Let It Burn

by Dee Ellis

  This beautiful house and that beautiful man standing in my kitchen. It looked kind of like a perfect life if I was being honest. Kicking off my shoes near the door, I passed my iPod dock and with a swipe of my finger, music filled the house. Cage stopped what he was doing, which was ripping the bag of groceries down the middle.

  “Dinner, wine and music? Why I might think you want to seduce me, Charli Dixon.” We shared a look and then he winked and I blushed because, shit maybe I was.

  Cage helped me unload the few groceries I had picked up, commenting about the bare fridge he found. I insisted I had been ordering food in, as he knew for a fact. Cage snatched my hand when I said this, making me squeal as he spun me back and lifted me atop the island.

  Then he was kissing me, his hands splaying over my back as he shoved between my knees. I scooted to the edge of the counter, hooking my ankles at his ass and urging him closer.

  Cage rewarded me with a deep groan that had my hips bucking against him. When his hands tangled in my hair, he tipped my head back before tearing his mouth from mine.

  I ached at the loss of him and frowned in question. Then softened when I saw the need burning in his eyes. Cage still needed me to ask and I would. Very soon, I knew.

  “You don’t have any idea how much control you have over me, Charli. All the control is yours, Sugar. I’ll be or do whatever you need from me.” Cage touched his nose to mine as he spoke this against my lips.

  “Cage,” I threaded my fingers in his hair and drew him closer, “I’m sorry. For....for earlier and for...every other time I screw up. Because I will. I...my truth will be yours too, Cage. I just...I didn’t come to Chicago to find you; I didn’t expect you. Doesn’t mean I don’t.... want you. I don’t want to; you might be the single most terrifying thing to ever happen to me, Cage Cooper.” Cage cradled me gently to his chest, his breathing ragged as I admitted some truths of my own.

  “I’m scared too, baby. I was waiting for you and I’m still scared. What did I say though? Just...be scared with me, Charli.” One side of his full mouth hiked up in a sweet smile and I flooded with heat.

  “I... think I can do that, Cage.” I didn’t know just what that meant exactly, but I knew I was done running. For now.

  “Hmm, now dinner, yes? Want me to cook?” I laughed, really laughed full and free and fuck it felt good.

  We agreed I would cook because he wanted to work on the faucet leak. While I fixed steaks and salad, pouring us some wine into the two wine glasses I took from boxes I had yet to unpack, he worked.

  Before lugging out a wooden tool box I didn’t even notice had been stowed away beneath the sink, he stepped from his gear. I watched him do this and barely fought the urge to insist he finish. Just barely, because damn I wanted to see it all. Instead, I mixed the salad and kept my mouth shut.

  He finished just as I was fixing the plates and when he pressed up behind me, I was overwhelmed. It felt so natural. So strange and new but so right. Slipping his arms around my waist, the corded muscles flexing and fascinating me as he brought me back against him, he sighed. As if he felt it too.

  Dipping his face in to my neck, he took a deep breath and his arms grew tight. I didn’t fight it because I didn’t want to. I fell back against his muscled chest as my eyes closed and my arms dropped atop his. Cage startled me when his teeth came out at my neck, then hot words were pressed to my ear.

  “Can I say something dirty without ruining the moment?” I laughed and sighed when he did too, the rumble against my back warming me.

  “You can try I suppose. Dirty is not always bad.” Especially coming from you, Cage Cooper.

  “Hmm, good to know, Sugar. So... your tits in this top are driving me crazy and I kind of want to feel them in my hands.” I was thankful for his arms holding me up and the counter I was pressed to. I nearly fainted.

  “Cage....” It was meant to be his name but it was really nothing more than a moan.

  My thighs clenched but it was no use. My pussy was soaked and I figured he knew because his cock pressed hard against my ass. As if saying, “yeah, me too”. Sweet Jesus his filthy words woke something in me that I hadn’t known existed.

  All I wanted was for him to do exactly what he teased. It didn’t feel dirty or wrong or even too soon. In fact, for days I had wanted him to touch me that way. If anything I was through waiting.

