by Dee Burks
He glanced up, finally making eye contact. “No problem. She’s a nice lady.”
Of course. She’s a nice lady, and I’m the wicked bitch of the west. Serena cleared her throat. “I’m sorry you had to get caught up in all that.”
“It was my fault, remember?” He gave her a little smile.
Serena couldn’t help but smile back, relieving some of the tension. At least Tyler recognized he caused part of the problem. She watched him munch on french fries. Nolea had said Tyler’s girlfriend was pretty. How pretty? Was something going on between them? Serena’s “cheating man” radar was usually pretty good, but Tyler hadn’t given any indication that he’d been distracted lately. He didn’t avoid being with her and generally looked her right in the eye. Either he was honest or the best liar she’d ever come across. “Nolea said she saw you today.”
“Yeah. She did, but jumped to the wrong conclusion about some things.”
He seemed awfully eager to talk about it. “Like what?”
“My old girlfriend is the business partner I told you about.”
“Why didn’t just say so?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I guess I hoped she’d give up and disappear.”
“But that’s not happening?”
“No. Her new guy is a lawyer, and he’s convinced I’ve got some cash stashed somewhere.”
Serena grasped onto a thread of hope. “She has a boyfriend?” Her mind raced for an explanation of why he might hide the woman if she were with someone else. He wouldn’t, unless it bothered him. Maybe that was it. Maybe he still had feelings for his ex. “Does it bother you that she’s with someone else?”
He dipped a french fry in ketchup and frowned. “Good God, no. It’s humiliating, though. This woman took my money, ran off with my best friend, conned him out of his half of the business, and now she’s back to run my life into the ground. She’s a parasite I can’t seem to get rid of. Like a bad case of financial diarrhea.”
Serena relaxed. Good answer, Cowboy. Her stomach growled and she stole a few of his fries. “What does your brother say about your legal options?”
“He’s working on it. Truth is, you were right about me being broke. And my business isn’t worth dirt. But in this case, that may work to my advantage.”
Did he have to bring up every comment she’d made? Serena felt even worse now that he’d explained what a fix he was in, and better because she knew Nolea had blown things completely out of proportion.
Tyler pushed aside his plate. “You know, I’m really sorry I messed things up for Justin. I was trying to help.”
Serena’s gut instinct about Tyler had been right. He was exactly what he appeared to be. A nice guy. Stupidly well-meaning, perhaps, but a good one, nonetheless. She was convinced of it now. “I know, and I can’t say that I handled it very well.”
Tyler reached over and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry about it. You can talk it out when he gets home.”
Her throat constricted. “If he comes home.”
Tyler took her hand and pulled her to her feet, wrapping her in his arms. Serena clung to him, as the small stream of tears became a torrent. He held her as she cried, asking nothing in return. She didn’t deserve this after what she’d said about him, how cruel she’d been, but she couldn’t let go either.
Crying even harder, Serena allowed her heart to release all the pentup emotion that had simmered inside her for so long, the mistrust, the insecurity, the fear. She let it out, all of it. Tyler accepted it, but more than that, he accepted her. They clung to one another for how long she didn’t know. She only knew that she didn’t want to let go.
“Of course he’ll come home,” Tyler finally said. “He’s blowing off a little teenage steam, that’s all.”
“I don’t know.”
“He’s supposed to be working tonight. Would you like me to check and see if he came in?”
She raised her head from his shoulder. “Would you?”
He nodded.
While he made the call, she stayed huddled to his chest. The deep vibrating tone of his voice comforted her as he spoke.
“Hey Tony, did Justin come in?” He listened and nodded. “No, no problem, checking up on things is all.” Tyler flipped the phone shut and squeezed her close. “He’s there. I’m sure he’ll be home as soon as the shift is over.”
“I hope so.” Serena breathed a big sigh of relief. “Now I have to figure out what to say to him.”
“Why don’t you relax for a couple of hours?” He rubbed the back of her neck. “Maybe take a hot bath or something.”
