Rekindling the Flame

by Ambrielle Kirk

  “I’ll always have ties to that city. Plus, Angel doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. I’ll always visit.”

  He frowned. “A visit here and there may be enough for Angel, but it’s not enough for me.”

  She swallowed. “Why are you talking like that, Jordan? We haven’t been together-together in months.”

  “You were always here, at the office, or somewhere where I could see you. I can’t stand the fact that you’ll be hundreds of miles away.”

  “Come on, Jordan. When I’m gone, you’ll forget about me like an old wound.”

  “No, Mia.” He shook his head. “You mean more to me than you’ll ever know. Why you push me so far away is a mystery to me.”

  “You know why.” She glared at him through the slits of her eyes. “Your friends and family tried to ruin our relationship from the beginning. They don’t want you with me. Period.”

  “It’s none of their business.”

  “Well, they were all up in our business. They knew more about me than I wanted them to know. Apparently, I wasn’t good enough for you. Even your best friend thought so.”

  He grabbed her hand and squeezed gently. “It doesn’t matter what they think.”

  She tried not to blink, worrying that the swell of tears would flow down her face. “Why was it that you let them ruin us and what we had? They’d say stuff behind our backs at those stupid little parties you took me to and you’d say nothing.”

  “I didn’t know it affected you.”

  “How could you not know?” She dropped her gaze to stare at the down comforter.

  “I’m sorry.” He pressed his lips together. “I can’t believe we’re not together because of outside influence. Don’t you think it hurt me too, the way you dumped me?”

  Shaking her head, she gulped the lump in her throat. “It was best for both of us to call it quits.”

  “You waited weeks to tell me that you’d gotten engaged to the man that your parents had chosen for you.”

  “I didn’t think you would care. The sex was all that mattered in the beginning, and in the end, to you.”

  “You’re wrong, Mia. Sex was not all that mattered to me.”

  “Then why was it that I ended up in your bed several times after I told you we couldn’t do it anymore? I cheated on my fiancé and ended our engagement for you, Jordan.”

  “I couldn’t resist you, you know th—”

  “Apparently, you couldn’t resist me and the blonde you fucked at your best friend’s house party either.”

  Jordan’s eyebrows furrowed together.

  “You didn’t think I knew about her, did you?” She shoved the champagne bottle at him.

  “Is this why you cut me off?”

  “What do you think? I’m not your little strumpet, and I play second fiddle to no one.” She rolled to the edge of the bed and sprang to her feet.

  He was behind her in seconds, and caught both of her arms in his before she could grab her hand bag. “Mia!” She jerked against his hold. “Mia, stop and listen.”

  “I shouldn’t have come. This is all too much for me.”

  “It had been weeks and weeks, and you didn’t call me.” He embraced her in his arms, still holding her hands hostage to his chest.

  “So, you went on with your life?”

  He didn’t answer. Only the sounds of their exasperated breathing coupled with the noise from the TV.

  “It goes to show…” She tried to shrug out of his arms again. “When I’m gone next week, you’ll move on with your life.”

  “The only life I wanted was with you,” he whispered, nuzzling against her neck.

  “Back then, you didn’t care. You’ve just only realized this when it’s too damn late.”

  “It’s not too late.” He dropped her arms, and they hung at her sides. “You hurt me, too, Mia. The flowers and gift that I sent to you were returned to my doorstep. When I got home, they were on my freaking doorstep. I thought you’d shut me out then.”

  “What flowers?”

  “I sent you roses. The big vase of yellow flowers and the seashell we found when we vacationed on Miami Beach together.”

  “Those were from you?” She remembered the moment like yesterday. It’d been days after she’d broken off the engagement with Alan. Her mother had answered the door, and brought back the flowers and box and set them on the table as she ate breakfast.

  “Looks like Alan sent you a present. You should rethink your decision,” her mother had said.

