, as he gently released his grip on me. I caught sight of Janine staring at our exchange with a questioning look on her face. She placed her hand up to her face, indicating for me to call her. I turned abruptly, exiting the bar as quickly as I could before this night got any stranger.

  ******

  Blake

  Jesus, I was tired. I could pull a three-day shift easy on the job, but I was emotionally exhausted right now. The focus, the op- it's an adrenaline rush. It's ingrained into me to keep pushing me further. I don't know anything else. This? I can't shake this restlessness. I'm amped up and drained at the same time. I feel a sense of dread. It's not like I haven't been on R and R before. Usually a couple of the guys and I will head back to one of their homes and visit their family. I tag along and feel safe knowing I have a couple of my brothers surrounding me. I haven't been back home since I joined the Navy straight out of highschool, and I never looked back. Why I thought it would bring me solace to return to my old haunts, after all these years, I have no idea.

  As I fished my keys out of my pocket, and with lazy steps, I slowly meandered towards my 2002 Mustang GT. It was still in the same pristine condition it had been in since the day my dad bought it for me new off the lot. I knew he couldn't afford it on his salary at the loading dock, but I never got the guts to come right out and ask him how he was making his side money. If I had to guess, it was south of legal. Maybe I would've eventually gotten the chance, and the balls, if he hadn't bailed on my mom and me a year later. I was barely 18- still a kid looking back. Fucking asshole. I've never heard from the prick since. He's probably dead or in jail. Either way, good for the sonofabitch- saves me the trouble of having to do the dirty work myself

  My mom went off a bridge doing nearly twice the speed limit a couple of years later. When they pulled her body from the water and did the autopsy, the coroner's report determined she had taken enough Valium to off two grown men. Sometimes I wonder if she was trying to get to the hospital. Then I think to myself, 'Why wouldn't she have just called 9-1-1?' I got the news in the middle of a mission and I didn't even come home for the funeral. I stopped beating myself up over it long ago.

  Being with the SEAL's has taught me what I like to refer to as 'controlled chaos'. There is a certain amount of order in this world, and then there is a layer of chaos that must be controlled by those that are in a position to keep order. Of course, things don't always go as planned...that's where the chaos comes into play. And when things don't go according to plan, that's where I come in, to restore order. It's a fine line, and it's never black and white.

  ******

  Trinity

  Walking out into the breezy ocean air, I pulled the long, wayward strands of hair away from my face as I came to the intersection and waited for the crosswalk light to turn. Once the intersection was clear, I crossed over to the sidewalk and made my way to Max's parking lot, spotting my heap of junk amidst the plethora of patron vehicles. They had a full house tonight, and I could hear the noise and country music spilling onto the street from the open entrance. I smiled to myself. Good for them. They were good people and they certainly deserved the business.

  Approaching my car, I noticed a man walking towards me, scanning the lot, with his hands in his pockets. I began to scan the lot as well, trying to see if anyone else was around, but he and I were the only two people in the lot, and the streets had suddenly become deserted. My heart rate spiked and I clutched my purse closer to my body as I began to walk as fast as I could to get to my car, fumbling to find my key. Dammit! Why don't I have one of those key fob things? Oh, yeah...they didn't make those when this dinosaur was engineered.

  I continued to fumble nervously, while at the same time glancing back and forth between my lock and the stranger. Shit- he's spotted me. His eyes locked onto mine, and a nervous energy began to build inside of me. He was getting closer, and just as I almost had the key in the lock, he came to a halt just a couple of feet away from me. My hands were shaking so badly, I dropped the keys to the ground and froze in fear, staring at the man with pleading eyes. His gaze was penetrating me, the sparkle of his sky blue eyes visible in the backdrop of the moonlit night, and if we were in any other situation, this handsome stranger would have me lightheaded. I was, in fact, becoming lightheaded from the shock, I presume, not his strong, chiseled features, and windblown dark locks whipping in the night air.

  He cocked his head to the side and asked, "You alright, Miss?" before looking around the parking lot again. I stood quaking, unable to answer, as I didn't know what this man wanted from me. I was alone in a dark parking lot, with a man who towered over me by at least a foot. I'd guess he was a few inches over six feet tall. His height was unnerving. Through his dark t-shirt, his body was rippled with lean muscle. There was no way I could defend myself against him, and I'd been stupid enough to turn down Dave's offer of walking me to my car. Hell, if I never would have gone back and forth with him in the first place, we probably would have missed this guy altogether. I have the worst luck.

