Chasing Fire: (Fire and Fury Book One)

by Avery Kingston

  “That’s my girl.” Scott grinned proudly and handed the phone back to Blaze.

  “I wondered if she tried to off herself after the lights went out. God knows I would.” Blaze seemed to chew on that for a moment. “I finally just asked.”

  Blaze had never been one for tact. He also was a man who had never handled his demons well. “What’d she say?”

  “Said it was from the car accident that blinded her.” Blaze frowned. “I felt like an ass. Then again, I’m a certified asshole.” Blaze chuckled. “She’s tenacious. Damn perfect for you. I’m just a little shocked you trusted me with her all day. I’m not the best judge of character.”

  “Bullshit. You are a goddamn bastard, but I trust you with my life.” Blaze had saved it countless times. The things they went through together made them brothers.

  “And your future wife?”

  Scott looked down and scratched his brow.

  “I know you wouldn’t just bring any woman down here. We both know you’ve had your fair share.”

  “So?” Scott raised his palms.

  “You know I don’t believe in the sanctity of marriage.”

  Scott rolled his eyes. It was always the same bullshit with Blaze.

  “I think Blondie will make a perfect ball and chain for you.” Blaze’s emerald eyes danced across the water. “Not to mention she’s way more fun than you are.”

  Tori tried to nap, but the rocking of the boat as the tide rolled in only made her more seasick. The faint laughter of the men’s voices came from the deck below. She decided to join them for some sun since sleep wasn’t happening.

  “You guys are having all the fun without me,” she chimed in as she approached the doorway of the deck, clinging to it for dear life. Both men stopped talking immediately.

  “Well, then grab a seat, Blondie, and join us.” Blaze smacked the wooden bench. She took one step forward, dizzied, and nearly lost her balance as a wave hit the boat.

  “I got ya,” Scott said as his strong hand steadied her.

  “I haven’t got my sea legs yet,” she confessed as Scott helped her sit.

  “What you need, Blondie, is booze.” The glass clanked as he poured from the bottle. “Here you go.” He placed the drink in her hand.

  She lifted it to her nose. “Whiskey, huh?” She smiled and took a sip.

  “Look at Blondie, sipping whiskey with the big boys.” Blaze seemed impressed.

  “Of course, my girl drinks whiskey.” Scott put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek. “Cute hat.” He tugged on the brim of it. “You look sexy as hell.”

  “Went to like a thousand stores looking for that damn hat. You better like it,” Blaze groaned.

  “But I got him a date for tonight.” Tori gave a bemused smile. “Apparently, I’m a kick-ass wing man.”

  “Are you now?” Scott raised a brow.

  “Yeah, Blondie tried to play matchmaker with me in the last store.”

  “Since Scott stuck you on blind girl babysitting duty, I figured the least I could do is get you laid.”

  “You say that as if I have trouble getting laid.”

  Tori lifted her chin. “She said you were cute, but she could’ve been lying since I can’t see you. You could be a total troll with a hunchback for all I know.”

  “You’re out of your mind.” Blaze laughed. “Let’s just say the ladies like what they see.” He groaned.

  “Oh, come on, she was hot,” Tori defended.

  “And how do you figure that, Blondie?”

  Tori shrugged. “I highly doubt they employ someone at Beach Bunny Swimwear that’s larger than a size four and smaller than a D cup. It was a pretty safe bet she was hot.”

  “Was she?” Scott asked.

  “She was alright.” Blaze chuckled.

  “Let me see the new ink.” Scott grabbed her wrist and pulled off the gauze pad. “Why does it say Blaze is badass?”

  Tori’s jaw dropped for a moment as both the guys erupted in laughter.

  Tori pursed her lips. “You both are going to hell.”

  Scott wrapped his arms around her snugly and planted a kiss on the top of her head.

  “Did I crash your party?” She took another sip.

  “Nah, Blondie. Now that you’re here, the party is just getting started,” Blaze replied. “Harris and I are caught up.”

  “So, I have to ask, how did you end up with an absurd nickname like Blaze? That can’t possibly be your real name.”

  “I assume it’s because you think I’m a weed-smoking beach bum that lives on a houseboat.”

