Grabbing up my part of the hose and following my team inside, I couldn’t see the actual fire at first, but smoke was choking up the hallways. Thankfully, we all had our breathing equipment and didn’t need to crawl under the billows of gray and black blocking our way.
When we went upstairs, the entire hallway was ablaze. Flames were licking their way up the wall and spreading to the door of the fifth-grade room. The roof had also caught fire, which explained all the smoke, and made the situation more dangerous. It could collapse in at any moment.
I knew the chief had led the other half of the team around the other side of the building. They would be putting up a ladder outside just in case we couldn’t get the kids out through the building the normal way.
The leader of our crew drew a finger across his neck in a cut gesture. “Back draft,” he shouted, pointing to the door of the classroom.
He was right. Opening the door might be dangerous. The oxygen was being pulled from the hallway, and letting more in would only feed the flames. We’d have to rely on the other guys to get everyone out of there.
As fire tore through the structure, the hose we had been carrying finally filled with water, but the water pressure seemed lower than what we used in practice. The fire was changing, moving rapidly. I could hear the kids inside the room, screaming for help.
We fought the flames for what seemed like an eternity. At last, the water came to full pressure, and the hose nearly jumped out of my hands. As soon as the pressure changed, we were able to douse the flames on the floor and walls, but the roof was still on fire, and burning chunks were beginning to fall all around us.
At last, water from outside the building joined our efforts inside, and we were able to extinguish the last of the flames. Dropping my hose, I reached out and opened the door to the fifth-grade classroom. On the other end of the room, the window was open, and I could see another firefighter dip as he led another person down the ladder.
A cluster of parents were still huddled together on the floor by the window, trying to stay under the smoke that still filled the room, while waiting to go down the ladder, and Katie’s former friend, Amber, was crouching among them. “It’s okay,” I shouted through my mask. “The fire is out. We can evacuate you through the hallway.”
A cry of relief went up from the group, and couples shakily pulled themselves from the floor and made their way out of the classroom. Amber was last, and when we followed them outside, we were greeted with a roar of applause from the other parents, teachers, and children waiting for us.
Some of the others were removing their masks and waving to the crowd, but I didn’t see the point. I didn’t need accolades or acclaim to know I’d done a good job.
I searched around me, and finally spotted Katie in the crowd. Here green eyes were filled with tears as she waved at me. This time, I did wave back. Wiping away her tears, Katie smiled and blew me a kiss.
I wanted to run up to her, hold her in my arms, and tell her how worried I’d been when I saw where the fire had broken out. But the job was done, and I couldn’t leave the team, or let them pack up and go back to the firehouse without me. So, I gave her a single wave goodbye and promised myself I’d call her as soon as I got home.
Katie
I was still shaky after the fire, even though my classroom was on the first floor right by the exit, and there had never been any danger for either my class or Becca’s. Amber’s class was the one in trouble, and as we watched the flames overtake the roof, I cursed myself for not calling or telling her in person that all was forgiven. She had been my friend for so long. If things ended this way, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to forgive myself.
And then, I saw Liam—strong, capable Liam, running straight into the conflagration. My body went numb, and I sunk down onto the pavement. A chorus of children’s voices sounded in my ears, as I heard one question after another. “Miss Evans, why was there a fire?” “Miss Evans, will everyone get out safe?” “Miss Evans… Miss Evans!” I tried to answer and calm them, but my mouth was dry, and I felt my lips moving, but couldn’t quite tell what I was saying.
In a crowd next to me, I perceived that Becca was going through the same thing with her first graders, whose parents looked as distressed as their children.
The fifth graders were coming from the back of the school one by one, and I heard one of the parents say the firefighters were rescuing them by ladder. I said a silent prayer that they would have time to get the parents and Amber as well.
As soon as I opened my eyes, parents started running out of the school, reuniting with their children in a mass of hugs and tears. I stood up and walked over to Amber, who had come out last. “I’m glad you’re safe,” I said, giving her a small hug.
