Firecracker: A contemporary romance

by Kelly Jamieson

  She rolled toward him, pushing him onto his back and wriggling herself on top of him.

  “Whoa.” His big hands clasped her hips.

  “I want you.”

  His smile was white in the dark room. He’d turned off the lamp a while ago. “I like that.”

  She lowered her head and laid a string of kisses across his chest, then down the middle. She heard his sharp intake of breath as she wiggled lower, licking down the center of his chest, then lower over the rippled muscles of his abs.

  God, she loved his abs.

  Every time she saw him working without a shirt on, her mouth went dry while her panties dampened.

  Now, she was up close and touching those abs, licking them, leaving lingering, open-mouthed kisses on them as she worked her way to his navel…and then the tender skin below that.

  His groan rumbled up from his chest and his fingers threaded through her hair, tugging it back from her face so gently. “Arden…”

  “Mmm.” She positioned herself between his thighs, curling her fingers around him again, as she had earlier, marveling at the soft skin over hardness. It had been a long time since she’d done this. She’s always enjoyed this part of a man’s anatomy, enjoyed giving him pleasure and reveling in the sensuality of it herself, but being perfectly honest, she hadn’t been enthusiastic about it when her relationship with Michael had started to deteriorate.

  Now, excitement filled her with buzzing anticipation, her core clenching, her mouth watering. She glanced up at Tyler and found him watching her, eyes blazing. “Oh Christ.” His fingers tightened in her hair, clasping it back off her face.

  Holding his gaze, she opened her mouth.

  Moments later, she crawled up beside him, draping one arm and leg across his body.

  He panted, eyes closed, finding her hip with one hand. “I think I just saw Jesus.”

  She smiled. “Me too. He was here earlier.”

  He chuckled and squeezed her hip. “I fucking love blow jobs. And that was amazing.”

  A little shiver of delight worked over her. “Thank you.”

  “You know what makes it so good?”

  “Um, what?”

  “You were so into it. You looked like you loved it.”

  “That’s because I did love it.”

  “And that makes it extra hot.” He shifted and pulled her into his arms. “I’m about to crash. Give me an hour and we can go again.”

  “Ha.” Feeling sleepy herself, she let her eyes drift closed. “You need that long?”

  “Just need…sleep.” His voice had gone thick, and she felt his body relaxing against hers. And she slept too.

  They didn’t wake up an hour later. They woke up six hours later, at nine in the morning. Tyler was still off for another day, but Arden had to work at eleven.

  “Lots of time,” Tyler murmured as he rolled her onto her back and moved over her.

  “Don’t kiss me.”

  He cocked his head. “Why not?”

  “I need to brush my teeth.”

  He pursed his lips. “Hmm. I guess I’ll allow that.”

  “Pfft.”

  He moved off her and she slid out of bed. She grabbed the black knit robe that matched the nightie now lying on her living room floor and slipped her arms into it. She’d start keeping a toothbrush and toothpaste in her kitchen, so she didn’t have to go over to Tyler’s apartment just to brush her teeth, since she now had no bathroom sink. The renovation seemed to be taking a lot longer than expected.

  Tyler followed her, big and naked, which made her inner muscles squeeze. “Guess I better be minty fresh for you too,” he said before disappearing out the door, presumably to his place. Apparently walking around naked didn’t bother him. Hopefully Jamie or Mila didn’t happen to be around as he crossed the hall with all his impressive man parts on display.

  She scrunched up her face and squeezed Crest onto her toothbrush. She hoped she hadn’t killed the mood, because her body was surprisingly aching to be filled with him again. She wanted another one of those orgasms he delivered with expert ease.

  He was back just as she rinsed her toothbrush under the tap. She dropped it into the cup and turned. He tilted his head toward the bedroom. “Get that sweet ass back in there.”

  Her belly flip-flopped at his command. She shouldn’t like that. She did, though. A lot. “Just so you know…I only like to be told what to do in the bedroom.”

  One eyebrow arched. “I think it counts if you’re in the kitchen and I’m telling you to get in the bedroom.”

