Into the Flames

by Multi-Author

  “But you said you’d been dealing with the Artist for weeks. Well before my house went up in flames. Was that Adam?”

  “I don’t think so. I think it was Josh. Apparently starting that fire at your family home broke something inside Josh. He’d always struggled with anti-social tendencies, but finding out he wasn’t really a Bennet and that his real father had killed his mother…” Duncan shook his head. “I guess it triggered something Josh wasn’t able to tamp back down. I did some investigating and learned that there were several more suspicious fires in the Greenwood area during the time Josh lived there and, after he moved to Indy there were several here. Fires that came before my time. One investigator even mentioned the signature, though he couldn’t read it clearly enough to know what it was.”

  “So Josh won’t be released?”

  “I’m afraid not. But there’s a good chance he’ll be committed somewhere. Maybe in time he can be rehabilitated.”

  She nodded, frowning down at her hands. “I don’t get why Adam tried to burn my house down. He had to know there was a chance that you’d investigate and that it would open all that history back up. And leaving the signature like that…”

  “There’s a good chance Adam was really trying to kill you, bedbug. Or, maybe he was tired of wondering if you remembered and was trying to bring it to a head. Either way, you don’t want to try to climb into his mind. It’s a damned ugly place to be. You can’t assign reason to anything he did. He was truly deranged.”

  “Except posing that poor manager to look like my mother in the picture.” She shuddered. “I’m guessing my mom didn’t die in the car like everybody thought. Adam must have killed her first and then staged it.”

  She looked so sad, Duncan suddenly felt the need to distract her from his disturbing news. “Where’d the huge bouquet of flowers in the entryway come from?”

  “Bernie Oggs. She wanted to thank us for giving her the scoop. I guess her boss has started to look at her more seriously as a reporter.”

  Duncan nodded. “Bernie’s good people. I’m glad I talked you into trusting her that morning in the diner.”

  Hilda blew a raspberry. “Funny guy.”

  He touched her shoulder. “By the way, you’re not supposed to be moving furniture. In fact, I’m pretty sure you’re still supposed to be on rest.”

  As if his touch had reminded her of her injury, she grimaced slightly. “I’m tired of lying around and resting. I want to feel normal again.”

  He knew the desire to feel normal was more about recent events than it was about the shoulder injury so he didn’t have the heart to scold her. She and her family had suffered enough trauma to last an eternity. Giving in to quick desire, he lowered his lips to hers. Heat flared between them, a quick detonation of mutual need. It hit Duncan with a force that nearly took his breath away and, not for the first time, he wondered at its power. When he finally broke the kiss, he slipped his fingers into the waistband of her deliciously skimpy shorts. “How about you show me the repairs to your bedroom?”

  She grinned. “There was no damage to the bedroom.”

  He nipped gently at a dainty earlobe. “Then maybe we should create some. I think we’re capable of messing stuff up in there…maybe shredding a few sheets.”

  Her grin widened. “That sounds wonderful. As long as you’ll help me tidy it back up when we’re done. I just got my house back the way I want it, I can’t have you messing it all up again.”

  “Deal.” Without warning, Duncan scooped her up and flung her over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry, taking care not to jostle her injured shoulder.

  She squealed happily and Duffy started barking, bouncing happily after them as Duncan navigated the hallway and entered her tidy, sweet-smelling bedroom.

  The big dane jumped onto the bed before Duncan could stop him and proceeded to sprawl happily across the whole thing, his big tongue lolling out the side of his floppy lips.

  Duncan groaned.

  Laughing gaily, Hilda reached out and scratched Duffy under the chin. His round brown eyes narrowed and his back foot flopped as he got lost in the pleasure of her nails.

  “I hate it when my dog has more fun than I do,” Duncan murmured grumpily.

  “Don’t pout. I have some giant dog cookies in the kitchen. You can lure him out of here with a couple of those.”

  “Now you’re talkin’. Come on, boy.”