  Moving back against him, I pressed my face into his neck as I struggled to think. Fuck, to even breathe. When my teeth came out at against his skin, Cage groaned low and rough and the vibration made my pussy clench. Then his hands were moving.

  “Please...” I whimpered in acquiescent, moving my mouth over his skin.

  “Fuck,” His voice was rough in the heated air between us, “no need to beg, baby. I’ll give you anything you want, Sugar. Always.”

  When his large hands cupped my breasts through the thin cotton, we both made sounds I’m sure we weren’t proud of. I gave myself over to the sensation of being in his arms, feeling wanted and adored and safe. My nipples pebbled against his palm, the friction of the cotton and his heavy hands working magic.

  Cage caught a harsh breath so I knew the exact moment he realized I wore no bra. I smiled against his skin before nipping hard, sinking my teeth into his flesh when he groaned and squeezed tight. Lord the man smelled so good, I felt dizzy being so close to him and I breathed him deep into my lungs.

  “Jesus, fuck baby,” He spoke his words to my bare shoulder, “all day you were like this? If I had known.... let me touch you. I need to touch you.” I was confused because he was touching me then one finger hooked in the neckline of my top.

  “Yes. Cage....yes.” I managed, my voice throaty and raw because of the need he filled me with.

  “Sugar,” He cooed, his teeth now the ones nipping at flesh, “fuck you’re so soft. Perfect. So fucking perfect.” When his palms cupped my skin, rough then gentle, rough again, I moaned his name.

  “Fuck,” His filthy mouth had need warming my pussy, “say my name like that again, baby. Say it.” His thumbs tugged gently, then harder and I did as he commanded.

  Behind me, his hips twisted slowly, even as I writhed and bucked in his arms. His cock was heavy and hot against my backside and I knew was for me. I knew it could be so easy; hike up my skirt, let him bend me over the counter and sink into me from behind.

  We both wanted it. I was aching for him to fuck me. Right now. My pussy felt swollen as my clit pulsed with need. Right now, this was enough. Him touching me, making me feel beautiful and sexy. While I touched him and proved I did want him. Needed him. It seemed enough for Cage too. Even as his hips ground his own need into my plump backside he didn’t seem greedy for more.

  “Cage,” I bit hard at his skin, my hands dropping between us to clutch at his thick thighs, “I-I.....” He murmured something to hush me so I did, but I never stopped moving against him.

  “You’re so beautiful, baby. Hmm, you know that don’t you,” His thumbs drug roughly over the aching tips and I nodded, “pink and pretty and perfect. Fuck it feels so good to touch you. You like how you feel in my hands as much as I do, baby?” A swipe of all four of his fingers, rough and sure over both my nipples had me crying out.

  “Yes...Yes.” I drug the words out as my ass worked harder against his arousal.

  “Baby you keep that shit up I might embarrass myself. Your ass is fucking perfect too. Can I tell you something dirty?” I laughed, actually laughed husky and deep into his neck as my head fell back against his shoulder.

  “Mmm, haven’t you already been filthy, baby?” Oh Sweet Jesus, his fingers tugged at my aching nipples when I called him that.

  “Shit I like that, baby. Hmm, I have but...just once more, I promise.”

  “I doubt that, Cage. Please, do tell though.” My tongue trailed along his neck because his taste was intoxicating and he growled.

  “Jesus, fuck Sugar. Your mouth has given me some wholly impure thoughts for days, by the way. I came twice last ni
ght thinking about it wrapped around my cock,” When my teeth sunk into his neck again, he growled my name so I sucked gently, “Jesus. Baby....I want to touch you tonight. I need to....”

  Yes. Third base sounded like heaven right now. I tipped away to twist at the waist, his hands refusing to leave my breasts. I could hardly focus so I tugged at the neckline to cover me as I grew shy. My skin felt hot and flushed and I was certain my face was pink too. Cage smirked the sexiest smirk I had ever seen and leaned over me, pressing a wet open mouthed kiss just above my cleavage.

  I hooked my arm around his neck, clutching at his hair as I cried out. His tongue slid between my tits and he groaned when I yanked at his hair. I was arching to his mouth but I needed him to stop. When Cage lifted, hands skimming over my nipples, lifting my breasts in his hands then moving away, over my shoulders, I sighed. Both thankful he got my hint and frustrated that he wasn’t touching me.

