Heartfire: A Second Chance Romance

by Joanna Blake

  That way, I could keep her. That would be what was best for all three of us when you really thought about it. It was on her at this point. All she had to do was give in and not ghost on me again.

  Or cheat. Or deny me.

  Basically, it was a cakewalk.

  I'd figured all of this out on my own, and I was pretty damn proud of myself. It was a solid plan. It was an excellent plan.

  Janine was even on board.

  Well, she didn't know all the details but that was beside the point. She knew I wanted Kennedy to move in with me. She was still helping me spy on my woman. So I knew she had the day off, and I was hoping she'd be in the park.

  I ran slowly, not wanting to get too sweaty and gross. I was still trying to seduce the damn woman after all. Sweaty was only sexy after doing the horizontal mambo.

  Or during.

  The playground near the Windsor side was coming up. I slowed my pace a little more, craning my neck to see if she was there.

  She was.

  But the quiet way she sat all by herself pulled at my heart.

  She looked thin.

  She looked tired.

  She looked exquisitely beautiful.

  I wasn't wrong when I said she'd been a shadow of herself. She looked... lost. I frowned, wondering if this was my fault somehow. It couldn't be, could it? All I was doing was trying to get her back. Learn how to be a dad. I wasn't trying to hurt her.

  I nearly ran into a tree as I passed the playground. I stumbled back and looked up. My blood ran cold.

  Not a tree.

  Mark.

  I stepped back. A giant man was staring down at me with a sneer.

  Actually, it was two of them. Mark and Michael. In blue uniforms. On duty then. Great.

  Kennedy's brothers.

  Kennedy's asshole brothers.

  Both cops and both tall and strong as tree trunks.

  Both staring at me with the hatred of seven thousand suns.

  I'd managed to steer clear of them for the most part. But they'd made it clear time and again that they were itching to give me a beat down. And now here we were.

  "Look who we have here."

  I was over six feet tall, but these jerkoffs were over seven.

  "Who is it? I don't see anyone."

  "The man who tarnished our family name."

  Michael was looking around, pretending he didn't see me. I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. Jesus, they were such children.

  Big, mean, children.

  Mark reached out and shoved me. Just a finger. And just my shoulder.

  I swayed slightly, but didn't move.

  "Really, dude?"

  He smirked at me, showing his perfect teeth. They had good genetics, I had to give them that.

  "Yes. Really."

  "You know the entire firehouse will have something to say about this going down two on one."

  Michael leaned towards me, his breath fanning my face.

  "And we have something to say about you knocking up our sweet little sister and turning her into a whore."

  Mark shook his head.

  "We don't have a sister anymore."

  I looked at both of them, then towards the playground. Shit. She'd seen us. I prayed she hadn't heard her own brother call her a whore. Was this what she'd dealt with when she ran off?

  My stomach dropped at the way Kennedy was staring at us, the baby clutched against her chest. She looked so alone.

  "Speak of the devil. There's your little whore now."

  Suddenly, I wanted to give them a beat down too. I didn't care if it was two on one. Or even that they both wore a badge. I had a righteous anger on my side.

  I didn't stop to think about the odds.

  I was still looking at Kennedy's pale face as I drew back my fist and unleashed. I felt my knuckles as they hit his big thick jaw and the squishy part of his cheek. I finally looked to see where my fist had landed.

  Damn.

  I would have preferred the nose.

  I grinned at the dumbfounded look on his face and cocked my fist back again. He was too stupefied to even react. This time I did connect with his nose.

  CRACK!

  That had to hurt. I was pretty sure I'd broken it. I held my fists up, totally unconcerned that I'd just struck a NYPD officer.

  "Never. Call. Her. That. Again."

  They were scrambling, totally unprepared for the attack. But my advantage only lasted about seven seconds. I got in two hits. The next thing I knew Michael was holding my arms back while Mark pummeled my stomach. And my face. And anything he could reach.

  He didn't think to hit my dick, thank God.

