Playing With Fire (Firehouse Fourteen Book 2)

by Lisa B. Kamps

  She watched him watching her, and felt powerful, beautiful, wanted. She dropped her hands to the waistband of her gym shorts and pushed them down, shifting in the seat and tilting her hips until the material slid past her legs to her ankles. She kicked them off then turned back to Jay. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths as he watched her, desire burning in his eyes. Burning her.

  He moaned then turned in the seat, threw the truck in reverse, then looked behind him as he backed up. She knew where he was going, to the small section of the path that widened.

  He maneuvered the truck off the trail, coming dangerously close to the trees, then turned off the lights and killed the engine. Angie leaned across the console, needing to touch him, feel him. Her hands fisted in his shirt, pulling at it, wanting nothing between them. He pushed her hands out of the way and tore the shirt over his head, his breathing as ragged as hers. Then he grabbed her and pulled, until she was sprawled partly across the console and his lap.

  His mouth crashed against hers, demanding response, demanding surrender. He dragged his hand down her side, down until he reached between her legs, his fingers spreading her, stroking her. She opened her legs as fire raced through her, burning, searing.

  She shifted, reached down and tugged at his sweatpants, reached in and grabbed him. Her fingers closed over his hard length and she stroked him, her grip hard, desperate.

  Jay pulled his mouth from hers and his head fell back, his eyes closed as a long moan escaped from between his clenched teeth. He took a deep breath then grabbed her hand, stopping her as he opened his eyes and looked down at her.

  “Angie, now. I can’t wait.”

  She shuddered at the desperate need so clear in his eyes, so clear in his choked words. He shifted and yanked at his pants, tugging them down his hips until his erection stood completely free, hard, thick, long.

  She twisted and bent over, closing her mouth around him, her tongue swirling along the smooth tip. He groaned and dug his fingers into her hair, holding her head in his lap as his hips thrust, pushing his cock deeper in her throat.

  He groaned again then grabbed her, dragging her further across the console and into his lap, helping her move until she straddled him. Her knee banged against the steering wheel and his head hit the side of the door frame.

  “Shit. Dammit. Hold on.”

  He reached around her and she could feel him fumbling with the keys, heard the electrical beep as he turned the key in the ignition. He reached down to the side, did something so the seat slid back, then he turned the key off, throwing them into darkness once more.

  His hands closed around her hips and settled her more fully in his lap. She rocked her hips against him, rubbing against the length of his cock as he reached between them. His finger found her clit and stroked her, his touch sure, demanding.

  His mouth crashed against hers again and she leaned into him. His skin was hot, feverish beneath her hungry touch, and she wanted more. Needed more.

  She shifted her hips, searching, felt the tip of his cock poised at the entrance of her wet heat. But when she shifted once more, ready to impale herself on him, he grabbed her hips and held them steady.

  He pulled back and watched her, his breathing rough, harsh.

  “Fuck. Angie. I don’t have any condoms.”

  “I’m on the pill.”

  Something flared in the depths of his eyes, hot and primitive. He grabbed her hips and drove himself into her, hard, deep. Her head dropped back with a harsh moan as he filled her.

  Deeper. Harder.

  Her hips moved, meeting each of his thrusts, answering his demands with her own. Over and over.

  Harder. Faster.

  She dug her hands into his shoulder as she rode him, his cock filling her, her slick wetness covering him. Need coiled inside her, alive, desperate. Building, tightening, demanding. Breathy moans filled the air, his and hers, as he drove into her. Over and over. Harder. Faster.

  She tightened around him, desperation clawing at her as he filled her. Her head fell back on a small scream as her climax tore through her. Explosion after explosion rocked her, white heat searing her as lights danced behind her eyes.

  His hands tightened on her hips, his thrusts becoming harder, more demanding. His fingers dug into her flesh as he drove into her. Once. Twice.

  Once more as he growled her name in hunger.

