"I'm really just going to focus on the house right now,” Bella explained, leading him further down the old horse trail. “Next year, in the spring, I'm going to plant my own vegetable garden. I really haven't thought much about it yet." Bella didn't want to think beyond that. She knew finding work on the books was out of the question any time soon, and staying here forever, highly unlikely. She also needed to get some kind of identification if she hoped to drive, or get bills in her name even though Graham had been able to get her electricity hooked up, she doubted he knew everyone in town. But she still had twenty-three thousand of her mom’s money left, and plenty of jewelry. She's was hoping it would last two possibly three years if she was extremely careful and just purchased the necessities. Maybe she could wait tables to supplement her income, but she'd need to get the ID and the driver’s license. More importantly, she needed to wait out the trial and let some time pass before she emerged back into society.
Seeing Bella's mind work and her brow furrow, frustrated Blaze. He didn't want to ruin this day. He had his own troubles to deal with. He planned on telling Bella who he was tonight, or tomorrow at the latest. He still had not come up with a way to tell her that wouldn’t freak her out.
She was climbing over a fallen tree limb, and he hurried to help her. "Well you have some nice land, and plenty of it is cleared. You'll have a big vegetable garden. You can always sell what you don't use," he offered by way of suggestion.
"That's an idea," she laughed. "I could be farmer."
He laughed too. "I just can't picture that, Bella"
"How do you picture me?" she asked before she could stop herself.
When his face went blank, she added, "You don't have to answer."
"No, no," he tried to recover. "It's just that you said you worked as an office manager before, and I can't picture that either. I think you'd be a great teacher. I can see you with kids." He replied thoughtfully. His kids.
An image of her swollen with his child popped into his head, and he had to shake his head to clear it. That was crazy. They'd just met, and she had way too much baggage. But he felt a tightness in his chest, and knew he wasn’t going to be able to walk away from Bella easily. He knew in that moment that he didn’t want to either.
"A teacher, really. I used to want to do that, but four years of college just seemed like too much at the time."
"You could always go back," he offered, knowing she couldn't in her current circumstances, but he didn't know what else to say. He was still thinking about her carrying his child.
"No, I don't think that's in the cards for me either. Come," she called taking his hand distracting him. "There is something up ahead I want to show you today."
"Oh, a surprise, really," he laughed, glad she changed the subject. "I like surprises."
"You are really going to like this one," she hinted, wiggling her eyebrows at him.
"Now you've really got me curious."
"Can you hear it yet?" she asked.
Blaze looked at her strangely. Obviously it wasn’t what he expected her to say. "Hear what?" he asked, ears straining. He heard it then, and at first it sounded like rustling, or wind in the trees, but there was no wind. It started to get louder and louder with each passing step. Through the branches up ahead, he could see a clearing, and then his eyes saw streaks of shimmering silver through the leaves of the oaks up in the distance.
"No clue?" she asked, smiling up at him from ear to ear.
"You . . . have a waterfall!" he exclaimed as it finally dawned on him.
She was nodding vigorously, eyes smiling with delight.
"Oh, baby, this is gonna be fun!" Taking hold of her hand more firmly, he picked up the pace and pulled her along after him. They only had a few yards to go, and when he rounded the cluster of trees directly in front of the falls, the sight before him was spectacular.
When he first laid eyes on the small waterfall cascading into a shallow pool, he was mesmerized by it. His excitement grew at the wonder and beauty of this secret oasis tucked away on Bella’s property. Nestled against granite-like cliffs and surrounded by a secluded alcove of pine, oak, and walnut trees, it was truly a remarkable wonder of nature.
He turned to Bella to take in her reaction as well. She was already shaking out the blanket she brought. Two towels unrolled from it and a bottle of body wash. Her eyes spoke volumes, as she looked at him, and kicked off her shoes onto the blanket. "Ready for your shower?"
"Hell yeah," he exclaimed as his shoes followed hers and then both of them began to shed their clothes tossing them onto the ever growing heap on the blanket.
