Flames from Ashes Read online

  “I’d ask if you were falling asleep on me, but below-the-belt evidence suggests otherwise.”

  “You said no talking,” he tried to reply without moving his jaw.

  “We’re done.” She wiped the washcloth over his lips and kissed him.

  “I’d like to think we’re just getting started, especially since you’ve been checking me out down below when you should have been focusing on my face.” He skimmed his hand over her hip.

  “Guilty as charged,” she said with a smile. “Ready to inspect my handiwork?”

  “Ready to inspect mine?” Clint shot a glance toward his erection, then wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  “As a matter of fact”—she stepped away to give him room to stand—“I am.”

  Sandy pulled the plug on the sink, then braced one hip on the vanity while he scooted from the awkward position astride the toilet. More things than his legs appreciated being able to move. He watched her face as he reached for his fly. Her gaze raked down his torso right to his crotch. She pressed her lips together, wetting them with the tip of her tongue. Imagining it tracing his cock tightened his balls.

  “FYI, my other parts aren’t shaved either,” he said.

  “Good. I like lots of cushion,” she shot back.

  The images those words spawned—strong legs wrapped around his waist as he pounded into her. He clenched his jaw against the surge to his dick, one he was certain left a telltale wet spot on his jeans. Clint flipped his fly button open with his thumb and watched the pulse leap in her neck. Another surge. At this rate, he wasn’t going to make it. He stepped into her space.

  “I see you undressing me with your eyes. Want to do it for real?”

  One corner of her mouth lifted in a smile. “I thought you’d never ask.” She pressed her body to his as she stretched to her toes, lips seeking his. Clint’s heart skipped a beat or two, meeting her halfway. So simple, that kiss. Devastating too.

  Sandy laced one hand through his, but he was the one to lead them to her bedroom. Violet reigned supreme in the room—different shades broken up by the sprays of tiny yellow flowers in the bedspread and drapes. Blond wood furnishings on a cream-colored carpet tied it all together.

  She pulled him to a stop shy of the bed. Fear and indecision waged a battle across her face. Clint toed off his sneakers, spanned his hands at her waist, and sat down, taking her with him.

  “Come on, bright eyes. Have your way with me. Be the boss of me.” He continued to scooch toward the headboard, her crawling over his body every inch of the way, until his head hit the pillow and something hard beneath.

  “What the—” Clint shoved his hand under the pillow and pulled out a sheathed gardening knife. He’d seen her use it around her yard. Sharp as hell, the blade was a good six inches long, an inch and a half wide, and lethal. Here was clear evidence of how afraid Sandy was at night. His erection flagged. He felt sick to his stomach. Angry too.

  “Clint, I—”

  “I know.” He set the knife on the nightstand. “I promise you’ll never have to sleep alone as long as we’re together.”

  “Oh, Clint.”

  She kissed him hard, lashing her tongue around his while she fumbled to unzip his jeans. He helped her do so, unleashing his hard-on. Sandy broke away from his lips and slipped to his side. Her gaze locked on his erection. Hard breaths jiggled her breasts.

  “You don’t have to censor yourself either,” he said.

  “Would you believe me if I said I was at a loss for words?”

  “Well, if I do say so myself, I am rather magnificent.” Smirking, he folded his hands behind his head.

  Sandy grinned. “Yes, you are.”

  She traced her finger down his dick. Clint gasped and tried to spread his legs apart so she could reach his balls. The jeans around his thighs trapped him. He reached for them at the same time she did, then dragged the offending clothing down and off his legs. His socks went too.

  “My turn.” Her voice was just above a whisper.

  Clint reached for the snap on her shorts. Sandy ducked his attempt and stood by the bed instead. Her gaze caught his. He refused to break it, giving her the privacy she needed to wiggle free of the last remaining barriers. But it was damn hard to do so when he longed to drink his fill of her body. To finally see for himself how damn fine she was all naked and his. The mattress dipped with her return. She crawled astride his hips. They’d yet to break eye contact. He cupped her thighs, mesmerized by the sultry look in her eyes as she poised herself to take him. One thrust and he’d be inside.