  "Stop it! Let him go!"

  Kennedy was screaming at us. Getting too close to the fight. The kid was in the stroller, a safe distance away but she...

  Michael shook her off as she pulled at his hands. Then she tried Mark. He shoved her backwards and she fell down, hitting the pavement.

  At that moment, I lost it.

  All that time she'd been running, it hadn't been from me. It had been from them. She'd had our baby alone.

  Because of them.

  Because of me.

  I should have tried harder to find her. I shouldn't have been such a manwhore. I saw in blinding clarity how things must have looked. She'd had no one, except her nutty cousin and aunt.

  She didn't know how I felt. Not really. I should have found her and told her it was her.

  It was always her.

  It was only her.

  I let my knees go soft and fell forward, slicing my arms to the sides to get away. Then I spun and hit Michael in his smug face. I jabbed my elbow backwards, hitting Mark's gut. I didn't even have to look.

  I knew that meaty bastard was right behind me.

  I slammed a foot down and he howled. But there were two of them and only one of me. It wasn't long before they had me again, delivering a barrage of painful hits.

  The bastards even kicked me a few times.

  Kennedy tried to stop them but it was useless. They shoved her away again and again. Each time I tried to get up. To stop them from laying hands on her. But she didn't fall down again.

  I was the one curled up on the ground in the fetal position.

  It was over before it began. The Stewarts brothers gave me the beat down they'd been promising for a long time. It was brutal.

  I slumped forward, kneeling on the ground. I spat red on the pavement. The instant they let me go, Kennedy was beside me, soothing me.

  Tears were in her eyes as she looked me over. Then she glared at her brothers, who were walking away. I was satisfied to see Mark was limping.

  "You cowards!"

  Mark sneered at her.

  "Shut up, whore!"

  I moaned and tried to stand, ready to fight them again. It made me sick to hear them use that word about her. My sweet, perfect girl. But Kennedy held me back.

  "Shhh... it doesn't matter. Let me get you cleaned up."

  I looked at her beautiful, proud face and nodded. Maybe they'd done me a favor after all. Kennedy was looking at me like she liked me again. Or felt sorry for my chewed up ass, at least.

  Kyle was wide eyed in his stroller. I hoped the kid didn't have nightmares from watching his estranged uncles kick his daddy's ass. Kennedy handed me a baby wipe and I grinned.

  I cleaned the blood off my face so I wouldn't scare the kid. But I was smiling. I was smiling because Kennedy was being nice to me. I was hoping to make her sympathy work to my advantage.

  Yes, it was low and sneaky. But I didn't care. I'd do anything to get a chance. A chance to make things up to her.

  "Can you walk?"

  I nodded and she held out her hand to help me stand up.

  "Come on."

  I leaned against her wearily as we stumbled home to her place.

  Kennedy

  "Do we have any peroxide?"

  Jamie looked at me and frowned.

  "I have the kind you put in your hair..."

>   I rolled my eyes at her.

  "Well, rubbing alcohol will do the trick. Hurts more though."

  She grinned at me, shouldering Kyle.

  "I think I'll take the baby over to Janine's."

  I nodded absentmindedly. Drew was banged up good. Even though I was upset that he was hurt, I felt warm inside.

  He'd fought them for me.

  He'd fought for me.

  I bit my lip, carrying the meager first aid supplies to the kitchen table. Drew sat there, looking like a prizefighter.

  One that hadn't won.

  He'd held his own though. Against two of the most pig-headed men on God's green Earth. I should know too, since I'd grown up with them.

  "What you really need is a steak."

  He stared at me, his dark eyes somber.

  "This is fine. Thanks Neddy."

  I looked away, not sure what to say. This felt way too domestic for two people who were not together all of a sudden. But maybe we could be... better not to think about that. I got busy laying out the bandaids and cotton balls.

  "We could always go to the firehouse. I bet they have everything there."

  He smiled at me sweetly.

  "I'd rather be here."

