Picture Perfect

by Lexie Davis

  Brad moved past Evan to the staircase, climbing the stairs three at a time. Amanda’s apartment was now filled with smoke to the point it hindered him from finding what he sought. The last time he’d been here, he’d seen her family album on the coffee table. He found it underneath some papers aware of the wood floor crackling beneath him. The fire rumbled, making voices hard to hear as his team question each other about whereabouts.

  Shoving the album underneath his arm, he made his way to the steps, the roar of the fire growing louder and louder. Only a few more feet…

  Out of the corner of his eye he saw the fire had reached the dark room. The thunderous noise of it roared, the sound almost deafening. Five steps and he’d be free. Five steps and he’d—

  Something snagged his shoe, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground. The album flew from his arms and landed somewhere in the haze of smoke, out of eyesight. Brad felt around with the tips of his fingers crawling like a baby towards the exit. Behind him, bottles popped like firecrackers.

  His fingertips landed on the smooth surface of the album and he gripped in his hand, vowing to never let it go. He knew how much Amanda’s family meant to her, and now that they were gone, she had nothing. The quilt was safe outside, keeping her warm, and the album was safely tucked inside his coat and away from the fire.

  He just had to make it outside safely to give it to her. His radio crackled, though the fire prevented him from hearing his teams’ conversations. He’d done a stupid thing going back in for a material object and ignoring protocol.

  As he inched his way towards the door, the smoke around him suffocated him. His lungs burned and his chest felt on fire with each small breath he inhaled. His mind swam with the need to get out of this place.

  He leaned against the wall for support, using his hand to feel his way around. A few more inches. Just a few more. But his body wasn’t cooperating. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall. He had to get out.

  Weakly, he mumbled, “Help,” right before the place exploded.

  * * * *

  The building exploded before Amanda’s eyes. Her first thought was that Brad had never come out. They’d radioed him numerous times and he’d never responded. Never came out. She pushed away from her perch, screaming and crying though she didn’t hear a word. The fire drowned out any and all sounds around them making it impossible to hear what anyone said.

  Preston grabbed her arm before she went too far and swung her against him. She fought him, crying, kicking and screaming to get away, scared to death Brad was hurt and unable to get out. A team of men busted through the doors fighting their way inside to find their boss. Evan mentioned something about his whereabouts and the team started there first.

  Preston tried calming her, though it did no good. He guided her away from the building as an ambulance pulled into the parking lot, mumbling something about getting fresh air and giving them room to work. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she stared at the building.

  Another ambulance waited at the front of the parking lot and Preston confiscated a stretcher from the paramedic and forced her to sit down and let them look her over. He sat beside her and pulled the blanket tightly around her.

  “It’s okay, Mandy.” He brushed the hair back from her cheeks. “Brad is a resourceful guy, and our team is the best. They’ll get him out if he doesn’t get himself out.”

  Her heart ached at the thought of him being hurt. The sound of the explosion had nearly pierced her ears when the building had erupted into bright orange flames. What if he was injured…or dead…

  Amanda dropped her head into her palms, crying so hard she gasped for breath. Preston rubbed her back, trying his best to comfort her. They’d been friends for years, most of their lives actually. They’d teased and bugged each other but the caring side had never shown between the two. She’d never counted on him in the past the way she counted on him right now.

  “Teams one and two. Chief is spotted. We need an ambulance immediately. Multiple wounds.” Jeff spat off orders for them, instructing someone to call the hospital thirty miles away to let them know they were coming. “Preston? It’s probably not a good idea for Mandy to see him right now.”

  Amanda grabbed Preston’s radio. “What the hell happened to him, Jeff?” She hated that her voice sounded so fragile.

  “Mandy, you don’t really want to know.”

  She shed angry tears as she bit her friend’s head off over the radio. “I wouldn’t have asked the fuckin’ question if I didn’t want to know!”

  The radio crackled as the fire roared in the background. More fire trucks pulled in the parking lot, sirens blaring as they came to pour more water on the building. Amanda didn’t think Jeff would answer her, so she beeped in again.

  “He’d better be okay…he better be okay.” She started crying again as the other ambulance sped past them.

  Preston took the radio from her hands and clipped it back on his pocket. “Come on, Mandy. I’ll call Kiki and have her bring over some clothes for you, then I’ll drive you to the hospital to see him.”

  She stared after the ambulance as it faded in the distance. She didn’t know what he’d gone back inside for. Everything she needed was outside. But she blamed herself for it. If she’d been smart enough to figure out the place was on fire, he wouldn’t have had to come up and save her. He wouldn’t have gone back in and rescued whatever he’d thought needed rescuing. He wouldn’t be in that ambulance in God knew what condition if she hadn’t been so stupid and noticed her surroundings before things got out of hand.

  Preston smoothed a hand against her shoulder, drawing her attention back to him. He repeated his statement and all she could do was nod.

