Slow Burn (Into The Fire Book 2)

by J. H. Croix

  My body was ahead of my brain because next thing I knew, that’s what I’d done. My tool bag thumped to the floor as I caught that thin cotton cord and pulled her close. I didn’t have to tug far as there wasn’t much space to speak of in here.

  Her breath came out in a little puff, her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed cherry red. Oh, this was perfect. Inside of a second, her curves were pressed against me. I don’t think I’d quite realized how long I’d wanted to feel her because I almost groaned when she bumped against me. It was a soft bump and those curves—have I mentioned how long I’d fantasized about her curves?—gave easily. She was all soft give against me. There was nothing soft about me, and most certainly not my cock right now. The feel of her sent another shot of blood straight to my groin.

  “Ah, there,” I murmured. “Just where I want you.”

  My tone came out teasing, and it was, but underneath, I was dead serious. Two years of being tortured seeing her almost every day. The sight of her naked yesterday had sent me over the edge.

  “Beck, what are you doing?” she asked in a fierce whisper.

  If she wanted to shove me away, she didn’t even try. Her pulse fluttered in her neck. I wasn’t thinking too much, not with my smart brain that is. Instead, I let my eyes drift over her face. She had these tiny freckles scattered randomly over her cheeks and nose. Her thick curly lashes brushed against her cheeks.

  “Mmm, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” I murmured, unwinding my hand from the cord to her waistband and sliding my palm in a slow pass down her spine.

  Another small huff of her breath, and her eyes narrowed. Oh good. Don’t ask me why, but Maisie getting annoyed revved my engine. I fucking loved it.

  “Beck, this is…”

  Her words ended with a gasp when I dipped my head and finally gave into the urge to taste her. The skin on her neck was flushed and so tempting, I had to drop a few kisses there. Then, I just had to find my way up to her mouth the millisecond she moaned.

  Her mouth was as delectable as I’d imagined—plump lips that gave way the second I fit my mouth over hers. I lost all sense of anything beyond the feel of her in my arms, all lush curves against me.

  She tensed for a flash before softening against me and moaning in my mouth. I backed her against the wall as need roared through me. Hot damn, she felt good. She didn’t hold back, but then I wouldn’t have expected her to. Maisie was a bold, opinionated woman. She drove me crazy with her tendency to argue over small points at work, but right now, she could be as brash as she liked.

  Our kiss went from a flash point of contact to hot, wet and wild. Her tongue warred with mine and damn if her hands didn’t start taking stock of me. I barely noticed it because I was plenty busy on my own. I did what I’d wanted to do for too damn long and cupped my palm over her bottom, pulling her hard against me. Her bottom, so round and saucy, felt amazingly good in my hand. I groaned in her mouth when she rolled her hips against me. This was too fucking perfect and better than I could’ve imagined.

  I couldn’t resist sliding my free hand over the soft curve of her belly to cup one of her breasts—full and soft, it was heavy in my hand. Her nipples were tight little points. I rolled one between my fingers and grinned against her lips when she moaned. I shoved her shirt up because I needed—to the point of madness—to feel her skin. It was warm under my touch. When I trailed my lips back down her neck, goose bumps rose in the wake of my touch, and she shivered against me, her breath coming out in a rough shudder.

  I ground my cock into the apex of her thighs because I was close to the breaking point. This woman had driven me completely mad—in more ways than one—for two damn long years. Seeing her bare ass naked yesterday had snapped the tether on my control. I lifted my lips from her neck because I needed to see her. With her shirt shoved up, I was startled to find she had on a sheer black lace bra. Her nipples were taut against the lace. I took in the flare of her hips, the soft curve of her belly and her round, perfect breasts, my mouth practically watering at the sight.

  Meanwhile, my cock was so hard, it ached. I flicked my eyes up to find hers on me—wide, dark and pooled with desire. The air around us felt heavy. Her cheeks were flushed and her breath came in rough heaves.

  She gave her head a shake, closing her eyes briefly. They snapped open, and she glared at me.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice husky.