She nuzzled his earlobe. “That sounds great. Would you like to join me?”
He groaned and clasped her tighter. Their lips met in a soft kiss that soon deepened into a tangle of frustrated need. They clung to one another as if starved for some kind of confirmation of their bond. Tyler pushed her tank top up and over her head then made quick work of the hooks on her bra. Serena arched her back, straining upward in anticipation. His mouth clamped down tight on her breast and she gasped with pleasure as he massaged her nipple with his tongue. He moved from one breast to the other, sucking and licking with a passionate fervor.
Serena’s hands fumbled struggling with the large belt buckle Tyler wore. Why in the hell did cowboys wear these things, anyway? She tugged in frustration then gave up and unzipped his pants, forcing her hand inside.
Tyler paused and popped open the buckle and top button, giving her more access. He discarded his shirt, never taking his gaze off Serena’s naked breasts. Excitement surged through her at the hunger she saw in his eyes. Sliding her hands into the top of his underwear she wrapped her hand around him, firmly holding his throbbing penis. His pulse pounded inside her palm so hard, the vibration traveled up her arm. His groan of sheer pleasure filled her ears.
Yanking at the top of her jeans and underwear, Tyler slid them to her knees. She hadn’t even noticed him unbuttoning them. Tyler stopped and gazed at her taking in every detail of her body. He put his hands on both sides of her face, kissing her deeply.
When he finally raised his head and looked at her face, Serena’s legs turn to jelly. She stared into his blue eyes and saw a universe of raw, swirling emotion. Tyler bent and picked her up, holding her gaze captive as he carried her to bed. Swinging the door shut with his heel, he placed her on the comforter.
Serena lay watching as Tyler removed the last of his clothing, his firm muscles rippled as he worked. Her fingers ached to touch his skin, but she lay still, allowing him to see her. She loved the way he looked at her, as if she were something precious, something treasured, something loved.
Serena smiled at him. No one had ever made her feel this way—ever. Crawling onto the bed, he straddled her legs and leaned down, brushing her lips with his mouth. He teased and nipped the most tempting places, until she writhed beneath him with pent-up need.
She slithered down underneath him until her head lay between his outstretched legs, then licked his balls gently sucking one into her mouth. His groan encouraged her to do the same to the other as she watched his erection pulse with intensity. She nipped and teased, torturing him with pleasure until he dragged her back up to meet his mouth.
His ragged breath rasped in her ear. “Jesus, where did you learn that?”
She chuckled. “Cowgirl school.”
He grinned, sweat glistening off his forehead.
“Want to see what else I learned?”
“Oh, yes ma’am.”
Serena pushed him over onto his back and straddled him. “I learned this in bronc riding class.” She grabbed his throbbing flesh and pushed him deep inside her.
He smiled and closed his eyes, grasping her hips with both hands. “You gotta go the full ride, baby.”
She bucked and writhed on top of him for all she was worth working them both into a blinding passion. Their bodies glistened with a fine mist as her scent merged into his, a blend of sweet vanilla and thick musk. Serena’s hands tingled sig
naling the onset of her climax. She gasped with pleasure as Tyler stiffened, bursting inside her. Leaning her forehead against his chest, she gasped for breath. Tyler kissed the top of her head, and she slid off trying to cool their bodies.
Serena lay back on the pillows, her breathing labored. She relaxed into a warm sensation of complete physical satisfaction. Tyler rolled over next to her, pulling her to him and cupping her entire body with his own. Serena recognized the steady pattern of his breathing as sleep claimed him. She reached back, running her fingers along the long lean warmth of this thigh.
They fit together perfectly. Ying and Yang. Her organization and his laidback style. Her fascination with the future and his focus on the present. Her insecurities and his confidence.
Emotion welled inside her threatening to burst from her chest. She loved this man. The idea both shocked and thrilled her. She would have never picked him if she’d been seriously looking, might have walked by him on the street and never given him a second thought. It frightened her that she might have missed the chance to love Tyler.