  She tried not to smile and tossed her hair back. “Okay. I’ll let it go this time.”

  Oh my God, this was so fun. She scooted past him, but not before he got his hands on her and gave her ass a little tap. That was also something she shouldn’t like…but totally did. Excitement flared low in her belly as she raced to her bedroom and jumped onto the bed, followed closely by Tyler who flipped her to her back, held her hands and pressed them into the pillow next to her head while he kissed her.

  God, she wanted him again. His body was heavy on hers and she arched against him. His tongue slid into her mouth and liquid heat pooled in her core. His strength and weight thrilled her.

  “Minty fresh,” she panted when he lifted his mouth from hers.

  He smiled. “Good. Wouldn’t want to offend you.”

  “Mmm. Be quick, I have to go to work.” She said it teasingly.

  “Oh yeah, that’s a turn-on when a woman just wants to get it over with.”

  Her lips lifted into a smile. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I want another one of those stupendous orgasms you’re so good at.”

  “Greedy girl.”

  “I’ll own that.”

  He kissed her cheek and her jaw. “I’m glad you recognize my skill.”

  “Oh, I do. I definitely do…”

  “I slept with Tyler.”

  Two pairs of female eyes flew open wide and Arden’s apartment fell silent.

  Emma’s mouth dropped open. “Shut up!”

  “What?” Mila said.

  Arden paused as she scooped ice cream into bowls in her kitchen.

  It was Thursday evening and since she had a night off, she’d invited Emma and Mila over to her place. Because it was National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, she’d picked up ice cream and made her own hot fudge sauce with cocoa, vanilla, butter, and cream, and it was to die for if she said so herself.

  Last Thursday had been National Root Beer Float Day, and everybody had come up to her place for root beer floats and snacks.

  “It’s true.”

  “Oh my God.” Mila gaped at her from the other side of the counter.

  Emma’s mouth now stretched into a grin. “Good for you.”

  “Was it good?” Mila leaned forward.

  “Good. Oh my God. So good.” Arden closed her eyes briefly, her belly doing a lusty little flip. Which it had been doing every time she thought about Tyler.

  She hadn’t meant to say anything, but she was bursting to talk about it to someone. “Nuts or sprinkles?” she asked brightly.

  “Sprinkles,” Emma said.

  “Nuts,” Mila replied. “And speaking of nuts…how is Tyler, um, endowed?”

  “Very well.” She scooped up a spoonful of chopped peanuts and dumped it over Mila’s sundae. “And that’s all I’m saying.”

  “How did this happen?” Emma blinked long eyelashes at her.

  “Well, remember that thunderstorm the other night?” She told them how Tyler had come rushing into her apartment to rescue her.

  “I had a feeling about this.” Mila dug her spoon into the ice cream. “He watches you all the time.”

  Arden’s belly did another flutter. “He does?” Hell, she knew that, because she watched him too, and often caught him looking at her.

  “How many orgasms?” Emma asked.

  Arden burst out laughing. “Plural? Really?”

  “I’m hoping.”

  “Okay, um, in t
otal, four. He stayed overnight,” she added in a rush. “So we had morning sex too.”

  Emma made a sound like she was weeping as she lifted her spoon of ice cream to her mouth. Then she paused. “Holy shit, Arden. This hot fudge sauce is amazing.”

  “Thank you. And there are no calories whatsoever, obviously.”

  Mila snorted. “It tastes like sin. Unbelievable.”

  “Speaking of orgasms, I think I’m having one from eating this sundae.” Emma sighed.

  “I want to hear more about Arden’s orgasms. Apparently Tyler is generous. This doesn’t surprise me, actually.”

  “He’s very generous. And his head game is…oh my God.” She closed her eyes briefly.

  “Meanwhile, my vagina is a sexual wasteland,” Emma said morosely.

  “You and me both.” Mila stared at her sundae.

  “Wait, what? What about Garth?” Arden gazed at Mila in concern.

  “We haven’t had sex in weeks.” The corners of Mila’s mouth drooped. “I don’t know what’s going on.”

