Hearts on Fire 3: Tasha(2)

By the time they got to her apartment, she was ready to crash. As if reading her body language, Lance lifted her up into his arms as if she were light as a feather and he carried her to her bedroom. She locked onto the three pairs of thong bikini panties on her bed with matching lace bras. She wasn’t sure which dress she would wear tonight, and had matched it with the undergarments. “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting company,” she told him as he set her down on her feet.

“Glad to hear that,” he whispered, his voice taking on a deeper, sexy tone. She swallowed hard.

“Do you need help undressing?” he asked and then he looked like he wanted to take his words back. She stared at him.

“I think I can handle it.” She reached back to undo the zipper and nearly lost her balance. Lance grabbed her around the waist and locked gazes with her.

“I’ll help you, then I want you to get into bed and go to sleep.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied and he chuckled.

His eyes sparkled with mischief and she felt her pussy clench.

I want him so badly. But he seems resistant even now.

Lace reached behind her and softly glided his hand to the top of the zipper. When he started pulling the zipper down she felt her heart racing, her palms were sweaty and she thought she might moan in pleasure.

The second the dress was unzipped, he stepped back.

“You’ll be okay?” he asked.

She let the dress fall and his eyes widened right before his cheeks turned a nice shade of red.

Make a pass at me. Please let me know that you like me as more than just friends. Please, Lance, do it. Say something.

He reached up and clutched her cheeks between his hands.

“I’ll text Serefina and let her know that you’re home safely. Goodnight baby,” he said and then kissed her softly on the lips. It was quick, but filled with so much more she just knew it. His hands glided down her hips and slowly away from her body. She watched him leave and she wanted the bed and floor to eat her up. How embarrassing. I let my dress fall, Lance saw me naked, and had an opportunity to let me know how he feels and he blew me off again. Will Lance, Tyler, and Eddie ever see me as anything more than their sister’s best friend? Life sucks, and then you die.



* * * *



Tasha was heading into Sullivan’s for an ice tea and salad. As she entered the place, she saw how busy it was. She walked up to the front, glancing and noticing Eddie, Lance, and Tyler Martelli, Sheriff Jake McCurran, and Detective Buddy Landers were sitting at a table to the right. Her chest tightened. Eddie, Lance, and Tyler looked tired, but they looked good. They were wearing their Engine 19 T-shirts and must have just gotten off of work. God, I can’t believe how attracted I am to them. I’m such an ass. Lance probably thinks I am, too. I can’t believe I showed my body to him. I can’t believe he walked out. If that isn’t a sign that they’re not interested, then what is? Another woman in their arms, snagging all their attention?

Lester took her order as Florence said hello and gave her a hug.

“How is your mom?” Florence asked.

Tasha felt her belly ache, and worry consumed the happy thoughts she had moments ago as she spotted the three men she had a crush on.

“She’s hanging in there. We have a long way to go.”

Florence caressed her arm. “She’ll pull through. Your mom is one tough lady.”

“I know she is. That’s what dad always said, too,” Tasha added, thinking about her dad who was killed in a car accident a couple of years ago. Tasha learned quickly how to take care of herself, her mom, and the house. She was working hard and in a company she really didn’t like so much, but the pay was good and the insurance was great. They needed all the money they could get, and were going through dad’s life insurance money quickly with all the medical bills and chemo treatments.

“Well, let her know that we’re all thinking of her and praying. I plan on stopping in to see her Thursday.”

“That would be great. She has the last treatment in this series Thursday morning. Then the doctors will see how her body reacts, and take it from there.”

Florence gave her a sympathetic smile. She knew how serious this medical condition was. There was a high chance that Tasha’s mom could die if her body didn’t take well to the treatments. She felt her eyes well up with tears as Lester placed her container of tea on the counter.

“Hi, Tasha.” She heard Eddie’s deep voice as he came up behind her.

He placed his hand on her shoulder, gave it a squeeze that nearly made her knees give out, and smiled. “How are you?”

