by Kacey Shea
“I love you,” Ash whispers so full of sincerity that he wins every last bit of my heart.
“I love you, too.” I kiss him once and then take his hand, weaving my fingers with his. “Now, I’ve got a kickass bedroom down the hall that I’d like to break in.” I tug him down the hall and he follows eagerly. His soft chuckle fills me with delight.
“That’s my kind of housewarming party.”
Three months later
I love that Ash sees me.
The grass tickles my toes from where I press my feet against the damp earth. Coffee in hand, I sigh with appreciation as he peels his shirt off his body and uses it to wipe the sweat from his face. I love watching my man work in our yard. It never gets old and sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.
But it’s not just watching him. No, it’s the connection we share. The way he knows what I need before I ask for it. The way he’s always aware of where I am. The way we both care for each other. He sees me the way I see him. We pay attention to the little things and do our best to bring each other as much joy as possible. It’s unlike any other relationship I’ve experienced.
Maybe that’s why I asked him to move in with me after one month of officially dating. It freaks some people out, my Dad being one of them, at how quickly our relationship is moving. But the thing is, we’ve been through so much and faced more adversity than most couples ever do. I want to wake up next to my best friend every morning, and this house is already as much his as it is mine. I don’t need to wait months to figure that out.
It’s warm for this late April morning and there’s been no rain this week. Everything back here is in full bloom and it’s our own little paradise. I rock gently in the swing we installed under the roof of the deck, and Ash turns to wink at me before going into the shed.
Glancing around, I take in my favorite flowers. The roses are beautiful and classic but the calendula, daisies, and chrysanthemums are more my style. Those and the milkweed. Several butterflies flutter around the shocking purple flowers we planted along the shed and I smile when I remember all the good moments I shared with Kiki. The moments I treasure in my heart. A peacefulness settles over my soul every time I see one fly past. I can’t help but wonder if it’s another of her ways of checking on me. Of stopping in to say hello.
Ash comes out of the shed, tools in hand, and grins that devious smile of his.
“Whatcha doing, babe?” I call out. I assumed he was out here early to do a little gardening, but with a cordless drill in hand I guess there’s more to his early morning wake up call.
“A surprise. Don’t worry, you’ll like it.” He walks down the path to the large oak. If I were a patient person I would rock here and finish my coffee, but I’m not. I’m also a huge fan of Ash’s surprises. Balancing my cup on the ground, I jump from the swing and stride over to my handy boyfriend.
He stretches the measuring tape between the oak and the fir before marking something down on a piece of paper. He’s like the Magic Mike of my own personal DIY network with his low slung jeans, work boots, and sweat beading across his tatted chest. I lick my lips, momentarily distracted as to the purpose for walking over here.
“You okay, Callie?” Ash’s voice pulls me from my ogling.
“Hmm?”
“See something you like?” He chuckles and turns to bend over.
“Always. So, what’s the surprise?”
He stands up and nods at the oak. “I need your help with it. Stand there and hold this.” He places a thick rope in my hand and glances between me and the fir before he steps away.
“Is this what I think it is?” I tilt my head and examine the pile of rope pooled at my feet. Ash squats down to grab the other end of rope.
“If you think it’s a hammock, then yes.” He glances up and grins before standing. His eyebrows lift and he halts his movement to stare directly at my hair.
“What? Is there a bug on me?” I hold the rope in my left hand and with the right I reach up.
“No!” Ash whisper shouts. “Callie, there’s a butterfly resting in your hair.”
“There is?” I breathe and the strangest feeling inches over my skin. Kiki. She’s here. I just know it. Ash watches with fascination and I wish I could see it.
There’s a flutter and the gorgeous monarch dances around my face before it lands on the back of my hand. We stare in wonder as its wings open and close. Ash is as transfixed as I and when the butterfly moves away to join the others at the milkweed we’re both still frozen in place.
“This will sound weird, but I got chills just now. It’s like that butterfly knew you.” Ash shakes his head.
“Not weird at all.” I smile and glance up at the cloudless sky. I love you, Kiki. Thank you for that.
