Into the Flames (Out of the Ashes Book 2)

by S. M. Lynn

  “Ian?”

  “What is it, Lauren?”

  “I love you saying my name. I love that we have this together and that you still love me. But if we continue like this we are going to end up in that bed or maybe even right here on the floor.” I try to smile and make my comment sound light hearted but in truth all want to do is strip us both and take him right now. I have never known a need like this; never known that desire could course this deeply in me. Being separated from him is making me ache and I wonder if he feels the same.

  As if reading my mind, he pulls me to him. The hardness of his chest under my fingertips doing nothing to help the desire that’s building in me. “Lauren, I have been without for too long and the wait is killing me but right now, I need to feed you and we need to talk. There is so much we need to talk about and not all of it has to do with what you need to tell me. Now come on, I made us some omelets and a fresh fruit salad. Let’s sit and eat.”

  Making our way to the kitchen counter we sit in the stools, Ian’s hand never leaving mine. As we eat, Ian looks over at me. “I think I need to go first.” The words are ominous and I spin them around and around in my head. “I already talked to Gavin about it but if it’s alright with you, I’m going to move in here for a while.”

  Surprise and happiness radiate from my smile. God, after everything, he’s going to move in with me. My brow furrows in confusion, “Ian, why don’t we just go back to the house? I loved it there and we barely got settled before Dean showed up.”

  “Sweetheart, that’s the other thing I wanted to talk with you about. I know I wasn’t there for you after the attack but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t still looking out for you. I purchased this building and have been working on additional security since the day after Dean barged in. I couldn’t leave you unprotected. I had to know that you were safe.” My mind spins; he could have kept me safe if he just stayed. But I understand his need to protect me. That was always something I loved about him and I would never want to change.

  “Well thank you. But I still don’t understand why we can’t go to the house or stay at the penthouse?” I allow his words to rattle around in my head and before he can respond, my brain makes full sense of what he said. “Holy shit! You bought the building?”

  “Lauren, calm down. Yes, I bought the building. I had to make sure you would be safe and the easiest way to bump up security was just to own the property. Fewer hoops to jump through. Now as for the house, I’m having some renovations done right now; partly concerning security, the rest is a surprise and you’ll just have to wait until it’s finished to see. So the house won’t be livable for another 6 months minimum. And of course we can stay at the penthouse when we need to, security there is not an issue but we need a place to come away from work. And though I hate to impose on Gavin, he seems more than happy to have me come stay. Something about you finally stopping all the moping, I think is what he said.” Ian’s panty-dropping smile is back in full force.

  “No way do you get to tease me about how miserable I was. That’s just not fair. And Gavin, well, I’ll deal with him later.” I stand and move behind him, wrapping my arms around his midsection. “As for you staying with me, I’m so happy I can’t even begin to describe. First you come back to me and now you’re moving in. Life is pretty close to perfect right now.” I run kisses up the back of his neck and his hands press mine more firmly into his abdomen. I can feel the ridges of his perfect stomach separated from me only by the flimsy material of his t-shirt.

  I begin lightly stroking his stomach with the tips of my fingers. “Sweetheart, our breakfast.” My fingers stop but instead of going back to sit down I move around in front of him. His lips glide softly over mine. His tongue searching for entry, stroking my lips gently until I part them giving him what he is asking for. “Lauren.” His voice is heavy with desire and I know he can see his own desire reflected in my eyes.

  “Please.” I plead with him. That is all the encouragement he needs. He stands, breakfast forgotten, cradling me in his arms and carries me to the bedroom. Once he sets me down on the bed and closes the door, he moves over me and slowly peels my shirt from my body. He hovers there a moment just taking in the sight of my lace clad breasts before his attention focuses on the button of my jeans. Soon they join my shirt on the floor. His eyes are once again attuned to my body. His eyes roam my body, as do his hands, making it feel as if two people are touching me at once. “Ian, please.” I tug his shirt free from his jeans and struggle to get it over his head. My movements are feverish and I suddenly feel like if I don’t have him inside me now I will explode from the want.

