Fire

by McAdams, Molly

  Tormenting.

  Claiming.

  Making her tremble when I let her lip slowly drag through my teeth.

  The corner of my mouth twitched up as I whispered against her lips, “Rough then,” before delivering a hard, swift bite there.

  She was in my arms and on my cock before her gasp of shock and pain faded away. And then her moans were filling my head, and my name was falling from her lips as I fucked her up against the wall, my hips moving in a harsh, punishing rhythm. She leaned forward, nails digging into my neck as she crushed her mouth to mine.

  The kiss fierce and broken by our ragged breaths and her pleas for more.

  And I gave myself over to my need for her.

  Dragging my mouth across her jaw and down her neck to her breasts. Tormenting her with open-mouthed kisses and sharp, unhurried bites. Gripping her like I could claim her through touch alone. Brand her. Fucking her like I needed her to breathe.

  Pushing her higher and higher, her walls clenching around me until she shattered. Crying out and gripping my shoulders so damn tight, a growl raked up my throat and urged me faster still.

  I had my hand around her jaw and my mouth on hers, swallowing her moans and demanding more that she struggled to give around her uneven breaths. Her body vibrating against me and sending little shockwaves through me as I neared my own orgasm.

  Every sound and movement she made like a shot of pure, carnal need to my veins. The girl had always been an addiction, one I would never get enough of.

  A rumble of warning and absolute fucking ecstasy sounded in my chest when she turned things around, taking my bottom lip between her teeth and biting down hard enough I was sure she drew blood.

  My eyes opened to find her watching me, all that earlier heated excitement and challenge burning there.

  I crushed my mouth to hers, taking and taking from the kiss even when she tried backing away to catch her breath. My hips losing all sense of rhythm as I began fucking her savagely.

  Needing her to feel exactly what she did to me—what she’d always done to me. Needing to bring her to the highs I was already at and knowing I never could because that girl was my world.

  A curse fell from my lips, and I stilled when pleasure barreled down my spine, my fingers clenching tighter as I poured my release into her. My world threatening to go red the instant I’d stopped toeing the line and fully given over to the darkness inside me.

  But the feel of Savannah’s weight and her chest pushing against mine with each ragged breath grounded me, the same as it always had.

  “Every last breath,” she whispered.

  “And long after I’m gone,” I murmured against her collarbone.

  A contented hum sounded in her throat but ended abruptly. “I think you’re bleeding.”

  I licked the inside of my lip instinctively even though I’d already tasted the copper. “I know.” I lifted my head to press a soft kiss to her lips. “I’ll repay you one day.”

  Amusement tugged at her mouth, her eyes dancing at the thought. “I meant back here,” she said, her fingers gliding across my shoulders before she let her head fall back against the wall. Her legs tightened around my waist as she gave me a look that had me hardening inside her. “But you’re welcome to repay me now.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I rumbled as I leaned forward to capture her mouth again.

  Just before our lips met, the sound of car doors shutting outside had us going still.

  “That wasn’t here,” Savannah said softly, voice more of a plea than anything because she knew it was.

  “Did you lock the door?”

  She gave me a look that was just as confused as it was frustrated. “When do we ever lock the door?”

  “Damnit,” I groaned as I set Savannah on her feet. “We need to start.”

  “Everyone has keys anyway,” she reasoned as we scrambled to gather our clothes and dress. She slowed from pulling on her pants when the front door opened and listened when their voices echoed from the entryway. “It’s Emberly and Cayson. Did you know they were coming?”

  I gave her a dry look. “I planned on being buried in you all night. No.”

  A wicked smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. “It’s still afternoon, we have all night.”

  “One second,” I yelled when Emberly called out for Savannah, then pulled my wife into my arms. “As soon as they leave, we’re deadbolting the door, and I’m getting lost in you.”

  She sucked in a soft breath as heat crept up her neck. “I like that plan.”

  “Also . . .” I released her to search my pockets, my fingers finally curling around her engagement ring and wedding band. “I was wondering if you’d like these back?”

