Blaze (The Protectors Series) Book #10

by Teresa Gabelman

  Bolstering her courage, Katrina said, “I think what you did was brave.” Katrina would have her say and then she would leave. “It took courage.”

  Blaze gave a bitter laugh, but didn’t turn around. “There was nothing brave in what I did, Katrina.”

  “Yeah, well most brave men would say the same,” Katrina responded, wishing he would turn around so she could see his face.

  “You think you understand me, but you don’t.” She got her wish as he turned around while he spoke. “I killed my team. They died by my hand. I choose to be alone in my life because I don’t deserve the happiness that should have been theirs. Is that enough, Katrina?” His voice sharpened, agony chasing every syllable. “Is that what you came to hear? No? Do you want me to lie and tell you that after tonight my feelings are different about what I did? My conscience is clear and I’m free to move forward? Are those the words you’re waiting for?”

  Katrina stared at him, only seeing a man so full of pain she felt the hurt. “Actually, I didn’t expect you to say anything. I just wanted to be here as your friend and to thank you for the guitar. No one should be alone. I know that better than anyone and yet I was. Our situations are different, but still the same. Whether you want to take advantage of that or not is your choice. Just know I’m here or… somewhere.” Katrina felt better getting that out. Whether her words made sense to him or not, she didn’t know, but she’d said them and that was that.

  “Our situations are not even close to being the same.” Blaze narrowed his eyes at her.

  Katrina shrugged her shoulder but didn’t break eye contact with him. “Think what you will, Blaze. Believe that you are the only one who has been put in an impossible situation to only fail at saving those close to you.” Katrina backed toward the door. “But it’s just a way for you to push anyone who cares for you away. You had a perfect opportunity tonight to have closure, yet you’re too selfish to take it. It was handed to you and you’re selfishly shoving it away. I would give anything to have that same chance.”

  “What in the fuck are you talking about?” Blaze shouted, his hands fisting at his sides.

  “My mother, you fucking asshole.” Katrina was done being nice and rational. Fuck him. She had tried to be there for him, but if he wanted a fight, she was willing to give him one. “I would have given anything to have her come to me, to have closure.”

  “You didn’t kill your mother, Katrina.” Blaze’s voice calmed somewhat, but still held frustration.

  “Didn’t I?” Katrina looked up at him. “She died trying to save me. She died trying to give me a better life. She fucking died because of me. So fuck you and your attitude of ‘no one has your situation’ because if anyone understands, it’s me, you big fucking dick.”

  Katrina turned and pulled the door open with enough strength to slam it against the wall and took off. Not caring where she was going, she jumped the row of bushes to the right of the house and headed across a field. She heard him calling her name, but she didn’t stop. Actually, she sped up when she heard him pounding behind her.

  Glancing around, she noticed all the trees so used her powers. Birds flew out heading straight toward Blaze, with special instructions to not hurt him, but to block his path to her. Hearing him curse, she chanced a glance back only to see him fighting his way through the wall of birds flying in front of him. With a smirk, she made sure other of her animal friends were on standby.

  Chapter 24

  “Son of a bitch.” Blaze dodged and waved birds away. They were so fucking thick he could hardly see Katrina, but he did know she was gaining ground and he was losing it. With a roar, he fought his way through the mass. As he felt a sense of accomplishment, a fucking herd of deer jumped in front of him, making him fall and slide on his stomach.

  He looked up from the ground to see Katrina disappear into a line of woods. “Dammit.” He stood and took a running leap over the deer, then kicked up his speed, leaving the animals behind. He looked over his shoulder, satisfied that he was in the clear, until he looked back in front of him and stopped so suddenly his bare feet pulled up grass and dirt.

  “You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Blaze said out loud as he stared at seven skunks with their asses in the air and looking at him over their backs. “Katrina!” he yelled with his hands on his hips.

  He listened closely and didn’t hear any running. No way did she get far enough from him that he wouldn’t hear her. Scanning the tree line, a thought came to him as he noticed the birds and deer had caught up to him. His head snapped to the side when he heard a chuckle. So she thought this was funny, did she?

