Ride the Fire (7 page)

“Six,” Tommy corrected, arching a dusky brow. “And hugs are
all
they’re getting.”

“Right, six.” She gave him a kiss, which soothed her man’s ruffled feathers.

Shea took a seat between Tommy and Eve. As much as she loved the guys, Eve was glad another woman had shown up at the gathering. It gave her a break from their macho bull and constant teasing, and a chance to talk with someone who didn’t sport a penis.

Eve leaned close to the other woman. “So how are plans for the house coming?” Like Julian and Grace, Tommy and Shea were planning to build. The younger couple’s home, however, would be built on a piece of land on the Cumberland that was owned by Shea and her police-detective brother, Shane.

“We’re still looking at plans, but we know we want something with a wide covered porch overlooking the river, and plenty of bedrooms for future Skylers.” The last was said softly, with a dreamy smile on her face.

“Have you set a date yet for the wedding?”

“Another work in progress. Tommy’s still getting settled in his new position in Arson and has to pass the state certification, so we’re not rushing things. I don’t want him under too much stress all at once.”

“I can understand that, after what you two have been through. I’ve heard getting married is one of the most stressful periods in a person’s life, not that I’d know.”

“Me, either. But with any luck I’ll soon find out. Want to shoot some pool?”

“I’d love to.”

“Great! Get us a table while I grab a beer and the pool cues.”

They played three games, giggling because it was a clear contest of who sucked the least. Neither of them stood a chance of becoming a pool shark. While they played, Eve became aware of a tingling on the back of her neck. A couple of times, she caught Sean staring in her direction with undisguised heat darkening his gaze. He either didn’t know or didn’t give a damn that the others, not just Six-Pack, had started to notice.

The room suddenly became very warm and she turned to face Shea, leaning on her pool stick.

Shea straightened from her shot and gave her a curious look. “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Something going on with you and Sean?”

Crap. “Why do you say that?”

“Oh, maybe because the man is ogling you like he’s a lion and you’re a three-legged antelope?”

“That transparent, huh?”

“Yep.” The other woman skirted the table and came to stand beside Eve, who grimaced.

“Great.” She sighed. “Honestly, I have no idea where this is going. Or even if it can go anywhere.”

“But you want him,” Shea said confidently. “And the consensus is he wants you. Everyone knows that.”

“What?” she croaked, startled. “Like who?”

“The guys. Tommy says they figured it out months ago.” She gave Eve’s shoulders a comforting squeeze. “Oh, it was nothing either of you knowingly said or did. Mostly it was the tension between you two that gave it away. But don’t worry—according to Tommy, nobody’s going to say anything bad if something does develop.”

“But they
would
get involved. I know those guys.” Not a delightful prospect.

“Only out of love and concern for you both, nothing more. You know that.”

She did. Didn’t make it any easier to face them, however. Their female teammate was completely, head-over-heels in love with their captain, a sticky situation that would divide most station houses and turn the workplace into a battle zone.

She’d quit the department before she’d allow that to happen.

“Eve? I’m sorry if I’ve overstepped.” Shea bit her lip in worry. “I thought you’d want to know.”

“No, I’m glad you told me. Forewarned and all that.”

“Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Sure.”

“How long have you been in love with Sean?”

She took a long look at the man in question, then turned back to Shea. “He had me at 'I’m Sean Tanner and I’m your captain,’ ” she said with a sad smile. “From the second I stepped foot in Station Five, he was my hero. He was the firefighter I aspired to be, had the courage of ten men, and he owned my heart the instant I saw him standing in the bay.”

Shea sniffed, brushed at her eye with one finger as Eve went on.

“As badly as I wanted him, it hurt me so much when his family died to see him broken and lost, no longer the man we’d all known. Tell me, Shea . . . do you believe any woman could heal his heart after all he’s lost?”

Shea had no answer to such an impossible question.

Unlike Eve, who was very much afraid she did.

Even if he strongly suspected Blair hadn’t remained true to their vows.

Then he’d been widowed, his children dead, and he’d disappeared inside himself.

But the forbidden yearning hadn’t died along with the rest of his life. If anything, his feelings had strengthened into . . . he didn’t know. Was afraid to find out.

“Um, earth to Sean?”

“What?” He blinked at Tommy.

“I said, I heard you’re going to participate in the fire department’s bachelor auction thing.”

“Howard didn’t give me much choice.” He curled his lip at Six-Pack, but the big guy just snickered along with everyone else.

“Hey, you’ll be the coolest guy there. For your age, anyway,” Tommy drawled.

“Very funny, kid. What about you? Isn’t the fire marshal’s branch participating?”

“Yes, but without me. Shea made it clear that I’m off the market.” The younger man looked smug about it, too.

“I’m gonna do it,” Six-Pack said. “We all are, right?” The others agreed.

