Heartfire: A Second Chance Romance

by Joanna Blake

"How bad is it?

  She smoothed my hair back.

  "A few broken ribs. Sprained ankle. Second degree burns mostly. It was the concussion that had us most worried."

  I closed my eyes. I was lucky. I was damn lucky.

  "But everyone got out?"

  "They lost one. Phil McCowsky. The one they were trying to save."

  I swallowed. I knew Phil. He was a good man. But I'd done everything I could. I'd gotten my brother out.

  "You did it Drew. You and Lowe got them out alive."

  I shrugged.

  "Just part of the job."

  "You idiot. Learn to take a compliment. I don't give them out too often."

  She shook her head at me but she was smiling.

  "Someone else is here to see you. Well, a lot of people are waiting but I thought you might want to see her next."

  "Yeah?"

  She nodded and I knew. Kennedy... she was here. She was waiting at the hospital for me.

  I leaned back and nodded.

  Kennedy

  I stood in the doorway, almost afraid to go in. Drew was awake. He was asking for me. He was alive.

  He wanted to see me.

  In fact, he'd been calling out my name when he was unconscious.

  I had heard him. My heart had jumped in my chest at the sound. He'd sounded so heartbroken. So alone.

  I'd held his hand for hours after that. But it wasn't the last time he said it. Even the nurses had said something, making allowances for me to sleep in his room.

  His family had gone home to sleep, but I had stayed both nights. We'd been in and out of this place for almost 30 hours, just waiting for him to wake up.

  Hoping. Wishing. Praying.

  Except it was more like begging when you got down to it.

  The doctors had said there was no reason he shouldn't wake up. His vitals were normal. He'd just taken a massive beating when the roof caved.

  And saved a dozen lives in the process.

  It was dark in the room to protect his eyes. After a concussion it was hard for most people to be in bright light. But as my eyes adjusted I could see him. Drew was staring at me. I smiled tentatively.

  "Hi."

  "Hi."

  His voice was scratchy and low. I took a deep breath and walked to the bed. I took his hand and squeezed it. He winced and I tried to let go but he wouldn't let me.

  "Drew, be careful! You'll hurt yourself."

  "I'm fine. Just sit. Stay with me."

  I nodded and he let go. I pulled a chair up. He smiled.

  "Closer."

  I scooted in.

  "Closer."

  I almost laughed and took his hand again. I pressed my lips against the back of it. He was so strong and warm and alive. His callouses... the smell of smoke that clung to him... there was no question of who or what he was.

  He was a hero.

  "Do you remember the first time we were together?"

  I nodded, tears flowing from my eyes.

  "I was nervous."

  He smiled at me with such tenderness I almost melted.

  "I was too."

  I laughed and brushed my tears away.

  "Drew Callaway! You were not!"

  He looked away and then back at me.

  "I was. I think I already knew... I was touching something so beautiful... so precious."

  The tears came again and I squeezed his hand. He stared into my eyes and I felt that familiar warmth flowing between us.

  "I knew how rare you were."

  I wiped the tears off my cheeks with the back of my hand. Drew winked at me.

  "And I knew I only had one shot to impress you with my manly abilities."

  I laughed out loud, still managing to cry at the same time. Only Drew could do that to me. Only Drew... and I'd nearly lost him.

  More than just today. I'd nearly lost him so many times. Not just on the job. Just by being pig headed and stupid.

  I vowed I wouldn't let him go easily again.

  I would fight for him if I had to.

  "Well, you did. Impress me I mean."

  His face lit up.

  "I did?"

  I nodded, not caring that I was a mess.

  "You knocked my socks off, Drew Callaway."

  He opened his mouth to say something just as there was a knock behind us. I glanced back to see his family waiting to come in. I squeezed his hand and let go. He grabbed my hand again, pulling me back to the seat.

  "Stay."

  I nodded.

  "Alright. I will."

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Drew

  "Drew! The doctor said you were supposed to rest!"

