“You drive me insane. Do you know what the sight of you on your knees does to me? Do you know all the filthy things I want to do to you?”
With my mouth full of his cock, it’s impossible to answer, but I look up at him and our gazes lock.
I imagine what he must see. Me on my knees. His dick buried in my mouth. It’s got to be fucking erotic as hell.
His grip tightens and I’m fully at his mercy as he pulls out of my mouth and slams forward. There’s no easy rocking back and forth. There’s no slow drag as I slide my mouth up and down his cock. My control is non-existent as he takes his pleasure.
Asher’s head tips back. The muscles in his neck draw tight with strain as he moves in and out of my mouth. His body shakes as he fucks my mouth.
“I want to tie you up. Smack that perfect ass. Fuuuck…I want to control you. I want to fuck you until you beg. I want to watch you come apart for me.”
I may not have control of my head, but I do control my hands. I yank his jeans down, exposing his ass, and wrap my arms around him. His breath hitches and I wonder if he knows I’ve given myself to him.
Whatever he wants—it’s his.
Whatever he needs—I’ll give.
“Look at me.” His command snaps through the air and my gaze lifts to meet his. “You’re fucking gorgeous.” Strain fills his voice. His legs shake. “Fuuuck, I’m going to come.”
He releases his grip on my head and I understand what he’s saying. I can pull off and he’ll shoot his load onto the straw around us. Or, I can take him in and swallow him whole.
I dip my head forward, taking him all the way to the back of my throat.
“Ev-e-lyn…” Taut with strain, his voice waivers as he makes sure this is okay.
I draw back, using my tongue to stimulate him and let him know I want this too.
He reaches down, taking my head in his hands. “I need to move… Fuck, I need…”
I know exactly what he needs. Asher can be a soft and gentle lover, but this is who he really is. He’s a man willing to take as well as give. I want him to have it all.
I give the slightest shake of my head, granting him permission to do what he needs.
A growl escapes him as he releases the last of his restraint.
I gag as he goes deep and ramps up his pace. This is no blowjob and I’m just holding on for the ride.
24
Asher
I’ve never seen a woman as beautiful as Evelyn on her knees. God, the sight of her lips wrapped around my cock. The way her tongue strokes me. The warm, wet heat of her mouth taking me in. It’s enough on its own to make a man go insane, but what really drives me over the edge is the desire in her eyes and the permission she gives for me to unleash the last bit of my restraint and chase my release.
I can be kind and gentle. Some of the best sex is when I take things slow, one hundred percent focused not on me, but the needs of my partner. I love the power which comes with that.
But I like this too. The taking and claiming. The freedom to let a willing partner give me what I need.
And I take that now.
My hips jerk erratically and my body gives a shudder. I come with a low, throaty, growl as my release rushes through me. It’s powerful. A toe-curling explosion of lust and heat coursing through my body.
And Evelyn?
She’s goddamn sexy on her knees. The trust in her eyes warms my heart. Her willingness to give so that I might take turns me inside out. She’s perfection.
I let the wave pass, panting against the sensation before dropping to my knees and taking her in my arms.
“That wasn’t too…” As much as I enjoyed coming unglued, I worry about it being too much. I especially worry about scaring her off.
Shit, I told her I wanted to control her while blinded by my lust and driven with need. That kind of shit tends to scare people away.
She buries her head against my chest. “That was…”
Scary? Distasteful? Overbearing?
Wrong?
Her arms encircle my waist. “Asher…” She says my name on a sigh, then looks up at me. “That was incredible.”
My insides clench because incredible sounds fantastic.
“That was fucking hot as hell.” I brush aside the hair from her face as she places a hand over my chest.
Like a rush of heat, all the tension leaves my body.
Hot as hell?
I like that.
“About some of what I said…” I take in a stabilizing breath. She peeks up through her lashes then dips her head. That’s the hesitation I fear.
She presses her palm against my chest, right over my heart. “Whatever you want, Asher—it’s yours.”
I choke at her words. She keeps her chin tucked, but damn if I need to see the truth in her eyes.
“Evelyn…”
Her grip tightens and she presses her cheek to my chest. Her fingers draw a circle over my heart.
“Whatever you need—take it.”
Shit, that’s not a fucking circle. That thing she’s tracing over my heart? It’s a goddamn heart.
“Was that too rough? Did I hurt you?”
“No.” She gives a soft laugh.
“Did I scare you?”
Where the fuck is this insecurity coming from? This isn’t me, Ace La Rouge takes what he wants, but it seems Asher La Rouge needs Evelyn’s reassurance.
What a fucking pussy.
I’m not happy but it’s the truth. We’re still brand new. Everything is shiny and bright, exciting and filled with intense emotions. I’m blind to the hazards and if I’m not careful, I’ll fuck this up before we really have a chance to begin.
“You didn’t scare me at all.” She finally looks up at me. “Exactly the opposite.”
“Really?” I want to believe her, but I’m cautious. She’s not some chick I want to fuck and leave. Evelyn is part of my future, which means I need to be careful and not fuck shit up by going all caveman and scaring her off.
