by Dani Jace
With his hard body nestled behind her, his skilled fingers worked her scalp as the outside world ebbed. Only he existed.
He worked his massage down to her neck, then her shoulders and back. Slick fingers slowly circled white foam over her breasts, caressing each nipple until her body begged for release.
When his hand drifted down her belly and delved between to the slippery apex of her thighs her legs nearly gave way.
“I certainly could use your handwork after a grueling day of PT.”
“Anytime you want, baby.” Ray moved her under the showerhead, and rinsed her hair.
She took her turn washing his back, admiring defined muscles that tapered to slim hips and the best ass she’d ever seen on a man. Lord, she used to pray one day she’d catch a glimpse him in the buff.
Once they were soap free, he grabbed a towel and wrapped her tight. Then he tossed her on his shoulder. She giggled during her hallway ride, playfully squeezing his butt.
In her bedroom, the TV played soft rock music against a dark screen. She liked how he’d thought ahead. It helped quell her nervousness. Her back hit the soft bedding.
His lips tickled her neck. “Payback for your assault on my ass.”
She twisted and squirmed, giggling so hard she nearly lost her breath. “Please stop.”
His tickling bordered on torture. She wrenched an arm free as he let go. Her elbow plowed into his nose full force.
He recoiled sinking back on his heels.
“Shit! Oh, God. I’m sorry.” She sat up. Fuck, had she’d broken his nose?
“I’m okay. I think.” He pretended to reset his nose.
“You won’t be for long if you keep laughing at me.” She poked his ribs.
He pinned her faster than a lion taking down an antelope.
Under his fiery glare, she sucked in a startled breath. She would have given the palms up signal for surrender, but her wrists were manacled by hands that bench-pressed four hundred pounds. She blinked in awe of his speed and prowess.
“I believe the word you’re looking for is mercy.”
She wanted anything but. “Ahh more like…more, please.” She softly pecked his nose.
“Be careful what you ask for, Dahlin’.” He dipped his head and ravaged each nipple into a stiff peak. “You’re gorgeous and mine,” he said in a growl before sliding down her body.
She arched toward his exquisite touch.
“So wet, baby.” He lowered and tasted.
His heated tongue felt like velvet over her throbbing clit. He circled and teased. She clung to his hair as he inserted a finger and pumped. He latched on and sucked making her hips leave the bed. She hung on at the edge of the cliff, ready to topple.
“Not yet.” He rose over her and grabbed a condom from the nightstand.
Damn, he’d thought of everything. Such a prepared firefighter. She licked her lips as he knelt before her.
He was a study in perfection for sculpture. Minus the fig leaf, of course. She traced a finger down the center of his chest and to his navel. Then lower. His cock beaded with pre cum.
His eyelids lowered as he allowed her to play. “I want to feel you come around me.”
Her blood turned molten in her veins. Her center called to be mastered. By him. He called it right. She’d never been with a man. This man could be her undoing.
He tore open the packet and rolled the condom over his shaft. He stroked his length and watched her lick her lips.
Heat welled in her core and her sex flooded.
He parted her knees and moved over her. His eyes darkened.
All her fantasies edged at the brink of reality. Excited and nervous, she felt more virgin than she had her first time. She trembled with anticipation.
“Look at me, Jo,” he commanded, framing her face with his hands. “I love you, baby. I will always love you.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
The head of cock breached her as he slowly entered. His blue eyes remained fixed on hers.
As he slid along her sensitive sheath, he awakened a part of her she’d kept from all but him.
“More?” His raspy tone and heavy lidded gaze made him even sexier.
Her hips answered what her mouth couldn’t.
He pushed deeper. Touched her core. Seared her. Owned her.
His slow rhythmic assault pervaded her soul. Each stroke caressed her. Heightened her desire. She clutched his butt wanting him deeper, losing herself as she surrendered to him.
Tension wound her tighter as he angled teasing her clit. His lips trailed along her neck with light kisses making her tingle.
