Starting Fires

by Makenzie Smith

  “If I need you to, you will,” he said.

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means, that if I ask, you won’t tell me no,” he said with a wink.

  “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”

  “If you were me, wouldn’t you be?”

  I chuckled and shook my head. After we ordered our drinks, we sat down at a booth that had a clear view of the dance floor. Wally was eyeing all the women, moving from one to another. “Are you looking for somebody?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “I just don’t know who she is yet.” We drank in a comfortable silence while he watched the women and I watched the people dancing. Most of them were talented, but there was one guy flailing around all over the place, not even to the beat. I dug his style. If I had to call it anything, it would be interpretive. His eyes were closed, and his hands floated around in the air. I was watching him with a smile when Wally asked, “Heard from Lucas?”

  “I’ve talked to him a few times.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Really?” Curiosity set in. “How many times?”

  “Maybe four.” More times than I had.

  “I’ve only talked to him twice.”

  He eyed me over the rim of his beer. “Well… he’s been busy.”

  “But just too busy to talk to me. Not you.”

  Wally sighed. “I don’t know. You weren’t exactly nice to him the other night?”

  “Are you kidding me?” I leaned towards him. “He accused me of sleeping with Paul, I got upset about it, and I wasn’t nice to him? That’s insane.”

  “I’m seeing both sides here,” he said. “You don’t wear your thoughts on your sleeve. It’s hard to read you. If he got insecure, who can really blame him?”

  “I don’t blame him!” I took a breath and looked away from him. “I’ve tried talking to him,” I said more calmly. “He kept telling me he was going to come by before he left, and I was going to try to make it right, but he avoided me. And I guess he’s avoided me the entire time he’s been gone.”

  Wally scooted around the booth, until he was sitting next to me. “Lucas isn’t used to this,” he said. “He’s never done serious. Or commitment.”

  “How is that possible?” I asked. “He’s nearly 30. You’re telling me that he has never committed to a single person in his entire life?”

  He chuckled. “Well, maybe just not in the last five years or so. I’m sure there have been girls that he dated for extended periods of time, but nothing substantial. You’re the longest I’ve seen.”

  “Besides Candace.”

  “Besides Candace.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into a side hug. “He wants you,” he said. “He just doesn’t know what to do about it. Give him some time.” I grumbled and brought my beer to my mouth.

  Two hours later, Wally was out on the dance floor with a pretty redhead. His dancing was all over the place too, but it was confident, so even though he was comical, it was hard not to find him endearing. His eyes were flirtatious, and his smile was laid-back. The girl was eating out of the palm of his hand.

  A man over his shoulder was standing still, just at the edge of the floor. His eyes bore into me and I looked at him. It was Fontenot. He smiled when we made eye contact and I rolled my eyes. Would he just go away already! Without an invitation, he walked over and slid into the booth. “What do you want?” I asked exasperated.

  “You’re all alone. I thought you’d like some company.”

  “I’m fine. Really.” Was there no one else he could give his creepy eyes to?

  “Where’s Lucas?” he grinned.

  “Out of town.”

  “Wanna get out of here?”

  “No!” I laughed, like he was crazy.

  “Are you still with him?”

  “Yes.”

  He sighed and pulled his phone out of his pocket. Ignoring him, I stared back at the dance floor. Wally and the girl were gone. I brought my drink to my lips, as I surveyed the crowd, looking for them. They were huddled in a dark corner, her hands all over his chest, and his tangled in her hair. When they locked lips, I decided that I was right. I was a horrible wingman. I literally did absolutely nothing to get him that girl.

  Fontenot was staring out at the crowd, too, hopefully looking for new prey. While he was occupied, I studied him. He had dark eyes, with long thick eyelashes. His hair was spiky and all over the place. He had full lips, the bottom pouting out. His body was in good shape, not overly muscled or skinny, falling somewhere in between. He was a good-looking man, so why did he always act so sleazy when he tried to pick up women? It shouldn’t be hard for him.