  He laughed to himself. Another thrust and he’d be coming. At least it’ll be in her and not on her.

  “Whoa. Stop.” He waved his finger toward his jeans. “There’s a condom in my—”

  “What’s the point?” She shrugged. “I’m clean. You’re clean. You can’t get me any more pregnant than I already am.”

  All true, and something he really didn’t need a reminder of at the moment. The lust in her eyes had dimmed too.

  “Take me in, sweetheart.”

  He slipped one hand over her hip to guide her. The other he wrapped around the base of his cock, holding himself in place for her to take possession. The first kiss of her pussy shocked pleasure through him. He raked the tip of his cock over her clit, then along the seam of her body. Sandy made a tiny sound, closed her eyes, bit her lower lip, and slowly joined them.

  “Damn, woman!”

  Clint shuddered from the effort to maintain control. She’d yet to move, but then he hadn’t either. He wanted to roll her beneath him and go at her hard. Wanted her to grind into his hand still wedged between them and bring them both off. Reason prevailed. Reality cut through the haze of lust in his brain. Clint recognized her hard breaths for what they were—panic.

  “Hey.” He shifted his hand until his thumb was poised over her clit. Close but not touching. “Open your eyes, sweetheart. Look at me. I’m the one who has you.” And he never wanted to let go.

  Sandy did as he asked, blinking rapidly to chase away the flood of tears he saw building up in her eyes. He’d stop if he had to, though it was the last thing in the world he wanted.

  “It’s me inside you, baby.” He raised his hips, pushing deeper.

  Her breath caught, and her nipples tightened. Clint rolled his lips, longing to wrap them around one and suck it deep.

  “It’s me who has you.” He rubbed his thumb over her clit. Sandy’s gasp went straight to his balls. He clenched his jaw against the orgasm that threatened.

  “You’re close to coming,” she said softly.

  “That’s no lie. But I’m waiting for you. I want us to come together.” He rubbed her again, loving how her fingers flexed on her thighs. Her eyes fluttered closed and her lips parted.

  “Eyes on me, sweetheart. I want you to see what you do to me.”

  One corner of her mouth lifted as she opened her eyes to his. “You mean when I do this?” She slid her hands up her torso, cupped her breasts, and rolled her nipples between her fingers.

  Effectively rendered mute, Clint watched in lust-filled wonder and circled his thumb right where she needed it. They moved at the same time, awkward at first and then a smooth glide that brought them fully in sync and focused on the goal. His balls were as hard as his cock, enjoying each kiss of her ass when their bodies came together. She had his dick in a death grip. Just when Clint thought he couldn’t last another second, Sandy tossed her head back and let go, taking him with her. He thought he’d never stop coming. With the last spasm, she sagged into his arms. Clint rolled her beneath him and kissed her as if his very life depended on it. God knew his heart did. The emotion scared him more than he wanted to admit.

  They pulled from each other’s lips at the same time. She seemed no more anxious to move than he was. One question loomed in his mind. Are we good? He left it unasked, content to enjoy brushing his fingers over her cheek while she scuffed her palms over his back.

  “You know what?” She tipp
ed her head to one side. “I could really use that cheeseburger right about now.”

  Clint laughed and eased away. “I imagine so. I’m starving, and I know you’ve got to be. Come watch me adoringly while I cook.”

  “You mean like bat my eyes, sigh with lovesick wonder, and tell you how hot you look in an apron? Naked, of course.”

  God, that mischief in her eyes was going to bring him to his knees. It was what drew him to her in the first place—that and her bright laughter.

  “Of course. But I think I’ll opt to protect my assets from fire.” He dropped a kiss to her midriff and rolled out of bed.

  Sandy brushed her hand over his ass as he bent over for his clothes. “You mean from the grill, right?”

  He caught her wrist and dragged her against his body. “What do you think?”