She reaches for my chin and drags a finger along my jawbone. “That was…” Her voice trails off and I hang on her every word.
It was what?
What was it?
“Hey, Ace!” Cage calls out from the front of the barn. “We’ve got visitors and your phone is going bat-shit crazy.”
Evelyn breaks away from me. She rubs at her mouth and chin, removing the evidence of moments ago, then she drags her fingers through her hair finger-combing it straight.
“Shit.” I pull my pants up and tuck my dick inside. It’s spent but eager for more.
“It’s Evie’s friends.” Cage isn’t dumb. He knows exactly what’s going on in here, which is why he yells from the door.
“Be there in a sec.” I lift Evelyn to her feet and give her a once over.
She takes a look at her clothes. “How do I look?”
“Perfect.” My shirt looks fucking amazing, especially with her nipples practically drilling a hole through the fabric.
She’s turned on and I can’t help but wonder which of the many things I said had an effect on her. We will finish what I started in here, and I’m going to find out exactly how interested she is in more of it, like a little rope work.
We head out and Cage meets us with a shit-eating grin. Yeah, he knows exactly what we’ve been up to. Fortunately, he keeps whatever thoughts are swirling in his head to himself.
He thrusts my phone out at me. “Smokey says you need to go.”
“Shit.” I turn to Evelyn. “Sorry, I gotta call him back.”
“Anything wrong?”
“Smokey is my crew chief.” I dial his number. “If he’s calling, it’s for a reason.”
Cage jerks his thumb over his shoulder and speaks to Evelyn. “Your friends are here. They’re waiting on the porch.”
Evelyn peeks around Cage’s broad form and I follow the direction of her gaze. Sure enough, Prescott and Gracie wait on the porch.
Smokey picks up. “Hey, Ace.”
&nb
sp; “What’s up?”
“We’re spinning up. Fires down in San Rios.”
Shit. “I’m on my way.”
Evelyn doesn’t go to meet her guests, choosing to remain by my side. “Anything wrong?”
“My helitack team is spinning up. I’m really sorry, but I gotta go. I don’t know how long I’m going to be away.” I look to Cage.
“Don’t worry, Ace. We got her.”
“What does that mean?” she asks.
I take Evelyn’s hands in mine and lean in for a kiss. My dick wants much more than that, but there’s no time.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. It could be a few hours, a few days…” Or weeks. I don’t tell her this. “Brody and Cage will look over you. I want you to stay at La Rouge while I’m gone.”
I glance over at Prescott. Evelyn wasn’t safe when I turned her over to him, and he’s still on my list of suspects.
“Okay,” she says.
“I mean it. I need to know you’re safe, and I can’t do that if I don’t know where you are. Stay here. My brothers will keep you safe.”
She squeezes my hands. “I will. You have to go now, don’t you?”
“I do, and Grant Malone is planning on coming over to talk with you. Please be here when he arrives.”
“I won’t go anywhere.” She lifts up on her tiptoes and whispers into my ear. “I like your bossy side.”
“Do you?”
“Hmm, yes, I think I do.”
“Then you’ll stay?”
“I promise.”
Holy fuck, my dick takes note of that.
“I’ll stay right here until you get back.” She gives me a nod and a soft smile brightens her face.
I suppress a low groan because all I’m thinking about now are all the filthy things I want to do when I get back. But I need to leave.
“Keep her safe for me.” I slap my brother on the arm and race inside to grab my gear and head out. When I exit the house, Cage and Evelyn are talking to Prescott and his wife.
I hear Evelyn tell them about the house fire as I race to my truck. All I want is to stop in my tracks, turn around, and go to my girl. But I don’t.
I hop in my truck and head off to meet my team.
Last to arrive, they’re gathered around the table, leaning over a set of maps.
“What’s up?” I ask, a little out of breath.
“San Rios fires,” Smokey says.
“How bad?”
“Bad.” Smokey takes my hand in his and gives an abrupt shake. “This is going to be a tough one, ladies. They’re spinning up the entire state for this one.”
Shit. That doesn’t sound good.
A text flashes across my screen. I hope it’s Evelyn, but it’s Grady instead.
Grady: You headed to San Rios?
Me: Yes.
Grady: They spun up the fire station. Maybe I’ll see you there.
It’s got to be a bad fire for them to pull local assets like that. If Grady’s going, it leaves the township unprotected, which tells me we’re getting ready to fight one hellacious bitch of a fire.
Me: We’re pushing out now. Be safe, brother.
Grady: Ditto.
“Grab your gear, ladies. Time to go.” Smokey’s command gets us in motion. We grab our gear, our tools, and head out to the helipad where our ride waits for us.
We pile in and secure our mass of equipment. Anxious energy floods the air as we get ready to face the unknowable.
Every fire is different. Each with its unique energy, power, and risk. Fear swims through me, not the paralyzing kind, but the adrenaline spiking kind. It’s going to be a grueling few days and we’ll all soon be running on fumes.
I live for this.
We spend the next hour double-checking our gear as we fly towards the fire. I would do this full time if I didn’t have La Rouge Vineyards to maintain because this is what I love.