  The muscular stranger took another step towards me, and reached his hand for me as I flinched and stumbled backwards, hitting the shale parking lot hard, and scraping my hands and elbows up in the process of trying to catch myself in the fall. I temporarily lost sight of the situation, focusing on my scraped and stinging palms and the radiating pain shooting up my arms, when suddenly, strong hands grasped me by the waist and righted me. I was inches from his chest, and his scent wafted through my space; a mixture of clean, fresh soap and spicy cedar mixed into a heady male concoction that had my pheromones playing tricks on my mind.

  I chanced a glance at his eyes, only to find a mischievous grin on his face that creased the corners as I began t
o drown in those deep pools. Shaking off my wonderment, I noticed he appeared bemused. Was he getting his rocks off on this? Or...holy shit! Please don't let this be some sick, twisted... I pushed off of him and shoved my purse at his chest, backing away as far as I could while still holding it to him. "Here, take it. I...I won't say anything. There's over two hundred in there. P...plus credit cards. Take whatever you want," I stammered, trying not to make eye contact, for fear of losing my wits. I was pinned in between two cars and backed against the wall of the building, so I was internally begging he would just take the money and run.

  A long moment passed and I finally dropped my purse on the ground, not knowing what else to do. I was out of options. I could attempt screaming, but I knew I'd probably get half a wail out before the stranger would silence me...one way or another. He finally bent down and retrieved my purse, then plunked it down on top of my trunk with a loud thud, as he placed his hands back in his pockets. I gave him a confused look and noticed his face had turned solemn, as he bit out, "You think I wanted to rob you?"

  I bit my lower lip and looked around sheepishly before ushering to the empty parking lot and answering, "Well...I mean, I was alone. A...and you came at me. And..."

  He interrupted, as he said, "Jesus, lady! I was tryin' to be a Good Samaritan. I came over and asked if you were ok, and you went catatonic on me. And why would I help you up if I wanted to steal your purse?"

  I blinked rapidly at the scolding this man was giving me, when I was clearly the one who was in distress, albeit, he did have a good point. Nevertheless, who did this man think he was? Surely, he had the sense to know he shouldn't just walk up to a woman when she's alone in a dark parking lot. I decided, perhaps he needed reminding of that fact. As I pointed my finger at his chest, I said with indignation, "Listen, Mister...you can't just go around sneaking up on women in the dark and expect them not to get the daylights scared out of them. You could've been an axe murderer, for all I know."

  The devilish grin creased his handsome face once more, and I was losing ground quickly with my anger, becoming lost in the depth of those blue pools that were beginning to hypnotize me. Don't do it, Trin. Don't let him sucker you in with his gorgeous features, rock hard muscles, and...

  "Wow, little lady. You've got some twisted faith in humanity. I would offer to go get some ice for those scrapes, but I don't want to get hauled off to jail for mauling you," he drawled out sarcastically, placing his hands on his hips, as he pinned me with a hard stare.

  I rolled my eyes as I responded, "I wouldn't call the cops on you...I mean, now that I know you're probably not going to..." he shot me a warning look before I continued, "I meant, you're not going to hurt me. But I can just clean myself up at home." I brushed off his offer of help.

  He shook his head, obviously determined to make things right between us. "First of all, I'm partially to blame for you falling down. And secondly, if we don't get that cleaned up soon, it's going to get infected. Max has a first-aid kit in the back, I'll go grab it and bring it out here, so you don't have to get hit with twenty questions from Max and Pauline." The stranger began to walk away before I could argue, but I had some questions of my own.

  "Won't they see you walking out with the kit?" I yelled after him.

  "I'll sneak out the back. Look for me coming out the back alley around the side", he motioned. I nodded my assent, before shouting after him again, "What are you gonna tell them you came back for?" He gave me a disapproving look before disappearing into the busy bar.

  Chapter Three

  Blake

  I practically jogged into the back hallway of Max's Crab Shack, rummaging through the employee bathroom for the first aid kit before anybody could catch wind of me. I sure as shit didn't want to have to explain why I'd actually had to re-enter the bar, or have to come up with some lame excuse... not to mention fitting in a story that involved needing bandages, ice, and antibiotic ointment wouldn't be easy, so I needed to get the fuck out of Dodge- now.

