Ladder 54: Five Firefighter Romances

by Maren Smith

Blake pulled her north wordlessly, scooping her into an easy embrace, as though she were as light as a ragdoll. She moved with him, apparently having no will to resist, and soon Lauren was sitting astride his large powerful thighs, the skirt of her linen dress riding up to her waist.

  She flustered, trying to pull the fabric back down to cover the swell of her ass, but Blake captured her hand casually. “Don’t bother,” he admonished lightly. “Listen to what I have to say, Lauren. If you like and you agree, then I’ll have that dress off you soon enough anyway, and if you don’t, well…” He hesitated, his smirking face gazing up at her flushed expression. “Well, then I’ll be on my way. You can keep the cabin for the night, it seems only fair. There’s a hot tub outside you might like to try.”

  The hand on her wrist drew her forward, flush with Blake’s chest. There was now no space between their bodies.

  “Okay,” she said excitedly, her tone suggesting she barely believed the words as they slid from her lips. “I’m listening.”

  He smirked at her words. “I know you have an idea of who you think I am, Lauren. The firefighter who saved you all those years ago, the hero, right?”

  She nodded, biting her lip. He assessed her pretty face, wondering at her. It looked like she was reeling, unable to comprehend the fact that she was straddling his body. The notion made him smile, garnering his confidence. At thirty-nine years old, Blake was still built. Beneath his shirt and jeans was rippling brawn, the evidence of how hard he trained to stay in shape, yet still, he was nearly forty, and he wasn’t immune to insecurity. Having a young, gorgeous woman straddling him like this was doing his ego no harm at all…

  “Good,” he declared, releasing her hand and shifting her back, so both of her small palms rested in his lap. “You won me, Lauren. You bid and you won me at a BDSM auction for the night. I can only presume you did so because you hoped for some sort of kinky, romantic liaison?” The dark brow over his right eye rose at his own query, challenging her to defy his logic.

  She swallowed in response, her face already revealing the truth. “Yes,” she conceded, her gaze lowering at the admission. “God, that makes me sound like such a stupid whore or something…”

  Her words stopped dead as she sized up the look in Blake’s narrowing eyes. His hands moved with an experienced efficiency, capturing the sides of her face before she could even take a breath.

  “Do not ever let me hear you insulting yourself again, Miss Roberts. You are neither stupid nor a whore. It’s a term I abhor, by the way. You’re a woman who knows her own mind and her own sexual needs. You just don’t know how to satisfy them.” He paused, eying her sternly. “If I ever hear those words from you again, I will strip your ass bare and turn you straight over my lap for a damn hard spanking. You got that?”

  The intensity in his voice made her tremble. He actually felt the shiver that ran down the length of her body. Capturing her lower lip between her teeth, she nodded, her eyes tearing at the unexpected emotion. “I understand,” she mumbled. “I’m sorry…”

  Blake’s expression softened at her response. “Hush,” he whispered. “It’s okay, but I won’t allow you to denigrate yourself, Lauren. You are beautiful.”

  She smiled, reaching her hands forward and exploring the width of his chest. “Thank you.”

  “Let me finish, Lauren,” he answered, as one hand reached into the length of her hair, drawing her neck backwards. “You can have your liaison. Nothing would please me more than to spend an entire kinky night with you, but there are some conditions. Some things about me you just don’t know.”

  Lauren panted in reply, her neck perfectly exposed to his mouth, which he claimed without seeking her permission. She groaned at the sensation his hot lips produced, rocking her hips gently against his middle. “What conditions?” she asked breathlessly. “What do I need to know?”

  Blake raised his head from her neck, throwing her a devastating smile. “I like spanking, Lauren.” He paused, locking her with an even more intense gaze. “I mean, I really like it, but it’s not just about corporal punishment for me, there has to be more.”

  She barely caught her breath as his words fell over her. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice quivering with her obvious need.

