Taming Two Fires (Hearts of Heroes Book 1)

by Rayne O'Gara

  With a smile and sigh I close my eyes and let my imagination run with that scenario.

  “What’s the matter, baby? You alright?” Roman’s concerned voice pulls me from my daydream.

  I open back up my eyes and shine a big smile at him.

  “I am wonderful, love. Just daydreaming,” I explain.

  Alex leans over the seat poking his head between me and Roman and raises a questioning eyebrow.

  “What’s the dream about? It had you sighing pretty loud, I even heard it from back here.”

  “Um, it’s personal. My daydream,” I answer while shaking my head.

  “Come on, sweetness, tell us.”

  “If she doesn’t want to then she doesn’t have to, Alex,” Roman states.

  “I just think if I told you, you might freak out and that’s not really safe while driving.”

  “Alright, sorry, I’m just curious by nature,” Alex huffs.

  “You’re a lot of things ‘by nature’, man,” Roman pops off with a half-smile lifting the right side of his mouth.

  “Roman, you are such an—”

  “Boys! Stop! I’ll tell you if it gets you to shut up.” Goodness gracious. Men are just like big kids. Chalk up another point to Sofie.

  “I was thinking about kids,” I rush out quickly.

  Roman swerves the car and corrects back into our lane and I hold my breath. Oh good god. Roman looks at me from the corner of his eyes and mumbles a “Sorry” and focuses back on the road.

  “Never mind. See. I knew I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  Turning my head to look out the window I watch the scenery flash by as I try to count telephone poles. Hearing a thump followed by a “Fuck man!” I look back to see Roman rubbing his shoulder with Alex glaring at him from the backseat.

  “Alex? Did you hit him?” I ask stunned.

  “Oh yeah, completely. I wanted to know and you told me then he was a douche. He deserved it.” He simplified his reasoning for me still glaring holes into the back of Roman’s head.

  “It’s okay, I knew it would freak ya’ll out.”

  “It didn’t freak me out, I want kids. I’d be an awesome daddy,” Alex said with a grin.

  “I think so too,” I said, looking back at him with my own smile. I turn back to Roman with the smile slipping a little. I am a little afraid of his reactions now. Is he okay? Roman’s face is set in hard lines, his eyes never leaving the road. I can see his jaw tense and release like he is grinding his teeth.

  “I think you would be a good father too, Roman,” I say to him quietly.

  Sighing loudly and turning toward me, he gives me a small smile and a little nod before turning back to the road.

  “It’s not that I don’t want kids, baby. I’m sorry. It’s just the thought of kids scare the shit out of me. I’m not exactly that warm and fuzzy, showy, feely kind of person that can be good with kids,” he confesses quietly.

  “There’s no reason to be scared of it. I know you would be great. Strong, protective, supportive. I’m not saying I want kids right now, Rome, it was just a thought that I liked and my brain ran away with, but never think you’d be a bad daddy.” I lean over and give a quick kiss to his cheek.

  “God help whomever wanted to date our daughter,” Alex pipes in with a laugh.

  “Guns. Lots of guns. No one touches our princess,” Roman says emphatically.

  Alex and I bust out in a fit of laughter not able to help ourselves. Oh yeah, protective. Poor little girl.

  With the laughter dying down and a smile back on both my men’s faces I grab ahold of Roman’s hand and relax back into my seat when I feel him squeeze back gently.

  “So. We there yet?”

  Oh, Alex.

  “Yes, we’re there,” I answer.

  “Finally!” Alex shouted. Apparently, someone didn’t like to be cooped up.

  Parking in the designated area we all lumber out, head to the back of the SUV, and start unloading the blanket and ice chest. Roman lifting the ice chest is a sight to behold. Yummmyy! His light blue shirt stretches over his arm muscles and broad chest as he lifts the ice-laden weight full of goodies. Damn! I swear I could watch him all day and never get tired. Alex steps into my view and leans over into the back seat grabbing the blanket, giving me an amazing view of his ass. Okay, ditto on looking at him all day too. Those worn blue wranglers mold to the slopes and muscles of his ass, showcasing it for my dirty eyes. Oh I gotta do it! Totally!

