When they broke apart, he ran his nose along her jaw and behind her ear, enjoying the feel of her skin. “I love the way you melt into me,” he murmured.
Her ragged breathing matched his. Her fingers tugged at the waist of his jeans. “Are you going to show me what’s under there?”
He groaned at her double entendre, then forced himself to let her go. Unable to resist, he brushed his lips across her cheek once more, then readjusted himself. He turned around and began folding back the car cover.
“I saw a for sale ad in The Bulletin Board for this.” He scrutinized the old Mustang that looked like it had gone through hell and back.
Cassie’s face puckered in a frown. “Who would do that to a car? What year is it?”
“1966 fastback. Some older woman had it in her barn. The chickens were living in it.”
“Oh, no.” She stuck her head inside and quickly drew back out. “It smells.”
Mike laughed. “You should have seen it when I picked it up. I cleaned the thing out before I put it in here. The whole place would be rank if I hadn’t.”
“Looks like it was in a demolition derby. What color was it? It’s so rusted.”
“The famous green that was so popular that year. Needs a lot of body work. Haven’t checked out the engine yet.” He pointed to the 1969 black convertible. “That one over there looked a lot like this when I started. Except for the crushed fenders.”
“I can’t imagine the effort required to get this one in good shape.”
“It will take a lot of work and time.” The image of Cassie beside him, grease on her face popped in his head. A nice dream.
He spent the next thirty minutes showing Cassie the things in his shop. He’d never seen a woman so engrossed in the tools and apparatuses a man toyed with. Most women would consider a garage a dirty space. Not Cassie. She questioned every item and listened with interest.
One more thing to love about her.
Before he could travel down that forbidden path, he shook off the fantasy. Her curiosity fed, he turned off the lights and closed the shop. Yet he couldn’t stop thinking of how the beautiful woman at his side would fit right in here. His space. His home.
His life.
He popped the tops on two beers and carried the bottles out to the deck. Cassie sat on a chaise, her long legs stretched out. He imagined them wrapped around him and an immediate stiffening hit his groin.
“Thank you,” she said as he handed her a brew.
He took the chair next to her. With the sun directing its rays on the front of the house, the deck was in shadow, making the afternoon temperature comfortable where he and Cassie sat in the shade. His mind flooded with craving. How he’d like to have his way with her. Right here. Right now.
He scowled, staring at the border of his property.
“Not much privacy,” he said aloud, damning the other houses’ presence.
“In my apartment, sometimes I can hear through the walls.”
He grunted in understanding.
“I don’t have a yard to plant flowers, I can’t see the mountains. The flip side is I feel safe. It’s a big building, but I have people around me.”
He was just the opposite. He hated people invading his living space. Everywhere he turned he saw more development. More houses cluttering up his view.
“I like wide open spaces and I’d rather have the woods and sky around me. I’d like to sit on my back deck and see the mountains, not the neighbor’s roof or their junk in their back yard.” Or have them witness an intimate moment. Damn, he felt suffocated.
“Why don’t you move?”
“Believe me, I’ve thought about it.” He wondered if Cassie might like living in the country. With wide open spaces, lots of grassland, trees, woods.
“I guess it would be difficult leaving the home you grew up in.”
Was she kidding? What did he care about this old place?
“After all, you’ve built that wonderful garage.”
“I can build a garage anywhere. I’ve been tempted to sell this place and buy land out in the country.”
“What’s holding you back?”
“Good question,” he answered with a sigh. “I suppose I haven’t had a reason to motivate me.” Would Cassie be his motivation? Would she give up the security of her apartment to live with him?
Christ. There he went again. Thinking of a future. With her.
Was it that farfetched?
“I’ve been saving. If I’m going to purchase land, I want a place big enough I won’t need to worry about someone moving in right beside me.” Or watching me from their window. He didn’t want another house within thirty miles of his. Fat chance of that happening. “I haven’t had the time or the inclination to actually purchase another property.”