  “Well, yes….” Tori tilted her head. “That was my first hunch.”

  “Actually,” Scott chimed in, “it’s because one time on a mission, we got under heavy fire. Hodges,” Scott said his real last name, “took several rounds before I yanked his crazy, bleeding ass out of the sand.”

  “I knew if I passed out, I was a goner. So, I started belting out Blaze of Glory by Bon Jovi as they evacuated me out of there.”

  “By the time we landed the chopper, the whole crew was singing it.”

  Scott and Blaze both started belting out the chorus. That sound of that made Tori break out in a megawatt grin. Her heart warmed seeing this side of Scott, getting a glimpse into his world.

  “From then on, Blondie, I was Blaze.”

  “So, Bon Jovi literally saved your life.” Tori took another sip. “How did you go from military man to houseboat hippie?”

  “I always had the hippie in me. I was in and out of foster homes my whole life. Graduated high school and had no plan, no future, no family. Was walking through the mall, stoned, one day, and a recruiter grabbed me. Said I’d get college paid for. I enlisted, cleaned up my act for a bit. Turned out, I was really fucking good at it.”

  She chugged the last of her drink. That hit home for Tori. CPS had been called on them a few times. If it wasn’t for her covering for her mom, Jane and she would have ended split up in foster homes. The thought dawned on her that, eventually, Scott would meet her mother. Suddenly, she needed more to drink. “Looks like I need a refill.” Tori shook her glass.

  “We’re tapped out. You have more?” Scott asked Blaze.

  “Above the stove,” Blaze replied. Scott got up to go get another bottle. Tori heard some shifting and rustling from Blaze, then a click of the lighter. The pungent smell of the skunk weed hit her nostrils immediately.

  “Puff, puff, give.” Tori held her hand out. He carefully placed the joint in her fingertips and she took a big hit followed by an even bigger cough.

  Scott’s heavy steps came back on the deck. “I’m not seeing it…” Scott trailed off. “You’re fucking kidding me, right?” he grunted.

  Tori took another hit and held it out. “Want some?” She knew full well he’d say no. “Just pretend we’re in Amsterdam again, where it’s legal.” She giggled.

  “Dude, it’s in there. Just keep looking,” Blaze hollered.

  Scott stomped back into the houseboat. Tori shrugged and held it back to Blaze.

  “He looks fucking pissed, Blondie. I’d be careful.” Blaze sucked on the joint and coughed.

  “Eh, he’ll get over it.” She waved her hand. He passed the joint back to her, and she took another huge hit. She hadn’t smoked weed in years. It was nice to relax after all the recent drama. All her muscles began to loosen.

  “You and Harris went to Amsterdam? Now that’s a story I want to hear.”

  “We don’t talk about Amsterdam.” Tori flashed a wicked grin.

  A few moments later, Scott came back out and plopped next to her.

  The bottle clanked on the edge of the glass as Scott poured, placing the drink in her hand.

  “So, do you see anything at all?” Blaze asked.

  Tori shook her head. “Nothing.” Her entire injury had the doctors scratching their brows at how rare it was—like a one-in-a-billion chance.

  “Do you still remember what stuff looks like?” Scott asked and cleared hi
s throat, almost as if he was fearful to ask. “What I look like?”

  Her mind pulled up Scott’s image. It was still strong as ever. “Absolutely.” There was a silence for a moment, so she elaborated. “My mind paints a picture of what I think is around me. The table, the chairs, the houseboat, the water beyond, what Blaze may look like.”

  “Oh, and what’s that, pray tell me?” Blaze laughed.

  “Blonde hair, blue eyes, muscular.”

  “You got the muscular right. Keep guessing, Blondie.”

  That night, they went to the local dive bar and had a few drinks. Scott insisted she pee before they go because she would most likely contract an STD if she was to use the bathroom at Mac’s.

  The girl they met shopping that afternoon showed, and her and Blaze disappeared about an hour before Tori and Scott decided to leave. When they got back to the houseboat, Blaze wasn’t on it, but his van was parked outside.

  “That’s strange,” Scott said, sitting on the deck with Tori.

  “What?”

  “He’s not here, but his van is.”

