Love Burned Deep Read online

  I bought myself some fresh flowers and a few candles for the house. I always needed to have fresh flowers and candles because the house wasn’t a home without it. Cody knew what to buy me every year for Christmas. Of course then we have over-protective Cody making sure the candles were all placed in a spot where nothing around them could catch fire. He was always making sure that the candles were blown out before bed. That was my fireman for you.

  I arrived home a short time later, and Cody wasn’t home yet. He said he was staying late at the firehouse to finish up a few things, but he’d be home at dinner. I hated the days he stayed late, though, because it cut into our time together. Speaking of him, my cell phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, baby, a call just came through. Pretty bad. I’m going to go with them on it, but dinner is still on, okay? I love you!”

  “Okay, be careful. I love you.”

  He ended the call.

  I knew he didn’t have much time to talk, but now the worry came out in me. Usually, Cody only went to extra fires when he thought the fire needed him. I admired him for his great work ethic in wanting to save lives, but it just drove me crazy sometimes. I took everything I had from the store and set it out. I decided to keep on painting for a little bit since he was going to be a while.

  A few hours passed, and I finished all the painting in the bathroom. I took a shower and then cleaned up the house. Everything was prepped and ready for dinner—all he had to do was cook it like he wanted to. I dressed in a nice yellow sundress and straightened my hair, which was Cody’s favorite. I put on very little makeup and lit the candles in the house. Tonight was going to be our night, romantic and quiet.

  Cody walked in the door wearing his white T-shirt and faded blue jeans. Man, he always looked sexy wearing his white T-shirts. He kicked his boots off and headed into the kitchen as I lunged at him, jumping in his arms and kissed him passionately. He held me and walked around the house kissing me. Somehow, I thought dinner might be skipped. He led us straight to the bedroom and laid me down on the bed. He climbed on top of me, and I grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it up over his head. I looked at his pecs and his strong arms holding me as he devoured every inch of my neck, kissing down my body. I could tell where this was leading, and no words even needed to be spoken.

  He slid his tongue down my body slowly and stopped to give my breasts the attention they were craving. He gradually pulled in one of my nipples and sucked, while he gave little nibbles as he went. He then did the same to the other. Once he was satisfied, he continued downward. His hands gripped my hips as he placed light kisses around my belly button. I arched my back, trying to let him know where his attention was needed the most, but he visited every other curve of my body first. Finally, he dug his tongue deep inside my wet folds until he couldn’t reach any further. I gripped the sheets around me, hard. He spread my legs wide, and I gave him the access he’d been wanting. He slid his finger around me, putting pressure on the one spot sure to send me over the edge. Then, he replaced it with his teeth as he bit down gently. I could feel the pleasure building deep inside my sex. I held his head and rode into his face to let him get deeper so I could ride this fire scorching beneath my skin in pure ecstasy.

  He pushed me over the edge, and I needed him inside me now. I needed him to fill me and make my world explode with our love for one another. He made me feel whole and right in this world. We loved one another so much and proved it with our actions towards each other, but this stupid Angie bitch was still nagging at me. She was ruining the time that should be the happiest right now. Although, I didn’t have it in me to tell Cody yet. I just wanted to enjoy this moment a little while longer. As much as I didn’t think Cody was going to react badly to my pregnancy announcement, I knew I had to talk to him about Angie’s announcement first.

  I smoothed my hands down his arms as he lifted my legs up and over his shoulders. He pressed his thick shaft into my tight hole. I moaned deeply as he slid all the way in me. I dropped my legs and wrapped my arms around the back of his neck as I brought his beautiful face down to my mouth and kissed his lips tenderly. He slid in and out of me slowly, letting me feel every inch.

  “Cody, please, fuck me, baby. You feel so good,” I moaned into his neck as he pushed in me some more.

  His pulsating cock throbbed inside of me, and I could tell he was close to his release. We released together and caught our breath as we lay next to each other, completely exhausted.

