Kissing Fire

by A. M. Hargrove

  Her arm reached across my chest as her fingers began to play with the piercing on my left nipple.

  “If you do that too much longer, I’ll have to do something about it, you know.”

  “Uh huh. But let me have a minute first.” Her lips brushed mine, very briefly, and then she rose from the bed.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Where do you think?” She gave me one of her funny head jerks. I deserved it. She had to use the restroom. I was such an idiot sometimes.

  When she returned, she grinned and said, “Besides, I wasn’t going to let you kiss me after you brushed your teeth and I didn’t.”

  “You’re such a baby. Like I would care.”

  “I know you wouldn’t, but I would. So, where were we?”

  “Why don’t you hop on board and I’ll show you?”

  “Oh, so is this a train or something?”

  “Oh Avery, it’s much better than a train.” I laughed.

  She skipped to my side of the bed and was straddling me before I knew what happened. Her lips were on mine, and they were wet and warm. My hands grasped her hips and I heard her moan.

  “Someone is happy to feel you so close,” I said.

  “I think he wants some attention,” she said.

  “Correction. I know he needs some attention.”

  I moved my hand between us and touched her sex, seeing if she was ready for me.

  “Damn, you’re always so wet for me.”

  “Now Preston. I need you now.”

  She shifted and slid my hardness into her. Her hands squeezed my shoulders as we began our rhythm, back and forth, but then her hand moved to my face and grabbed it, hard.

  She stopped moving altogether and clenched her thighs against mine. “Preston, you need to hear this,” she said firmly.

  That got all of my attention.

  “I love you and I plan on us being together. I’m tired of you blaming things on you being fucked up. You need to get over it. Understand?”

  Fuck!

  “Well...”

  “No! Either you understand or you don’t. We have to move beyond this now. I love the fuck out of you and I can deal with your past. The question now is can you?”

  Those damn eyes of hers, not blue and not green, were blazing at me. Whether it was from passion or love or the raw intensity of her honesty, I wasn’t sure. But I knew in that moment, I had to release all that baggage from my past and do what she said, or I’d be living my life without Avery.

  “Yeah. For you I can do anything.”

  She smiled, kissed me and then said, “Good, now I wanna be on the bottom.”

  “But I was liking you on top,” I protested.

  “I don’t care. This is my call right now.” She brushed the back of her hands across my nipple piercings and she had me...she had me bad.

  A few moments later, she was moaning in my ear, “Harder, Preston, harder. Yeah, oh yeah.” And then I felt her spasming around me as she cried out my name. Oh, it was so worth it to let her have her way.

  Chapter 27

  Avery

  Every now and again, a girl just needs to take control, and that’s what I did. I knew Preston needed to have his drawers jerked in a knot, but since he wasn’t wearing any at the time, I did the next best thing. Yeah, he was in shock, but I didn’t care. I was so done with hearing about how messed up he was. Well, weren’t we all? Okay, maybe not to the degree he was. But, we all had issues and we needed to stop blaming our problems on them.

  After our sweet love making session, which was extra special because of my stipulations (or I thought so anyway), we had our talk.

  “Here are my demands. I’m calling them that because that’s what they are. They’re relatively few, but they’re deal breakers. So, if you’re unable to agree to them, you better speak up. You ready?” I asked.

  “I am.”

  “No lies ever. I don’t care what it is or what it has to do with. Never ever lie.”

  “Agreed. No lies. Ever.

  “No matter what happens, I can’t accept your profession. I’m sorry. I would never normally ask this of someone, but what you do is way too risky for me. I can’t handle not knowing if you’re alive or dead on a daily basis.”

  “Agreed. No more DEA.”

  I wasn’t expecting that answer. “So, what will you do?”

  “I’ll figure it out. What’s next on your list?”

  “No more excuses for you being fucked up.”

  “Now that’s a tough one.”

  I looked at him and wanted to cave. It was killing me not to take him into my arms and tell him it would all be fine, but I knew it would be wrong. Preston had done this for too long. He had buried his issues and not faced them and look what happened. They had almost ruined his life. The time had come for him to boldly face what he’d endured and to conquer his fears of it. If we were ever going to have a healthy relationship, that’s what he would have to do.

  “I know it’s tough, but it’s nonnegotiable. You know I love you. Now you have to love yourself enough to do this.”

  “I’m not sure...”

  “I’m not asking you to do it alone. I’ll help and there is other help out there.”

  “I don’t know if I can talk about it.”

  “You’re going to have to. Nonnegotiable, remember? You have to decide how much you want us.”

  “Oh Avery, I want us more than anything.”

  “Then you have your answer, Preston.”

  He inhaled deeply. “I’ll need you for this. There are things...so many things you don’t know yet.”

  “I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

  He nodded and his eyes, God his eyes were filled with all sorts of things. Pain, love, insecurity, hope, everything that he couldn’t put into words. I loved his eyes. Reaching out for his cheek, I placed my palm against it and said, “We’ll do this together Preston and we’ll be better for it.”

  “I just hope I’m doing the right thing for you, is all.”

