Hot Nights with the Fireman (11 page)

“Sit up,” he ordered, but he didn't seem to realize at first she couldn't while he was on top of her. She gave his shoulders a gentle push then another. “Sorry. I can't seem to tear myself away from you.” He said all the right things. She blocked the fact that he'd probably said them to an army of women. He was saying them to
her
and that's what counted. Finally, he pulled himself off and stood next to the bed, tugging off his clothes.

She stood next to the bed and unbuttoned the dress and recognized she'd worn these jeans with the express purpose of being able to shimmy out of them. She got to work while Jason's gaze devoured her.

“Keep going,” he said hoarsely. He stood in front of her, wearing only a tight pair of navy boxer briefs. His erection punched out the fabric. She met his eyes for a split second then looked down and changed her speed to tease him by hooking her thumbs in the waistband and revealing what lay beneath inch by inch.

“You're killing me,” he muttered. “You had that getup on the whole day?”

She nodded, hardly believing
she
stood in front of a man topless and clad in lacy underwear clasped to the matching thigh-highs, which hid her legs.

“Jesus. I would've skipped dinner and raced back here.”

Good. She felt sexier than she'd ever felt in her whole life and powerful that she could bring a man as strong as Jason to his proverbial knees. The developed muscles in his arms and chest stood out, flexing, as he watched her. She couldn't wait to run her palms over the defined ridges of his impressive abdominal muscles or lick the tattoos decorating his biceps and pectoral. The band around his arm was stylized flames. She wanted to touch it. She'd chosen very well for her reentry into sex.

“I can't take it,” he finally said and practically leapt onto her and pushed her back into the mattress.

They lay back on the bed, and she spread her thighs to welcome him between them, loving the feel of his body on hers. “Keep the stockings on,” he ordered, as if she'd ever intended otherwise. She was going for a sexy vibe, and her scars would kill the mood.

“You're a fantasy is what you are.” His mouth kept her guessing as he kissed her breasts, her stomach, then her inner thigh. His fingers worked the clasp of the garters then he hooked his fingers in the black fabric of her panties and gave a tug. She lifted her rear to assist him, wondering if he was going to go down on her. God, she hoped so.

He placed a tiny kiss on her pubic bone then looked at her. “Sexy,” he commented and ran a finger over the tiny triangle of hair. She opened her mouth to tell him she preferred it well groomed, but lost her train of thought as his fingers spread her lips and his tongue delved in to toy with her clitoris.

Her thighs spread farther apart and every nerve in her body started and ended between her thighs. It had been too long since she'd been naked in a bed with a man, and way too long since she'd been this needy and desperate for an orgasm. Her fingers tangled in his hair, holding him in place, silently begging him not to stop. He needed to never, ever stop.

Jason moved his tongue faster against Valerie's body, knowing she was close. He was dying to get inside her and sate his aching dick, but he wanted this to be about her. He had no idea what had happened between the time he'd left her house last night and when she'd arrived at his fire station this afternoon.

He didn't know and he didn't question it beyond the fact that it had led to her being naked in his bed. Well almost naked except for the lacy black stockings up to her thigh. He hadn't been lying when he'd told her she was a fantasy. In those stockings, she could grace the cover of a lurid magazine for men. He was a lucky man.

He stopped his mouth on her when he judged she was ready for him. He wanted her needy, and she was so wet, he knew he'd slide into heaven easily. Carefully, he crawled up her body, loving the feel of her smooth skin against his. He had a feeling she'd call her breasts small, but to him, they were perfect. Everything from the shape to the color of her rosy nipples cried out to him.

“Val?” he asked, looking her deep in the eye. She had them closed. “Valerie,” he said again. Her heavy eyelids fluttered open. She saw the question on his face and nodded. When she lifted her hips, brushing against his swollen cock, he was lost. Quickly he shucked his boxers, sheathed himself in a condom he grabbed from his nightstand then hurried back to lie on top of her.

With one hand, he positioned himself at her entrance and slowly, carefully slid deep inside. They moaned in unison and he smiled when he saw her eyes had closed again. There was a dreamy smile on her face. He liked being the man responsible for putting it there.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For remembering the condom.”