She ran her hands along the broad expanse of his shoulders, loving the hard rhythm of his muscles.
In the dimly lit room, his face was a shadow of masculine angles. His passion dark eyes searched her.
She clung to him. Urged him faster. “So close.”
He nibbled the sensitive underside of each nipple.
“Don’t stop.” She tightened her legs around him.
With each stroke, he claimed her. She accepted wanting to be his. It freed her. Her lust for release was a gnawing ache that only he could quell.
* * * *
Making love to Jo surpassed anything he’d ever dreamt. The feel of being deep in her body was unlike anything he’d imagined. Her warmth surrounded him, drew him to the deepest part of her and promised to sate his long held desire. Her thighs tightened around his hips driving him faster. “Baby, you feel like heaven. Tell me what you want.”
“Tell me you’ll never stop.”
“I’ll never stop loving you, wanting you, or making love to you,” he confessed, holding her at the edge of the abyss.
She moaned, arching to meet his pounding rhythm. Her eyes closed. Nails scored his back making him thirsty for her undoing.
She bucked. Cried out his name.
Her throbbing pussy begged him to come. He ached to feel her bare, skin against skin, without a condom. The sweetness of her coated him signaling her total surrender. And he intended to enjoy every second.
A familiar current tingled at the base of his spine, drew his sac tight. He claimed her body as she claimed his soul. Buried in her depths, he spiraled beyond anything he’d ever known. His hot release pulsed deep.
With Jo, he felt complete.
He held her until their breathing slowed. Nothing prepared him for the odd feeling in his chest. His heart no longer belonged to him. He loved her more than himself. “Am I still breathing?” He teased covering his revelation as he rolled to his side.
“That’s my line, stud.” Jo giggled and climbed on top of him, initiating a playful wrestling match.
Amidst a tangle of sheets, he finally subdued her and rose on an elbow. He traced a purple bruise marring her shapely thigh. “Where’d you get this?”
“Don’t remember. Probably on one of the ride-alongs. How about you? Any interesting calls this week?” She teased the hair below his navel.
Desire surged though him. His cock seemed to have forgotten its recent foray. “Don’t recall. If anyone had known what was on my mind, Dahlin’, I would’ve been deemed a sex addict.” He rolled to his back.
She grinned and slid her leg along his. “Scattered?”
“Like a thirteen-year-old complete with a perpetual hard on.” He lowered his gaze proving his point.
Her gaze followed and she licked her lips. “Oh, baby, I’d have loved to been there. You’re always in control.”
“Are you so sure you know me?” Although, with all the years they’d known one another, he suspected she knew him better than anyone. “Maybe it’s the only side I allow you to see.”
She eyed his tattoo and traced the sickles. “Did you keep the letters?”
He switched gears with her, back to the conversation on the beach. “Why? You wanna read ‘em?” He shifted to his side.
“I wrote to you, too, in my journal. My
way of talking to you, besides the e-mails.” She snuggled against his chest.
Sweet Christ. She’d really been thinking of him while surfing out west. He’d always figured she’d meet some rich guy and never come home. It’d been his fear actually, receiving her wedding invitation. Then she’d have been out of his life forever.
“Maybe we can swap. Your letters for my journal.” She arched a brow and slid her hand between his legs.
“Swapping sounds great, baby.” He kissed her forehead, and drew her across his body, straddling his hips. “In fact, we can start now. You’re on top for round two.” He winked.
Her amber eyes widened. “Omigod.”
Chapter 21
Ray swung through the police station door on a mission. The desk officer rang Bobby’s extension while he tried to keep from pacing.
Monday had been a long day and night at the station with only a couple of medical calls. He missed Jo snuggled next to him. While he tried to sleep on his single bunk, his dick reminded him of where it wanted to be.
His brother-from-another-mother emerged from the hall with a scowl on his face.
“Good to see you too, bro.”