  “Well, that train’s left the station.” I kissed him. “I really love your pierced nipples,” I said as I played with them.

  “Okay, let’s not get off topic here. Next,” he said, grabbing my hands.

  “Vail. I want to live here and start a business.”

  “Done. Next.”

  “Wait. What do you mean done? What about the cabin in Montana?”

  “I’m selling it.”

  “You are not. I love that place.”

  “We’ll get a place here.”

  “It won’t be the same,” I sighed.

  Preston looked at me, his gaze dark with something I couldn’t define. “Look, I loved you before we even got to the cabin, but I almost destroyed that love there. I don’t ever want to go back there Avery.”

  “But you’re going to. And do you know why?”

  He shook his head.

  “Because that’s where the journey will end. You’ve been running from your demons for far too long Preston. It’s time you face them, and when you have, you and I are going back to Montana. Together.”

  ********

  He agreed to everything. Everything single thing on my list. We’d ordered in a huge breakfast and were finishing up, when he said, “So now it’s my turn.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked in confusion.

  “You didn’t think this was going to be one sided did you?”

  Well, duh, I kinda had.

  He laughed, reading my mind.

  “Okay, go on.”

  “I want to know all about why you are so self conscious.”

  I rolled my eyes. So much so, it hurt. Then I had to rub them. “Jeez, Preston, how many times do we have to go through this?”

  “As many as it takes.”

  “I just am.”

  “Huh uh. You know that’s not it.”

  I groaned again. “I was always held to a higher standard. It’s the family thing. My brothers are smart and good looking,
I guess. I was supposed to be like that too.”

  “And?”

  “And I’m not.”

  “Bullshit. You are.”

  “To you, yes. To my mom, not so much. I mean she acted like it and all, but there was always that little critical thing going on. You know, ‘Avery don’t do this.’ Or, ‘Avery not like that.’ My hair was always too long, too short, too thin, too thick. My brothers never saw it because they got all the mama love. You know, it’s just different between guys and their mothers. My grandmother saw through it and she would always whisper something really loving to me. That’s why I wanted to start using her name. The last time I saw her she told me that she thought I was awesome. She also said my mom was always commenting on how fat I was but that she thought I was perfect. That’s my grandmother for you. So there you have it. Why I’m fucked up, I guess.”

  He stared at me for the longest time without saying a word. When I couldn’t stand it anymore, I blurted out, “You know, that’s what she would always do. Just stand there and look at me, not saying a word. That’s why I get so damn squirmy when you do that.”

  His arms were pulling me against him before I could even finish. “Don’t ever mistake my looks for hers,” he whispered against my hair. “I’m just amazed at how perfectly adorable you are and that she would dare to find fault with that.”

  “You always know how to say the right things to me. I’ll give you that.”

  “Avery, I’m not trying to say something just to make you feel better. I’m giving you honesty from my heart.”

  “I know and thank you.” I kissed him.

  “So tell me about your old boyfriends,” he asked with a chuckle.

  “Jeez, aren’t you the nosy one?” I laughed for a second, but then it died a fast death. “There really isn’t much to tell. I hardly dated until after college. Oh, I went out here and there, but I was always too busy with school. After I moved back to Charleston, things seemed okay, but then I realized guys wanted to date me because of who I was. That was always fun. Going out with someone that you ended up liking and then hearing through your girlfriends that he was only after you because of your money and family connections. Then my friends even started to drift off after a while. Everyone always thinks being wealthy is great, but it’s not been a fun ride for me.”

  He looked at me with a heated expression and suddenly I remembered the bracelet.

  "Preston, do me a favor and bring me my jacket please."

  He looked at me strangely, but did as I asked.

  Digging in the pocket, I pulled out the box from Tiffany's. Smiling, I opened it up and took out the bracelet. "Will you put this on me please?"

  His eyes locked with mine and the sentiment radiating from them, reached into my heart and soul. "Oh Avery, I would be very honored to place this around your wrist," his voice laced with emotion. He fastened the bracelet around my arm and took my hand and placed it over his heart.

  "Did you really mean what you wrote on this card?"

  "Of course I did."

  "Well then, could you please tell me because those were such beautiful words, I'd love to hear you say them."

  "This bracelet represents my love to you Avery, always encircling you and never ending. I love you sweetheart."

  "Preston, this is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Thank you. I'll cherish this always."I leaned over and gently kissed him.

  "I'm very pleased you like it. I wasn't certain...I wanted to get you something with true meaning behind it, so I thought this, along with the flowers would be... "

  "They were absolutely perfect. Thank you." I kissed him again.

  He ran his thumb across my lower lip. That tiny gesture always seemed to have a direct link to my, well, you know. “So, you’ve never been in love before me?” he asked.

  I crossed my legs and squeezed, trying to push back the surge of need that had flared within me. “Nope. You’re my first. Is that bad?”

  “No, it’s not bad. Why would you ask that?”

  I uncrossed and recrossed my legs. “I don’t know. Just wondering.”

  “Avery?” His voice seemed to caress my every nerve ending.