  “You don’t think he passed out somewhere along the pier, do you?” Tori grimaced.

  “Nah, he’s probably fine.” Scott placed his arm around Tori.

  “So…did I pass the best friend test?” Tori asked slyly.

  “What?” Scott feigned shock.

  “Please. I know what this whole thing was.” Tori waved her hand along the deck of the boat. “You wanted this guy to meet me. For some reason, this crazy son of a bitch is important to you, and his opinion matters.”

  “Blaze isn’t all that he seems.” Scott’s voice grew protective. “There’s a lot more to him than what he puts out there.”

  “I gathered that much.” Tori nodded. “He’s a bit like me.”

  Scott chuckled. Yeah, he kinda was in a strange, twisted way.

  They sat there, quiet, for several moments, listening to the waves lap against the side of the boat. Scott’s eyelids grew heavy, and he almost started to doze off until the side of the van sliding open caught his attention.

  “What the hell?” Scott marveled as he watched Blaze pop out of the van stark naked.

  “What?”

  “It’s Blaze…he’s naked, running from his van,” was all Scott could mutter as he watched his idiotic friend dash across the pier, his junk flapping in the breeze.

  Blaze hopped the side of the boat. “Hey, guys.” He walked right past them into the kitchen.

  Scott buried his face in his hands, laughing. “What the fuck man?”

  “Out of lube!” Blaze rummaged through his cabinets. “Ah ha! That will do the trick!” He walked past them, tossing a bottle of olive oil in his hands.

  “Olive oil? Are you serious?” Scott doubled over laughing.

  “It’s organic. Jeesh. Chill out, man,” Blaze huffed. He hopped back over the side of the boat, whistling as he walked back to the van and climbed in.

  Scott stood on the deck waiting for their cab to arrive the next morning.

  “What’s all the shouting for?” Tori asked, hearing the angry screams coming from the parking lot.

  “You’re just in time for the show,” Scott said.

  Blaze popped out of the van as Scott watched it all unfold.

  “You sick motherfucker!” The girl screamed, standing there in her bra and panties, scrambling to put her shoes on. Her clothing fell out of her arms onto the asphalt.

  “I’m sorry, honey. I thought you’d like that,” Blaze said only with a hint of apology, also in his underwear. “Lots of girls are into that shit.”

  Her eyes narrowed, and she fumed. “Not this girl. You can go to hell, you sick bastard!” The chick grabbed her clothes and stomped off across the parking lot.

  Blaze whistled as he hopped onto the boat. “Morning guys.” He smirked strolling past them as if nothing just happened and grabbed a beer out of the fridge. He cracked it open and took a large swig as he walked back onto the deck of the boat. “You all taking off?” He glanced at the bags next to Scott’s leg.

  “Yeah, our cab is almost here,” Tori said, putting her hand over her mouth, suppressing laughter.

  “Well, I won’t keep you then.” Blaze came over and gave Scott a pat on the back then turned to Tori. “Blondie, it’s been fun. If Harris ever decides to let you go, I’ve programmed my number in your phone. I promise I’m better looking than he is.”

  “Long, sandy hair, emerald eyes, devilish grin?”

  “Now you nailed it.” Blaze gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek.

  Scott threw up his hands in protest. “What the fuck, dude?”

  Blaze laughed. “Take care, Harris.”

  Tori sat on Scott's lap with her top off, facing him, inside their small beach bungalow. They hadn’t left the room all day, and it had been everything she’d hoped it would be.

  “Take my shirt off,” he instructed. She obeyed. He ate a strawberry off a toothpick on the plate next to him, then dabbed the stick in the remaining chocolate. He placed small dabs of syrup across his bare chest.

  Tori's lightly touched his arms, following his movements. Her blue eyes twinkled, full of thoughts, as they bounced to and fro, trying to find him. He noticed she did that when she was curious, when she was trying to figure something out, as if her brain still didn’t get that her eyes were for aesthetics only. “I’m writing you a message,” he explained.

  And with that, the struggle was over, her eyes gave up and settled on his shoulder.

  “Silly man. You know I can’t read unless it’s braille.” A smile tugged at her lips. Smarty pants knew exactly what he was doing, giving her a message in braille she could decipher.

