Hearts on Fire 4: Kisses Sweeter Than Pie (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “We’ll see, Johnny. That all depends on whether or not you behave.”

  She turned around, causing him to remove his hand and sit back as Trent drove the truck out of the driveway.

  “Sounds like a challenge to me, bro,” Buddy said.

  Johnny rubbed his hands together and smiled. “I love me a challenge, especially when the prize is my sweet, horny little Nina.”

  “Johnny!” she reprimanded, but Trent and Buddy chuckled. She sat there trying to calm her body and the desire to jump over the seat and give Johnny the ride of his life.

  She’d come a long way in a short period of time with these men. Every day she was falling deeper and deeper in love with them. She wondered why she still held back from telling them that she loved them.

  Because I’m still scared of getting hurt and being used. When will these feelings disappear?

  * * * *

  Nina was really enjoying the Station. It was such a cool place with lots of memorabilia and old pictures everywhere. She could spend hours looking at them. The band was playing, their first performance at the Station. Hal, Billy, Jake’s dad, Burt, and his friend Jerome had installed a new stage. It was going to be a regular Friday and Saturday night event with bands and talent performing for the patrons.

  Johnny wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. She felt his lips against her neck and his hand squeezed her hip bone. She noticed that Trent, Buddy, and especially Johnny were really being affectionate. Their public display was obviously done to warn off any other men. Truth was, she didn’t mind at all. She felt so comfortable with them. She really hoped that this relationship worked out, because the thought of losing them or something going wrong to break them apart instantly made her feel sick. She had this burning tightness in her chest. It scared her and she turned in Johnny’s arms and hugged him tight.

  His hands caressed her back. One slid over her ass and squeezed it quickly before turning to her back.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered.

  God, he’s so amazing and in tune to me.

  She wanted to tell him that she loved him and that she never wanted to be apart but feared he would find her clingy. Which was exactly what she was doing right now, clinging to his neck, trying to pull his scent, his cologne, all Johnny into her and ease this uncertainty and fear she was suddenly overwhelmed with. Nina needed to pull it together.

  She swallowed hard.

  “I just like hugging you. It feels good in your arms, Johnny.”

  His concerned expression turned into a smile. His lip curled. He got that sexy, flirty twinkle in his eye, and he licked his lower lip. “You feel good in my arms, too, baby. Better than anything.”

  She kissed him softly on the lips, and he pulled her tighter and explored her mouth deeply, making her moan. She had to get it together, so she pressed against his chest and eased her lips from his. She stepped back, needing a reprieve before their make-out session turned into a live porn act in front of a crowd of strangers. Why that thought aroused her and made her think of nothing more than taking him into a dark corner and having her way with his body she didn’t know. She shook her head.

  She felt the hands on her shoulders and an extra-large body press against her.

  “Everything okay over here?” Trent asked. She closed her eyes and then turned toward him.

  “Good,” she whispered, voice sounding shaky.

  “I’d better be sure,” Trent said. His brown eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. His hand roamed across her ass and he pulled her tighter.

  When he released her lips, she felt faint.

  “Baby, I don’t think I’m going to be able to stay here much longer. I need inside you. Deep, way deep into you.” Her cheeks warmed as he pressed his hand under her hair and cupped the base of her head. He was going to kiss her again, and by the reaction her body had right now, she would orgasm right here by the bar.

  “I need to use the ladies’ room. Will you excuse me a moment?”

  He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You gonna run away from me, baby?”

  She shook her head, but she was thinking, Hell yeah, so I don’t come right here and moan loudly. “I need to go,” she whispered. He scrunched his eyebrows together and that damn firm expression made her thighs quiver and her pussy ache. Damn, these men were so fine.

  Making pies used to consume her every thought. Now suddenly, making love to Trent, Buddy, and Johnny together ruled her every thought. She shivered as she turned to walk away, and there was Buddy.

  He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed the top.