  After she’d confessed that she was in love with another man, Alan had called her every degrading name in the book. Had even hunted her down while she was out with her friends shopping, and called her a slut in front of all of them and everyone in The Gap that day. She was mortified. She ran down the flower delivery truck with the flowers and little box, and ordered that he return to sender.

  “I didn’t know.” Mia followed Jordan to the other side of the room. “I didn’t even open it. I thought they were from Alan.”

  “I’ll never be like Alan. I didn’t grow up with my birth mother, and I don’t know how to cook like him or plan romantic outings like he did.”

  His fists were balled at his sides, and she placed her palm on the small of his back. “Stop it. You don’t compare to Alan.”

  “Exactly.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” She moved to stand in front of him. “It was always you that I wanted, not Alan.”

  She thought she saw a slight smirk on his face before he lifted her chin and kissed her. Their lips molded together and she brought her arms up to wrap around his back. She just couldn’t get enough of him as their tongues entwined in a frenzied dance. When they pulled apart to catch their breath, the tingling feeling lingered on her lips.

  “No matter what you say, Mia, I’ve always been in love with you.” He slid his hands down her waist and kneaded her hips.

  “You love the sex.” She stepped in closer to him.

  “More than the sex, but the sex is out of this world.” His palms moved to massage her ass. “Isn’t that what you want…and need?

  Mia’s body shivered in acceptance. “Yes.”

  “Then let me make love to you. Let me show you exactly why we belong in each other’s arms always. He lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the bed, where he laid her in the center of it.

  Jordan started with her feet, taking them in his hands and massaging them with his palms and fingers. He traced the outline of her tattoo, and then kissed her on both ankles. Reaching up, he unbuttoned her jeans. She lifted her hips just enough to help him slide them off her legs. When he touched his fingertips to her thighs, she gasped. She moaned when his fingers were replaced with his lips. Hot breaths trailed all over her skin. Her body vibrated with need and want.

  He came to rest his lips between the apex of her thighs. His warm breath passed right through her panties. Tracing the lace outline of them, he looked at her with determination and lust. He moved up closer on the bed, causing her to spread her legs for him. Her clit pulsed when he rubbed it through the fabric.

  She licked her suddenly dry lips, and then bit into the inside of her cheek to prevent from moaning out loud.

  His wet tongue came to dip inside her belly button, and he drew in a deep, ragged breath. “You smell delicious.”

  Jordan lifted her shirt, and she assisted him in pulling that over her head. He knelt above her, and studied her for what seemed like forever. Her body craved everything he could give her. And she knew without a doubt that he could give her body what it needed.

  Her belly quivered under his roving fingers. This time when, he traced the lace outlining her bra, she reached behind her and unhooked it. He grinned and pulled the material away from her, revealing her breasts to his inspection. Her nipples puckered tightly under his gaze. Heat enveloped her as he dipped his head to tease a nipple with the tip of his tongue. Her clit ached in agony. He took wet slurps, toying with both nipples until they and the li
ttle bumps on the areolas were hardened.

  Her whole body was on fire, and she didn’t realize that his fingers had found their way into her panties. He dragged a finger across her wet slit, as he suckled feverishly on both breasts.

  “Oh, my gosh.” Her words rushed out of her mouth. Tension built inside of her to add to all the pent up orgasms that she’d denied herself for months.

  Jordan teased her with his fingers, only lightly touching her clit. He drew attention away from her breast to kiss the delicate skin just above her collar bone, where he drew in another deep breath. The cold tip of his tongue touched the sensitive skin behind her ears. “You still wear the same perfume.”

  All the while, the erection behind his flannel pants brushed against her. It was a nice hint of what was in store, but she needed to feel the real thing. She pushed her hands down into the waistband of the pants and he groaned. She wrapped her fingers around the girth of him. His breath hitched sharply.

  She played with the head of his dick, using his fingers, teasing him just the way he had teased her. Precome escaped the slit, and she used it to moisten the head. Licking her lips, she closed her eyes and remembered how soft he felt against her tongue and how he filled up her pussy and mouth each time he used to fuck her.