“Uh-huh,” he grunted, but couldn't seem to find any brain cells to form coherent speech. Every part of him concentrated on that sweet spot where his body joined hers. He wanted to make this good for her. He knew it would be heaven for him. It already was. It was the sweetest sex he'd ever had. At first he kept his strokes slow and easy, loving how her body squeezed around his on the pull back and reentry. When her breaths sped up and her fingernails dug into the skin on his shoulder blades, he knew he'd better speed things along. He'd wanted to make it last, but there was no chance, not when she was moaning and gasping and squeezing his shaft with her inner muscles.

Shifting his angle slightly, he quickened his pace, trying not to pound her into the bed as his body demanded. She didn't let him retreat and moved her hands to cling to his ass, holding him close and demanding he take her with everything he had.

“You're amazing,” she said on a gasp and opened her eyes to connect with him. They stared at each other until she started to come, sending him shooting into his own orgasm. He, too, closed his eyes, sucking back every bit of pleasure spiraling through his body. It felt as if it went on forever, until it suddenly became too much, and he collapsed half on her, half on the mattress.

“A-maz-ing,” she said, lying limply on the bed under him.

He couldn't speak to respond. She'd killed him. With great effort, he rolled to his side and rolled the condom off. He had to get to the bathroom to dispose of it, but the door looked a million miles away. Shit. Slowly he rose and took care of the condom then walked back to the bed. Valerie lay on her back, eyes wide open, no trace of a smile on her face.

His stomach clenched slightly, but he plastered on a grin and slid into bed next to her. He kissed her cheek, close to her ear. “Stay with me tonight?” he asked quietly.

It seemed hours passed before she nodded and relaxed in his arms. He tucked her close to his body, planted a kiss in her hair, and tried not to worry about her reaction. She had to be freaking out slightly. She'd made it clear he was her one-night fling, so he had to act in the role he'd been assigned, or at least let her think he was sticking to the script. He got it. They were from different worlds, and she didn't see how they fit together, and maybe she was right. Only he knew every time they were together, he felt like a happier, smarter version of himself. He liked the Jason he was around her. Tomorrow would be soon enough to let her know he had no intention of playing the playboy. He wanted to be recast as the male lead.

I
slept with him,” Valerie whispered into the phone, glancing again at her closed office door.

“What?” Arianna sounded shocked.

“I said, I slept with Jason, the firefighter.”

“I heard you, I just couldn't believe it. I thought I had big news, but yours first. It's huge. Was it good?”

She tried to process the amazing night and come up with an adjective.
Good
wasn't it. What was a word for “better than good”? She pulled her midmorning snack out of her upper desk drawer, but the whole wheat crackers weren't appealing today. She wasn't particularly hungry. She shut the drawer with the crackers inside.

“Val, you're too quiet. Tell me about your firefighter. Was his hose an acceptable length?”

She giggled and felt her cheeks get hot remembering how his
hose
had gone exploring this morning while she'd still been mostly asleep. They'd made love furiously before he walked her to her car so she could go home, shower, change, and get to work on time this morning. “His hose was…well, he was fabulous.”

“Oh my God, you're glowing.”

“What are you talking about?” She peered at herself in her computer monitor, but only saw glare, not her reflection.

“Don't deny it. You're practically radiating glow through the phone. This firefighter wowed you. And about time, too. I was worried you were going to call me from a convent one day.”

She rolled her eyes at Ari's usual dramatics. “It was an amazing night, and now I'm shutting up because I'm at work and the last thing I need is my boss to overhear me giggling about firemen's extra-long hoses.”

There was a shriek from Ari's end, forcing her to pull the receiver away from her ear for a moment. “Extra long? Holy shit, Val. When do I get to meet this hunk of hotness?”

Hunk of hotness? Honestly, who talked like that? Her best friend, Arianna, that was who. “Um, I don't know. I kind of told him it was a one-time thing. I don't know if I'll see him again.”

