On Fire - Deelylah Mullin Read online

  Kane had said, “This doesn’t even scratch the surface of the debt I owe you for loving me and carrying my son—not to mention bringing him into this world. I’m proud of you, and most importantly, I love you.”

  Every time her hand rested on the cool scrollwork, Kane’s voice echoed in her head, a ghost of days past.

  “You don’t have to be strong just because I am here. I’m going back to the kitchen to finish breakfast. See you in a few minutes?”

  Harper nodded. “Thank you for being so understanding.”

  Reed shook his head. “It’s nothing. I can’t imagine going through what you did today. You’re such a strong woman—”

  “I’m not that strong at all.”

  “One day you’ll believe me.”

  Just before leaving the room, he looked over his shoulder and said, “Fuck it.” He strode across the room and gathered her into his arms and Harper didn’t struggle one bit. “You have that melt down. I care, and I’ll help. You don’t have to do this alone, you know.”

  ****

  Harper pushed away from him, but only enough that she could analyze his face. Her knit brow and the way she worried her lip with her top teeth was sexy as sin, and his cock grew hard behind his fly. Good thing she pushed back or my dick would be poking her in the belly—and that’s definitely not a good way to build trust.

  “You’re right. Fuck it.” Harper’s hands shook slightly as she reached for his face.

  The stubble on Reed’s cheeks rasped against her palms as she pulled him toward her and lifted onto her toes so her petite five-foot, six-inch frame could reach his lips with her own.

  At first, it was just a brush—barely making contact—but then the kiss deepened and Reed banded his arms around Harper’s back and waist.

  Becoming lost in Harper would be so easy—but he needed to temper his enthusiasm.

  Her hands explored his body and goose bumps raised over his arms and beneath his T-shirt. The fingertips of one of Harper’s hands teased his waistband, dipping beneath the constricting denim and nearly causing him to self-combust.

  A moment of clarity washed over him as Harper stepped back, her heavy-lidded eyes focused on him as she drew the sash from her fluffy bathrobe through her hands.

  “Shit. Shit, Harper. Stop. Just—” Reed sighed as he watched her expression transform into pain. “No, I don’t want you to stop, but I don’t want you to regret what I definitely want to happen here.”

  She grinned. “It’s been five years since I’ve had sex. I loved having sex, and there was nothing better than an orgasm to take away the stressors of a day.” Her fingertips played along the collar of the robe, stroking the creamy skin of her chest. “I think today qualifies as stress-filled, and I’d like to get rid of the stress, please.” She grinned and Reed’s restraint frayed a little more.

  “This isn’t a one-and-done—not by a long shot. I’ll give you what you need, but you need to promise you won’t freeze me out after.”

  Her smile grew coy. “Sure. Whatever you say.”

  Could he believe her?

  Could he deny her?

  Apparently, not. He felt the growl growing in his chest and then it erupted as he pulled Harper against him, fusing their lips and fucking her mouth with his tongue in purposeful strokes. His hands cupped her cheeks, tilting her head for better access. Then, they trailed down the slim column of her throat, pausing for one moment with one palm across the front and his thumb and forefinger beneath either side of her jaw. He felt her inhale, then hold her breath.

  His hands resumed their perusal of her body, exploring the dips and valleys as he parted the front of her robe and cupped her breasts, running his thumbs over her hard nipples.

  She moaned, and his cock nearly burst through his zipper.

  He stopped, stepped back and took his hands off her. “Condom. Shit, I don’t have a condom.”

  Her expression fell, but only for a moment. “That’s fine. There’s other ways to get off.” Harper palmed his crotch, the pressure against his dick enough to drive him a little crazier.

  “You sure? We’ll plan better next time.”

  She nodded. “We will. Now, make me come.” She reached for his belt and managed to have the front of his pants open and her hand inside, stroking his shaft, before Reed could wrap his head around her self-assured sexuality.