  “Take them off,” she ordered.

  “My feisty woman.” He grinned as he obliged her request. “I like that.”

  His dick sprang free of the pants as he pulled them down and kicked them to the floor. His erection was big and thick enough to please her to a very nice orgasm. Just like she remembered. And she desperately needed that orgasm. He took off her panties in a hurry, and then pushed his shoulders against the backs of her knees. His eyes feasted on her pussy just before his tongue dipped between the folds to taste.

  Mia clenched her teeth and held back a cry of pleasure. Her body arched upward off the bed when he sucked her clit into his mouth, rolling it around with his tongue. He flicked her clit gently, inducing a maddening urge to explode like an inferno.

  He slid his tongue into her, and she grabbed at the sheets on the bed. He ravaged her with his mouth, and breathless moans escaped her. She rode the wave of ecstasy as he ate her pussy like it was a delightful dessert. He paid equal attention to her aching bud of desire, grabbing her ass and burying his lips between the folds of her sex.

  She dug her toes into the sheets as her desire and tension rose, and her orgasm rushed through her. Her body shook, her legs trembled against his shoulders, and her thighs tightened against his ears. He let go of her clit only when her panting slowed.

  Jordan lifted his head and chuckled deeply. “I love when you do that.”

  He was fully erect and distended from the patch of brown hair covering his groin. She lifted herself up on her elbow and met his lips. As they kissed, she tasted herself. Once again, she wrapped her fingers around his dick, gently pumping him. He hardened even more against her palm.

  “I can’t wait any longer.” He tore open the foil wrapper and handed her the condom.

  She rolled it down the length of him until her hands came to brush against his balls. She made eye contact with him and gripped his sac into her palm. They tightened against her touch.

  “Fuck, Mia. Now, please.” He switched position so that his back was on the bed, and he brought her over his body to straddle him.

  His erection stood straight up, ready for her as he always was. She lifted her hips and positioned herself over him. Her canal stretched to accommodate the girth of him. His hands encompassed her hips, and she slid down further, burying his dick to the hilt. She started to move up and down on top of him, slowly at first. Just the way he liked it.

  “Oh, yes…” He groaned.

  Her pussy milked him, clenching and unclenching on its own accord. His irises seemed to swirl with pleasure. He grabbed her hips and tilted her slightly forward, pumping into her. Before long, he’d increased the speed and force. He drove up into her, and she met his thrusts. With each thrust, his rod brushed her clit and she anticipated a release all over again. Release was waiting there, on the edge, like words unspoken on the tip of a tongue. It was only a matter of time before she burst with pleasure.

  He groaned between clenched teeth. As always, he seemed to hold back his release. His forehead creased in concentration. The very sight of him in pleasure sent her over the edge, and her orgasm barreled through her. His release was not far behind. He gripped her ass tighter and lifted his hips off the bed. He called out her name as he came, and his body vibrated beneath her.

  When they were both complete, they rested side by side in each other’s arms. Too breathless to speak, she closed her eyes and pressed her ears closer to his chest to listen to his rapid heartbeat.

  Chapter Seven

  Mia dropped the last of her suitcases inside her condo. It had only been a few days ago that she wanted the trip to end, but she’d give anything now to relive the last several days over again. She had to face reality. It was time to get back to work, and she had packing to do.

  “I’d love to stay with you tonight.” Jordan took her hand in his and squeezed it.

  Mia leaned against the doorframe of her condo. “We both have to work tomorrow, Jordan. And your cab is waiting downstairs.”

  “I had a fabulous time in California.” Jordan smiled. “Thanks for coming after all.”

  Just thinking about the nights they’d shared in each other’s hotel rooms brought a rush of warmth through her body. It was a wonder how they got up each morning to attend the workshops and meetings on the agenda. She’d all but abandoned her morning exercise routine. Heck, her legs and entire body were sore enough from all the fucking they’d done the past three nights. It was the best three nights she’d had in a long time.