“Are you kidding me? After six years you let a man into your bed. A man who knocked your panties off and has you glowing, and you're going to let him go? Give me his number.
I'm
calling him.”

“No,” Val said sharply. She took a breath. “I mean, maybe we'll see each other again. I don't know.” Point to Jason for knowing one time wasn't going to be enough. “Do you think I should call him or wait for him to call me?” It was the first time she'd ever asked for dating advice from Ari, who'd never been in a relationship longer than the heels on her stilettos.

“Wait for him to call you. If the sex was as good as you say it was, he'll call.”

“You think? But Ari, the man was caught partying naked with sorority girls. Do you think there's even a chance of a relationship? Not to mention he's a client; well the county is.” More and more, she was delineating the difference between a client and someone who worked for her client.

“Do you want a relationship or do you want orgasms?”

“Good point. What was your big news?” Val asked, suddenly remembering the beginning of their conversation.

“Big news…” Ari mused. “Oh, you'll never believe who I had lunch with yesterday.”

“Who?”

“Guess.”

“Why? You said I never would.”

“You're no fun. Fine. I had lunch with Casey Cooper.”

“CC?” Valerie questioned in disbelief, shocked that Arianna would have lunch with their high school nemesis. Casey Cooper had been the queen bee, the mean girl. She could've made Regina George cry, and had left a wake of fear at their small prep school. “Why did you have lunch with her? Is she still a bitch?”

“She called because she's now working in the development office at our illustrious alma mater and she wanted some money out of me.”

“Of course she's working there. I bet she bullies money out of everyone and they build a new library by next year.”

“She seemed much mellower and nicer now. She said to give you her regards. I bet you get a call soon.”

“I doubt it. I don't have the Rose millions to donate,” Valerie responded. “Okay. I better get back to work. Talk to you soon.”

“Bye, Val.”

She hung up and reached for her computer mouse, not really seeing anything on-screen. Instead, a movie from last night replayed in her mind from the way Jason had kissed her to the way he'd held her all night. She'd woken once in the night as she often did, looked around the unfamiliar room, then fallen easily back asleep in his strong arms. She couldn't recall ever feeling as secure yet on edge sexually.

It was an odd feeling to be that comfortable with someone yet completely aroused at the same time. She'd always assumed the two were mutually exclusive. She'd felt comfortable with her college sweetheart, the one man she'd slept with prior, but never needy, clawing passion for him.

She toyed with her computer mouse again and read a document with glazed-over eyes. She tried to read it again. No good, she had no idea what it said. It was ridiculous; she might have to take the rest of the day off.

Her office phone rang, and she jumped in her seat, wondering wildly if Jason was calling. “Hello? Valerie Wainwright speaking.” It was a female voice on the other end. A client. Her heart settled down, and she redoubled her efforts at concentration.

The next hour passed in a blur of e-mails and phone calls, enough so when her cell phone rang, she picked it up without any forethought or anticipation.

“Valerie?” Another male voice, only this time it was a welcome one.

“Jason? Hi. I didn't think you'd call.” She blurted the words without thinking.

“Because I'm a one-night stand? We should've discussed my stance on that last night,” he finally said.

“We didn't discuss much of anything, as I recall,” she said, now lowering herself on the desk chair with an almost sinuous slide.

“No, we didn't. There was a lot of connecting, but not much talking.” His deep voice rolled over her, awakening every nerve. “Listen, I can't talk long because I'm at the station, but I wanted to let you know I had a good time last night. I loved being with you, and I'm not just talking about the sex.”

“I had a good time, too,” she managed. Jason wasn't being fair. He wasn't playing by any of the rules of a one-night stand. Nor was he acting like the womanizer she'd made him out to be. Perhaps she needed to adjust some of her assumptions.

“I want to see you again. What are you doing tomorrow?”

Tomorrow was Saturday. What was she doing? As far as she knew, nothing. “Um, I think my friend Arianna and I have plans,” she said, wondering why she was lying to him, but the words had slipped out without planning. “You could come along. I think we're meeting for dinner and drinks.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “I don't want to intrude on girls' night. I know it's a sacred thing.”

