by Dani Jace
“I guess. Didn’t expect to see a suicide.”
“Yeah, well I hope I don’t run across any more dead bodies for a while.” She tipped her helmet back, wiped her brow then climbed down.
Jo swung down and stepped off the back bumper. “I’m thinking it’s probably not the worse scene we’ll encounter.”
“Kids. I’d probably puke right on the spot and then ball my eyes out.”
“Okay, let’s talk about something else. Have you got a new guy?” Jo didn’t want to face her own real fear, vehicle fatalities. Thus far, she’d been lucky. The kid on the bike only suffered a broken leg.
“This guy the other night. Well, I checked his goods before sealing the deal, you know. We were in his truck getting busy―”
Chewing her lip to keep from grinning, Jo mumbled. “Ahh, huh.”
“Huge dick. He’s got a lot in common with this.” Tami grabbed a three-inch hose coupler from an open bin. “But it was crooked. Like a banana going sideways. ”
Jo took her helmet off. “No shit. He should see a doctor.”
“He probably has to angle for the toilet to a take piss.” She grinned.
Jo’s jeans vibrated. In a fit of giggles, she fished beneath her bunker pants for her cell. “Hey, how’s the blueprint coming?”
“I’ve got it all worked out in my head, but I really think we should concentrate on the finer points of conception when you get back,” Ray said in a smooth tone.
“Sounds good to me.” His finer points always got her going and she needed a diversion after the seeing a dead body.
“So what’s cooking?”
“The laundry mat. Courtesy of a head trauma.”
“Accident?”
“Bullet to the brain.”
“Murder?”
“Suicide.”
“Yikes. You’ll need a massage.”
Her throat closed.
“Jo?”
“Yeah, I’ll fill you in when I get home. Gotta get done here.”
She joined Tami and the other firefighters beside the truck.
“Who would’ve thought taking yourself with a single shot would cause a two alarm blaze?” A tall, rangy firefighter held an unlit cigarette.
“No, but I could definitely think of more fun ways to die,” another said.
“In the sack sounds more fun to me.” Jo sipped her water.
“Coming and going at the same time.” Tami laughed, and ran her hands along her suspenders.
With a cig dangling, the smoker said, “Figured you chicks would rather die in a mall maxing out a credit card.”
“No fun in that when there’s no time to enjoy the stuff.” Tami put a hand on her hip. “I’d rather ride a stallion as my last act.”
All eyes then turned to Jo.
“Way wait, I got one waiting for me at home right now.” She grinned and turned for her truck.
Down the road, her rein of control lapsed. Tears stained her T-shirt. Suicide bothered her. Accidental death was bad enough for a family to deal with. She’d been on the receiving end of that door knock.
Joking with the firefighters after the call in an attempt to lighten her mood had felt like old times on the surfing circuit. Getting experience on the extension ladder would definitely help her when the time came at the academy.
By the time she rolled onto the driveway, she’d quelled her dark thoughts by imagining stripping her Hemanus to his perfectly straight, long and thick fire hose. He’d chase her demons away and soar her into oblivion. Little death. Yeah, that was the way to go.
Chapter 28
Kicking himself for being such a dick, Ray met her at the kitchen door. Determined to make up, he drew her close and trailed tender kisses from her temple to smudged cheek. Even covered in soot, she exuded sexy. “I’m sorry about this morning. I didn’t mean to get defensive.” He held up a brew in truce.
She swept an arm around his neck and nibbled his earlobe. “I know.”
Her searching tongue lit a fire in his groin. Firefighting must heat her blood. He was a lucky son of a bitch. He stepped back and ran a hand along her red suspenders. Hot in bunker pants too. “After your beer, I’ll show you the rest of my apology.”
She drank the beer in two long swallows and set the bottle on the counter.