  He grimaced.

  "Besides if we go there, it's going to start a war."

  I nodded. I knew what he meant. There wasn't always good blood between the FDNY and NYPD to begin with. Something like this would only fan the flames.

  No pun intended.

  I pulled my chair closer to his and started cleaning his wounds. He winced but didn't move as I used a warm washcloth to dab at his cheek.

  My stupid brothers had really done a number on Drew... he was still handsome of course. But I knew he must be in pain. He didn't say anything though, or complain. He just watched me. Almost like my presence was soothing him. It was the least I could do after he'd defended my honor.

  Even if he was the one who'd 'ruined' me to begin with.

  His lip was split and he looked like he had a black eye coming in. He was going to look like hell tomorrow. There would be no hiding this from anyone, let alone his ladder company. I sighed and soaked a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol.

  "This is going to sting."

  He flinched and inhaled sharply as I started wiping the cut on his cheek. I could feel his eyes on me. I did my best to ignore how close we were sitting, but I still got butterflies.

  Even after all this time, the big jerk made me feel like a teenager.

  I didn't have any ointment so I used some coconut oil before gently pressing bandaids over the open wounds. I realized there was no way to cover up his lip so I just dabbed on the oil.

  He sniffed it, grabbing my hand. I had a feeling he was about to lick it off. Actually, he was!

  "What's this stuff? Smells good."

  I grinned, pulling my fingertips from his before he could stick my fingers in between those sexy lips of his. He looked disappointed and I knew I'd been right. He was incorrigible! How could he be thinking about... that at a time like this.

  "Coconut oil. It's antibacterial. You can cook with it too."

  I gave him a coy look.

  "Or use it on diaper rash."

  He looked horrified. It was too funny. A big strong man like him being afraid of a little poop.

  "This is for the kid's butt?"

  I laughed and looked him over.

  "That's the best I can do with what I have. Are you sure you don't want me to take you to a doctor?"

  He shook his head and thanked me. I stood up when he didn't look away. The way he was staring at me... all of a sudden my butterflies had butterflies.

  "Let me get you some ice."

  He grabbed my arm.

  "Actually... do you have anything to drink?"

  I stopped and looked at him. He'd defended my honor. The least I could do was get him a beer. I nodded and ran into the kitchen, hoping my cheeks would cool off.

  Mr. Bedroom Eyes needed to give it a break.

  "Crap. Just... tequila."

  He grinned at me, leaning against the door behind me. He was sneaky as a cat. I tried to act casual but all my senses were tingling.

  "Perfect."

  I rolled my eyes and grabbed a cup.

  "You're not having any?"

  I exhaled and grabbed a second glass. I'd have to pump and dump but I figured I deserved a drink or two. Besides, I had a couple bottles ready to go in the fridge. I always made a little bit more than Kyle seemed to need.

  I walked past Drew back into the kitchen and set down the mismatched glasses. I was bent over when I realized he was right behind me, sticking to me like white on rice.

  "Sorry. No shot glasses."

  I almost jumped out of my skin as he slid into his seat. He brushed against my behind in the process. It was definitely deliberate. I scooted away like the coward I was. He didn't let on if he noticed how nervous I was.

  He took the bottle from me and opened it, inhaling deeply.

  "This is the good stuff anyway. You don't shoot it. You sip it."

  I rubbed my hands on my jeans.

  "Do you want a lemon or something?"

  He gave me a look.

  "Unnecessary, but nice if you have it."

  I hustled into the kitchen, desperate to get some space between us. This time he didn't follow. I sliced up a lemon and carried it in on a small place. He grinned and squeezed it into the glasses, both halfway full of the clear liquid.

  He handed me a glass and I stared at it, wondering if I'd gone crazy. Drinking with Mr. Sexy Pants was not a good idea.

  This was the opposite of a good idea.

  He held his drink up and clinked it against mine.

  It looked like water.

  It was definitely not water.