  I groaned as Kennedy slid away from me. She'd been here all week, taking turns with my sister and sister-in-law. Of course, I liked it best when Neddy was my nurse. She was an excellent caretaker.

  Unfortunately, she wasn't willing to do anything else.

  "I've been resting. I've been a good boy. Now I want my reward."

  I grabbed her and she nearly fell into bed with me. She was laughing as she braced herself above me, but I could tell she was embarrassed. Her cheeks were a little pinker that usual.

  I loved making my woman blush.

  "I could have crushed you!"

  I grinned, reaching up to touch her. I grunted in appreciation as I let my hands wander over her curves. She let out a sexy little sigh and I realized I might actually get what I wanted.

  Until I opened my stupid mouth.

  "I've had worse things fall on me."

  The laughter disappeared from her eyes just like that. She pulled herself away and tried to straighten her clothing. I didn't know what made her cool off until she spoke.

  "I know. We all know. It's a miracle you survived. You've been through a lot. Just... try and rest."

  "Kennedy..."

  She wouldn't look at me. I watched as she silently refilled my water pitcher and checked my bandages. Just the feel of her cool, soft hands on my skin was enough to excite me. I was fully hard in under a minute, and that was on heavy duty pain meds.

  But Kennedy was like that. She could turn on a dead man. She was driving me absolutely crazy without even realizing it. I was so horny and pent up that I thought I might come if she even looked at my cock, let alone touched it.

  She fluffed my blankets and then smoothed them down again. I moaned as she accidentally brushed my raging hard on. She jerked backwards with a shocked look on her face when she saw the tent I was making in the sheets. I held her gaze and reached for her.

  "See what you do to me?"

  Her eyes were wide as she stared at me, clearly undecided.

  "Don't make me tear my stiches."

  She bit her lip.

  "Drew. It's too risky. I can't- I can't lose you again."

  The stark look on her face made me pause. She was afraid. She looked absolutely heartbroken. Almost guilty for some reason. But at the moment, I was too selfish to ask myself why.

  "So just kiss me."

  She looked at me uncertainly and I was reminded of an adorable puppy that had been caught doing something naughty. I smiled encouragingly. She leaned towards me.

  Closer.

  Closer...

  I grabbed her shoulders and held them, reaching up with my lips to catch hers. I grunted in pleasure as our lips met. Then I nudged her lips apart, sliding my tongue quickly inside. I plundered her mouth as she softened in my arms. But she was still holding herself away from me. Apart. I wanted to feel her against me. I wanted her breasts smashed into my chest. I wanted her belly pressed against mine.

  I wanted everything touching dammit!

  After a few minutes I groaned loudly in frustration.

  Kennedy was off the bed in an instant. She looked horrified. She looked like she had just done something awful.

  "Oh God! Did I hurt you?"

  "No, sweetheart. Come here. Come back."

  She shook her head wildly. I frowned. She was really afraid she had hurt me. T
hat gave me an idea. A brilliant, wonderful, evil idea.

  "Did you know that orgasms are the best natural painkillers on Earth?"

  "I can't Drew. It's too risky."

  "I'm going out of my head, baby. Don't make me get out of the bed early. I will."

  "No!"

  She chewed her lip nervously.

  "What if I... kiss you there?"

  My eyes widened as she stared at my cock through the blankets. Kennedy was inexperienced. She'd kissed my cock before, even tonguing it a little, but I'd never let her go any further than that. I knew she'd never given head and didn't want to pressure her or frighten her. Besides, I'd been too afraid I would pop too soon.

  But this was a special circumstance. The offer was beyond tempting... I had a feeling I might lose my damn mind. I moaned and nodded.

  "God. Yes, please."

  She walked towards the bed and slowly pulled my blankets down. She sat down beside me and gave me a sweet, shy look. Then she tugged my pajama bottoms down and reached for me.

  I grunted as her warm, delicate hands closed around my shaft. I was so ready I knew it wouldn't take much. In fact, all she really had to do was sit there and smile at me, never mind wrapping those gorgeous lips around me.

