Blazing Hearts: Books 1-3 (6 page)

T
eresa opened her eyes slowly
. Her head felt heavy. Come to think of it, all of her felt heavy. She blinked a few times and the room finally came into focus. It was stark white. Hospital white. A slow, steady beep drew her attention to the right. She looked to find a machine there, hooked to her.

Memories of losing control of her car flashed in her mind. She remembered swerving and then suddenly there had been no road beneath her wheels. She had a quick flash of a man with jet-black hair and eyes so dark they seemed black as well. It couldn’t have been him—Jake.

The odds were…

Panicked, she sat too fast and the room seemed to spin around her. Suddenly, strong hands were gripping her shoulders, steadying her.

“Whoa there, take it easy.”

She paused and then looked up at the owner of the incredibly deep and sexy voice. She gasped. Jake was here. He looked slightly less wild now than he had when they were younger. His black hair was still unruly. His skin was tawny and his eyes were a deep, rich-chocolate brown. He’d always been toned, but now he’d filled out some too. He’d grown into his body and become a man. He had what appeared to be several days’ worth of growth on his face.

He had hold of her upper arms and his face was close to hers. She couldn’t seem to stop herself as she reached out and ran a hand over the roughness of his cheek. “Hey, you.”

His full lips twitched slightly before the edges of them curled up just a tad. “Back at you.”

She teared up. “Jake, I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry I—”

“Shh,” he whispered. “You’re safe now. That’s all that matters.”

She closed her eyes a moment and he kissed the tip of her nose. She pulled at him, wanting him closer. He’d be within his rights to force her away. To yell at her. To demand answers. As he wrapped his arms around her and allowed her to slip her arms around his waist, she broke down. She sobbed as Jake held her.

He ran his hands through her hair and tilted her head back, forcing her to look up at him. “I’m glad you’re home.”

Home.

The word made her cry harder.

Jake bent and wiped her cheeks. He moved his lips over hers and her body instantly remembered how he liked to kiss. She tilted her head a tad and instantly followed his lead. It was how she recalled. Perfect. Just like Jake had always seemed to her. His tongue feathered over hers and she whimpered into his mouth. He bent more, leaning over her, forcing her fully onto her back as he came half over the hospital bed. His kiss grew more aggressive and more demanding.

She gave what he needed because she needed it too. She’d been so scared he’d reject her on sight. That she’d damaged what had been between them for good. Having him close, his lips on hers, the passion clearly there eased some of her fears.

Some, but not all.

He broke the kiss, but only because a nurse entered and cleared her throat to the point there was no denying she was standing there. Jake stayed above Teresa, his body propped in a way that didn’t leave her smashed against the bed. He turned his heated gaze onto the nurse and leveled a look that left no question. He didn’t appreciate the interruption.

The nurse took a step back.

Jake had that effect on people. While he was gentle of the heart, he was naturally a man who oozed dominance yet with an equal mix of control. That had been part of the problem. Part of why she left. She couldn’t be what she’d assumed he’d needed back then. She understood how wrong she’d been about Jake. About his needs. About her own needs.

The nurse cleared her throat and glanced to the door. “Visiting hours end soon so keep it quiet in here.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jake said, his hard gaze never wavering. He eased off Teresa gingerly but stayed seated on the edge of the hospital bed.

The nurse left the room and shut the door behind her. Teresa had a feeling she wouldn’t be returning to try to shoo Jake off anytime soon.

Jake took Teresa’s hand in his and held it. “You scared years off me.”

“Sorry.”

He reached out with his other hand and touched her cheek lovingly. “How bad do you hurt?”

“I’m fine, Jake.”

He kept his hand on her cheek. “You weren’t breathing. I don’t call that fine.”

She lowered her gaze.

Jake bent until they were staring at one another. He leaned and put his forehead to hers. “I’m damn happy you’re home. Don’t run again. Please.”

He wasn’t the type to beg. In fact, he was the exact opposite type of man. Her brows drew together and she wondered what else about him had changed.

“Rest, sweetie. I’m gonna stay right here near you. Then, when you’re able, I’m gonna take you home with me. Got it?”

It wasn’t really a question and she knew as much. She fought a smile. “Got it.”

“Good. Now rest.”

J
ake carried
Teresa over the threshold to his home and shut the door behind him. He was thankful Tyson had taken Charger for a few days because the dog, while well-meaning, would have tried to jump on Teresa. A quick glance around proved Lexie had done as she’d called and threatened to do. She’d come and
dolled up
his place. There were vases of fresh flowers. Some throw blankets and pillows he didn’t remember owning were laid out nicely. While he’d always kept a clean, tidy home, he’d not been much on adding decorative touches to it. Lexie had done just that.

