Burn for Me(22)

“You swear?” she asked, her voice trembling. At some point she was going to have to decide whether to let go of her fears. But she knew the word of the fireman was a true one.

“I swear. She had a bottle of wine, and she tried to get me to stay, but I left. I’m not interested in her. I am only interested in the gorgeous, smart, fiery woman I bought a book of poems for. Besides, you have to know me well enough by now to know that I’m not that kind of a guy. When I’m with a woman I’m with that woman, and you might have declared this ‘no-strings attached’ and that’s fine for now, but my string is only attached to you.”

Her heart thumped wildly, and she gripped the steering wheel so she could focus on the road. The sentiment was so sweet that it made her long for him. Besides, the truth was she did know him. And while he’d had a long line of ladies, maybe she’d been judging him simply for being lucky in love. She’d assumed that meant he strayed. But you could be lucky in love and be faithful. She decided right then and there to let go of all her lingering jealousy. She might not ever want more from him, but she wanted this thing they had—this fling—to be just between them. And part of that meant she needed to say good-bye to her worries about other women. Because they were just that—her worries. Nothing more.

“I do know you. I’m going to believe you.”

“Good. You should,” he said and yawned.

“Hard shift?”

“Yeah, there were a few car accidents we had to tend to.”

“Anyone hurt badly?”

“Rushed a family over to the hospital but it was all minor bumps and bruises.”

“That’s scary but I’m glad it was okay.”

“Me too,” he said, taking another yawn. “Hey, was that our first fight as friends with benefits?”

She stopped at a light. “I think so.”

“I like how it resolved.”

“Me too.” She paused and her mind rolled through an idea. Playfulness slinked back into her voice as she asked, “How tired are you?”

“I’m never too tired for that, if you’re saying what I think you’re saying.”

…

Ten minutes later, he opened the door and Jamie stood on his porch, the moonlight illuminating her. The faint glow of the half-light made her even prettier, her blond hair streaming down her back and over her shoulders. He was about to make a wisecrack about late-night visitors, but she pressed her lips against his in the sweetest kiss anyone had ever given him. In seconds, she’d disarmed him, and a groan escaped his throat. She brushed her lips lightly against his, kissing so softly it was as if she were barely there. But that’s what made her kiss so enticing; it was a promise of more.

They stood like that kissing—only kissing—for minutes, and soon he threaded his hands into her hair, savoring the soft feel of the strands on his rough fingers.

“Hi,” he said when she broke the kiss.

“Hi. I have a late-night delivery for you,” she said, and trailed her hands down his shirt. His breath caught in his throat as her fingers danced across his stomach, and she smiled as she traced the outline of his abs. He grabbed her arms gently but firmly, and pulled her into the house.

“Whatever delivery you have for me I don’t need the neighbors seeing,” he said.

The door was swinging shut as she claimed his mouth again. She kissed harder this time, sliding her tongue across his, searching his mouth as she laced her fingers through his. It was as if she were claiming him, and he wanted that.

“I’m sorry I was worried about Melody,” she said as she pulled away.

“Don’t even think twice about it. I kind of like how you want me all to yourself,” he said, running his finger along her cheek.

“I do. And I want to do something for you.”

He quirked an eyebrow in question.

“You’ve had a long shift. You work hard. And I want you to sleep well.”

“What do you have in mind?” he said, but whatever it was he was sure he’d like it, judging from the way hot tension started to roll through his veins, especially when she wedged herself between his legs, rubbing against his erection. He grabbed her hips, tugging her closer.

She looped her hands around his waist. “You have the sexiest back,” she said, and before he could respond, she’d dipped her hands below the waistband of his shorts, touching his bare ass. “Have I told you how much I love that you go commando?”

“You have not. Feel free to tell me now.”

“It is so hot,” she said, cupping his cheeks and squeezing. “You might have the best butt in the world.”