Torched: A Rough Firefighter Romance Page 9

  When the cool material was firmly in my grip, I shrank back into the kitchen. Whoever had thrown the brick hadn’t been a professional. The piece of paper had been secured with a large rubber band. Now, I was pissed off as hell. Snagging the band, it broke in my force to get to the note. The words almost made me laugh.

  Keep out of business that you don’t know about.

  Or. You. Will. Die.

  The block lettering was typical of any computer system. Even if this had been handled by amateurs, there wouldn’t be any fingerprints. Phone calls and now this. The threat was meant to be crude and nothing more. Whoever did this wanted to frighten the new kid on the block. Well, fuck them. I raced to the front door, peering out the small keyhole before unlocking and walking onto the porch. The night was dark, clouds covering the moon. There were almost no streetlights or neighbors with outside porch lights on. I could see nothing, but I imagined monsters. Hissing, I held up my middle finger, furious I’d been reduced to this.

  I walked back inside, and my stomach lurched, forcing me to dry heave. The fear was suffocating. The one thing I wanted to do was get the hell out of this house. I’d go spend the night at Karen’s. Then maybe I’d report this to the police. Why was my instinct telling me otherwise? Maybe I’d worked too many cases involving extortion, bribery leading to murder. Think. At this point, I was following my gut. Grabbing a few things including my computer as well as the note and brick, I headed out the door. No one was going to push me out of a job. No one.

  However, I was shaking when I got into the car, fearful that the perpetrators were still around. I drove like a bat out of hell, exceeding the speed limit in my effort to leave the area. I didn’t care about the house. I had yet to grow attached, but I wasn’t going to allow these assholes to get the better of me. I rounded the corner, nearing Karen’s place and my thoughts drifted. Suddenly, all I could think about was getting to Blaise. Maybe to warn him. Maybe to run ideas past him. Maybe for protection.

  Maybe to surrender, if he’d take me.

  Oh, God. Oh, fucking God. What was I thinking? I yanked the note back into my hand, glaring at the words, understanding the meaning. Whatever was going on had the stench of a coverup. And I was some pawn. Tears of frustration and a hint of fear collided with my rational mind and there was only one place I would feel safe.

  My mind muddled, the car somehow managed to find Blaise’s street with ease and as I pulled down the driveway, I cringed. I had no way of knowing how he’d react. Lights were on, and the Harley was in the driveway. I pulled the car to a stop, keeping the engine running. What if he didn’t believe me? No, he would. He had to.

  He must have seen the headlights because as soon as I climbed out of the car, the front door opened and the light on the side flipped on. Cocking his head, he stood on the threshold, his arms folded.

  I sighed, allowing the ragged breath to fully expel before walking any closer. Inhaling, the scent of him, so masculine and rugged, became the most powerful aphrodisiac. The man was wearing sloppy jeans, a skin-tight tee shirt and standing in bare feet. I was overwhelmed with desire, overcome by emotion. This just wasn’t like me in any manner. “Hi.” Even the single word was difficult to say.

  “Genevieve. What are you doing here?” His pensive expression turned almost instantly to concern, his eyes darting back and forth. “Is something wrong?”

  I walked closer, clutching the note. “I’m sorry. I just needed to talk to you. I wasn’t certain what to do. The investigation is proving to be challenging, but I think you’re right in your assumptions. I think there’s a chance that more arson attempts are going to occur, perhaps harming you or other firefighters.”

  “Whoa. Slow down. You’re not making any sense. You want to come in?”

  “I’m not trying to bother you. I just...” I threw a look toward the street, clenching my hand around the note.

  “You’re not bothering me. Let’s talk about this.” He followed my gaze before taking another step. “Is someone following you?”

  “No. Yes. Maybe. I don’t know.” I laughed nervously then straightened my arms, trying to give him a smile.

  “Fuck this. What assholes are bothering you?” The snarl curled on his lip allowed me to relax to a degree.

  “Someone from the world of firefighting that definitely doesn’t want me around. They have another think coming if they think they’re going to scare me.”