Lexie had also gotten a hold of Teresa’s measurements and seen to it that new clothes were present. Jake hadn’t given her any spending limit. He’d told her to get whatever Teresa would need.

“Jake,” Teresa said, her voice tender and barely there. “I can walk. The doctors gave me a clean bill of health.”

He stared down at her and didn’t need to comment. He knew his look said it all. She was his, and he damn well wasn’t going to let anything happen to her. It was his responsibility to care for her. To protect her from everything, even herself if it came down to it. He walked her straight through his home to his bedroom. He did a double take. Gone was his brown comforter. The bed was now all done in dark blues. He grunted.

Lexie’s doing as well.

He laid Teresa on the bed gently. “I’ll make you some tea and then draw you a warm bath.”

She giggled softly, reminding him of their younger years. “I’m not a baby, Jake.”

“You’re mine to watch over. You know that.” He waited and wondered if she’d protest. He also wondered if she belonged to another now. Rage simmered just below the surface. He’d kill another for touching her. For touching what was his.

She nodded. “I’m yours.”

He winked. “Good girl. Now for tea.”

He made his way back to the kitchen and set about making her a cup of tea. While it steeped, he returned to the bedroom and then entered the master bath. He turned the water on and adjusted the temperature. He left that to fill and returned to the kitchen for her tea.

When he entered the room again, Teresa was sitting up with her legs off the side of the bed.

“You’re not thinking of getting up by yourself, are you?”

She laughed softly. “I can walk. We’ve been over this.”

“Yes,” he said. “We have.”

She remained in place and accepted the tea.

He inclined his head and then returned to the bathroom to shut off the tub water. When he turned, he found Lexie had candles set up all along the countertop in there. He shook his head. That woman never ceased to amaze him. He’d have to remember to thank her for all she’d done.

He lit the candles and dimmed the bathroom lights. After arranging towels for Teresa, he returned to the bedroom to find her sipping her tea. She stared wide-eyed past him at the open bathroom door.

“No worries, sweetie,” he said. “I’m not plannin’ on overseeing you bathin’.” He worried his jaw. “Unless you want me to.”

A nervous laugh escaped her. “I think I might not quite be ready for that yet.”

Yet.

He put his hand out and took her tea. He steadied her as she stood and then walked her to the bathroom door. “You’re good?”

“I’m good,” she said, her palm landing on his chest. It seared his skin even through his shirt. God, how he’d missed her. His cock responded to her light touch, and he had to take her wrist gently with his free hand and move it from him or risk ravishing her where they stood. “Relax and soak. I’ll check on you in a bit.”

She stayed in place. “Thank you. You didn’t have to let me come here and stay.”

“I think I did.”

She met his gaze and moved to her tiptoes. He knew she was about to kiss him, and he knew if she did, he’d fuck her here and now. He stepped back and cleared his throat. “Bathe.”

He didn’t mean it to come out as forceful as it did, but he needed space and quick. She’d been through too much and he’d only just gotten her back. He couldn’t risk scaring her off.

She moved with him. Damn her. She caressed his forearm and her touch branded his very soul. “Jake, please.”

“Please what?” he demanded. “Please talk about why you ran out on us? Please talk about why you’re back? Please talk about how you nearly died? Or please talk about how I want to fuck you eight ways from Sunday?”

Her breath caught. She stepped back from him and lowered her gaze before heading into the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and the sound of the lock engaging echoed throughout the room.

Jake pivoted and stormed to the kitchen. If he dared apologize, he’d end up buried so deep in her tight pussy he’d forget she nearly died two days prior.

He tossed the tea mug into the sink and it shattered upon impact. “Shit,” he whispered as he set about cleaning up the broken pieces. Teresa messed with his head. She always had, and it was plain to see she always would.

He finished cleaning up the tea-mug mess and covered the distance to the front door. With a quick look over his shoulder down the hall to his bedroom door, he turned and left the house. He made it to Tyson’s in record time. He pounded on the door.

“Wait,” his friend yelled, sounding as if he was laughing. Tyson opened the door wearing nothing more than what he was born in and a Shady Brady on his head.

Jake groaned. “For fuck’s sake, where are your clothes?”

“My woman took them off with me her teeth,” Tyson said, smiling wide. “How is your woman settling in?”

