Let It Burn

by Dee Ellis

  Thought of his mouth and what it might taste like. Feel like. Thought of his tongue and teeth and imagined them on my skin, at my neck, my ear, between my legs. My skin felt hot again, all over, and I knew I was flushed. My eyes swung away from him because I couldn’t look him in the face a second longer.

  “Yes, Charli is taking over for me. Come here, pet.” Sara saved me and my eyes held hers, thanking her silently.

  “Y-yes. Nice to meet you, Mr. Cooper.” I was almost to Sara, brushing past him but keeping my distance when he spoke.

  “Cage. Just Cage, Charli. Pleasure, sweetheart.” Suddenly I was aware of his warmth because he had backed up to cut me off.

  “Yes. Of course, Cage.” I took a calming breath which filled my lungs with him; soap and smoke and leather and it was delicious.

  “Tell me what to do.” Damn he even sounded sexy.

  “Sorry, what?” Desperately wanting to reach Sara, to be away from him, I blinked at his soft, husky demand.

  “Charli,” I immediately hated how he said my name, “Do I just start talking? I mean I wrote notes; thought I might deliver a little lecture, take questions after. What do you think?” At last I could focus because he was talking about the program and somehow it cleared my head.

  “Oh yes. That’s perfect, I think. Just one moment, I’ll get things started, Mr. Cooper.” At last I shook off whatever had just happened to me.

  As if a fog had lifted, one brought on by whatever Cage had just done to me, I felt alert. I was so excited about this program, about being a part of it. Sara seemed proud of my efforts with it thus far, especially after I completely booked the rest of the weeks with mentors. Now I just had to get the damn thing started.

  Exchanging a look with Sara who winked and then pointedly glanced at Cage, I led him to the set up I had waiting for him. To be informal, instead of a podium or a dais, I sat a high back director’s chair facing the club loungers.

  The kids had filed in and all the loungers were full. After a quick introduction, I took one of the smaller director’s seats waiting behind him. Sara and the kids’ chaperone, Miss Elderry took seats beside me.

  “Thank you. I’m Cage Cooper," He began as he folded his large frame into the seat,” First victim of Miss Sara’s new project. Thank you Miss Elderry for bringing the kids; Miss Charli.” A glance over his shoulder at me, followed by a bright smile and a dimple and I fidgeted in my seat.

  Then he was talking about his role as a fire fighter. What his day to day looked like, the exciting moments and the routine. He told a great story about what he thought was going to be his first fire. How he had gotten so worked up to end up actually retrieving a fluffy kitten from a tree.

  Cage spoke smoothly, clearly and with a deep laugh punctuating his stories and I was not the only one mesmerized. The kids were hanging on his every word. The girls especially. I can’t say I blamed them. He spoke with passion and excitement, only sitting seated for the first moments. Then he was up, walking back and forth, gesturing with his hands, excited and laughing with the kids. Cage was a sight to witness.

  “Sexy bastard isn’t he," I shot Sara a look as she hissed this beside me and she giggled,” I may be old enough to be Cage’s mama. Doesn’t mean I’m immune to that. Neither are you, it seems, huh lass?” My face flamed and we exchanged a look and she giggled more.

  “No. Hush. No.” Another look passed between us and I bit the inside of my cheek.

  Then I watched Cage as he moved and talked, annoyed that every time he laughed I felt it between my legs. A thrumming, pulsing heat that was startling. Each time he glanced my way, my crossed legs tightened because of the achy feeling he stirred between them. I had never felt something like that. Never.

  I heard him talking but none of it penetrated because I was just hearing his voice. It was husky and cocky and I felt something stirring not just between my legs but everywhere else.

  Often, his eyes fell on me and made me feel like he knew just what I was feeling. Like he knew without trying to, without maybe meaning to, he had ignited something inside me. Something burned hotter every moment I was near him.

  It felt like the most thrilling, terrifying torture to watch him, listen to him talk about himself and his career. Like he was sharing himself with us. I was mesmerized by him and yet I didn’t like it. Made me feel prickly and unfocused and shockingly, jealous. When he began taking questions, the girls were blatant with their flirtation and I hated it. Felt foolish for it, but it was fact.