  “Yes,” I answered, hoarsely I might add.

  “Why are you fidgeting so?”

  “Because you make me that way.”

  “Hmm, well then, let me see what I can do about that.”

  Like I said before, Preston was fast. One minute I was squirming and the next he was spooning behind me. His hand was splayed across my hips, his fingers circling my little nub while he slowly and sensuously moved in and out of me. My arms were above my head, clutching onto him. At first I purred, then I meowed, then I’m positive I screeched, and quite loudly too, as I yelled at him to rock me harder.

  It took awhile, but eventually when I could finally breathe again, I told Preston he was my catnip.

  “That’s about the sexiest thing you could’ve said to me Avery,” he laughed.

  “But it’s true!” I insisted. “I don’t know what you do to me, but you bring out the, well, I’m not really sure what it is.”

  “Don’t worry. I love bringing it out of you.”

  “It’s a good thing because I have a good bit of it to bring out.”

  “I want you to make me a promise.”

  I squinted my eyes at him. I had a feeling he was going to wheedle something out of me that I might regret later.

  “Can it be conditional?”

  “Nope.” He picked up a piece of my hair and wound it around his finger.

  “Okay. I promise. Now, what did I just promise?”

  “That you’ll listen to me and stop beating yourself up. I know what I see and I see beauty before me. That’s it.”

  “Okay.”

  He laughed and I knew why. It wasn’t going to be that easy, but I would try. The trouble was, it would be hard to automatically get rid of years of being told you were something you weren’t.

  He nibbled my neck and then leaned back. “Don’t doubt what I tell you about yourself. Ever.”

  I covered his hand with mine and laced our fingers together.

  “So, did you want to ski today?” I asked.

  “I would love it. I want you to take me to the back of the mountain and teach me some of your special tricks.”

  Covering his body with mine, I framed his face and touched my thumbs to his cheeks. “I have no tricks, but I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

  He kissed me, like he hadn’t kissed me in months. And then he answered, “I watched you ski for the last few days. You’re amazing and super fast. I couldn’t keep up with you. I want you to teach me how you do that.”

  I squinted my eyes at him for the second time that morning. “Have you been spying on me?”

  “Kind of,” he admitted.

  I sighed.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Well, I’ve had this feeling that someone’s been watching me. And now I know why.” I pinched him on the ribs. Then my palm drifted up and brushed his nipple. “I think I want to get my nipples pierced,” I said.

  He stiffened and growled, “Absolutely not.”

  “Why not? Yours are pierced.” I looked at him and watched his entire demeanor harden as something darkened his visage.

  “It was done to me Avery. It wasn’t a choice.”

  “Oh,” I sucked in my breath. That was one more tick off the list he hadn’t yet shared. I smothered him in my arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know or I would never have suggested it.”

  “I know.”

  I cupped his face and said to him, “Preston, that’s part of your past. It’s just a painful memory, honey. Look at me. I’m here and we’re in this together. But I’m not going to lie to you. I really adore your pierced nipples. They are a big turn on for me.”

  He looked at me and his gaze began to darken with a different kind of heat. “I know.” Then his lips were on mine again as his tongue found its way into my mouth, instantly setting me o
n fire for him again.

  Preston always surprised me and this time was no exception. Soon, I found myself on my hands and knees, sitting over Preston’s face. His tongue was doing all sort of magical things to me as his fingers joined in the game too. They moved in a rhythm that sent me tumbling over the edge and Avery-kitty was meowing like crazy. Before I had time to think, Preston had moved behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist.

  “You might want to hold on to the headboard for this Avery.”

  “Oh yeah?” I moaned.

  “Oh yeah,” he said with smugness.

  He spread my legs further with his, as he knelt between them and then I felt his hand on me from the front. He filled me with himself, while rubbing me to a rhythm, and I felt him deep within me as he thrust in and out. He was right. I needed that damn headboard because I would’ve jettisoned right off the bed if I hadn’t been holding on. I came with a vengeance, crying out and contracting around him incessantly, until I collapsed on the pillows, with him still inside of me. He rolled me on my side and spooned behind me, kissing my neck and cheek, chuckling at me.

  “I tried to warn you,” he said and I elbowed him.

  I crawled on top of him and kissed him. Dragging my thumb across his bottom lip, our eyes met and held each others. “You know how much I love you, right?”

  “Yeah, I do. And I hope you feel that love returned.”

  “Oh, I do. Preston, there’s something I want us to do, or at least try again. And if you hate it, we can stop. But I want to please you and I also think you need to bury your past.”

  “Is this going where I think it’s going?”

  “Probably. We can try and if you find it too uncomfortable, we can stop.”

  “Avery...”

  “I would do it with love. And I’m not talking about right now. Later at some other point.”

  “Okay. For you I’ll try anything. But I can’t promise much.”

  “Just trying is a step in the right direction.” I nuzzled my face into his neck, knowing just how much he was giving me. We held each other silently for a few minutes and then I asked, “What about a tattoo?”

  “Huh?”

  “Well, since you won’t let me get my nipples pierced, what about a tattoo?”