  “Where ya going? My brothers scare you with their public display of possession?” he asked, then pulled her into his arms and held her around the waist with his hands locked behind her lower back. She held on to his forearms and smiled.

  “They were being a bit wild, but I liked it,” she admitted. He smiled.

  “Good, because I give us about another twenty minutes tops and then we’re out of here so we can get you home and make love for the rest of the night.”

  She hugged him and then looked back up at him. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

  He nodded and released her, but not before he gave her ass a light tap just as a group of guys was checking her out. She felt a little on edge as she passed the men gawking, but one look over her shoulder at Buddy’s, Trent’s, and Johnny’s mean expressions toward the men had her feeling giddy inside. She waved at them and Johnny winked at her then watched her ass as she headed toward the bathroom.

  Nina waited in a short line. It was pretty damn crowded in there. She finally got into the ladies’ room, did her business, then looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked so healthy and vibrant. She knew it had to do with her men. Tonight she was going to be completely honest, put all her fears behind her, and tell them how much she loved them.

  She turned to head out of the ladies’ room and back into the very crowded bar when someone bumped into her.

  She looked at the blonde, hair all done up, lots of makeup, her breasts pouring from a two-sizes-too-small red tube dress she wore, and the woman smiled. Nina’s gut instincts kicked in and put her on guard.

  “Hi, I know you don’t know me and are new around here, but as a woman, I felt it necessary to kind of give you a warning,” she said.

  Someone else bumped into Nina and she was forced to move closer to the wall. The young woman moved with her.

  “Warn me?” Nina asked.

  “Those guys you’re with, they’re bad news, and they can’t be trusted.”

  Nina’s heart started pounding. She gave the woman an expression that told her she wasn’t buying her shit, but then the woman hurried to continue.

  “Johnny, the paramedic, is a playboy. He picks up women all the time as a paramedic. I’ve heard that he does them right there in the back of the ambulance.”

  Nina was shocked, and she started having those funny, insecure sensations in her gut.

  “He was charged with sexual harassment months ago for trying his playboy shit on some unsuspecting patient he responded to a call on. I’m just telling you that he and his brothers like to use women. They say how they haven’t met anyone like you or haven’t had sex in a long time, but they are full of shit. Believe me, my friends have had the misfortune of falling for their lies. They even have bets going as to how many women they can fuck. Johnny has a board right in the back of the ambulance. It’s sick. I just wanted to warn you.” She looked Nina over. “You seem sweet. Too sweet to be pulled down by such losers like them.”

  Nina was shocked and confused and didn’t want to believe what this woman said when she pulled out her cell phone.

  “Don’t believe me about the sexual harassment charges?” She showed Nina her cell phone and a newspaper report about Johnny being accused of sexual harassment and getting suspended from the job.

  Nina didn’t know what to think or to do as she turned around, un
sure where the exit was. She hurried out of the bathroom and away, away from the men, the woman who’d just ruined her night, never mind her life and her happiness, and she ran toward the door.

  Just before she got there, Michaela was there, along with Hal. “Nina, what’s going on? Where are you going?” she asked. Nina looked at Hal then at Michaela.

  The tears filled her eyes. “I’m leaving. I don’t believe this is happening.”

  “What is it? Is something wrong?” Hal asked, stepping closer.

  Michaela looked around as if trying to see someone. Maybe she was looking for Trent, Johnny, and Buddy.

  “I need to go. Some woman just told me all about Buddy, Trent, and Johnny and how Johnny is a playboy who uses women and how he was arrested for sexual harassment. They’ve been using me.” Nina pulled away and headed out the door.

  “No, Nina, wait!” Michaela said.

  * * * *

  “Hal, go get the guys and tell them what happened. I think Tara Kelly got a hold of Nina and told her those lies,” Michaela said, and then she spotted Tara standing there flirting with some guys as she sipped her drink. She looked all smug.

  Michaela headed her way. “Michaela. Michaela, don’t do anything stupid,” Hal said. Michaela could see the guys as well as Cindy, Serefina, and Jake coming toward them. Hal was waving toward Jake, Buddy, Johnny, and Trent.