She wrapped her arms over his and hugged them to her chest. What now? Why did she have to fall in love when her dream seemed within her grasp? If Fate were standing in the room right now, she’d seriously have to think about kicking its ass. What kind of cruel joke forced her to choose between a career she’d always wanted and a love she’d thought she’d never have?
Other people fell in love and lived happily ever after, didn’t they? Serena knew she could figure this out. She’d prided herself on seeing things from different angles, looking at all the options, coming up with solutions to impossible problems. If two people loved each other, they could work out the details. But did Tyler love her? She felt like he did, but he’d never said it. And even if he did love her, was that love strong enough? Serena’s eyelids drooped as she made mental notes, all of which came back to the same question. Did he love her enough to hold on?
Chapter 28
A distant ringing roused Tyler from sleep. His arm still circled Serena’s waist, her soft skin beckoning his touch. The noise sounded again, and Serena nudged him.
“Your phone,” she whispered. “I think it’s in the kitchen.”
Tyler shook the sleep from his mind and sat up on the edge of the bed and pulled his briefs on.
The house was dark, and the ringing drew him to where his jeans lay in a heap, the cell phone still in one pocket. He grabbed it on the next ring and glanced at the number. Not one he recognized. With any luck, it was a wrong number, and he’d be able to crawl back under the covers.
“This is Tyler.”
Tony’s voice crackled through the connection. “You gotta get down here; the whole place is on fire.”
“What?” Clamping the phone between his cheek and shoulder, Tyler jabbed one leg into the jeans. Tony had never been one to panic, and the strain in his voice conveyed that was a real emergency. A big one.
“The fire department is on the way, and we’re trying to make sure everyone is out.”
“I’ll be there in five minutes.” Tyler snapped the phone shut. Adrenalin pumped through his veins making his breathing short and shallow. Fire. A nightmare he’d never wanted to think about, but had on many occasions. The wiring in the building had always been a cause for concern. Grease in the large fryers could go up at a moment’s notice. If a fire wasn’t caught quickly, the whole place would go up. Had he paid the last insurance bill? Tyler didn’t even remember seeing one. He could lose everything tonight. Gathering up his boots, Tyler swung open the bedroom door.
Serena sat up. ”What’s the matter?”
“Restaurant’s on fire.”
She scrambled out of bed and scooped up her clothes, her face lined with panic as she tugged on her clothes. “Is Justin okay?”
“They’re making sure everyone is out now. I’m sure he’s fine.” He pulled on his boots and found his keys as Serena dressed quickly.
Grabbing her purse, Serena ran out the door behind him and piled into the Jeep. They sped along the highway. Faint sirens grew louder as they approached the historical district. Thick black smoke billowed from the entire area, and sparks sprayed into the night sky. The air took on a mystic quality, like pictures he’d seen on the news that happened to someone else, somewhere else, far away. Tyler slammed the Jeep to a stop a block away. He and Serena ran to the restaurant. Police and firemen swarmed the area, preventing them from getting close.
Flames leaped from the broken windows, and the roof had a large hole where it had partially collapsed. Tyler stared at the orange tongues that licked the old red bricks turning them black. He could hardly comprehend what he saw. Three years of his life had gone into the place. Three hard years, with lots of disappointment and struggle. To come to this? Just when things seemed to be coming together to make it viable, fate had one more cruel twist in store. Heartsick, Tyler focused his gaze on the pavement. He couldn’t watch his life burn to the ground.
Serena tugged on his arm, her voice desperate. “I can’t find him. I can’t find Justin.”
Tyler scanned the faces around him. “He has to be here.” A surge of energy rushed through him as he located Tony across the crowd. Cupping his hands to his mouth, he yelled, “Tony, where’s Justin?”
The big man glanced around, shrugged, and shook his head.
“Oh my god. Oh my god.” Serena stared into the flames.
“We’ll find him,” Tyler tried to reassure her. “He’s probably in the crowd somewhere. Call his cell.”
Fumbling through her purse, Serena located her phone and dialed the number with shaking hands. She waited. No answer. She dialed again, paused, and then smiled at Tyler. “Justin? Where are you? Are you okay?”
