Chasing Fire: (Fire and Fury Book One)

by Avery Kingston

  He came and sat next to her. “Why didn’t you tell me, Tori?” A hollow ache filled his chest, and his eyes clouded with moisture.

  “Because your job is hard, and dangerous. The last thing you need to do is worry about me.” Tori wiped her nose.

  “But Tori, you didn’t even give me the opportunity to be there for you, to grieve with you.” Just like everything she’d gone through this past year. “That was my child, too.” Scott swallowed the lump in his throat.

  “It all happened so fast.” She tugged at her lip. “I didn’t want you to grieve or worry about me. I need you to stay focused out there so you can come home,” she reluctantly admitted. “Even if you do come back in pieces.” She tapped his prosthetic with her knuckles.

  He snorted a wry laugh and put his arm around her, swallowing his grief to deal with later. “So, you do like me.”

  “I suppose I always have.” She sighed in defeat.

  “What do you say?” he asked. “No more one-night stands. No more friends with benefits.”

  “Scott Harris, are you asking me to go steady?” she said with a silly sing-song tone. “Shouldn’t we do this over a shared milkshake at the soda shop?”

  He chuckled. “You goof.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Seriously, me and you. Let’s do this.”

  “You know I’m no damn good for you, right?”

  “I’m aware.” He grinned. He didn’t care.

  “This could end in disaster.”

  He was willing to take that risk. “Or it could be the best thing either of us ever had.”

  “Me and you, huh?” Tori smirked, tugging at her lip.

  “Ok, me, you, and the occasional threesome with the housekeeper,” Scott teased.

  She let out an obnoxious snort. “Ok, I’ll hang up my whore hat and only wear it for you if you can iron out those details and be around more often. I mean, I need to get wildly fucked at least once a week, you know.”

  He roared in laughter. “You better bet on more than once a week, babe.” He pulled her down quickly on the sofa and pounced on top of her. She squealed playfully.

  He thought about that for a minute as he kissed her. “Once a week? Is that how often you get laid?” He did the math, over ten years, that would be… “Are you telling me you’ve fucked over five hundred guys? Is that your number?” He knew full well it couldn’t possibly be.

  Tori made a disgusted face and snorted. “Oh, lord, that’s nasty. I wouldn’t allow you to ever touch me if that was my number. I wouldn’t even touch myself.” She covered her mouth, giggling.

  They spent the entire weekend in bed, making love—the rest of the world shut out from their private sanctuary. It. Was. Glorious. The sunlight beamed through the large windows in Tori’s bedroom, and Scott rolled over and smiled, watching Tori get dressed for work. He hated to see her go.

  “Good morning, gorgeous,” he yawned.

  She jumped a little. “Oh wow. You startled me,” she said as she put on a pair of tall, black high heels. She looked amazing in her little black skirt and grey top, but Scott couldn’t help but be concerned about her in those stilettos. “Good morning.”

  “You heading to work? In those shoes?”

  “Yes, and yes.” Tori sighed. “Don’t even try to convince me otherwise. I’ll have an Uber here in ten minutes, not too much walking, so it’s a perfect excuse for me to wear these babies.” She stood on one foot and twirled her ankle.

  “Why don’t I roll with you?” Scott suggested. “We could grab some coffee on the way.”

  “What, you haven’t had enough of me this weekend?” Tori smirked.

  “I can never get enough of you.”

  “Scott, I’ll be late. Stop smothering me. Not to mention, you need to stay off your leg.”

  They’d gone for a jog the day before, and with the new prosthetic and humidity, it had taken a toll on his skin.

  “Eh, it’s fine. With the vacuum suspension, I can still wear it, it’s no biggie.”

  “Is it worth the risk of getting an infection?”

  “Tori, I know how to take care of my damn leg.”

  “And I’m safe taking an Uber. You do realize the double standard you’ve got going here, right?”

