Page 63 of From the Embers

“I’ll get to these later,” he says, dropping lower, his nose trailing down the soft flesh over my belly button.

I’m shaking inside as he skirts closer to the apex of my thighs. His nose rubs over my sweet spot as I take a big inhale. He kisses me through the lace of my panties. “I’ll get to this, too.” His breath is hot and full of promise as I squirm from absolute delight, tugging on his hair.

“Oh, D.” I’m a panting, blithering mess just from that. If he gets his whole mouth on my bare skin, I will explode.

“But I need to be inside you,” he grunts, running his nose over my most sensitive area. “Now, Adi.”

He stands and eases me back onto the couch, pushing his boxers down as he goes. My eyes will probably never fail to bug wide when I see him in all his glory. That beautiful specimen of a body, and of course his impressive hard on. “Panties off.”

His demanding tone is so sexy—another thing that gets me all worked up. I get a secret thrill and butterflies roam in my belly when he’s like this and asks for what he wants… No, demands what he wants. I roll them off in a few seconds flat and they drop to the floor.

I watch as he lowers his body, stroking himself on the way over to me. Our eyes meet and he smiles. “He’s eager,” he says by way of explanation.

“Oh, he is!” I giggle as our mouths collide again and his hips start to rock against mine. He guides his cock to my entrance as I open my legs wider for him. Our kisses come in thick and fast, his free hand squeezing my breast as he eases into me.

I let out a cry because damn does he feel good. So good. How have I lived without this man?

“Oh, baby,” I pant. “That’s s-so good.”

He pauses, seated deep within me, our bodies as close as they can get. “What you do to me, Adi, and how you feel,” he groans as he starts to move, not breaking contact with my eyes. “You have no idea.” I glance down to watch him slide in and out of me. His body ripples with a sensuality that I’ve never seen before. He’s an absolute god in the sack and I love watching him claim me like this. I grip onto his arms and start to move with him, meeting him thrust for thrust. It’s slower, hard, and absolutely divine.

“You feel so good, too,” I whisper. I love the way he fits so well, and does not seem to care about my wobbly bits. Nope, in fact he loves them.

“I want you, Adi. Baby girl, do you hear me?”

Our eyes connect. “I always want to be like this,” I whisper.

His eyes soften. “Always.”

I groan as he works his magic, my head tipping back as I come like fucking thunder. This man has a will over my body that even I don’t understand. I’m his puppet when it comes to making me feel good. I cry out his name, gripping his ass as he hisses, his mouth finding my neck as he peppers me with kisses.

He’s insatiable, too. The man just can’t get enough. That freaking sex chair is gonna live rent free in my mind for the rest of time. But there’s a time and a place for kink, and tonight? Tonight we’re making love, not fucking. There’s a difference, and I love both, but this feels intimate. It feels… real.

“I love you,” I whisper.

He stills and I feel him as he empties himself inside me with a groan, my name a feral shout from his lips. I love that I make him this undone. I love that little old me has this effect on him. It makes me feel powerful. Strong. Adored.

“I love you, too, Adi.”

Denver slides off, still wrapped around me. Still inside me. I don’t know how long we lie like that, but it’s the most cherished I’ve ever felt in my life.

“I’ve found my person,” I whisper sleepily. Unsure if I’ve even spoken the words. I’m exhausted.

He kisses my forehead. “And I’ve found mine. Sleep, baby girl.”

I snuggle into his chest and fall into blissful slumber.

nineteen

Denver

One Week Later

We get the call out when I’m on my first nightshift. Engine 99 gets the call first, and they take off. It’s not unusual for one, two, or all three trucks to be out at once, but rescue isn’t always needed. Ladder 99 is called next. There’s an apartment block ablaze across town.

We’re bracing, but so far, we wait. Another few minutes pass—me, Dylan, and JC are playing cards in the common room, then Rescue 3 gets the call and the rest of the fleet is on its feet and racing to our truck. It takes twenty-two seconds to get from A to B, and we’re hurtling through the night, following the Engine and Ladder. Our ambulance, Sterling and Jake, are also en route, plus another two get called out from across town.

When we get to the scene, JJ is in full swing. “Trapped family inside apartment B on the left,” he says. Ladders are already in place, with Stellan leading the charge, forcing entry over a patio railing and sliding door. “Dylan, Marco, and Denver, get moving to the upper levels. We’re gonna need backup.”