  Michaela approached Tara. “Hey, you. I think you need to relocate.”

  Tara looked her over and gave her a sassy look. It aggravated Michaela to no end. This lying, manipulating bitch had just hurt Nina with lies, and Michaela wasn’t going to let her destroy that love she had with Trent, Buddy, and Johnny.

  “What are you talking about?” Tara asked, and her friends stepped away, not even wanting to back her up. The guys watched and waited to see what would happen.

  “Michaela, don’t bother with her,” Hal said and went to grab her wrist gently.

  Michaela pulled it away. “No, she’s a lying, manipulating little bitch with such low self-esteem that she needs to put down other women who are obviously better than her.”

  “Like who? That little nobody you’re friends with? She’s a street rat. She doesn’t even have a family,” Tara said. Now it appeared everyone was disgusted with Tara.

  “She does have a family, and a hell of a lot more friends than you’ll ever have. Now if you know what’s good for you, you’ll haul your skanky little ass out of here right now or the next charges you press against someone will not be a lie. They’ll be for assault. Me assaulting you.”

  Tara’s eyes widened, and she looked so scared. Michaela wanted to laugh, but she held her ground, hoping the woman would try something.

  “You’re crazy. That woman is a loser. I’m better than her.”

  In a flash, Tara was covered in some red tropical drink, and she screamed from the shock of it. Michaela looked to her left and there was Cindy.

  “That’s your last warning. You stay away from our friend Nina, and you stop spreading lies about Trent, Johnny, and Buddy or the next thing that will hit you is my fist,” Cindy threatened.

  Tara growled, then grabbed her bag and ran from the scene. Around them people cheered, and they could hear everyone yelling things to Tara as she left, like “don’t come back,” “loser,” and “Nina.”

  Michaela turned toward Cindy, and Cindy raised her hand for a high five. “You go, girl. I didn’t think you had that in ya.”

  They slapped hands and Jake pulled Michaela back against him.

  “You and I are going to have a discussion about causing bar fights and public disturbance.”

  She chuckled. “I’ll take whatever punishments you deem necessary, Sheriff.”

  “I am so glad I got all that on video,” Tasha stated.

  “Me, too,” they heard others say.

  They all laughed.

  “Where are Johnny, Trent, and Buddy?” Michaela asked.

  “They ran to find Nina. I hope they do. What a terrible misunderstanding,” Cindy said.

  “She’s probably so hurt right now. I hope they find her fast. She’s special,” Bear stated.

  “That she is.” Jake squeezed Michaela a little tighter.

  * * * *

  Nina was so upset. She didn’t know what to believe. Her thoughts were scattered into a thousand directions. What if what the woman said was true? What if the guys had used her and were only after her for her body and for a good time? Could Johnny really have a chart in the ambulance with check marks as to how many women he had sex with in there? The article had to be real. He was charged with sexual harassment. How could he do something like that? He was so sweet and compassionate. It just didn’t make sense. The three of them did say they hadn’t been intimate with anyone in a long time. Was that a lie, too, just like the blonde had told Nina? How could she stay in Treasure Town? How could she face all these people and try to open a business after these men hurt her like this?

  She was getting angry now as she paced the parking lot. She looked around, still seeing people entering the bar, and then something caught her eye just as she was about to start walking.

  It was the teenager with the baseball cap and red jersey. Why was he here? What was he carrying?

  She felt her chest pounding. If she had a cell phone, she would call someone for help. But that was something else she didn’t have and couldn’t afford. Could Johnny, Trent, and Buddy actually like her because she was weak, had nothing, and was desperate to become part of something real?

  She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat as she hid behind the car and then walked closer. She could see him setting something up by the Dumpster. That teenager and Dumpsters didn’t mix well if his past actions were proof. She needed to stop him. He was going to set the Station on fire. People were going to get hurt or worse. Johnny, Trent, and Buddy were in there.

  She took a deep breath and headed toward the teen.