  “Shh, sweetheart.” He says as I whimper at the sight of his muscular chest and stomach. His muscles are rippling with excitement as I run my fingers against the grooves between them. He lets out a loud growl when I run my nails over his chest. I pull at the button on his jeans. Oh, I love it when he goes commando. Soon I have pushed them down enough to free his large erection. The sight of him takes my breath away. He is truly beautiful in every way. A bead of pre-cum sits on his tip and I long to lap it up. Shifting suddenly, I throw him off balance and take him in my mouth. Licking up and down his shaft until he is groaning in need. “Lauren, stop. Fuck, Lauren.” I’m riding high on the fact that I make this man fall apart, just me. “Sweetheart.” He pleads as he pulls me on top of him, claiming my mouth with his.

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper seductively. “I just couldn’t wait to taste you.”

  “You are so fucking sexy. Do you know that?” He quickly flips us so that he is back on top. “Now it’s my turn for a taste.” He runs his tongue over each breast and then down my stomach until he reaches the apex of my thighs. “Lauren, you smell so good. Good enough to eat I would say.” Then his tongue is running through my wet folds. “Fucking honey. I never thought I would want dessert before breakfast but with this,” his tongue runs over me again, “I think I may start living on dessert.”

  “Ian. Oh yes.” My thighs are quivering mess as he raises his head and smiles at me.

  “I love the sounds you make when I’m pleasuring you.” He sinks one finger and then another inside me. “God, sweetheart you are always so fucking tight. I love this sweet pussy. I love being buried deep inside of it.” His naughty words cause the pleasure coursing through me to build. I’m on the brink just from his fingers and his words.

  “Ian. Please. Fill me up. Fuck me.”

  “Shit! Sweetheart, you will give me a heart attack saying things like that.” He pulls his fingers from me and sheaths himself to the hilt inside me.

  “Ah god, yes. Ian. Yes, ah god.”

  His hips begin a rhythmic dance. “Never get tired of hearing that. Oh Lauren, I love you.” His proclamation of love pushes me over the edge and my orgasm tightens every muscle gripping onto him for dear life. “Holy shit, sweetheart.” He spills inside me, my sex clenching around him milking every last drop of his seed from him. His kisses rain down on me. “Oh no, Lauren. That was entirely too quick. I don’t plan to let you get away that quickly. Let’s get cleaned up so we can get dirty again.” He carries me into the shower and lovingly washes my body. Once I have returned the favor, he lifts me and presses my back to the wall. “You are absolutely perfect sweetheart. I will love you forever.” Slowly he sinks into me. I kiss him with everything I have, pouring my heart and soul into this kiss. I feel the familiar pressure begin to build as he pushes into me.

  “Ian.” I scream his name as he thrusts into me. The wait of just a few weeks has been too much for me to bear. I know he’s as close as I am, so I’m surprised when he reaches over and turns off the water. His hands cup my ass and I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me from the shower and lays me on the bed. I couldn’t care less that I am soaking wet completely ruining my sheets. I just want Ian to make me scream.

  “That’s right, sweetheart.” He says pounding into me. “Let me know how good it feels. Let me know how good I make you feel.”

  “Ian,
oh yes, Ian. Ian!” I’m suddenly aware that I am screaming way too loudly but can’t seem to control myself. “I love it when you scream for me.” Simultaneously, our orgasms hit us, leaving us a crumpled mass on the bed. Exhausted I feel the blankets being pulled over us as I drift off, our connection still intact.

  We spend the rest of the day in bed only leaving to grab some take out since our breakfast was so quickly forgotten. Damn, this man has me in all kinds of knots. We’ve come so far in such a short time; I only hope we can overcome the mountain in front of us.