“She’s takin’ a bath,” he muttered, keeping his gaze locked on Tyson’s face.

Tyson removed his cowboy hat and placed it over his groin. “Without you in there with her? Boy, you done moaned and groaned about missin’ her for years. Why the hell are you here lookin’ at my naked ass when you could be fuckin’ hers?”

Jake considered punching his friend but thought better of it. He grunted and then turned. “Tell Lexie thank you for me.”

“Oh,” Tyson said, positioning his hat in front of his groin. “I’ll be sure to send your thanks.”

Snorting, Jake walked away from Tyson’s place and down the worn path to his own. He hovered outside, afraid to enter his own home. How such a tiny woman could manage to cause such chaos in his life was beyond him.

As he thought about Teresa in the house, her naked form soaking in his tub, his balls began to ache as his cock hardened. He cursed under his breath and actually considered jerking off where he stood to alleviate the problem.

“Dammit, woman.” With a growl, he took his porch steps two at a time and stomped into his home, straight to his bedroom. “I think it’s time I had my say.”

T
eresa unlocked
the bathroom door and then proceeded to step into the tub of warm water. The gown she wore from the hospital laid in a puddle on the floor. All of her clothing was lost, along with her car and anything else she had in it. Emotions welled and she sank under the water, letting the tub hide her tears.

There was a large boom and suddenly a blur fell into the bathroom. Gasping, Teresa sat up fast, her arms covering her breasts instinctively. Her mouth fell agape as she looked over the side of the tub to see Jake lying there.

He pushed up and partially off the floor, his muscles flexing as he did. He turned his head slightly. “I thought the door was locked. I was going to pound on it and yell and…” He stopped speaking, his gaze trapped on her.

He’d seen her naked before. He’d been the first man she’d ever allowed the honor. He’d been so gentle with her even though she’d known he’d wanted to be rough. He’d taken his time with her, and he’d made her body sing in a way it had never done again. She’d come home for Jake. Come home to see if he’d take her back and if they could make a go at something real again.

With all her courage, Teresa lowered her arms, exposing her breasts to him.

Jake’s hands slipped out from under him and he fell flat on the floor again. He shot up into a seated position. “Teresa!”

She held her chin high, refusing to cover herself. “I pick you fucking me eight ways from Sunday.”

He blinked. “What?”

A second or two passed and he blinked again, his eyes growing wider. “Teresa!”

“You said that already,” she responded. “Now, are you going to spend time on the floor gawking or are you planning to fuck me eight ways from Sunday, cowboy?”

His mouth opened and then closed it. He repeated the action.

Was her cowboy at a loss for words?

The tiniest of smiles started on her face.

Jake snapped out of his daze and leaned over the edge of the tub. He grabbed her by the back of the neck and drew her toward him. His lips covered hers and his kiss was scorching hot. Her entire body tingled with need.

He trailed his hand down to her breast. He cupped it and then circled the nipple, making it harden instantly. “Woman,” he said, breaking their kiss slightly. “I’m not a man to tease. You know that.”

“I do,” she whispered.

“There are things we should do, things we should talk about.” He stayed close to her lips, his hand on her nipple as he toyed with it.

Each slight tug on her nipple made her womb respond. Oh, how she wanted this man.

“Or we could make up for lost time.”

Jake squeezed her nipple hard, eliciting a yelp of pleasure from her. He eased up on it and stared at her, his gaze hard. “You don’t know what you’re asking of me right now, Teresa. You don’t know how on edge I am. I can’t pull back once I start, and you’re not ready for all of me. For all my kink. We had this talk once before and the next day you were gone.”

“I am ready now,” she confessed. She put her hand over his. “More than ready. I came home for you,
for us
.”

She moved closer to him and cupped his face. She kissed him this time, sweeping her tongue into his mouth. It was bold of her. More bold than she should be, but she was desperate to set things right between them. Jake responded with a throaty growl and pinched her nipple hard. The pain excited her and she breathed through it, continuing to kiss him.

He sucked on her tongue and moaned into her mouth, a deep, sexy moan. He drew back. “We’ve got to set some ground rules before this goes any further.”

Her body ached to be touched more. She didn’t want ground rules. She wanted him. “Anything goes.”

“Oh, no, it doesn’t,” he stated clearly before standing slowly—almost painfully. “They’ll be spelled out on paper and agreed upon by us both. Period.”

She wanted to protest but knew better than to try. His mind was made up, and he was as hardheaded as the day was long. She shivered, suddenly cold from his absence. With a tiny nod, she agreed to what he’d laid out before her.