  He ignored her comment. “I think it’s time to buy that sweet Jeep I’ve always wanted; it will look even better with a hot blonde in the front seat. We can carpool to work,” he rattled on. “I’m thinking gunmetal black with a lift, of course… Oh, and I was thinking about adding custom—”

  “Scott.” Her crossed arms and frown told him she could care less about how he wanted to trick out a jeep. “What are you going to do, drive to Arlington each day so you can take me to work?” She placed her hand on her hip. “I suppose it’s easy to forget where your condo is since you’ve barely been there the past five years.”

  It didn’t make sense for them to have two places when they would most likely always be sleeping over at one place or the other. Moving in together was a huge leap forward, but they had known each other for over a decade now.

  We technically have lived together before.

  He thought for a moment how to answer her. His condo was much larger, but she was used to things in Arlington, and with her blindness, he wouldn’t want to take her away from her familiar surroundings.

  “I’ll let my place go and move in here, then we can eventually find something nearby of our own.” He watched her carefully for her reaction, praying he didn’t send her running in those damn dangerous shoes.

  She sucked in a breath, then a cool look washed across her face as she tried to hide her panic. She smirked, crossed her arms, and walked over to the bed. “I don’t believe I’ve invited you to move in with me.” She straddled him.

  God, she smells amazing. His hands drifted up the back of her skirt, feeling her smooth skin. She leaned into him. Her soft lips showered sweet kisses on his neck as she rubbed her hands across his chest. “That’s awfully presumptuous of you,” she whispered seductively.

  His cock grew hard, straining against her. She pecked him quick on the lips. “I gotta go.” She pulled back quickly, stood, and gave him a wide grin.

  “Oh, that’s just cruel,” he whined as she walked to the door.

  “We can fuck after work!”

  “What does that mean?” he shouted. “Is that a yes?”

  “That means ask me before you plan to move in with me!” She waived her hand behind her. “Go ahead and list your condo, crazy man. Let’s shack up and live in sin.” He high-fived himself internally, grabbed his crutches, swung over to the balcony where he looked down and watched her safely get in the car.

  “Ok, spill it,” Keith said between mouthfuls of food. Tori could hear it in Keith’s voice; he was dying.

  “Scott flew into town on Friday and came looking for me, showed up at the museum, which you know, then when he couldn’t find me at home, he went to Hunters house…”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know all that. Now get to the good stuff,” he gasped in his high-pitched voice. “Please tell me how he kicked this guy’s ass in a fit of hot, sweaty man rage and then carried you off to bed where you had the most amazing sex ever. Then and there, he professed his undying love for you and promised never to leave your side again.”

  “Are you going to tell the story, or am I?” Tori laughed. “It wasn’t quite like that, but you aren’t too far off.” Tori brought him up to speed on the rest of the weekend.

  “So, what now?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “Well, we’re headed to Florida this weekend.”

  “I know that. I mean, are we wedding dress shopping yet?”

  “Good grief,” she groaned.

  “Will you take his last name, stay Johnson, or hyphenate?” Keith asked with a mouthful. “Normally, I’d say keep your name, but after the government sex scandal, I think getting rid of Johnson is the way to go.”

  “It’s been two days, Keith!”

  “It’s been ten years, Vic!”

/>   “It’s crazy enough we are moving in together.” She bit her lip.

  I’m the blind girl on a cliff about to jump, and I have no idea what’s in front of me. Please, God, don’t let me crash into the rocks. She swallowed a lump in her throat.

  “How so? Everyone that knows you two knew this was coming someday. I saw it years ago, when you both were shacking up at my place, so you have technically lived together before. Now, you just don’t have me as the third wheel.”

  She feared that Scott was only doing this out of obligation—the need to protect and take care of her. She didn’t want his pity. If that was his reason, it would only be a matter of time before he grew weary of it and resented her.

  “That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m afraid him living with me…that it’ll become tiresome and inconvenient. I mean, I get tired of living with myself.”

  Keith dropped his fork and let out a wistful sigh. “Ok, you got dealt a shitty hand in life, let’s face it. But this is Scott we’re talking about.”

  “Exactly. It’s fun, sexy, and romantic for a wild fuck every so often, but how long until he realizes my day-to-day routine is tedious and not nearly as hot?”

