Let It Burn

by Dee Ellis

  “Eyes, Sugar,” I demanded, my voice unsteady too, “tell me what you did.”

  “N-nothing. I... I dreamed about other skies and what they looked like. I wondered what the air felt like somewhere else. Tasted like somewhere else.”

  My girl was good with words, it seemed. I could sense the others were wrapping up and that meant I was running out of time. After we finished up here, I had to get her alone. Had to sooth her fears with promises. What could I say to ease to her fears? Fears that she could lose me if she let herself have me. Fuck. I pressed closer, feeling urgent and panicked.

  Right now the fear was gone from her eyes. Now, as my thumbs pressed against her panties again, I saw hunger. Again I swiped my thumbs over her lacy panties, growling when they got wetter with every touch.

  I wanted to slip my fingers past the flimsy material and into her wet heat, see the flush of her skin when I made her come. My jeans grew tighter as my dick got harder with every whisper over her.

  “Cage....” Sucking her bottom lip back into her mouth, her teeth piercing the pink flesh, she gave me a sound that had my cock aching.

  “Sugar,” My voice was low, rough with need and for her ears only, “you keep saying my name like that with my fingers seeing how wet you are for me, and you’re going to make me break my promise to behave. Do you want me to be bad right now, Charli?” Her breath was coming fast and I watched her pulse leap at her throat, her skin flushed.

  “No. No. Please.” As I watched, Charli bit back a crooked smile that made my cock twitch painfully and I smiled back.

  “Fuck, didn’t I tell you not to lie to me, Sugar? You can lie to whoever you want about this,” My fingers pressed against her pussy, her whimper driving me mad, “being mine, Charli. Just not me. You got me?” Charli tipped her head back, her shoulders going straight as her eyes flashed up at me.

  “I got you, Cage. Get me,” Her hands fell away from me as she sat forward, her full tits pressing to my chest, “maybe you’re right. About me, about you. About us. Cage, Sugar....I decide when, where, how. Not you.” Fuck she was perfect and I just might be in a hell of a lot more trouble than I thought.

  “I get you, Sugar. Now get this,” My hand moved, smoothing her skirt back over her legs, “I will taste you today. As. Soon. As. I. Want.” This was a lie because I wanted to taste her right now, but I was giving her fair warning.

  Charli smirked and slid from the chair, pressing all her softness against my hardness. My hand rose to let my index finger trace the shape of her full, perfect fucking mouth. Charli snapped her teeth. My hand shot back and then she smirked the sexiest smirk that I had ever seen. My cock appreciated it, that’s for damn sure. Then she laughed and brushed past me, heading for the others.

  Before she went, she again trailed her fingers over me. Down the tattoos that I was beginning to think she fucking loved. Then, startling me, she slid her palm down the front of my chest, nails dropping to scrape gently over my zipper.

  My teeth clenched as my jaw tightened. Took everything in me not to drag her to my bed just down the hall. Let her put her hands wherever the fuck she wanted.

  “Charli you missed some of Finn’s stories. Man they’re heroes!” Brittany was gushing, her big brown eyes peering up at Finn as I spun to watch them.

  Finn grinned at her, and then his eyes settled on Charli. As if he just realized I had hoarded her for the last half hour. Finn smiled shark like at her and cut through the crowd to head towards her. As I watched, they made small talk and Charli joked with all the guys, seeming unfazed by our exchange.

  Except I knew better because I had felt her get wet. Could still smell her on my fingers. I fought the urge to swipe my tongue over my thumb for a taste. I would wait. I joined the others and did my best to adjust my own arousal in my jeans.

  Finn shot me a look then nodded at Charli, making his eyes go big. I shot a warning glare back before cutting the visit short. I had enough of sharing her with everyone.

  “Thanks for entertaining us,” I scowled at both Levi and Finn, “and taking some time with the kids. Think I’ll finish the tour and call it a day.” I glanced quickly at my watch and figured that sounded reasonable enough.

  “Oh great, I can join you on the rest of the tour. Get to know our new librarian.” Finn insisted, holding his arm out and bowing at the waist.