He took her hands in his. Her amber eyes appeared glassy. The call had rattled her. She was covering. He knew. He’d done it himself. It was part of the job. He’d be there when she was ready. If she ever was. Hell, he’d yet to get details about that Vic bastard framing her. Yet his male urge to protect her wouldn’t relent. He wrapped her in his arms and felt her go slack. He covered her throaty sigh with his lips, tasted her malty flavor and searched deeper.
As he stroked through her smoky locks, she answered hungrily, melting against his body.
His own fire woman. So fucking hot. He loved her more than he ever believed possible. “Come on.” He tugged her hand. “I’ve got something special planned.” He led her downstairs and opened the door to the outside shower. The day had warmed considerably since she left. “I thought about it this morning, but it was a little too cool.”
“Yummy.” She wiggled her heart-stopping ass and stepped inside to the changing area while he turned on the hot water.
She loved the open air shower. Making love to her here had been one of his most reoccurring fantasies. While the water warmed, he moved behind her and worked off her T-shirt then nuzzled her neck.
Her eyes closed as he unhooked her bra. Weighing each breast, he marveled at their warmth and softness, perfectly happy with their size. Her head lulled against his shoulder while her silky hair caressed his chest. The sensation amped his desire and shot need to his swelling dick.
His fingers wandered south over her flat belly and peeled off her yoga pants.
Turning in his arms, she faced him and slid off her bikini panties.
He wanted to lick and taste every inch of her.
Her hands swept over his chest before shoving his jeans and boxers to his feet in one motion. Gently, her fingers wrapped around his aching cock and led him under the warm spray.
“Come on, big boy.”
Whoa, her sudden dominance heated his blood. Tightened his balls. Talk about being led by his dick. He chuckled.
Beneath the cascade of water, he let her have her way. Her lips parted into a smile as she stroked him in a slow, methodical rhythm. She’d been a quick study, learning how to light his fuse and keep him hanging on the edge. Alternating pressure and a little twist at the tip nearly had him begging.
“Okay, baby, now let me make you feel good.” He worked her nipples to rigid peaks with his soapy fingers. “Let’s try something.”
“I’m all yours, stud.”
After taking a seat on the bench, he grasped her by the waist and straddled her over his lap. His cock teased her cleft. He lifted her rear and lowered her onto his shaft.
She gasped and her head fell back at her impaling.
Encased in her tight heat, his balls drew tight. “Ecstasy.”
She gripped his shoulders as water rained on them.
His hands skimmed around to squeeze the tight globes of her ass and begin a pumping rhythm. Their slick bodies moved in unison. Having had her, Ray couldn’t imagine life without her now. It wasn’t just the sex. Although it was off the charts, she knew him as he did her.
“Ever fantasize about this?”
If she knew all of his naughty imaginings with her in them, she’d consider him a devil. “Like every time we were done surfing and I waited for you to rinse off.”
“Did you ever spy on me?” She ground against him.
He hated to admit the truth, but he suspected she might have done the same. “Maybe I peeked once or twice.” He grinned.
She nipped the cord of his neck.
Oh yes, she might like his wicked side. He bucked against his rider. “Fuck me, Dahlin’.”
His admission of spying only made her burn hotter. Ray had been buff in high school, but soldiering and firefighting had elevated him to Adonis status. She roved over his hard pecs, delighting at their striations. “Guess we’re even then, bad boy. Did you like what you saw?”
His abs flexed as he speared her. “I did then, and I do now.” He growled.
She drove faster. “So did I. The bulge in your jeans wasn’t lying.”
“Naughty girl.” Like whiskey, his voice intoxicated her. “Now let’s turn you around.”
He raised her to her feet then stood. With her back against his chest, he sat and brought her with him. Then draped her legs over his muscled thighs, opening her to him. He guided his heated shaft between her legs.
She trembled at the erotic sight as he slowly filled her. Her breasts tingled at her searing.
“Awe, baby, you feel awesome. So tight,” he moaned.
In reverse cowgirl, his tip touched her cervix. She shuddered. Delicious friction built pressure and heat. “Yes.”