“Would you sell this house or keep it?”
“I’d sell it. Dad’s happy in North Carolina. I have no attachment to the place. I’d use the money for a new house.”
Cassie took a swig of her beer and propped up her knee. “Tell me about the home you’d like to have.”
He stretched out his long legs and crossed them at his ankles.
A place like Shep’s.
“I don’t need anything fancy or big.” He remembered Cassie’s anticipation on the ride to his house. Did she want a big house?
All women did.
“A lot of land. Enough where I can’t see my neighbor.”
“Hermit.”
Mike angled his head and gestured with his bottle. “Would you like looking at that every day?”
“What do you imagine? Woods? Trees? Grass? Fences?”
“Haven’t really thought too much about it.”
“Why don’t you talk to a real estate agent? Just get an idea of what’s available.”
He thought on that for a good few minutes. If he wanted space, and land, and trees, and not freakin’ houses in his face, why didn’t he do something about it?
Chapter 22
The dazzling lights from the chandeliers illuminated Cassie’s beauty, exhibiting her soft features, her full lips.
Mike had worked himself up into a fine lather before he’d gotten to her door. Seeing her in a sexy blue top displaying her curvy breasts and a skin-tight skirt showing her long legs, he’d damn near swallowed his tongue. Now, here he sat across from her in the chic restaurant and he thought he might explode.
Not once this evening had his mind been on food. He couldn’t take his eyes off Cassie. Not while his mind created images of the two of them naked, tangled together. He kept envisioning her reclined across silk sheets, her long, blonde hair spread over a pillow, draped over her shoulders, her luscious breasts … He swallowed, jerking his attention back to the conversation. The crease on Cassie’s brow clued him in that he’d missed something.
She leaned forward, her generous breasts grazing the white linen. His eyes glued to her cleavage, his restraint damn near crumbled. He couldn’t wait to get the hell out of here.
“Mike. You look like a caged bear. Will you wipe that scowl off your face?”
“What do you expect? You looking like that is like pouring gasoline on an already flaming fire. I’ve got about as much resistance as a match stick right now.”
She snatched her napkin to cover her lips, but not before he saw her smile.
“You’re beautiful. The outfit you’re wearing is sexy as hell. You’d tempt Satan himself.”
“I only have one person I care to tempt.”
God, he loved it when she smiled at him like that. He reached across the table for her hand and rubbed his thumb across her dainty knuckles, wishing he could haul her onto his lap.
“I can’t put into words what you do to me,” he told her.
She curled her fingers into his palm. “You do the same to me.”
“Then what the hell are we doing here?” He made a move to get up. She tugged his hand.
“We haven’t eaten our dinner.”
He lowered his voice.
“I’m not hungry for food and you know it.”
“Hmm. Anticipation makes the appetite stronger.” She hiked a brow, teasing, taunting him.
“It makes a man a caged beast when he can’t touch the woman he wants.”
She giggled, hiking his lust up a notch.
“If you’re hungry, we can raid the refrigerator.” He was bound to have something in it.
“You brought me to this nice restaurant and I’m staying for my risotto.”
Every minute he spent with Cassie, he fell deeper and deeper under her spell.
“I bet I can change your mind.” Somehow, his hope to leave the restaurant had turned into a game. Now that the idea had taken hold, he kicked back, seeing if he could convince her. He rubbed his thumb over the inside of Cassie’s wrist and gazed at her with such intensity, flames should be shooting from his eyes.
She trembled. He smiled at the satisfying response. She ran her tongue across her bottom lip and, sure enough, she bit down with her teeth. Desire stabbed every cell in his body.
“Take it to go.”
***
They barely made it through the door when Mike grabbed her. He pinned her against the wall and angled his mouth over hers, devouring her. Claiming her. She clutched the back of his head with one hand while the fingers of her other tangled in his shirt, tugging him, crawling into him. He tasted of wine and hunger, and a craving she gladly reciprocated. She opened her mouth wider, her tongue dancing and mating with his, her lower body imitating the same movements. She couldn’t get enough of Mike. Of his kiss. Of his seeking hands roaming over her body.
