Burning Love (Hearts on Fire #2)

by Heather Lyn

  “What the hell, you guys? How old are you? You better pray to the heavens that this shit comes off my nails.” Noah storms off to the bathroom, to shower I presume.

  “Oh my God, Aubs.” I snort loudly, and it throws us both into a fit of laughter. I have to hold onto my stomach, I’m laughing so hard.

  “You should have seen his face, Kenni. Holy shit!”

  “How did he find out?”

  “He went into the kitchen to get coffee and saw his reflection in the mirror over the dining table. He scared himself. Oh, I swear I’m gonna piss my pants. So fucking funny.” Aubrey falls onto the couch, cackling with tears streaming down her face. I follow suit, unable to hold back anymore.

  After we get ourselves under control, I notice the time on the clock. Grayson should be off shift soon and I want to head home. Letting Aubrey know, I go into the bedroom to grab my phone and then get changed into the clean clothes I brought. Walking back out into the living area, Aubrey comes to give me a tight hug, still laughing.

  “That was the best. I think we needed that, Kenni. Tell Grayson hi for us. Let’s go out for dinner soon, hang out. We miss you guys!”

  “Of course. Good luck with the princess,” I joke, sticking my tongue out at her. Giggling, I make my way out of the house, throwing my stuff into my car. I’ve just gotten behind the wheel when my phone starts ringing. Pulling it out, I see that it’s Grayson.

  “Hey, you,” I answer, turning the key and starting the engine.

  “Hey, baby. Are you still at Aubrey’s house? I’m leaving here shortly.”

  “Nope, I’m heading home now.”

  “I like hearing you call my place home.”

  I can’t help my smile. “Me too.”

  “Okay. Well, drive safe, Kennedy. I’ll see you when I get home.”

  We end the call and I crank my stereo, and singing along. When I get back to the house, I head inside and open all the windows. It’s so nice out today, not too hot, and there is a nice breeze. As I sit in the kitchen waiting for Gray to get home, an idea strikes me. I walk into the living room and grab my laptop, then take it back into the kitchen. Pulling up a search engine, I look for a local tattoo parlor. I know I could probably just ask Grayson, since he has several, but I want this to be a surprise. I find their number and make the call, scheduling an appointment for later today. I’ll have to find time to sneak away from Gray, but that shouldn’t be hard. I’ll tell him I’m going grocery shopping or something. I know exactly what to get.

  ***

  Five hours later, I find myself lying on a hard leather table, pants off and underwear pulled to the side. Gritting my teeth, I tell myself to breathe through the pain the tattoo artist is inflicting on me. I know I don’t have much longer, but fuck, it hurts like hell. I told Grayson that I needed to go shopping for groceries and he politely declined tagging along, just like I knew he would. Now I’m getting my very first tattoo and I’m starting to rethink the location. But I looked at some of this guy’s work while I was waiting for him to start and it was incredible, so I have no doubt that it will come out amazing.

  About a half hour later, I finally hear the buzzing of the tattoo gun stop. I let out a sigh and wait for him to wipe all the excess ink and blood. Once he’s finished, he tells me I can take a look. Hopping off the table, I walk over to the floor-to-ceiling mirror and take a look.

  Oh my God. It’s absolutely perfect.

  I had mine and Grayson’s initials intertwined and it looks amazing. It’s on my right hipbone, just above where the top of my panties rest. It’s simple, but it’s us. I love it so much. I can’t wait to see his reaction when I come home with no food and a tattoo. The guy tells me to lie back down so he can wrap it, giving me the aftercare instructions as he does.

  Heading out to my car, I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

  I drive home with the windows down and music blasting, feeling like a totally different person. As I drive, I realize that I’m in a much better place than I’ve been in a long time. Before I met Grayson, I was afraid of love, afraid to let myself be happy. Then we lost our baby and I was convinced I was going to fall back into a dark hole, never to pull myself back out.

  But Grayson didn’t let me. He forced me to realize that life was still worth living. This tattoo was my way of letting go of everything. It symbolizes Grayson for me. We’re intertwined, forever connected. He’s the ink that’s permanently embedded in my skin. He’s my forever.