  The way he looked right at them, focused on them as they asked pointless questions that were borderline improper made me agitated. Angry even. I foolishly wanted to stop the questions, stop his friendly teasing with them and insist he instead share it all with me. Only me.

  For almost half an hour I was battling the most powerful attraction I had ever felt and when he finished, I wanted to do nothing but run away. I wasn’t ready for him. Not at all. What I most definitely wasn’t ready for was the way my body reacted to him, because I had never known something like this.

  When he thanked the kids, turned and faced me, I felt drawn to him in a way I couldn’t explain. I wanted to move closer, smell that scent that had teased me earlier look into his hazel eyes and feel him close. Instead I murmured something like an apology towards Sara, offered him a nod as way of approval of his lecture and I was gone.

  Somehow I made it to the safety of my office, my breathing obnoxiously loud in the small room. Locking my door, I fought to gain composure. To focus myself and my thoughts the way Maisie and Sadie had taught me when they forced me to join them for yoga at the local YMCA. What the hell had just happened to me? I was a level headed, composed adult who had dealt with handsome men before.

  Back home it looked like we were growing handsome cowboys on a stud farm. I had even felt desire before; for Tucker of course but once before in a different way. For Ryder. The boy who was all bad and all wrong for me. Who never knew I had very dirty, very hot, very frequent fantasies that starred him.

  “Chin up, butter cup.” I say softly, calming my breathing and willing the throbbing between my legs, the aching at my breasts to ease.

  The mantra, one that my mama used often whenever I was sad or angry or had somehow otherwise lost control, seemed to fall on deaf ears. Because this, what that man had just made me feel was nothing like any of that. It was also categorically more than I had ever felt when I had those fantasies starring bad boy Ryder. Sweet nothings in comparison to what was on my mind since I had met Cage Cooper.

  From the moment I saw his hulking figure, he flashed that warm, beautiful smile at me, then said my name like it meant something only the two of us understood. Then watching him move and dominate the entire room.

  I wanted him. I wanted Cage Cooper to dominate me with his strong hands and huge body and beautiful, cocky smile. I wanted his full mouth to mark my skin as his, to claim mine, to taste me.

  I wanted to touch his skin with its tattoos and peaks and roped muscles with my fingers, feel it against my own. Closing my eyes I could see it; see his large frame fit beneath my thighs, muscles tense as his hips thrust him deep inside me. Sweet Jesus, I was wet just thinking about it.

  What exactly had Cage Cooper just done to me?

  1

  Cage

  I had not been nervous this morning when I woke up late for the mentoring program I was starting. I had notes and had even practiced the lecture for Gigi a few times. I was prepared. I wasn’t a shy guy, though I hardly liked to be the center of attention. Still, I had always been comfortable with people and so I was really kind of looking forward to it.

  I was glad to be helping Sara, and knew my pop was proud of me for being so willing to take part in the program. Even when I got to the library, in time somehow, I had not been nervous. Sara was waiting for me in the atrium, which had been set up for the lecture today.

  “Oh you come here, you.” Sara smiled and wrapped me in one of the warm hugs she was famous for.

 
; “Sweet Sara," Sara’s dirty mouth and sometimes inappropriate mind were all that proves she wasn’t a saint, "You look lovely today. Sure you want me to be the grading scale for this program of yours?”

  Sara had worked magic at the library in her time here. With all sorts of job programs and life skills programs, the kids who hung out here got something of value from her. Oh they used the pricey laptops for social media and nonsense and spent more time in the commons room hanging out than in the book nooks reading.

  But she made sure they knew they had opportunities and ones that she wanted to see them try out. This mentoring program was just one of the ones she had started in hopes of giving them those opportunities. I wanted to do her proud and I was anxious to get started.

  “Cage, lad I don’t think I could ask for a higher bar to be set. You love your job and are passionate about it. That’s what these kids need to see. That there are choices out there, ones that can fulfill them.”