  While I was thinking, he smiled with amusement. “What?” he asked, obviously sensing my stare.

  “Why do you and Lucas hate each other?” I asked, instead of telling him what was on my mind.

  He shrugged. “We don’t hate each other. Just don’t really get along.”

  “Why?” I leaned forward.

  His eyes cut to me. “Do you know his sister?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, then maybe I shouldn’t tell you.”

  I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like it’s going to make me think less of you,” I said.

  He studied me, trying to decide if he should proceed. “We were… together a few years ago. She’s a great kid, but a little young for me so I ended it. Lucas didn’t like the way things went down.”

  “How old was she when you dated?”

  “Nineteen.”

  So three years ago. “And how old were you?”

  “Twenty-six.”

  “Do you still talk to her?”

  “I see her every now and then, but not in that way.”

  My phone buzzed in my pocket and I took it out. It was a text from Lucas. Looking at the screen, I smiled. What are you doing? it said.

  At a bar with Wally. You?

  “Is that Lucas?” Fontenot asked.

  “Yeah,” I said, still wearing a grin.

  “You really like him, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” I answered with annoyance. Why did everyone keep asking me that?

  “Well then, I’m sorry.” He stood from the table and walked off. Did he finally understand that I didn’t want anything to do with him? I hoped so.

  A few minutes later, Wally walked over. “I’m gonna be heading out soon, but I’m getting a ride from someone else.” His cheeky smile made me purse my lips.

  “You’re so gross,” I said.

  “Yep.” he grinned, ruffling my hair before he walked back to the redhead.

  Not really seeing the point in staying, I left. In my car, I checked my phone. Lucas hadn’t responded to my last message. Remembering what Wally said, I tried not to let it bother me. He was working some things out. Maybe trying to decide how he wanted us to proceed. I shouldn’t push him. I should let him figure it out on his own.

  Saturday afternoon no one was at the bar when I arrived. I went in, did the books and left. Charles and I met up and had a late lunch together. Priscilla was all we talked about. I wanted to discuss Lucas with him, but his eyes were lit up with so much happiness, that I didn’t want to break the spell he was under. She had already met his parents, and he was going to meet hers next weekend. I was happy for him.

  At 6 p.m., Lacey called wanting me to go out with her and Nicole, but I declined. One night out was enough for my weekend, and instead I watched Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. By the end, I missed Lucas even more.

  To pass some time, I took a long shower. After finishing, I put on some tight black leggings, and Lucas’ shirt, curling up in my bed with a book. I was sitting cross-legged, the book in my lap, my elbows propped on my thighs when my phone rang. Excitement bubbled inside me as I reached for it.

  Nicole flashed on the screen. “Hello,” I answered, sounding a little disappointed.

  “Where are you?” She exclaimed. “Get your butt up here right now!”

  I looked at the clock on
my nightstand. 10:30 p.m. “It’s late,” I said. “I’m already in my pajamas.”

  “God, you are such a party-pooper! I want you to meet my guy. He’s going to be here soon!”

  I laughed at her excitement. “Can’t it be another night?”

  “No,” she whined. “Five minutes. That’s all. You can meet him, give me your opinion and leave.”

  “Why does my opinion matter?”

  “You’re my friend. Of course it matters. He’s going to be gone for a month, some overseas work thing, and I need to know if I should wait for him.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yep.”

  “Well, do you like him?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then wait for him,” I said, surprised that I was giving out love advice.

  “Do you really think so? A month is a long time. What if-”

  The sound of my door creaking drew my attention. While she continued talking I watched Lucas slowly pushing it open all the way. My eyes bulged out, and then I smiled. “Nicole, I gotta go.”

  “But-” Not letting her finish, I ended the call and tossed my phone away.

  “You’re back!” I said. “When?”

  “Just now.” His eyes were intense and his jaw was tight. Noticing that I was wearing his t-shirt, he took a deep breath and stepped into the room, kicking my door closed. Before I even had time to process his unexpected arrival, he’d pulled his shirt off and tossed me back on the bed.