“I’m swamped. If this is about Sunday…” Bobby waved him off.
“No, just checking on you.”
With a nod, he stepped away from the front desk. “IAD is stirring crap. I can’t go into it.”
Sarah had been right. He’d never known Bobby to be cross to Jo, beyond casual teasing. “Anything I can do?”
“Just keep my baby sister happy and on track at the academy.” His gaze cut to the desk officer yakking on the phone. “I shouldn’t have taken things out on you guys, I’m sorry.” He extended his hand.
“Understood.” He gripped Bobby’s palm in a firm shake. “Anytime you wanted to knock a few balls down the fairway or grab a brew, you know how to find me.
Something wasn’t right. Ray hoped his job wasn’t in jeopardy.
* * * *
Fun aerobic sessions with Ray helped Jo with PT and relaxed her to study. She passed the state emergency medical technician test and by Christmas Eve, she was glad for a break from the academy.
On a mission for last minute stocking stuffers for her hot Santa, she rushed from the house. Ray spent nights with her when not on shift. With him there, the house felt like home again.
She avoided Bobby leaving Ray to chat with him whenever he stopped by the house. Poor Sarah tried to play peacemaker whenever she was along. When Ray confided to her about the Internal Affairs Department investigation, she felt like her brother blamed her. Vic had enough contacts on the outside to stir shit in their lives. On the other side of the coin. Maybe her brother just wanted to run her life like her father had.
Excited and in a merry mood, she popped into Papagayos after shopping. Though not a Christmas fan, Harley had allowed her to put a wreath on the door. Inside, the lights she’d strung along the mirror behind the bar twinkled. Barely noon and patrons already poured on the cheer.
“Hey, babe. What’s up?” Harley smiled, looking like a naughty Santa in the plush, red hat she’d bought him.
She slid a small package along the bar aiming for him.
He ripped the paper off and grinned at the Harley Davidson belt buckle. “Thanks.” He walked over and leaned across the bar and gave her a beyond friendly Christmas kiss. His eyes shifted from dark to dangerous. “I’m still waiting for you to take a ride with me on the bike.”
“Uh, I don’t think Ray would be too pleased.” She climbed onto one of the bar seats. “And what about Tina’s friend?” He couldn’t get the captain’s daughter to cheat on her man so he’d went for her friend. Thought you two were hot and heavy.”
“I suffer quick burnout.” He squinted.
“Yeah, I pegged you for a wild weekend only.” With whips and chains no doubt. It wouldn’t surprise her if the bad boy was into BDSM.
“You just let me know when Ray pisses you off. I warned him.”
After the multiple orgasms, she’d been experiencing of late, she had a hard time imagining getting angry at him.
Harley studied her and frowned. “God, you’ve fallen for him.”
She didn’t really care it bothered him, but wished she knew the cause for the riff between them. Uncovering the facts proved problematic since neither would give it up. For the moment, however, her brother’s issues remained her priority. She stepped behind the bar. “Bobby says Internal Affairs Department is snooping around the department. Has Ben or Pete mentioned any more to you about their homework?”
“Only the shit is coming in small containers through the mail and sometimes UPS. It can’t be weed in such a small amount. I’m guessing its cocaine, crack or pills.”
“Why did they suspect me?”
“They get alerts when drug felons relocate.” He touched her shoulder. “You were the hottest ticket.”
“Nice to be loved.” She wished she’d questioned her lawyer more thoroughly about drug dealers’ games.
“So what’s IAD squeezing your brother about?”
“Don’t know. He won’t say.”
“Hmm. You want me to try to find out?”
“Please. Did the spooks recruit you?”
“Sorta. It was a mutual thing. I buy small amounts of drugs to set them up for the DEA boys. The dealers usually flip for a bigger fish.” He flashed her a wicked grin. It’s a small thrill. Nothing like being on the teams, but it’ll do.
She raced through past conversations with the former SEAL. “Have you ever set someone up? I mean besides me?”