Ash steps backwards until the hammock hangs between us. He makes a few adjustments and then starts securing the ties onto each tree. I watch him work and appreciate the beauty of this new day.
“So, I didn’t want to ask you yesterday, but how do you feel about the sentencing now that you’ve had time for it to sink in?” Ash asks cautiously, watching for my reaction. I just shrug as he takes the rope from my hands. It was difficult to see Tiff again yesterday. To see Cam and Chase. She looked horrible, but I guess months in jail does that to a person. Without her makeup, manicure, and designer clothes, Tiff is just an ordinary woman. Well, not so ordinary. More like obsessed and crazed.
“I don’t know. I don’t wish jail time on anyone, but I’m not gonna lie . . . I feel a lot safer knowing she won’t bother us for the next twenty years.”
“I do, too. I wish it was more. That woman’s insane.” Ash’s brows furrow and he tugs the rope so the hammock comes off the ground.
“She got the maximum sentence for what they could prove.”
“Yeah, but she came after you a second time. What stops her from a third?”
“I guess we have the next twenty years to figure that out.”
Ash’s gaze shifts from the tree to my face. “You really mean that?” He lets go of the hammock and it hangs perfectly. We never discussed putting one out here but the shade of the branches hide it from plain view and create a relaxing little oasis.
“Can I try it out?” I grin and Ash’s eyes widen as his lips pull up at the corners. He stalks toward me and wraps his arms around my waist. He kisses me hard and demanding, and his tongue swipes inside mine.
He backs us up to the netting. “Wanna know why I put this out here?” I nod my head and his grin grows wider. “I’ve always had this fantasy of snuggling with my w—girlfriend.” He sits and leans into the hammock, kicks off his shoes, and tugs me down with him. I squeal as we almost tip the damn thing over.
“So we start making out . . .” He brushes his knuckles across my jaw and cups the back of my head, lowers his mouth to kiss, lick, and suck at my lips. We make out like that. Hands searching. Bodies grinding together. Pulses racing. Breaths catching. Moans. Groans. Heat. My entire body yearns for more. It’s always like this with him.
“I have a guess as to where your fantasy is heading,” I murmur against his lips and he chuckles. His fingers tug at the waistband of my leggings, and I unzip his jeans and reach inside to palm the soft skin of his hard shaft.
“Fuck,” he groans. “Straddle me.” He rolls the fabric of my pants over my hips and I help him with the rest. Leggings off, I brace my hands on his shoulders and climb aboard my favorite ride. Except the rope beneath my knees swings left and my eyes widen. I scream and hold on to Ash with all my might.
We topple over and out of the hammock. Thankfully, Ash has the mindfulness to roll us and his body softens our fall. Our eyes meet. My bottom half is clad in only a thong, and his pants are unzipped with his junk hanging out. The ridiculousness of it all hits me and I burst into a fit of giggles. Ash’s deep chuckle shakes my body.
“That wasn’t exactly it.” He laughs and I can’t help but kiss his lips.
“Aw, babe, it’s not your fault I�
��m sometimes a complete klutz.”
“Sex on the hammock isn’t so easy,” he teases. “Maybe we just give up that dream.”
“I’ll try again if you want? I’ll be more careful, or maybe you should be on top?”
“Nah, actually my back is already killing me. Those ropes burn. Add any more friction and we’re moving to BDSM territory.”
“So what do you want to do next?” I move my hips back and forth over Ash’s still hard cock. I’m still turned on and ready for sex. I hope he is, too.
“I’ve never fucked in a garden. You up for that, Sweet Cheeks?” He smacks my ass and my clit throbs. Tilting my hips, I rub myself against his hardness and my center dampens with the need to have him inside me.
“Like secret garden, but naughtier.” I kiss down the scruff of his jaw and my lips find his ear. “Fuck yeah. I’m in.” I lick the shell of his ear and his body shudders beneath me. He lifts his hips and shoves his pants down.