  “It means I like to be in charge, Lauren,” he replied softly, moving forward to graze his lips over her mouth again. “Not just at the fire station, where I work, but in my personal life, too. But more than that, I like to do much darker things in my private life. Things you probably haven’t even conceived of.”

  “Oh.” That was all she said, but her squirming and panting made it pretty clear how Lauren really felt about the admission.

  Blake smiled, watching her absorb the latest information.

  “What do you like to do?” Lauren asked, her tone breathy, “in your personal life?”

  He shifted his weight, the hand at her head falling to her waist and snaking around her middle. Pulling her toward him wordlessly, he moved her until the soft fabric of her now wet panties made contact with his crotch. “I like to dominate, Lauren,” he purred, his eyes searing her with the explanation. “I like to take charge, I like to protect, pleasure, and I like to punish…” He paused as his gaze seared into her face.

  Lauren’s breath caught as he went on, and in her wide green eyes, he could see her imagining the things he described.

  “Are there rules?” she whispered, once again unable to meet the strength of his gaze. “In your personal relationships, I mean. Do you set rules?”

  Blake suppressed the urge to smile at the question. Evidently, little Lauren liked that idea more than she was prepared to admit.

  “Of course,” he replied, catching her chin with his free hand and steadying her head, so that she was forced to meet his eye. “Since I’m in charge, I do set a few rules, but I only do so to enhance the situation.” He hoped he wasn’t frightening her, but the look in her eyes and the motion of her hips told him his words were having quite a different impact upon the young woman perched upon his lap.

  Her face moved against his fingers, the heat of her flushed skin radiating against his hand. “And what happens if…” She paused, her eyes hooded with the surge of emotion she was clearly wrestling with.

  “If what, Lauren,” he asked, his hand drawing her closer to his mouth again.

  She approached it hungrily, her eyes devouring his face. “What happens if your rules are broken?”

  The question was out there, hanging in the air between them like mist in the early morning. Blake eyed her intently, and a smile crept over his face as he answered her. “If you break my rules, then you’ll be punished.”

  Chapter Six

  “Punished.”

  It wasn’t even a question, but it was all she could think to say, and even as she articulated it, the word sounded all breathy and erotic.

  “Yes,” he confirmed, eyeing her carefully.

  “Punished, how?” Lauren murmured, shifting her weight even closer toward him.

  There were now only a few inches between their bodies, her breasts heaving right before his face. Underneath her bottom, Lauren felt his cock hardening, and the thought excited her beyond reason. She gazed at him, noticing the glint in those sparkling blue eyes as he made her wait for his answer. A collection of unfurling butterflies stretched their wings inside of her belly. Can this really be happening, she wondered. Could the man she’d idolized her whole adolescence really want to spank her?

  “That depends,” he replied, his expression remaining collected, despite the now obvious arousal growing between them. “Sometimes I like to throw a naughty girl over my lap for a spanking, but other times I choose other techniques. Denying her some pleasure perhaps, or maybe a little pain,” he added, watching her eyes widen at the news. “That tends to throw things into perspective…”

  “I bet,” she gasped, biting down on her lower lip again. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be mercilessly teased and aroused, and then denied
an orgasm intentionally. Or to be hurt by Blake in some desperately erotic way. It must be awful, and yet at the same time, the idea was so completely hot! She writhed over him, flooding her already soaked panties.

  He chuckled at her response. “You know, this is the part where most women tend to run, Lauren,” he said, smiling up into her face. “But then, I suppose you had an idea what you were getting into when you signed up for the auction?”

  “Yes,” she panted. “I’ve never been involved in the community directly, but I’ve always fantasized about being submissive to the right man.” Her voice trailed away as she considered her words. What she meant was, she’d always fantasized about being submissive to him.

  “So, you do like the idea?” Blake pressed, tightening the arm at her waist and pulling her flush against his chest. “I mean, I don’t like assumptions. Just because you participated in a BDSM auction doesn’t mean you have the same inclinations as me.”

