Текст книги "Burning Ember"

Автор книги: Darby Briar

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Текущая страница: 24 (всего у книги 33 страниц)

Smoke isn’t always the first warning of a fire.

EMBER

I wake to the sound of a low hum, a clank of metal against metal, and a string of curses. But where they’re coming from or why is too much for my sleep addled brain to handle.

What I do know is that the warm body that blanketed mine throughout the night is gone, and the black, silky sheets surrounding me are empty. I’m alone although a familiar musky scent lingers on my pillow. I move and nuzzle closer, drawn by the smell, and as I do, a pinch of pain zips through my core.

In quick flashes, I relive last night.

Mav kneeling, kissing my knees. His patience and willingness to wait until I was ready. Every sweet word that left his mouth and how they tore away at the protective wall I’d been trying to hide behind.

God . . . he definitely fulfilled his promise.

He took me over and over, until neither of us could move. Evident by the delicious soreness rioting though my muscles, and the wetness still residing between my thighs.

A smile tugs at the corner of my lips. I touch them and find they’re puffy, swollen from overuse.

The knowledge that we had unprotected sex threatens to send me into a tailspin of stress, and honestly for a second, it does. I have no idea what I would do if I also had to protect and support a child. I need to get the day after pill from the doctor today and ask Mav to use protection from now on. It was stupid. Irresponsible of us both. I won’t deny it. But hell, it felt good to just do what felt right. To let go and for once simply enjoy myself.

After rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sit up, and groan in protest of my aching body. The room looks different in the light of day. But it fits Mav to a T. Architectural art on the walls, a matching coffee table, and a black leather couch. The dressers and end tables are the same sleek style as the bed.

I hear more banging coming from inside the house, and this time when I breathe in, I smell something mouthwatering. Mmmm . . . bacon.

Standing from the bed, I see a set of clothes laid out for me. Drawstring pants and a T-shirt. In the bathroom, I find a new toothbrush waiting on the counter, and a hairbrush. But looking at my wild hair, I affirm that yes, a quick shower is a necessity. Otherwise, there is no way I’ll be able to tame this lion mane.

I’m laughing a while later as I leave the bathroom. The drawstring pants are about eight inches too long and make me look like Dopey. I’m pretty sure if I attempt to walk down the stairs in them, I’ll fall, so I exchange them for my red shorts.

The heavy weight on my thigh has me instantly pulling the phone Mav gave me from my pocket. Four missed calls. Two texts. One missed call from Bethany, one from Lily, and two from Sundown.

A relieved breath whooshes out of me. Every time I’ve tried to reach Sundown, my calls have gone unanswered. And her damn mailbox is full . . . again. Something I’m always on her case to fix. I immediately dial her number back, but it only rings and then tells me her mailbox is still full. I try again and get the same result.

I read the texts.

Bethany: I’m sorry about the party.

Bethany: I heard you and Mav worked things out. So happy for you. Lily is covering my shift at the bar so I can spend the day with the kids, and you can spend yours with Mr. Fire and Ice. You can thank us later by giving us details.

I type back a reply.

Me: Thank you. You guys didn’t have to do that. Are you sure?

Her reply comes in seconds.

Bethany: Yes. Now, go lock that man down if you haven’t already.

Laughing, I type.

Me: Okay . . . okay . . . sheesh.

Then I quickly text Sunny.

Me: Call this number ASAP. -M

I pocket the phone and leave the room. I keep thinking she has to guess it could be me, but she does get a lot of calls from guys too, so she’s leery of private numbers.

The moment I get to the top of the stairs, I nearly jump out of my skin. A high pitch wail pierces the air, quiets, and goes off again and again. It’s not until I’m halfway to the first floor when I see smoke fogging the air in the kitchen.

I hurry in and see Mav standing by the island with his back to the stove. He’s waving a towel overhead and trying to fan smoke toward the open back door and the opened windows. Behind him smoke rises from a pan of charcoaled bacon that’s also popping with grease.