  With a mischievous smile I reach into my pants pocket and pull out a quarter. Moving into position quickly and as silently as I can, I pull my arm back and toss that sucker right at his wiggling backside. I give a full belly laugh when the quarter bounces right back at me to land at my feet.

  “What just hit me?” Alex asks, coming out of the vehicle toting the blanket.

  “A quarter.” With the smile still on my face, I continued, “I told myself, after the first night we spent together, that I was going to bounce a quarter off that ass to see how far it would go.”

  Roman chuckling gleefully shook his head at my antics and started to walk away. I can’t let that happen, can I?

  “Oh don’t get to comfortable, Rome, baby. I thought it about you too. I wondered whose would bounce farther. Get that fantastic ass ready, it’s coming soon.”

  Roman freezing at my words has Alex leaning against the vehicle laughing at his shocked expression. With myself smiling triumphantly I walk past him giving him a gentle tap on said fantastic ass as I walk by.

  Camera case strapped across my chest I pick out the best spot to picnic at and wait for the guys to catch up so they can lay out the spread.

  “I’d like to take some photos first before we eat, if that’s okay?” I say with a question in my voice.

  Roman, picking up on my statement, responds first, “Whatever you want to do, baby, is just fine. Just a request though? No more pictures of me please. I think I’ve had my fill this morning.”

  “I will take it under consideration,” I say with a laugh and a kiss to his cheek.

  “Wait…what pictures this morning?” Alex asks confused.

  “The photos she snapped of us while we slept. I woke up just as she was finishing with me, then she moved on to you. I told her not to do it, but didn't she listen? Noooo…all that drool and sleep crusted eyes? Who wants a picture like that out there for eternity? Not me that’s for sure. But unfortunately you’ve got one now, buddy.” Roman looks so crest fallen for his friend. It’s humorous.

  “You looked wonderful this morning, don’t listen to him. The pictures turned out great and I’m developing them when you guys are at work. As. Soon. As. Possible.” I reach up and give him a big hug sticking out my tongue at Roman for being so mean.

  “Watch that tongue, Cait, or I’ll find something better for it to do.” Oh how I love it when his voice gets all growly.

  Walking out of Alex’s arms I snatch up a cold soda from the ice chest and with a smile and a wink, I walk toward the little stream wiggling my hips in I hope a seductive way. At the growled out “Caitriona”, I know I have succeeded. So. Much. Fun. Looking back over my shoulder I catch two sets of intense eyes watching my every move. Oh shit…I’m gonna pay for this later. Turning back, facing forward, I smile hugely. So Awesome.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Cait…

  After I was done capturing the beautiful scenery around us, we three sit down for a picnic dinner. While I was away Alex and Roman unpacked the ice chest. Sandwiches, potato salad, macaroni salad, and some chocolate cake for dessert litter the blanket. Making my plate I reach for the all awesome Dr. Pepper when I see the guys snatch up some bottles of water. So feeling guilty about my drink choice I quickly grab a bottle for myself.

  Already wolfing down a sandwich and half his salads, Roman takes a drink of water before turning his attention to me.

  “So, Cait, we never asked you about family. Are you close to your parents?”

  I choke on my half eaten b
ite of turkey sandwich bringing tears to my eyes. Finally getting myself under control I look up to see them looking to me with concern flashing in their eyes.

  “Sorry, that just took me by surprise.” I smile to try to reassure them.

  “Well, um, where to start. My family isn’t really much of one actually. My dad left when I was real little, leaving it just my mom and me. She tried really hard to take care of me but, I could tell she started losing interest in me about junior high. By my senior year in high school she already had a layout on a map of all the places she would get to go when she was ‘done with my damned responsibility’. Once I graduated she became very antsy and then the week before I turned eighteen I woke up to nothing. Went to check on her and she packed up and vanished in the night. I took a year off school and got a couple waitressing jobs, moved into a more affordable place, and was eventually able to put myself through some photography classes. I sometimes get postcards from her from wherever she may be when I cross her mind. I’ve always forwarded my mail so I guess they still can get to me.” Picking up my water, I take a big gulp trying to soothe my burning throat.