  “Show yourself or I’m going to start cooking me some dinner.” He formed a fireball in his hand and held it up. “You know you’re not supposed to be alone and if it comes down to you or them, I’m choosing you. I know you’re out there. Don’t make me do it.”

  “You wouldn’t do it,” Katrina yelled from the woods.

  Blaze’s eyes narrowed toward the direction of her voice. “Don’t try me!”

  “You won’t do it,” Katrina repeated, then stepped into his view. “I’m fine, Blaze. I’ll call Jared and be out of your way.”

  “Fuck Jared,” Blaze shouted. “Now call them off.”

  A light mist of freezing rain began to fall. He could hear the breathing of the deer around him, feel the breeze of the birds’ wings and was reminded that Katrina really was an amazing woman. He let the fire burn away and stood staring at the beautiful sight she made standing on the edge of the woods as if she belonged with the scenery.

  “I’m sorry,” he shouted as the freezing rain came down in earnest.

  “So am I,” Katrina shouted back.

  “What in the hell are you sorry for?” Blaze frowned.

  “For calling you a big fucking dick.”

  Blaze actually laughed, and now he couldn’t stop laughing. He bent over, hands on his knees, and let emotion overtake him. Jesus, he was losing it and it felt fucking good. Wiping his eyes, he noticed the blood mixed with the wetness of the rain. Standing straight, he saw that she had moved closer, but still had the protection of the animals between them.

  “Call them off,” he said gently as his eyes took in her beauty. The cold and rain had crystallized in her curly long hair, giving her an angelic look. Damn, she was beautiful, and much more deserving of someone other than him.

  “Do you promise to let me be your friend?” she questioned with a tilt of her head.

  “Call them off.” His tone became stern, but soft.

  Katrina looked at the animals, and he knew she was relaying a message. The birds flew away as the deer, with their graceful gait, began to depart. The skunks, however, stood in the same exact position, looking at him.

  “I don’t think they got the message.” Blaze nodded at the skunks.

  “That’s because you haven’t promised me.” Katrina cocked her eyebrow. “To let me be your friend.”

  Blaze sighed as feelings of not being worthy of her friendship, love, or whatever she felt for him, swarmed him. “Katrina, you are much more to me than a friend.”

  Stepping over the skunks, Katrina walked into his arms. Blaze held her so tight she squirmed. When he picked her up, she wrapped her legs around him as his lips met hers. He opened his eyes slightly, relieved to see the skunks waddling away. Yes, the woman in his arms was special, and he was going to make damn sure from this moment on he would treat her as he should.

  ******

  Katrina had no idea and really didn’t care how long they stood in the clearing kissing. One thing they hadn’t done a lot of was kissing and holy crap, could this man kiss. She did, however, realize that she was no longer cold. He was heating his body for her, but honestly, his kiss alone would have warmed her enough.

  He pulled away, his eyes searching hers. “You said you loved me in your sleep,” Blaze blurted, his arms tightening around her. “Do you remember?”

  “Yes.” Katrina leaned her forehead into his. “I didn�
�t mean to say it out loud, but I won’t deny it.”

  “Do you still feel that way?” Blaze tilted his head and kissed the corner of her mouth.

  “Yes, I do.” Katrina licked his bottom lip, earning a moan from him. “And it’s okay if you don’t feel the same.”

  Blaze pulled away from her, his eyes darkening as they roamed her face. “I don’t really know what love is, Katrina. As stupid as that sounds, it’s true.”

  The rain fell harder, but it didn’t seem to faze either of them. “Of course you know what it is, Blaze. You have love for Bryon and your team. I also saw it when you talked about his wife, Barbara.”

  Seeing doubt in his eyes, she didn’t want to push the issue, not wanting to drive him away. “Love is just a strong like, Blaze. Nothing more, nothing less.” She touched his cheek. “It’s just something that is.”