  “Hey, what are you doing?” she called to him. He looked up and lit a lighter. “Don’t do it!” she yelled.

  “Nina!” She heard her name and saw Trent, Buddy, and Johnny heading around the front of the building.

  “It’s the arsonist. He’s setting a fire!” she yelled to them. The kid was going to light the explosives. Nina ran forward, desperate to stop him from hurting any more people. She didn’t know what came over her. Maybe it was the anger at the night’s events, perhaps being accused of aiding the arsonist when she first met Trent, Johnny, and Buddy, or perhaps the simple fact that she was falling in love with Treasure Town and all its people. But whatever it was, she ran as fast as she could and she tackled the teenager. The lighter went flying, a small fire started, she saw out of the corner of her eye some flames and then someone stepping on them. Her body slammed against his so hard the kid yelled out and then rolled on top of her, trying to get away. She swung at him and he swung at her, ripping her dress, but then he was suddenly off of her, yelling out in pain. She looked to see Trent shove the kid against the concrete wall. Johnny was now next to her, leaning over her as she remained lying on the ground. He looked so concerned, so caring, but then came the thoughts of what he had done and the lies they told her.

  “Goddamn it, Nina. What the hell were you thinking? My God, baby, are you okay?” Johnny asked her as he started checking her over.

  “Is she okay?” Buddy asked, sounding breathless as the sounds of sirens in the distance came closer, and then people started crowding around the area.

  She saw flashes, cameras going off, and then deputies arriving.

  “I’m fine. Let me up.” She cringed as both Buddy and Johnny helped her.

  “Is she okay?” Trent called from across the way. The teenager was in handcuffs and looking a bit bloody. Trent looked so angry and intense as she locked gazes with him.

  “She’s okay. We’re going to check her over now,” Johnny said as the paramedics arrived.

  She pulled her arm from his grasp. “I’m fine,” she whispered.
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br />   Johnny looked shocked. “Nina, let me explain.”

  “I don’t want to hear it, and I don’t want to be added to your list of women you fucked in the back of your ambulance, okay?” she whispered and turned away.

  “What?” Johnny asked. Michaela, Serefina, Cindy, and Tasha approached along with Jake, Hal, Bear, and a bunch of other friends.

  “Nina, are you okay? My God, you caught the arsonist. He was going to try and blow up the Station.” Michaela pulled her into a hug. Nina moaned.

  “You’re hurt,” Cindy said. Nina glanced at Johnny’s shocked expression and look of frustration.

  “Hey, that woman inside, Tara, whatever she told you was a lie.”

  “Tara? Tara spoke to Nina?” Johnny asked.

  “We took care of her, Johnny. She won’t be spewing her lies anymore around here,” Cindy added. They started telling Nina about what happened. With every detail and explanation about the false charges and the woman’s obsession with Johnny and Trent and Buddy, Nina felt like shit. Her gut twisted. Her heart shattered. She didn’t deserve such great men. Not with her past and her insecurities fucking up a good thing. She lowered her head.

  “I want to go home.” But even as she said those words, home didn’t real feel like the right word to describe the apartment. There were no longer instant feelings of belonging. She felt like crap, plain and simple.

  “I need to ask you some questions, Nina. Can you come over here to the patrol car? I’m Mercury, a paramedic, and I’ll check you over to be sure that you’re okay.” She eyed the young guy, and he smiled as he followed her toward the deputy car.

  * * * *

  Johnny watched Mercury look over Nina. The fact that his friend and fellow paramedic got to touch her and undo her dress in the back to bandage up a small scratch that looked minimal was making him crazy. She actually believed what Tara had told her. She believed that he would keep tabs of women he had sex with in the back of the ambulance. Hell, he may have had sex back there once or twice years ago as a cocky guy who didn’t care who he picked up because it was meaningless, but he sure never made a habit of it. He wasn’t so insensitive. It was kind of like firefighters having sex with a woman on the top of a fire truck or a cop taking his woman up against the back of a patrol car.