  “Cait baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  “No, Rome, its okay. I’m over it, mostly. I mainly get so pissed off at her, but then I calm down and thank her for sticking around long enough for me to be an adult and not have to go into foster care.” I smile at him showing that I really am okay. Its way over and done with and I am not going to sit around boo-hooing about it. I got out lucky. Wanting to move on I concentrate on Roman.

  “Okay. I spilled, now you, big boy.”

  “Well, my parents were good people. Alex and I met when we were around seven. Only lived a couple blocks away from each other, just a quick bike ride, so we were together a lot. We actually stayed in the majority of our classes together all through high school. When I was sixteen I was at a football game with Alex when my parents were hit by a drunk driver. Their car flipped over and they were trapped. First responders weren’t able to get them out before the car caught fire. Alex and I went back to his place after the game and his parents told me. They said they asked if they could give me the news hoping it would be easier. After everything was said and done his parents took me in. They said I was already part of their family in their eyes.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss, but I am happy there was someone who loved you through that.” I reach over and grab him in a hug trying to secretly wipe away the moisture in my eyes.

  “Yeah, well poor Roman didn’t know what kinda crazy he was walking in on, did ya, man?”

  Releasing Roman, I sit back in my original seat and turn my attention to Alex.

  “Not all crazy, Alex, it worked for them, and, it’s working for us too,” said Roman.

  “Yeah, you’re right, on both counts I think. My parents always had an open marriage. That’s probably why I’ve always wanted a ménage relationship. They had theirs and it seemed perfect to me. I grew up with two dads and a mom. They were never afraid to be in that relationship. They loved each other and that was it. I don’t have sisters or brothers other than Rome so it was pretty quiet growin’ up. A couple years before Rome moved in I was around fourteen, Jake, my dad, died in a fire trying to pull out an old lady whose hip broke when she tried to escape. I became a firefighter because of him. Just recently my mom and dad retired and moved to Florida.”

  At my surprised look he laughs and continues, “Yeah! I know right? But when I asked mom she said and I quote, ‘We spent almost our entire life being unconventional, its time to be a little conventional so Florida it is!’ That woman’s nuts but I love her something fierce,” he said on a laugh with Roman joining in.

  “They sound great. Did they…ah, every find another third?” I ask shyly. I sooo don’t understand protocol with this stuff.

  “No. I asked about that too. I asked if they would ever consider it because I knew how happy they were together, but she said they could never replace a part of their soul and didn’t want to even try.”

  I just nodded my head as an answer. Strangely, I completely understood that. If I ever lost one of these great men I couldn’t bear trying to replace him.

  All finished with dinner we all clean off the blanket and watch the sunset in the peace and quiet.

  “Can we cuddle?” I ask childishly. I can’t help it, I really need to feel them against me after all the parent talk.

  “That’s a silly question, get over here, woman,” Alex answers me with an eye roll and Roman just opens his arms to me. Snuggled up in each other’s arms, in a beautiful meadow, watching a wonderful sunset, it’s perfect.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Cait…

  As we load up the SUV to leave, we decide to stay the night at the guys place tonight. We seemed to make it back to town way faster than the trip there and in no time we are pulling into their driveway.

  The one story red brick house seems to fit in the charming quiet neighborhood. Not a place I would have thought two bachelors would live, but there ya go. The flowerbeds that run against the side of the house are overgrown but the creeping ivy was beautiful. I love red brick and ivy.

  “Tomorrow I would like to photograph that,” I say whimsically.

  “Pictures of what?” Alex asks confused. “The house?”

  “No, the creeping ivy against the house. I love the contrast and colors. If I can get the light right it would be beautiful in print,” I explain.

  “I love the way you see things,” said Roman.