It’s a passion burning in my veins and I approach each fire without hesitation. Already, a familiar trancelike state falls over me. It’s a single-minded existence where I lose myself and focus on the task at hand. The outside world fades away as I become laser focused on only one thing.
Fighting fire.
We head to the high Sierra’s where we’ll tangle with a snarling bitch of a beast. She’s hungry and on a rampage, but we’re determined to stop her in her tracks. As it is, this bitch doesn’t give up without a fight. Soon, she turns into one of the worst fires in California history.
25
Evelyn
It’s hard watching Asher go. He exposed a side of himself I find fascinating, something I’m eager to explore. I’ve never had sex like that and my mind is blown.
I want more.
But that needs to wait.
Of course, Prescott wants to take me away from here. He’s devastated about the house fire and goes on and on about how California isn’t safe. I need to go with him, where he can keep me safe, but I’m not willing to leave. There’s a promise holding me to this place, to La Rouge Vineyards and the man who calls it his home.
Gracie wants to take me shopping again, but I’m not up for another trip purchasing clothes I won’t wear. I apologize, using Grant Malone as an excuse and eventually get Gracie and Prescott to leave.
I don’t wait long.
Grant shows up within the hour with a sharp knock on the front door.
Cage gets up from the couch. He and Brody are playing something on the gaming system, while I read a book.
“Hey, Grant.”
“Is Ace here?”
“Nah, he got called in.”
“What about Evelyn?”
“She’s here.”
“Mind if I come in?”
My expectation is Cage will leave Grant and I alone, rejoining Brody in whatever it is they’re playing, but he doesn’t. In fact, Brody joins us in the living room. They take their responsibility for watching over me seriously. It comes as a surprise, but what’s more surprising is how much I need that show of support.
“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions, Miss Thornton?”
“No, and please call me Evelyn, or Evie.”
He shifts in his seat and pulls out a pad of paper. “I have a few questions about the fire.”
My lips twist. “Which one? I seem to be a fire magnet.” I’m sitting in the middle of one of the large leather couches. Brody and Cage bracket me on either side. Cage shifts closer and places his hand over mine. My hands are clasped in my lap, fingers twisting with unease.
“Well, that’s what I want to discuss. Being involved in one fire is rare enough, two pushes the laws of chance.”
“Are you arresting me for that fire as well?” I can’t stop the indignation rising in my voice.
“Not at all.” Grant leans back. “I’m working another angle.”
“And what is that?” Brody shifts closer. I’m in the middle of a La Rouge brother sandwich, protected and supported by them both.
“Did you see anything suspicious last night?”
“No.” I shrug.
“Can you walk me through what you remember?”
“What are you getting at Grant?” Cage squeezes my hands. He doesn’t have to say it, but I know he’s doing his best to stand in for his brother’s absence.
Grant looks between Brody and Cage. “Look, I want everyone to take a breath. I’m not arresting Evelyn, and I’m not looking to implicate her in anything.”
“Then what are you doing?” Brody asks.
“Trying to put the pieces together.”
“What do you mean by that?” I ask.
“I’ll answer your questions. I promise. But first, let me ask mine. I have a process which never fails. Do you think you can do that?”
Our first meeting didn’t go well, but I sense Grant is on my side.
“Okay.”
“Good. Let’s start with last night. Walk me through what happened.”
“What do you want to know?” His question
confuses me.
“Let’s start with whether you noticed anything unusual.”
“Nothing really comes to mind. Prescott and Gracie brought me home. We’d gone shopping and Gracie helped me put everything away. They left and it was just me. I remember feeling anxious and bored. We didn’t have time to set up internet and all I had was my phone.”
“Your phone.” Cage shifts in his seat. “Ace said you had pictures of the guy on it.”
“Which guy?” Grant asks.
“The one who started the forest fire. I remember that really well. He gave off a bad vibe and I figured I’d snap a picture.”
“Why would you do that?” Grant asks.
“Because I figured it would help Prescott if…well, if things didn’t go well.”
“Were you afraid for your life?”
“No, it was nothing like that. I’m used to coming across people on the trails, most are friendly, but this guy, something just seemed off with him. I told him I was taking selfies for my ‘social media followers.’ I figured if he knew I had people checking in on me, and that I had a photo of him, he’d be less likely to do something to me. I was going to camp at that campsite but figured I’d go to the next one.”
“Then what happened?”
“I tripped. I wasn’t watching where I stepped. Next I knew he attacked me, hit me in the head with a rock. When I woke up there was fire everywhere.”
I tell him about my escape through the fire, my tumble down the ridge and Asher rescuing me.
“Evelyn, if you took a picture it’ll be uploaded to the cloud.” Cage releases my hand. “Where’s your phone?”
“Which one?” I give an awkward half-laugh. “I lost both of them. I thought about that too, but I don’t remember any of my passwords. I can’t log in. That’s one of the reasons I took a bath last night. I had nothing to do without television or internet. No books on my phone, because I couldn’t remember my password to that account either. But I don’t think it matters because there was really poor reception up there. I didn’t have a signal.”
Firestorm: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World) Page 23