  His mouth came to mine and I was just as frantic as he was. Touching him everywhere. Running my fingers through his hair and down his back. Cradling his jaw, wrapping my legs around him. His hands squeezed and grabbed every inch of me. Leaving no part untouched. His intense desire and needy movements had be bucking and moaning against him.

  His hand went to the hem of my shirt, and he leaned back to pull it over my head. I was bare beneath it, and he spared only a second to admire me before he flipped me over onto my stomach. He fisted my hair and gently pulled it to turn my face. His mouth ran up and down my cheek and neck as he worked the zipper on his jeans.

  Eager for him, I pushed my ass into his pelvis. The movement stilled his lips and he let out a groan of arousal. “Please,” I whispered.

  Instantly, my leggings were down and he slid into me. The sensation made my back arch and my arms tense. I whimpered as his stomach met my ass, pushing himself fully inside. We savored the feeling for only a moment before he went back to his knees. His hands came to my hips and he jerked them up as he started thrusting.

  Lucas began fucking me with a purpose, and I couldn’t get enough. Each connection reminded me that my body was his. Only he touched me this way. Only he saw this side of me. In his hands, I was powerless. Always.

  Wanting to watch him, I turned my head towards the bathroom door, thankful that it wasn’t fully closed. The angle let me see him perfectly. He was shirtless, but his jeans were at his knees. My black leggings were pushed down my thighs. I watched his hands squeeze and my body jerk with his force. He watched himself fuck me, gripping my waist, his face hard and focused.

  The sight was so erotic I couldn’t stop from moaning my appreciation. In the mirror, I saw his eyes rise to my face. Noticing where I was watching him, he turned towards it and looked at me. I slowly nodded, telling him how much I loved it. Lucas closed his eyes and worked his head around on his neck, “Goddamn it,” he said then started thrusting harder. “Goddamn it,” he repeated more forcefully.

  I buried my head in the pillow so I could be as loud as I wanted. His movements were hard and deep, teetering somewhere on the edge of pleasure and pain, but I wanted more. My arms lengthened out in front of me and I gripped the edge of the mattress.

  When he hit the spot, God, he hit it good, and my body stretched and bent, pushing back on him. I was taking strangled breaths, gripping my mattress for dear life when his torso met my back. His mouth was at my ear, and I relished every rushed, guttural sound he produced.

  One of his hands gripped my arm. His other stayed on my ass as he moved in and out at the perfect angle. Something stirred and I knew it wouldn’t be long. The depth and pace was exquisite and I felt my eyes starting to roll back.

  Delicately, his lips touched my shoulder. The tenderness was so out of place in our mad, chaotic sex that I gave in to the feeling deep inside me. Only one part of him was close enough to kiss, so I brought my mouth to his hand that rested on my forearm, kissing it with abandon as my orgasm rose. At the peak, I couldn’t continue, and buried my face into the mattress. His hand moved to my hair and he rubbed my scalp as he stifled his own moans against the skin of my shoulder. We came together, hard and long, pushing into one another, trying to get as close as we possibly could.

  When he finished, Lucas let out a groan, and rolled over to his back. I stayed where I was, watching him as I caught my breath. His eyes were closed and his chest rose and fell in exertion. He had been gone for eleven days, and now he was home. I didn’t want him to leave me.

  “Stay,” I said softly. His eyes opened and he looked at me, trying to decide what I meant. “Stay here, with me tonight,” I clarified, and rose to crawl to him. Once I was at his side, his hands came to my hips and he pulled my pants back up, but left them there to rub along my behind.

  “I need to unpack,” he said.

  My legs straddled his waist. “Do it tomorrow. I’ve missed you, and don’t want you to leave.” The confession made me feel exposed, but I buried my feelings of apprehension.

  He was still contemplating it when his eyes landed on the long chain around my neck. It fell between my breasts, the sparrow resting at the top of my ribs. His expression softened as he reached up and grasped it between his fingers. “Do you always wear this?” he asked.

