Hurricane

by Taige Crenshaw

  When they pulled up to the scene of the fully involved fire, Keenan studied the blazing commercial building, realising that this would take a while. He took out his phone and sent Julianne a text, cancelling their plans. After getting out of the car he strode over to Tommy and Morgan. They conferred as they watched the firefighters work. Morgan was called away to help with triage as people were brought out of the burning building. He and Tommy helped, carting away bodies to be worked on and those who couldn’t be saved.

  Hours later, tiredness weighed on Keenan as he turned onto Sheffield Avenue on the way to his house. The fire had been nasty and the aftermath even worse. The scent and sight of all those people would fill his mind for a long time. He exhaled as he pulled into his driveway. Surprised, Keenan spotted Julianne’s SUV and shut off his vehicle while he rolled his aching shoulders before getting out. After grabbing his bag he closed the door then walked towards her SUV. At the driver’s side door he bent, peeking in, and saw she was asleep. He knocked softly on the window. Julianne jerked and looked at him. A smile curled her lips and she opened the door.

  “Have you been waiting long? I’m sorry—I sent you a message I had to work late. Didn’t you get my text?”

  “I did. But I saw about the fire on the news, and you at the press conference. You looked so tired, I was worried about you. So I came by to be with you.” Julianne got out of her SUV, bringing her purse and an overnight bag with her.

  Keenan grunted. As supervisors of the fire marshals, he and Tommy had had to be in on the press conference. Just in the background, since they didn’t have any information yet. Julianne laced her fingers with his, tugging him towards the house. He was too tired to even protest. He would be sucky company after the day he’d had, yet he was grateful she’d come. At the front door, he fumbled with his keys. She took them and opened the door, her hand on his back urging him in.

  “What do you need more, food or sleep?”

  “Sleep. But I need to eat something. And shower again,” Keenan murmured.

  He had taken a brief one at the station, but had wanted to get home.

  “Okay. Shower first, food, then sleep.” Julianne tugged him down the hall to his room.

  She placed her purse on the dresser by the door and overnight bag on the floor, took his bag and did the same, then pushed him towards the bathroom. Keenan lifted his hands to undress but Julianne brushed them aside, removing his clothing. She undressed quickly and led him to the glass standing shower. Julianne opened the door, then turned the water on, testing the temperature. A few seconds later, she gestured for him to get in. Keenan did, not saying a word.

  Julianne washed him. Her firm touch smoothed his shoulders before digging in, working on the ache. Keenan lowered his head under the spray, moaning.

  “Shh…let me take care of you.” Her soft kiss brushed against his back.

  Julianne cleaned him, massaging various places. Keenan enjoyed it as she helped him relax. The hot water and her touch eased his sore muscles. She reached around him, turned off the spray, and escorted him out. With a plush towel, she dried him, then herself. Holding his hand again, she took him to the bed.

  “Lie down and I’ll get you something quick to eat. A sandwich,” she said.

  She kissed his forehead, then strode across the room and picked up her robe from a chair by the walk-in closet. He’d given her it to keep here. Putting it on, she belted it, blew him a kiss and left. The familiar gesture of her sending him a kiss and her wearing the gift he gave her made him sigh. Keenan shuffled to the bureau and opened it. Pulling out what he needed, he went back to the bed and sat with his back pressed against the headboard. He closed his eyes as he waited for her return.

  “Keenan, come on. You need to eat.” Julianne’s voice jerked him awake.

  He blinked. She was sitting on the bed by his thigh. His gaze dropped to the sandwich she held out. Taking it, he ate without really tasting. Julianne ate hers, her eyes on him. The worry was there on her face. Keenan finished the food and drank the juice she’d brought him. She went to stand. He put his hand on her arm, stilling her. Julianne met his gaze.

  “Here. So you can come and go as you please.” He held out a key for his house.

  Julianne looked startled. She cocked her head to the side and played with the edges of her hair. She opened her mouth.