  The next morning I wake feeling much too warm. I go to throw the blankets off and then realize that it’s not blankets causing the warmness. Memories of last night come rushing back, Ian. I look over my shoulder at the most beautiful sight I have seen in awhile. His hair hangs a little longer and is covering his forehead just brushing his eyes. I reach my hand out and slowly push it back to get a better view of this god in my bed. He is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. I feel blessed to have this second, or third, chance with him. I know the truth won’t come easily but I know he won’t run from it. I’m definitely ready to tell him; I just hope I can keep them all safe once they know. And yes, I have to tell them all, not just Ian.

  A small smile plays at the corners of his mouth and I see that he is starting to wake. Against my thigh I feel another part of him wake up to greet me. There is no way I can resist a wake up call like this. Slowly I turn in his arms and press my lips to his, then to his chest and on down over his washboard stomach. When I finally reach my destination, I settle between his thighs and take in his magnificence. Gazing at his length is so erotic, I feel the wetness between my own thighs as it drips down my legs.

  I wrap my hand around his erection and slowly stroke him before taking him in my mouth. I run my tongue over his length and hear a grumble low in his throat. He is enjoying my ministrations and just lies back with his eyes closed while I pay homage to his cock. I envelope him entirely and take him to the back of my throat working over his velvety hardness. I begin to move faster sucking harder with each pull. His moans are audible now and his enjoyment of my actions spurs me on. I wrap my fingers around him and pump in rhythm with my mouth. A few strokes later as he hits the back of my throat, I feel him twitch in my mouth and then he spills himself down my throat. I drink him up greedily, licking off every last drop. “Sweetheart, that is the best wake up ever.” I grin up at him from between his legs, still stroking his semi-hard cock. As he takes in my naked body, he fully hardens again. Putting his hands under my arms, he drags me up the length of his body, my breast brushing over every inch of him. The friction against my nipples causes me to cry out in pleasure.

  “Ian.” I whisper breathlessly, trying to convey my need for him in that one word. His mouth captures mine, his tongue caressing my lips before entering my mouth.

  “Lauren, I love you.” His words run straight to my heart. Never have I ever felt this way about anyone. I can’t imagine my life without him in it.

  These last few weeks, despite everything I’ve been through, have been some of the worst I’ve ever experienced and that pain is something that I long to never feel again. “Ian, please don’t leave me ever again.” I plead as he feeds his cock into me.

  “Sweetheart, you feel this.” He pumps into me. “This is how we will be connected forever. You are mine and I’ll be yours, always. Lauren, I want you to be my wife.” Holy shit!! Is that just the lust talking? My mind is spinning but soon my own lust takes over and I’m lost to the sensations he is causing in me.

  He begins to slide in and out of me with more force and I can feel my orgasm begin to build. “Ian, oh god, Ian.”

  “Fuck Lauren you feel so good. Come for me, sweetheart.” As if his words were a trigger, I explode around him spurring on his second orgasm. He coats me with his seed and I revel in the sensation of him pulsing inside me.

  “Ian, I love you.” I kiss him as I say the words. I never want there to be any doubt as to how I feel about him. His arms envelope me as I rest my head against his chest coming down from our high.

  “Lauren, you are my world. I would do anything for you.”

  “Well in that case there is something that I would like.”

  “Why do you have that mischievous look in your eyes? I’m not going to like this am I?”

  “It’s nothing bad. I was just thinking that with Thanksgiving only a few weeks away we should have it here. Marlene and Claire could come along with Gavin’s parents. We have plenty of room and I think it would be fun.”

  “That sounds perfect. Our first Thanksgiving together.” His eyes gloss over for a moment and I wonder what he’s thinking about. “Let’s get some breakfast and then I will call mother.” He drops a chaste kiss to my forehead and slowly slides from bed and pulls on his jeans. I’m so mesmerized by the view that I stare at him from the bed immovable. “Like what you see, sweetheart?”

  “Oh, you know I like what I see. More than like. You are like a drink of water to a woman dying of thirst. You are utterly breathtaking, Ian.” He smirks at me with a wink as he reaches for his shirt. “And the worst part about it is that you know what you do to me and you use it against me.”

  “So long as you look at me like that I’ll never stop using it to my advantage.”