  She backed slowly around the foot of the bed and leaned against the edge. Reed followed—because, when a woman has his dick in her hand, Reed follows. Especially Harper Phillips. There was something about her, and he couldn’t quite figure out what it was, that was making him putty in her hands. He’d do anything she asked.

  Which is why he followed her onto the bed.

  She’d opened the robe and it framed her slight body.

  Only a natural disaster could keep him from worshipping her. The dusky peaks of her nipples stood erect in the dimming evening light. Reed couldn’t decide—kiss her perfect lips or lick and bite her nipples. Instead of making a decision, he did both.

  Harper arched into his hand as he palmed her breast; a moan broke free from her as he swirled his tongue around the pebbled peaks, devoting equal time to both mounds.

  He could’ve driven nails with his rock-hard cock, and each sound she made caused it to further engorge. He needed relief—but first, he would make sure Harper was satisfied.

  “I want to taste you. Is that okay?” he asked.

  She bit her lip and her expression shuttered. “I— I’ve been celibate for five years. There was no reason for personal grooming, so I’m afraid it’s a jungle down there.”

  Reed laughed.

  Harper laughed.

  It was as though every dam between them had been breached. This is what a connection is. Not a hook-up. Not a one-and-done. We can laugh together without reservation.

  “If you're self-conscious, we don’t have to. I just thought—”

  “I’m game if you are ready to go on safari.” Her grin was broad, unguarded.

  “You know that’s going to be our thing, right?” Reed said.

  Her brilliance dimmed minutely but she continued, “It totally is. It’ll be like code.”

  Except, he worried this would be the only time. That he’d have to win her over, convince her she was worthy of his attention. And he’d start proving to her that she was worth it.

  Holding himself over her, his lips met hers. He loved kissing her. Moving his way down her body, he eventually reached her pubic region. Spreading her open, he inhaled deeply, appreciating her citrus-y scent. The landscape may have been a little wild, but it didn’t even matter when he’d swiped his tongue up her slit and swirled it around her clit before delving into her channel.

  And that was all it took. Five years of abstinence, five years of mourning her husband, five years of devoting her entire being to her son. It all dissolved in the moment she shattered, clamping her thighs to his ears and shouting his name.

  “Reed! Oh, shit. I’m—I’m coming!”

  Like he couldn’t tell. Couldn’t feel the tremors beginning at her very center and spreading through every nerve ending in her body. Like he wasn’t watching her arch and then curl in on herself as the power of her orgasm took over.

  As the final shudders wracked her body, she released him from the thigh-cade she’d created. Her breathing regulated and she sighed.

  “Either you’re really good at that, or I haven’t done that in a long time,” she said.

  “I’d like to think it’s a little of both.” He glanced around the room before settling beside her, on his side. “Can I get you anything?” He kissed her. “Can I do that to you again?” He grinned mischievously.

  Harper laughed. “I think it’s better if I work back into this type of activity—like going to the gym. Wouldn’t want to have sore muscles or anything.”

  She nestled against him and reached for his dick again.

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  Her eyes gleamed. “Your
cock is beautiful.”

  The way she said “cock” sounded so dirty, coming from her PTA-member, classroom-volunteer, upstanding-member-of-society mouth. “Keep talking like that and it won’t be beautiful for long.”

  Harper laughed again. He could definitely get used to hearing that sound every day. “Like it didn’t take me long?”

  Reed nodded. “You excite me more than any woman ever has. And this thing between us? It’s more than just lust. I feel it.”

  She stiffened. “I don’t know if I can offer more. I don’t know if I can do this again if you want the truth.”

  Reed rolled onto his back, tucking his rigid penis inside his underwear and then zipped his jeans. It wasn’t comfortable, but he wasn’t going to have the impending conversation with his dick in her hand.

  “I told you this wasn’t a one-night stand. I think we need to think about how to proceed—but not tonight. I’m going to go make up those omelets while you get dressed. No more talk of sex until you’re ready for more with me. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

  He kissed her forehead and wrapped the robe around her.