  “I love you, babe, so much,” Cody panted as he rested his head on my chest. I held him close to my heart and let him lay there. I loved when he did that, and it made me feel so calm knowing he was in my arms, safe and at home. I expected he would be so excited to have this baby. I just need the perfect timing to tell him. After cuddling, we passed out for the night.

  ***

  I felt the warmth of the sun beating through the window. I opened my eyes. It was morning, and I was ready to start the day. I looked over my shoulder and noticed bare sheets. Cody must have gotten up early. I wrapped my robe around me and headed toward the kitchen where I smelled bacon and eggs cooking—Cody knew the best breakfasts included bacon. I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed his neck while I watched him cook.

  “Morning, baby.” He smelled of French vanilla and coffee. It was my favorite smell that masked his entire body. It tempted me to jump him right here in the kitchen, but then the shock of Angie and her words waved over me.

  “Angie’s pregnant, and she claims it’s your baby.” I let out a deep breath and waited for his reaction. All he did was stare, and I couldn’t believe I let those words come out of my mouth so accusingly. A pit deepened in my stomach as I stood there waiting for his response—it about killed me. I just wanted him to tell me everything was fixed with her and she was going to be admitted and never going to bother us again.

  “Your point, Rachel?” He glared as his eyes dug deep. I could tell he was upset. “I mean, you’re not actually going to stand here and ask questions about it, right?”

  I stood there feeling defeated. Why did I bring it up? Why did I tell him? Did I want to start a fight? Did I want to admit that a part of me believed one percent of her bullshit could be true? I didn’t want to believe any of it could be true, but I felt like I had to tell him. She came to me—she wanted this to happen, and right now she was winning. I needed him to tell me that I was his only. I was the one that he made love to and I would be the only one forever. I needed him to tell me she was gone forever out of our lives. I was exhausted beyond belief, and I just wanted her gone.

  “I want you to tell me it’s not yours. I want you to tell me something, anything. I’m so sick of Angie being in our life. You told me this would be handled a long time ago.” I started to panic a little while the words rolled off my tongue. I knew that we had just had an amazing night together, and I was sure I was ruining it by bringing this up, but I needed him to be straightforward with me instead getting so upset when I bring it up. That only made me think more things I shouldn’t.

  The gas turned off on the stove, and the pan went flying into the sink, hitting a plate and shattering it to pieces. Cody turned to me and looked angry. The veins were bulging out of his neck. They looked as if they could burst. “Rachel, when are you ever going to let this go? I mean, I’m trying to get this handled.” He softened right away, realizing his anger was a bit much.

  I looked at him and couldn’t help the tears pouring down—I was shocked at what he had just said to me. That was the number one thing I wanted him to avoid saying to me. The whole, “I’m trying to get this handled.” No, he clearly was not! It had been fucking six years, so when was this going to get handled? I was so sick of her. She made me sick, making up all this stuff and making my family suffer by fighting about her when this could just be done with. I was letting it bother me, I knew that, but it was getting worse. It was eating me alive from the inside out; I just couldn’t let this go. The whole situation was getting wo
rse by the day. They’ve been broken up for six years and why did she, out of nowhere, start doing this just a year or so ago? Makes no sense.

  “Do you still feel something for her?” I sniffled as I tried to get my stupid feelings under control. I knew with my heart he didn’t, but my damn head just kept messing with me.

  “Damn it, Rach, come on. I’m your husband, remember? I’ve been with you for six years. I don’t feel anything for her, other than sorry. I can’t believe you would think any differently, even just for a second. Damn it, I love you, Rachel.”

  Cody picked his keys up from the counter as I begged him not to leave, not to get on that bike and drive like an idiot after a stupid argument. He knew this irked me every time. He knew how much I hated that bike. I grabbed his leather jacket and ran outside to him. I handed it to him, and he just looked at me. I latched my arms around his waist, and he still just looked at me. I knew he was disgusted with me right now, but I didn’t want him to leave. Gosh, I just wanted to let the words escape my mouth and tell him the most exciting news of his life, but I knew that I had messed the timing up.

