On Fire - Deelylah Mullin Read online

  Reed drew her fingers into his mouth and laved them with his tongue, shooting a tingling sensation through her body to her throbbing clit.

  “Inside. Now.” Harper tugged his dick one last time before she adjusted her position, readying herself to receive Reed.

  She was anxious; it had been five years since she’d had sex.

  As Reed ripped open one of the foil packets and rolled the latex down his shaft, Harper said, “Remember, it’s been a while for me. Go slow.”

  Reed kissed her. “Whatever you need, baby.”

  “You. I need you.”

  Settling in the cradle of her pelvis, Reed notched his penis at her entrance. Maintaining eye contact, he worked his way inside.

  “So good. God, you fit perfectly,” Harper murmured.

  “Mmmhm,” Reed said before he growled out, “You wanted quick and dirty, right?”

  She nodded.

  He adjusted his weight to one arm and reached between them, found her clit, and pressed down. Then, he began rubbing frantic circles as he slid in and out of her body.

  Her orgasm snuck up on her as she watched Reed’s expression shift from intense to restrained, to pained. “Oh, shit”—her ankles crossed at his lower back and she pulled herself toward him—“I’m coming,” she whispered.

  A million lights exploded as she squeezed her eyes shut. The rhythmic pulse of her body synchronized with Reed’s final strokes before his body stiffened and he spilled into the condom, a look of relief on his face.

  A few moments later, he kissed her tenderly. “Thank you for that gift. You’re amazing.” He withdrew from her body, holding the condom in place. “I need to take care of this, but I’ll be right back.”

  Harper nodded. She knew she was in trouble. I’ve fallen for him—everything about him is perfect.

  “Let’s cuddle for a while, then, maybe we can see about using another one of those condoms,” Harper said when Reed returned.

  They settled under the covers and she rested her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat in a regular, soothing rhythm. His arm wrapped around her from behind and he stroked the skin at her hip.

  Magnificent. Perfect. She hadn’t felt so peaceful as she fell asleep in over five years.

  ****

  Soccer practice had gone well, and Reed was happy with the way all the kids and parents worked together to make the players successful during the drills. Elliott had an affinity for the game, and Reed hoped he’d be able to help him improve his skills—and have fun while doing it.

  Harper had watched and had taken notes about the drills—there were a couple practices while Reed was on-shift, and she’d have to be ready to take over in the event he was on a call. During the scrimmage against another team in the same age bracket, Reed had concentrated on making sure his players were learning the rules of the game, but still having fun.

  That was his goal: fun learning.

  The first quarter of their first game had gone well; all the players for their team, Dallas Fire, had been polite and followed the rules with minimal reminders.

  Just two minutes into the second quarter, his phone rang. Firehouse. His heart sank. He’d really wanted to be there for the kids for their first game, but duty called.

  He wrapped his arm around Harper’s waist and pulled her close to whisper in her ear. “I have to go, but I’ll call you as soon as I can to find out how the rest of the game went.”

  Her jaw dropped. “I can’t do this by myself.”

  He squeezed her hip. “You can. You watched Elliott play all last year. I’m sure you picked up some things. Most important? Kids have fun and they’re good sports.”

  Harper nodded. “Be careful.”

  “I will.”

  ****

  “I—I’m not sure how to say this, Kane…” Harper sat in the big recliner her husband used to use, holding the framed picture from the mantle. She wiped her hand down the glass and then swiped a tear from her cheek. “You were the love of my life, and I’m so glad I have a piece of you in Elliott. But, it’s been five years since you died. I think I’ve found someone. He’ll never fill your shoes, but he likes Elliott.”

  The silence in the house was deafening. Elliott had left the soccer game with her dad after Reed was called away, so the constant, comforting noise of him playing in the background was absent.

  It had been hours since Reed left, and she was beginning to get worried. He’d said he’d text her to find out results of the game, but Harper hadn’t heard from him yet—even though she’d sent a text from her car immediately after the match ended.

  Which was unlike Reed. He’d always responded as soon as he was able.

  Harper turned her attention back to the image of an infant Elliott with Kane and herself. The quintessential happy little family. She remembered all too well the doorbell ringing at nearly nine o’clock at night. The feeling of rocks in the pit of her stomach. The one thing holding her back from seeing where this thing with Reed went was the fear of another visit like the one she’d received five years prior. “Kane, you have no idea how broken losing you made me. If it hadn’t been for my dad stepping in, I’m sure social services would’ve taken Elliott away. There were days where I didn’t get out of bed. Sometimes, it was a week between showers. Dad brought Elliott to me to nurse for a while, but eventually, he just gave him bottles. You know I didn’t want that to happen because it wasn’t what was best for Elliott. Damn it.” She used the back of her hand to wipe away more tears.

  Letting go is hard. “So, I was going to go to the cemetery and to this, but I didn’t want to be a blubbering mess in public.” She unlocked her phone and pulled up the song she wanted to play. “This song, ‘The Wind Blows’, isn’t exactly what I wanted, but I think it mostly says what I can’t.” She pressed the arrow and the song by the All-American Rejects started playing.