  “Jesus Christ. You’re shaking. What the hell is going on?” He pulled me inside and into an embrace, holding me against his chest, his hand running up and down my back. “Whoa. It’s okay. What happened? Exactly?”

  I craved the warmth, the comfort of his arms, but he was the only person I thought I could trust. Pushing away, I handed him the note, looking over my shoulder once again. Yes, I was terrified I’d been followed, even though I’d taken precautions, watching for any sign of lights or vehicles. “This arrived with a nice addition to my home. A brick through my window.” I was shocked how angry he seemed, the rage encapsulating his face.

  “The bastards. What the fuck is going on? You’ve been here two days. Are you hurt in any manner, because I’ll rip them to shreds?”

  I smiled and shook my head. “I’m fine physically and I honestly don’t know, but I think I pushed one too many buttons in my investigation. I have a tendency of doing that.”

  “Yeah, I get that about you but fuck this. I knew something was going on. Knew it from the first fire. Something was off, the fire too easy to put out. Thing is, a man lost his life in the second one.” Blaise slammed and locked the door, hesitated then pulled me into his arms again. This time, he cupped my face, brushing his fingers across my cheek. “I will hunt them down. I’m not the asshole you think I am.”

  “No, you can’t do that. But we will find them. I wanted to talk to you about this.” I closed my eyes, savoring the feel of his hand. “And you’re not an asshole. Just doing your job.” He continued stroking, his grip firm and I relished in the feel of his hot breath across my skin.

  “Be honest with me, Genevieve. You’ve had previous threats, haven’t you? You will tell me the truth and I’ll know if you’re lying.”

  I didn’t want to answer him, but his entire demeanor was so commanding, crumbling my resolve. “A few. Phone calls, no doubt from burner phones. This was the only physical threat so far.”

  “So far? Damn it, Genevieve. Don’t be stupid about this. You’ve spent your entire career in law enforcement, so you understand that you need to take this seriously. This kind of crap is dangerous; it can even get you killed. You’ve also worked your ass off to get here and someone wants to take you down. You can’t go off half-cocked. I’m not going to allow you. Do you understand me clearly?”

  The odd thing about a fearful situation was that you either saw the best in people or the worst. People were heroes or victims. There was no in between. A switch had flipped in the man I knew better as Fred. He was no longer my adversary, but the man who would stop at nothing to protect me. I remained trembling in his arms, but my body’s reaction was now all about him. This man. This moment. “Yes, sir.”

  His eyes darted back and forth, and he lowered his head, capturing my mouth. The kiss was gentle at first, almost protective. As I wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging to him, the kiss became more passionate. I opened my mouth, darting my tongue inside, longing for the closeness we’d shared, wanting nothing more than to share another sizzling moment of passion.

  Lifting me off the floor, our tongues entwined, the same raging desire we’d shared before roaring, creating such extreme electricity that I shuddered in his arms. His grip was firm, his cock throbbing against my belly. Everything about this moment seemed forbidden, a true sin and I’d never wanted a man any more than I did this one.

  Blaise broke the kiss and eased me down yet cupped my face, his fingers digging into my skin. He licked down the side of my neck, issuing a series of growls. As he nipped my skin, his teeth grazing lightly, I emitted
a single moan. Moving his lips to my ear, he whispered, his voice husky with desire, “I want you. God, I want you so badly.”

  “Yes. Oh, yes. I want you.” There was so much between us: desire, longing, and intensity. For a little while I just simply wanted to escape.

  “Then here’s the thing. I want more than just one night. I don’t give a shit about the reasons we shouldn’t be together, the crap with the mayor. Your contract. I crave everything about you, your touch, your taste. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. You’ve driven your laughter, your scent, and your longing to submit into every aspect of my being. I want to devour every inch of you, dominate you in ways you’ve only dreamt about, but Genevieve, you will submit to me in every manner. It’s up to you. Your decision. If you can’t surrender to me then I’ll do everything I can to protect and guide you, but nothing else. Tell me what you want. Tell me now.”

