by Kate Tilney
Wiping my lips with the back of my hand, I make quick work of disrobing my clothes while she regains control of her breathing.
“I want to be inside of you.”
She nods. “Please.”
I reach into my pants for a condom and she shakes her head. “I’m on the pill. I’m . . . clean.”
I imagine feeling her with no barrier, and I’m between her thighs again. I line myself at her entrance, the tip of my cock between her folds. Next time, I’m going to bend her over the desk and fuck her the way I’ve imagined countless times.
Thrusting into her, I have to clench my teeth shut to keep from shouting. I take her mouth in another kiss to keep us both from screaming. Our breaths grow shorter and faster as I pump in and out of her, teasing her again with my fingers.
More than promotions or cars or houses, this right here is what I’ve always wanted. A woman to love, and to make every bit as crazy as she makes me.
When I feel her tighten around me, I thrust into her one time, spilling my seed inside of her.
I wrap my arms around her as our hearts slow down along with our breaths. When I’m able, I lift her into my arms and carry her to the couch.
Tugging a throw over us, I pull Lexi’s back against my chest. I wrap an arm around her waist, my fist resting just below her bare breast. I can feel her heartbeat slowing. And even though we’re both spent from our love making, I can’t resist running my thumb against her tit. She wiggles her ass, and my dick twitches.
I press a kiss below her ear and bury my face in her hair.
For years I’ve fantasized about making her mine. Of holding her in my arms like the precious gem that she is. Reality is a hell of a lot better than anything I imagined.
“I love you.”
The words are out before I can stop myself. But I don’t regret them. I do love her. This wasn’t just a one-time thing. She belongs to me now. We belong to each other. Someday sooner than later, she’ll be my wife. She’ll be the mother of my children.
Of course I love her.
I wait to hear her say the words back. When she doesn’t I raise my head and find her eyes are close. Her lips are parted slightly as she takes deep, soft breaths.
I must have worn her out completely. I grin at that thought, and follow her lead. I’ll tell her I love her again in the morning. This time, I want to see her face when I do.
And then, I’m going to spend the rest of our lives making her happy.
Chapter Five
Lexi
I lie perfectly still until Dallas’s breathing deepens and slows. When I hear his low, soft snore I lift his arm and slide away.
Though it’s like salt in a wound, I look down at him as I dress quietly.
He said he loves me. So much for a light and breezy affair. From other men, I’d think it was a lie. But not from Dallas. If he says he loves me, then he does. And I . . .
Well, I feel more for him than I should.
More than I can.
Taking my purse, I slip my phone out of it and order a car. Luckily, there’s a driver in the area, and I only have to wait a minute. I take one more parting look at Dallas. As he lies there breathing deeply, his mouth partially open and a short lock of hair over his forehead, he looks so innocent. Tattoos cover his chest. I never really got to take a close look at them. Or the earring in his nipple.
And now, I’ll never get a chance.
I shake my head at myself. It was stupid to think I could.
Being as quiet as I can, I unlock the door and slip through it, closing it behind me. I give a sigh of relief when I find that none of the other guys are loitering in the hallway. The last thing I need right now on top of everything else is to have one of Dallas’s men see my walk of shame.
Once I’m in the car and I tell the driver where to go, I stare down at my phone. I should probably send a text and tell him where I am so he won’t worry. I thank him for the night. Tell him I had fun. But I don’t think there should be a second date. My heart clutches in my chest, but I can’t let myself sulk. This is for the best. It’s how it has to be. I wait to hit send until we pull up in front of my house.
Dropping my phone back in the purse after leaving the driver a tip, I unlock our front door and tiptoe inside. I’m nearly to the stairs when I see my mother in the kitchen having a cup of tea. She calls out my name and I clench my eyes shut. I guess there’s no avoiding the inevitable.
I slowly move into the kitchen. The grin on her face slides away as I come into view.
“What happened?”
I shake my head. “It was stupid to think I could go out with him.”
“Did he—”
“He was a perfect gentleman.” And so much more. “But that doesn’t change anything.”
She arches an eyebrow, and it’s like looking into a mirror. “You’re still determined not to marry a firefighter, aren’t you?”
“I just can’t. I can’t spend my life worrying that something is going to happen. That he could be hurt, or—”
I can’t finish the sentence, and I choke on a sob.
Mom’s face crumples and she takes me into her arms. She mutters soothing, nonsensical words as she rubs my back.
“You know, some risks are worth the reward,” she says at last.
I wish I could believe that. But even the thought of Dallas getting hurt, or worse, starts a fresh wave of tears.
Chapter Six
Dallas
I slam a piece of paper in front of Shane. “Where’s the rest of the report?”
His eyes widen. “What do you mean?”
“The report from the restaurant.” I practically hiss the words through clenched teeth. “You’re missing at least half the details.”