I have to shout to be heard. “Ummm . . .” I point at the stove. “Are you trying to start a grease fire?”

Mav’s head snaps toward me. Discomfort flashes over his amber eyes and he lets out a pent up breath. He drops the towel to his side, says something, but I can’t make it out. Maybe he couldn’t hear me either.

I start laughing as he strides past me with flushed cheeks and frustration evident in his posture. He pulls a chair from the dining room and gets on top of it. After cracking open the fire alarm, he takes out the batteries. Only the scream of the alarm keeps on going. He says something. I’m guessing another curse as he heads into the front room.

A few minutes later when all of the alarms are finally quiet, he comes back into the kitchen.

He strides toward me wearing a white V-neck shirt and worn jeans, and he’s barefoot. I find that sexy as hell, because damn . . . he has nice feet.

“What exactly are you trying to do? Burn your new house down?” I can barely contain the amusement I’m holding back. “You know, that’s not really my thing . . .”

His mouth twitches and his frustration falls away. “I was tryin’ to make you breakfast in bed. Heard it was one of the top ten things you do when you fuck up with your girlfriend.”

My smile escapes and is now irrepressible. “Who told you that?”

“Google, he deadpans.

“Hmmm . . .” I quirk an eyebrow. “Girlfriend?”

His mouth twitches as he slides his hands on my hips. “Old lady then.”

Old lady?

My chest constricts, and I’m not sure if it’s excitement or nervousness that has me freaking out. I bite my lip and twist out of his hold. For a distraction, I survey the disaster that is his new kitchen. The burnt food and messy dishes. The eggs aren’t even yellow anymore—more like a blackened brown—and don’t even get me started on the hash browns.

“Wow . . . so . . . you don’t really cook much do you?”

He laughs and pulls me back into him. “I was tryin’. But no, usually I eat somethin’ premade or get take out.”

“You should stick to that.”

He growls playfully and tickles my sides.

I’m gasp and try to wiggle away from him. “Stop. Stop,” I say between laughs. “I was just kidding.”

He pushes my hair away from my neck and starts kissing me there. Nibbling on my ear, he whispers, “I wanted to do somethin’ nice for you.”

I melt a little and moan. “Hmmm . . . this is nice.”

“You look fuckin’ hot in my shirt, Doll.”

“I like it. It smells like you.”

He nuzzles my neck. “You like the way I smell?” When I nod, he says, “I like the way you smell too. Drives me crazy.” To emphasize his words he presses his long, hard body into mine. His cock is thick and ready. As ready as it was when he took me last night.

Then he says, “Teach me.”

I look over at him as he rests his chin on my shoulder. “Teach you what?”

He nods toward the stove. “Teach me how to cook you breakfast. I did my teachin’ last night,” he winks, “now it’s your turn.”

My eyes narrow on him and fall to his delicious mouth I want to kiss, then back up to his heated eyes. “Really? You want to learn how to cook?”

He grins. “Yeah. Why not.”

Scanning the kitchen one more time, I say, “Do you have more eggs? Hash browns? Bacon?”

He smiles and heads to the fridge, where he begins to pull out more food. “I got a boat load of shit this mornin’. Went out while you were sleepin’. And I was starvin’ so I grabbed enough to feed an army.”

“Wow, you don’t say.” I eye the smorgasbord of food he places on the counter. “What time did you get up?”

“Six.” He leans on his elbows over the counter and his grin turns mischievous. “Now ask me what time I got out of bed.”

I roll my lips once between my teeth and let my eyes roam over his face. He shaved this morning and he has yet another bruise. It’s on his right cheek where Dozer clocked him. He’s still sexy as hell though.

“What time did you get out of bed?”

“Seven thirty.”

“Do I want to know what you did for that hour and a half?”

He laughs and studies my face. “Probably not.” He rubs his index finger over his mouth. “You’re a pretty deep sleeper though, huh? I mean even at the clubhouse, it took me a while to get you up, but I thought if I . . .” His smile is wicked.