  “I never take it off,” I told him honestly.

  He gave me a small smile, and rose to sit up, wrapping his arms around me. “I’ll stay,” he said.

  I smiled and brought my mouth to his.

  Chapter 26

  The clock on my nightstand said 9:26 a.m. when I felt his lips softly kissing my shoulder. His gentle hand followed, rubbing up and down my thigh. I made a pleased mmm sound and snuggled into my pillow. “Good morning,” he said, sounding rough from sleep.

  “Good morning,” I smiled and closed my eyes, unwilling to part with any second of this. “We should have been this doing all along. I like waking up this way.”

  “Mmhmm,” he murmured, palming my thigh and bringing his mouth to my neck. When his hand moved between my legs, we stopped talking.

  After I grabbed a shower and dressed for the day, I went straight over to his house. He was also freshly showered and unloading his suitcase. Since I didn’t know where he kept anything, I propped up on his bed while he separated clothes. The painting I’d bought him in New Orleans was hanging across from his bed in the center of the wall. I smiled at the memory and searched for the picture I’d given him on Valentine’s Day. At first, I was a little disappointed when I couldn’t find it, but then my eyes landed on his nightstand. Turned towards the bed, so it would face him as he slept, was the picture of the tree I’d taken. Overcome with happiness, I moved to sit behind him.

  He was on the edge of the bed, leaning over his suitcase as he pulled items out. I wrapped my arms around his stomach and rested my head on his back. “You really did miss me, didn’t you?” he said, stopping to give my arms a squeeze.

  “Terribly.”

  Lucas chuckled and I smiled too, pushing my nose into his shoulder to give him a kiss. Abruptly, Lucas fell back on the bed, putting some, but not all, of his weight on me. I giggled and tried to move him. When I pushed for the third time, and wasn’t able to budge him, his body shook with laughter and he moved to lie next to me. His feet were dangling off the bed as I straddled him, letting my hair fall over my shoulders, veiling us in. “Your hair is so beautiful,” he said, reaching up to run his fingers through it. I grinned and turned into his hand, feeling him cup my face. �
�What’s gotten into you?” he asked, genuinely curious.

  I couldn’t blame him. Over the last few months, I’d been all over the place. Distant, rude, needy, clingy, sweet, affectionate. It was probably making his head spin. But I knew what I wanted now, and that nothing should be holding me back from him. I was ready. “About the other night-” I started.

  “Don’t,” he stopped me. “I was out of line. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things.”

  “I’m sorry, too.”

  “For what? You didn’t do or say anything wrong.”

  I reached down and rubbed the outline of his hair, just where it touched his forehead. “Yes, I did.”

  He understood what I meant. For a fraction of a second, his breath changed, and his hands tensed. The look on his face wasn’t panicked or caught off guard. It was relieved and happy. But then a hint of sadness took its place. “But-” he started but was interrupted when Ian walked in.

  “Oh. Sorry,” Ian said. “Didn’t know you were here, Marlowe.” A mumbled statement followed. I think he said something like, “Glad to see you two making up.”

  “Need something Ian?” Lucas asked, sitting up and moving me to wrap around him.

  “I was about to go by and see Dad. If you’re still going to the bar, I was gonna get a lift.”

  “Yeah, I’m going. I’ll leave here in a bit.”

  Ian left and Lucas turned to me. “Wanna come with me to the bar? I have to check up on some things.”

  I nodded with enthusiasm. With a smile, he rose from the bed and carried me out of the house, still wrapped around him.

  At the bar, I followed him around as he made sure everything was in order. He hardly accomplished anything, stopping to hold or kiss me every couple of minutes. I tried bringing up my comments from the other night again, but he brushed them off, not wanting to discuss it. Maybe he was still embarrassed. Or maybe he needed time to adjust to the change in me. Either way, I was okay with it. Wally had told me to give him time. And I would. It was obvious how much he meant to me, I wasn’t holding back from it any longer. The love was clear on my face. The affection was evident in all of my touches. The warmth was in everything I said to him.