She rocked in rhythm as he held her by the hips. Beneath the warm mist, he drugged her.
“Is this all you imagined?” He whispered against her ear.
“I couldn’t imagine anything as good, Hemanus.” He satisfied her like no man had, or ever would.
He increased tempo and force. Reaching around he found her clit and teased. She pinched her nipples and leaned forward, taking everything he had.
“Christ, baby. You are so fucking beautiful.”
Deep and raw, his words shot liquid fire through her veins. “Don’t stop.”
The sound of their flesh meeting drove her higher. He drilled her as if he’d never be deep enough or have enough. She teetered on the edge of pure bliss, wringing out every second of nirvana possible. Every cell of her was afire. Fucking him. Needing him. Loving him.
“Come for me, baby.” His hoarse words shot electricity from her ear to her core.
Icy water pelted her. She launched to her feet. “Fuck!”
Ray’s laughter vibrated behind her. “Damn, almost there, too. Think it’s time for a new hot water heater.” He shut off the water, grabbed a towel and wrapped her in lush terry. “Care to finish upstairs?”
* * * *
He poured her a shot of brandy before rounding into the bedroom. Wrapped tight in the comforter, only her face was visible. He handed her the glass “To chase the chill.”
She unfolded the bedding.
“I’d rather you do that.” Her barely there smile tugged at his heart. He’d never grow tired of seeing her naked. She might have wished for larger breasts, but her were firm and pert. They begged to be touched and tasted. Her nipples were still blushed from their earlier play and hardened under his stare.
She set her drink on the nightstand and ripped the towel from his waist. Her tongue slid across her pouty lower lip as she gave him a long hard look and reached for his shaft.
He caught her searching fingers and slid onto the bed beside her. “Tell me about the call.” He propped on his elbow.
While she recounted their search, he stroked her inner thigh. She touched on the suicide briefly before describing her ladder fun, and Tami’s bent dick story.
“The lieutenant must respect you if he took you on the extension with him.” Probably because she hadn’t squealed. Tami’s outburst wouldn’t be forgotten. “How’d you like being on the ladder?”
“Awesome, although I realized above twenty feet, I’m not crazy about heights. The mask is claustrophobic when you’re amped. If only I’d learned to scuba dive like you did.” The ball of her foot traced the side of his calf.
He caught her foot and draped her silky limb across his hip. “Okay, now tell me in degrees, how bent was the guy’s tool?”
Jo crooked her finger. “She said it’s like a banana only bent sideways.
“Holy shit.” He grabbed his stomach, laughing.
“She was serious, Ray. Can they fix that sort of thing? That’s like worse than having one boob way bigger than the other.”
“Only Tami.” He brushed her hair from her shoulder. “She probably bent the guy in some bizarre sex act.”
She pursed her lips. “I know you think she’s trouble, but she’s fun. Sarah and she are my only girlfriends right now. You know you’re in love with a tomboy.”
He’d liked that she only hung with the athletic girls in high school, avoiding the clique. It had also occurred to him that she might have loved surfing beyond the sport. It was also away to hang with the guys. Maybe to stay closer to him.
“I love my tomboy.” He chucked her chin.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” She punched his shoulder.
“And the way it was meant.”
She sighed. “Sometimes I think it would be easier being a guy.”
Why? He laced his fingers through hers. “You feel being a woman is a punishment, Jo?”
She gazed into space. “Sometimes.”
“Because your mom left?”
Slowly, she turned and stared at him with a wide-eye expression.
* * * *
Memories of full lips, polished with pink lipstick and long nails colored the same. Her heart hammered in her chest. The fleeting images had to be of her mother. She despised wearing lipstick and never painted her nails.
She sat up blinking back tears.
He drew her onto his lap. Smoothing her arms and warming her. “It’s okay, baby.”
Too much emotion for one afternoon. She didn’t want to go there again. “Distract me.”
He smiled and planted tender kisses along her neck.