"Careful," she cautioned as she took his right hand. "It's a little slippery over there," she pointed. "But that side is quite even; you need to take one step down into the water and it leads to a flat bottom."
"You lead. I'll follow," he encouraged as they circumvented the tricky parts.
***
As soon as Blaze’s feet hit the water, he knew it was going to be a cold shower. But being here in this stunningly private alcove with Bella would be worth it.
"It's a little chilly," she warned. "But you'll get used to it." She smiled back up at him.
"It'll be perfect. I'm here with you, aren't I?"
The smile she gave him when she turned around was a vision to behold.
Bella let Blaze get under the spray first. He held out his hand beckoning her; and taking it, she got under the spray with him. She let out a gasp as the cold water shocked her system.
Blaze, too, felt the cold, but like she said, he quickly grew accustomed to the cool waters. He ducked his head under the cascade. It made him feel alive—she made him feel alive. He hadn't felt like this since, well, he didn't know how long. Taking her by the shoulders, he pulled her to him and dipped down for a kiss. Bella wrapped her arms around him and he pulled her closer. Their bodies pressed together from knee to chest.
Despite the coolness of the water, Blaze immediately felt the heat between them. His cock sprung to life. He wanted nothing more than to take her right here and now, but knew the rocky bottom and the cold water would make it dangerous. They both reluctantly broke the kiss and focused on what they had come here to do.
Lathering up with the body wash Bella quickly retrieved from the blanket, both of them hastily scrubbed their bodies, and Bella was the first to call it quits. He followed not far behind her. She was toweling off, and handed him the second towel when he approached; as she reached for her clothes, he kicked them away. Blaze had other ideas.
Bella's eyebrows rose in question as he shook his finger at her in the negative. But she already knew what he wanted. His cock was fully aroused, and she'd been hoping for this all along.
Blaze quickly toweled off the moisture, and then threw his towel aside and stepped onto the blanket. His response was to crook his finger at Bella, and as he lay down on the worn blanket, he pulled her on top of him.
"My god, Bella. You are incredibly beautiful." He took her all in. In the sunlight, with her hair in damp curls around her shoulder, his eyes feasted on her perfect breasts, her nipples puckered and pink from the cold. Her waist narrowed, then slightly flared to reveal her slender hips. Her legs were long and trim, and he wanted nothing more than to be inside of her. His cock stood at attention before her.
"So are you," she murmured running her fingers along his abdomen and chest, the muscles rippling beneath the surface, until she tentatively gripped his cock that stood erect between them.
A hiss escaped from his lips and made Bella feel beautiful, powerful.
"I mean it, Bella. Every word. You are truly amazing," he choked out. She ran her fingers softly along his shaft, circling the head which was so sensitive to her touch. He'd love to fuck her mouth, see her bob her head on it. The thought alone had him getting harder, but that could be for another time.
Blaze reached for her, and pulled her down so he could kiss those lips. He wanted to taste her. Bella was only too willing to comply.
&nbs
p; His tongue plunged into her mouth, and he tasted her sweetness. His senses were reeling.
And so were Bella's. She felt his cock between them as he kissed her, and raked his hands along her arms, and sides. She wondered what it would be like to take his cock in her mouth. She'd never done that before. Sex with Anthony had been pretty simple. But not so with Blaze. He was definitely creative.
As Blaze kissed her, and touched her, she began to feel the need to move. Her body was telling her, guiding her, and she let instinct as old as time take over. When she pushed against his cock, feeling the hard ridge along her clit she shivered, and his reaction was to groan. She pushed again against it, sliding along his shaft, and she felt herself getting wetter, and more excited.
"I need you," he murmured huskily. "I need to be inside you, Bella."
She wanted to feel him filling her too, and getting on her knees, she straddled him. She positioned herself above him, and he helped her by placing his cock at her opening. Looking down at his throbbing member, she was still surprised it fit inside her. But it did, and not wanting to hold back or make him wait any longer, she pushed onto his cock, and took him in. All of him, as she felt her body stretch to accommodate his size.