  His release filled her with liquid fire, pushing her back to the edge, pulling her over with him.

  “Angie, God.” He cupped her hands around her face and claimed her mouth once more. The kiss was deep and harsh, then slowed, becoming tender and sweet as their bodies slowly relaxed together. He pulled his mouth from hers and dropped kisses along her face, his breath warm against her moist skin.

  “It’s not enough, never enough. God, Angie, I can’t enough of you. Never enough.” His chest heaved against hers, his words sending chills of excitement through her. His arms tightened around her, pulling her even closer as he rested his head against her chest. She dropped her cheek to the top of his head as they held each other.

  Minutes went by, second by second as her breathing returned to normal, as she slowly became aware of the world around them.

  The soft stroke of Jay’s hands against her back.

  The crisp mountain air coming into the truck on a soft breeze.

  The soft cricket song whispering in the forest around them.

  A nagging cramp in her right leg, wedged against the door. She shifted, moaning at the sudden loss of Jay, then grabbed her leg.

  Jay’s shoulders started shaking under her and she pulled back, looking down at him in amusement. “Not funny.”

  He smiled, still chuckling, then pressed a quick kiss against her chest before easing her to the side. She slid back over the console, rubbing the cramp in her leg as she stretched.

  She noticed Jay was doing the same. A small grimace crossed his face when he shifted in the seat then reached down beside him, moving the buckle for the seat belt out from under him. He muttered something under his breath, then pulled his sweatpants up past his hips with a grimace.

  “I’m probably going to have a bruise on my ass tomorrow from that.” He looked over at her, his eyes bright. “It’ll definitely be worth it.”

  Angie laughed and leaned over, grabbing her clothes from the floor and getting dressed. She had just pulled her shirt on when Jay grabbed her arm and pulled her closer, kissing her.

  He pulled away and ran his fingers through her hair, tucking one strand behind her ear. “Angie, when we get back—”

  “I know. But let me handle Dave, okay?”

  His gaze held hers, intent, serious. Searching. The air shifted around them, turning warm with anticipation once more. He opened his mouth, then closed it again and shook his head before leaning back.

  “Okay, I’ll try.” He started the engine, turned on the headlights, put the truck in gear. Angie watched him, certain that he had been ready to say something else but had changed his mind at the last minute. But she didn’t say anything, didn’t question him.

  And then they were back at the campsite, pulling in next to Mike’s Jeep. Angie’s eyes scanned the darkness around the campfire, searching for Dave among the faces sitting around the fire, joking, laughing, or just relaxing. But she didn’t see him.

  Jay reached out and squeezed her hand, and she noticed him looking off to the side. There, standing next to his truck, away from everyone else, stood Dave. She could make out his features in the reflection of the fire, noticed his clenched jaw and steely gaze watching them.

  Her stomach gave a sickening lurch at the expression on his face.

  “Angie, let me talk to him.”

  “No.” She turned to Jay, tried to smile, then looked back at her brother. “No, this is something I need to.”

  She reached for the door handle but Jay pulled her back, giving her a quick kiss and squeezing her hand once more. “Okay, but I’ll be right over there.”

  She n
odded her thanks then climbed out of the truck, closing the door behind her. Dave’s gaze moved behind her, and she knew from the muscle that jumped in his tightened jaw that he was watching Jay. Just like she knew, without looking, that Jay watched him back.

  Then Dave turned back to face her, his expression hard as she closed the distance between them. Chills danced across her skin and she folded her arms in front of her, wishing she had a jacket.

  “Where have you been?” Dave’s voice was pitched low so only she could hear. His words were clipped, his tone flat.

  “We went out to dinner. I didn’t realize I needed your permission.”

  “What’s going on, Angie? I thought you broke things off with him?”

  Frustration and hurt flared in her when she realized that he wouldn’t even say Jay’s name. And she didn’t understand, didn’t know why her beloved big brother was suddenly acting like a complete stranger.