  He cut her off before she could speak. “Take the key. I’m too tired to debate about why you can’t. You don’t have to use it if you don’t want to. I just want you to have it.”

  Julianne took it, standing, then went to her bag to tuck the key inside. She returned and reached for the empty plate and glass.

  “Leave it.” Keenan reached for her.

  She turned off the bedside lamp, then slipped off her robe and lay naked, across his lap, putting her head against his chest, fingers stroking his skin.

  “Unless something comes up, we’re still on for our date Saturday night.”

  “Are you finally going to tell me where we’re going?” she asked.

  “It’s a surprise, but, believe me, it’s worth it. The place is phenomenal.”

  “Okay.”

  “Oh…I wanted to have a barbecue here next weekend so you can meet my friends.”

  Julianne’s touch stilled. She tipped her head back. Keenan studied her expression. He couldn’t tell how she felt about the idea.

  “You want me to meet your friends?”

  “Yes. You can invite your friends and family, too. So, is next weekend good for you?” he asked.

  “Can’t do Sunday, but Saturday will work,” Julianne said.

  Keenan frowned. Except for that one and only time he’d stayed with her on a Sunday, she gave the same response whenever he tried to make any plans for the weekends. Sunday was the one day she would not meet with him. She never said why.

  Her question brought his attention back to her. “What do you need me to do?”

  “We can work out the menu once we figure out who’s coming. Tommy already said he and his wife would bring macaroni,” he said.

  “Good. It’ll be fun meeting this Tommy and his wife—you talk about them so much. Is Morgan coming, too?” Julianne stroked his chest again.

  He didn’t think she realised she was doing it.

  “Yeah. Although he’ll probably duck out early, since he doesn’t like crowds.” Keenan leaned his back against the headboard.

  They were silent. Julianne’s voice broke the comfortable silence.

  “Let’s lie down so you can rest.”

  “Umm…can you stay, or do you have to go home?” he asked.

  “I brought my bag.”

  “Oh…sorry. I forgot,” he murmured.

  “You’re burnt out. Rest.” Julianne moved beside him.

  Keenan slid down, reclining on the bed. Julianne tugged on him until he shifted, resting his head on her breast. She touched his hair gently. Keenan listened to the sounds of the house. Although he was tired, sleep eluded him.

  “Can you talk about it?” she asked.

  Keenan didn’t say anything, not wanting to burden her.

  “Look at me, Keenan.”

  He did as she asked. The moonlight from the window let him see her face. Julianne’s gaze was understanding and open.

  “Talk to me.” She ran a finger down his nose, as he had done to her so often.

  “There were so many casualties,” he said hoarsely.

  She cupped his cheek. Keenan pressed it against her hand.

  “We knew it was bad from the call that came in, but not that bad,” he said.

  Julianne listened as he told her about the fire he had helped with. Spent once he was done, he rested against Julianne. Her arms around him gave him a sense of normalcy.

  Julianne held Keenan, blinking to battle back the tears. He needed her. She had to be strong for him. When she had got his text, she hadn’t known why he was cancelling. It wasn’t until later, when Regina came in and told her she had seen Keenan on the news with
her husband Spencer, that she had realised what was going on. From what Keenan had shared about his job, she didn’t think he would be at a fire until it was wrapped up. For him to be there, it had to have been bad. She and Regina had watched the television in her office, horrified at the devastation.

  In the morbid curiosity of the news, they had shown footage they’d taken before they’d been moved back from the fire. She’d been shocked and concerned when she’d spotted Keenan and another man carting bodies. Between the heat of the fire and the humidity, sweat was soaking the men, and they were moving tiredly. They had shown Spencer and some of the other doctors who had come from various hospitals arriving. They had been working to stabilise patients for transport. Regina had sent a text to Spencer to let her know when he was headed to his place, so she could come to be with him. Julianne and Regina had watched the news, not moving—wanting to know their men were safe.

