Face the Flames Page 8

  A loud crash and sharp curse reached her ears. Setting the pan of chicken off the fire, she turned off the burner and dashed toward the bedrooms, heart pounding. More cursing led her to the last bedroom on the right, which was apparently Clay’s room.

  The man was leaning against a mahogany dresser like his life depended on it, one arm wrapped around his bare torso. He was wearing nothing except a dark blue towel around his lean hips, and her mouth dried up.

  Despite the bruises starting to purple his ribs, the man was a study in panty-melting pleasure. His broad chest was smooth, stomach flat and taut with nice definition, his legs long and toned. He looked like he could stand to gain a few pounds yet, but if she hadn’t known about his accident, it never would have been evident to her.

  Oh, he’d recovered nicely.

  Snapping herself out of it, she studied his pained expression in concern. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine,” he ground out, appearing embarrassed. “I stumbled and ran into the damned dresser, knocked half the stuff off it, and hit my sore ribs.”

  “Sit down,” she ordered, pointing to his king-size bed.

  “I said I’m okay.”

  “Sit down!”

  “Jeez, you don’t have to yell at the injured guy,” he muttered. But he did as he was told, parking his fine ass on the bed.

  Trying to ignore the way the towel was riding high on his thighs, she walked over and bent to examine his ribs. There was a red mark on his side where he’d banged into the dresser, perhaps the corner, but he seemed all right otherwise.

  “You have to be more careful,” she murmured, placing a hand on his thigh.

  He sucked in a breath. “Right now, I think it’s you who needs to be careful.”

  The part of the towel covering his lap rose, giving proof to his words. Lips quirking up, he leaned back on the bed until he was resting on his elbows gazing up at her, blue eyes mesmerizing.

  “You make a man forget where it hurts—well, almost.”

  She licked her lips in anticipation, their dinner forgotten for the moment. “Anything I can do to speed along your recovery?”

  Giving her a smoldering look from under his lashes, he said, “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Then he reached for the towel secured at his hip, and flung it aside.

  5

  With the gauntlet thrown down, so to speak, she stared at the perfection spread before her. She must’ve been quiet a bit too long, because he started to appear worried.

  “Too much?” he asked, echoing her earlier words.

  “Not at all. You’re beautiful.”

  “Men aren’t beautiful,” he protested.

  “Most aren’t, but you are.” Tentatively, she laid a hand on his thigh again and began to skim slowly upward.

  His eyes darkened, and he didn’t voice a counterargument as she continued her exploration. He merely watched, desire suffusing his features. His skin was warm, supple, but when she finally reached the place where his inner thigh met his groin, he was hot as a firecracker.

  His long, thick cock was curved toward his flat belly, and his large balls were nestled underneath, drawn up tight. The head was weeping pre-cum, and suddenly she’d never wanted anything more than to taste him.

  Sitting on the bed beside him, she scooted closer and palmed his sack, squeezing and rolling his balls. She liked how this earned an immediate groan of pleasure, and it encouraged her to continue. Next, she wrapped her hand around his length and began to stroke gently, down to the root, then to the tip. Again and again, taking satisfaction in how his eyes rolled in growing ecstasy and his hips began to thrust into her touch.

  When she bent and sucked the thick head between her lips, she thought he’d launch himself to the ceiling.

  “Melissa,” he breathed. “My God.”

  She loved the reverent sound of her name on his lips. The way he seemed so captivated by the attention she was lavishing on him. Encouraged, she took him deeper, sucking, making him wet and slick. He moaned, burying a hand in her hair, gently guiding himself deeper, but not forcing himself too far.

  Good thing, because she couldn’t take all of him. He enjoyed her efforts, though, and so did she. The simple act of savoring his body, making him writhe, made her sex heat and filled her with need. She continued to savor him, sucking and stroking, until he gently pushed her back.

  “I want to make love to you,” he rasped.

  “You’re hurt, and you shouldn’t exert yourself that much.”

  “I won’t if I stay on my back and you ride me.” He arched a brow, his gaze stoking the flames inside her even higher.

  “That is a very tempting proposition,” she said.

  “Only tempting, or irresistible?”

  His infectious grin brought out her playful side even more. “What do you think?”

  With that, she sat up and rid herself of her plain, unattractive polo she’d worn to work, yanking it over her head and tossing it off the side of the bed. Next, she reached behind her and unhooked her bra, then let it slide down her arms and off. It joined the polo.

  “Now look who’s beautiful,” Clay breathed. Reaching out, he grazed one nipple, bringing it to a peak.

  She leaned into his touch, encouraging more, and he cupped the breast carefully, kneading the pillowy flesh. A moan escaped her lips as he tweaked the nipple, sending little shards of electricity all through her.

  “How long has it been since someone worshipped you, baby?” he asked softly.

  “I can’t say anyone ever has,” she admitted.

  “But you’ve had lovers, surely.”

  “Yes, but I can honestly say nobody’s ever made me feel special.”

  “Let me see what I can do to change that.”

  She had a feeling he wasn’t just talking about tonight. The idea thrilled her, and frightened her a bit, too, but she decided to let herself go. To trust that maybe, finally, she’d found someone she connected with who was ready to go the distance. To take all her hopes and dreams and nurture them into reality.