“Oh, God. What did you do?”

His laugh is deep and rich as he pushes away from the counter and comes toward me. He cups my elbows. “Tried to kiss you awake.” By the way he’s looking at me, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mean he was kissing my lips.

“So that dream I had this morning where you were . . . uh-mmm . . . down there.” I look away as fire crawls up my neck and heat rushes between my legs.

Mav pinches my chin and lifts it. “We can pretend it was a dream if you want.”

My nipples harden and start to ache.

If I don’t sidetrack us soon, he’ll have me bent over this counter in a matter of seconds. Totally dismissing the kindling of lust bouncing between us, I say, “Well, if we’re going to do this, I’m going to need to throw this stuff out and scrub the pans.”

He chuckles as I turn the water on to fill up the sink and add some dish soap.

“You wash and I’ll dry,” Mav says as he grabs the kitchen towel off the floor that he dropped earlier.

“You do know how to dry, right?”

He smiles and narrows his eyes on me. Then winds the towel up and whips me in the butt with it. “Such a smart ass little mouth, Doll.” As I glare at him, I rub my backside.

Mav dumps the burned food. I watch and can’t help but think what a waste it is. There was a time not too long ago when I would have been thankful for every morsel of that burnt food. I think of the shelter and all the people in it. I think of Ivy and wonder where she is right now.

I get lost in thought as I load the pans into the sink. But after a few minutes, I force myself to think of something less depressing. Like the things about Mav I’ve been dying to know.

“Griz said you went to college . . .”

Mav peaks over at me. “Yeah. They like to rub that in like it’s a rap on my record or somethin’.”

“It could be because they’re jealous . . . or maybe they’re just proud of you.”

He gives me an odd look that turns thoughtful. “Hmmm. If they are, they’d never let me think that.”

“What college did you go?”

“Cornell.”

As I scrub the pan in the sink I ask, “I’ve heard of it, but I have no idea where it is.”

“It’s in New York. At first, I wanted to get farther from home, but then I got a partial scholarship there. I couldn’t really pass it up since it was also one of the best schools for studying architecture.”

“So you’re from New York?” I murmur under my breath, “Well, that explains it.”

He nudges my hip and takes the pans from my hands. His accent gets heavier as his eyes scan down my body as he says, “How you doin’?”

Chills rush over my arms. Laughing, I say, “Oh, my God, you sound just like him.” He even gives me the same lustful look Joey gives.

He says something else. But honestly, I can’t make out the words. It sounds like forgettaboutit.

The smile he’s wearing hits me all the way to my bones. My stomach quivers, and I’m suddenly all hot and bothered.

Trying to recover somewhat, I say, “Have you always been good at art?”

“I don’t know if I was always good at it, but I was pretty good in junior high and high school. Good enough to get a lot of extra attention from my teachers. I won a couple of contests. And one day, one of my teachers sat me down and talked to me about what I could do with it career wise. I love drawing, so it made sense to me to pick a career where I could continue to do that and make money. With designing homes and buildings, I get to see my ideas come to life.”

“It must be nice knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life.” I lean down to use a little muscle on a particular spot. “I’ve never had a job I felt that way about, and I’ve had many.”

“How many?”

“Hmmm . . .” I count in my head. “Somewhere around fourteen.”

“Fourteen?”

I nod. “Yeah. I was a waitress, maid, babysitter. I babysat for a couple of different families on and off. I worked as a hostess at two different restaurants. And I’ve also worked at a pet store.” I grin. “So Boop wasn’t the first spider I’ve had to handle.”

Mav visibly shudders and I laugh.

“What else?”

“Mmmm . . . retail at the mall, which I sucked at, and last summer I lifeguarded on the beach.”

The pan slips from his hands and clatters into the sink. He curses and fumbles as he grabs it. His eyes flicker over to me. “Are we talkin’ red bathing suit, runnin’ in the sand, and savin’ people?”

