Caught in the Flames (9 page)

“I’m not convinced. Tell Kiki about it and I’m sure I can help. Besides, I know everything about everyone.”

I grin and consider her offer. I’m sure she does know everything. But I wonder how good she is with sharing secrets. I don’t have the time or energy to be involved in neighborhood politics. She scratches at her neck and it reveals a little of her weathered skin. I’m surprised at the colorful ink scrolled across her shoulder. This woman is full of surprises and there’s something in the way she smiles at me that makes me want to be her friend.

“Okay. I’ll tell you my problems on one condition.”

“Shoot.”

“You tell me the stories behind all your tattoos.” I smirk and she does that throaty chuckle again.

“You sure about that? That could take days. I have lots of ’em.”

“Stories or tattoos?”

“Both.”

“Yeah. I’m sure. What’s that one on your shoulder?”

“Oh, this ol’ thing? This is one of my favorites.” She pulls down the neck of her blouse and her bra strap so I can see better. It’s a bouquet of flowers. I recognize the violets, periwinkle, and lilies, but it’s the foreign words scrolling through the center in script lettering that captures my focus. It’s beautiful.

“What does it say?”

“
Il dolce far niente.”
The words roll off her tongue in a soft caress.

“Is that Spanish?”

“Italian. It means, it is sweet doing nothing. This was my first tattoo. I got it the summer I turned eighteen. My friend and I took our life’s savings and flew to Europe.” She chuckles that rough laughter. “You can imagine our parents weren’t too thrilled. We had been raised to grow up and find a spouse. Maybe spend a few years in college first, but then find a mate. Instead, Bets and I took off for an adventure. My parents tried to keep me from going. Insisted I was doing nothing with my life.”

“So you got a tattoo about doing nothing?” I grin.

“Yes. Though it was far from the truth. I ended up
doing
my fair share of Italian men that summer.” She waggles her almost translucent brow and I lean forward over the table. This woman is fascinating. Her fingers stroke the rim of her mug, and light bounces off the diamond on her left ring finger.

“Did you marry one of those Italians?” Her eyes follow mine to her ring and she just grins.

“My turn is up. Tell me about the captain.”

I can’t help the way my face pulls into a smile just thinking about Chase. I take a gulp of coffee and try to put my feelings for him into words. “He’s the most attractive man I’ve ever dated. And I’ve always been a bit infatuated with his profession. But I didn’t pursue him. He asked me out, and, well, it’s only been a few weeks but I’m a goner. He really is the most perfect man.” I know I’m gushing and sound more like an infatuated teen than a grown ass woman but I can’t seem to stop. Kiki smiles warmly and then pats my arm before standing to move to the counter. She brings back the coffee pot and motions to my cup. I nod with a grin.

“Beautiful men. They were always my downfall, too. And a man in uniform is difficult to resist. I’d warn you to be careful, but sounds as though you’ve already crashed and burned for this one.”

“Is there any reason I should be careful with Chase?” I ask because something tells me if there is, this woman would know.

“Oh, honey, there’s always a reason to be careful in love. Doesn’t mean the heart listens.” She smiles and I return it. I should excuse myself to leave now. It’d be polite after taking up so much of her morning, but I don’t want to take off just yet. I want to know more about Kiki—her tattoos, her stories, her life.

“Will you tell me about another tattoo?”

“If you have the time, dear. I’m sure you have other places to be than spending your day with an old woman.”

“I have time.” At my answer her grin pulls into a smile that fills her entire face. Her eyes crinkle so much they almost close.

“Well, how about this rose here . . .”

I get so wrapped up in Kiki’s tales that it’s hours before I finally jog home. The afternoon sun beats down on my skin and the humid air makes it difficult to breathe, but there’s a lightness on my soul and even in my steps as I trot the familiar path home. I’m glad fate crossed my path with Kiki today. Rather than spending the entire day obsessing about Chase I gained a new friend, one whose wisdom and life adventures fascinate me beyond measure. I can tell she’s a little lonely, and who wouldn’t be, living in that house alone with no career and no family. But today I think I needed her company as much as she needed mine.