  I sensed she was trying to find her bitchy side. Trust me when I tell you, when Maisie wanted to be a bitch, she excelled at it.

  “Kissing you. Don’t even try to tell me you’re not enjoying it,” I countered quickly.

  I wasn’t about to clue her in to how off kilter I was, but I could always fall back on teasing. I had that down to a science.

  Her eyes narrowed. She started to say something and then snapped her mouth shut, her lips tightening in a mutinous line.

  She took a deep breath. Fucking perfect. That pushed her breasts right up against my chest. Her nipples were still tight, and I gave the one between my fingers a light squeeze.

  She moved quickly, giving me a little shove and shimmying out from between the wall and me. Flouncing through the door, she yanked her shirt down, but I still got to enjoy the sight of her bottom swinging with each step. Not giving a damn if she noticed my cock was rock hard inside my jeans, I snagged my tool bag and followed her.

  She stood in the center of the kitchen with her arms crossed tightly and her eyes snapping. “That shouldn’t have happened,” she announced, her tone sharp.

  The more annoyed she was, the more I wanted to tease. Maisie made me downright contrary in the best possible way.

  I leaned a hand on the island counter and arched a brow. “Why not? Don’t you dare tell me you didn’t like it,” I said with a wink.

  She tightened her arms and tapped the toe of her tennis shoe on the floor.

  “Fine. It was just a kiss. Don’t be all cocky about what a great kisser you are,” she retorted, her tone defensive.

  I stared at her, my quick comeback on the tip of my tongue. I meant to tell her I knew what a great kisser I was. Hell, I’d turned kissing into an art form. I loved women and loved having a little fun. I knew one thing women loved was a damn good kiss. I was no quickie kind of guy. Nope. I pulled out all the stops to make sure every woman I was with walked away entirely satisfied.

  But my quick comeback didn’t happen because my heart did this funny thing when I saw the look in Maisie’s eyes. She looked worried and embarrassed, but she was trying so hard to hide it. My heart clenched and damn if I didn’t want to hug her all over again. What was it with me and wanting to hug Maisie? I was definitely not accustomed to this protectiveness, this need to comfort that only Maisie elicited from me.

  “Hey, I’m just teasing. You know that right?” I asked, my voice coming out gruff as I swallowed past the tight feeling in my chest.

  Her eyes were bright and shiny, and for a flash, I wondered if I saw tears there. That couldn’t be, so I ignored the thought.

  She nodded quickly. “I know. You always tease. Everything’s a joke for you. That’s why that shouldn’t have happened. You’re sort of my boss, and I need my job. I’m not like those girls you date all the time. I won’t be just passing through town. So I won’t be ridiculous and pretend I didn’t enjoy that kiss, but don’t toy with me. Okay?”

  She was completely serious, her eyes almost pleading with me. I suddenly felt awful, but I was confused as hell. It should’ve been easy for me to nod along and promise her it would never happen again. Problem was, all I could think about was what she would feel like naked against me.

  I stared at her and willed my mind to behave. I wanted to tease because that’s how I handled everything uncomfortable. But I knew that would be a really bad idea right now.

  “Right. I get it. I wasn’t trying to toy with you. For the record, I’m not an ass, you know?”

  “I know you’re not. Just…” She paused and bit her lip.
“Don’t kiss me, okay?”

  It didn’t make a lick of sense, but her attitude got to me. I had to shackle the urge to kiss her again, if only to be contrary. I had enough sense to know that was a bad idea.

  “Tell me why it’s a problem,” I countered, feeling stubborn.

  This was madness, and I didn’t really care.

  She rolled her eyes and sighed, rather dramatically if you asked me.

  “Because you’re… you’re you,” she offered.

  Her annoyance and silly explanation got me back on firm footing in my mind, right where I could tease her.

  “Right. That’s exactly why you should kiss me,” I said with a slow smile, knowing it would needle her.

  I might not know Maisie as intimately as I’d like, but I knew how to get under her skin.

  Her arms fell open, and she planted her hands on her hips. “Oh. My. God. You are so cocky. I think it’s time for you to go.”