I pause and turn a little. “Well, technically, I only had to run to try to save someone once. The rest of the summer, I just sat or stood on the platform, watched the beach goers, and the water for sharks. But I liked it the best because I could bring Will with me and let her play in the sand.”

“Do you still have the swim suit?

I laugh. “It’s really not as sexy as people think.”

“Makes me hard just thinkin’ about it.” He smirks over at me. “Next time Nick has a pool party, remind me to pretend to drown so you’ll come save me.”

I shake my head. Through a laugh, I say, “Maybe I’ll let you drown.”

“Nah, you’d save me.”

My insides dance in agreement, but the grin he’s giving me is too knowing for my taste, so I shove the wet pan at him and he jerks back as I get him all wet.

He dries the last pan and asks, “What kind of job would you want if you could have your pick?”

The plans I used to have when I was younger come back to me. I had it all laid out. My grades were phenomenal. I had joined the math club and the swim team knowing I would have a better chance at a scholarship if I did. And a scholarship meant I could get myself out of the cruddy apartment and the life I was stuck in.

Shrugging, I reply, “I used to want to be a teacher. Elementary or junior high. I didn’t care. But to do that now, I need to get my GED and save money for college. So I don’t know. I guess I’d be happy with something that lets me work with kids.”

He considers me for a moment while he dries and then puts a pan down on the counter. “You sound like you’re already giving up. If you want to be a teacher then—”

“I’m not.”

“You can still do it. If that’s what you want to do.”

I nod and begin cleaning again. “I know. But it’s a ways off is all.”

Mav walks out of the kitchen as if we weren’t right in the middle of a conversation. To be honest I’m kind of offended. I know he thinks I should fight harder for what I want.

He comes back in carrying a manila folder on top of a pile of books.

Caught off guard and surprised I whisper, “Where did you get those?”

“I have a friend that teaches at the local high school. When you told me how you had to drop out, I called him this morning and asked what you’d need to study to take your GED.”

“Mav . . .”

“I told you I was gonna make up for some of the terrible shit I did to you, Doll. This is only the start of it.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to.” He taps the folder. “The papers in here will tell you what you need to know to be ready for the test. There’s some quizzes and pretests you can take too. I’ll get internet set up so you can study here if you want, or at Bethany’s, whatever you need.”

He’s pushing me. And although it’s a little alarming, I can’t deny I need it. I’ve always been awful about taking care of my own needs. Usually everyone else’s come first.

“That was really nice of you.” He comes to me. I slide my arms up his chest and then around his neck. “Thank you.”

His hands land on my hips and his head dips down as I tilt mine up. “I told you I could be a better guy.”

“I’m seeing that.”

He brushes his lips over mine. “Good. Because I like you right here. And I’m gonna do what I can to keep you.”

I push up on my toes and kiss him. Slowly and sweetly on the lips with a hint of tongue. I want nothing more than to get lost in him and his kiss all day. But a small little voice in my head keeps telling me not to hand over my heart to him just yet.

As I pull back, I ask, “Are you ready to learn how to cook?”

His hands haven’t left my hips. He places a peck on my nose and then turns me around to face the stove. “Are you ready to teach me?”

“Depends.” I push back into him.

He groans. “On what?”

“On whether or not you’re going to pay attention, or just stand here and distract me.”

He laughs and moves my hair over my other shoulder. He kisses the curve of my neck. “Can’t I do both?”

“Hmmm. I don’t know. The way this feels we might end up with another fire.”

He steps to my side, rubs his hands together, and looks down at me. “Okay, let’s do this before I haul you over my shoulder and carry you upstairs. Show me what I need to know.”

We get the hash browns on first and once they’re set, I have him start the eggs, with low heat this time, and lots of butter, while I put the bacon into another pan. But a moment later, I notice he’s torturing the eggs and mixing them too rapidly. I reach forward and slow down his movements with my hand over his. Instead of mimicking my movements, he lets go of the spatula and lets me take over. At first, I don’t know why, but then he whispers, “Keep cookin’,” as he stands behind me.

“You’re not a very good student.”