He scrambles around on the desk he shares with Conrad and produces a couple of crumpled up papers.
“Sorry boss. I must have forgotten.”
I take the papers and give him a hard stare before sitting down at a table with them. I know I’m being an ass. But after the Dear John text Lexi sent me last night, I don’t feel like being much of anything else.
Though our date started out with a few hiccups, I thought it had ended on a good note. Hell, that’s an understatement. It was mind-blowing. Then I woke to find her gone and a text saying it was fun, but that it was over. It was like someone had taken a sledgehammer to my gut. Only, I bet that felt better than the pain still radiating in my chest.
I should probably take my foul mood and hide out in my office. But the memories of what happened there just hours ago are too fresh.
I’m about to tell Shane I can’t read his chicken scratches when Chief Conners appears in the doorway.
He flashes me his signature easy grin. “Hey there, son. Have a minute for a cup of coffee with an old-timer?”
I can practically hear Shane’s sigh of relief as I slowly rise to my feet to pour us both a couple of cups.
Chief Conners cuffs my shoulder. “Let’s take these outside.”
When we reach the picnic table out front, the grin falls from his face.
“I wish you would’ve told me you were taking Lexi out.”
My heart sinks even more. “Sorry about that, Chief. I know I should have asked for your approval.”
“You don’t need my approval son. But I could have given you a bit of fair warning.”
“Fair warning?”
His expression softens. “Since Lexi was five, she’s sworn up and down she’d never marry a firefighter.”
“The bad hours?” With most of us working forty-eight hours on and off, it’s hard for a lot of women. “I can’t blame her.”
“It’s not the hours.” He swallows hard. “When Lexi was five, I was in a building when the roof collapsed.”
My heart hitches. “You were hurt?”
“Dang thing left me in the hospital for a couple of days. I’ve never seen anyone cry the way Lexi did when she saw me lying in that hospital bed.” He swallows hard. “It took her a long
time not to cry every time I left for my shift. And even after that, she never quite got over it. She told her mom she wouldn’t spend the rest of her life worrying. So she’d marry an accountant or something.”
I give a short laugh at that. If I could be an accountant for Lexi I would. But I have to leave the numbers to someone else.
“Sir, I love your daughter.”
“I know you do. I have two eyes don’t I?” Chief Conners reaches out to pat my shoulder again. “Which is why I’m here telling you not to give up.”
“I promised I’d leave her alone if that’s what she wanted.”
“Since when have you done what you were supposed to?”
We share a grin then, but I sober as I think about what he’s told me. Lexi says she can’t do this life. Can I really ask her to do it for me when I know it’ll hurt her?
I’m still mulling that over when the bell rings. Years of training kick in and I jump to my feet. With a parting nod, I race back inside to suit up and answer the call.
Chapter Seven
Lexi
My cell phone rings and my dad’s name and number pop up on my screen. Knowing the way the guys at the station talk, I’d bet good money Dad has already heard about how last night finished. And because Mom has always told him everything, he probably has his own thoughts about me getting involved with Dallas.
I let it go to voicemail. If he’s going to try to talk me out of getting serious with Dallas, he can save his breath. What happened last night was a one-time thing.
An incredible, mind-blowing one-time thing. But it has to be one and done.
And maybe if I say that enough times, I’ll believe it.
When my phone rings a second time, I sigh. Sneaking into the stockroom at the pet store, I answer.
“Dad, I’m working.”
“I need you to be calm. Don’t panic.”
His words have the opposite effect. “What’s wrong?”
But I already know.
“There’s been an incident.”
The world around me spins. I grab hold of one of the metal shelves to stay steady.
“Dallas?”
“A beam fell.”
Pain shoots through me. I crumble to the floor. A beam fell on Dallas, but it feels like it’s crushing me instead.
I nearly drop the phone, but grip onto it tighter. It’s my only life line to the man I’ve loved. To the man I’ve always loved. To the man I may never see again.
Pressing the phone back to my ear, I catch my father’s words.
“ . . . He was unconscious for a few minutes. He’s on his way to the hospital.”
Suddenly, I have the strength to stand. Pushing myself up, I pull my apron off and toss it aside. “I’ll be right there.”
I call out a quick explanation to my stunned co-worker, and somehow manage to make it to the hospital in record time. I race past my parents sitting in the waiting room to the front counter. I recognize the nurse working behind the desk from high school.
“Dallas Black, please.”
She punches in a few keys on the computer and pulls a face. “He’s here, but I’m afraid it’s family only.”
Before I can lie, my dad appears and places a hand on my shoulder. “He is family.”
The nurse stares at my father, her eyebrows drawn together. For a moment, I’m afraid she’ll call him out. Then again, no one trifles with my father.