“Thanks,” she replied. Her voice was shaking, and one of the EMTs grabbed her by the hand, wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, and led her over to a waiting ambulance.
We would never be as close as we once were, but I was glad Amber was safe, and I hoped we could be less formal when working together than we had these past few weeks.
The flames were out and the smoke seemed to be dwindling. “Everyone is here and accounted for,” Vice Principal Lopez told the fire chief. The other man gave a stiff nod and promptly yelled some directions into his walkie-talkie.
We began cheering and clapping as the firefighters made their way out of the building. I couldn’t see Liam, and I searched out his strong, sensitive face underneath each helmet that passed me. When he finally came out, I jumped up and down, crying, and waving.
His eyes met mine, and relief poured over me. I blew him a kiss, and he moved as if he wanted to come grab me up in an embrace, but then thought better of it, gave one last wave, and moved to join his crew.
I waited until the last of my families left the parking lot, hugging each one of my students goodbye. Then, the principal and vice principal called the teachers to gather in a circle.
“First, I want to say that you all acted admirably under difficult circumstances. All the drills in the world can’t prepare you for the real thing, especially with the addition of parents and family members mixed in with the kids,” Vice Principal Lopez announced.
“Regarding the fire, we’re not quite sure what happened yet because the report won’t be finished for a few days. However, it looks like someone was smoking up by the fifth-grade classroom,” he explained. “The smoke detector in that region was disabled. So, when the hallway started filling with smoke, the sprinkler system didn’t kick on.”
Next to me, Becca elbowed me, and we shared a knowing glance before looking over to Amber. Amber always smoked when she was stressed. And I could easily guess Amber had also been the one to disable the fire alarm because before school started, she came in reeking of smoke, and the smell on her clothes alone had been enough to set off the sensitive equipment. It wouldn’t have surprised me to know she’d disabled the alarm so it wouldn’t happen again.
“Regardless,” the principal took over, “we obviously won’t be able to hold classes with half a roof, so all of you will get at least the full week for Thanksgiving break. And most likely, the week after, as well. If we need more time than that to make the repairs, we’ll call the state to set up temporary classrooms, and make sure we get classes back in session.”
Vice Principal Lopez looked at us and softened. “It’s been a long day. Go home to your loved ones and have a good vacation. You’ve all earned it.”
As soon as we were dismissed, I turned to Emma. “I’m driving to the firehouse to see Liam. Will you be alright going home?”
“I’m not going home…” her small voice trailed off.
“Oliver or Ethan?” I almost was afraid to ask, not wanting to upset her and not wanting to have a long discussion when all I wanted to do was hold Liam and never let him go again.
“I don’t know,” she replied, biting her lip. “One of them.” So, she’s still confused, I thought. I hoped Emma found what she was looking for, no matter
which guy she chose. We hugged goodbye, and I hopped in my car and raced to the fire house.
I parked in the large lot next to the building where the firefighters parked, and stood outside the car door, waiting for Liam to emerge.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long. Less than twenty minutes later, he came out of the door, looking down at his phone. I politely cleared my throat and Liam looked up.
He ran to me and caught me in a strong embrace. “I was so worried!” we both exclaimed at once.
Liam silently held me for a moment, burying his face in my hair. He slipped his hands to my hips, and lowered his head, gazing into my eyes. I felt mesmerized, and the breath left my lungs as he lowered his lips to mine.
His kiss was soft and sweet, and he smelled like soap. I ran my hand through his wet hair. When we finally pulled apart, I said, “I know what I said before, but I don’t care anymore. I just want to be with you.”
“Can I take you home?” he whispered.
All I could do was nod. Liam lifted me up again and literally swept me off my feet. He carried me to his truck, and we sped toward home.
The fire burning between us was hotter than any flames he’d faced that evening, and we both knew it. Liam squealed into the lot in front of my building and slammed his truck into park. Grabbing my hand, he silently led me to my own front door. I fumbled for my keys and dropped them on the pavement, only to feel Liam’s strong hands cupping and caressing my ass when I bent to pick them up.