  I pull in the driveway and see him sitting on the front porch. Here goes nothing. Climbing out of the car, I have to hide the soreness of my hip as Grayson swaggers down the front steps to come help me.

  “You were gone a while, huh? Did you buy the entire grocery store?” he jokes. Gray leans down to kiss me on the cheek, then notices the lack of groceries on my backseat. “They in the trunk?” He goes around the back of the car, waiting for me to pop it.

  “I actually didn’t go shopping, Grayson. Come inside, there’s something I need to show you.”

  I kick off my shoes at the front door, then make my way to the bedroom. Looking at me with total confusion, Grayson is following closely behind. I turn to face him and slowly begin to unbutton my pants.

  “Mmm, I like this surprise, baby.” His stare is filled with lust and I have to force myself to focus on the task at hand. I kick my jeans off and slowly lift the hem of my shirt. I see the second that Grayson notices my tattoo. His eyes widen in surprise and his jaw drops slightly. I blush and look away from him, biting my bottom lip.

  He doesn’t say anything, just slowly walks towards me. When he’s right in front of me, he drops to his knees. Slowly, he removes the bandage from my hip and I hear a choke of surprise come from him.

  “Baby…,” he murmurs, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss just above my new ink. I run my fingers through his hair, tears forming.

  Looking up at me from his place on the floor, his hands on my hips, his eyes bore into mine. “Why?” he asks.

  Backing away from him, I move to sit on the edge of the bed. He follows suit, then reaches out to take one of my hands, linking our fingers together.

  “I spent the first eighteen years of my life feeling incomplete. I mean, I had my family and I had a few friends, but I was so quiet and shy. Over the years I backed out of any social life, keeping people at bay. My family life was falling apart and I didn’t want anyone to know. It was so embarrassing. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t to blame, but who wants to be that kid with the alcoholic mother and father who works more than he’s home. It was like being a walking Lifetime movie.”

  Grayson traces circles on the back of my hand and then lifts it to his lips. Smiling, I lean my head against his shoulder and continue.

  “After my family fell apart, I met Aubrey in college. I spent our first winter break with her family. They were so warm and welcoming, and Landon was like a stand-in big brother, but somehow it just made me feel more alone. They were just a reminder of what I didn’t have anymore. By the time I met you, I had completely closed myself off to the idea that falling in love would happen. I wasn’t going to get to do all the things I dreamed about as a child. Get married, have my dad walk me down the aisle. Have a baby, white picket-fenced house, and a big German shepherd. And that was okay, because it was better to never get that than to risk getting it and losing it later on down the road. But you know what I learned?”

  I turn my head to look at him and he kisses my forehead. “What, baby?”

  “I learned that falling in love is the most beautiful experience anybody could ever have. It was worth it in every sense of the word. You opened up my heart, Grayson, showed me that it was okay to love. Not just you, but myself. I’m so grateful every single day to have you in my life. I don’t think I could’ve made it through what we have if it hadn’t been for you. You healed my heart, made it whole again. Thank you for saving me, Grayson.”

  He just looks at me, his hazel eyes filled with love. With a small smile, he leans dow
n to capture my lips. He releases me a few moments later, his forehead against mine.

  “Don’t thank me for loving you, baby. That is an honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I’m the one who should be thanking you. Thanking you for choosing me. I love you so much, Kennedy, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you’re worthy of love. I’m not going to let a single day go by that you don’t feel loved.”

  I have tears in my eyes, but for the first time in months they aren’t from sadness. They’re from deep in my soul, honest-to-goodness happy tears. Grayson is so much more than the man I fell in love with. He’s my best friend, my other half, my happy. Climbing onto his lap, I kiss him, sealing our fates forever. Our lips are connected, souls entwined. Our hearts are one.

  Wrapping his arms around my waist, he holds me tightly to him. Gripping onto his broad shoulders, I gently rock my hips against him, already feeling myself responding to his touch. To his kiss.

  Groaning against my lips, he stands, taking me with him as he spins around before tossing me onto the bed. Laughing, he climbs up after me, coming to rest above me.