  “You’re beautiful. Any man would be lucky to have you. And, you’re smart and funny, too. See you in the kitchen.”

  ****

  Easy conversation about hobbies, pop culture references, and several other topics created the focal point for their time together. No more talk about her failure as a parent. Nothing about his career. They got to know one another and if Harper hadn’t been halfway to falling for him already, the fact that they shared similar favorite TV shows and movies solidified it.

  And, there was the sex. The almost-sex. The hand job he’d given her. He knew exactly how to touch her, how to draw out the best feelings. It was really hard for Harper to not think about having Reed’s cock in her hand again. Or her mouth. What would he do if I kneeled on the kitchen floor and… She needed to get her mind out of the gutter and get back to the hospital. Her dad really needed to go home so he could sleep in his own bed.

  As they cleared the dishes—the omelet he’d made her was fluffy and perfectly cooked; he’d added leftover bacon she’d had in the refrigerator as well as cheese and mushrooms—the chatter continued, venturing into childhood games.

  “I still think ‘Bloody Mary’ is the best game ever,” Harper said.

  “It will never beat ‘Monopoly’. It’s the best game. Seriously.” Reed’s smile lit up the walls of her kitchen, reflecting off the brilliant yellow paint.

  She relaxed a little more. “I need to get Elliott’s bag packed and pull together a few things for myself.”

  “Can I help you?” He rattled off a list of things she should be sure to pack.

  “It’ll be faster if I do it myself. We need to get back. I know my dad, and he’s likely very tired.” Harper’s stomach tied in knots as she watched birds flitting around the feeder just outside her back kitchen window.

  “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t offer.” Reed’s smile was easy, and he settled himself in a chair at the kitchen table to wait.

  “It’ll only take me a few minutes. I won’t be long,” she said.

  Within ten minutes, they had her bag loaded in the truck and she was buckled into the passenger seat once more. Reed had the Coffee House channel on his XM Radio, and a familiar song came on—but not quite.

  “I’ve never heard this version of this song,” Harper said.

  Reed chuckled. “This is an acoustic channel. Some people will do covers of popular songs, and others will bring their originals. Some do a blend.”

  “I never took you for an acoustic guy. I thought you’d be more into heavy metal.”

  He glanced at her, arching an eyebrow. “Metal? Really?” He sighed dramatically and shook his head. “I listen to this station to relax. I usually have it on all the time because my job is pretty high-stress. Every little bit helps.”

  She nodded. “I should probably try something for relaxation. It’s been a while since I’ve had someone else make decisions with me—and frankly, it’s exhausting.”

  They were silent for the remainder of the trip, listening to softly strumming guitars and artists with smoky, intimate voices crooning ballad-like tunes. Before she knew it, they’d arrived at Parkland and Reed had cut the truck’s engine in almost exactly the same spot in the parking structure.

  They exited the vehicle, and Reed took her duffel.

  “You don’t have to do that. I can manage.”

  As they walked, he stole a glance at her. “I know you can. I want to. Seems you don’t have a lot of people doing things for you, and you deserve that.”

  “Thanks,” she said, stuffing her hands into her pockets.

  Before they entered the building, Harper’s breath caught in her lungs as Reed pinned her with his stare. Her eyes were held captive by the emerald brilliance of his; she exhaled as he blinked once, twice.

  A grin split his face, brilliant white teeth seeming to twinkle in the last vestiges of daylight refracting from the mirrored glass of the entrance to Parkland Hospital. He shifted from one foot to the other, glanced away then recaptured her. “Are you my appendix? Because I have a funny feeling in my gut to take you out.”

  Harper watched the blush creep up his neck and across his cheeks.

  “That was dorky. I—”

  “Listen, I don’t date. Elliott is my focus because I’m the only parent he has. If I don't make him a priority, no one will.” Harper glanced away, intently studying the nearby bench. “But, if I were going to date, I’d definitely go out with you.” She darted her gaze back to Reed and immediately regretted her decision.