When his mouth slid down her jaw to her neck, she moaned, tilting her head just a bit as he sucked greedily on the skin just below her ear. The air around her grew heavy. Closing in on her, taking her breath. All she knew was Mike. All she felt was Mike, driving her steadily higher and higher. One of his hands gently grasped her breast, gripping, squeezing, while his thigh rocked between her legs. Delicious vibrations cannonballed straight to her center. She worked the buttons on his shirt. With a growl, he tore it off and flung the material aside.
Firm, sculpted abs met her gaze. Sprigs of hair begged her to touch. And she did just that, running her hands over steel and slick fur, absorbing the riveting tingle on the tips of her fingers.
Slowly, he slid the thin straps of her top off of each shoulder, trickling wet kisses over her heated skin. She felt the release of her bra and her bare breasts spilled free. She barely had time to catch her breath before his mouth closed over one aching nipple. Her head fell back and she arched, her body begging for more. He pinched her other nipple, rolling it between his fingers, shooting heavenly shocks of pleasure to her belly. Unable to hold back her moan, she let out a purring sound, and slithered into him like a needy kitten.
Rock solid abs grazed her breasts as his mouth found hers again. He scorched her with his burning heat, melting away all her defenses. One hand slid over her hip and under her short skirt, sizzling every nerve ending in his path. She closed her eyes and marveled at the delicious sensation swamping her senses. When he slipped his fingers inside her panties, she whimpered.
His fingers teased, plucked, making her tremble and jerk. Wanting more. Needing more. He inserted a finger and it felt so good. He felt so good. Thrusting again and again, he slowly drove her crazy. He took her mouth thoroughly in a devastating kiss, spinning her mind in turmoil.
She writhed in earnest. Her world spiraled out of control, pitching her to another universe. Desperate for completion, her body spasmed and shuddered and came apart.
Such sweet, aching pleasure. Such mind-blowing ecstasy in the talented hands of her hot firefighter. Who continued to stroke and caress until she felt the stirrings of passion again. Her will was not her own. She ran her hands over his shoulders and down his chest, delighting in his muscled body.
At the same time she reached for the button on his trousers, he leaned back and yanked at her skirt, letting it fall to the floor. Then he hooked his thumbs in her panties and dragged them down.
“So fucking beautiful.” Taking his time, he caressed the flesh of each leg, letting his hands roam higher and higher until he found the triangle between her thighs. “So wet.”
She gasped, then bit her lip. When he glanced up, his blue eyes were hazed with desire.
“Spread your legs,” he demanded.
She quivered at the idea his command suggested. She ached with anticipation, wanting his mouth on her so badly. While part of her wanted to savor every second, another part of her wanted to give him the same ecstasy he’d given her. Pleasure should be shared. And she so wanted to please him.
“Mike,” she pleaded. “I need you.”
“I know, babe. I’m giving you what you need.”
Oh God yes. Please.
But instead she said, “I want to make you feel good, too.”
“Shhh. Relax. And enjoy.” He massaged her thighs while he spread butterfly kisses across her belly, each one lower than the last, blazing a trail to his intended destination. Easing her legs apart, he touched her with his thumbs, stroking in circles. Her tummy quivered with need. He slid his big hands to her butt cheeks and gripped. Then, urging her forward, he pressed his mouth to her.
The air seized in her lungs. The pain in her chest increased until he nuzzled her—there. Then the air escaped, one throbbing breath at a time. Her legs shaky, she grabbed his head for support, angling him just where she wanted him to be.