  “I changed my mind.”

  “Then change it back. I told you, I don’t want you with him.”

  “It’s not up to you, Dave. It never was. This is my life, not yours. You have to stop trying to run it!”

  “I’m not trying to run it. I’m trying to protect you.”

  “No, you’re not. You have to let me make my own decisions, you have to respect my choices.”

  “Respect?” He leaned closer, his voice humming with contained fury, and something else, something she didn’t understand. “Like you respect me when I tell you something?”

  “No Dave, you don’t tell. You don’t advise. You demand or try to control, and you can’t do that anymore, Dave.” She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. “I don’t understand, Dave. You never used to be like this. Why? What’s going on? Why have you changed so much?”

  He stepped back like she had slapped him, fire snapping in his eyes. The muscle in his jaw jumped, his teeth grinding together. He stared at her for a long second then shook his head.

  “Pack your stuff, we’re leaving.”

  “What? Are you insane? We’re not leaving!”

  “Yes, we are. Now let’s go.”

  “I’m not leaving, Dave.”

  “I said—”

  “I don’t care what you said, I’m not leaving. I love him Dave, okay? You can either deal with it or not, but you’re not going to tell me what to do anymore.”

  The words shocked her, nearly as much as they obviously shocked him. Where had they come from? And did she mean them?

  She closed her eyes, needing to block the look of condemnation in her brother’s eyes as she thought, listened, felt. A sense of something peaceful and warm, something right, filled her.

  She loved Jay.

  She didn’t care if it was too soon, didn’t care right now if the emotion was returned, she only knew that it was right.

  She opened her eyes to see Dave watching her, his jaw still clenched, his eyes filled with anger and hurt. She reached out to touch his arm but he brushed her hand away and stepped back.

  Pain sliced through her and she blinked back the sudden tears building behind her eyes. “Dave?”

  “No, Angela. You know how I feel. Don’t expect me to approve or condone.” His words were cold and empty, aimed at her heart whether he intended that or not. She blinked again, wanting to reach out to him but afraid he’d brush her off once more. Then he looked away and pushed past her, saying nothing more as he headed toward the darkness of the woods, away from the campfire and everyone there.

  She watched him disappear, his body swallowed by the night. Long minutes went by as she stared into the darkness, torn between going after him.

  Or letting him go.

  But what could she say that hadn’t already been said? What else could she do? Because she wouldn’t do the one thing he asked—demanded—of her. She was through living her life for anyone else. Including her brother.

  She wiped a hand across her eyes and took a deep breath, then headed back to the campfire. Jay watched her, his eyes questioning. His shoulders slumped when she shook her head and he patted the empty chair next to his. She walked over and sat down, accepting the wine cooler he held out for her.

  He leaned over and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers with hers then bringing their combined hands to his mouth. He dropped a kiss along her knuckles, then held their hands in his lap.

  Just held them, offering her his warmth, his strength, his comfort.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Dave left in the middle of the night.

  Angie stood in front of the fire, wrapped in Jay’s sweatshirt, her hands folded around a mug of coffee. And she was still cold, a slab of ice lodged deep in her stomach, chilling her from the inside.

  She glanced across the campsite, seeing the empty spot where his tent had been last night. Her eyes drifted over to the vehicles parked further away, searching for his truck even though she knew it was gone. Looking for it again wouldn’t make it suddenly reappear.

  Dave had actually left. Packed up his things and left. Without saying anything to anyone.

  And leaving her behind.

  That was the part that bothered her the most, that he could just leave her. He had been upset with her last night, angry. But she didn’t understand what she had done so wrong to make him actually leave her behind. Without a single word.

  She raised the mug to her lips and choked down a swallow of coffee, forcing it down her swollen throat. The brew was strong and bitter, even with the added cream and sugar, but it was hot and she needed that, needed it to dispel the iciness inside her.