  She sagged against my chest, nodding quickly as she reached for them. “Please.”

  I helped her put them on, then tipped her head back to steal an unhurried kiss. “Love you.”

  “So much,” she whispered against my lips, then placed her fingers against my jaw to keep me there a second longer. “Thank you.”

  Amusement rumbled in my chest. “Thank you.” Slipping my arm around her waist, I stepped back to head for the stairs. “Let’s go see what they want.”

  “Um . . .” She tugged out of my grasp, her face scrunching up adorably. “Tell them I’ll be down in a minute.”

  I watched as she began backing away, my eyebrows drawing close. “They’re not here for me.”

  Her voice dropped even lower as if there’d been a chance of us being heard before. “I’m not gonna be able to talk to them when I have cum dripping out of me.”

  A sharp laugh left me as I watched her hurry toward our side of the house, then started for the stairs.

  When I found Emberly and Cayson in the kitchen, they both stopped talking and turned to watch me.

  “We’re trying to figure out if we’ve ever heard you laugh before,” Emberly said, eyes narrowing curiously.

  “That’s nice,” I murmured, then settled on the other side of the island they were standing beside, my stare shifting to Emberly. “Need to talk to you.”

  Her shoulders sagged a bit. Her tongue darting out to wet her lips as her eyes shifted to Cayson for a second. “I’ve been trying to help—”

  “I know,” I said quickly, stopping her from freaking out. “You said something today . . .” I looked at her in question, waiting to hear exactly what it had been.

  She studied me for a moment as if gauging my anger, then let out a sigh. “Well, everyone’s been talking about this thing with Stephanie as if it’s Bible,” she said, rolling her eyes. “It was pissing me off. So, whenever I had one of my super gossipy customers or someone who works at the high school or is related to someone who does—well, you know, really just anyone—I casually mentioned how sleazy it was that Stephanie was willing to get you fired just because you wouldn’t sleep with her. Which, of course, had them asking questions. So, I told them how she’d basically harassed me at Brewed, revealing that she’d more-or-less been stalking you in the hopes you and Savannah were on the outs. And, Beau and Savannah Dixon being on the outs . . . honestly, that’s never gonna happen,” she added with a wink. “And how Stephanie had still gone total homewrecker on you at the school, and you’d shut her down.”

  “Jesus,” Cayson said on a hushed laugh, but Emberly looked so damn proud of herself until she focused on me again.

  Her expression falling and worry stealing across her features.

  “I appreciate it,” I said, trying to assure her. “Really. All that shit you said changed everything.”

  “Really?” she asked, grabbing Cayson’s hand and trying to rein in the hope bursting from her.

  “Yesterday—” I cleared my throat, my head shaking. “What I did, what I said . . . I shouldn’t have done that. You didn’t do anything to deserve that.”

  “Oh my God, are you apologizing to me?”

  “No.”

  She bounced on her toes, her smile wide and blinding. “I think you are!”
>
  My eyes rolled. “Why are y’all here again?”

  She leaned into Cayson’s side as she grinned up at me. “It’s okay, I won’t tell anyone.”

  “Hi, sorry,” Savannah said as she hurried into the kitchen, her eyes catching on mine and cheeks burning with heat.

  I dipped my head to hide the smirk that tugged at my mouth, but my stare followed her as she moved, all grace and sensuality.

  “Hey!” Emberly said excitedly. “We brought y’all food, I almost forgot.”

  “Again?” Savannah made an admonishing sound. “You’re always bringing me something.”

  Emberly gave her a look as she opened up the large Brewed bag. “This is coming from the woman who is constantly giving to everyone else.” She set a two-drink drink carrier on the counter, followed by two food containers, explaining, “This is what I have to give, so let me give it.”

  “The motion detector hasn’t gone off at the condo, so we figured you were here,” Cayson said to me as Emberly flattened the bag.

  When I glanced his way, he was smiling—all encouragement and happiness for us.

  “Oh yeah, he won’t be needing that,” Savannah said definitively.