  Looking up into his eyes, I rest a hand on his chest, right above where his heart is beating faster and faster. He closes his eyes for a moment, and when he opens them I can see they’re bright with tears. Giving me a smile, Grayson gathers me into his arms, leaving a trail of soft kisses to my neck. Leaning back onto his knees, he reaches for the hem of my shirt and tugs it over my head. Reaching underneath me, he finds the clasp on my bra and unhooks it, pulling it from my body, leaving me completely naked and exposed to him. He takes a deep breath, nostrils flaring.

  “You are so fucking beautiful, Kennedy. You take my breath away.”

  He lowers his mouth to my collarbone, kissing as he goes, only stopping to remove his shirt. He drops his head to my breasts, his hot mouth teasing my nipples to stiff peaks. Letting out a quiet moan, I drop my head back against the pillows. Goose bumps break out over my skin and I shiver when his tongue traces a trail to my belly button. He doesn’t stop until he reaches the sensitive skin above my tattoo.

  “We need to be careful of this, baby. Don’t want to hurt you.” Climbing off the bed, he undoes his pants and pushes them down with his boxers, his hard cock springing out. I grow wetter at the sight of him. Grayson may be all man, but to me he’s beautiful. Inside and out. I rub my thighs together, trying to relieve the tension. I want him so badly and he’s barely even done anything. He runs his fingertips down my thighs, creating more goose bumps. Kneeling in front of me, he parts my thighs, groaning when he sees how wet and ready I am for him. I’m so turned on. All I want is for Grayson to take me, to claim my body as his own.

  Fisting his cock, he slowly pumps up and down, never breaking eye contact with me. “You like that, Kennedy? You like seeing me touch myself?”

  Nodding, I bite down on my lower lip, unable to tear my eyes away from the sight of him working his cock.

  “Touch yourself for me, baby. Touch that wet pussy.”

  Not hesitating, I run one hand down my stomach, not stopping until I reach my most sensitive spot. I can’t help the moan I release when I touch my clit with a fingertip, making slow circles. I continue for only a few seconds before moving my hand even lower, inserting a finger into myself. My hips are slowly moving up and down and I would never have thought I’d enjoy doing this. Opening my eyes, I see Grayson staring right at me, his eyes hooded and heavy. He’s sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, stroking faster.

  “Please, Gray. I need you, now.”

  Leaning forward, he rubs his hardness in circles over my sensitive clit, causing my back to arch. Grabbing my hips with both hands, he slams forward, instantly filling me with all of him. “Fuck,” he groans out, running a hand from my hip over the back of my thigh. He grabs my leg and hitches it up higher, giving him better access. “Jesus fuck, Kennedy. You feel so goddamn good.”

  Grayson continues to move his hips slowly, making sure I feel every inch of his hard cock. And fuck, does it feel incredible. I’m crying out with each thrust, and each one rubs against my swollen clit. My body is aching for release, needing to come. I’m wound so tightly I’m just waiting to snap. I can feel myself about to hit my release when Grayson pulls out of me.

  “Roll onto your side, baby.”

  I comply and feel him come up behind me, placing his chest flat to my back. Grabbing my hip once more, he lifts my leg over his hip and within seconds is sinking himself back into me.

  “Oh my God, Gray,” I moan, eyes rolling back. He’s so much deeper this way, and he’s hitting that sweet spot perfectly. I lean my head back, resting it on his arm. He has me cradled beneath him as he continues to move his hips in a slow and steady manner. Attaching himself to my neck, he gently nips at the skin beneath my ear, and his free hand comes to where we’re connected.

  “You’re so fucking wet, baby. I can feel you fucking dripping for me. Makes me so fucking hard, knowing you crave my cock like this.”

  Grayson is so sweet when he makes love to me, but he’s also so dirty, and that’s what really turns me on. I love how he knows just what to say, just what to do. It’s like my body was made for him; he knew what to do to me before he even got the chance. We’re so in sync, and it’s only a matter of time before he has me shouting his name.