  “Wow, that’s the thanks I get for fixing your hot water heater,” I countered.

  Her shoulders sagged a little. “I didn’t mean…”

  I pushed my hip off the counter. “It’s okay, Maisie. Just teasing. You make it too easy for me.”

  She rolled her eyes and sighed again, but she’d lost her fire for a beat. “Well, thank you for fixing my hot water. I didn’t realize how much I loved hot water until I didn’t have it. Hey, you don’t happen to know any tricks to get the water pressure as amazing as it is at the station?”

  My brain went straight to the recollection of her standing there with the water running over her and soap bubbles the only thing covering her. I’d never admit it aloud, but that very recollection was what I’d jacked off to last night in the shower.

  She was asking about water pressure, and I was wondering the fastest way to get her naked again.

  Chapter 5

  Maisie

  Don’t think about list

  Don’t think about Beck

  Don’t think about how good it felt to kiss Beck

  Don’t think about how amazing his body felt against me

  Don’t think about how it seemed like he wanted me

  Don’t think about his hard cock

  Don’t think about the way he cupped my breast and made my nipples so tight they hurt

  Oh hell. Listing about all the things I wasn’t supposed to think about wasn’t helping. At all. I could feel the slick heat between my thighs, and my nipples were tight and aching all over again. I was upstairs in my bedroom—the one and only bedroom I’d ever had that I really loved. The furnishings left behind by Gram had simple, clean lines. The queen size bed was built into the wall and low to the floor. Built in bookshelves ran along either side. All of the furniture was modern and wooden, finished in light colors. A skylight was directly above the bed. Even now, going on eleven at night, the silvery light of dusk fell through it. I could see the stars winking in the wispy sky.

  My bedroom had its own personal bathroom with a shower and a soaking tub, which I’d come to adore. I recalled visiting this home before Gram had it updated. It had been warm and homey before, but the furnishings had been darker. Now everything was light and bright. I leaned back against the headboard and stared into the sky, willing thoughts of Beck out of my mind.

  I loved writing lists. The habit started when I was little. I was the one who wrote the grocery lists for me and my dad. It was the only way I knew he’d remember to get what we needed. I’d gone from writing grocery lists as a little girl to writing lists for just about everything. Lists had gotten me through college and into my own apartment with barely two pennies to rub together. They were an organizational tool for me and kind of a mantra.

  If I followed the lists, I’d get where I wanted to go. Right now, I desperately wanted to forget about Beck and that crazy, hot kiss. The best kiss I’d ever had actually.

  I was restless and needy. I couldn’t help but roll one of my nipples between my thumb and forefinger. My head fell against the wall with a thump. God, it wasn’t even close to how it felt when Beck touched me, but I was so out of my mind horny and had been every since he left this afternoon. My thin tank top wasn’t much of a barrier. I shifted my legs restlessly, the motion rubbing my wet pussy back and forth.

  My phone buzzed on the shelf beside the bed. I rolled my head to see the screen lit up with a text. Still rolling my nipple lightly between my fingers, I snagged my phone with my free hand.

  Hey Maze.

  It was Beck. It’s not as if he texted me often. In fact, any text from him was usually something to do with work. Oh hell. Just seeing his name on the screen made my channel clench. I wasn’t wearing anything other than a tank top and a pair of men’s boxers. That’s what I preferred to sleep in. I could feel the wetness soaking into the thin cotton between my thighs. Only Beck had ever called me Maze. I secretly loved it because no one else called me that. I’d never mattered enough to anyone to have a nickname.

  Here’s the thing. I’ll be kissing you again.

  My finger hovered over the touch screen. I itched to reply, but none of it made sense. Why did he want me now? There was no doubt what I wanted. Him. Yet, I knew I wasn’t the type of woman he usually went for. I also knew exactly what it would be if I let it go anywhere. Beck practically made flirting and casual dating a profession. Willow Brook was a small town, small enough that rumors traveled even when you didn’t know anyone. By the time I’d been working at Fire & Rescue for a few weeks, I was well acquainted with the jokes about Beck. His nickname was Fun Time Fireman. For real.