  Finn was pushing his luck and he knew it. He was a good looking guy, I suppose; his blond wavy hair he always kept too long and he always had a week’s worth of a scruff on his face. Said it made him look manlier.

  Forget the fact that he was almost seven-foot-tall and weighed at least three hundred pounds of solid muscle. He was basically a giant.

  Finn was also charming and I had seen him work his magic plenty times on the badge bunnies. Hell, on any chick with a pulse, really. I wasn’t about to let him lay on the charm with my girl. ‘Maybe you’re right. About me, about you. About us.’ Charli’s words were full of a challenge but we both knew she was merely postponing the inevitable.

  With a glance over her shoulder at me, and a hike of one corner of her mouth, she looped her arm through his. Finn wiggled his brows at me and straightened, heading through the living quarters to finish the tour. Bastard.

  It did something painful to my chest to realize they kind of looked good together. Charli was tall and all those curves and her honey brown hair seemed a perfect match to Finn. I hated it.

  I caught up to them, trailing close behind and making polite conversation with the kids. We explained the living quarters and the shifts we worked that made them necessary.

  Mostly we were on rotating shifts; two twenty-four hour then three forty-eight hour shifts a week, then off for the same. Sometimes I was here more than I was at my place, which was why Gigi made herself so comfortable there.

  “Cage,” Devon spoke quietly from beside me and I fell back to listen, “is there any way I can talk to you after? Like, I mean...without them all around?” Devon seemed anxious, but in a good way and I was glad to see it.

  “Absolutely. When we get done here, just let me finish up with everyone and we’ll chat. Whatever you need, man.” Devon smiled a wide smile and I felt good, felt like maybe if I could help him the entire program was worth it.

  “Oh yeah, it’s kind of our nightly routine. O’Malley’s, then....” My head shot up as I heard Finn explaining our pub crawl spots to Charli.

  “Finn. I think our tour is done, don’t you guys?” I cut him off as I caught up to them, glaring at him before Charli glanced my way.

  “Yeah,” Marcus piped up, bless his soul, “the place was pretty awesome but our class ended about fifteen minutes ago. I’m an important dude; I got places to go, folks.” He broke into a bright, toothy grin when the others gave him a hard time.

  “Marcus,” Charli shot him a look and he straightened right up and bowed his head, “rein it in, playboy. We do have to go though. My time with you kids has in fact, run out. Thank you, all of you guys, for taking the time with us today. We appreciate it. Finn, I expect I will see you again.” Charli stepped away from him and he took her hand, once again pressing a kiss there.

  “For sure, for sure, Charli Doll. Later bro-tato-chip.” Finn smirked at me as he headed back to the commons, knowing he pissed me off.

  We thanked Byrne and the others again as we headed out and they all welcomed the kids back. Devon took a moment with Hunter and Charli and I exchanged a smile. Then her smile changed and her eyes dropped away, her teeth coming out at her bottom lip again. The darkness from earlier had stayed away and I was thankful for that.

  I already had one ghost to contend with I knew. I couldn’t battle a ghost of a loss she feared could happen. I wanted to understand her pain and her loss. I didn’t want her to drown in it anymore. I didn’t want her to always want to run, which I had a good feeling was her go-to when shit got heavy. I would only let her run far enough that it didn’t risk this. We both needed this; I saw it in her eyes when she let down her shutters. />
  Once we were outside, Charli talked with the kids and I realized they were actually done for the day. They started to break up and head out, calling goodbyes. All of them seemed excited for the volunteer training they would experience tomorrow.

  I waited for the others to head off, noting that as we had discussed, Devon hung back. Charli was talking with Britney so I took the chance to step aside so we could talk about whatever was on his mind.

  “Cage, I think I’m pretty interested in following through with this. I know you said you got started right out of high school. Where did you start?”

  “I’m glad to hear that, Devon. I think you’d make a great fireman. Well, I was lucky because my pop works the job too. But he didn’t make it easy on me, I had to go through the EMT courses and volunteer first. How long till you graduate?” Though I was intent on helping him, I was aware of Charli just feet away, my eyes watching her every move.