  I exhaled sharply. To hell with it. You only lived once.

  I took a sip and Drew grinned, drinking half his glass in a few rapid gulps.

  "I thought you weren't going to shoot it."

  He shrugged.

  "I didn't. Besides, I need some of nature's pain medicine."

  "Do you want an aspirin?"

  I jumped up again, upset that he was in pain. I should have offered him pills to begin with! But he reached out and grabbed my wrist.

  "No. Sit down Kennedy. Drink with me."

  He gave me a puppy dog look and I melted.

  "Please. Distract me from the pain."

  I sat abruptly. I had zero defense against him. He must have known it too because he refilled our glasses again, even though I'd barely touched mine. I stared at my drink. It was... more than I was used to having.

  Much more.

  "To Jamie and her booze."

  We clinked and drank.

  He toasted again.

  "To your idiot brothers."

  I choked back a laugh and took another sip. This one was a little bit bigger than the first two I'd had. It was definitely starting to go down easier.

  It almost tasted... good.

  "To old Kyle."

  His eyes caught mine as we clinked our glasses. He didn't look away as he brought his drink to mine again.

  "And to new Kyle. The best damn thing I've done in my life."

  My breath caught at the look in his eyes. He was good with the baby. I knew he loved him already. It was hard not to. But he hadn't said anything out loud about it.

  Not until now.

  I took another sip and while I did, something inside me shook loose.

  All the months alone and pregnant, all the times I'd dreamt of him in high school, even the past few weeks that I'd been trying to resist him... I'd always known.

  Drew Callaway was it.

  He was it for me.

  Even if he tore me apart, he was it.

  I noticed his hands then. They were torn up and bruised. He'd given as good as he'd gotten.

  "Kennedy..."

  I lifted my eyes slowly and what I saw took my breath away. His eyes could have been my own, with al
l the emotions tangled up in them. Desire. Fear. Sadness. Desperation.

  But most of all, a deep and terrifying hunger.

  He reached out and slowly tugged me forward until I was practically on his lap.

  And then he kissed me.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Drew

  I couldn't stop kissing her. Not that I was trying to. After waiting for her for so long... nothing could stop me from savoring the feel of her in my arms.

  Kennedy's lips were so soft, her breath so sweet... I delved my tongue deeper into her mouth. I didn't want to stop kissing her but I needed more. Much more.

  And I needed it now.

  I lifted Kennedy, carrying her to the tiny bedroom in the back. She was all soft curves in my arms. I used my hip to nudge the crib out of the way.

  I took in the room at a glance. Then I slammed her into the wall. The bed had to wait. Too far. I needed to get close now.

  I wanted in.

  I stopped kissing her long enough to start tearing the clothes off her body. Her perfect, voluptuous, delicious body.

  This was what I'd been waiting for.

  This time I was going to taste every inch of her.

  At least twice.

  I stared at her full breasts, pressing against her simple white bra. One of the cups was wet. A small, perfectly symmetrical circle. It was milk I realized. Milk she made for our baby.

  And I wanted to lick her clean.

  "Fuck, Kennedy..."

  I tugged her bra down, using my tongue to stroke her nipples. I adjusted my hands and wrapped her legs around my hips. I was bent forward, licking and sucking hard on her perfect fucking tits.

  I could not get enough. And when I tasted her milk, I felt my cock jerk in my pants. Who knew that milk was so fucking sexy?

  But it was.

  Our baby made her do that. She could feed him with her body. And I fucking loved her for it.

  Love...

  I shook my head, ignoring the voice in my mind. Her eyes were wide as I set her down on her feet and starting tugging on her jeans. She started to shake her head but I looked at her, my heart in my eyes.

  "Please Kennedy... let me taste you..."

  She bit her lip and watched as I pulled her shoes off one at a time. Then her socks. Then I peeled those jeans off her luscious thighs.

  Two seconds later I had my face buried between her legs. I rubbed my face all over her panties. Two seconds after that, they were wet.