  He rubs his finger over my swollen and aching nub in time with his thrusts, causing my orgasm to build rapidly. When he feels how close I’m getting, he slows his hips and removes his fingers. Groaning, I try to force them back to where I need them most.

  “Gray….”

  Sensing my frustration, he gives in and returns his fingers to my clit. He starts moving his hips again, making more rapid and shallow thrusts. His warm breath is blowing over the back of my neck, and he’s grunting loudly with each thrust. His finger starts making hard circles, and in a matter of seconds he has me teetering on the edge of release.

  “Please, Gray. Oh, please,” I moan loudly, our bodies slick with sweat.

  “Please what, baby?”

  “Please make me come. I need to come so bad, Gray.”

  “Fuck yeah, baby.”

  He pulls almost all the way out, continuing to rub my clit before slamming his hips forward hard, the swollen head of his cock rubbing my most sensitive tissues. And then I’m coming, loudly moaning as he furiously works my body. As my orgasm continues to wash over me, Grayson removes his hand from my clit and grips my shoulder, slamming into me at a hurried pace, chasing his own orgasm. I can feel him swelling inside me and moments later he’s moaning loudly, thrusting through his own orgasm. I can feel him releasing into my body as my own orgasm is still coursing through me.

  When we’re both spent, we simply lie there, covered in sweat and holding onto each other. Leaning up on an elbow, Grayson leans down to kiss me, sweat dripping from his brow.

  “I love you, baby,” he whispers, running his knuckles down the side of my face.

  “I love you too, Grayson.”

  We get ourselves cleaned up, and then I venture out to the kitchen to make us some dinner. I’m tired and looking forward to a quiet evening at home. While I’m standing at the stove, he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. “You enjoy that today, baby?” he asks quietly, resting his chin on my shoulder.

  “You know I did, Gray. It’s always been good between us physically. We have a connection, and I think that’s what makes it so amazing.”

  “We’re good together. Sometimes I think we were supposed to fight our feelings for each other, because it makes them that must stronger and better now.”

  Smiling, I reach behind me, gripping the back of his neck. No more words are exchanged. We stand together in silence, soaking up one another.

  CHAPTER 20

  Grayson

  Kennedy and I had a good couple days off together. We ended up spending most of it just lazing around the house. Now she’s back at work for t
he day, and I’m just hanging out by myself. I decide to shoot Noah a text to see if he wants to go grab some lunch. He responds that he’ll meet me at the local pizza joint around eleven thirty. I take a quick shower and then go make another pot of coffee. As I sit at the kitchen table, I look out the sliding door to the deck; the sun is shining bright today. I raise my coffee mug to my lips and then stop, an idea brewing in my head. After we get lunch, I have somewhere I need to drag Noah to.

  A little while later, I’m heading out the door to meet up with him. The parking lot is practically empty, so I park right up front and head inside. Noah’s already grabbed us a booth by the back. I let the hostess know I’m meeting someone and she grabs me a menu. Sliding into the booth across from Noah, he reaches over the table and we fist-bump. A waitress comes right over, and without looking at our menus we order a large pepperoni pie and a pitcher of the local brew.

  “How are you and Kenni doing? She seemed back to her normal self the other night,” Noah asks, putting his cell phone on the table.

  “Yeah. She’s doing good. Still has her moments, but for the most part she’s doing much better. By the way, next time you decide to go for a mani-pedi, invite me along. I mean, don’t you need your best girl with you when you have a girls’ day?”

  “Shut the fuck up. It was not a mani-pedi. Your girlfriend and my fiancée are douche clumps for doing that to me. Like they don’t get silly drunk on wine all the damn time.”

  Unfortunately for Noah, I can’t help but laugh at his previous predicament. It was fucking hilarious, and Aubrey and Kennedy are geniuses for doing that to him. But he’s right about one thing—Kennedy is back to herself, and I thank God for that. I had been so damn worried about her that it’s comforting to see that she’s enjoying life and not letting our loss drag her down. I have to admit I wasn’t sure what to do about it. I was even contemplating offering to go to a therapist with her, but somehow going to see her bitch of a mother helped her. I think she realized that it was just a small detour in our journey. That there was more for us.