by Piper Stone
Her laugh was forced. “No need. At least I don’t think so.”
“Laney, what in the hell is going on?”
“Come and sit down. I actually managed to start a fire. I do have other skills. I work hard to make certain I can take care of myself and I’ve done a damn good job for a long time. I don’t need a man. I don’t need any help.”
“Laney.” Who was she trying to convince?
“Garcia. Let’s just talk, enjoy each other’s company. Okay?” Her question was imploring. She wasn’t giving anything up that easily. Easing onto the couch, she pulled her legs under her and patted the seat next to her. “Tell me more about the man who died.”
Exhaling, he moved forward, sitting on the edge. He waited for her to say anything, but as he sat as still as possible, he admired the small woman, her grace and elegance. She exuded a strength about her he hadn’t experienced in other women. He took a sip of his drink, allowing the gin to soothe the back of his throat. “I didn’t really know the man who died, had only met him to tell you the truth. I heard he was tough but fair. We almost never work with the sister smokejumping team. They are formidable and a powerful group.” He laughed bitterly.
“You don’t like them.”
“It’s not that.” Garcia sighed as he sat back, swirling his drink. He studied the ice cubes as he thought about the past two days. All the training was nothing more than an audition. Who was the better man? “We aren’t supposed to exist, my team I mean. As a matter of fact, there’s a good chance we’ll all lose our jobs.”
She shot him a look. “Why? These budget constraints?”
“The city only has so much money to go around. We work for them and there are at least a dozen departments vying for the yearly funds. The mayor has her finger on every aspect of our equipment, purchases and if and when we might get new recruits. Now, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“I know Jasmine. She’s a fascinating woman and her reputation is stellar. Does she understand what you do?”
“I imagine everyone does. We’ve saved portions of this town more than once,” he scoffed. “Do you know her?”
Laney shrugged. “I’ve talked with her, had lunch a couple of times. We met by accident buying dog food.”
“An instant friendship.”
“You laugh. You get to know a person by the way they are with animals.” She glanced at the fire, still on edge then pointed to Topper. “She has a dog that looks so much like my baby. We struck up a conversation that led to a two-hour lunch. From what I’ve heard, she’s very fair.”
“I don’t know her, but I’ve heard how she handles her business. If she gives the word, we’re all gone, which is why…” He allowed the words to trail off.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“No, you don’t.”
Garcia huffed. “I guess we both have aspects of our lives we don’t want to talk about.”
They sat quietly, sipping their drinks.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I’m no longer certain if I trust myself,” she said quietly, her lower lip quivering. The admittance seemed difficult, creating lines under her tired eyes.
He leaned in close until their knees were touching. Current ran down the length of his spine, creating an instant hard on. “Why do you say that?”
“Just not myself. I guess I haven’t been for years. We all hide behind a mask keeping us safe.” The slight shake of her head was followed by a brush of her fingers across her forehead.
She was perspiring, antsy.
“I understand. I’ve been saying that for a while now. I don’t know who I am any longer. I love what I do, but I guess it’s not enough any longer. Maybe I’m just getting too old. I don’t know.”
Laney took his hand, rubbing her thumb across his skin. “You’re not too old. You’re tired of fighting the good fight, just like me. Who do you think you are, Garcia? Who is the man inside bursting to come out?”
“I wish I knew,” he mumbled. “I’ve always wanted to fight fires, since I was a little kid. Up until a few months ago, I would never have thought of leaving the team.” He’d never said the words to anyone, including Stoker. “I’m old enough I should have everything in order, the way I want it.”
“But you don’t?” Her voice held a gentle quality, a sweet caress of kindness.
“I lost my drive and no, there’s no particular reason why. Nothing horrible happened, well other than today, I guess. The team has been in terrible situations, caught behind raging fires in which we had no idea if we’d ever get out. We’ve faced arson, men and women who want nothing more than to destroy lives. Today was different. When we were facing the fire today, I almost panicked. I had this feeling we weren’t going to get out. You can’t have these kinds of fears when you race into a situation. My team, my friends could die.”