Tyler breathed a sigh of relief. Losing the restaurant was one thing, but losing a life, Justin’s life, would be more than he could bear. He motioned one of the firemen over, intent on making sure there was no one else left inside.
Serena dashed past him, ducked under the barrier and grabbed the first fireman she saw. “My son’s in there!” she screamed.
Tyler grabbed her shoulders. “You just talked to him.”
Serena gasped for air. “He’s trapped in the walk-in. He can’t breathe.”
The fireman shouted to his crew, “Chief Clark, we have someone in the building.” Another fireman rushed over. “Where?”
“The walk-in refrigerator. Right inside the back door to the left.”
“Does it bring in outside air?” the chief asked.
“Only when the compressor is running.”
The man glanced back at the building. “We cut off all the electricity more than thirty minutes ago. That may buy him some time.”
“It locks on its own sometimes,” Tyler added. “From the outside.”
Chief Clark nodded. “We can break through if we have to.”
Tyler watched the men scramble for equipment. A strong sense of urgency and blame pulsed with each heartbeat. Your fault, your fault, your fault. Why hadn’t he had that damn latch fixed? The men still gathered things from their truck.
“They have to hurry!” Serena cried.
He held her close as he watched. This was taking too long. How much time did Justin have? Five minutes? Ten? Tyler could be in and out in five seconds, less if he got lucky. He was the only one who knew how to pop that stubborn door open. He’d done it many times. Firemen busting through the three inch metal door didn’t even seem feasible with Justin’s life on the line. He grabbed Serena and forced her to look at him. “I’ll find him, stay here.”
She nodded, his panic reflected in her eyes.
Running around to the back of the restaurant, Tyler looked for an opportunity. The fire didn’t seem as bad here with more firemen aiming hoses on the roof. Orange flames glowed in the kitchen through the back door. He took a deep breath. This is it.
Racing through the shower of water coming off the large jets that sprayed the top of the building, he slipped inside amid shouts
from the firemen. Thick black smoke billowed up the walls and across the ceiling. Covering his mouth and nose with the collar of his shirt, Tyler held his breath. The door to the walk-in stood five feet away. He reached for the metal handle, and the flesh of his fingers sizzled as he tried to grip it. He jerked back, the pain racing up his arms. He choked on the thick smoke, the acrid air burning his lungs and nose. This was the boy’s only chance.
Summoning all his strength, Tyler grabbed the handle again and yanked hard. The door opened a few inches, stopped by debris from the roof. Water poured on him from above, cooling the metal slightly. He could see someone lying on the floor of the walk-in. Face down. Not moving. Tyler wedged through the opening.
Smoke had filled the small space but the air next to the floor was breathable. Tyler crawled over and shook the boy. “Justin?” No response. Tyler rolled him to his back. “Justin?” he yelled. Still no response. Soot ringed the boy’s mouth and nose. Was he too late? Trying to find a heartbeat, he laid a hand on Justin’s chest. The burns on his palms and fingers prevented the detection of a pulse. What was he supposed to do? He wasn’t a paramedic and didn’t know how to help. The only thing he could think of was to get the kid out of here. Now. The walk-in quickly filled with smoke. He grasped Justin’s armpits and dragged the boy to the door.
The firemen reached them as Tyler tried to drag the body through the opening. Leveraging the door open with their equipment, they carried Justin out. Tyler followed.
Serena stood motionless, staring at the paramedics that worked on Justin. They put tubes in his arm and pushed on his chest in rhythm. Tyler watched, but what could he say to her? How would he make up for the loss of her son? The seconds ticked into minutes, each taking another year from Tyler’s life. Why couldn’t it have been him on that stretcher? Why?
After a few minutes, the boy moaned. Tears of relief spilled down Serena’s checks as Justin open his eyes and coughed.
Tyler breathed deep, the pain in his hands throbbing. An angry Chief Clark stood beside him. “That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen any damn fool do.”