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, and she felt his hand caressed down her bare arm. She knew she tightened up. Hell, she was on fire just from his touch, never mind the always-stern expression and tone of Eddie’s voice.

“We were talking about her mom. I’m going to visit Carry Anne on Thursday,” Florence said and then excused herself to go help bring food orders from the kitchen.

“How is she doing? Is she taking to the treatments well?” Eddie asked her, as he crossed his arms in front of his wide, muscular chest. Even with a slight gruff of a beard on his face, the man looked edible. She swallowed hard.

“So far. We’ll see how everything is by next week.”

“Hey, Eddie, bring Tasha over here!” Lance yelled out. As she turned to look, she saw Jake pulling over a chair for her to sit at.

“Come on over.”

“Well, I was just waiting on my order.”

“We are, too. Lester will bring it over,” Eddie said and then placed his hand on her lower back as he guided her toward the table of men. As they got closer, she felt Eddie’s hand glide over her ass and then pull away. Did she imagine it?

She thought of all of them as her friends. They were part of this community and had been in her life for years. But sitting this close to Eddie, Lance, and Tyler and not being able to touch them, tell them how badly she wanted them to see her as something more than their sister’s best friend, was going to be hell.

Her heels clicked on the hardwood floors as she made her way over. She saw Lance and Tyler look her body over as she made her way closer. Jake and Buddy were talking until she got to the table.

“What’s going on?” Lance asked, as he stood up and kissed her cheek. Tyler did the same, except when he kissed her he let his lips linger a little longer. She felt her heart pumping faster. Maybe she was imagining it? Maybe her desire to have them was causing fantasy-induced hallucinations?

“Just stopped in to order a quick lunch to go. I had a meeting in Fairway this morning.” She took the seat between Eddie and Lance.

“How was the traffic coming back? I heard that the bridge was backed up?” Jake asked her.

“It wasn’t bad. I left around six this morning. So, did you guys just get off work?” she asked, and then took a sip from her ice tea.

“Buddy and I just finished eating. We saw these guys and joined them for a few minutes while they waited for their order. We have to head back out now,” Jake stated and then rose from the chair. As he came around the table, he leaned down and gave her a kiss. “Michaela said that you, Serefina, and her have some plans next week?” he teased. She shook her head.

“I told Serefina and Michaela that I am not doing that eight-mile run. It’s not happening. Five, okay, but with no time for training, I’m not doing it.”

Buddy chuckled as he placed his hand on her shoulder. “I think you’d do great. You’re in wonderful physical condition.” He winked. She gave him the evil eye and then smiled. Buddy was a character and a very attractive man, but it was Eddie, Lance, and Tyler who always snagged Tasha’s attention. She just wished they’d respond one time to her flirtatious comments.

She felt Eddie’s thigh caress against hers as he reached for his ice tea.

“We just got off an hour ago. It was a long shift,” Lance stated.

She looked at him, his brown shoulder-length hair and gorgeous jade-green eyes. The man was a work of art and so much older and mature.

“You look tired. Are you feeling okay?” she asked him. He held her gaze, squinted his eyes, and parted his lips as if he were about to say more when Florence walked over with their lunches.

She swallowed hard. Why was she feeling as if they wanted to flirt with her today and like they were suddenly interested in her as more than just a friend? Was it wishful thinking? Her breasts and pussy sure responded. How many times had she imagined them showing up at her place, whisking her into their arms, stripping her of her clothing, and licking her…

“Tasha, would you like your salad to go still?” Florence asked. She went to reply but Lance did for her. “No, bring it over, she can have lunch with us.”

Florence smiled and walked away.

“I really should head back to the office.” She felt her cheeks burn from her own sexual thoughts. They were in a crowded café, yet she still was lost in their eyes, their bodies, and their voices.

“Don’t be silly. Take your lunch break. You did head out to Fairway before regular business hours,” Eddie stated.

“I did, but my boss isn’t so realistic with things like that. He’s expecting me back soon.”

Florence placed her salad onto the table and then walked away.