  Harper sat in the chair with the family picture in her hands until the final sounds faded. She took a deep breath before she started. “So, I thought this song was kinda-sorta appropriate. Especially the refrain.” She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. “I think you’re here. I know you watch over Elliott and make sure nothing happens to him. Every time there’s a breeze at the soccer fields, I know you’re watching him play and you’re proud of him. But, I think it’s time for me to move on. This guy, Reed, is fire and rescue, and he’s great with Elliott. I really like him and want to see where it goes. I’ll never let Elliott call anyone else Dad—so don’t worry about that. I just need to set a good example for our son so that when he grows up he knows he needs to make sure he gets his needs met. By dwelling on your death, I’m not doing a very good job of that.”

  She was quiet for a few minutes while she composed herself.

  “It’s time for me to move on, Kane. I’ll always love you, and I think Reed will respect that—but we deserve to explore our relationship without your ghost between us.”

  Harper stood and went to the mantle. She picked up Kane’s dress hat and badge, cradling the framed portrait in her arm. She took the items down the hallway and went into Elliott’s room. She wiped the dust from the high shelf over his dresser before she carefully arranged the items. When she was satisfied, she trudged toward the doorway. The wind blew outside—a strong gust that rattled the eavestrough. Turning, she concentrated on the memorial and whispered, “Thank you for letting me know it’s okay. I promise—we’ll never forget you.”

  She heard her phone sound from the living room and rushed down the hallway—hoping it wasn’t her dad with some tale about Elliott. He would know something was wrong and immediately come to her home.

  When she picked up her cell, she didn’t recognize the number. Usually, she didn’t answer unknown calls, but a niggling feeling made her swipe right to take the call as she lifted the device to her ear.

  “Hello?” Her voice was thick when she spoke.

  “Harper? This is Elias Martin. I’m Reed’s partner.”

  NoNoNoNo.
Not again. Harper’s mind reeled and tight knots of anxiety formed in her stomach. She sat hard in the recliner, numb.

  “Harper? Are you there? Listen, don’t freak out—”

  That got her attention. “Hi, Elias. Don’t tell me to not freak out. Is Reed okay?”

  “Are you alone with Elliott?”

  She cleared her throat, willing away the lump re-forming. “Elliott is with my dad. What the hell is going on?”

  Elias sighed. “Reed. The house fire—he was playing hero and was knocked out by a falling beam. He’s at the hospital, and I’m on my way to get you.”

  “No. Just go to the hospital. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Panic squeezed Harper’s chest.

  “I don’t really—”

  Harper exhaled the breath pent up in her lungs. “Elias. Please. It’ll take less time for someone to be there for him if I don’t have to wait for you. Besides, I’ll need my own car.”

  “Reed will kill me—”

  “Reed won’t kill you. He knows I can be stubborn.” She rose from the overstuffed chair and went to the kitchen to get her purse. “I’ll leave here in the next five minutes. Please keep me updated.” She disconnected the call before opening the junk drawer and pulling out a portable battery backup and a charging cord for her phone.

  From the kitchen table, she swiped her tablet so she could try reading while she waited. She snagged a bottle of water from the refrigerator and headed for the door to the garage. Hospitals are cold. Grabbing a hoodie from one of the hooks on the garage wall, she opened the overhead door and climbed into the Charger.

  Once the key was in the ignition, she took a steadying breath before she started the car. “Goddamn it, Reed. You better be okay. It isn’t every day I decide I’m in love with someone.”

  ****

  Harper saw Emily’s familiar face when she entered the lobby. She rushed up to the reception desk, out of breath. “Can you tell me where Reed is right now? Did they put him in a room yet?”

  Maternal lines of concern appeared on the woman’s face. “Settle down, Harper. I’ve been tracking him because I’m worried, too. They just put him in 327—and it looks like someone put you on the family list, so the nursing staff shouldn’t give you a hard time.”

  Harper wiped away a tear. “Thank you.” She looked around the lobby. “I— I can’t find the elevator.” She grinned sheepishly and then her tears began to flow in earnest.

  Emily hustled around the counter with a box of tissues. She guided her to a seating area a few steps from her desk. They sat, and the older woman soothed her, much like she’d imagined her mother would have done.

  She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but a sense of urgency overtook her—she needed to see Reed. “If you could, um, point me to an elevator, I’ll be sure someone updates you, in person, about Reed’s condition.”

  “Beautiful girl—you get up there so when he wakes up, you’re the first person he sees. That’ll be the best medicine for him.” Emily smiled and walked her to the elevator. When the doors opened, she said, “327. Tell Reed to stop being a hero.”

  He’ll always be a hero. It’s in his makeup.

  The elevator took entirely too long to climb three floors, and Harper burst from the doors as soon as they had separated enough for her to get through them. She looked around, took in her surroundings. The layout was the same as the pediatric floor, so she ventured down the hallway in a direction she thought would lead to Reed’s room.

  A familiar looking man emerged from one of the rooms. As she drew closer, she recognized him from the accident. “Elias?”