Safe in his embrace, he was her refuge against her fears and the unknown. She brought his mouth to meet hers. His unique flavor mingled with the faint taste of Scotch. All male and sexy as hell.
She nibbled and then traced his teeth before gliding inside, enjoying his moan. Slow and easy, he teased and coaxed her deeper. He stroked her cheek knowing how to drive her to distraction. He made letting go so easy. Her concerns fell away as he took her beneath him.
Appraising blue eyes met hers. “You were made for me, Dahlin’. And I was made for you.”
“I’m a lucky girl.” She rifled her fingers through his hair.
“Woman,” he said and parted her knees. He lowered his head and traced a line down her trembling belly with his tongue. Roughing the slim line of hair over her mound, the friction sent a tingling along her spine.
He stroked her folds slow and easy. She arched against his hungry mouth that wound her higher. He fanned a breath over her slit. “There is no sweeter honey.”
“Or more skilled tongue.” She urged him over her and fit his cock between her legs.
His breath hitched as he closed his eyes and sank into her. His hard length stretched her beyond pleasure. Home. Slow and easy, he took her. Did he know there could be no other?
His back muscles flexed beneath her fingertips. She snuck past his taut lumbar and groped his finely sculpted ass.
“Christ, baby, don’t push me over the edge yet.” He stalled and gave her a piercing stare. “Do you know what you do to me?”
She traced his jaw with a fingertip. “I know what you do to me.”
In that instant, she became more vulnerable than ever before.
Chapter 29
While Jo studied for her academy finals, Ray proved to be a perfect study partner. His many talents worked out her tension in all the right places. She entered Papagayos on a Sunday evening relaxed and dressed in her usual jean shorts and a casual top.
“Hey girl!” Tami called out from her seat at the bar. “You been practicing lassoing hydrants on that stud of yours?”
“With a silk scarf.” Jo winked. “You ready for Tuesday?”
“Yeah, I’m stress busting now.” She grinned and held up her beer.
Jo stepped behind the bar and dropped her bag on a shelf.
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Harley closed in behind her. “Where’s your stud muffin?”
She turned facing his twinkling dark eyes.
“He’ll be in later. Why can’t you guys be friends? What’s the beef between you two?” She raked her fingers through her hair.
“It’ll cost you.” He squinted.
His offer had her back stepping. Satisfying her curiosity about their past wasn’t worth his toll. “Never mind.”
“Get him to tell you.”
“He’s as mute on the subject as you.” She turned to the register and keyed her code.
“I’ll bet.”
Jesus. “Sounds like you both have dirty little secrets.”
“Babe, my secrets aren’t little.” His smile didn’t meet his eyes.
No doubt.
After Harley vacated her space, she stuffed tips in the wine carafe and turned to find Terrance and Georgia. “Sorry, guys. Didn’t see you. How’s it going?”
“Enjoying the day off,” Georgia said.
Terrance raised his glass for another. “Just got off a mutual. Earning time for when my son’s baseball team starts playing in a couple of weeks.”
“What’s Ray doing tonight?” Georgia asked with arched brows.
Reminded of earlier fun with him, she smiled.
Tami piped up from a few seats away. “Yeah, where is the Hemanus? You wear him out with your fire drills?”
Terrance and Georgia’s eyes rounded and they turned their stares on her boisterous friend.
She was going to have a serious talk about discretion. “Guys, this is Tami, my academy partner. They’re on the same crew as Ray.”
“Hemanus?” Georgia cocked her head and waited for Jo to explain. “Oh yeah, that suits him to a T.”
“At least I don’t name my studs.” Tami finished her beer. “And speaking of studs, I believe I’ve found one for the night.” She nodded toward the pool table at a short man giving her the look.
Jo didn’t bother with a retort as Harley’s DEA friends marched in. Her stomach churned. He appeared from the back as though he’d smelled them. Yep, he’d probably been that good. And for that reason, she’d never try to get anything over on him.