  While he was gone, Hilda quickly stripped and tugged the covers back, flinging them carelessly toward the end of the bed. Despite her playful scolding, she didn’t care if they tore the whole room up, she only cared that they were together, creating the fire she’d grown accustomed to enjoying.

  She arranged herself carefully on the bed, assuming a sexy pose that she hoped Duncan would enjoy. She couldn’t wait to see his face.

  But when his big frame finally filled the doorway, she was the one who gasped in surprised delight. He was completely naked, his golden form clearly ready for the sexual escapades she’d had in mind, and he was carrying a small, red canister in one big hand.

  Hilda grinned. “You brought a fire extinguisher to the party.”

  Duncan’s sexy lips tipped upward and he waggled his eyebrows at her. “Just in case you burst into spontaneous combustion when I make love to you.”

  She chewed her bottom lip, slowly shifting so she could splay her legs enticingly. “Are you sure it’s me you’re worried about?”

  Duncan’s eyes widened and his fingers apparently went numb at the sight because the canister started to slip from them. He caught it just before it hit the ground. “I think I smell smoke.”

  She gave up trying not to giggle. “You know, some day these cute little fireman euphemisms are gonna get old.”

  Duncan strode toward her, his sexy green gaze bright with humor. Her body warmed and tightened at the sight of his sculpted form gliding closer, the thick, hard shaft between his legs shiny under its handy dandy latex covering. “You be sure and tell me when they do, honey. And I’ll try to come up with some new ones.”

  He set the fire extinguisher on the bedside table and crawled onto the bed, growling softly as he dove for her neck and started nibbling.

  Hilda sucked air and dropped backward on the bed, grasping his taut, round buttocks in her hands and spreading her legs. “Make love to me, Duncan. I’ve been waiting all day for this.”

  He grasped her legs and lifted them, settling himself at the apex of her quivering thighs. “I’ve been waiting for almost fifteen years.” He thrust deep, spearing her with heat and pleasure that coiled outward to create fire in every cell of her body. Hilda slipped her hands up his arms and over his broad shoulders, enjoying the smooth expanse of his chest with gliding touches. When she encountered the slight puckering on one shoulder she lifted her head and kissed it, earning a tender moan from the man whose body was creating such intensive sensation as he plunged deep and filled her so deliciously.

  Duncan’s fingers slipped over her skin, creating a trail of prickling sensation, like tiny flames, wherever he stroked. Her nipples peaked under his touch, stinging with delicious hunger as he lowered his dark head and captured first one and then the other in a heated kiss. His teeth nibbled the randy buds, tugging gently. Awareness zagged through her with each gentle tug, creating an answering pull in her mons that had her vibrating on the edge of release.

  Hilda lifted her legs, rubbing the insides of her knees against his hips as he sped his thrusts. His muscles flexed and bulged under her fingers. His hips pistoned.

  Sexual fire flared between them, drenching them in sizzling bliss. And with a cry, Hilda’s body gave up its hold on restraint and she crashed into a toe curling, breath stealing orgasm that seemed to go on and on.

  Duncan wasn’t far behind her. He groaned as he stiffened, his thick shaft dancing inside her body. His eyes closing in bliss, he shuddered as he thrust one last time and was rolled by his own release.

  She fell
back onto the bed, panting and laughing at the power of the pleasure they’d shared. Duncan wrapped his arms around her thighs and held her close, his still-hard shaft buried deep.

  She was boneless with satisfaction, her sexual core still pulsing. “That was amazing.”

  Duncan dropped to his elbows and captured her bottom lip, sucking it into his hot mouth. “Delicious. As always.” He lifted his head to look into her eyes. “You know I love you, right?”

  She held her breath, her eyes going wide. “I love you too, Duncan.”

  He ran the back of his fingers over her jaw. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you, Hilda. But I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to earn what we have.”

  She shook her head, sliding her fingers through his. “I think you’ve got that backward.” She kissed his palm, her lips touching the smooth pink skin where he’d been burned rescuing her and Josh. “Do you believe in fate, Duncan?”