  “Just let me go.” I could see the sadness hovering in his eyes. “Please, Rach.”

  “No, I don’t want to let you go. Please, just come in and talk with me. I’m sorry. I know that it’s not your baby. Who knows if she’s even pregnant? Just please, come back inside.” I begged and begged till finally he got off the bike. He dropped his jacket over the bike and wrapped me up in his arms.

  He held me tightly, and I took in the moment. For once, he didn’t leave. He kept me in his arms for what felt like the rest of the day, but I knew it had only been minutes. Maybe even seconds. He picked me up over his shoulder and carried me into the house. I couldn’t stop crying until I could feel his strong arms brace the back of my neck and place me on the couch. He kneeled beside me and kissed my temple softly as he took my hands in his and just held them. We didn’t have words—it was just a moment that we needed to take to regain ourselves.

  I decided this was the time to break the silence. “I’m pregnant, Cody. I’m seven weeks.” A smile crept from the corner of my face. I wiped the tears from my eyes and stared at Cody. I could tell he was in shock.

  “You’re pregnant? You’re really pregnant? We’re going to have a baby?” His grin got bigger with each question he asked. He leaned in to me and kissed me hard. His kiss made me cry because that was the Cody reaction I wanted, and I got it. His tongue pushed past my lips, searching for mine. I cupped my hand to his face and kissed him passionately. I knew deep in my heart he was going to be the greatest father. Cody loved kids, and the fact I was giving one to him was just was pure bliss.

  “I am. We’re going to have a baby!” I got up off the couch, and he immediately swooped me up in his arms, cradling me again. He ran to the bedroom with me, the door shut behind him. This was our dream come true and for one time in a long time, Angie was on the back burner of my mind.

  Chapter 5

  The day was beautiful. There was not a cloud in sight. I watched the birds flit around the feeder I bought a few weeks ago. It was so nice to watch all the pretty colors and different types of birds filling my view. I had a bunch of errands to run, and I knew Cody would be relaxing at the house today. I gave him a bunch of things to do around the house to keep him busy—that was a good plan on my part. I had a quick design wrap up with work, and then I had to pick up some groceries. The night before had been magical between us. Angie wasn’t mentioned, and we were so happy and couldn’t stop talking about baby things. Laura and Brad were coming over that night to celebrate with us since they were both our closest friends. We could barely contain the happiness and actually get some rest. Cody was so excited, and I was so happy he decided not to go for his bike ride yesterday. In fact, he even told me he was going to sell the bike. I honestly will believe it when I see it—after all, that bike was his first baby. He just blurted that he would because if I’m having a baby there would be no need for a bike. Now he wants an SUV with more room for our growing family.

  I finished up my errands and headed off to the grocery store. I wanted to pick up some wine for this evening and gather all the goodies. Cody was set to clean and prepare some finger foods. Once I finished up, I put the pedal to the metal and raced home. I couldn’t wait to see Cody. I was practically jumping up and down in my seat the whole way home. These seven and a half months better hurry the hell up so we can meet our little pumpkin.

  I entered the house to find it quiet. “Honey, I’m back.” I saw plenty of things that should have been picked up by now. The first things I noticed were the soda cans scattered around the kitchen. I wondered what he was doing. I checked out the back door and noticed the garage was closed and the bike was gone. What the hell? I checked the bedroom, bathroom, guest room, basement, and finally the yard, and Cody was nowhere to be seen. I decided he must have gone to the store or something.

  I picked up the house since I didn’t know when he’d be back. Since he took the bike, I knew I couldn’t reach him on his cell. After a hard house cleaning and dinner prep, I decided to jump into a bath and relax. The bubbles soothed me as the water cascaded around my tender skin. I smoothed my hand over my belly and smiled as I knew something precious was growing inside me. After about a half hour and still no word from Cody, I got out of the bath and threw on some comfy clothes. I went in the kitchen and grabbed my cell phone out of my purse and saw I had ten missed calls and five messages. The second I was about to look through them, the house phone rang. I looked at the display and answered it immediately.