“Maybe you need a break, get away from the work.”
“Maybe I need another profession.”
Laney brought his hand to her mouth, kissing the tips of his fingers. “But you do know who you are. You may be afraid of the unknown or have become unsure of the man, but you know who you are, the strength and conviction allowing you to handle such a dangerous profession. You just need someone to remind you.”
He lowered his head and pulled his hand away. When their lips were almost touching, he allowed the question to be a sensual whisper, a longing that he’d never found with anyone else. “Are you that person, a wonderful woman to remind me every day?”
She swallowed and blinked several times. “Oh, Garcia. I adore you.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“But?”
“But I don’t know how much I can give you,” she whispered, her eyelids fluttering.
“Special lady. I care for you more than I can understand, maybe more than I should, but when I’m around you, I’m a better man.” Cupping her face, he held her, his fingers caressing as he captured her mouth, allowing the kiss to remain a brief whisper, a subtle telling of his feelings.
Moaning, Laney slipped her arm around his shoulder, intertwining her fingers in his hair. At first her body was stiff, unsure, then she relaxed, melting into his arms.
He scooted forward, pulling her into the passionate embrace, pushing her lips apart with his tongue. Slipping the tip inside, he tasted her sweet essence and shuddered, his protective instincts kicking him in the gut.
Her body responded, leaning into the kiss as she gripped his neck, clinging to him as the kiss continued, her tongue moving back and forth, her moans becoming whimpers.
Easing his drink to the table, he tugged her closer, his fingers caressing her face, his other hand rubbing up and down her back. The kiss became a moment of fire as wild yearning wrapped them both in a frantic moment, need and desire building to a manic state. He heard the ice clink in her glass as she rumbled to slide the crystal across the table and out of harm’s way. The moment she did, he gathered her into his arms, crowding closer as he French kissed her, grunting and panting, his hand pulling at her dress.
She pushed back, breaking the connection, her eyes dilated with lust. “Garcia.”
“Shh… Don’t talk. Not now. Be with me. Just be. Let everything else go. I need you more than I can explain.”
She gave a single nod and crawled up onto her knees, inching closer. “Make love to me.”
“Lady, I thought you’d never ask.” He rubbed his fingers across her arm as she eased her hand down his shirt, her eyes never leaving his as she unbuttoned one button after the other.
Pulling the hem of her dress up past her thighs, he eased his hand underneath, touching the heated skin of her thigh. He could sense her desire, her wetness and wanted nothing more than to suck on her clit, slide his tongue deep inside.
She peeled his shirt off his shoulders, pushing the material down both arms until he yanked the rest away, tossing the crisp cotton over the back of the couch. Inching closer, she pressed her lips against h
is chin, dragging the tip of her tongue across his jawbone to his ear, licking and dipping her tongue just inside.
“Ohh…” The breath sound escaped as he closed his eyes and slipped his finger between her legs. Her wetness had soaked her panties and as he rubbed back and forth, the scent of her feminine wiles permeated the air between them. “You’re wet.”
She peppered licks and kisses down his neck then across to his Adam’s apple as she kneaded the carved muscles on his chest, swirling her finger around his nipple.
He’d never been touched with such sensitivity, so soft, just a whisper of her fingertips. Opening his eyes, he blinked in order to focus, his heart thumping hard against his chest, his cock aching, begging for release. He wanted to take time to devour every inch, to touch and taste her sweet skin, her light hint of perspiration.
Laney murmured as she dragged her lips to his other nipple, sucking as she continued kneading his stomach, her fingers moving in tiny circles.
He rubbed his hand through her hair, marveling at the silky feel, so soft, so feminine. This wasn’t about demanding anything from her but about learning what she liked, what she craved more than anything. He rose to his knees, pulling her with him and wrapping his arm around her, his fingers brushing up and down. He wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms, feel the heat of her skin against his. With every swipe of her tongue, every soft kiss from her lips, he fell more into a lull until a slight buzz echoed in his ears.
