When the Smoke Clears (Interracial Firefighter Romance) (11 page)

I opened my mouth shocked that I’d even said that. “Well. . .are you?”

“Yes.” A sensual laugh flowed over the phone. “Are you?”

I blurted out, “No.”

“Too bad.”

“Wow. You’ve lost points.”

“I didn’t even know we had started the game,” he said.

“We didn’t.”

“We did, if you took away points.” He laughed again.

“I’m not dating men right now.”

“Why?”

“Because. . .”

“They break hearts,” he finished for me. “And tell me something, Mrs. Crazy Woman, have you ever broken any hearts?”

“Never.”

“Liar.”

“Fine. Maybe, when I was younger.”

“Aww,” he said. “Sounds like women and men both break hearts and do cruel things.”

I rolled my eyes again. “Was that supposed to be a learning moment right there?”

“Yes. Maybe you should give this great man on the other line a break.”

“And some sex?”

“Why do you always think I want sex?”

Giving up on reading a book, I headed over to my own bed, turned off the light on my night stand, and laid down. “Because most men want sex.”

He remained silent on the line for a minute and chuckled. “Okay. There’s some truth to that statement. I won’t pretend that I haven’t seen a particular woman, from time to time, and only wanted her body.”

“See. Men are pigs.”

“Women do the same thing.”

“Never,” I said. “We’re precious angels, born with wings between our legs, and all you guys ever do is try to take our wings away so we can’t fly.”

“That’s a very odd metaphor. What type of books do you write?”

“Romance.”

“The woman who threatens to chop off penises, writes romances?”

Embarrassment flushed my face. “Yes.”

“Romance novels must’ve changed in my day. My mom would read a bunch of the Fabio ones. Pirates ripping away dresses. I loved those covers.”

“Why?”

“The women had nice breasts. I used to sneak them in the bathroom and. . .”

I giggled. “Yes?”

“Never mind. You already thought this was a booty call. Let’s leave that discussion for another time.”

“We won’t be talking again.”

Determination dotted each word. “We will. I just wanted to call you for the initial introduction. I got tired of waiting for you to pull your big girl pants up and take a chance on a hero.”

“Whoa. A hero?”

“Yes. And for your information, I did save a woman tonight. She was passed out in the bathroom of a burning nightclub. The ceiling crashed before me, twice and I thought it might have been my last fire. My group and I got out there safely, but it was close and I was scared shitless. I kept saying the lord’s prayer in my mind, over and over.”

I sat up in bed. “Praying keeps you calm?”

“Praying keeps my mind from screaming like a baby and yelling, ‘Get me out of here. I didn’t start this fire! I don’t want to die!’”

“So, you’re just as afraid to run into a burning building as everyone else?”

“Every damn time.”

“Then, why do you do it?”

“Because no one else will, and someone should.”

I lay back down and rested my head on my pillow. “Then, you are a hero.”

“I’m glad you agree.”

An odd silence drifted over the line. Tension built in my chest.

Why did he become so quiet? Hold on. Why do I care?

His voice disturbed my thoughts. “Kassie?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you take my business card?”

“I can’t see myself talking or spending time with someone right now. My head is too foggy. Some days, I wake up and I’m angry. Other days, I wake up crying. That doesn’t sound like a fun person to date. Does it?”

“I know what you’re going through. A large part of my years of separation involved alcohol. I didn’t have a problem, but I could’ve.”

“My vice is ice cream.”

“Hmmmm.” That sound drummed through me.

“Why hmmm?” I asked.

“That’s why you’re working with those lush curves.”

“Oh I’ve got curves alright. All over the place.”

“Hmmm,” he whispered again.

“What?”

“In due time, Kassie.”

“In due time, what?”

“What are you doing after you pick your son up from volunteering? I was thinking maybe you and I could—”

“No. I have a date,” I lied.

Silence. It scared me a little how quiet he’d gotten.

“Are you there?” I asked.

“I get the first date.” He didn’t sound angry, but each word was humorless. “So, you’ll have to cancel with him.”

I probably didn’t have to explain myself, but I did, anyway. “And what if it’s with a woman?”

“Hmmm.”

“Stop it. I’m not dating a woman or man, but I’m busy.”

“You shouldn’t play with a hero’s emotions. You know that, right?” He chuckled to himself some more. “I’ll see you in the morning, Crazy Woman.”

For some reason, emptiness filled me. Part of me yearned to talk some more. The other part became scared. What if I got used to hearing his voice? What if I needed to talk to him, daily? What if he made me so happy that I couldn’t go a day without him?

Love triggered the oddest things.

No.

It was better to not love or attach myself to someone else. Being alone held a certain amount of safety. I could lay in my bed and not worry about someone hating me on the pillow next to mine. I could walk through the house, naked and not stress about another being disgusted at my body. I didn’t have to try and be something I was not.

There was no need to go further with Lorenzo or anyone else.

“Mrs. Crazy Woman?” he whispered and a shiver ran through my body. “Are you still there?”

“Yes.” I bit my lip.

“I enjoyed this phone call,” he said in a serious tone. “I would like to call you again and I would be grateful, if you answered, when you could.”

“I don’t know.”

“Stop being scared. It’s only two people saying words into small devices. Nothing else.”

“I’m not sure.”

“I’m calling you, again. And when your phone rings, you will answer.” He probably waited for a reply. “And we will have a wonderful phone conversation.”

I was too busy biting my lip.

Then he practically moaned the words, “Goodnight, Kassie.”

Does he have to freaking say my name like that?