  Hours later, she had seen Keenan and Spencer at the news conference. Keenan had only been in the background, but he had looked so drained. Spencer had spoken on behalf of the doctors there—he had looked just as bad. Not long after the conference, Regina had received a text from Spencer telling her he was fine, and he didn’t need her. Julianne had seen the devastation those words had caused on Regina’s face, but she’d shrugged it off and left. Julianne hadn’t been sure if it was the right thing to do, but she wanted to be there for Keenan. Since she hadn’t changed her plans to spend the night with Keenan, she didn’t have to worry about getting someone to watch Rissa. She’d gone home, got her bag, and waited for him.

  When he’d arrived, she had known it was the place she needed to be. Keenan was worn out and went along with her taking care of him. Him giving her a key was unexpected, but she had accepted it. Hearing everything that had happened first-hand was a bit much. But she would do it again. Hugging him as he slept, she listened to him breathe. Sleep overtook her.

  Julianne jerked awake. Blearily, she looked around as she yawned—she wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but seeing how much darker it was outside, she realised it had to be at least a few hours. She slid out of the bed and padded over to Keenan, who was sitting in the window seat. She put her hand on his shoulder. Keenan didn’t look away from the window but he pulled her into his lap. She settled against his chest, stifling another yawn.

  “Can’t sleep?” she asked.

  Keenan nodded, not saying anything. She kissed his cheek.

  “What can I do to help?” she murmured.

  “You being here is enough,” he said softly.

  She stroked his hand.

  Keenan spoke again, “You remember when you asked me why I went into fire investigation?”

  “Yes.”

  Since the first time, Julianne had asked him a few times. Keenan had brushed off all her enquires.

  “When I was a detective, I had this case which involved fire. It was nasty. A child was burnt in her apartment. Her mother and the mom’s boyfriend had got out. After the fire was doused, I went in with the fire investigator. He said it seemed to be an accident, but he wouldn’t know until he finished with his investigation. My partner had already moved on, but there was something in that investigator’s voice that bugged me. The scene bugged me. I went to speak with him again. And he confirmed that it seemed accidental. But, again, I got the feeling he didn’t think so. When I pushed, he told me his gut was telling him no. I took his word and asked my captain to let me work with him. Since we didn’t have anything pressing, he gave me some leeway. My partner didn’t want anything to do with it.” He sighed, then continued, “I went with the investigator, and we searched leads that seemed to be heading nowhere, but he refused to give up. I refused to, as well. Something was off. Then we found the one piece that made it all click. It wasn’t an accident. The boyfriend was an electrician. He didn’t want a kid, and had rigged a heater to cause the fire. When we told the mother, she was devastated, but grateful to know what a scumbag this man who had been comforting her was. Imagine… If it wasn’t for that investigator, she might have never known he killed her child.”

  Julianne could only imagine the pain the woman had gone through. She rubbed the top of his hand. “You and that investigator did right by her and her child.”

  “Hell, I was only along for the ride. Tommy was the one who would not give up, no matter the evidence to the contrary. He found the truth and gave her closure.”

  “Ah… I wondered if it was him. You talk about him fondly.” Julianne smiled.

  “Yeah. He’s a manipulative bastard, too. Took me out a few weeks after we wrapped the case. He said it was a celebratory drink. But the bastard was recruiting me. Told me bluntly that my talent would be an asset to the fire marshals. Handed me the application and material on what training I would need. Of course, I was like, hell no. I liked being a cop. But he was devious, inviting me to his house to meet his wife Willy who was a fabulous cook. She was in on it, too, extolling the wonders of being a fire marshal. That it was just another form of perp. Between the two of them, I didn’t stand a chance. Tommy’s devotion is why I became a fire investigator.” Keenan tightened around her. “Even with days like this one, I don’t question it. We’re going to find who did this to all those people, and give them justice and their families closure.”

  His voice was fierce, and his face determined.

  “I know you will,” Julianne said.

  “It’s the least we can do. The living must fight for the dead,” he said softly.

  She nodded.

  “I’m glad you’re here with me. Thank you,” Keenan whispered.