  “Then we’ll constantly find ourselves late or missing appointments because there’s no way I’m ever going to be able to stop looking at you.” Finally able to connect my brain with my muscles again, I cross the room to his waiting arms.

  “Ms. Carmichael, you must let me feed you. Have pity on an old man. I need sustenance too.”

  I laugh and swat his arm. “Cook for me, slave. Then I’ll have my way with you.”

  “Oh Ms. Carmichael, I think I may have to show you who is master here.” I suddenly find myself thrown backward onto the bed and just as fast his shirt and jeans are back on the floor. “See, sweetheart. This little body loves everything I do to it.” He sinks himself into my waiting wetness.

  Another hour later, I finally step into the shower while Ian once again prepares breakfast. As the room fills with steam, I reflect on everything that has happened since Dean’s return. I am confused that there wasn’t more of an altercation between him and the people in my life. It worries me more than I care to think that he went away so quickly and so quietly. What could he be planning? Did he just come here to prove that he could find me whenever he wanted? Would he leave me alone now? I’m no fool; I know he’ll never leave me alone, not until one of us is dead.

  I walk out of the bedroom just as Ian is setting our plates on the island. “You spoil me.” I say taking a fork full of eggs. I’m suddenly ravenously hungry. As I clean the last bite off my plate with my toast, Ian is staring at me open mouthed.

  “Must have really worked up an appetite this morning.” He laughs as I pop the toast into my mouth and moan with pleasure. “Oh, Ms. Carmichael that is not a game you can win so don’t play with me.” I clear the plates and rinse them in the sink.

  “I called my mother while you were in the shower and she says Thanksgiving sounds wonderful. She’ll bring pie. She wanted to get together for dinner tonight so I told her to come over. I think Claire will be coming along too. She has been dying to see you and she has some time with things winding down at school so she can get away for the evening.”

  “That would be perfect. Let me tell Gavin; I think he would enjoy us having some company over. It will be a nice change.”

  “Gavin also called. I answered your phone, sorry. He’ll be home shortly. He said he was sorry for not calling sooner. I asked him about dinner and he said he would be home tonight.” He looks at me sheepishly as if I could ever be mad at him for something so trivial. “So what are you cooking for me?”

  “Sexist much? Who said I was cooking? It appears that you are the chef here.”

  “Sweetheart, will you make me dinner? Please?”

  “Mr. Jacobs, anything for you. I’m at your beck and call.
” He walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.

  “God you smell good. All I want to do is get you dirty again so that we can shower together next time.”

  “Ian, there is no time for that. I have to get this place presentable and then I’m running to the grocery store to get the stuff for dinner. Is there anything you would like me to make?”

  “Hmm, I think steak would be good.” He says as he eyeballs the small grill on the balcony.

  “In that case, cooking dinner will probably have to be a dual affair because I don’t work that thing.” I nod to the grill.

  “All right then. You run the kitchen and I’ll work the grill. Let me jump in the shower and then we can head out to the store.”

  ~

  Ian is out on the balcony, beer in hand, looking all kinds of domestic while chatting up Gavin and keeping an eye on the steaks. Is this how life would be if we get married? Could our lives ever be this easy and carefree? I’m lost in my love for this man. Marlene and Claire are both staring at me wide eyed when I come back to the real world. “Dear, you have no idea how happy it makes me to see how much you love my boy. And how much he loves you. I feel like the two of you were destined to be together. Like your fathers brought the two of you together; they are definitely looking out for all of you.” She takes Claire’s hand and I notice the mist in her daughter’s eyes. Knowing exactly how she feels I make my way around the counter and wrap her in a hug.

  “I know they’re both up there watching over us and I thank them and God everyday for sending all of you into my life. I don’t know what I would do without you all. And yes, I love that man out there more than my own life. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve him but I won’t question it. Not anymore.”

  “Oh, Lauren, I’m so sorry. Look at me getting all emotional. You have lost your father too and you aren’t blubbering at the mention of him.” Claire wipes at her eyes and tries to smile.