  He played with her breasts, lavishing them with attention until his hands drifted downward, his fingers settling on the button of her pants. She knew what he wanted without asking, and was all for it. Quickly, she kicked off her shoes, shed the pants, sliding her panties off with them and kicking them to the floor.

  Rolling to his side, he leaned on one elbow and splayed one big hand on her belly. He studied her naked body with a hunger that no man had ever shown, his palm skimming down to her nest of curls, where he hesitated. In silent encouragement she parted her thighs and his exploration continued until he found her sex and slipped his fingers between the folds.

  She gasped as he stroked inside, tending a desire that had gone neglected for far too long. Not just the desire for sex, but for human touch. Connection. The validation that she was a woman and not just cop. That she was a sensual creature with much to offer the man bold enough to take her.

  His deft fingers worked her channel, making sure to graze her clit, hitting that sweet spot just so and with a delicious rhythm. Soon she was wet and hot, clinging to his arm and begging.

  “I’m ready! Let me ride you, please!”

  His chuckle rumbled next to her and he situated himself on his back again, the look he gave her with those gorgeous blue eyes nearly making her come on the spot. Quickly, he reached into a drawer in the nightstand, found a small packet, ripped it open, and sheathed himself. She wasted no time climbing aboard, straddling his lap. Then she brought the head of his cock to her opening and sank onto him.

  “Oh, shit! Baby,” he said hoarsely. Gripping her waist, he began to pump her up and down, sliding out, then filling her again and again.

  And God, how he filled her! The man had a lot to be proud of, and he knew how to use it. Even flat on his back, injured, he kne
w exactly how to please his partner to the point where she was nearly mindless.

  They established a tempo, Melissa bouncing on his lap, the fires flaring higher and higher. She braced her hands on his chest, loving the feel of his hard muscle under her palms, flexing as he drove into her. His sandy blond hair was fanned around him, making a halo around his handsome face. He had eyes only for her, and didn’t break their gaze for a moment.

  She felt like he was seeing all the way into her soul, and the moment was so profound she wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, with pure joy. I think he’s the one. The man I’ve been waiting for.

  Whether he felt the same remained to be seen.

  All too soon, she went over the edge. With a cry, she spasmed around his length as he stiffened with a shout, finding his own release. One arm came around her, pulling her down, and he kissed her fiercely, devouring her mouth like a starving man.

  Finally they broke apart and he said, “You take my breath away.”

  “Same here. I can’t believe I’m still conscious.” She studied his flushed face. “Are you okay? In any pain?”

  He grinned. “You just took care of the most important ache.”

  “I’m trying to be serious.” But she smiled to take the edge off her worry.

  “Every muscle is letting me know I fell one story and landed on my back,” he admitted. “I think I’ll skip my workout tomorrow.”

  “You think? Shit, I’m lying right on top of you!” Hastily, she moved off him and snuggled into his side. “I’m sorry.”

  “No worries, baby.” He kissed her temple and wrapped an arm around her, urging her to lay her head on his chest.

  She obliged, starting to settle in—and then remembered something important. “Crap, I forgot about dinner. I set it off the burner when I came to check on the noise in here.”

  “It’s okay. We can finish it after our nap, and if it’s not salvageable, we’ll order in.”

  She yawned. “Sounds great to me.”

  I don’t think he’s the one—I know he is.

  With that thought, she drifted into a contented sleep, safe in his arms.

  • • •

  Dinner was saved. Any semblance of rest later that night, however, wasn’t happening.

  Melissa took her duty to watch over him quite seriously, and she dutifully woke him every two hours to make sure he had no lasting complications from his accident. The last time she roused him, around four in the morning, he’d assured her that if he didn’t get some real sleep, he’d knock himself out on purpose.

  Thank God she’d decided he wasn’t going to die and finally let him crash.

  Stretching, he grimaced at the protest in his sore, stiff body. That fall had really done a number on him, and he knew he was damned lucky not to have been killed. Then he rolled and checked the time on his cell phone—almost ten a.m. His new lover’s body was curled up next to him, a living furnace. He liked the closeness, a lot.

  It occurred to him that she should’ve been at work by now, and he hoped she wasn’t going to be in trouble because of him. Rolling to his side, he studied her face, relaxed and innocent in sleep. Anyone who could see her now would never believe the tough core of steel she possessed, or that she dealt with the darker side of humanity on a daily basis.

  She appeared delicate, her skin pale and all that red hair falling around her. Freckles on her nose and shoulder that he wanted to trace dotted her porcelain complexion, making her seem younger than she was.

  Thinking back to their lovemaking the night before, he couldn’t help but grin. Melissa was just as passionate and sexy a lover as he’d known she would be, and he couldn’t wait to explore other facets of this woman he was becoming enamored with.

  Her lashes fluttered and suddenly he found himself looking into a pair of enormous green eyes. “Morning,” he said, kissing her on her cute nose.

  “Morning.” Her sleepy smile tugged at his heart.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

  “Why?” She stretched. “Want me out of your hair?”

  “No way! I just don’t want you to be in trouble with your captain.”