  Expression like a kicked puppy, Reed sighed and appeared to take in the top lines of the hospital’s roof. “I get it.” Then, he turned those glimmering pools of emerald on her again. He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I want to show Elliott the station, if that’s okay with you. I don’t want him to be afraid of our rescue equipment or anything, and if a few of my friends are on duty with an ambulance and aren’t busy, maybe I can get someone to hang out at the station for a bit—just to make sure Elliott isn’t afraid of those, either.”

  Goddammit. He was being a perfect gentleman and was turning all of this into something for Elliott’s benefit.

  “Before you politely decline, think about how good for Elliott it would be. Because, he’s only five and we need to make sure he isn’t afraid of all the new things he encountered due to the accident.” Reed appeared hopeful. “The schools haven’t made their Kindergarten tours of the fire stations yet—that’s usually in October, during Fire Prevention Month. If he’d done that already, I wouldn’t be as concerned.”

  And, while Harper believed checking out the station, equipment, and an ambulance was in Elliott’s best interests, she had a fluttery feeling in her belly when she responded. “I think he would really like that. Thanks so much for offering.”

  Harper thought Reed’s arm moved in a mini fist pump.

  “And, to be perfectly clear, this is all about making sure Elliott is comfortable around fire and rescue equipment. It’s not a date.”

  Reed nodded, and tipped his head toward the lobby entrance. “Absolutely. You said you don’t date, and I respect that. I may not agree with it, but can appreciate the choice you made to put your son first.”

  They strolled in silence as the doors swooshed open and closed. The interior of the lobby was silent and a security officer meandered aimlessly, checking his watch and then looking down the hallway.

  Emily called from across the open marble expanse, “Ah, you’re back! You look quite refreshed, Harper.”

  Harper smiled. “Thank you. I feel loads better, now that I’ve got the grime washed off.”

  “I see you’ve got a bag packed—did you get some snacks? The machines here are full of healthy stuff.” Emily shrugged. “Something about a Healthy Dallas. I’m pretty sure anyone visiting a hospital isn’t here for the food.” She rolled her eyes.

&nbs
p; “I did pack a few things for Elliott—gummies, his favorite granola bars.” She felt heat creeping up her neck and cheeks. “Didn’t think to pack anything for myself, though.”

  Emily waved her hand. “I’ve got a secret stash down here.” She reached beneath the counter and produced a Kit Kat and a Reese’s. “You take these, because that sugar kick might be something you’ll need in the middle of the night if that boy of yours can’t sleep because the nursing staff is in every five minutes.” She winked as she passed Harper the chocolate.

  “Thank you. I really should have thought about this.”

  “You can’t be expected to think of everything. I actually should’ve thought about it,” Reed said.

  “Doesn’t matter. You two get on upstairs so you can get settled in, Harper. Have a good night.” Emily turned her attention to Reed. “And you? Make sure you stop by the house when you have time to visit.”

  “Will do, ma’am,” Reed murmured as he smiled. “Let’s get moving.” He placed his palm at the curve of Harper’s hip as he guided her toward the elevator.

  Warm tingles flooded her system. Memories of his touch. He is polite, a gentleman, and courteous. What more could a girl wish for? Nothing. A girl could wish for nothing more—except Harper didn’t date. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

  Standing in the elevator, Reed was close enough Harper could feel the heat roiling off his body. She could smell his aftershave or body wash—either way, it was delicious and made that fluttery, coiling sensation return to her pelvis.

  When the elevator doors opened, he placed his hand between her shoulder blades and trailed his fingers down her spine, resting at her waist as he ushered her into the corridor.

  Her nipples stiffened uncomfortably inside her bra and she was glad she’d worn a sweatshirt.

  A few steps down the hallway toward Elliott’s room, Reed’s fingers circled around Harper’s wrist. “Just a minute.” He stopped walking, gently tugging Harper back toward him.