  I groaned at the thought.

  It was almost enough to make me come.

  "I've never done this before."

  "You don't have to Neddy. Really."

  It killed me to say it, but I meant it.

  "No. No. I want to, if I can. Let me try."

  Then she lowered her head and took me into her mouth. Warmth and wet and heat exploded over me. I groaned as she stroked me tentatively with the tip of her tongue. I balled my hands into fists, clutching desperately at the blankets as she licked and sucked gently at my tip.

  "Hmmfffff... Jesus baby..."

  Kennedy's huge eyes stared up at me. She lifted away, looking worried.

  "Am I doing it right?"

  "Yes- oh fuck- try taking it in a little more."

  I was going to come anyway. I knew without a doubt that sweet, innocent little Kennedy was going to make me bust a nut. I was almost afraid to give her any instructions. This was torturous as it was.

  But so, so good.

  I watched in awe as Kennedy's beautiful lips wrapped around my cock again. She looked up at me and sucked. She slid down a little, then back up again, fluttering her tongue against my tip.

  My hips jerked and I moaned. She looked up at me in alarm and I shook my head desperately, knowing what she was thinking.

  "Don't stop!"

  She didn't, thank God. I murmured words of encouragement as Kennedy started to gain confidence. She turned her head a little as she slid up and down my pole. I wanted to yank her off of me and plunge inside her sweetness. But I didn't. I couldn't.

  I had to let her finish anyway. She was doing this for me. Even if it killed me, I had to let her do it.

  Then she reached down with one hand and gently cupped my balls. That was it. My balls lit up like a Christmas tree and started flashing.

  "Fuck! I'm coming Neddy!"

  She didn't stop. Bless her heart she kept going, sucking and stroking as my seed erupted from my cock head in a massive jet. She sucked it out of me, working my shaft, as I seemed to come forever.

  Well, it had been a while.

  And something about Kennedy sucking my cock... it was the sweetest, and most erotic thing I'd seen in my life.

  "Unnffff..."

  I tried to speak. To tell her she was doing it right. To congratulate her on a dick well sucked. But I was incoherent. My back arched as she sucked every drop out of me. I was drained completely by the time she stopped and looked up at me.

  "Did I do it right? Was I supposed to-"

  "Yes. Oh God yes. It was perfect. You're perfect, Kennedy."

  I exhaled and looked at her. My sweet, angel. My sweet, amazing, award-winning amateur cock sucking angel.

  She blushed as I thanked her, pulling her hand to my lips for a kiss.

  The doorbell rang. The next shift was here. I said a prayer of thanks that they hadn't been early. That would have really, really, really sucked.

  Kennedy blushed and stood up.

  "Jamie and Lowe are here. I have to go to work. I'll- I'll see you later."

  "Alright sweetheart. Have a good shift."

  I collapsed back and smiled sleepily. Lowe had been in better shape than me after all. He was already off bed rest and was actively pursuing Kennedy's wild child cousin.

  And helping her 'babysit' me.

  I rolled my eyes. I knew I'd be stuck in here cooling my jets while Jamie and Lowe watched TV and made eyes at each other. They would bring me food and help me take a piss if I needed to and that was it. Not like Kennedy.

  I vastly preferred her style of nursing...

  I had to get out of this bed. If only to get Kennedy back in it with me. I wanted her underneath me, crying out my name as I took her six ways from Sunday. But first, I had to stand on my own two feet.

  I would soon too, no matter what the damn doctor had to say about it.

  I closed my eyes, and slept.

  Kennedy

  "Another cup?"

  Hemmingway nodded and gave me a sweet smile. I poured his refill, trying not to make eye contact. The man was looking at me like I'd just offered him a kitten wearing a diamond collar, not a cup of coffee. I was starting to think Janine was right about him having a crush on me...

  I went inside. It was that slow time of the day after the lunch crowd. I sat down and stared out the window, thinking about what the heck I was going to do with my life.

  Drew was okay. I hadn't gotten him killed. And now I would do anything I could to keep him alive and happy.