“But Grace informed me she’d better win the bid, or I’m toast,” Julian said.

“Well, hell, maybe Shea will say yes when she hears I’m the odd man out.”

Six-Pack grinned. “It
is
for charity.”

Sean chucked Tommy on the shoulder. “He’s good with laying the guilt trip.”

“No shit.” Tommy lifted his beer. “Okay, I’m in!”

They all whooped and clinked glasses, and it struck Sean that he was smiling and having a great time. And that he hadn’t been this content in years. He basked in the feeling of belonging for a good while, until Eve and Shea rejoined the group.

The evening was full of laughter and banter between good friends. Others paired off to play pool or darts, then swooped in again to talk and relax. By the time he and Eve rose to leave, he was flying high—a natural one. The best kind.

“See you guys Monday morning,” he called with a wave.

Their grins and curious looks as he turned to go didn’t even bother him. Maybe later, but not tonight.

“Seems like you had a good time,” he commented as they walked to his Tahoe.

“I did. You?”

“The best I can recall.”

“You need to get out more,” she teased.

“I plan to do just that.” He hadn’t intended for the statement to come out sounding provocative, rife with innuendo. Hell, he’d never been good with the verbal man-woman dance.
So what am I doing?

He helped Eve into the SUV and hesitated before closing the door. Her gaze held his, full of uncertainty. And promise?

Stepping inside the open door, he leaned in close, as though drawn by some unseen force. Her lips parted slightly, and in that moment, nothing mattered more than tasting them. For real, not some airy almost kiss.

One hand reached out of its own volition, cupped her cheek. “Your skin is so soft. You’re so beautiful.” Her eyes were wide, breath hitching. “God, I want to kiss you.”

“Then what the hell are you waiting for?” she whispered.

His tenuous control snapped and he crushed his mouth to hers, groaning in need. Reveling in the pure, sheer pleasure of his tongue invading her heat, sliding against hers. She returned his hunger eagerly, fingers curling behind his neck, tangling in his hair, pulling him close. She tasted like spice and beer, and he knew he could get drunk on her alone. That she was the only mind-altering substance he’d ever want again.

When he finally broke the kiss, they were both panting, staring at each other, desires naked and exposed. There was nowhere to hide from this, no place to run. And he wasn’t sure he could, even if he still wanted to.

“I want you,” he said, surprised by the words. The truth of them shook him to the core.

“Take me home and you can have me,” she answered breathlessly.

Stealing another kiss, he shut her door and hurried to his side. He couldn’t peel out of the parking lot fast enough, and every mile that separated them from their destination was agony. His jeans were strangling his cock, and his balls threatened to erupt at the thought of burying himself in her hot, willing flesh.

“Supplies? Do you have any? Because I don’t,” he rasped.

“Yes, at home. Just hurry.” Scooting close, she nuzzled his throat, his ear.

Shit, he was going to drive off the damned road. Or maybe pull over and fuck her in the back of his Tahoe under the stars. Now, there was an idea that had merit.

Somehow he made it back to her place without coming or wrecking, both of which he considered minor miracles. He screeched to a halt, parked a bit crooked, and jumped out, not even caring whether he’d locked the vehicle. She met him at the front of the truck and they grabbed hands, ran to the door of her apartment. After several fumbled attempts with the keys, she managed to let them inside.

They barely got through the door, Eve slamming it shut and locking it, and he was on her. Pressing her back against the wall, devouring her mouth like a starving man. She kissed him back with equal fervor, then pushed against his chest, trying to create a bit of space. He almost growled in frustration until he saw her grab the edge of her shirt, haul it over her head, and toss it aside, leaving her in a pretty, lacy scrap of a black bra.

Their mouths came together again as she worked the buttons on his shirt. When he grabbed the material, prepared to rip it apart, she pulled back.

“No! I love that shirt,” she said hoarsely. “Matches those amazing eyes.”

“In that case, I’ll wear it every damned day.”

His shirt fluttered to the floor, unharmed. She unbuttoned her jeans next and pushed them off her hips, down her legs. And what gorgeous legs they were, long, toned with just the right amount of muscle. Strong yet alluring, like the rest of her body. He couldn’t wait to see her out of the bra and matching skimpy panties, spread around his cock.

He’d just started pushing off his own jeans when she grabbed him by the hand and began dragging him in the direction of what he assumed was her bedroom. He stumbled along, hopping out of each leg, finally freeing himself and leaving the jeans abandoned somewhere between the front door and her room.

Her bedroom wasn’t large, but the bed was nice, queen-sized. He preferred a king, but this would do fine. Vaguely, he was aware that her tastes were more feminine than he’d expected, with frilly whatnots draped over the various surfaces of the dark furniture. However, he didn’t have time to ponder this revelation because Eve was back from digging in the nightstand, a square packet in hand.

“Undo me?” She turned her back to him.