Blaze felt like he was going to come on the spot. Fuck, she was so tight. She wasn’t completely ready for him, he'd felt the resistance, but he glorified in this possession of her. Their bodies were joined, and as she began to move, her juices increased, and she moved faster, and took him deeper. He reached for her waist to steady her, and her pace. He used his other hand to part her folds and circled her clit to bring her to climax with him. For him it was going to be fast.
Bella felt the explosion coming. She was fucking a man outside, and the thrill of it, the wantonness of it, was so unlike her. She bit her bottom lip as she felt the first wave building. Her pussy started to spasm and clench around him. Then wave after intense wave hit her. He kept rubbing her clit, and her body was on fire. She threw her head back as she quaked above him and screamed out his name.
Blaze watched her as she came, and he was nearly there too. Seeing her bite her lip, and hearing her cry out her pleasure, just saying his name, sent him over the edge too. "Oh, fuck me," he grunted as he came inside of her sweet pussy. He pushed himself into her a few more times as she collapsed on top of him, but when she made to slide next to him, he didn't let her go. "Stay, I want to be inside you."
Bella stilled. His request was so strange, but she complied, and lay upon his chest until the beating of their hearts returned to normal. He was stroking her back, and she enjoyed the sensation it evoked. She could feel him inside her still, and something struck her. Being this connected to another person was just so intimate. She felt a lump begin to form in her throat. Tomorrow this would be all over. Tomorrow Blaze would be gone, and she didn't think she'd ever be able to find another person who made her feel like this. He made her feel like she was the only one who mattered and she wasn’t alone. He made her feel safe and secure, cherished. He made her feel loved.
They returned back to the cabin arm in arm enjoying the beautiful day. Blaze was going to cook for them, a feast he had promised. That gave her the rest of the morning and afternoon. Bella considered doing a bit more painting. The house looked funny with just the front finished, but Blaze told her not to when she suggested she might give the side of the house another go.
“Not on the Fourth. No way. We need something to stabilize the ladder before you attempt that again. Why don’t you sit on the porch and read one of those books you have, and enjoy the day.”
Blaze was preparing their meal when she’s made her suggestion. “I’m almost finished in here, and then I’ll spark up the grill and join you.”
She’d agreed, liking the idea of having some time to relax and read again would be pure bliss. She’d been too busy with all that needed to be done. Bella picked up one of the books she purchased four days ago. Was it only four days ago she’d met Blaze? It seemed longer. She opened the copy of the book, Love’s Tempting, by MaryAnn Jordan and scanned the dedication. It read:
I dedicate this book to women everywhere who through illness or injury, get up every day and face life knowing that it is not always perfect nor is it always fair. To the women who have endured pain, but have conquered. Have endured setbacks, but have continued. Have endured falling down, but have pulled themselves back up again. Have endured nightmares, but continue to hold fast to their dreams. Women are much stronger than we often realize and it is this strength that gives us the ability to continue through life, taking all from it that we can and giving back all that we have to give.
MaryAnn Jordan
Wow. She paused before continuing. It was almost like this author had written these words for her alone. It struck a chord with her. It made her think of her mom, and all she’d been through, and now herself. She was living a nightmare, but with Blaze here, it seemed like just maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel. We just had to pull out that inner strength the author spoke of. She loved books that gave her hope even in the darkest of times. She was now looking forward to reading this book even more.
Bella managed to read the first few chapters before Blaze came out and set his platter on the upturned crate.
He had two steaks, ribeyes salted, and two small baking potatoes wrapped in tin foil, and three ears of corn, shucked coated in lemon juice, mayonnaise and salt and pepper. It was one of his mother’s recipes he’d told her, and something he and his brother’s always enjoyed on the fourth. “You don’t even need butter,” he claimed. The beans were ready to be warmed in Bella’s electric frying pan, and he just needed to put the potatoes and corn on for a while before he cooked the steaks.