Sitting back, she blew a rush of hot air then took his hand, placing his fingers inside her dress. “You make me feel so beautiful.”
“You are. More than you know.”
There was no need to talk, no sense of urgency. He cupped and kneaded her breast with one hand as he lifted the smooth silk, rolling the material in his fingers.
She laughed, the tone little more than a slight gurgle then lifted her dress.
He pulled his hand free, admiring every inch of her as she shimmied the silky material up and over her shoulders. He moved his hands to his belt until she shook her head.
“My chore,” her words hoarse, she kept her eyes on his as she unfastened the buckle, pulling the end free. She allowed her fingers to run back and forth across the grain, her entire body shivering as if remembering. When she began to tug the belt, one loop at a time, she pursed her lower lip.
Holding out his arms to the side, Garcia realized he was now panting, striving to fill his lungs with air, waiting. Wanting. His hunger had never been this extreme, an almost toxic desire in his need to consume a woman. She was his. She belonged to him and no man would ever touch her again.
Or they would die.
The thought riveting, he gulped for air, his body swaying back and forth as she pulled the end of the belt to her mouth and nose, licking the tip of the leather, her breath sounds ragged. He was on fire, his heart pumping, his body shaking more and more.
Laney swirled the strap down her neck to the swell of her breasts, tipping her head back and exposing her neck. Her body swayed forward and backward as she continued trailing the leather down to her stomach, the end dangling between her legs.
He cupped both sides of her face, kissing the top of her glistening forehead before rubbing the flat of his hand down her shoulder and back to her bra. “I need you naked.” Unfastening the clasp, he pulled the straps forward.
As he tugged one side of the bra free, then the other, she never let go of the belt, a reminder of his control, her longing to submit. A seductive smile on her face, she slipped the end of the strap past the thin elastic of her panties as she widened her legs as much as the confines of the couch would allow. Purring, she rubbed the belt between her legs, back and forth, using enough force the leather dug into her pussy.
His breath came in short pants as he watched the sinful action. On shaky legs, he stood, removing his jeans and underwear, his eyes never leaving the salacious act.
Laney tugged the belt an inch at a time until she freed the strap. She licked the strap again, taking her time to gather the wet slick of her cunt.
The move was so provocative, so blatantly sexual that he was caught in the momentum, her other side, one so dark and inviting, he wanted nothing more than to consume her.
In a swift move, he picked her up by the waist, placing her ass on the back as he crawled onto the couch. Using his strong arm muscles to hold her back, he eased her into a slight arc then shifted in between her legs, forcing them wide open. Lowering his head, he sucked on her pussy, savoring her sweet juice oozing from her lace panties.
“Oh God!” She slapped her hand on the back of the couch, digging her nails into the upholstery.
He sucked and licked, grunts coming from his throat as he watched her shaky movements, the way her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Biting down, he ripped at the thin lace, forming a hole then shoved his tongue through the middle, swiping the tip across her tender clit. She was so wet, so hot and he continued to lick, the rapid movements forcing the hole wider, larger. He needed to taste all of her, suck every drop of her cream. Wrapping his finger around the thin strap, he yanked.
Her body jerked as the thong was ripped away and she shifted until her legs were over his shoulders.
His mouth watered as he licked up from the base of her pussy to her clit, nipping the tender flesh until it stood at attention. He repeated the move again. And again. Until her entire body was quivering, goose bumps cresting along every inch of her glistening skin. He buried his tongue into her pussy, moving his head up and down, creating heated friction.
“Oh!” Tossing her head from side to side, she continued to moan, her fingers curling and flexing.
Refusing to let her go, he shoved his tongue in deeper, his head moving at a frantic pace. Her pussy constricted, convulsing against the invasion.
He probed her cunt, his tongue swirling, matching the wild thumping of his heart. He knew she was close, so close. As her body stiffened, he moved his arm, pumping four fingers into her pussy.