  “I love what I see,” I whisper softly, looking at them both. Smiling and grabbing my hand, Roman leads me in to their home.

  Dark colors swirl around me as I take in the masculine décor. Wow, what a TV. That things huge! Lights flare on as Roman flicks up the switch to light the way for a laden down Alex. Now having the lights on I can get a better view. It’s so clean! For two single guys I expected much more clutter and junk laying around, I wonder who the neat freak is. Looking back at Alex I watch as he thumps the ice chest on the dark wood coffee table and toss the blanket over the back of a black leather sofa and turn around to walk down the hallway. Roman, shaking his head, pulls my attention to him. He grabs up the discarded items and proceeds to put them away, all in their proper place. Ah, well that answers that question.

  “Have a seat, sweetness. Make yourself at home,” Alex invites as he comes back from what I am guessing was the bathroom. Sitting down on the surprisingly soft couch, I relax into the cushions and watch Roman buzz around in the kitchen. I feel the vibrations of my phone in my pocket and I pull it out and smile when I see who is calling.

  “Hey-ya, girl. What’s going on?” I answer the call and smile over at my guys as they pop their heads over in my direction. Putting the phone on speaker, I set it down on the smooth coffee table, walk over to the door, and start taking my tennis shoes off.

  “Not much on my end, gorgeous. I just have an invite to dish out, but we can get to that here in a bit,” she answers in an echo-ie voice.

  “Okay, you must have an agenda then. What is the first order of business? Bring it on.” I look over at the guys giving them a wink at her antics.

  “Okay…I need to know the details, lady! Spill!”

  “What details? About what, Sofe?” I ask her confused.

  “Oh don’t play shy with me! Did those two hunks of male perfection of yours come over last night and service you good and proper? Is Roman proportionate? I know he is a big guy, and that’s all good and fun, as long as he’s big all over, ya know?!”

  Ahhh! What?!

  “Oh my God, Sofie!” I yell at her, making a beeline for the phone.

  “What about that hottie, Alexander!? He looks like a runner, ya know, like with endurance and shit. How much stamina does he have? Please tell me he keeps you going all night long! Come on! The population of me wants to know!”

  “Shut up, Sofie, your on speaker phone!” I finally unfreeze and snatch up my phone looking over at the wide-eyed guys with the
ir mouths gaping at the phone.

  “Oh goodie! Hi, boys!” Sofie greets.

  Shaking out of their daze, they answer, “Hello. Hi ya, Sofe.”

  “Great to have you on the phone already, listen, Rob and I are having a BBQ tomorrow and we really would like for you to come. I know its super fun to keep her locked in your bedroom for like, ever, but she needs to socialize. Come over around noon. Cait can tell you where we live. Don’t worry about bringing anything but cute little Cait, we have everything covered! Cait, honey, you tell me all about their epic manliness tomorrow, k!”

  “Jesus, Sofie! Speaker phone!” I say exasperated.

  “So what you’re saying is, it’s a bad time to mention that your super awesome vibrator will be delivered—”

  I cut off her voice with a swipe of my finger, I can’t take anymore. I wish for a hole to appear. A big one. A big, dark, bottomless one. Please. Someone cleared his throat. Oh no! I don’t want to look. Please, God, don’t make me look!

  “Cait? Ah…I don’t even know where to start with this.” Alex sounds extremely confused.

  “Okay, good, don’t start anywhere. Never happened. Forget everything!” I say.

  Please work. Let’s just move on. It’s working. It’s working.

  “No way are we going to pretend that didn’t happen, Caitriona,” Roman says gruffly.

  Well. Fuck. A. Duck. It didn’t work. Slowly looking at them, I try to give them my best innocent smile.

  “What part of that can we not forget happened?” I ask. Please be the BBQ, please be the BBQ.

  “The vibrator,” they answer at the same time.

  I hate her. Oh I so hate her. Why did she do this to me!? She did it intentionally for her own sick delusional pleasure and tomorrow…I’m going to kill her!