  She gasped at the sudden contact, but relaxed, her lips finding the side of his throat and planting kisses over his stubble. “Yes, Blake,” she admitted guiltily. “I love the idea. I always have.”

  He shifted his face to gaze at her. “Tell me,” he instructed. “Tell me what you like about it.”

  She blinked up at him, unsure now that she had to say the words out loud. “I like the idea of being guided and looked after,” she explained, blushing as his gaze drilled into her. “And being disciplined when I overstep the line. I need pushing.” She hesitated, as though she couldn’t believe she’d admitted it out loud.

  There was a storm in his eyes at her response, but his expression remained a picture of calm. “Well, Lauren,” he whispered, capturing her mouth for a brief, but intense kiss. “It seems we are perfectly compatible.”

  “For tonight?” The question was offered in a rush of feeling, and Lauren shuffled awkwardly against his swelling cock after it was asked. For tonight, she scolded herself mentally, dismayed at her pathetic and desperate response. Had she really just said that?

  Blake’s lips found her again. This time they claimed her mouth in an unhurried and sensual way. She drew away, panting as he responded.

  “Let’s take things one step at a time. First, we set some ground rules and spend some time together. We have the whole of today to get to know one another, and play.” His eyes sparkled as he mused on the prospect. “If we’re both happy after that time, then I’d like to see where this thing can go…”

  “I can’t believe this,” she admitted, as her hands grasped at his dark, luscious hair. “All of these years I’ve fantasized about you, Blake, and now.” She stopped, sucking in her breath.

  “And now I have you,” he smiled, completing her sentence.

  She nodded excitedly. “I hope so,” she grinned. “I’ve kinda had a firefighter fetish ever since you carried me out of that burning building.”

  He snorted at her answer, kissing her lips chastely as he moved forward on the couch. In a flash, they were standing, her thighs now gripping around his waist and her hands clutching at his neck. There wasn’t even a sign of effort on his face, as he now stood holding Lauren in his arms.

  “Oh!” she cried, the strength and power of Blake almost taking her breath away.

  “I thought you had a ‘Blake’ fetish, Lauren, not a firefighter one?” His expression was drawn into a smirk, but she couldn’t help but laugh at that. He was right. A Blake fetish was precisely what she had.

  “Yeah, you’re right,” she conceded, easing one hand from his neck and stroking the side of his handsome face. Blake had her, and she knew she was safe in his arms. “You’re so right.”

  Chapter Seven

  The next few hours dashed past in a frenzy of cuddling and conversation. Blake had the impression that Lauren would have been more than happy to have ripped his clothes off and headed for one of the cabin’s large bedrooms, but he’d made it clear that wasn’t how this story was going to go.

  “We set the ground rules first,” he informed her pouting little face. “And don’t get bratty with me, Miss Roberts, or we’ll skip straight to the discipline part.”

  That stopped her, her face coloring as the realization washed over. This wasn’t one of her early morning fantasies; this man was real, and Blake was more than ready to make good on his threats to spank her. He watched her face with wry amusement as the idea settled over her. It looked as though her throat had dried at the mere thought, and he wondered what effect it was having between her thighs.

  Blake insisted on ordering food before any discussions took place. He reasoned that they had both traveled early to be there, and neither of them had eaten much. He was certainly right about Lauren, who, when questioned, admitted to having skipped breakfast that morning. He shook his head as she explained she’d been far too nervous to even contemplate eating earlier, and then promptly told her now there was no choice. He ordered a pasta dish for them both, and she sat watching him in action. This, it seemed, was the first decision he had made for her, but Blake felt sure it would not be the last.

  Lauren found herself back on his lap after that, the objective to set the new rules between them.

  “What constitutes a rule?” she asked. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  “I’ll keep them basic and to a minimum,” he told her, shifting her on his thighs so that he could look into her eyes more easily. “Rule one—all conversations must be respectful. We will treat each other with respect, and we will pay the same courtesy to ourselves.” His eyes narrowed at her as he added the last point, and she squirmed reflexively. “No putting ourselves down, is that clear?”