  He frowned when she shivered, then turned and headed out of the woods and across the field. “We need to get you warm.”

  She let go of the love issue, knowing it made him uncomfortable, and that was fine. She laid her head on his shoulder as he carried her back to the house. Once inside, he closed the door with his bare foot and took her into the bathroom. Without setting her down, he reached in and turned on the shower.

  ******

  While the water heated, Blaze set her on her feet and removed her clothing, slowly kissing a path to each article of clothing. When he started to remove his jeans, she stopped him and knelt to do the same as he did for her. Except when his cock sprang free, she took him in her mouth, and he loved the sound of her groan. He didn’t try to stop her this time. He let her continue, using steel control to keep from exploding in her mouth. He ran his hand through her hair and even helped her set a tempo. His legs began to shake with the pressure he was putting on them to keep control. Using his free hand against the wall as leverage to keep upright, he slung his head in fucking bliss.

  Knowing he was close, he glanced down to see her staring up at him with her mouth around his cock.

  “Jesus, you’re going to kill me.” He slowly pulled her off his swollen cock and lifted her to her feet. Then he took her mouth with his. He could taste himself, and how fucking sexy was that.

  She pulled away from him and stared at him wide-eyed. “You just kissed me after I—”

  “Sucked my cock.” He finished for her with a sensual grin. “What’s wrong with that?” He kissed her again, making sure his tongue tasted every inch of her mouth.

  “Absolutely nothing.” She moaned, grabbing his hand and pulling it toward her soaked pussy. “Total turn-on.”

  Blaze laughed, plunging two fingers inside her warmth. Katrina held on to his arm, riding his fingers.

  “You are a fucking turn-on.” He growled, pulling his fingers out of her before picking her up and placing her in the shower.

  Grabbing the soap, he lathered his hands and began bathing her with as many suds as he could; as far as he was concerned, there was nothing sexier than seeing her tits lathered by his hands. He turned her around and did the same with that fine ass. Then he gave her a smack.

  “Oh, God!” Katrina cried out, making Blaze give a satisfied smile. Knowing she liked a little spanking made his dick twitch.

  “You like that?” He gave her another smack just under the cheek, then rubbed some of the pain away.

  “Yes.” Katrina reached up, cupped her own breast, and then pinched her nipple. “Please, Blaze.” She tried to turn around, but he stopped her.

  “Hold on, baby.” He lifted her leg and put her foot on the edge of the tub. He worked up some lather and cupped her pussy. “If you liked having your ass smacked, you’re going to love this.”

  He gave her a tap on the pussy. She moaned. He did it again, but harder and she screamed. Yeah, he’d found her level. He continued with a good pace until he felt her grow weak. Now it was time to get some relief himself. He edged her under the warm water to wash away the lather, then turned her toward him. His mouth smashed down on hers.

  Damn, he wished he had a bed, but he didn’t so he picked her up and sank her down on his cock. Needing leverage, he pushed her against the wall and fucked her hard. Her fingernails dug into him. Then her fingers tangled in his hair pulling his neck back. A moment later, her fangs sank into his neck. He groaned, knowing she loved to feed from him while his dick was deep inside her.

  He held back his release as long as he could while pounding into her. Having felt her come more than once, with his head slammed back, he let go and released inside her. His body shook, his teeth clenched, and his dick pumped his seed into her.

  Finally returning to his senses, he looked at her to find her smiling at him. “Friends?” she asked before she burst out laughing.

  Blaze knew then and there what love was. That was exactly what he felt for the woman in his arms. It had to be, as there was no doubt he would give his life for her.

  Chapter 25

  Katrina sat on her bed, playing her new guitar. Strumming the strings with a smile, she was the happiest she had ever been in her life. She had stayed at Blaze’s until just a little while earlier, when he had to come in to work for a meeting. She was due at the bar that night for her second shift, and then she had training tomorrow.

  While humming a tune, she thought about the time she had spent with Blaze. After the shower, which she would never in her life forget, they had talked for hours about mostly good things, but also things from their pasts. They’d both wanted to get the past out of the way so they could move on.