He slipped a hand underneath my dress, making me gasp and fall against the door for a moment. “Liam,” I whispered in admonishment.
Instead of backing off, he pushed aside my panties and probed at the lips of my pussy. “If you… keep… doing… that,” I panted, “I’ll… never… be… able… to… open the door.”
Instead of replying, he pressed a finger against my clit with one hand, while the other pushed aside my long hair so his soft lips could place teasing kisses along the length of my neck.
Closing my eyes, I blindly slipped the key into the lock, hoping the neighbors weren’t witnessing our passion.
Once the door was open, Liam scooped me up again and carried me inside. I wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling him even closer to me, relishing the way his arms felt around my body. He kicked the door shut, and this time, it was my turn to kiss his thick, muscled neck.
Liam’s left hand cupped my ass as he carried me, squeezing and kneading my soft flesh. But only for a few moments. With his long stride, he reached my bedroom in just two steps. The door was open, and Liam carried me in and threw me on the bed.
“Oh!” I cried out in delighted surprise.
Before I knew what was happening, he was straddling me, grinding his hips into mine while reaching up to rip off his t-shirt. Underneath him, I scrambled to pull my dress off. After removing his shirt, Liam reached down and pulled my dress off with one hand.
Then, he pulled me up to meet him and kissed me, hungrily, his mouth smashing against mine the same way it had on our first date. Only this time, his kisses were even more eager—searching. His tongue probed my mouth with urgency.
Though my eyes were closed, I could feel Liam unbuttoning his jeans and kicking them off. At the same time, I reached behind my back to unhook my bra, freeing my bouncing breasts to his touch.
Liam groaned as my naked flesh pressed against his. His calloused fingers were immediately on my tits, pressing, kneading, squeezing the flesh and he ripped his mouth from mine to devour first one breast and then the other.
Free to finally speak, my breath came in ragged gasps, “I thought you were going to savor me?” I tried, teasing a bit.
“Later,” Liam growled.
Then, my words were lost in ecstasy as Liam returned his mouth to mine and slid one hand away from my breasts to my dripping wet pussy. I gasped and pushed against him, reaching, wanting more.
“Please,” I practically begged.
“Say it,” Liam demanded.
“I want you inside of me,” I whispered.
“Say it,” he demanded again.
I knew what he wanted. We weren’t going to savor each other tonight. This was not the time for slow love-making. He pushed two fingers up inside of me, rapidly moving them in and out in a gesture that simulated what we both wanted. I gasped and cried out as he pressed against my clit.
Then, he hovered above me, cock teasing at my entrance. I finally let go and gave him what he wanted. “Fuck me,” I moaned. “Fuck me, Liam. Please.”
As soon as the word “please” left my lips, Liam entered me in one motion, fisting my hips as he thrust his full length into me. I was wet and willing, but the move still surprised me. I grasped the blankets beneath me, fingers clenching sheets as Liam pounded away at my pussy.
Inside, I had to stretch to accommodate him. Liam filled me up like no one had before. He was long and thick, sliding between the walls of my hot, aching pussy, giving me what I’d been aching for since the Halloween party.
I wrapped my legs around his waist as the bed squeaked and banged against the wall. Finally opening my eyes, I looked up at Liam’s strong, muscular body. Beads of sweat were pouring down his hot, chiseled abs.
His head was thrown back in ecstasy. But Liam must have felt my gaze on him because he lowered his eyes to meet mine. His usually warm brown eyes were dark and intense, and he held my gaze, unwilling to break the connection between us.
As he stared into my eyes, Liam increased his thrusts, making me cry out again. “Say it again,” he said. “I want to hear you.”
“Fuck me,” I whispered. “Fuck me harder.”
He gave out a long groan, and slammed into me even harder, something I had begged for, but didn’t actually think was possible. As his pace quickened, my supple breasts bounced.