  “Hey, Larry. How’s the greatest chief doing?” I giggled.

  “Rachel, you need to come down to the hospital right now,” he said calmly. Too calmly.

  “Is something wrong? One of the guys get hurt?” I asked, anxious to hear the news. “Cody’s not home, but I’ll try to get a hold of him.” Cody was going to be upset if someone was hurt badly. They all tried to protect one another at the firehouse, and if he hadn’t been there to help, he would be upset.

  “Sweetheart, it’s urgent that you come.” Larry hesitated to say the words.

  “I’m on my way.” I didn’t ask any more questions. I guessed the guys needed me, and I felt honored to be there for them.

  I grabbed my purse, rushed out the door to the Mustang, and took off toward the hospital. I called Cody three times, and it went to voicemail. I left him messages and told him to meet me at the hospital. I hoped he would get the messages soon.

  I arrived, and Larry spotted me right away. I walked up to him and gave him a hug. I was sure that since I was called here, it was the kind of day where he’d need a good hug. We walked down the long hallway, and I saw Cody’s jacket sitting on a chair outside a room where the other men from the firehouse were standing. I rushed over to the room with Larry, but he braced my arm, stopping me before I got close. When I took a better look, I noticed the jacket was ripped. At that moment my chest got tight, my breathing started to get louder, and the tears started pooling in my eyes. My anxiety level was through the roof.

  “Oh god, where’s Cody? What’s going on? Larry!” I pounded his chest with my clenched fists as I bawled my eyes out, not understanding the full extent of the situation but knowing it wasn’t good.

  “There was a bad fire today. Cody was alerted, and he came in right away. The structure caved in and took Cody with it. We got him out. The doctors are working really hard, Rach.”

  “Oh my god, no!” I screamed, and everyone in the hospital must have heard as my voice echoed through the sterile hallways. I flew to the door, but the guys held me back. Brad embraced me and whispered in my ear that it was not a pretty sight. I just wanted to go in—I wanted to see my husband, my best friend, the father of my baby. The guys finally let me through, and Brad walked in after me. He held me as I took a look at my husband. His eyes were shut, and one was covered in a bandage. He had tubes coming from every which way. He looked like he was in so much pain. Sobs
wracked through my body—this was my worst fear. He was burned pretty badly. Most of the areas of his body I could see were covered in third degree burns. There were bandages, his right arm was in a sling, and I watched as the ventilator pumped his lungs full of air to keep him breathing. I knew by looking that all of this equipment helping Cody breathe, things clearly weren’t good. Brad held me on the right, and Larry was on my left, holding me up. My knees were weak, and I started to feel dizzy.

  The doctor came in after me, and the guys didn’t let me go. Seeing the look in the doctor’s eyes made me scared shitless, and I knew, just knew, that he wasn’t going to give me good news. I looked up at him as he started to talk. I nodded my head mindlessly as he asked if I was Cody’s wife. He stood before me in his white coat, pale blue scrubs, and his stethoscope draped over his shoulders. His words began pouring out of his mouth.

  “I am sorry, but your husband sustained severe burns over most of his body, as well as a large amount of lung damage due to smoke inhalation. In addition, the worst of his injuries occurred when the building collapsed, resulting in head trauma. He hit his head pretty hard, which caused a hemorrhage, or bleed in his brain. We attempted to relieve some of the pressure caused by the swelling and to stop the bleeding, but too much time had passed. I am so sorry.” The doctor’s next five words stuck to me like glue. “We did everything we could.” My body went limp, and my knees finally gave out from under me. As I rested on my knees on the floor, my head on the gurney, I held on to Cody. My eyes were sore and irritated from all the crying. This was my husband, my heart, the father of my unborn child. I couldn’t lose him. I felt like I was a zombie. Brad and Larry stayed with me in the room and didn’t leave my side. All I did was bawl my eyes out.