  “I think you like playing with fire.” She rubbed over him. His cock hardened. “Oops, did I do that?”

  Clint laughed. She might try to feign innocence, but the devil glowed in her eyes. “What do you think?”

  “I think”—she tickled her fingers down his torso until she could wrap them around his erection—“it’s time to really break your dry spell.” She kissed his chin. “Love me the way you really want. Take me. Make me yours.”

  “There won’t be anything quick about it this time, bright eyes.”

  A naughty grin pulled up the corner of her mouth. “I’m counting on that.”

  Chapter Four

  Clint wrapped his arms around her. Sandy never wanted to let go. Here was safety and security. Here was love. Her heart knew it, and now her body did too. She wanted him without the shackles of her nightmare. Wanted him to take her unrestrained and banish the remnants of the horror she’d endured.

  He claimed her mouth on a hard groan. Took possession as he edged her back toward the bed. Sandy dragged him down with her the second her legs hit the mattress. He cupped one hand around her breast, the other under her ass, and deepened the kiss. Her brain shut down with her thudding heartbeat. She hooked one leg around his waist and dug her heel into his buttock while she tried to seat his cock inside her.

  Clint peeled his lips from hers. “I thought I was in charge.” He winked. “You can be the boss of me again later.”

  “I’ll hold you to that,” she breathlessly replied. Oh, but she wanted him to hurry. She wanted him joined to her, to feel the fire he stoked burn from the inside out. Patience wasn’t a virtue Sandy possessed, but she’d try for him. She’d do anything for him.

  I love him. The words hovered, demanding to be said. Sandy refused. Now wasn’t the time. She was too caught up in emotion. Too caught up in healing this portion of her life. Too aware of so many other issues between them. Or rather, one little issue between them. The thought of the baby she carried filled her mind. She must have tensed, because Clint pushed to his elbows.

  “What is it? Talk to me.”

  She didn’t want to ruin this. But what was it he’d said? “We’re not gonna work if you keep shutting me out.” And she wanted them to work.

  “My mind went to the baby.” Her words were no more than a breathless whisper.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not going to do anything to hurt the baby.”

  How was it possible to love him any more than she already did? She closed her eyes and gasped with wonder as he trailed his lips down the column of her neck.

  Clint raked his erection over her belly as he aimed for her breasts. He coiled his hands around them. She held her breath for a hard squeeze—a classic move for the men she’d dated. It never came. His touch was gentle but firm. She watched him stare at each one, as if he was having a hard time choosing which one he wanted. He blew over the nipples, grinning when they hardened.

  Boys and their toys. Sandy fought the laughter that bubbled up.

  He traced his tongue around her right areola, then slowly sucked her nipple into his mouth. She grasped his head to hold him in place and writhed her pelvis against him. Clint grunted and dragged his mouth to her other breast. Sandy arched into him. She locked her foot over his calf and tried to pull his body right where she wanted. All it earned her was the loss of his mouth.

  Clint feathered his tongue down her body. There was little doubt where he was headed. She wanted to stop him, wanted him to hurry, wanted so many things, she couldn’t think straight. Then he was there, and her legs were over his shoulders. He used his thumbs to part her labia and rolled her clitoris between his lips. Sucked the orgasm right out of her. Left her sated and panting and her head buzzing.

  Sandy fumbled for him as he lowered her legs and started a slow crawl back up her body, licking all the way. He took his time, loving her breasts all over again. And when he reached her lips, he sank his tongue between them and his cock deep inside her.

  The scent and taste of both of them was in his kiss—that perfect combination of their previous climax. She locked her legs around his waist, rocking with thrusts that grew in intensity with every plunge but never pounded. This was a man in charge, a man in full control. Her heart—God, her heart—hurt from the love swelling it. Sandy dusted her hands down his back, felt the heat pooled in his lumbar. A man on fire. For her. She jammed her heels into his ass. Clint’s muscles tensed, froze, then shuddered under the onslaught of his release. He broke the kiss on a gasp and buried his face in her neck.