  “Opposed to him popping his leg off at night?” He cackled. “You forget he’s got issues of his own, dear.”

  “Ok, you have a point there.” She recalled the problems Scott had the night before with his prosthetic. He came with a trunk load of baggage, as well.

  “Ok, about this dress… This needs to happen soon, because my soul will be crushed if I never get to put your gorgeous ass into an ivory ball gown.”

  “Ivory?”

  “Oh, sweetie, everyone knows you can’t wear white.” He reached out and patted her hand.

  They erupted in laughter.

  The thick Miami heat smacked Tori in the face as they emerged from the air-conditioned terminal.

  “So, where’s this buddy of yours?” Tori asked as they stopped at the curb.

  “Almost here.” Scott let out a breath. “You sure you don’t want to get a hotel?”

  “Are you kidding me? You, Scott Harris, have a best friend who’s a stoner that lives on a houseboat. This, I have to see to believe.” Tori’s mouth quirked up.

  “If you could literally see the place, you’d think twice about staying there.”

  They were waiting on a Blaze—a former SEAL buddy of Scott’s. Scott had told Tori he would be picking them up at the terminal. Apparently, he was a beach bum in his off time when not working for Scott. Blaze was obviously a nickname, and Tori could only speculate how he acquired such a ridiculous label.

  Scott had some loose ends he needed to finish up in Miami. When he wasn’t overseas the rest of his job entailed training recruits in the Everglades. Tori insisted on changing her flight and coming a day early with him. She really wasn’t wanting to travel alone.

  “Oh, God.” Scott laughed as screeching tires pulled to the curb.

  “What?”

  “He still has that damn VW van.” Tori could practically hear his eyes roll. She laughed inwardly. What on earth could these two men have in common? “We should’ve taken a cab,” he grumbled.

  "Harris! Dude! Long time no see, man!”

  Blaze’s sandals smacked as he came toward them. She heard them embrace with a slap on the back. She imagined one of those manly, brotherly type hugs between the two of them.

  It was quiet for a moment as Tori assumed he was looking at her. She opened her mouth to speak, but Blaze beat her to it.

  “You brought me a hottie! You shouldn't have.” Blaze swept Tori off her feet. She squealed with unexpected amusement as his scent wafted through her nostrils. Blaze smelled like a mixture of coconut sunscreen, salt water, and hemp.

  "Watch out for her. She’s trouble!” Scott hollered.

  Tori couldn't help but giggle at Blaze’s silliness. "I wouldn't harm a fly,” she purred as he tossed her into the back of the van and slid the door shut. She listened to Scott jump in the front passenger seat, and they were off.

  The windows were down, but the breeze didn’t do a thing to alleviate the heat of Miami. “You still haven’t sold this VW van?” Scott groaned over the wind. “Dude, could you be any more stereotypical?”

  “You know she’s sentimental to me. Also, come on, it’s the perfect cover. Who would ever suspect a weed-smoking, beach bum, VW-driving hippie who lives on a houseboat was yours truly?”

  Yours truly? Was this dude some celebrity or something?

  “Cover, you say?” Scott roared with laughter.

  Tori got the impression that Blaze’s lifestyle wasn’t much of a cover.

  “Also, the ladies love it,” Blaze replied. “Don’t you, Blondie?”

  “Very cozy,” she shouted over the wind. “I’m sure the ladies swoon when you invite them in the back of your van.” She sprawled herself across the mattress.

  “Be careful, babe—you may catch something lying on that mattress,” Scott warned.

  “Not cool, man.” Blaze laughed.

  Tori grinned. She liked Blaze immediately. She closed her eyes and lay back on the bed, letting the warm air blow on her skin.

  They arrived at the pier, and Scott opened the back door for her. Tori was a little green.

  “You ok?” He grabbed her by the hand and made sure she didn’t bang her head on the exit.

  She gave him a pained smile. “Not bad. A little carsick.” She pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head and pinched her nose. “Just need some fresh air.” She took a deep breath.