I love sex.

At least from what I can remember, I love it. It’s been a while. A hell of a long while. It’s almost embarrassing to admit the last occurrence was after a little too much eggnog at Alicia’s parents’ annual Christmas party. Not to mention, that interaction was severely lacking. I’m basically running on eight months of self-inflicted celibacy and pent up sexual appetite. But tonight that changes.

A slight delay in the original plan, but that’s okay. Chase called to apologize profusely for canceling our date Saturday night, but I understood. His career is important. Then, as he anticipated, he was exhausted after three days straight at the station and decided to head home and crash. I would have loved to see him, but I know he needs his rest.

The only downfall is that on top of working around his firefighting schedule, my company is piloting a new work week, four ten-hour shifts and three-day weekends. Supposedly it’s an attempt to boost employee morale, which I couldn’t care less about because I ended up working four fourteen-hour days and that meant no sexy Chase time.

This weekend Chase works Friday and Saturday again but I refuse to wait until Sunday to see him. So even though I rushed home tonight to change and beautify myself all the while fighting exhaustion from a long week, I’m glad we’re not waiting one more day to see each other. Sure, I’m tired, but sleep can wait. I’m taking that boy to funky town.

We’ve talked and texted all week and I know he’s aware of what’s on the table. I made it pretty clear apart from spelling it out. I only hope he doesn’t disappoint in the bedroom. I doubt he could, but my expectations are high. I’ve piled them up with every date, phone call, text, smile, laugh, and sweet word he’s said. That, and I’ve felt his very impressive erection during numerous make out sessions. High expectations for sure.

The doorbell rings and I race to the door after a five second pit stop in the bathroom doorway to triple check my hair and makeup. Good enough. I step through the hallway and exhale deeply before unlocking the door to reveal Chase’s handsome face.

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Hi,” he says back.

We stare at each other for about two breaths until Chase steps forward. His hands go to my hips and he backs us inside the house. The door bangs shut but I hardly notice because his lips cover mine with a demanding, unbridled passion. He’s possessive, dominate, and scorching with his kisses.

“Chase.” I moan his name between the graze of his lips. He hauls me into his arms and I straddle his waist, locking my feet behind him. He walks us to the wall, but must not be paying attention because my head hits the plastered surface with a bang, and the wooden edge of something digs into my scalp.

“Fuck!” Ouch, that hurt.

The portrait of me with my father at my high school graduation clatters to the hardwood floor and glass shatters everywhere.

“Shit. I’m sorry, Callie.” Chase steps over the mess and walks us toward the living room.

“It’s fine, I’ll just—”

Chase kisses the words from my lips and I try to forget there’s clutter in my entryway. Honest to God I do, but when he starts kissing down my neck, sets me on the counter ledge, and his fingers go to the buttons of my blouse I have to stop him. I can’t make love to this gorgeous beast of a man when there’s glass all over my floor.

“Wait—” I push him back from my body and hop down from the counter. He allows me space but his hands brace against the counter ledge and cage me in.

“Callie?” Chase narrows his gaze and his lower lip juts out slightly. Is he pouting? “I’m sorry, Callie. I just thought . . . When you invited me over . . . I—have you changed your mind? Should I go?” He steps back and I grab his arm.

“No!” I all but shout. Oh, God, why can’t I be normal? Why can’t I ignore the mess and get lost in Chase? I can’t, though. I crave order, and as much as I try I can’t focus on anything knowing a disaster of glass is scattered in the other room. I drop my head and cover my face. “This is so embarrassing.”

“What, are you on your period or something?” I peek through my fingers and find Chase’s brow furrowed in confusion.
Why is he so adorable?

I grin. “No, not that. I just can’t continue with this.” I motion between us. “Knowing there’s that.” I point down the offending hallway. “Stupid, right?”