  * * * *

  The dreary hospital did little to comfort Amanda. Not only was the place morbid, but the chairs felt like concrete, and the nurses had better things to do than give her updates. She wasn’t Brad’s family, so therefore she couldn’t go back without his consent. After two hours in the waiting area, spending most of her time pacing and worrying and literally crying her tear ducts dry, Brad still hadn’t regained consciousness.

  Jeff said he’d inhaled a lot of smoke which dropped his oxygen to a dangerously low level. He’d passed out in the building and suffered a few minor chemical burns on his hands. A few seconds longer and there was a good chance he wouldn’t have made it.

  Many of Brad’s friends and co-workers piled inside the small waiting area, coming in at different hours throughout the night and finally informing her of completely extinguishing the blaze. All assured her Brad would be fine. Amanda knew he was tough, but the thought didn’t comfort her much. She didn’t know what caused the second fire much like the first, yet Brad saved her again. She wanted to see him. She needed to see him, to feel his heartbeat and know he was alive.

  Amanda sat surrounded by her best friends. Jeff and his wife Katy, Kiki and Preston, Evan and his girlfriend Cassie. They’d all grown up together and now came to be her family support when she had none. More tears pooled in her eyes at the thought of needing her family right now. She’d lost them not too long ago. She couldn’t afford to lose Brad, too.

  “Amanda Petersen?” A nurse in dull blue scrubs came to the waiting area to call her name.

  “Yes?” Amanda said, wiping her cheeks as she stood.

  “Mr. Thomas is asking for you.” The nurse led her down the hall to an even duller room where Brad lay bandaged and hooked up to oxygen. Machines beeped in the otherwise silent atmosphere, rattling her nerves even more than they already were. Brad lifted his bandaged hand when he saw her, obviously in pain. He groaned and wheezed, breathing in the sweet air she took for granted.

  “I was worried sick about you.” Tears fell from her eyes as she reached the bed, touching his arm to feel he was alive. “You scared me to death, you know that?”

  “I love you, Mandy,” Brad rasped. “I saved something for you. It’s over there in the chair.”

  She sn
iffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands as she went to the chair. She pulled his coat aside, finding her old photo album of her and her parents. She gasped and looked over at Brad.

  The album, he knew, held a special place in her heart. Funny how ever since the explosion, the only thing she’d worried about was Brad. She hadn’t thought of the stupid possessions. She hadn’t thought of the damage, or the fact she had nowhere to sleep and no clothes to wear. She’d only thought of this man who’d risked his life to save something he knew she held dear.

  “Brad,” she whispered, coming to his side again and pressing her lips against his. “I love you so much, Brad. With all my heart.”

  Epilogue

  “We are happy to announce this year’s calendar, Red Hot Firemen.” Kiki unveiled the pictures of the thirteen delicious men to the gathered crowd of mostly women. “Our thanks to all the firemen of Hope, Texas for posing in this delicious calendar for Cancer Cure. We’ve already raised ten thousand dollars and the orders are still coming in.”

  Amanda sat in her baby blue formal with Brad in his tux, his hand wrapped around hers. The awards dinner was packed with nearly everyone in Hope, Texas and surrounding counties. She hadn’t realised the calendar could sell that much in such a short time. It’d only been available for three months.

  But then again, with Brad plastered shirtless on the front cover holding an axe with nothing but sex shining in his eyes… She’d stock up too if she didn’t already have her own personal copy of the photos. Not to mention the man himself.

  “We’d also like to thank, Amanda Petersen for the wonderful photography,” Kiki continued. “She captured the best of these thirteen men. So ladies, you all have her to thank. Also, she donated her services completely free of charge.”

  The room erupted in applause. Kiki went on telling the people of Hope about the fire that took Amanda’s studio, explaining that she’d sat up a donation table next to the door for those that wanted to help get Amanda back on her feet.

  Amanda couldn’t believe her conniving friend and loved her dearly for it. Brad wrapped his arm around Amanda and kissed her temple. Since the fire, they’d been inseparable. She’d taken care of him after he’d left the hospital and he’d made her promise to move in with him. Even injured, he’d showed her love, the kind of love that came around once in a lifetime. Smiling, she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his smooth cheek.

  Kiki soon finished her speech and joined them. She and Preston had started dating after the studio fire and were totally smitten and in love with each other. Or in lust. It was hard to tell with the two of them.

  “So, Ms. Popular, wait until you see what I have in store for next year’s charity event.” Kiki grinned at her best friend while their men glanced at each other. “Instead of calendars, I’m thinking of an auction.” Kiki’s eyes lit with excitement. “A bachelorette auction.”

  “Oh, hell no,” Brad said. “Don’t you even think about volunteering for something like that.”

  Amanda grinned at him. “Why not? Afraid of a little competition?”

  His eyes darkened as they narrowed on her. “Like you don’t already have all you need?”