  I didn’t doubt I’d have a good time with him, but I was pretty sure that would be a bad idea in the long run. I wouldn’t say I was looking for more because I wasn’t. Even if I felt a little lonely sometimes, I was quite content to mind my own business and be alone. I’d spent all of my life bouncing from one place to another. Living here in Gram’s old house in Willow Brook for two whole years was a record for me. I was so relieved to have a place to call my own, I wasn’t hoping for more. That would be tempting fate and asking for trouble, or so I figured.

  So Beck and kissing and anything more were definitely heading into the danger zone. I didn’t want to face what it might be like to try to work with him if we let things go any further. It would be awkward, and I’d be mortified if any of the guys found out. I stared at my phone screen, pondering whether to reply.

  Bad idea.

  I set my phone down and leaned my head back with another sigh. God, that was hard. It would feel so good to give into the madness of another kiss and a hell of lot more with Beck. But it was plain crazy, and I knew it.

  My phone buzzed. Unable to resist, I snatched it off the shelf again.

  Who knew you were so uptight? It was just a kiss. You know you want more. I definitely do.

  Smoke practically came out of my ears. He had no idea that my life had been anything but boring before I landed in Willow Brook. Between being witness to my dad’s rotating door on his bedroom, I was anything but uptight. I wasn’t exactly crazy when I was in high school, but I’d had a few boyfriends, including my own personal rock-star-wannabe. I’d tried to be wild, but I’d actually found it a little boring, probably a side effect of being witness to my dad’s constant quest for excitement that only left him looking like an irresponsible idiot.

  I glared at my phone, my fingers itching to rapid fire some smartass reply. Beck had this way of getting to me, which had me half-wound up every time I encountered him. I took a few deep breaths, willing myself not to get too annoyed. Even worse, being annoyed with Beck fed straight into my desire for him. It was like a direct line into the liquid need sliding through my veins and making me hot all over.

  Another deep breath.

  I am NOT uptight. I know you’re trying to annoy me, so just stop. It won’t work.

  His reply was swift.

  Not trying to annoy you. Trying to turn you on. ;)

  My belly flipped and his teasing comment had precisely the effect he wa
nted. Thank God he wasn’t here to see it.

  I turned my phone off and practically threw it on the shelf. I would not deign to respond further. That’s what he was after.

  I stared up through the skylight, trying to mentally chant my list of things not to think about, all of which centered around Beck. Instead, I remembered the feel of his lips against mine, his hard body—every inch of it—pressed against me, and the electricity sizzling in my veins when he touched me.

  I didn’t even realize I’d let out a soft moan until I heard it. My nipples were still tight, and the ache between my thighs wasn’t going anywhere. Oh hell. There was only one way to get to sleep at this rate. With one hand cupping my breast and toying with my nipple, I slid the other down between my thighs. I was soaking wet, my folds slippery. I might never be stupid enough to let myself give in to Beck, but just thinking about him made me so hot, it didn’t take much to bring me right to the edge. My channel clenched around my fingers, the hum of need I’d been fighting all day finally abating slightly.

  Chapter 6

  Beck

  Smoke billowed around me, the air thick with it. I glanced up in the nick of time. A beam above gave way, and I dodged to the side. Moving on instinct alone with smoke obscuring everything, I shoved through a door at the end of the hallway. The smoke was thinner in here, and I could see the elderly woman in the bed.

  “Cade! She’s in here!” I called out through the window to my side.

  I briefly checked the woman’s pulse and breathed a sigh of relief to find one. Without waiting, I bundled her thin body into my arms and headed back down the hall blindly. Even though I couldn’t see a damn thing, I was hot as hell inside my gear, and I’d entered this home close to when it was too late to be called safe, I was calm. As long as I was doing something, I could stay calm in the midst of chaos. The hallway felt long and I still had to make it down the stairs. I cornered the stair landing and moved swiftly down the last few, breaking into a jog once I hit the first floor. I could feel the fire quickening and the building close to turning into nothing but fuel.