  Arden met Emma’s eyes, which were also concerned.

  “Have you talked to him?” Arden asked.

  “No. I hardly ever see him. We both work long hours, but lately it seems like he’s always busy. And when we do get together, he’s tired, or distracted…” She sighed.

  “Do you think…he’s seeing someone else?” Emma asked carefully.

  Mila shrugged. “I don’t know. It makes me wonder. But why would he do that? Why not just tell me?”

  “Good question.”

  “Well, I’m probably not the one to give advice…seeing as my own marriage was a total failure…but if I learned anything, it’s better to speak up if you’re worried about something than to ignore it or pretend there’s nothing wrong.”

  Mila lifted her head to meet her eyes. “Your marriage was a total failure?”

  Arden spooned more ice cream into her mouth and nodded. “Yeah. It was. And it was partly my fault.”

  Even though Tyler had tried to convince her that Michael was the one responsible for his actions, she knew she had responsibility too. Sure, she wasn’t responsible for Michael’s actions, but maybe if she’d handled things differently instead of floating obliviously along Denial, which wasn’t just a river in Egypt, it wouldn’t have turned out the way it did.

  “It wasn’t your fault,” Emma said quietly. “I’ve told you that many times.”

  Clearly Mila wanted to know what had happened, and Arden wanted to include her. She hadn’t known Mila long, but the three of them had bonded over pole dancing and the Kardashians. And now homemade hot fudge sauce.

  So she gave Mila a condensed version, with Emma contributing additional helpful information such as “he was such a douche dick” and “what a jack hole.”

  Arden hadn’t wanted everyone to know that when she’d moved back to Chicago. She’d wanted to leave that behind. She’d wanted to pretend that her life had been perfect and beautiful, other than the fact she was a widow at twenty-eight. But real connections weren’t made with people over fake perfection—connections were made over shared struggles, with honesty. And since Mila had been honest about the problems she and Garth were having, it felt right to open up and admit that her perfect life had been a sham.

  “I’m so sorry.” Mila’s eyes filled with compassion. “I can’t even imagine.”

  “Thanks.”

  “And not to speak ill of the dead, but yeah, he was a knobhead.”

  Arden huffed. “I’ll never understand what happened with him. It makes me feel like I never really knew him. He got so into the money, the lifestyle…the prestige. And then he couldn’t…do without it, I guess. He must have been so messed up. Losing his football career was so traumatic for him. That was his whole identity, and when he didn’t have that, he must have been lost. And then when his new career wasn’t doing well, he must have been so desperate to try to make it seem like it was…” She shook her head. I should have known.

  “You’re amazingly understanding,” Emma said quietly. “But I still think a real man would have been honest with you.”

  “Well, my whole point in the story is to say that I was oblivious to what was going on, mostly, but when he started to get distant and pull away from me, I…didn’t do anything. It worried me a little…I shouldn’t have ignored it. I should have confronted him and made him talk to me. So you should talk to Garth.” She gave Mila a stern look.

  Mila scrunched up her face. “Yeah. You’re right. I will.” She sighed. “You know, I’m trying to tick off all the boxes—good job, fabulous apartment, lots of friends, great boyfriend. I thought I was finally getting there. I got this great job at Jamie’s company, and the beautiful apartment. But this is, like, the eighth job I’ve had since college. Garth is the sixth boyfriend. I’ve had five roommates. Some of my friends have disappeared, and I’m still paying off student loans. Now I’m going to lose the great boyfriend.”

  “Well, maybe he’s not so great,” Emma said carefully. “Not that I’ve ever met him.”

  “I haven’t either.” Arden frowned. “And that’s not right. I want a chance to judge him on whether he’s good enough for you.”

  Mila laughed. “You know what? I think I love both of you.”

  Arden’s heart expanded hot in her chest. “I think I love you too.” She pointed her spoon at Emma. “You already know I love you.”

  “Back atcha, babe.” Emma winked. “Mila, we’re here for you, whatever happens.”

  “Thanks, bishes. You’re gonna make me cry.”