  Cayson’s smile grew. “Glad to hear it.”

  “Thank you,” Savannah said to something Emberly had whispered, head faintly shaking. “I really appreciate this, you’re so sweet. But you know I can have caffeine, right?”

  “It says not to,” Emberly reasoned softly as if Cayson and I weren’t intently listening.

  “I doubt Rae is following that rule,” Savannah said pointedly. “And I’m pretty sure it says you can have a cup . . . or two. But I drank at least a cup a day through my first three pregnancies, and my babies were healthy and perfect.”

  Emberly’s eyes slowly slid my way and widened when she noticed me watching. “Hello.”

  “I already know she’s pregnant.” My eyes narrowed on Cayson when he didn’t react to the news. “You knew?”

  He shrugged.

  “Emberly!” Savannah scoffed. “You weren’t supposed to say anything.”

  Emberly’s shoulders lifted. “It’s so hard not to tell him things. But he didn’t tell anyone.”

  “You should’ve told me,” I said, never releasing him from my glare.

  He gave another shrug. “I know when to keep things to myself.”

  It felt like I took a blow to the chest at his unintentional reminder of what he’d gone through at the hand of our dad. How he’d let everyone think the worst of him instead of revealing the truth for most of his life.

  I swallowed roughly just as his expression shifted to excitement, and he looked to Savannah. “Guess what?” At Savannah’s humming response, he looked pointedly at her stomach. “I’m gonna be here this time.”

  I glanced over in time to see Savannah look from my brother to me, trying so damn hard to control her emotions even as her face crumpled.

  I held out an arm and pulled her close when she fell against my chest, a soft sob of joy and everything our baby was doing to her breaking free.

  “She’s happy,” I murmured as I ran my hand up and down her spine.

  “I know,” Cayson said as he looked to Emberly. “You wanna tell them?”

  She bounced on her toes and drummed her hands on the island, looking about ready to explode. “So, I mean, I always love coming here because your house is the absolute best and it smells like a bakery. But we’re actually here for a reason.” Her bouncing and smile grew as Savannah turned in my arms to face her. “We just found out we’re having a girl.”

  “Oh my God, really?” Savannah gasped as she rushed away from me and over to Emberly, the two talking a mile a minute as Cayson headed my way.

  “Girls are the best,” I said when he joined my side. “You happy?”

  A jagged breath left him as he looked to the ceiling. “So damn happy, man. I cried.”

  The corner of my mouth lifted as I nodded. “I did too.”

  “Yeah?” he asked, shocked stare landing on me.

  “Every time,” I admitted. “When they were born? Fuck.” My chest pitched with a muted laugh. “I was a mess.”

  His own breathless laugh left him as he settled against the counter. “Yeah, that’ll be me, no doubt. Y’all gonna find out what you’re having this time too?”

  “I already know.”

  He slowly looked over at me, a dent between his eyebrows as he tried to figure out how before he asked, “Did I miss how far along she is?”

  I listed my head in response but still said, “With Quinn, Savannah slept almost the entire first few months. I even asked her doctor if Savannah was okay because she was only awake a few hours a day. Then one day, she just popped back up and started running around here like she always had. With the boys?” I tilted my chin to where the girls stood. “Emotions on high. Taking her from one thing to the next faster than I could keep up.”

  Cayson grunted in affirmation.

  “It was weird if we went a day those first few months where she didn’t start crying over something random—like not liking the way her keys were placed on her keyring.” At Cayson’s barking laugh, I mumbled, “I’m serious.”

  “No, I believe it. I’ve been around pregnant women before this.”

  I glanced his way at the cryptic words that hinted at a life I didn’t know about, but he didn’t explain, so I didn’t ask.

  We weren’t there yet.

  “We’re having another boy,” I said confidently.

  When he spoke again, his voice was soft and genuine. “Congratulations, man.”

  I cleared my throat and looked down, head bobbing quickly. “Yeah, I’m not really all that great at saying that, I guess,” I murmured in apology. “Think a part of it is that I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything. It’s crazy that my two youngest brothers are gonna be dads. It’s crazy that you’re here.”