  “Well I do love wearing the uniform," I joked, ramping up my charm because Sara was fun to rile up, “does things for the ladies. Just a perk of the job, I suppose.”

  “I just bet, Cage. Bet they like you out of the uniform even more," We shared a laugh because Sara was not known for being proper, "Now...oh here my lovely surprise is. My mouthy, Midwest lass.” Sara’s bright green eyes swept past me.

  All at once I was nervous. Not because of the lecture or making Pop and Sara proud. I was nervous because I knew she meant her new librarian and our new tenant. Charli Dixon. It was the way my dad had said her name this morning when we talked about her. Just like Sara was talking about her, a look of pride and affection in her eyes as she looked her over.

  The way Regan had talked after she had met her Saturday. We had been finishing up at the house when she had stopped by for a sneak peek. Regan had chatted with her and I had no idea she had even been there because Regan hadn’t let her inside. Wanted to surprise her she said. Anyway, they all talked about her a certain way and I was more curious than ever about her.

  When I twisted to chance a look at her, I knew why. Just like that, just that easy. With one look at her I felt like I understood why everyone seemed so taken by this girl. Because shit if I wasn’t the moment I laid eyes on her.

  If there was a template of what I wanted, what just might be my perfect woman, Charlie was it. Jesus Christ she was absolute perfection. The chatter of the kids as they filed in and Sara talking beside me about Charli and how great she was, hummed at my ears as I stared at her. My breath caught in my chest when her eyes swung to mine and her approach stilled.

  Curves, thick and soft were all I could see at first. From the messy curls piled atop her head, my fingers itching to yank it all down and let it fall around her face, to soft slopes of her sexy legs, she was all soft curves. A beautiful face with plump lips, rosy cheeks and wide gray eyes with thick lashes framing them looked up me.

  With wide hips and tits to match, there was no doubt she was a woman whose body was made for pleasure. Every inch of her. I liked how little she was, her head tipped back to peer up at me. I was certain I could pick her up and keep her close as long as I wanted. Which I suddenly wanted very much.

  There was something in her eyes; they were the softest gray I had ever seen with flecks of gold and green. Something that made me want to protect her, hold on to her and never let go. Sadness.

  Nothing about her felt sad, but I saw it in her eyes. Her sexy mouth was curled into a smile and everything else about her was like sunlight. Warm and beckoning and I wanted to be lost in it. Lost in her.

  Charli was dressed just like I expected a librarian to. A nice skirt that, on her, was sexier than it was studious. Paired with cardigan and tank that showcased her full tits and just a hint of creamy skin. I wanted to touch her, wanted to see if her skin was as smooth and soft as it looked. It must have been in my eyes, what she was doing to me because she hadn’t taken another step closer and I wanted her closer. I needed her closer.

  “Charli, Cage Cooper. Sara was just telling me...” I was talking, uncertain just what I was saying because she was staring up at me with wonder.

  Her mouth parted a little and a soft sound from the back of her throat went right to my cock and I battled back a groan. Then her eyes swung past me, as if searching for an escape. Which made something rip through me because I wanted to cage her in. Keep her to myself. It was the most powerful, fucked up feeling I had ever had and it consumed me.

  Watching her mouth as I somehow managed to keep talking, my tongue came out at my own lip because I wanted to taste her. Wanted to see if her mouth was as sweet and warm as she seemed to be. Then I was thinking about heat elsewhere, between her legs and I wanted to taste her there too. Wanted to hear that sound from her throat again.

  “Yes, Charli is taking over for me," Sara cut me off and I was glad because I was sure I was just rambling nonsense by now, "come here, pet.”

  “Y-yes," Charli’s face flushed and I was fascinated by the rosiness it brought to her face, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Cooper.”

  “Cage. Just Cage, Charli," I knew she was trying to escape me, something had her uneasy, and I couldn’t let her just yet, "Pleasure, sweetheart.” When she moved to slip past me, I breathed deep, my eyes fluttering closed.