“With pleasure.” He flicked the clasp on the bra, admiring the line of her back, her bronzed skin.

She turned to face him again, letting the material fall away. Sweet Jesus, she was beautiful, breasts high and firm, tipped with dark brown nipples. He wanted to suckle them, and he would, but right now he needed something else.

Clearly impatient, she hit her knees and yanked at the waistband of his boxer briefs, pulled them down. His erection popped free, flushed deep red and leaking at the tip. He nearly came undone when she captured a bead with her tongue and licked all around the head . . . and then looked up at him with a catlike smile on her face.

“Oh, God. Put it on me,” he hissed.

“I want to suck you first.” She stuck her lip out in a pout.

“There will be plenty of time for that later. Dammit, I’m not going to last!” With an exaggerated sigh, she ripped open the package and placed the condom over the tip. Rolled it on slowly, driving him crazy. Grabbing her arms, he hauled her to her feet. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to bury myself deep in your pussy?”

Answering fire flashed in her expression, and her voice was thick with lust. “Not nearly as long as I’ve wanted it, Sean Tanner. I’ll ask you again—what are you waiting for?”

Needing no further encouragement, he slid the black panties down her legs. He was hardly aware of her kicking them aside, fixed as he was on her flat abs and lower, where a curly thatch of neatly trimmed black hair hid a treasure.

He pressed her back against the wall, loving her gasp as he pinched one pert nipple, rolling it between his fingers. He stole several kisses, nipping at her lips and his palm skimming down over her tummy, to the triangle between her thighs. His fingers brushed through the downy softness to find the wet pearly nub awaiting his attention. Throbbing cock or no, he wasn’t about to take her without making certain she was physically ready to accept him.

“Spread your legs, baby,” he demanded. She trembled as she complied, but her eyes told him it wasn’t from fear. The woman was as lost as he, with one shaky toehold on sanity, needing his body pressed into hers, filling spaces empty and lonely for far too long.

As she widened her stance, he played with her clit, fingering it until he got a small whimper and a shift of her hips. His signal that she wanted more. He slid his fingers back, parting her flesh, marveling at the feel of her wet heat. Imagining it around his cock. Pressing two fingers inside, he pumped, stretching her. Mimicked what he’d do in a moment, letting her anticipate.

“Now, please! Don’t make me wait anymore,” she pleaded.

“Wrap your legs around my waist, your arms around my neck, and hang on.”

He hitched her up, holding her against the wall, using his strength and hers combined to keep her in place. She clung like a burr as he cupped her bottom and shifted, nudging the head of his cock between her folds. He lowered her, let her settle, pushed deep inside until she was impaled on his shaft.

“Oh, God,” he groaned. “Yeah.”

“Sean . . . feels so good. Waited so long.”

This was heaven. Being seated inside Eve, her body wrapped around his. Nothing else mattered now except stroking her with his cock, making her feel as good as he did. Angling his hips, he began to thrust. Slow and deep. To the balls and out again. Her whimpers became breathy moans and he thought they’d drive him over the edge. But what she said next actually did the trick.

“Fuck me hard,” she rasped. “Need it hard and fast. Dirty.”

“Shit, yes!”

Holding her steady, he slammed home, reveled in her glad cry. Fucked her just the way she wanted, hammering with merciless precision, rattling the pictures on the wall. But she began to slip and he needed a better position.

“Hang on, baby.”

Spinning, still inside her, he walked them the few steps to her bed and eased her backward, coming down over her. He did slip out of her then, but not for long. She scrambled to the middle of the bed and lay on her back, legs spread. He crawled between them, lifted them over his shoulders, and cupped her bottom once more. Lifted her clear off the bed, and impaled her again.

“That’s it. This is what I needed.” He gave her a feral smile. “Hold on tight, because I’m gonna give you that sound fucking you want so badly.”

“Please!”

Hips snapping, he drove into her channel. Mindless, he focused on nothing but the grip on his cock, the wild sensations battering at his control. So long. Too damned long. He wasn’t going to last. Not with his cock enveloped in heaven, his balls slapping her ass.

“I’m gonna come!” she yelled, body tightening. “Yes!”

The tingling at the base of his spine warned of the explosion. His balls drew up and the orgasm rocked him, shattered his world. He came with a shout, wracked with spasms, filling her. Couldn’t remember when he’d ever come that hard.

Eventually he pulled out and sought the bathroom to dispose of the condom and clean up a bit. When he returned, Eve was curled on her side, chin resting on her hand. Sound asleep. He smiled ruefully, something very much like affection stirring in his heart. Something more frightening than structure fires or even hateful phone calls.

Pushing the unwanted thought from his mind, he pulled back the covers, settled her underneath, and spooned her against him, her sweet rear nestled against his groin.

And fell asleep thinking Eve felt extraordinarily right in his arms.