  “I love when you hold me,” she whispered, and kissed his temple.

  “I love holding you.” He slipped from her body but never broke contact.

  Seconds ticked by. Time when all they did was lie in each other’s arms. No point wishing they’d done this sooner. That was the past, and this was now. Wasn’t that all that really mattered? They were together. Sandy and her really great guy. She didn’t understand how anyone could have left him. Left her kids. A sick feeling settled in her stomach that had nothing to do with being pregnant.

  “How long ago did your wife disappear?”

  Clint pulled away, putting too much distance between them.

  “Walls, Clint.”

  He sighed. “Five years ago last spring. And before you ask your next question… Yes, technically I’m still married. I thought about filing for divorce based on desertion. Doing so would have meant losing leverage.”

  “Leverage?” She sat against the headboard.

  “Since she disappeared, it’s been all about the kids, doing what was best for them, being a united front with Danny for that reason. Marjorie’s family is in denial. They don’t want to let go or accept the inevitable. Danny and I have been trying to get them to agree to me having her declared legally dead. We want to do this the nice way, because as things stand now, they are fighting us tooth and nail to prevent that. It’s hard. I get that. Her parents and sisters don’t want to let go or give up hope. If I were in their position, if it were my child, I would probably feel the same way. But I’ve suspected from the start that Marjorie was dead. Because she might have been willing to walk out on me, but she’d never walk out on her kids. Since that day, it’s been a near constant battle with her family. I couldn’t leave Danny to deal with that on his own.”

  Sandy wondered if Clint had a superhero cape hidden in the back of his closet. “You two are close.” For the kids. “Do they live in Valley View?”

  “Not anymore. They live down in Redlands and have for a while. They initially stayed in Marjorie’s house but moved down below because it was easier for Danny’s work. We can’t do anything with the house except rent it out until Marjorie’s legally declared dead. The rent helps pay the mortgage. When it doesn’t, Danny and I chip in to cover it.”

  “I’m hearing a lot of we there.” She slipped her hand over his.

  Clint laced his fingers through hers. “We’ve always been a united front. Had to be for the kids. Considering what Caleb and Jenny lost, they couldn’t have us at odds too. Danny’s a nice guy. He could have been an ass about the whole thing. Instead…” He shrugged.

  “You could have been
an ass about it too.” Sandy could count the ways. Families could be insane under normal circumstances, and this was anything but normal. “Do you see them often?”

  “I do.” He pulled her fingers to his lips and kissed them. “Every parent needs a break. His parents live in Virginia, and he trusts the kids more with me than with Marjorie’s family.”

  “Because you didn’t have them worship at the altar of their lost mother?” It was something her grandmother did. Her great-grandmother passed away ten years ago, and the world still stopped on the anniversary of her death, her birthday, Mother’s Day, and any other thing her grandmother could come up with. Sandy’s parents indulged her.

  “Exactly.” Clint brushed his thumb over her knuckles. “Marjorie’s family takes grieving to a whole new level. It was one of the reasons we limited their access to them. No unsupervised visits. It’s easier for me to be the one supervising those visits, because I’m the poor deserted husband, while Danny’s still the son of a bitch who left her, even though their divorce was amicable and mutually decided upon. Which was, I suppose, a little better than when they accused us of being gay.”

  “What?” She scrunched up her face.

  “I refused the advances of her sisters. Trust me. It was an awkward moment I’ll never be able to wash from my memory.”

  “Eww.” She wrinkled her nose. “Are these local people?”

  “Marjorie’s father is our illustrious mayor.”

  “Oh.” She let her lack of enthusiasm say the rest. Martin Hall was a major pain in the ass. Bully came to mind. Chief Stanton and both fire captains were perpetually doing battle with him.

  “Yeah.” Clint draped his arm over her shoulder. “One of the main reasons I wanted to keep us a secret until I was sure where we were headed.”

  “And where are we headed, Clint?” It was a horrible question to ask, but she needed to know. Needed to hear him say words she was too fearful to utter.