  “See you tomorrow, Jordan.”

  “Wait.” He grabbed her arm just as she backed into her home. “I wanted to ask you…where will you be living when you move back home?”

  “Why that question now?” She chuckled. “Everything was so sudden that I haven’t even found a place yet. So, I’m staying in my parents’ basement until I can buy a place.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, good idea.”

  Before she made another move to withdraw into her condo, he lifted her chin so that their lips met, and he gave her a long, lingering kiss. “Hopefully, there will be more of this before you leave.”

  “Hopefully,” she teased.

  “And even after you leave…?” He lifted an eyebrow.

  “Too much of a good thing could be bad.”

  “We’ll see,” he whispered.

  She stepped back into her condo and closed the door.

  * * * *

  As she pulled into her parents’ driveway, there were already a few unfamiliar cars there. When she parked her car, her dad rushed out to greet her.

  He helped her out of the car, and then gave her a big bear hug. “Sweetie.”

  “Gosh, Dad. You act like you haven’t seen me in years.”

  “It’s been two months. That’s long enough without seeing my little girl.” He stood back and looked at her. “Have you been eating?”

  She huffed. “Dad, please.” She moved toward her trunk, where he helped her with her luggage.

  “So, are you ready to start fresh and early Monday morning?”

  She took a sideways glance at him, and saw that he was smirking. “Very funny, Dad. I’m not scheduled to start until another week. I bet they have a pile of work waiting for me when I start.”

  “You’ll inherit a few of my clients, but I told them what you said about starting fresh with your own set of clients.”

  “Right.” She nodded. “Thanks.”

  “We’ve got guests.” Her dad took a suitcase from her and they started toward the house. “Some will be staying for the party.”

  “What party?”

  “We’re having a welcome home dinner for you tonight.”

  She wasn’t sure if she was up to celebrating with a crowd tonight, bu
t there was no doubt that her parents were proud of her. “Cool.”

  “I talked to Terrence last week, but he won’t be able to make it back home for another month.”

  Mia shrugged. “I figured as much. I’m glad he’s happy, though. I remember when he didn’t know what kind of career he wanted for himself.”

  “Oh, yeah. I also invited Alan, too. He stopped by to visit the other day.”

  “Dad.” She stopped on the walkway to scowl at him. “How could you invite my ex to my welcome home dinner party?”

  He frowned. “I thought you’d want that. You need a familiar face to reacquaint you with this town, don’t you?”

  “No, I don’t,” she said bluntly.

  “Alan told me about the date you and he had planned, and that you had to leave for a business trip at the last minute. I figured this would give you guys another chance to reconnect.”

  Her eyes widened in disbelief. Ugh! She could strangle Alan. When would he get the hint and leave her alone? “Let’s get this straight, Dad. Alan and I don’t mix. I don’t know what I saw in him from the beginning.”

  “Come on. Why would you say something like that?”

  “And it wasn’t a date. He asked me to go to a restaurant with him, and I felt sorry for him and said yes. Now you and he have got this whole thing all twisted.” Mia continued up the walkway. “I can’t believe this.”

  “I know you’re angry with him, but everything will be okay. You’ll see. No worries.”

  What her dad didn’t know was that there was no hope for her and Alan ever again. Their relationship had been one that her parents had encouraged. She’d never been content with him. She and Jordan’s frequent conquests during that time was not the reason she’d fallen out of love with Alan, because she’d never ever been in love with Alan. Loved him, yes, but not the type of unconditional love that existed in a relationship.

  It was Jordan’s love that made her realize what a real relationship could be, but Jordan wasn’t serious. He’d let too many people dictate what was good and what wasn’t good for him. His family cared about money, and if someone wasn’t born with it, then he or she was worth nothing in their minds. Ever since those steamy nights in Cali, she and Jordan hadn’t even kissed each other. He’d tried, but she wasn’t willing to put herself through further separation anxiety by becoming attached to something she couldn’t have forever.