I sighed. “Goodnight, Lorenzo.”

“Damn, I love your voice.”

“Yours isn’t that bad, either.”

“I’ve gotten some compliments in my day.”

“I bet you have.” I shook my head. “Good job, by the way.”

“Good job for what?” he asked.

“Thank you for saving the woman and pulling her out of that fire. I don’t know if she said it, but I’m sure she will. Good job and I’m glad you’re protecting this city. We need more good guys in the world.”

“Hmmm.”

My body reacted—nipples stiffening and panties wetting. “Damn it. Stop doing that.”

“It’s the only way I can keep in all of the things I want to say.”

“And what do you want to say?”

“Not now. Let’s take our time. Goodnight, Kassie. I enjoyed talking to you.”

“Goodnight.” I hung up, but his voice lingered in my mind hours later.

I tossed and turned in my bed. I was hot even though the air conditioner blew cold air into my room. I kept picturing Lorenzo in an enflamed nightclub and scared out of his mind. Of course, my imaginations didn’t fit reality. In my head, he stomped around naked and bulging sweaty muscles. I was the damsel in distress, but I wore a breathtaking gown as I lay in a bed of roses in the bathroom, waiting for him to come.

Stop it. This is what I was afraid of. The freaking daydreaming and thinking about him all the time. I need to focus on writing.

I got up from my bed, headed to the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and sat down at the computer to work on my story. My focus needed to be off of Lorenzo and back to my writing. It was due to a man that I’d lost my mojo. Ellis broke me down and even now, I sat in the aftermath, trying to repair myself.

Go back to the desperate witch. Go back to the circle of fire and the ocean and that sexy ass demon outside trying to get in. He’s sexy, but he can’t get in! He’s sexy and hot and she needs love, but he’s still a demon. He can’t get in!

I placed my fingers on the keys and put it all on the screen.

And then I wrote. . .

His fragrance soared all around her—a mixture of cloves and cinnamon, smoldering sex and the darkest evil.

Within the fire circle, Luna couldn’t stop gazing at the demon. She gave herself a minute to get lost in his beauty. How smooth were those huge, silver horns on his head? They glowed in the moonlight and looked sharp at the tip. His arms bulged with muscle. His dark skin stretched sleek and ebony all over his body.

“Oh, my, little witch.” The gorgeous creature licked his lips. “If that circle wasn’t here, you would be mine.”

“Lies. Now leave me alone.” Luna continued to sway with the wind, her nipples hardening even more under the sheer fabric.

His burning eyes followed her every movement. A dark groan left him. Her flesh reacted more—every inch of her tingled with lust. Wetness dripped between her thighs and the creature raised his nose in the air, sniffed, and moaned in pure desperation, “Please, let me taste you.”

Luna should’ve turned away and ignored him. She’d asked Mother Earth for her soul mate, not some evil being. But she couldn’t move.

He stepped closer to the circle of flames. The fire rippled between Luna and him. “I will be yours forever, little witch. Just say yes.”

Her mouth watered at the crazy thought.

Hadn’t she spent enough nights alone? Hadn’t she dreamed for somebody, anybody to just touch her like they loved her? Hadn’t she fell to her knees in the soil and begged for someone, anyone?

Luna’s heart boomed louder in her ears. She followed the demon’s hands as he gripped his length and whispered, “Let me feed you, little witch.”

“But you’re a demon.” She forced herself to step into the center and turn around to get away from him.

A murderous sound ripped from his throat. “Do not taunt me, little witch! I’m hungry for you just as much as you are for me. Turn around and face me.”

“No!” But, her insides swelled and throbbed.

He moaned the next words. “I am your puppet and your essence holds the strings. You twirl your hand and I move to your delight. You place me high on your shelf and I wait impatiently for you to pick me up again. I love you, little witch.”

Luna transformed into this aching vessel. It sickened her. He wasn’t supposed to have that much control over her desires with his words alone. Her thighs grew slick with arousal and her movements to Mother Earth came out less precise and more sluggish.

He whispered, “Turn to me, puppet master.”

Just one look. I’ll only have one more look.

She drifted drunkenly, winding her hips as she turned back around to him. The light in his eyes almost blinded her, but still, she couldn’t look away. He gripped his cock hard and she worried that he’d squeeze the swollen tip until it was nothing more than a deflated vessel of flesh. “I’ve sat outside your window many nights, little witch.”

“You lie.”

“I don’t. You stay in the little pink house with the triangle windows and the pots of lavender outlining the stairs.”

She opened her mouth. No words came out, just shock.

“I felt your ache in the air.” He stroked himself. “Your hunger is honey on my tongue. The sweetest smell. Your heart beats urgently for something. You lay in your bed with lonely lips and a hollow chest, and you yearned so badly that I trailed you on the darkest night with no need for light or a guide to show me the way. That is how badly you want.”

Long plumes of smoke wisped above the firewall that stood between them. The flames sizzled with his image and his black lips formed into a smile. “What do you want most of all, little witch?”

“To be loved,” she whispered under his trance.

“And what is love?”

“I don’t know.”

“Let me try to show you. Put down your wall.”

The other pairs of eyes crept closer and groaned in hunger, too.

Yet, her big demon didn’t appreciate the others’ nearness and with one hiss, they all dissipated. Their black bodies disintegrated into shadows and dust, merging back into the moonlit sand. Now, only Luna and he stood on the beach with flames burning from her ancestor’s ashes and the wind disturbing the salty ocean behind her.

“Let me show you love.” His voice played along Luna’s thighs and skittered across her flesh. “Put down your wall.”