  “There’s no need for that. I’m here for you whenever you need. I…care for you, Keenan,” Julianne replied.

  He looked startled.

  “I do,” she reiterated.

  “I care about you, too.” He ran a finger down her nose, then pulled her to him.

  Julianne kissed the side of his neck. Keenan moaned. Julianne licked along his skin. He was salty and delicious. He shivered. She shifted, straddling his lap, facing him. Moaning, she pressed against him, rubbing her pussy over his heated length.

  “Wait.” Keenan touched her hips.

  Julianne rose up. He held up the condom, opening it. Julianne was grateful that he’d started keeping protection around the house, in easy-to-reach places. She took the rubber from him and brushed her fingers over the spongy head of his erection, spreading the pre-cum. Raising her damp fingers, she licked the tips. Quickly, she smoothed the protection over his shaft. She moved up. Keenan gripped her hips, steadying her. Slowly, she lowered herself, kissing him as she did. She swallowed the sound he made then, in return, released a moan into his mouth, as she took him into her wetness.

  Keenan held her as she moved on his cock.

  Slow.

  Steady.

  Deep.

  She moved on him over and over again. She clenched around his embedded shaft, rocking against him. He dug his fingers into her hips as he guided her over him. Julianne rose off him until only the head of his cock was inside her, then she lowered. She gasped as he filled her again.

  “Julianne,” he moaned.

  She took him in, swivelling her hips. Julianne shuddered as he stroked along her inner walls. Tightening her legs around his hips, she arched back. A whimper came from her as he slid deeper inside. Julianne rode him with that same deliberate slowness. She lifted her hands and cupped her breasts, manipulating the soft flesh. She plucked at her nipples, rubbing the buds between her fingers she squeezed them. Julianne tightened around Keenan’s hard shaft and slid forward and back.

  The passion built in a slow crescendo. Her breath hitched and he shifted his hands to cup her ass, tightening them painfully. They shuddered as they came simultaneously. She kissed his lips once more, then pulled back. Standing shakily, she removed the protection, knotted it off and threw it into the trash. Julianne held out her hand and waited for him. Without hesitation, Keenan took it, then stood and guided her back to the b
ed. She slid in and he joined her, cuddling against her back. His hot hand covered her stomach, keeping her close. Keenan’s leg slid between hers and he moved closer. His revived erection pressed between her legs. Julianne reached for a condom on the bedside table. She handed it to him. Keenan shifted away then his heat returned against her back. He placed his hand back on her stomach. Keenan glided his shaft along her lips. He rolled his hips and slid into her. Julianne put her fingers between his where it rested against her belly. She gripped his as he moved inside her, stroking quick and fast.

  “Keenan,” Julianne moaned.

  “Julianne.” His breath fluttered against the back of her neck.

  He pressed a kiss against the spot. Keenan’s thrusts increased in speed. Julianne pushed back. She shuddered as she came. Keenan grunted as he joined her, moving in and out then he went still. His harsh breath tickled the back of her neck. After a while he pulled out. Julianne’s pussy clenched—she didn’t want to let him go. He shifted away then she heard the noise of the condom hitting the wastebasket. Keenan returned to press close to her back, wrapping his arm around her, their fingers laced over Julianne’s stomach. He kissed the side of her face then his breathing deepened. She felt his body relax as he went to sleep, and joined him moments later.

  Julianne waited for the popcorn to finish popping. Frowning, she wondered if Keenan was okay. She hadn’t seen him in days—since Monday, when she’d stayed with him after going to him the night of the fire. That wasn’t uncommon, given their schedules. Sometimes he got caught up in a case, or she was busy with Moments. What was unusual was that she hadn’t actually spoken with him—they’d been texting and emailing back and forth and she’d even left him a message, but hadn’t actually spoken with him.

  She knew he and the rest of the fire marshals were busy with the fire investigation. From Keenan’s texts and emails, she knew they were being pushed to get answers. Her cell rang, startling her from her thoughts. Running to where it was on the island across the room, she picked it up, noting the name on the screen.