  Arms wrapped around her waist from behind and she momentarily stiffened, surprised, then leaned back against Jay’s broad chest. He kissed her cheek and held her in silence as people milled around the campsite behind them.

  Everyone’s initial shock at Dave’s departure had worn off, everyone but hers, but she knew a few of them were still talking about it. Part of her wondered if they blamed her, if they thought it was her fault that he had left. She didn’t think they did, not unless their comments and musings had solely been for her benefit.

  No. They had been as genuinely surprised as she.

  “We can leave now if you want.”

  She placed her hand over Jay’s and squeezed, grateful for the offer. But she shook her head. “No, I don’t want to leave. I just wish I knew why—”

  “I know. I do, too.” His arms tightened, briefly, then he stepped back. She turned and looked up at him; her heart skipped a little at the look in his eyes. Warmth, worry, concern. Damn Dave for pulling this stunt. Damn him for thinking only of himself.

  What did he honestly think would happen if he left? Was he trying to teach her a lesson? Send her a message? That’s what confused her the most: what he hoped to accomplish by leaving.

  “C’mon. Breakfast is ready, you need to eat something.”

  They walked over to the cooking area, where Pete and Jimmy were arguing over how crispy the bacon should be before they took it off the griddle. Jay grabbed two paper plates and handed one to Angie, then pushed the quarreling chefs out of the way so they could get their food.

  “See. Crispy. Everyone likes it crispy!” Pete waved a pair of tongs toward Jimmy, then pointed at Angie’s plate as proof. She laughed then, just because she could, grabbed two slices of the less-crispy bacon before scooping up some scrambled eggs.

  “Guess she showed you, huh?” Jimmy reached around and started pulling bacon from the griddle and placing it on a larger platter.

  “You’re breaking my heart, Angie. Just breaking my heart.”

  Jay smacked Pete in the stomach as he walked by, causing the man to grunt in mock pain. Angie laughed, then walked with Jay over to the table to join Mike and Nick. Mike looked up at her and gave her a small smile.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah. Just…surprised, I guess. When I talked to him last night, he was angry and told me to pack up and leave. I told him no. But I still can’t believe that he just left.”
Angie nibbled at a piece of bacon, noticing the look that Jay and Mike exchanged. She didn’t say anything, just looked at both of them and waited.

  “Angie, has anything happened in the last few months, anything at all that maybe—” Mike paused, glanced at Jay, then shrugged. “Is there something else that could be going on? Because I just don’t buy him being this upset over you two seeing each other.”

  Angie finished the bacon then shook her head. “Nothing that I know of. And believe me, I’ve been trying to think of anything. He got upset with me a couple months ago about working too much at the bar, said I was going to burn myself out, but he hasn’t been crazy about me working there since I started.”

  “Jay, I know you don’t want to hear this but, maybe you should talk to him tomorrow when you take Angie home.”

  “Yeah, I was already planning on it. I have a few things I’d like to tell him.”

  Angie reached out and put her hand on Jay’s arm, shaking her head.

  “Jay, no. That’s only going to make things worse.”

  Mike shook her head as well, frowning at Jay. “Jay, I don’t mean tell him off. I mean talk to him. Maybe you can figure out what’s going on. Because this isn’t like him.”

  Jay stared across the table, giving Mike an unreadable look, then blew out his breath and finally nodded. “Fine. But as soon as he starts something, I’m done.”

  Mike ignored him then looked back at Angie. “In the meantime, if things get that bad and you need a place to stay, my old place is open. You’re more than welcome to stay there as long as you want. It’s even furnished.” There was a soft thud from under the table and Mike suddenly jumped, her hand reaching under the table. She fixed Jay with an annoyed look. “What the hell was that for?”

  Jay’s eyes widened in innocence. “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Angie watched the byplay in curiosity, knowing she was missing something, but having no idea what it was. She looked over at Nick, who was trying to smother a laugh. And not very successfully.