  She had drifted off in his arms as they’d sat on the floor, him leaning against the wall. When she’d woken, he’d been staring down at her. What a way to wake up! She chuckled at the thought, then sang softly as she waited for Blaze to take her to work.

  Closing her eyes, getting lost in the song, she quietly played. She hit a wrong chord and laughed, shaking her head.

  “You are beautiful.”

  Katrina jumped, then smiled, pleased by his words, but embarrassed. “You scared me.” She put the guitar down. “That was a fast meeting.”

  “Yeah, it was.” Blaze glanced at the guitar. “You like your birthday gift?”

  “So much!” Katrina reached out and touched it, then frowned. “How did you know about my birthday?”

  “Adam.”

  “How did Adam…? He read me, didn’t he?” Katrina snorted when Blaze nodded. “He really needs to stop doing that.”

  “This time I’m glad he did because I wouldn’t have known about your birthday.” Blaze grinned, then became serious in a flash. “But he has been warned to stay out of your thoughts.”

  “Thank you.” Katrina chuckled, then jumped up. “Oh, and before I forget.”

  She headed to the small dresser and opened a drawer, embarrassingly revealing how little she had. She pulled out a shirt and unfolded it. After grabbing the money hidden inside, she tried to hand it to him.

  “I don’t want that money back, Katrina.” Blaze refused to take it.

  “I’m not giving you a choice.” Katrina wadded it up the best she could and went for his pocket, but he was too quick and moved out of the way.

  “No.” Blaze grinned when she persisted.

  “Dammit, Blaze. Take the flipping money back.” She caught her finger in one of his front pockets, but once again he evaded her.

  Carefully, he grabbed her wrist, stilling her. “You can get in my pants anytime, but not to put money in them.”

  Katrina huffed and tried not to laugh. “Seriously, Blaze!”

  “Hey!” Steve called out from the other side of the closed door. “Sloan wants to see you guys, pronto.”

  Blaze opened the door still grinning, which in turn made Steve grin.

  “Hey, Blaze.” Steve went in for a knuckle bump. “What’s up, bro?”

  Katrina nodded toward Steve who was trying to get Blaze to knuckle bump him, but Blaze didn’t move. It didn’t matter though, because as soon as Steve saw the money in her hand, his brows lift
ed.

  “Holy shit!” Steve stepped closer. “What the fuck did you do at the bar to earn that kind of tips?”

  “Oh, Steve,” Katrina whispered as she watched Blaze’s calm, cool mood change in the blink of an eye.

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Blaze rounded on him.

  Steve rolled his eyes and sighed. “Katrina, know that I really like you, but I’m not talking to you anymore because it’s just too fucking dangerous for a dumbass like me.” Steve turned and walked away. “Don’t forget Sloan wants to see everybody in the game room pronto.”

  “Blaze, he didn’t mean it.” Katrina stepped in his line of vision. “He’s Steve. He says stuff, but he’s a really good guy. Actually, he’s the main person who helped me when I first came here and wanted nothing in return. Please make nice with him.”

  “I don’t make nice, Katrina.” Blaze glanced down at her.

  “Try for me, please.” Katrina leaned into him while looking up into his eyes. “Please.”

  “For you, I will try.” Blaze nodded, but stopped her hand from slipping the money into his pocket. “And you may be a good pickpocket, but you suck at trying to give it back.”

  “I’m not going to spend this.” Katrina walked to her dresser and put the money back. “It will stay in there forever because I won’t spend it. I mean it… for-ev-errrrr.”

  ******

  Blaze chuckled when she spread the word forever out. He had been so blind during his self-hatred of his past, but hearing her words calling him out had opened his eyes. No one understood him more than she did. He cared for her more than anything or anybody he had ever cared for in his life.

  “Hey,” he said when she closed the dresser drawer.

  “What?” Katrina looked up at him, her wide eyes always so expressive as if waiting for what he was going to say. No one, for a long time, had cared what he had to say.