He laughs darkly under his breath as he lips come to my ear. “I’ll let you in on a little secret.” He sucks my lobe into his mouth. When he lets go, he says, “I never was.”

He slides his hand around and palms my stomach. He forces my body against his. Then his fingers trail down and sink into my underwear. I’m already wet.

“Fuck. I’ll never get used to how heavenly you feel on my hands. I want to own this. Make it mine. Make you mine.”

I tense under those words.

“It doesn’t have to be a bad thing, Doll. It means I want to love this part of you so good and so deeply that you’ll never want to share it with anyone else.”

I don’t censor my thoughts. They just spill from my lips. “If that’s the case . . . then I’m already yours.”

“You’re damn right you are.” He spins me and before I can get my bearings, he grabs both sides of my face and smashes his mouth on top of mine brutally, except it feels so good. I drop the spatula and wind my arms around his neck.

Mav grunts and his hands sweep down to my ass. He picks me up and starts stepping back all the while his tongue is stroking my tongue. Sweeping his arm over the island, he sends everything on it crashing to the ground. After sitting me on top of it, he grinds himself into me. I grab his shirt and pull it over his head. He rips mine as he tugs it off me. Then he’s kissing me fiercely again. At the same time, his fingers fumble with the button on my shorts. He impatiently yanks them off, taking my panties with them. I reach for his belt and push his jeans down past his hips. The second his cock springs free, Mav circles his hand around it and guides himself up and down my slit. He pulls my leg over his hip, and then in one savage thrust, he buries himself inside me.

I gasp and cling to his neck.

“You have no fucking idea. Jesus . . . Nothin’ fuckin’ comes close to this. It’s like heaven and hell wrapped into one. Somethin’ I’d fuckin’ sell my soul for. Die to keep.”

He threads his hands into my hair and seals his mouth over mine. Half the time he kisses me like I’m his air and the rest of the time he kisses down my neck and sucks on my skin until that small pain I crave barrels through me and sends sparks of desire south.

He hammers into me, and hits that spot that sends me reeling. When I whimper, he smiles against my skin and slows. He stops and almost pulls out of me.

“Luce, don’t you dare.” I glare up at him.

He laughs and slides into me fast and deep. “Don’t what, Doll?”

“You’re evil.”

He chuckles and drives into me again. “Yeah, I can be when I need to be.” He withdraws and thrusts again. “But you like that, don’t you? You want a nice guy by your side and a devil in the bedroom.”

I want to deny it, but I can’t.

To prove his point, Mav pushes on my chest and lays me back. He bites my nipple while at the same time slides the kitchen towel under my head so my skull doesn’t crack on the granite countertop. A dominant male and a gentleman wrapped up in one man. He grabs my hands and moves them up over my head. He pins them there with one of his. All the while watching my face and judging my reaction.

I wait for the panic to come, but it doesn’t. I brace for fear to hit, but only trust and longing flow through me. He brushes his lips over mine and whispers, “Let go, Doll. Just feel me and enjoy how I make you feel.”

His tongue enters my mouth and I moan as it tangles with mine. My eyes close and I give into him. He pulls my legs around his hips, and I lock them behind him as pounds into me.

His mouth moves down my neck to my shoulder. His teeth sink into my skin. An electric-like shock jolts through every nerve ending, and moves through my body. My inner muscles start to contract around him. Mav grunts and curses all the way through my orgasm as if he’s fighting to hold on to his control.

I peer up at him through my lashes. His dark features are riddled with lust and his jaw muscle pops.

“One more time, Doll.”

His hand drops to my sex and his thumb strokes my clit. I shy away at first because I’m sensitive but he won’t stop. He just keeps rubbing then pinching.

I see the smoke billowing up behind him. Enough to set off the fire alarms if they weren’t already dismantled. But I couldn’t care less. The only fire I’m paying attention to is the one we’re making together. And there is no stopping it now.

At the thought, my orgasm takes hold and my back bows off the counter. Every muscle in my body strings tight and then convulses.