  Where the hell is it? I looked high and low, under the cupboards, finding nothing, and eventually decided to try to sneak into the office to see if the kit was in there. I was cutting it close- really close. I peeked my head out of the bathroom, checking to see if the coast was clear, and noticed only the cooks were in my line of sight, shouting out orders to each other. I booked it across the hall, made a smooth entry into the office, and closed the door behind me, searching my brain for the logical place the kit would be kept. I noticed a small filing cabinet next to the door, and reached for the bottom drawer, pulling it open. Bingo. I grabbed the kit, and hauled ass out of the hallway, checking for signs of anybody that would recognize me, and then ducked my head as I turned down the service entrance, blowing out a long breath as I approached the alley door, finally home free.

  I stopped just short of pushing the door open, my mind wandering back to the scene that had just occurred moments before. I didn't even know this woman's name. She seemed young; well younger than me- maybe mid-twenties, and I grinned inappropriately at the thought of the sight of her looking like a scared kitten as she'd seen me approach. If she only knew what I did for a living, and that I'd put a beating on any motherfucker that had the nerve to try to assault a woman, she may even find the situation funny, although, based on her spitfire attitude, I doubt it. But goddamn, when I saw her across that lot, it was like I was drawn to her from the jump. I bet she wouldn't be a kitten in sack; more like a cat with claws. Down, boy. I adjusted myself, and mentally prepared to do what I had set out to do, which was to help a damsel in distress. Fucking liar. You set out to get her number, and if you were lucky, get in her pants before you needed to call her. I shook my head at my own hedonistic thoughts and placed my hand on the door, pushing it open with force.

  ******

  Trinity

  As I waited for the tall, dark and... I shut down my wanton thoughts and sighed to myself, wondering if he was even going to come back to help me. Probably not. He most likely used the excuse to ditch me in order to get out of the sticky situation. I don't blame him. I wouldn't exactly call this a great first meeting. Besides, he kind of rubbed me the wrong way, no matter how much those twinkling blue eyes were beckoning me. He seemed like a cocky jerk, and that was the last thing I needed in my life. Maybe I should just try and give Dave a chance. What's the harm? I'll never know if I don't get back out there and give it a go.

  Just as I was lost in my own thoughts, I heard a heavy door push open, and the steps of large feet on the gravel parking lot. It was the stranger; he'd not abandoned me after all. As he turned the corner, our eyes met and locked, as a jolt of electricity shot straight through to my core. This is crazy, Trin- you don't know this man from Adam...hell, his name could BE Adam, and it wouldn't make a lick of difference. He has trouble written all over him.

  All I could focus on was the words 'lick' and 'trouble'. I was in over my head already and I'd barely spoken more than two sentences to this man; this man that had my head spinning, and my panties becoming wet. No. No. No. This is bad. Have you forgotten Derek, Steve, or Ken? Cain! Hellooo? I rolled my eyes and mentally shushed my inner goddess. She could go fly a kite. Tonight, I was going to throw caution to the wind- I wanted this man, and I could tell by the hungry look in his eyes that he wanted me too. If only for one night of heavenly bliss, I'd take it. I hadn't had a man in...way too long. This was going to happen one way or another. I just needed to work my womanly wiles on him. I grinned at the thought. I had never been the aggressor. Tonight I planned to take the lead.

  ******

  Blake

  I walked around the corner with the first aid kit in hand, expecting to find the little lady still in distress. I was a bit thrown when I saw she was staring at me with a wanting glare and a teasing grin tugging her perfect pink lips; lips I would give a million dollars to have wrapped around my cock right now. I won't lie, I'm only a man, and a man can only take so much. The desire in her eyes only fueled mine that much more. I think it was s
afe to say, the last thing on her mind was her boo-boos right now. But I'd be happy to play doctor, if she was into that sort of thing.

  Though a bit caught off guard, I manned the fuck up, and made my way to the awaiting beauty; my own lips curling into a wicked smirk. Oh yeah, she wanted to be 'taken care of', but I doubted we would need the first aid kit. Quit being a douche bag. She has cuts and dirt all over her. Get that shit cleaned up, and play with her later, jackass. I gave myself a mental shake and adjusted myself as best as I could, trying to avoid her beckoning gaze. Yeah, I had to get her cleaned up before...well, it didn't matter where things went from here, she was scraped up pretty badly, and either I had to take care of it, or I'd have to convince her to go the E.R.; which I doubted she'd do. I didn't want that on my conscience.

  I turned my head to look out into traffic, trying, and failing miserably, to take my mind off of her tight little legs peeking out of her short skirt, swaying in the breeze, and her long, dark, wayward hair flowing in the upswings of the currents of the wind. But damn, my dick was as hard as a rock, and I had gone far too long without a woman, much less a gorgeous little package like the one standing just a few feet away from me. I actually stopped mid pace, hanging my head to gather myself, both mentally and physically.