  “Yes, Blake,” she breathed, mesmerized by the look in his eyes.

  “When we have time alone like this, I would like you to call me Sir.” His expression was soft as he asked, but his insistent gaze made it clear that he meant what he said.

  She writhed a little more over him. “Sir?” she repeated, as though she was trying out the word for size. “Really? Is that rule two?”

  “Aren’t you happy to call me Sir, Lauren?” he asked.

  The question was a fair one, but his candor caught her off guard. She paused, feeling the apparently unstoppable blush engulfing her face again. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I guess I’m still not used to how direct you guys are out here. It’s so different in Britain, and it’s going to take some getting used to.”

  Blake laughed at her explanation. “I hadn’t thought of that,” he replied, “but it still doesn’t answer my question, Lauren. Are you happy to call me Sir?” His gaze was intentionally hypnotizing, penetrating her coloring face. He wanted to get under her skin, to get to know her—to understand her.

  “Erm, yes, sure,” she answered him. “It’s just new, that’s all.”

  “I understand,” he said, smiling at her. “Now, this is not a hard and fast rule, but I’d like you to try it and see how you feel? If you’re not happy, then we reassess?”

  She nodded, offering no complaints.

  “Go on then,” he grinned, encouraging her. “Try it, Lauren.”

  She sucked in a breath, the reality of his expectations seemingly registering. “Yes, Sir,” she replied, watching as his face lit up when the title rolled from her tongue.

  “Oh, yes,” he purred, his voice resonating over her face as he moved even closer to her. “I like how that sounds…”

  She smiled. Making him happy seemed to please her.

  “How was it for you?” he asked, his tone genuinely curious.

  “It’s a bit odd to be honest,” she replied. “But I like how it makes me feel,” she hesitated, lowering her eyes shyly.

  “Good,” he soothed her, planting hot kisses at the edge of her mouth. “If it makes us both happy, then we’re onto a winner. Remember, this is about both our pleasure, Lauren,” he added. “Not just mine.”

  Her smile told him she liked how that sounded, and she found his mouth, kissing him hard to show him just how the idea str
uck her. Blake pulled her away, shaking his head. “Rules, sweetheart,” he murmured. “We’re setting rules.”

  “Sorry, Sir,” she replied in a rush. “Your mouth is just too tempting.”

  He smiled, ignoring her defense. “Rule two…”

  Blake’s voice was interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing from the doorway. They both startled, turning toward the source of the sound.

  “That’s my phone,” she gasped, blushing at the admission. “I should go and grab it.”

  “Go ahead,” he agreed, sweeping her from his lap and watching as her cute little ass skipped away toward the entrance to the space. The skirt of her dress was caught around her hips, and a low growl escaped his throat at the sight of her.

  Lauren grabbed her small bag, identified her phone, and answered the call, her face still flushed as she turned to grin at him. “Hello?” she began.

  Blake couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation, but he noticed how Lauren’s face blanched as she did. She looked pale and nervous all of a sudden, her lower lip catching between her teeth as she listened to the call. “I… I don’t want to talk about this,” she stuttered, ending the call abruptly.

  “Lauren?” Blake called to her, concerned about whatever had just transpired. “Are you alright?”

  She stared at the phone, her eyes wide. “Yes,” she told him. “It’s just…”

  At that moment the phone rang again. Lauren held it out in front of her as though she was afraid of the thing. Her eyes flitted from Blake to the phone, like she was trying to decide what to do.

  Blake stared at her, perplexed. “Are you going to answer it?” he asked her. “Clearly whoever it is wants to speak to you real bad.”

  Lauren bit her lip again as she took the call, her features tense as she listened. “Yes,” she said at last. “I understand.”

  Blake rose from his seat as she ended the conversation. Something about her demeanor concerned him. “What was it?” he prompted her as she scurried back toward him.