He lapped and stroked, parting her flesh while squeezing her behind, holding her prisoner to his thrusting tongue. It was too much, and not enough. Her legs buckled, but he held her tight. Her insides were a quaking mess. In a matter of seconds, he took her to another realm of pleasure. She shattered again. Wave after wave of intense ecstasy ripped through her. His kiss relentless, he fired her frenzied pulse pounding deep inside.
This man would kill her with bliss.
“My God, Mike,” she panted.
He took her in his arms and swooped her in for a long drugging kiss. When she tasted herself on his tongue, the tang spiked her to desire, once again.
Breathless, he tore his mouth from hers, then cupped her butt and hoisted her up as though she weighed nothing.
“Wrap your legs around me, beautiful, and hang on.”
Without taking his mouth from hers, Mike maneuvered them down the hall toward the bedroom. Walking wasn’t easy with Cassie wrapped around him and their mouths fused together. The only thought in his mind was completing what they’d started. He was on fire.
Cassie belonged to him.
He made it to the bed and allowed her to slide down his body. His fingers fumbled with the zipper on his pants and her hands tangled with his. Together, they shoved downward. Then, he jerked his black boxers and his erection sprang free.
She stared up at him, causing him to harden to steel. When she touched him with the tip of her finger, he sucked in a breath. The strain unbearable, he waited, unable to move. And wanting to see what she’d do next. Needing her touch more than he needed his next breath. She circled him with the palm of her hand and he swore he saw stars.
Thunder pounded in his temples, blood roared in his ears. Her touch singed him, branded him. She stroked her fingers over him, caressing the ridge of his erection, all the way from the base to the head. Cassie, his incredible Cassie. He wanted no woman but her. She looked up with glowing, brilliant eyes, seeking his approval. How could she not know how much she delighted him? Thrilled him. Drove him crazy. He couldn’t resist. He hauled her to him and kissed her with a fever that burned in his soul.
God, he needed her.
Now.
They fell to the bed together, him snuggled delectably between her thighs. Smooth skin, soft flesh, he burrowed into her warmth. She clutched him in haste, her need as great as his. His heart swelled with pride, knowing this woman wanted him with equal frenzy.
Positioning himself, he nudged her slick folds. “This what you want, babe
?”
“Yes, Mike. Yes.”
He thrust into her.
Fully inside, he locked his jaw, his chest squeezing with satisfaction. Bliss. He remained still, savoring the sensations flooding his mind. Her soft sigh rang like a rousing hum in his ears. Driving him forward. Compelling him to move. He eased out and thrust in again. She whimpered and wrapped her legs around him. He ground his teeth, angled his hips and thrust again.
Deep. So deep. “God, Cassie. That feels so good.”
She whimpered and squirmed, trying to move her hips, but his weight pinned her to the mattress. Careful not to mash her, but Christ, she tempted his sanity.
“I can’t hold back,” he managed to growl.
“Don’t.” She tightened her arms and legs as her voice came out in a breathless pant. “I want it all.”
The last shred of his control snapped. With long and sure strokes, he thrust again and again, harder and faster.
Arousal built to a fever pitch. His breathing grew labored. He jerked his hips, pounding harder, determined to have all of her, denying her to withhold anything from him.
Her little mews drove him, thrilled him. She ground against him, desperate for her own release.
“Mike!” Cassie’s body tightened and he felt her walls spasm. She uttered a long, high-pitched wail, her climax sending him over the edge.
He gave a shout and his whole body stiffened. Unbridled ecstasy whirled in his mind. Reeling, he didn’t move. Couldn’t move. He rode the wave of pure rapture until the last throb faded and his breathing slowed to almost normal.
Cassie’s face glowed. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman.
“I’m too heavy for you.”
“I don’t care. I love having you on me,” she panted.
“Me too.”
On you. In you.
“You can’t breathe.” He rolled to the side and pulled her snug in his embrace. “There. That’s better.”
“Mmm. I feel absolutely wonderful.” She snuggled against him, skidding her breasts on his chest.
MIKE The Firefighters of Station 8 Page 21