“I could have taken you on a date, instead.” He combed his dark beard with fingers she suspected had killed. “A couple of pills and you would have told me anything.”
Or she might have done whatever he wanted. A fearful chill zipped along her spine.
His eyes softened. “Remember, Jo—” He signed to zip her lips.
She gave him a thumbs up. “Well, just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. See ya on Friday.”
“Hey, what a minute.” He closed in on her, brushing his broad chest against her breasts.
She stepped back.
He pulled out the neck of her red shirt and deposited a roll of cash in her cleavage. “Merry Christmas, Jo. Tell Ray he’s a lucky son of a bitch.”
Holy shit.
Seated in her Bronco, Jo’s heart pounded as she attempted to regain her composure. His confession of his secret life of buying drugs shouldn’t have shocked her, nor his presentation of his gift. Her cell phone rang.
“What ‘cha doing?” Ray asked cheerfully.
“Ahh…finishing a couple of errands. How’s work? Anything exciting?” She started the truck.
“No Christmas tree fires yet.”
“You guys are sick.” She pulled onto the beach road.
“Naw, mostly bored. Need a little action.”
“Want me to come do you at the station?”
“Oh, baby, don’t tease. Not while I’m stuck here until tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll be by in a few minutes.” She ended the call. He didn’t have a clue she’d planned to bring goodies. Harley’s kinkiness was rubbing off.
After pulling into the station, she checked her appearance in the visor mirror.
Shit. Stuck in her bra were two rolled one-hundred dollar bills complete with ribbon. She shoved the money in her in jean pocket. How would she have explained that to the Hemanus?
With bags of groceries and Tami’s homemade cookies in hand, she rapped on the station door.
Ray peeked out.
Chuckling, she pecked him on the cheek.
He took half the loot and escorted her inside.
It looked like the whole crew of firefighters occupied the large kitchen. Some sat at a table while others stood at the counter slicing and dicing veggies. The heavenly smell of turkey hung in the air.
Ray dropped her groceries on the cou
nter and slid his arm around her. “Everyone, this Jo.”
He then named each of his brethren. “Captain Brody. Lieutenant Roberts, Senior firefighter and truck driver, Tommy. Georgia and Terrance rotate on all the rigs, including the ambulance, like I do.”
They all said hello. She smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
Captain Brody, offered her cup of coffee as the crew dug into the food bags. Gauging by the fine lines at the corner of his gray eyes, he might have been a probie about the time her dad was captain. “Ray says you’re in the academy and a volunteer, too.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You bartend at Papagayos’ on the weekends, too.” The lieutenant folded the newspaper he’d been reading when she came in.
“Right.” Georgia, the only woman on the crew, pointed her cookie at Ray before taking a bite. “Better be careful, buddy. Harley’s a hound.”
“We’ve had the discussion.” He nodded to Jo. “Come on, I’ll show you around.” He tugged her from the room and they left the firefighters scarfing cookies.
“This is the apparatus floor.” He led her into the large bay where the engine and the ladder truck were parked. Cubbies with small locking compartments hung along the wall for each firefighter’s Personal Protection Equipment. Pictures and mementos personalized their spaces.
“How many are at this station?” She counted the coats.
“Three companies, A, B and C shifts. Six firefighters including a captain and a lieutenant work on rotating shifts. Only this station and the one at the south end of the beach have full-time professional crews.”
“What if the call is more than one company can handle? Does it go to second alarm? Or do the vollys get paged?” She paused at his cubby.
“Sometimes both. If it’s major, other towns will send help. We do the same for them. Smaller towns like Duck and Southern Shores can’t afford full-time firefighters. They rely on county volunteers, hence the need for adrenaline junkies. Like you.” He moved behind her.
Taped to Ray’s locker door was an old and curing picture of her standing with him on the beach holding their surfboards. She touched the proof of his long-standing affection. “When was this?”
“The day before your high school graduation.”