  He frowned. “I didn’t use to.”

  “And now?”

  “Now, I’d say there’s serious evidence that some people are meant to be together.”

  A smile tugged at her lips. “Some people?” Warm wetness swiped across her foot and she became aware of heavy panting at the side of the bed.

  Duncan frowned. “Some animals and people I should say. It’s become clear to me that Duffy believes you belong to him and he’s pretty much felt that way since the first time he laid his goofy brown eyes on you.”

  The smile that had been trying to escape slipped free. “Duffy, huh?”

  Duncan lowered his head and slipped his tongue over her bottom lip. “Yeah. And then there’s me.”

  “You?”

  Duncan kissed the scar on her shoulder. “When my mom and I left Greenwood that day, I watched you until I couldn’t see you anymore. My mom told me it was for the best. That we didn’t want to be with people who didn’t trust us…who thought the worst of us because they didn’t like what we had to say.”

  She frowned, splaying her hand over his chest and tweaking the soft triangle of curls between his pecs. “I believed you.”

  “I know.” He sighed. “I don’t think even my mom understood what transpired. It all happened so fast. First the fire and then the coldness, the rejection. Your father seemed determined to drive us away.”

  “I think he was terrified at almost losing you. He’d nearly died of a broken heart when my mother was killed. I’ve thought about it a lot since then. I think what he did, he did to protect himself…and us.”

  “Yeah,” Duncan agreed. “That’s what I think too.” He skimmed a thick ribbon of hair off her cheek. “That’s the fate part I’m talking about. If I hadn’t left…If we’d grown up together as brother and sister…well then, these feelings that were destined to grow in us might never have happened. For that reason, I can’t say I’m sorry I left.”

  Hilda wrapped her arms around him and sighed. “Yeah. I’m pretty happy with that guy named Fate right now too.”

  Woof!

  Duncan nuzzled her throat, his hips moving.

  Bliss sheared through her as his thickening erection skimmed deliciously over passion-heightened nerve endings.

  Woof!

  Duncan lifted his head and glanced behind him. “Duffy…”

  That was as far as he got.

  The giant black dog with the wagging tongue took that as an invitation to join and, with another happy woof, he was airborne, landing on the bed amid much screaming and laughter.

  The End

  About the Author

  Sam Cheever is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense, creating stories that celebrate the joy of love in all its forms. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Sam is the award-winning author of 50+ books and has been writing for over a decade under several noms de plume.

  Visit her:

  Website

  Blog

  Facebook

  Twitter

  Subscribe to Sam’s Newsletter and receive a complimentary

  copy of her Honeybun Fever Boxed Set

  Uncontrolled Burn

  A RISEN Team Novel

  by Nina Pierce

  Cover Art by Dar Albert

  A woman forced to live a life she didn’t choose. A vampire bound by honor to protect humans. A deadly game of revenge that threatens both their lives …

  Thirty years ago, a horrendous attack thrust Chemistry professor, ALEXANDRA FLANAGAN into the secret world of vampires. Saved by the blood of an ancient vampire, she unhappily walks among immortals. Now, deadly fires in her quaint town have brought her to the attention of REESE COLTON and his elite RISEN team. Undercover as a firefighter, Reese has been called in to flush out and eliminate the rogue vampire burying a string of murders in the ashes of deadly fires.

  With the body count climbing and the number of fires escalating, the evidence pointing to Alex is piling high. Discovering the identity of the vicious vampire hell-bent on revenge may be the easy part of Reese’s job. But bringing the murderer to justice could mean the difference between honoring his duty—and losing his heart.

  ~ Dedication ~

  To my husband—my friend, my lover, my soul mate

  for nearly forty years—how lucky am I that I get to spend

  my days with a real-life romance hero? Thanks, for being you.