He already had the charcoal burning, and quickly took off the lid of the small appliance, and popped the potatoes on the bottom, and the corn on the top, then replaced the lid. He joined Bella on the porch and took his usual seat on the top step.
She set aside her book and smiled at him.
“Good book?” he asked eyeballing the front cover before she put the book face down.
“Yes, it is so far.” She’d only been reading for a half hour, but nodded. The book had captured her attention right away.
“What’s it about?” he asked.
“Well . . .,” she paused, not sure whether or not she should tell him.
“The cover looks hot,” he teased.
She laughed in embarrassment. “Um, yes, well it’s a romantic suspense novel. And um . . . it’s about this girl and this detective. The girl in the story, Lily, gets in over her head investigating a crime on her own, and I think this guy is going to help her out. I haven’t read much of it yet, but so far, I really like it.”
“Sounds interesting,” Blaze quipped quickly. Her synopsis of the book had given him an idea. It was a perfect opening and inspiration struck. He didn’t know if he should say anything yet or not. They still had a few hours left of daylight, and he didn’t want to ruin the perfect day, but she had promised to talk to him today. He knew she would pull away if he just blurted it out, and maybe try to run. But he could start, he could reveal just a bit. “It’s funny because I was a cop too.”
“You were a cop?” Bella’s voice cracked. Her face blanched. “I thought you were an attorney?”
He pretended not to notice how high her voice had become. “Was,” he emphasized. “And was a cop. Remember I told you, I studied law, and worked in the prosecutor’s office for a year, well back then my two older brothers were cops.”
“Your brothers are cops?” This time she managed not to let her voice crack, but her heart was hammering in her chest.
“Were,” he repeated. “Yeah, and then my youngest brother wanted to go the police academy too, so I wasn’t happy where I was, and I decided to do the academy with him. We were partners for a year. But then we, all four of us, decided to call it quits and open up our own business.”
“Your own business?” Bella was trying to keep her voice
level, sound interested, which she was, but her mind was racing. He couldn’t know who she was, could he? She swallowed her saliva and picked up her book so she would have something to do with her hands.
“Yeah, it was Andreas’ idea. He’s the oldest. He and Gio, my other older brother, wanted to leave New York, and so Nikko and I followed. New York had burnt us all pretty bad. I guess, like you, we all needed to start over.” Blaze had been watching her from under his eye lashes and waited until she appeared calmer before making eye contact. He did that now.
“What kind of business is it?” she asked feeling afraid.
“We help people. Like private investigator stuff,” he told her, only revealing part of the truth. “Nikko has a degree in forensic and technical sciences, I have my law degree, and both Andreas and Gio were detectives. We won’t do the sleazy stuff you see on TV though. No cheating husbands and wives. We want to help people prove their innocence. We mostly get hired by defense attorneys.” He wanted to leave it at that for now. He feared he’d said too much and hoped she didn’t dig deeper.
“Wow, that’s interesting. Sounds like it could be dangerous work though.” Intuition told Bella he was not telling her something, but she was too scared to ask him anything else at the moment.
“Honestly, sometimes it does get tense, but we’re always careful. Like this one case last month. We were helping this girl. She was accused of drug smuggling, and we helped to clear her name, but one of my brother’s got shot in the shoulder. We were wearing vests, so it was nothing serious, but yeah it can get dangerous at times.”
“Holy crap!” Bella exclaimed. She was still nervous, but the thought of Blaze getting shot terrified her. “That’s nuts. You willingly do this kind of work?”
“Well, like I said, I, we like to help people. We don’t like bad guys, but we also don’t like it when innocent people get the shaft. This girl had no one else. We were it. We did a sting operation, and she was cleared. This could have ruined her life; she was a college graduate, just twenty three. Now she’s got a future,” he added trying to appear nonchalant.
Beautiful Chase Page 14