  He looked up. “Harper. Glad you’re here. He’s still out, and the doctors said he was just letting his body heal—he’ll wake up when he’s ready. Latest word is there’s no permanent damage, so that’s a relief.”

  She nodded. “Can I go in?”

  “Oh, yeah. Definitely. I was just going to get something from the cafeteria before they close. Do you want anything?” Elias asked.

  She shook her head. “I’m fine—thanks, though.”

  “You get on in there, and I’ll be back in a little bit.” Elias hurried down the hallway toward the stairwell, she figured, as it was opposite the direction for the elevator. She’d have to investigate later.

  Harper stood in the doorway of the room and took in Reed’s still form. He had wires and tubes connected to various parts of his body. Most of them were for monitoring purposes, but he did have a cannula to receive oxygen and an IV in his left arm.

  Quietly, she walked around the bed, slid her bag down her shoulder to the floor, and entwined her fingers with those of Reed’s right hand. He squeezed her fingers and sighed.

  “Reed? Are you awake? Can you open your eyes?”

  “Hurts. Everywhere,” he whispered. His eyes fluttered open and he pulled their entwined hands toward his chest and to his mouth. He kissed the back of her hand.

  Carefully, she leaned down and feathered a kiss over his lips. “You scared the hell out of me. Emily says to stop being a hero. I agree with her.”

  “Drink?” He licked his parched lips.

  Harper looked around, but didn’t see anything to give him. She pressed the button to call a nurse.

  Moments later, a young girl came in wearing purple scrubs that matched a streak in her blonde hair. “Can I help you?”

  “Mr. Stephens would like something to drink. Can we get him some water or ice chips?” Harper said.

  The girl looked at Reed. “Oh, you’re awake.”

  Reed nodded. He whispered, “People from fire?” and looked at the girl expectantly.

  “I couldn’t hear him—what did he say?” she asked.

  “Are the people from the fire okay? I’m guessing he was injured trying to get someone out of a burning building,” Harper said.

  “Oh, they’re all fine. Just treated for smoke inhalation. They’ll be going home soon, if they haven’t left already,” she said.

  Reed smiled.

  “I’ll go get the water. Doctor said that as soon as he was awake enough he could eat. Did you want me to bring you something? We have a few things up here, and the cafeteria will be closing for the night soon—so that’s an option, too.” The girl looked at him expectantly.

  “Ice cream. Yogurt. Throat sore.”

  “Maybe start with a popsicle or something else cold without dairy?” Harper asked.

  Reed nodded.

  “Good idea.” The girl held out her hand. “I’m Marta, and I’m the LPN assigned to Mr. Stephens tonight.” She shook hands with both Harper and Reed. “I’ll be back with the water, and hopefully we have a popsicle up here, still.” She spun around in a blur and was out the door.

  Harper seized the moment. “Before Elias or Marta get back, I have something I need to tell you.”

  Reed started to speak.

  “No, just listen. After you left for the fire, I had this feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew something was wrong. It was the same feeling I had the night Kane was killed. Hearing from Elias tonight triggered the memory of the lieutenant knocking on my door five years ago. But, I realized that you are who you are because of what you do. Partly. It doesn’t matter anymore—I love you. I think it’s really fast for me to feel like this, still, though. I don’t think my feelings will change. I’m at peace with everything now, and I really want to work on making a little family of three if you’re still interested.” Harper held her breath as she watched for Reed’s reaction.

  A broad grin split his face. “I love you, too. When I realized I was trapped and heard the beam crack, I thought about you and Elliott.” He pulled Harper close again and kissed her. He shifted on the bed. “Climb in here with me. I need to hold you.”

  “Absolutely. Forever, if I have my way,” Harper said as she clambered awkwardly over the rail and settled in Reed’s arms.

  “I’ll give you forever,” Reed said before he kissed her forehead and sighed contentedly.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR />
  Deelylah Mullin has been penning tales since she could hold a pen. Er, crayon. After a wonderful experience in Fourth Grade Writers’ Club, she continued to pursue creative endeavors. Throughout her academic career, creative writing was always a focus. As well as music. There’s gotta be a reason she got a bachelor’s degree in music, right?

  While she has always written, her stories have evolved over time. Whens he was young, she was inspired by Madeline L’Engle and moved on to Stephen King and Robin Cook. Today, her stories are full of romance and a happily-ever-after. Even if they may be slightly weird, creepy, or sappy sweet along the way.

  Deelylah has found her own happily-ever-after with Mr. VampBard. He’s truly her knight in shining armor. Between them, they have six children…who are pretty much all grown up. She even has a son-in-law and a grandkitty—with the promise of a daughter-in-law and a grandson on the horizon.

  Stalk Deelylah online:

  www.deelylah.com

  www.twitter.com/VampBard

  www.facebook.com/AuthorDeelylah

  Find all the Dallas Fire & Rescue Kindle Worlds on Paige Tyler’s website:

  www.paigetylertheauthor.com/BooksDallasFireAndRescueKindleWorld.html