  “See, I was just talking to Tyler about that,” Arden said.

  “After the third or fourth orgasm?” Emma made a face.

  “Ha. I mean, I feel the same…this wasn’t supposed to be how my life is. I’m a widow at twenty-eight, broke, I’d be homeless if it weren’t for my brother—or living with my parents, God forbid. When are we ever going to get there?”

  “When is my vagina ever going to get some action?” Emma asked.

  “You work too much. That’s your problem.”

  Emma shrugged. “I love my job.”

  Arden sighed. “See, that I’m envious of.”

  “You’ll find what you love.”

  “Well. You know what I’m happy about?” Arden looked around. “I’m happy I have you. Oh, damn.”

  “What?” They both spoke at once, frowning.

  “I might cry. Sorry. This was so hard, coming here with nothing, my entire life in shreds. And you both have made it so easier.”

  “Aw.” Emma smiled. “Of course, hon. I’m always here for you.”

  “Me too.” Mila dropped her spoon into her empty bowl. “I’m so glad Jamie’s sister turned out to be a kindred spirit.”

  Arden’s heart quivered.

  “Also, I’m glad you can cook,” Mila added. “It’s been awesome.”

  The air in the room lightened and Arden choked on a laugh.

  “And, let’s not forget what else is here for you.”

  “What?”

  “Tyler’s magnificent wang.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I know right away when I’m attracted to a woman.” Jamie shrugged. “It’s there or it’s not.”

  Tyler nodded. “Yeah. I agree.” He leaned back on the couch at Shenanigans, half his attention on the conversation, the other half on the ball game on TV. No, check that, part of his attention was also on Arden, waiting on a table of four guys who were all drooling over her. He tried not to scowl.

  Mila frowned. “Seriously? What about getting to know someone? Getting to know her personality. It can’t just all be superficial.”

  “I guess it is.” Jamie looked around Shenanigans, where they were gathered Saturday night, possibly looking for a woman he’d feel that instant attraction to.

  Tyler grinned. “Men are superficial assholes.”

  “It’s different for women,” Emma said. “Sometimes you meet a guy and you think he’s okay—”

>   “Or you even think ‘no way,’” Mila interjected.

  “True.” Emma nodded. “But then you get to know him better, and he’s got a great sense of humor, and you find yourself starting to find him more and more attractive.”

  “That happens to me all the time,” Norton said.

  Everyone looked at him.

  “You mean…you find women more and more attractive as you get to know them?” Mila asked.

  “No. Women find me more attractive as they get to know me.” He lifted one shoulder and picked up his drink.

  “Um. Okay.”

  “So you just take your time, Emma.” Norton winked. “You’ll come around. You’re gonna want me in no time.”

  Tyler tried not to laugh at the expression on Emma’s face, who clearly had no idea how to respond to that without hurting Norton’s feelings. This was Emma’s first time meeting Norton.

  Norton, Norton. They had to find a woman for him.

  It sure as hell wasn’t going to be Arden. Probably not Emma either. Norton had been flirting like crazy with both of them since they’d arrived at Shenanigans. Luckily Emma had laughed when Norton told her she reminded him of an overdue library book because she had “fine” written all over her.

  “But it’s true about men,” Norton added. “I know in three seconds if I’m attracted to someone.”

  “You’re attracted to every woman, Norton,” Jamie said.

  Norton frowned and thought about that.

  Arden approached their table, still smiling from her conversation with that table full of ass monkeys. “How’s it going here?”

  Holding an empty tray, she planted her butt on the arm of the big comfy chair Emma sat in.

  “Good.” Emma reached over and squeezed Arden’s knee, which had Tyler’s full attention. He usually saw Arden wearing black pants and a white shirt, the “uniform” of Shenanigans, but tonight she was wearing a short black skirt. Tyler caught Norton’s open-mouthed gaze on Emma’s hand on Arden’s knee. He sighed.

  “Need another round?” Arden tilted her head and met his eyes.

  Heat punched through his gut at the eye contact. Jesus.