  Even... what I'd done twice in the last week. Three times actually.

  I didn't mind doing it, even though I had no idea what I was doing at first. Drew was so sexy. I loved the sounds he made when he was excited. The way he looked. And tasted. I wanted him too. But no matter how much he had begged me last time, I was not 'climbing on top of him and riding him home.'

  Drew certainly had a way with words.

  I blushed, thinking about all the things he'd promised me if I would just get on top of him for the love of God. I'd turned down a lot of things. A weekend in the Bahamas. New clothes. Jewelry.

  He'd even promised me a new car.

  Which was kind of funny, considering I didn't even have an old car.

  I'd said no and kept doing what I was doing. I was getting the hang of it I thought. Or at least, from the moaning and groaning, I was doing pretty darn good for a beginner.

  Then again, I was starting to realize that we just had that effect on each other no matter what we were doing. Lord knows, I'd had to take a cold shower when I got home myself. He got me wound up too.

  I just wanted him to feel good. To feel safe. To know I was there for him, no matter what he wanted.

  Even if he broke my heart in the end.

  Anything to ease the guilt in my heart over what I'd done to him. I'd hurt him badly. The Chief said he'd loved me once. Maybe... just maybe if I played my cards right, maybe someday he'd love me again.

  "I think Hemmingway wants you."

  "Oh, stop with that."

  I rolled my eyes at Janine. She was grinning at me in that way she had that meant she was up to no good. She was holding Kyle and bouncing him up and down. I wondered if he'd think it was funny when he grew up.

  He was kind of being raised in a cafe.

  "No, I mean outside."

  She pointed and I saw Hemmingway was packing up and looking for his check. He grinned sheepishly as I came outside. He was standing with his fashionably worn in leather bag on the seat, holding his wallet.

  "Sorry about that."

  "No, it's fine. I just realized what time it was."

  He smiled at me earnestly, clearly unsure where to start. I scribbled out a check and handed it to him. He handed me a twenty and t
old me to keep the change.

  I thanked him and was about to go when he stopped me.

  "Wait. I just wanted to ask- I mean, I don't know if you have a boyfriend or anything."

  I stared at him, suddenly frozen in place. Did I have a boyfriend? I had a- something. But I still didn't know how Drew felt about me. Or if he was playing the field. Before the accident, anyway. I doubted even Drew could pull that off now.

  Still, even if he was seeing other people, I didn't want to.

  "I mean, I'm sure you do have a boyfriend. But if you don't. I'd like to take you out to dinner sometime."

  I must have looked like a guppy, standing there with my mouth open. I was about to tell him 'no, thank you but I couldn't.' I was going to ignore the boyfriend question.

  "She has a boyfriend."

  I saw Hemmingway's eyes get wide as he looked behind me. I didn't turn around. I knew without looking that Drew was behind me. I waited until Hemmingway grabbed his stuff and tore out of there. I tried to say thank you and wave but I had a very good feeling that he would not be coming back.

  "He was a really good customer you know."

  Drew was lounging in one of the cafe chairs, smirking at me.

  "I bet he was. He wasn't here for the food though."

  I stared at him.

  "What are you doing here? You are supposed to be in bed."

  He grinned at me and yanked me into his lap.

  "Only if you come with me."

  Then he was kissing me. I was in the outdoor cafe, in the middle of the street, getting the bejesus kissed out of me. I tried to be gentle as I pushed away.

  "Drew! You are supposed to be resting!"

  "Nuh uh. Doctor said I could get up and move around. Said it was good for me. Just have to use this."

  I noticed the crutch he had leaning against his chair. I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest.

  "I thought you were supposed to be in bed another week."

  He grinned at me.

  "I'm a fast healer. Must be all that special treatment I've been getting."

  I blushed at the look in his eyes. I knew what he was talking about. I just didn't expect him to bring it up in broad daylight!

  "Drew!"

  He smirked and pushed my hair back, his hands cupping my cheeks.