  “I won’t be. I called in yesterday and took a personal day. I wanted to be sure you were all right, and I didn’t want to leave you here alone.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t really have been alone, but you saved me from being smothered by my mom.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” she teased. “Your mother is great.”

  “Yes, she is. But she and I have lived in each other’s back pockets for the better part of a year, and trust me when I say we both need our space. She appreciates her recent freedom as much as me, though she’d never admit it.”

  “My aunt never would have, either. She loved me so much, and as a kid I didn’t know just how much of her freedom she sacrificed for me. Oh, she didn’t see it as a sacrifice, but later I realized that was technically true. She took in a young girl and raised her with love, and never once complained. In fact, she embraced loving me.”

  “Who wouldn’t?” he said softly. He was afraid he’d crossed a line too early, but his lover merely smiled.

  “Thanks. There were days I tried her patience, though. Along with the confidence she gave me came my stubborn nature, my ability to assert myself. It got me in trouble more than once as I found my path.”

  “You? In trouble? I can’t imagine that.”

  “Ha! My early teens were hell on the poor woman. I snuck out of the house, smoked, drank, spray-painted buildings, whatever I could to prove I was a badass.” She paused. “Looking back, I know now that I was simply testing my aunt’s love for me.”

  “You wanted to know whether she’d stick around and love you anyways,” he guessed softly.

  “Exactly. When I realized that her faith in me and her love would never waver no matter what I did, I settled down. Started to figure out what I really wanted in life. And that was to help other people, maybe save someone from the James Ryan of their world.”

  “That’s a worthy goal, and I’d say you’re doing a fine job.”

  She flushed at the praise. “Thank you.”

  Reaching out, he cupped a hand behind her head and pulled her in, brushing his lips against hers. Then he took the kiss deeper, dueling his tongue with hers, drinking up her taste as if it was rich, red wine. Being with her sure made him feel like he’d been drinking, with all of the great highs and none of the inconvenient loss of control.

  “Wanna jump in the shower with me?” he whispered into her mouth. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  “You don’t have to bribe me, sexy. You had me at wanna.”

  “Really? What if I said, ‘Wanna go on a five-mile hike?’ What then?”

  “You’d have to present a bigger challenge. I could do that in my sleep.”

  “Ten miles?”

  “Warmer.”

  “Wanna go eat fried rattlesnake nuggets?”

  “Um, no. That’s where I draw the line.” She narrowed her eyes at him playfully. “You haven’t eaten them, either.”

  “No, but I wanted to see if you had.”

  She shook her head. “Come on, weirdo, let’s get that shower.”

  “Hey! I was sexy a minute ago.”

  “Don’t pout. It makes me want to do sinful things to your body.”

  Clay pouted harder, sticking out his bottom lip, and she laughed as they got out of bed. He stood carefully, taking stock of his injuries.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked in concern.

  “I’ll live, because death doesn’t hurt this much. Trust me, I know.”

  “That’s not even remotely funny.” Skirting the bed, she went to him and took his hand, expression sober.

  “Sorry,” he said, contrite. “I’ve had a while to come to terms with the ac
cident. It’s either make jokes or cry, and I’ve done enough grieving over what happened to me. Come on.”

  Tugging on her hand, he led her into his bathroom. Once there, she made him turn around so she could examine his back.

  “Damn, you’re black and blue back here.”

  Turning around, he craned his head to look at the area in the mirror. He could definitely see where he’d landed on the air tank. “Looks like I was pelted by giant watermelons. Feels like it, too.”

  “Poor baby. Let’s get you warm, I’m sure that will help.”

  “Oh, I’m sure it will.” She snickered at his double entendre.

  He turned on the water and let it get hot.

  Shutting the stall door behind her, his lover stepped into his arms. He pulled her close again and reveled in the sensation of his naked skin against hers. Her taut ass felt damned good in his palms, perfectly round and smooth. His lips descended, warm and soft, searching. His tongue licked the roof of her mouth, behind her teeth, probed everywhere, because he wanted to learn every ridge.

  Then his hand worked between them, fingers combing through her curls to locate her clit. She widened her stance, encouraging him to continue. He played, stroked, and teased, sending little tingles to her limbs that he felt vibrating against him, and he loved that he was responsible. Unable to resist, she wormed her hand between them as well and cupped his heavy sac, testing its weight.

  He broke the kiss, groaning. “That’s it, baby. Explore all you want. That belongs to you.”

  She seemed to like that idea, a lot. “Really, all for me?”

  “No one but you.”

  He was serious about that, and he hoped she believed him. Hell, he’d never been this hung up on a woman before, and this time he didn’t want to fuck and run. I want her.

  The unwanted image of another man fucking her came to the fore, and he ruthlessly squashed it. She was with him now, and he’d give her every reason to stay.

  He spread his legs wider, making it clear she could do what she wanted and he’d enjoy every second. Carefully, she knelt and grasped the base of his cock with one hand and steadied herself by holding onto his thigh with the other. Looking down, he admired how the water cascaded over her head, wetting her hair, and streamed down her breasts and stomach. She was a redheaded water goddess come to life. And she’s mine.