“I want you so bad, Callie.” His hands go to my waist and he lifts me just enough to move my thong to the side and position himself at my entrance. My hips attempt to press down but he holds me in place until my gaze meets his. “I love you.” He pushes me down on his dick at the same time he slams his hips up. Powerful. Deep. Hard.
“God, I love you, too.” I moan as I receive his demanding thrusts. My hands dig into the grass covered earth and all the sensations—Ash beneath me, the chirp of birds, the smell of flowers, grass, earth—all of it spirals my arousal.
Ash brings forth my orgasm, our bodies rock together and hit that spot inside that drives me wild. One of his hands leave my side to wind into the hair at the nape of my neck. I know what he’s going to do before he does it and the anticipation only spikes my desire.
“Fuck me, Callie.” He growls and pulls my hair. I bite down on his shoulder as my orgasm hits, rolling over me again and again. His thrusts increase in pace and he slaps my ass. He buries his face in my now extremely wild locks. He stills, slowing his own breathing while I work to catch my breath. My pulse races and his hard length throbs inside. He’s in no rush to chase his own release, though, and my skin prickles as I come down from my high with the thought we’re far from done.
Ash relaxes his head back into the grass and his fingers trail circles over my hips. I cross my arms over his chest and rest my chin atop them so I can meet his gaze. “I love us,” I say, honest, real, and true. His eyes catch the light and the hues play back and forth, appearing more gold than green.
“I love you so much, Callie. I hope you know that.”
I do. I really do. “I know. I feel the same, Ashley.” Trapping my lower lip between my teeth, I chew on the plump flesh. I need to ask him something. His gaze follows the movement and his cock twitches inside me. Hmm . . . Ash likes the biting. I pocket that information for later and let my fingertips idly circle his nipples. His dick hardens further and the feeling empowers me. “So . . . while I have you inside me, I was hoping we could discuss one thing.” My fingers go back to the soft grass and my tongue snakes out to lick at one hard nipple.
Ash groans and his eyes roll shut. “What’s that?” he pants out, and I lift my hips a few inches and then rock back down. “Yes, God, that’s so good,” he groans.
“Your car . . . we’re going shopping.”
His eyes snap open and his hands go to my waist to hold me immobile. “No.”
“Yes.” I grin and suck his other nipple between my lips.
“Fuck! Damn it, Callie. You’re not buying me a car.” He tries to hold firm, and I admire his steadfastness, but I’ve got him by the balls. Or rather, I will. My hands plant on his chest and I lean back, sitting on his erection to rock over it. I move my hand back to his thighs and continue rocking back and forth, up and down, arching my back so I can reach behind and take his balls in my left hand. It seals the deal.
“New. Car. Today.” My right hand leaves his thigh and I use my index and middle finger to rub circles over my clit.
“Yes. Fuck, okay, yes. You win,” he shouts, clenching his jaw, and his hands go to my hips to move me faster and harder over his cock. “You gonna come on this dick? Oh, fuck, you ride me so good.”
My fingers work at a furious pace as I try to meet his release. His stomach flexes and his hips thrust up just as I feel my orgasm begin to crash. He comes first—a strain of words and curses leaves his mouth—but I’m not far behind and a similar shout of inaudible language leaves my lips. I glance around because we were really loud, and although we’re hidden from the neighbors, it’s still broad daylight.
“I won.” My lips pull into a grin that hurts my face and Ash laughs. “Come on, big boy.” I slap his belly playfully and pull my body off the ground, collect my leggings and tug them up over my legs. “It’s time to go to the dealership!” I almost bounce up and down, I’m so excited. I love cars. And the fact we’re saying good-bye to the sad little Prius has me filled with glee.
Ash tucks himself into his jeans and pushes up off the ground. He reaches out a hand to me. “As you wish.” His fingers intertwine with mine and we walk into our house, side by side, lovers, best friends, and partners. In this moment my heart is full, content, and well loved. The desire that stirs within for this man is a flammable heat, simmering beneath the surface, ready and waiting to ignite. Some people search their entire life for that spark. But for me, there’s no fire without Ash.