  “Cage,” I bit my lip and bowed my head as I realized I was being silly, “can we.... wait...I....” Cage reached out, stepping back a little so I could face him.

  “Look at me, baby,” Shit I loved the way he said that word, “time is what we got plenty of, Sugar. Tell me what you want.” I knew he didn’t mean sex, knew he realized I wasn’t there yet.

  My body was there, god it had been for fucking days. Since I first looked at this man, all I wanted was dirty, mind blowing sex. I knew I would be in his bed soon. Or he would be in mine. Which was close and then I was thinking that maybe I was ready. But, no, his steady look let me know I didn’t have to be.

  I slid close to him again, hooking my arms around his massive shoulders. My fingers barely linked behind his neck. Stepping up on my tiptoes, I brushed my mouth over his. Once. Twice. Then I sunk my teeth into his bottom lip and we both moaned, long and loud. When I pulled back to touch my nose to his, he was smiling, his hands cupping my bottom and yanking me close.

  “Dinner. Then....desert.” I asserted what I wanted and the smile he gave me was like nothing I had ever seen. Shit I was in deep.

  “You got it, baby.”

  How I could possibly eat thinking about his hands on me, or wondering how I was going to stop myself from dragging him to my bedroom, I had no idea.

  I thought maybe, Cage wouldn’t let me ruin it and for that, I let myself love him a little bit more.

  Cage

  Right now my cock was aching even though I was having the best night of my life. Ever. Charli was flushed and excited, in the sexiest possible way. I could feel her lips at my neck and wondered if she had left marks. I hoped so. A visual reminder of the first time I got to touch her the way we were both aching for.

  Something in Charli had changed today. I sat close to her, my hand at her thigh, silently thanking god for it. We were sharing dinner but we were both thinking about desert. Between talk of Chicago and the cottage, and a little about the fire house, I kissed her every chance I got. every time, she kissed me back.

  I paid attention to every word she said. Even when she bounced excitedly and her beautiful tits bounced too. Which reminded me that they had just been naked, in my hands as I tugged and teased those perfect pink nipples. Her tits were fucking amazing in those sweater tops and the cute shit she wore.

  Naked they were even better. Naked and filling my hands with their creamy, soft weight, my cock saluted them wholeheartedly. Holding her in my arms and feeling her lips and teeth at my skin as I teased her had felt so fucking right. Those moans and when she ground her plump ass into my cock had been the sweetest torture I’d ever felt.

  At one point we both considered more. My girl wasn’t shy with me, not like this and fuck that felt good. Charli was sexy and bold and wanted me in the same needy, clawing way I wanted her. So when the touching and dry humping we had engaged in had reached a peak, we both stilled as if we knew.

  Charli could hike her skirt out of my way, bend over the island just right and I could sink inside her. Fuck we both wanted it for a moment. That she hesitated proved how bad she wanted it because it was me who silently refused. Her body was ready but not every part of her was ready so I couldn’t take her. Didn’t mean I planned to keep my hands to myself.

  Whatever had changed her mind from the cool, shuttered woman she was this morning, had done it but good. I assumed it was my note, and god I hoped so. I had never been so vulnerable and honest in all my life. I was glad she was accepting my truths because it would have killed me for her to deny me after opening up that way.

  When I saw her coming out of that bodega earlier, I knew something was different with her. It was there in the way she walked. The light in her beautiful face. So I blew off rounds, Finn giving me shit for being pussy whipped with no pussy, and hoped she’d let me walk her home.

  Now we were sitting together sharing dinner and kisses and touches that had my blood heated in my veins. As I cut into my steak, Charli watched me, her eyes focused on the tattoos wrapping around my right arm. I thought she was going to touch them again; instead, her hand slid beneath the table and pressed to my thigh. Then, as I took a bite, her hand was cupping my rock hard dick and I almost choked.

  Charli laughed and then caressed me through my jeans, as if apologizing. But fuck, I loved her laugh. It was so free and open now and I didn’t care what caused it. I just loved to hear it. My jeans were getting tighter by the second with her little hand lazily tracing the seam of my zipper.