  When Scott was done, he put down the toothpick and grabbed Tori's wrists, yanking her hands behind her back.

  “If you can read my message, without using your hands, I'll give you a surprise,” he chuckled and continued. “Do you think your tongue can read chocolate braille?” he asked.

  “Well, let’s find out.” She grinned wickedly at him as her plump lips parted.

  Letter by letter, painstakingly slow, she found each dab of chocolate and noted its position, piecing together the puzzle. After several minutes of kissing and licking Scott's chest, she pulled back and smiled, her face and breasts smeared in chocolate.

  “You’re sneaky.” Her brow arched.

  A deep chuckle tickled his throat. He was enjoying this immensely. Yes, this was much more for him than her.

  She feigned surprise and indignation, playing his game. “Why Scott! What kind of a girl do you think I am? I’d never do something like what your message suggests!” She huffed, putting her hands on her waist.

  He tugged at her hair, pulling her in close for a passionate kiss, tasting the sweet chocolate still on her lips. Then they proceeded to do that indecent act. Twice.

  Tori was still sitting, topless, on his lap.

  He slid his hands down her back, barely touching her. She titled her head back, sighing heavily, still reeling in the afterglow of her orgasm. His fingertips slid to her ass, slowly gripping it. Tighter and tighter, he dug into her skin until he was inflicting the slightest amount of pain. He held her as the last quiver escaped her body. She knew he had her right where he wanted her, and there was no place she’d rather be. Scott was the only man she’d ever fully handed control to, and right now he owned the ass in his grasp. Gradually, his hands glided up her spine, touching her less and less, giving the reigns back to her.

  The sticky chocolate clung to her skin. It was time for Scott to clean up his mess. She laced her fingers through his hair, pulling him toward her chest. His hot breath moved across her body as his tongue cleaned the droplets of sticky sweetness off her breasts. His greedy hands seemingly had their own agenda. They slid up and down her back, touching her soft, silky skin, pawing every inch of her body.

  “How’s that taste?” she breathed.

  “Decadent.” His tongue lapped circles over her breast.
<
br />   “Still hungry?”

  “Famished.” He nibbled her nipple. “More please.”

  She straddled him on her knees, pushing him backward onto the sofa.

  I’m in charge now.

  “I want you to eat my pussy like it’s your last fucking meal,” she ordered.

  His hot breath lingered on her, blowing, teasing her ever so slowly. His calloused hands massaged her inner thighs. Her clit throbbed, aching for his tongue. Finally, he slowly licked her folds up and down.

  “More,” she whispered in a throaty moan.

  She gasped as he pushed two fingers inside her, hitting her G-spot firmly.

  Lord, this man knows how to drive me wild.

  He bypassed her burning clit, drawing it out. With his fingers still deep, he swept his tongue across her wet hole, teasing her for what was to come.

  Tori couldn’t take much more. Her thighs gripped tightly around his neck. Slowly, methodically, he took her clit into his mouth, lapping his tongue over it lightly at first, gradually increasing to a suckle.

  He came up for a breath. “God, I love the way you taste.”

  “Less talking. More sucking.” She pushed his head back into her crotch. He circled her bud in soft, swirling motions as he pressed harder on her G-spot. Tori’s moans grew louder, almost feral.

  “Come on, baby. Let me have it already,” she whined savagely.

  “You got it.” He went in for the kill, finishing her off. Tori’s muscles tightened and convulsions took over her entire body.

  “Don’t stop,” she urged, as she reached her climax. He obediently increased the speed and the strength of his finger thrusts until she lost all control. The pleasure became too much.

  “Scott, I can’t take any more,” she said between pants, pushing him off.

  Her tremors finally died. He straddled her, stroking her hair gently. Tori grabbed his cheeks, giving him a kiss, tasting her tang on his lips.

  “Enjoy it. Rest for a minute, because I’m not done with you yet.”

  The gentle touch of her hand on his chest roused him slowly. He threaded his fingers through her tousled locks, a sleepy sigh escaping her lips. There was no sweeter feeling than her skin against his. He could lie there, entwined with her body, for the rest of eternity.