Laney moaned, a single scream pushing past her lips as her body froze, her head twisting. “I… I’m going to…”
Faster and harder he plunged, driving his open fingers in and out, matching his tongue. He was euphoric, crazed with need. As she moved, wiggling under his hold, his demands, he growled.
“Oh! Yes!” Jerking up, she moved wildly, her arms flailing for several seconds. Suddenly, she was silent, slumping down, perspiration beading across her shimmering face.
He pulled her to her feet, easing her against his chest, his harsh breathing matching hers.
When her body stopped shaking, she pushed his chest, lifting her head. “You make me crazy.”
The wild-eyed woman remained hungry, he could tell in her eyes. He kissed her lips gently at first until he could no longer stand to be the giver. He needed to take her, fill her with his aching cock. Gathering her into his arms, he took purposeful steps, finding her bedroom easily. A single light gave the room a soft illumination, a warmth that matched her glowing face.
Laney clung to him, her arms around his neck, her face pressed against his chest, the belt still in her hand.
He could feel the leather strap smacking against his back and the effect drove him into a carnal state. The moment he allowed her to slide down, until her feet touched the floor, she dropped to her knees, taking his cock into her small hands. “Laney, I—”
“Shh…” she interrupted as she rolled his testicles between her fingers and darted her tongue across his sensitive slit.
Growling, he craved pitching her onto the bed, driving his cock deep inside, but the incredible sensations, electric jolts rocketing through every cell in his body was too inviting. He placed his hand on top of her head, running his fingers through her long locks.
Her eyelids flitted closed as she sucked on the tip, her other hand squeezing his balls.
“Fuck!”
She licked around his cockhead, her tongue swirling, her hot breath leaving a trail. Sliding her index finger
underneath his shaft, she raked her nail up and down until he moaned, his hand pushing on her head. Looking up, she had lazy eyes as she began to pump the base of his cock, her hand twisting, moving, generating heat.
Garcia’s hand was shaking as he tried to hold back, to keep from forcing her to take every inch. Even his legs were trembling, his knees locked as the tight tension in every muscle gave way to the extreme pleasure.
Taking one testicle into her mouth, she sucked, using just enough pressure he threw his head back. She licked and sucked the other ball before dragging her tongue back up the length of his shaft then engulfing several inches.
Control. Dear God, he wanted control of her, her actions and her needs. He intertwined his fingers in her hair and pushed again, his voice strangled as he tried to speak. “Arms by your side. Use just your mouth.”
There was no hesitation, no concept of fighting his command. She simply dropped her arms, her face poised to watch his every expression as her mouth opened wide, taking another inch. Then another.
When she was only two inches from the base, he held both sides of her face and rose onto his tiptoes, fucking her mouth in long, even drives. Sweat beaded down from his forehead, sliding along his cheekbones to his nose, then dropping down to her face.
Laney didn’t blink, had no reaction other than to use her strong jaw muscles, sucking, clamping down. She obeyed his command, her arms never leaving her side.
He face fucked her, jutting his hips forward and rocking back and forth, the action becoming more crazed, manic until he drove the tip against the back of her throat. Breathing out, he heard her strangled moan and held the stance, his muscles rippling as the adrenaline flowed. A laugh pushed past his lips as he gazed down, focusing all but impossible. He wanted nothing more than for her to take every drop, suck him dry. His balls ached, anguished to the point he was ready to explode.
Her tongue swirled, moving back and forth when he began again, her face was beaming, a look of sheer joy riding her face. Even as his actions became barbaric, thrusting harder and faster, she never looked down.
Garcia dropped his head as his balls filled with cum then eased down, pulling back until only the tip remained inside her mouth. Swallowing, he rubbed sweat from his brow and wrapped his hand around the base of his cock, pumping, squeezing until the pain became intense. He rolled down on his flat feet and the tip of his cock fell from her mouth. “Not like this. Not yet. I have to be inside of you.”