The End
Dear Reader,
Thank you for picking up this copy of Caught in the Flames. I hope you’ve enjoyed Callie’s story and her happy ever after. I relate to Callie in that I too share a slight obsession for men in fire gear. It’s gotta be the pants! But more than that, Callie’s story is an important one because she shows how easily a good person can begin to give up little pieces of themselves to the wrong person, all in the name of love. How after that toxic person is extricated, she is left trying to piece back and recover the person she is; only this time a stronger, wiser, better version of the woman she was. How her friends and family play a role in her self-rediscovery.
I have a little treat for YOU! I’ve written a bonus chapter from Ash’s point of view that will only be available in paperbacks OR by leaving an honest review on the retailer you purchased from. For details on obtaining the bonus scene—and believe me, you will want to read this—please email [email protected] with BONUS CHAPTER in the subject line along with a link or screen shot of your review.
Did you know that when I first set out to write Caught in the Flames I planned for it to be a standalone novel? However the further into the story I went, the secondary characters started speaking to me, more and more. Now I have several books in the works that will most likely become a series of interconnected standalones. Out of all the supporting characters in CITF, who are you hoping to read more of? Please feel free to email me at [email protected] or find me on Facebook and shoot me a message. I look forward to your thoughts and questions!
As always, thank you for your support, and for spending time with my characters. It’s truly a blessing to be able to write and publish the stories that live in my mind. More so with readers like you.
Much love,
Kacey
Excerpts
Please enjoy this excerpt from Uncovering Hope, book three in the Uncovering Love series, by Kacey Shea.
“Oh, my gawd! Did you see Dr. Fine Ass making rounds this morning?” Jenny giggles from where she sits atop the counter. She’s swirling a plastic spoon through her cup of yogurt, legs swinging haphazardly.
I’m done for the day, having worked a night shift. I stretch my arms overhead and stifle a yawn. Jenny and I have been friends since we graduated nursing school and landed our first RN jobs here at Children’s nine years ago. She always fills me in on the latest hospital gossip. We don’t usually work together, but our shifts often overlap.
“I’m sure that’s not his name.” I grin. My uneaten snacks are still in the breakroom fridge so I pull them
out and stuff them in my large purse. My phone doesn’t show any messages or missed calls, and a little sigh of relief escapes. Years have passed, yet I still anticipate bad news. I try not to. It’s a bad habit I’m working to break. My brother and his fiancée take excellent care when my boys aren’t at school.
“If you’re not sure who I’m talking about, then you haven’t seen him. I’m serious, Carly. The doc has mojo. He’s only been here a few weeks and has half the floor walking around with lady boners.” Giggling, she hops down and wraps me in a bear hug.
She’s outrageous, but I chuckle along. “I’m out. I’ve got to get a few hours of sleep before the boys get home. And then I have my brother’s engagement party tonight.” Jenny nods and tosses her empty container into the trash.
“I’ll walk with you to the elevator.” She pulls the door open and lowers her voice as I walk through. “So did you have Mama Bear or Greta the Grouch as supervisor last night?”
I glance around for listening ears before I answer. “Grouch.” I shake my head and shove my hands inside the pockets of my scrubs. “She’s a real you know what, and apparently I’m on her shit list.” I don’t even want to think about it. The soft, cool comforter of my bed is calling me. With the blackout shades drawn, I’ll be passed out in minutes. It’s almost cruel punishment that I still have a thirty minute commute to battle.
“Oh, you don’t have to tell me, girlfriend. Sammie said she’s been after everyone lately. I hear she’s going through a bad divorce, but that doesn’t give her an excuse to be a bitch.” I cringe a little and Jenny gasps. “Oh, gawd. I’m sorry, Carly, I didn’t mean it that way. And I wasn’t even talking about you.”
I muster a smile, “Yeah, I know, Jen. No worries.” I wave as we pass the nurses’ station. Three of my co-workers sit at the desks, huddled together, and likely trading conspiracy theories. In our pediatric oncology unit we are close, a family away from our families, and everyone knows everything about everyone. And if they don’t, they speculate.