  Took me a moment to realize I was close enough to touch her. Jesus Christ she smelled fucking good. Like sweet Sugar and crisp citrus and I wondered if her pussy tasted that sweet. I thought it might. Her softness pressed against my side and I twisted to look down into her eyes.

  They were bright and filled with something I was certain was need. Shit, she felt it too. Then Charli took a deep breath, her tits pressing against me and I almost dropped my hand from my hip and grabbed her ass to haul her closer. Something in her beautiful eyes shifted, like she was taking great care to focus herself. I didn’t like that one bit. I liked the needy, open way she had looked at me before.

  “Yes. Of course, Cage.” Damn I liked the way my name sounded on her lips.

  “Tell me what to do.” I definitely meant it the way I said it and she noticed so I smirked.

  “Sorry, what?” Those eyes narrowed to let me know she was on to me and I loved it and so did my dick.

  “Charli, do I just start talking,” All at once I realized we had eyes on us so I knew it wasn’t the time or place to press this, "I mean I wrote notes, thought I might deliver a little lecture, take questions after. What do you think?” As I watched, she changed completely, face coming alive as her focus shifted.

  Now I was more nervous than I had ever been for any speech or demonstration I’d had to give before. I saw in the way she came alive that his was important to her. This program meant something to Charli, maybe more than it did to Sara. I didn’t want to let her down.

  After she introduced me, I stood there for a moment and fidgeted with the cards in my hands. Full of notes and anecdotes, I had been anxious to give the lecture. I knew it was important to Pop, to Sara and now I knew it was important to Charli. I couldn’t fuck this up. I thought I was prepared.

  Until I had laid eyes on Charli Dixon. Now I was thinking about her long legs wrapped around me. That skirt bunched around her hips as I thrust inside her sweetness. I had a vivid and very detailed vision of her pinned against the stacks somewhere in a corner of the library. Her top tugged down, those tits bouncing as I fucked her hard.

  That sound from the back of her throat as she flushed while she came hard, my name on her lips. I could almost feel her nipple against my teeth, my tongue swirling around it. I wanted to know what her skin tasted like. What it felt like against mine as I pinned her down and fucked her. I wanted to know just what she looked like when she came for me. What she felt like around my cock when I came inside her.

  Somehow I had to lead this lecture, talk to these kids with a hard cock and the cause of it just feet away. I was hyper aware of her, watching her watch me as she sat in her seat behind me. Crossing her long legs, she offered me a smile and nodded
towards the kids waiting. That did it. I knew I could do this; that I wanted to do this and now I wanted to do it for her. For Charli.

  My focus shifted entirely, my cock getting the hint and relaxing a bit. Time for that later, I promised him. Because there would be a later. I had no doubt about that. Charli felt it too; I could feel it when she was close to me. Could feel her fighting it. Saw in her eyes that something was hot and needy inside her. Because of me. For now, I would focus, do Pop, Sara and maybe even Charli proud.

  Then, I would let her know she wasn’t going to fight this. Because I sure as shit wasn’t going to and I wasn’t going to let her. I had wanted women before, had felt need for their bodies. Not like this. Never like this. Because I knew I wanted a hell of a lot more from Charli.

  Like finding out why she was here and where she was from. I wanted to know what her favorite song was, what made her laugh, what were her dreams? Would she be in that cottage all alone? I wanted to know what put that sadness in her eyes. I wanted to know about that flicker of fire I had seen in them before she had shut it down. I needed to know what it felt like to claim her. To make her mine. Because I would make her mine. That too, I had no doubt about.

  The moment you see that thing in someone that you need, you know. My mother had said that and she was right.

  Charli was what I needed. Even if she had no idea yet.

  1

  Charli

  Though I was not proud of it, and I could call it something else, I knew what it was. I was hiding. After Cage’s lecture, and the question and answer he had held afterwards, I had bolted.

  Locked myself in my office and began prepping things for the next part of the process. Which would be working with Cage and the kids interested in his career for the rest of the week. I had known that going in. Had known I would work closely each week with the mentors.