  She looked more than slightly carsick. She looked like she was about to hurl. “Since when do you get carsick?”

  Her nose curled. “Really?”

  His brow went into a crease. “I should’ve let you ride up front.” What other side effects from the wreck did he not know about? “You gonna be ok?” Scott asked.

  “I’m fine.” Her lips went into a tight line. That was his cue to let it go.

  Scott grabbed their bags as Blaze came around to their side of the vehicle.

  “Welcome to my humble abode, Blondie.” He stretched his arms out, motioning toward his older, green, two-story houseboat located on the pier. “She’s not much to look at but it’s home.” He glanced at Tori, who was pulling her cane out of her purse.

  “Well, lucky for you, I couldn’t care less what she looks like.” With a smirk and a quick flick of the wrist, she popped her cane open and tapped it on the asphalt.

  Blaze’s cheeks grew crimson as he stared daggers at him. She’s fucking blind? He lipped, pointed to his eyes, then threw his hands up. Scott stifled a snicker as Blaze flipped him the finger.

  “Poor guy. Scott, you could’ve at least warned him he’d have a blind houseguest.” Tori picked up on their silent exchange. “Sorry, Blaze. I usually like to get that awkwardness out of the way first. I’m going to have to start wearing a tag: Hello my name is Tori, and I’m blind.”

  Blaze let out a laugh.

  “Now what’s the sleeping situation? I’ve had three in a bed before, so I’m up for pretty much anything, boys,” she flirted.

  Blaze rolled his eyes. “Harris may be a pretty man, but not that pretty.” A smile tugged at his lips. “You get the best room in the house—the upstairs cabin. I’ll take the hammock on the deck. Harris can sleep in the back of the van for all I care.” Blaze socked him in the chest.

  Yeah, he probably had that coming.

  “How about you keep my girl out of trouble while I go pack my gear?” Scott asked.

  “You sure you’re ok with that?” Tori questioned. That was odd, him leaving her with this fool, away from his protective gaze.

  “Do you want to drive an hour there and back and sit in a humid office while I pack? Because the frown on your face tells me that you’d be bitching the whole time.”

  Yeah, that sounded pretty terrible, but that’s not what she meant.

  “You want me to keep her out of trouble?” Blaze chuckled devilishly. />
  “Yeah, it’s like putting hell in charge of ice water,” Scott jibed.

  Tori cleared her throat and squeezed Scott’s arm. Was this the best friend test he was putting her up against? Fine. She’d play along. “Blaze will keep me perfect company, and I’ll do my best to act like a lady.”

  “Can I borrow the VW?” Scott asked.

  Tori imagined him cringing as he said those words, knowing it was eating Scott alive to drive that ridiculous thing. Blaze laughed, and she heard him toss the keys. Scott gave Tori a quick goodbye kiss.

  “Take care of my baby,” Blaze hollered as Scott walked away.

  “And you take care of mine!” Scott shouted from the distance.

  Blaze let out a breath. “So where do you want to go, Blondie?” He placed his hand on her back. “We have the whole South Beach in front of us.”

  The salty breeze from the ocean hit her face and blew through her hair. “Let’s see where the wind takes us.” She pulled her sunglasses on and intertwined her arm with his.

  “All packed up?” Blaze asked as Scott hopped over the deck of the houseboat.

  “Yup. Boxes are on their way to DC.” Scott sat down. “Where’s Tori?”

  “Napping.” Blaze took a hit of his joint.

  “Please tell me you gave her clean sheets.”

  “Of course. I didn’t want her to get the tattoo infected.” Blaze chuckled.

  “I thought you were shitting me about the tattoo shop.” Blaze had sent him a text saying where they were headed. Scott thought Blaze was yanking his chain.

  “Hell, I thought she was, too, when she mentioned a tattoo. She was dead serious. That took some balls.” Blaze slid his phone over to Scott to show him photographic proof of the event. Scott eyed the photo of Tori’s new ink: braille dots along her wrist with the words I survived scrolled across her surgical scar.