“Touch them,” Liam rasped, and I let go of the knotted sheets, moving my fingers over the nipples and pinching them, sharply. I broke his gaze and closed my eyes, reveling in the sensation.
At the same time, he moved a hand down and pressed, insistently, against my clit. “Come for me,” his deep voice echoed through my bedroom.
“Yes!” I cried. “Oh, Liam, yes! I’m going to come!”
I knew he wanted me to tell him when it happened, but the words left my mouth. The tension built up in me and an orgasm exploded through my entire body. My pussy clenched around his hard cock, throbbing as my juices flowed out over him, soaking the bed beneath us.
Liam paused for a moment and withdrew from my sensitive folds. I whimpered, feeling empty. “Did you?”
Liam
I looked down at Katie, who seemed so small and vulnerable. As we gazed into each other’s eyes, the passion inside me seemed to grow, and I increased my speed, slamming my cock into her hungry wet pussy.
I wanted her to beg for it. To show me that after all we’d been through, she wanted this. Really wanted it just as much as I did. “Say it again,” I said.
She knew what I meant, and it drove me mad when she bit her lip and held back. I was done holding back. Done with inhibitions and limits. I had a relationship like that the last time. I didn’t want another one. “Say it,” I repeated. “I want to hear you.”
Katie’s lips parted in her passion. “Fuck me,” she whispered. “Fuck me harder.”
I gave out a long groan, and slammed into her even faster. My cock felt like it was going to erupt, but I wasn’t done with her yet. Not even close. I reveled in the feeling of power. I wanted to exert it over her again. I couldn’t help it.
I looked down, loving how her breasts bounced as I ravaged her. I ran my thick fingers over the pads of her nipples and then retreated my hands back to her hips. “Touch your tits for me,” I said. “Play with them.”
Katie obliged and moved her slender hands up to her breasts, tentatively at first, then grasping and pinching, just as I had done to her in the closet at Becca’s party. She closed her eyes, lost in the sensation.
As soon as her eyes we
re shut, I moved a hand down and pressed first two fingers against her clit, rubbing as I continued to slide in and out of her. “Come for me,” I commanded.
I thought I was going to have to tell her again, but she screamed in pleasure. “Yes!” Oh, Liam, yes! I’m going to come! I’m coming! I’m coming!”
Katie’s orgasm shook her entire body, and I held her in place as her pussy grabbed my cock. I was barely aware of the sensation on my cock. I was just reveling in watching her body accepting the pleasure I was trying to give her.
“Did you?” Katie looked up at me, her green eyes searching, even with the fire burning between us, her kindness shone through. She wanted to make sure I was as satisfied as she had been. It almost made me feel regretful that I had taken her so quickly, instead of going slowly as I had promised.
Almost.
My eyes traveled from her eyes down the length of her body, and the lust flared up inside me again. “No,” I rasped in answer to her question.
Then, I grabbed Katie by the hips and flipped her over. She gave a surprised, but excited “Oh!” and squealed in delight as I dragged her to the edge of the bed and entered her from behind.
Like the first time, I thrust in up to the hilt in one stroke. Her walls clenched around me, and I could again feel her soft flesh clutching me, straining to milk every drop from me. I planned on keeping a steady pace, but the sight of Katie’s ass moving backward to greet my thrusts sent me over the edge.
Her flesh bounced and jiggled as I slammed into her. She arched her back, her body creating a delicate curve beneath me. Katie moved her hands underneath her shoulders, and I thought she was going to reach down and touch her clit. Instead, she reached up behind her back and bent her arms to meet mine. Holy shit. I thought. Thank God for yoga.
I grasped her arms up toward her shoulders, withdrew almost all the way out, and plunged my cock into her. Her arms scrambled, pulling me even deeper, and I moved my hands to her soft breasts, suing them as an anchor to grab onto as I slammed into her pussy.
Hot & Heavy Halloween (Hot Holidays Book 1) Page 17