  “I’m a senior and my credits are good, my grades are just okay though. Does that matter? Should finish this year.” Devon seemed uncertain and I trained my focus on him again, wanting to reassure him.

  “No, grades don’t have a huge effect on it. I would suggest taking some classes at the community college if you can fit it in; they offer some great basic training courses that could help get you ready. Stay out of trouble; keep your eye on your goal. Keep your nose in your books. You got Byrne’s number, right? Take mine too, and you call either of us if you have questions or need some input.” I took the card Hunter had given him earlier and added my own name and cell number.

  “Thanks, Cage. This...well it means a lot. I mean all kids want to be a cop or a fire fighter, right? Just listening to you talk about it, and how rewarding it can be, how you can make an actual career out of...it has me thinking it’s something I’d like to take seriously. Thanks for all the time you’re giving us.”

  We talked a little longer and then he headed off with his head high and a bright smile on his face. I was more than willing to mentor him beyond this course and I would let both Sara and Charli know that. In fact, I was willing to spend as much time at the library doing this as they would allow. Not because of Charli. Because of kids like Devon, and even Marcus, who just needed a little guidance and a lot of hope.

  Of course, being around Charli could be nothing but a bonus. I looked at her now, waiting on the corner as the streets of Chicago teemed with life and traffic. Damn she was beautiful.

  That beautiful hair caught a breeze and she shined in the sunlight and damn, I was breath taken. I closed the distance between us, realizing all at once were alone. The usually busy street was empty, our kids gone and commuters quiet.

  “I like that kid. I think he might make a good fire fighter. What do you think?” Charli smiled a sweet smile, watching after the direction Devon had headed.

  “I think so too, actually. Just needs to get some confidence about himself. I think you,” Her lovely eyes swung back to me, “might be able to help him with that.” The smile she gave me made my knees weak.

  “You think so, do you? So, what now, Sugar? Back to your day job? Or do I walk you home, like a gentleman?” Charli tossed her head back and laughed, leaning against a tree as she leveled a look at me.

  “A gentleman now? I don’t know, Cage,” She let out a sigh and I smiled, moving closer, “nothing about today leads me to believe you might be a gentleman, exactly.”

  “Ouch, Sugar. I am absolutely a gentleman; Gwen raised me right. Now, as far as you may be concerned.... I may not have complete control of my behavior at all times. Not my fault, gorgeous. Not my fault.” I was close to her now and that electric zing that charged the air between us was doing its worst on me.

  “Is that so, Cage?” Her head tipped back, long hair spilling over her tits and down nearly to her ass.

  “Absolutely. I don’t want to exactly pin the blame on you,” My hand reached out to cup her hip, unable to deny myself a moment longer, “but I mean...it is kind of your fault.” Again she laughed. I just watched, watching the light in her eyes; every second she was dragging me deeper.

  “Explain this revelation, Cage. How is it my fault you don’t know how to behave with an absolute stranger.”

  “Sugar,” Both my hands framed her hips and I settled close, my fingers digging into her plump ass, “we’re hardly strangers. See, I’ve always been looking for something...or rather someone. The minute I saw you, somehow I knew I had found it. Found you. I felt like I knew everything I needed to the minute I laid eyes on you, Charli. I am an open book though so whatever you want to know, just ask, Sugar. Because I want to know-every. Single. Thing.”

  “Cage...” Charli gasped when I pressed close beneath the shade of the tree, touching my nose to hers.

  “Charli...I warned you...you keep saying my name like that, I might not be able to remain a gentleman much longer.” I felt her breath hot and shaky at my mouth and I groaned, but I didn’t take her mouth yet.

  “Why?” Charli spoke finally, blinking up at me as I struggled to maintain control.

  “Clarify that one, Sugar.” My hands slid up around her waist then back to fully cup her ass and she gasped.

  “Why...well there’s lots of why’s. Now...why does my saying your name...” Again I leaned close to her, taunting us both as I spoke against her lips.

  “Charli...I’ve imagined your voice saying my name plenty since the first time you uttered it. When you ask me to take you, soft and hungry. When you scream it when I make you come. Afterwards when you let me hold you and tell me about nonsense no one before me cared enough about. When I fuck something up and you let me know it. That’s why...you saying my name right now, the way you’re saying it...is driving me crazy, Sugar.”