  She shook her head at him while Kiki filled them in on the details. Bored, the two men finally left the table as the girls talked. She understood Brad’s possessive streak, knowing with her, it was five miles wide and fifteen miles long. The idea of a bachelorette auction only brought out the best in that nature. Amusing really. Amanda had always thought she’d hate someone being that protective, but with Brad it was different. She liked being “his”.

  When she finally snuck away from Kiki, she found Brad by the bar looking gloomy. He appeared to be in hiding. When she came up to him, rubbing her hand along his back, he jumped, nearly dropping his glass of wine.

  “Dammit. You scared me.”

  “Sorry. What’s up with you?”

  “I’m hiding from Misty Myers. She grabbed my ass three times in five minutes and if she does it again, I’m afraid I’ll cause a scene. So, I’m avoiding her.” He bent forward to kiss Amanda. “I love you.”

  She grinned. “Let’s blow this party.”

  “There you are!” Misty Myers came up behind them with a huge smile on her face. “Oh, Mandy you are so lucky to have all these hunks shirtless and in front of the camera. I’m thinking of taking up photography myself if I’d get to witness that all the time.” She giggled flirtatiously, tipping her champagne glass to her mulberry lips.

  Amanda had never been the jealous type but Misty’s dreamy glances at Brad brought the green-eyed monster out full-fledged. Amanda grabbed Brad’s hand, linking her fingers with his.

  “I must say I do have a pretty amazing job.” She smiled at Misty. “Now if you’ll excuse us, I’m going to go photograph my boyfriend naked.”

  She led Brad through the crowd to the front door. He barely managed to hold in his chuckles until they made it to his truck. He held open the door for her and helped her climb in before sliding behind the wheel and erupting into laughter.

  “What the hell is so funny?” Amanda demanded though she knew perfectly well what he laughed at.

  “You are so hot when you’re jealous.”

  * * * *

  When they got home, they started stripping off their formalwear at the door, ending up naked by the time they made it to the bedroom.

  He walked her backwards to the bed and leaned over her, pressing her into the mattress. Automatically her legs spread to accommodate him, accepting him as he peered down at her with a look of nothing but desire filling his eyes. Amanda knew Bradley Thomas was the only man for her. He was her perfect match, the only one she’d ever crave. She needed him like her next breath and rejoiced when he finally positioned his cock at her entrance.

  He thrust into her, a sweet homecoming. His cock stretched her pussy and created sweet friction that had her gasping with a single thrust. He felt perfect, as if their bodies were meant for each other. Their lovemaking was slow and sweet, his cock sliding in and out, arousing her more with each slick thrust. He kissed her, unable to get enough of her as well. She tangled her legs around him, pulling him deeper, but never getting him deep enough.

  His mouth found her breasts and licked each nipple before pulling one between his teeth and biting lightly before sucking it hard. She moaned loudly, scratching her nails down his back. She held him tight, arching her back in offering to his sweet mouth. He moved his mouth to the neglected nipple, doing the same thing, licking and gently biting. Each motioned forced her orgasm closer, and the light scrape of his teeth sent her over, hard and fast.

  She cried out Brad’s name thrusting her hips against his as her pussy spasmed around him. He came pumping into her with bursts of his cum filling her womb then he collapsed on top of her smiling.

  “You know, if you’re going to be in a bachelorette auction, maybe I should be in a bachelor auction. You know since it is all in the name of charity.”

  Amanda groaned. “What? So Missy can pounce on you? I don’t think so. You’re mine, buster. Get used to it.”

  He shrugged, slipping from her body and rolled to his side. “We could buy each other.”

  He nibbled on her chin, kissing the sweet spot behind her ear he knew she loved. “Or we could suggest Kiki stick with the calendars and pick on the policemen this time.”

  Amanda pictured sixty year old Jack Taylor as the cover model and shivered. “I’ll talk to Kiki about it and work something out. After all, it is a year from now.”

  “You won't be a bachelorette a year from now.” He pulled back staring into her eyes. “Just like you won’t be a Petersen.”

  Amanda grinned. “Nope. I’ll be married and have the name Mrs. Bradley Thomas.”

  He kissed her and pulled her on top of him. She straddled his hips, gripped his hard cock and took him inside her again. The year definitely looked promising. Amanda’s life finally looked up for once, and with that, she had nothing to complain about.
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  “And just think,” Brad said, fingers finding her clit as he began rubbing in small little circles. “After we’re married, you’ll have all the orgasms you can handle. And then some.”

  She cried out when she came. Nope, a girl couldn’t complain about that.

  About the Author

  Lexie’s love for writing began when she wrote her first play in fourth grade. With a big imagination and love for creating worlds, she wrote several more scripts that have placed first in contests. She loves to read but didn’t pick up a romance novel until high school and fell in love with the genre. Now she writes steamy stories, with heartfelt characters, letting her imagination take her wherever it may go.

  Email: davis.lexie@gmail.com

  Lexie loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

  Also by Lexie Davis

  Rain Fell Down

  It’s Been Awhile

  Amuse Me

  Dirty Cupid

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