  Chapter One

  It wasn’t much of a noise. Just an inconsequential thump in the night that shouldn’t have been enough to rouse Professor Paul Morgan from his dreamless sleep, let alone cause the hairs on the back of his neck to prickle with fear. Pushing himself up on one elbow, he fought against the sleeping medication pumping through his blood and fumbled in the darkness for his eyeglasses, praying he’d simply imagined the sound. But when another muffled bang was followed by a whoosh of air, he had a hard time convincing himself the commotion coming from the first floor was caused by his mischievous tabby, Zeus.

  Paul swung his feet to the floor and slipped them into well-worn leather slippers. He shuffled in the dark, still unable—even after thirty years of living alone—to disturb a wife long since departed. Life without his soul mate had been lonely at best, agonizing at worst. Nothing, not even his life’s research, filled the void she’d left in his heart. He grabbed his robe from the hope chest at the foot of the bed and rushed from the bedroom.

  The eerie orange glow emanating from his den at the bottom of the stairs wrapped iron bands of dread around his chest, stealing his breath. Everything near and dear to him was in that room; his wife’s portrait, the marble Sphinx from their honeymoon in Egypt, the antique bookcase she’d given him when he’d been awarded the chemistry department chair at the university—the bronzed baby shoes.

  His feet barely touched the treads as he rushed down the stairs, caution and prudence gone with the desperate need to salvage his memories. He came up short at the threshold.

  Swallowing hard, the professor worked to dislodge the cold lump of fear wedged in his throat. Though the glow that had pulled him from bed came from a fire crackling safely in the stone fireplace across the room, its orange and gold flames caste the person behind his desk in an otherworldly radiance. Sinister shadows twisted and swelled along the paneled walls, making it seem as if more than one person had invaded his home.

  A quick glance at the file cabinet in the corner reassured him his files were safe, but did nothing to assuage his apprehension. The research papers he’d left neatly stacked in organized piles on the desk were strewn haphazardly across its polished surface.

  He spoke to the back of the intruder’s head. “Wha … wha … what are you doing?”

  There was no response save for the clicking of computer keys.

  “I don’t know why you’re here, but I’m calling the police—” Paul said.

  A maniacal laugh rent the stillness, sending shards of arctic ter
ror and adrenaline surging through his veins.

  “No, Professor Morgan. We both know you won’t do that.” With a flourish, a hand came down hard on the keyboard. The monitor flicked rapidly through several screens before going black.

  “What have you done?” Paul rushed to the desk, a chilling wave of nausea rolling over the tightness in his chest and bringing water to his eyes. All the data and notes he’d accumulated over four decades were on that computer. Everything.

  “I didn’t want it to happen this way.” The words carried sadness, but the face that turned to stare at him was pure evil. A face Paul barely recognized. “You really shouldn’t have been quite so diligent in your vampire research, you know, Professor. You’re no match for our superiority. I sent obvious warnings for months, hoping you’d abandon this foolhardy course, but you ignored the signs.” A clicking tongue scolded him as if he were an obstinate child. Fingers steepled in front of lips thin with hatred. “A shame really. I have no doubt your brilliant mind will be missed by many at the university. But you and your work have become too much of a liability to the vampire population to be allowed to live.”

  Though he had no doubt how this night would end, Paul refused to cower beneath the absolute hatred he saw gleaming in the intruder’s eyes. “My work won’t end if you kill me.”

  “That’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

  “You can’t get away with murder.”

  “Oh, I think we both know I have—and I will again.”

  Paul understood with absolute certainty that the person rising out of the chair was referring to the rash of unsolved fires in South Kenton over the past summer. People had died in each of those blazes and the local fire department had no clue if they were connected. Like an elusive puzzle, pieces began coming together, creating an unfathomable picture.

  “You?” His mind could barely comprehend that this person would be willing to take the lives of others, just to stop his research. Obviously they’d morphed into a vindictive murderer—a murderer with no conscience and a moral compass that pointed straight to hell. “You’re not … You can’t …”