  The words fueled the woman inside, breaking free of the chains that I’d wrapped so tightly I could no longer breathe. I heard little more than the sound of our hearts thumping, my blood pumping and I was finally free to be me. “You. I want you and yes, I will submit no matter what you ask or what you command of me.”

  In the few seconds that followed our eyes locked, a knowing settling in. This would forever change us, destroy everything we’d worked so hard to achieve.

  But that no longer mattered.

  Chapter Six

  Blaise

  Having her in my arms was unexpected, amazing. I’d heard her comment about the ridiculous employment contract earlier in the day, brushing it off as if she’d used an excuse. What if the mayor had added the codicil and in truth, why the hell would he do that in the first place? Another reason to hate the jerkoff. I understood the ramifications, but I hadn’t lied to her. I didn’t give a damn. She was going to belong to me. I was done playing shitty games with the mayor. Let him try to come after her. Fuck. The fact some asshole had threatened her? My protective side surfaced, blocking out everything else. The shit was getting real.

  I’d kept my real suspicions from her, figuring she’d never believe me in the first place. I had no concrete evidence, no knowledge of who might be behind the fires, but I knew the scenario better than most. I was afraid for her safety. And damn her for pushing every button. She didn’t understand the close ties, the firefighter community. If she thought people were incensed now, she had no idea what she was facing.

  She’d need to learn, and I was the man to teach her. The dark suspicions remained furrowing in my belly.

  I took a step back, holding out my hand. “Come with me.”

  “Yes, sir.” Genevieve’s tone of voice had changed, demure yet full of confidence. She was a tough woman on the exterior, but her intense desire to submit rang clear. She was placing her trust in me, a man she barely knew.

  I pulled her down the darkened hallway toward my bedroom, grasping her hand with both of mine. The moment we were in the room, I eased her fingers to my mouth, pressing my lips across her knuckles. The slight whimper escaping from her was a sweet reward. “You will learn to obey me.” Perhaps the words didn’t need to be stated, but I felt the need for reassurance, the moment when she completely understood that I wasn’t taking this lightly. I turned on the light on the dresser, allowing a warm glow to filter into the room. I wanted to study every expression, to notice every detail about her reaction as I learned every nuance. What we were going to share, the joy and closeness, few people would ever experience. My body was shaking from tension, anxiety.

  Raging desire.

  “I know.”

  “I’m going to explore every inch of your body.” I heard the gravelly sound of my voice, the extreme hunger infused in every word. “And you’ll be disciplined for every infraction.” I knew she would react to my words and seeing the slight smile, the glistening of her beautiful skin forced my cock to become fully erect. I was as hard as I’d ever been, my balls aching with the need to spill my cum deep inside of her. “Remove your clothes.”

  Genevieve’s mouth pursed, her eyes shimmering. “Yes, sir.” She had such a graceful way about her, every action a reflection of the woman inside.

  I took a step back, giving her space, devouring her with my eyes.

  She yanked the clip holding her long hair on top of her head, the strands spilling down her shoulders, hiding her voluptuous breasts. Every move slow, almost calculated, she placed the clip on my dresser before unbuttoning her blouse and easing the material down her arms, allowing gravity to take it to the floor.

  My breathing was heavy, my adrenaline flowing. As she reached behind her back, unclipping her filmy bra, I was forced to adjust my crotch, the pain in my groin biting. I had difficulty focusing as she freed her breasts and the way her nipples stood at full attention, rosy pink, the tips long and hard was perhaps the most powerful aphrodisiac I’d ever witnessed. Her breasts fit perfectly into my hands and I longed to squeeze them, to twist her nipples until she called out in pain.

  Kicking off her shoes, she unfastened her jeans, peeling back the edges of the dense material, wiggling as she pushed both sides down her rounded hips. When she stood only in a crimson thong, I gave her a single growl.

  “Continue,” I stated, the sound almost inaudible. I thought about the panties I’d ruined, ripping them clean from her shaking body, just seconds before spanking her ass. I used a single finger, indicating a twirl and when she turned, I licked my lips in appreciation of the slight redness that remained on her ass cheeks. The warm glow was just enough to ignite the embers, the ones that had been smoldering since she left my house before.