Chase laughs his booming laugh. “No, Callie. Quirky maybe, but not stupid. Where’s your broom? Let me clean it up.”

“You don’t have to. I can get it.”

“Callie.” He steps forward, caging me in again, but this time he’s gone all alpha on me. His presence looms, strong, controlling, and my body gives a shiver in response. God, I want him. Maybe the floor can wait.

“Broom?” he says again and I point toward the hall closet. He dips his head to kiss my lips, snaking his tongue inside my mouth to swipe once before he pulls back. “And Callie?”

“Hmmm…” I grip his shirt to pull him back to me. His low throaty chuckle excites every nerve ending of my body.

“Go to your room. Put on one of those bra and panty sets I saw on moving day, and get on the bed. Hands and knees. And wait for me. I’ll clean this up.”
Oh fuck. That’s hot.
I nod but don’t move and his expression darkens. “Now.” He gives my ass a smack and turns to go clean up the glass.

I race to my bedroom closet and strip as fast as I can, with no finesse because I don’t want him to catch me with my skirt halfway down my legs. Hell, I’d likely trip and fall, something that’d totally ruin the mood. I slide off the strappy sandals, and because I anticipated getting physical the requested lingerie is already on my body. I give myself a onceover in the mirror and try to tame my curls but they have a mind of their own. Maybe he’ll think they’re sexy flying every which way.

I don’t linger too long because something tells me I don’t want to find out what happens if I’m not on all fours when Chase comes into my room. I flip my light off and turn on the small bedside lamp. Mood lighting, that’s good enough. I situate myself so I’m facing the door, because I want to see his face. But maybe that’s wrong. If he wants me like this he’s probably into doggy style. Shit. I turn around and arch my back because I think that’s sexier.

“Fuck, Callie, you look so good.” I’m glad I went with facing the wall when he walks in and a smile fills my face at his appreciation. I wiggle my ass but don’t look back, not just yet anyway. “Damn,” he swears again, and I hear his clothes hit the ground. I wait. Patient as I can because it’s taking everything I can to not turn and watch Chase undress. I’ve fantasized about that happy trail from his perfectly formed belly button that leads to his manhood. I
really
want to see that.

“Callie.” I squeal because I don’t expect his tongue to trace the lace of my thong to where it disappears between my legs and I’m already wet for him. “Stay like this.” The weight on the bed shifts and he pulls the lace off my hips and down my legs but leaves it at my knees, binding my legs together. His fingers rub my ass before spreading me wide and his glorious mouth moves to where I want him.

“Fuck…” I moan as he licks and sucks my folds, using his tongue and his entire face to eat me out. God, he’s good at this. I’ve never done this in this position before. I feel completely exposed and at his will. I love it. My breaths come quicker. My heart drums inside my chest. It thumps so fast, as though I’ve been running, and my skin is warm all over.

He adds his fingers, working them in tiny circles over my clit and his tongue moves higher to the spot I’ve never had a man go. It should feel wrong, I know it should, but it makes me even hotter and I moan into the sheets, fisting my hands to brace myself. His fingers dip inside my pussy, first one, then two . . . and then three.
Oh shit.
“I’m so close.”

“I know, Callie. Not yet.” His hands and mouth withdraw all at once and his weight leaves the bed. “Take everything off. I want inside you,” he orders. I turn onto my back so I can pull my thong off my legs and Chase crouches by his shorts to pull a condom from the pocket. He stands and my lips go dry. He’s still wearing his boxer briefs, tight white little things, but there’s nothing tighty whitey about them. On him they look obscene. His tan skin and ink stand out in contrast to the fabric. I lick my lips when my eyes focus back at his visible bulge. I need him.
Now.

Reaching behind my back I unclasp my bra and allow it to fall from my breasts. I watch as his gaze goes straight to them. His fingers grip the elastic of his underwear and he yanks them down and walks to the edge of my bed, all strong and sexy man while palming his erection. My nerves bubble to the surface and the anticipation of this moment crashes over me.