  “Oh.” Her perfect mouth formed an ‘O’ and then we both smiled as I lifted away.

  “Oh. Hmm, what other whys do you want to know, Charli?” I tugged at her, knowing full well I was pushing my luck being so handsy. But not caring.

  “Well...the obvious of course. Why do you believe I am the end to your search? I mean...what is it that makes you so certain?” I realized her teeth nipping at her bottom lip both drove me crazy and let me know she was anxious.

  “Maybe I should ask you that, hmm? My mom and Pop,” I smiled as I heard horns honking and someone arguing a few feet away, “they have something special, you know? Something real; my pop knew it the minute he saw her. Both have different reasons, different ‘why’s.’ That’s what I was searching for, something like what they have. I don’t know just yet, why, Charli. I just know what I know.” Charli pressed her hands to my chest and pushed a little.

  “I don’t know you. You don’t know me. I mean...,” Her face flushed deep red before she went on, “physical attraction, what does it really mean? Nothing in the grand scheme of things. Finn found me attractive. Lola found you attractive. It’s a chemical reaction to...” Charli stopped when I cut her off; I wasn’t about to let her start thinking her way out of this.

  “Sugar, I find you more than attractive. Do you find me attractive?” It was a dick move, making her give me something that could cost her.

  “Cage...I... I-I....yes. I find you attractive. I’m attracted to you.” Again with those teeth at that bottom lip, my cock took note of how delicious her lips looked.

  “Charli I’m more than attracted to you. I want you,” My voice dropped and she responded immediately, arching away from the tree and watching my eyes, “so badly I don’t know how I’ve managed not to take you yet. You are the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Curves in all the right places, beautiful face and gorgeous eyes. That fucking mouth.” I touched her there, my thumb tracing the shape again like I had earlier.

  “Cage...please I-I don’t...” Shaking my head, I broke away but kept my thumb pressed to her mouth.

  “Sugar, I want to fuck you. I want to make you come until you forget every other man who’s ever touched you. I will, soon,” I wet my lips at the very idea of having her and
her eyes went stormy.

  “I intend to take every inch of you and make it mine. I can wait. Because once I have you, I don’t intend to let you go. You need to get right with that before I can make you mine. Charli, if I just wanted that, I could fuck anyone,” She scowled and I laughed which only deepened her scowl, “That is not what I want. Or what I need. I want you; your beautiful smile, the lightness in your eyes and everything that comes with you.”

  “You don’t even know me,” Again she was thinking with her head and not her heart or, unfortunately, her body, “just because I want you...” A growl ripped through me and she gasped as my hands lifted to tangle in her hair.

  “Say that again.” I demanded; Charli’s gray eyes turned frothy as she lifted away from the tree.

  “Even if I do, I don’t know you. What I do know is I’ve been here less than two weeks. I came here for a reason. To live my life for me. Not to just become some thing for someone else again. I want to live and fuck up and eat and make mistakes and cry and hurt. For me. Not for you or anyone else.” Jesus Christ she was amazing.

  “Charli, I won’t stop you from any of that. You just do it by my side. With me. I know you want to run from me. I know me laying my shit out for you scares the shit out of you. I know that back there,” I jerked my head towards the fire house, “scared the shit out of you. I know...you’ve lost some shit. I don’t need to know you long to see that. You can run, because I know you need to like I said. Just like you said, you can set the when, the where, and the how. It’s up to you, Sugar.” To prove it, I dropped my hands away from her and backed up.

  “Oh. K. I... I uh...need to get home.” For a moment, Charli looked flustered and I knew that was a good sign; my words were getting through to her.

  “Let me walk you to the cottage. It’s close.” Charli glanced behind us at the fire house then down the block at the library.

  Then she stood straight, squared her shoulders and leveled a narrowed look at me. I was sure she was going to deny me. I would still walk her. It wasn’t late yet but I wasn’t about to let her walk home alone. Like I said, Gwen raised me right. Charli gave an imperceptible tilt of her head. Pleasure flooded me and then we headed towards the cottage.