“He’s being moved to room two thirty one.”
Dad squeezes my shoulder. “You heard the lady.”
“Are you coming?”
“I’ll give you kids a few minutes alone.”
Gratitude rushes through me, but I can’t find the words. I throw my arms around his neck and press a kiss to his cheek. Later, I’ll give him the biggest ice cream sundae ever made.
I freeze at the entrance to his room. He’s lying in a bed with an IV in his arm and a couple of machines. A sheet covers his waist, and his bare chest rises up and down slowly. Somehow he looks both massive and small at the same time.
A tear slips down my cheek, and I wipe it away quickly with the back of my hand. Apparently catching the movement, Dallas turns his gaze toward me. His eyes light up for a second before his face falls. My heart hitches knowing I’m the reason for that pain.
I move to his side and sit on the edge of his bed.
“How are you feeling?”
He lifts a shoulder and winces. “I’ve been better.”
I want to ask about his injuries, but that can wait.
“Dallas, I need to tell you something?” When he starts to shake his head, I cover his lips with my finger and grin. “Last night you said you loved me. And that scared me. I’ve spent my whole life afraid of losing the man I love.”
He gives a tight grin. “I know, darlin’. You don’t have to explain.”
“Yes, I do.” I draw a deep breath. “But I realized it’s too late for that. Because I’m already completely in love with you. I have been for years. I’ll love you whether we’re together or not.”
I take his hand. His warm fingers grip mine, giving me some of his strength.
“But, if you’ll give me another chance, I’d like to be the person who loves you and waits for you to come home.”
He reaches out his other hand to cup my cheek. I lean into it.
“Are you sure?”
“That I love you? Absolutely.” We share a grin. “My mom told me some risks are worth the reward. And, you, you’re worth everything I’ve got. I won’t walk out on you again.”
Then I seal my promise with a kiss. His lips move against mine, making my heart flutter with relief and hope.
Loving Dallas won’t be easy. I’ll probably spend the rest of my life worrying about him. But loving him is worth the risk. It’s worth everything I’ve got.
Epilogue
Dallas
five years later
The lights are on in the living room when my truck rumbles to a stop in front of our house. After getting off my forty-eight hours on at the firehouse, there’s no sweeter sight in the world. Especially knowing that through those doors I’ll find the two most important people in the world.
I’ve plastered the walls and shelves of my office with pictures of my wife and son. But nothing compares to the real deal.
I carefully ease open the door and hold my breath while I listen. It’s silent. I release my breath and close the door behind me as quietly as possible. If Conner is asleep, I don’t want to risk waking up. At just six months, he’s cutting his first tooth. I know he kept Lexi up half of last night, and I’m not about to wake either of them.
Setting my gym bag down in the mudroom, I poke my head into the living room and grin at what I see.
Conner is conked out in his playpen. And his mama has passed out on the floor next to him. Her paperwork from the vet clinic is spread out around her.
I don’t know anyone who works as hard as my wife. After bringing it for four years of vet school and graduating first in her class, Dr. Lexi Black set up a clinic here in Sunset Canyon. I still don’t know how she manages being the best wife, mother, and lover after putting in full days at work.
Rather than wake her, I double-check to make sure Conner is sleeping soundly. I turn off the lights and pull a spare blanket and pillows from the closet. Stripping down to my boxers, I curl up next to Lexi on the floor.
She stirs as I slip my arm around her waist.
“Want me to heat you up something to eat?” she asks sleepily.
“I should be asking you that.”
“I’m good.” She shimmies her shoulders to settle in closer. “I tried to wait up for you. How was work?”
“Pretty quiet.” I nuzzle her neck. “Now get some sleep. I need you rested up for what I plan to do to you in the morning.”
“Mmm. Sexy. But the baby . . .”
“If he fusses, I’ll get up with him.”
“Even sexier.” She’s snoring a minute later.
Ta
lk about sexy. But that’s my wife. Whether she’s saving animals, caring for our son, or blowing my mind in bed, she’s always sexy. And she’s all mine. Forever.
***
Thanks for reading DALLAS: Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue #1. For more steamy alpha men and the curvy women who love them, check out SHANE: Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue #2.
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XOXO, Kate
Also by Kate Tilney
Extra Long Weekend
BROCK: Kings of the Mountain #1
FLINT: Kings of the Mountain #2
RHETT: Kings of the Mountain #3
MAX: Kings of the Mountain #4
ZEKE: Kings of the Mountain #5
Fall Before You Leap
SARAH: Ridiculously Royal #1
ALEX: Ridiculously Royal #2
JAMES: Ridiculously Royal #3
HENRY: Ridiculously Royal #4
DALLAS: Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue #1
SHANE: Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue #2
CONRAD: Sunset Canyon Fire & Rescue #3