  “Baby,” I growled softly and she laughed again, “keep it up no dessert.” It was a bold faced lie and we both knew it. So she kept it up.

  “Liar.” Charli whispered against my ear before a wet kiss had me dropping my fork.

  “Mmm, maybe,” My hand at her thigh started drawing her skirt up, “maybe I change what dessert means though. Your meal is delicious, Sugar. Might still be hungry though. For something sweet.” Charli let out a cross between a squeal and a moan and I laughed too, leaning over to bite at her neck.

  Fuck, I was crazy about her. I leaned away and stared at her. For a moment I was sure she was a figment of my fucked up head. Then she leaned over, pressed her thumb to my chin and touched her nose to mine. It was a simple act but I felt it like a sledgehammer to the chest. Charli wanted to be open and let me in but I knew this was too easy.

  I knew there would be walls thrown up and she would run again. I would chase her down until she stopped running. Didn’t matter how far or how long. I had promised her that and I fucking meant it. I probably didn’t know I meant it when I said it. I sure as shit knew I meant it now.

  “You’re so beautiful, baby.” I framed her stunning face with my hands, thumbs tracing over her full lips, swollen from kissing mine.

  “Stop it. I might start to believe you if you keep looking at me that way.” Her shoulder lifted to right the low scoop of her top, her hand fussing with her glasses.

  “I certainly hope so. Thank you for dinner, Sugar. May I indulge in my desert now?” I watched her eyes go silver and frothy and fuck if my dick didn’t swell more.

  “Hmm....abso-fucking-lutely.” Jesus Christ.

  Without another word from her, I scooped her up against my chest, Charli letting out a yelp as her arms clutched at me. I carried her over to the massive couch my sister felt necessary for the small living room. Sinking into the corner and stretching my legs out, I brought her between them, her back to my front.

  I knew exactly what she thought I meant by desert and god I was tempted. To drop to my knees between her legs and bury my face in her pussy. First, I had to touch her because I knew if I tasted her sweet heat, I’d be burying my cock in it seconds later. For now, I just wanted to make her feel good, to know that she could let herself go for me.

  “Cage,” Charli nestled back against my chest, tugging my arms around her waist, “wait. Truths, remember? I don’t want it all...I just...” I squeezed her close and pressed a kiss to her ear.

  “Whatever you want to know, Charli. I promised.” I didn’t want to ruin what we had going but I wouldn’t li
e to her.

  “Just one tonight. How long? For you, I mean.” Shit of course that’s the one she wants to know.

  “Charli,” I sigh, not wanting to hurt her and knowing the answer can do nothing but, “I won’t lie to you but it’s killing me to think my answer might hurt you. Two weeks. One night. One girl. One hour, tops of my time. Before her though, four months I think. Five.” I waited for her to tense in my arms, for her to curse me or throw me out.

  Lord knows had I known I might find her like this, find her at all, there would be no before her to talk about. I knew that was ridiculous and I didn’t entirely regret my time before her. Hell it certainly made me appreciate how special I knew she was.

  I knew there was someone before me for her and that killed me. Ate away at me to think of someone else knowing how she tasted, what it felt like to hold her. I had no doubts there would be no one after. Not for me and certainly not for her. It just wasn’t possible. Charli took a deep breath and shifted to the side, watching my face for a long moment.

  “That bothers me a little. For all the right reasons though, Cage,” Her beautiful gray eyes were open and trusting as they searched my face, “I imagined an answer I don’t think I could have dealt with. Sara tried to warn me you might be.... promiscuous. Lola too. Want to know what I thought when they told me?”

  “Of course I do. Like I told you, I ain’t a saint but hardly the sinner I’m painted as, Sugar.” I was so curious about her reaction to Sara’s words cautioning her against me, which frankly, pissed me off.

  “At first I thought how could I compete with them? Like, how could I even think I might be some sort of comparison or competition for the types of girls I’m sure you’ve had,” Shit, that both pissed me off and filled me with regret, “then I thought...maybe I might be different enough that it might matter.” My hand lifted to cup her jaw, my thumb skimming over her lips.