She liked that he didn't sound mocking. “No, you should definitely come. Ari is dying to meet you. She's been my best friend since we were in elementary school.”

“In that case, I'm dying to meet her, too. I want to get the scoop on what you were like when you were younger.”

“Pretty much the same as I am now, but shorter,” she said, sitting at her desk and smiling at the wall. She'd have to remember to tell Ari that Jason didn't know about her history nor had he seen her scars.

“Shit, someone's walking in the room. I hate the lack of privacy here,” he said. “I'll see you tomorrow.”

“I'll text you with the time and place,” she said. “See you tomorrow.” She hung up and immediately dialed Ari's number. “Cancel your date for tomorrow. You're coming out with me and Jason,” she said without any preamble. “And if he asks, these were longstanding plans.”

“Whoa, slow down, Val.” Ari's throaty chuckle sounded through the phone. “I take it he called and wants to go out tomorrow.”

“Yes, but for reasons I can't fathom, I lied to him and told him we already had plans, so you better be able to come.”

“You know why you want me there,” Ari said quietly. “Are you sure you want to do this? You said yourself this was a fling.”

“No. I'd rather know now if he's really a jerk versus later, but don't make this mean more than it is. Jason and I are only having fun. I'm not going to marry the guy.” Though something in her wanted to give him what they'd dubbed the Ari Test. It was a fact of life that men loved Arianna. With her curvaceous body, naturally red hair, and flirtatious personality, most men went gaga when they met her.

Unfortunately, the last man Valerie had dated flirted with Ari. She trusted Ari enough to know that her friend had done nothing more than be herself. It was the men who were idiots to think Ari wouldn't tell her. She'd taken it as a warning sign and sprinted in the opposite direction. If Jason was one of those idiots, she wanted to know now.

“Where should we bring him?” Ari asked.

“Um, Lola's?” she suggested, naming a restaurant on the water in Georgetown.

Ari nixed it. “Too much of a college scene these days.”

“Oh. That's right.”

“Café Delano,” Ari said. “It just opened after its renovation and it's supposed to be great food and the price point is probably good for everyone.”

“Price point?” she asked, echoing Ari's phrase. “Who are you, and what have you done with Arianna?”

Her friend laughed. “I'm trying to be budget conscious lately.”

She didn't say anything; she held the phone waiting for the true story.

“Oh, all right. Truth. I'm dating an artist I met. He doesn't know about the trust fund, and thinks I'm a struggling artist, too.”

“And the designer clothes aren't giving it away?”

“Fitz doesn't know Jimmy Choo from Jimmy Dean. I'll have him meet us at the restaurant around ten after we eat. If Jason turns out to be worthless, you can stay and have drinks with us.”

“All right. Sounds like a plan. I'll give Jason the name of the restaurant and make a reservation. See you tomorrow. Oh, and Ari…he doesn't know about my burns.”

There was a long silence. “Do I even want to know how you managed that? You did have sex with the man, right?”

“I wore thigh highs with a garter belt.”

“Valerie Wainwright, I didn't know you had it in you,” Ari said admiringly. “No man can resist the power of the porn fantasy. I take it he was distracted and not looking at your legs.”

“That's right.”

“You're devious. But, sweetie, I think you need to tell him. He's a firefighter. Who better to tell?”

“Who worse?” She fiddled with a pen on the desk. “I'd be a walking billboard for his job hazards. No, we're keeping it fun and sexy and there is nothing sexy about my legs.”

“Val,” Ari said with a sigh.

“Please, Ari. Don't say anything. Let me have a little fun. I deserve it. When I meet the right man, I promise to let him stare at my legs as long as he can tolerate.”

“I only want you to be happy,” Ari said. “This guy makes you happy so I won't say anything. See ya mañana.”

She hung up with Ari and sat quietly for a moment hoping and praying Jason would turn out to be the one guy in a dozen who didn't have a thing for sexy redheads. She didn't bother praying for a man who liked scarred women. A man like that was fictional.