  “In your house or in Amber?” he asked, words a half-assed attempt at a joke.

  I gave him a dry look and rolled my eyes when he laughed in response. “Think a bigger part is that—well, probably because I am just an asshole, and I don’t always say things that I should to y’all or Mom. But I’ve always had a hard time talking to y’all the way I can talk to Savannah.”

  “I get that,” he said under his breath, a deprecating laugh creeping from him. “Trust me.”

  I folded my arms over my chest at the second reminder of what he’d gone through and forced back all the worries and fears that came with it.

  “But I’m happy for you,” I finally said, voice tight. “Really.”

  “That means a lot coming from you.”

  “Coming from you.”

  God damn if that didn’t sting.

  But I knew I deserved it and more.

  I looked over to where Savannah and Emberly had moved to the table, talking excitedly to each other as they picked at food from the containers. “Was one of those for me?”

  “Uh-huh,” Cayson hummed, adoration pouring from him.

  Amusement tugged at my mouth. “Good. She needs it more than I do.”

  “We’re also going to dinner in an hour.”

  “She’ll eat there too,” I said undoubtedly.

  He grunted in acknowledgment. “She was getting sick all the time, but she kept saying she felt great. Wanted to keep working all day. Then she was sick a little less and a little less. Next thing I know . . .”—he gestured to the girls—“two dinners.” He grinned at me, shrugging. “Whatever she wants, man.”

  “That’s the way it should be,” I said in agreement. “So, have y’all told Mom that you’re having a girl?”

  Cayson’s smile turned feral before disappearing altogether. After a while, he tilted his head in denial. “Saw has company, and Emberly wanted to check on Savannah after yesterday, so we came here first. I figured Mom would hear from one of y’all or hear us talking about it at breakfast one weekend. I don’t really give a shit how she finds out.”
>
  I waited.

  Focused on the immediate reaction to his words and demeanor.

  Let myself feel it all and let it slowly start fading away before I ever attempted to respond.

  “Thought y’all were doing okay.” I tried to unclench my teeth when the words came out too hard, too cold, and said, “Saw y’all at Hunter’s this weekend.”

  “I mean, I see her. I talk to her if I have to.”

  My head moved in a sharp nod as I was dragged back ten years. “Look, I get that I don’t know what coming home was like for you. You were pissed at us for not listening, for not believing you—I really get that. Trust me, Cayson.” Turning to fully face him, I lowered my voice and said, “We weren’t there when all that shit happened to you. But none of us were there when Dad filled Mom’s head with a bunch of bullshit about you. And you didn’t see her when you left.”

  “Drugs,” he said flatly. “She thought I was doing hard drugs. She thought I came back to ask for money or steal it.”

  “She believed it because we all believed everything Dad said,” I said coldly. “After he died, she asked me where she’d gone wrong with you and had this look on her face like there was something she knew about you that devastated her, and I never knew what that was until you came back. But she was a fucking wreck when you left. She and Sawyer moved out of the house because she couldn’t stay there anymore with you and Dad not there. And do you know how many times she begged me to go find you? Like I would’ve gone to find you.”

  His eyes hardened on me.

  “I hated you. To me, you ruined all of our lives, and we were fine without you. Sawyer was talking to you, so I knew you were alive.” I lifted a shoulder. “That was more than enough for me.”

  “Thanks,” he said tightly.

  “Was,” I repeated. “I was also wrong, and I’m sorry, Cayson. I’m fucking sorry that I didn’t see what Dad was doing, or that you were giving everyone else a version of yourself and hiding you. Because, of anyone, I should’ve seen all that,” I ground out, regret weaving through my words. “But, Mom? She reacted off what she’d known to be true for at least a decade and guarded herself when you came back, the same as the rest of us did. Then got hit with the truth about Dad, and that shit crushed her. Give her a fucking break. She spent ten years crying to us because you weren’t coming home.”