  I took decided steps closer, wrapping one hand around her long hair, rubbing my other palm down her spine. “Did you have difficulty sitting after your punishment?”

  “Mmm... Yes, sir.”

  I kept my hand on the small of her back, my fingers rubbing aimlessly. “Do you understand you’re a very bad girl in need of harsh punishment?”

  When she hesitated, I spanked her ass twice. “Let’s try that again.”

  She tipped her head, her shoulders rising and falling. “Yes, sir. Very much so, sir.”

  Crack!

  The sound created a wave of electricity, a warmth in my hand. She swayed slightly, a smile curling across her lips. I smacked her again and again, moving from one side to the other. I loved the way her ass fit into my hand, stinging my palm. “And you know you need discipline every day?”

  “Yes, I do, sir.” Her eyes were closed, her breath coming in short pants.

  I slapped her several more times, peppering her ass cheeks, each round more powerful than the one before. My entire body was tingling with excitement, jet fuel sizzling my loins. She never moved out of position, never took a step. Her soft mews were arousing, driving me to the point of madness. I wanted nothing more than to stick my cock inside of her, claim her as mine, but I would take my time tonight. I rubbed my fingers across her buttocks, running my index finger up and down the crack of her ass. I wanted to shove my tongue in her most forbidden place, while I thrust my fingers into her pussy. My dirty and nasty mind had so many thoughts, ideas of how I’d punish her, please her. “Are you ready for a hard spanking?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What do you like, Genevieve? What kind of pain turns you on?”

  She opened her mouth twice before answering. “There is little I don’t like or crave. The strap, a paddle, a brush. I like the way a solid piece of wood thuds against my ass, my thighs. The anguish is spectacular, freeing.” She was breathless in her explanation, her eyelids fluttering.

  “Clamps? Plugs?”

  “Anything and everything.”

  I swirled my finger around her lower back, creating zigzags and circles. “How long have you known you were a submissive?”

  When she didn’t respond right away, I fisted her hair, yanking until I could look her in the eyes. They were black as coal, mesmerizing. The hard crack against her ass made her yelp, forcing another twitch i
n my groin. “How long?”

  “Since I was a teenager. I always longed for a strong man, a firm hand.”

  The words were chilling, and my cock would need relief soon, damn soon. “And your first experience?” I slid down the crack, pushing past her ass cheeks until I found her dark hole.

  “I was eighteen. I lied about my age in order to get into a club.”

  I thrust my finger inside, allowing my hot breath to cascade across her naked skin. “Tell me more.”

  “Oh!” She trembled, one hand floating to her breast. “Two men, a cross, whipped then fucked. I was in heaven, more alive than I’d ever been.”

  Easing my hand to her breast, I fingered her nipple as I added a second finger, plunging in slow and even strokes inside her asshole. She was hot, her muscles gripping. I wanted nothing more than to fuck her in her dark hole. And I would. “Does that feel good?”

  “Mmm... Yes, sir.”

  “Do you hunger having my cock inside your sweet hole?”

  A soft laugh permeated the air. “More than you know. Sir.”

  Pinching her nipple, I adored the way she reacted, her toes digging into the thin carpet, her mouth twisting, the slight cry permeating the dense air. She had no idea what she was doing to me. Control. Patience. The words were almost haunting. “Go place the pillows in the middle of the bed. Position them just under your stomach.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  She moved in fluid motions, obeying my command. I took my time undressing, folding my clothes, and placing them on the dresser, adding hers on top. When I turned, I almost lost my composure, fucking her like a wild animal. I wasn’t entirely certain what implements of use I had hidden away in drawers or the closet. Then I remembered a brush I’d acquired. I found it easily, tossed into a drawer in the bathroom. The wooden back was thick, perfect to provide the thudding action she seemed to desire. I ran the bristles across my hand, chuckling as my darkness took hold, perhaps forever altering the man inside. This was perfect.