Caught in the Flames (52 page)

“Like secret garden, but naughtier.” I kiss down the scruff of his jaw and my lips find his ear. “Fuck yeah. I’m in.” I lick the shell of his ear and his body shudders beneath me. He lifts his hips and shoves his pants down.

“I want you so bad, Callie.” His hands go to my waist and he lifts me just enough to move my thong to the side and position himself at my entrance. My hips attempt to press down but he holds me in place until my gaze meets his. “I love you.” He pushes me down on his dick at the same time he slams his hips up. Powerful. Deep. Hard.

“God, I love you, too.” I moan as I receive his demanding thrusts. My hands dig into the grass covered earth and all the sensations—Ash beneath me, the chirp of birds, the smell of flowers, grass, earth—all of it spirals my arousal.

Ash brings forth my orgasm, our bodies rock together and hit that spot inside that drives me wild. One of his hands leave my side to wind into the hair at the nape of my neck. I know what he’s going to do before he does it and the anticipation only spikes my desire.

“Fuck me, Callie.” He growls and pulls my hair. I bite down on his shoulder as my orgasm hits, rolling over me again and again. His thrusts increase in pace and he slaps my ass. He buries his face in my now extremely wild locks. He stills, slowing his own breathing while I work to catch my breath. My pulse races and his hard length throbs inside. He’s in no rush to chase his own release, though, and my skin prickles as I come down from my high with the thought we’re far from done.

Ash relaxes his head back into the grass and his fingers trail circles over my hips. I cross my arms over his chest and rest my chin atop them so I can meet his gaze. “I love us,” I say, honest, real, and true. His eyes catch the light and the hues play back and forth, appearing more gold than green.

“I love you so much, Callie. I hope you know that.”

I do. I really do.
“I know. I feel the same, Ashley.” Trapping my lower lip between my teeth, I chew on the plump flesh. I need to ask him something. His gaze follows the movement and his cock twitches inside me.
Hmm . . . Ash likes the biting.
I pocket that information for later and let my fingertips idly circle his nipples. His dick hardens further and the feeling empowers me. “So . . . while I have you inside me, I was hoping we could discuss one thing.” My fingers go back to the soft grass and my tongue snakes out to lick at one hard nipple.

Ash groans and his eyes roll shut. “What’s that?” he pants out, and I lift my hips a few inches and then rock back down. “Yes, God, that’s so good,” he groans.

“Your car . . . we’re going shopping.”

His eyes snap open and his hands go to my waist to hold me immobile. “No.”

“Yes.” I grin and suck his other nipple between my lips.

“Fuck! Damn it, Callie. You’re not buying me a car.” He tries to hold firm, and I admire his steadfastness, but I’ve got him by the balls. Or rather, I will. My hands plant on his chest and I lean back, sitting on his erection to rock over it. I move my hand back to his thighs and continue rocking back and forth, up and down, arching my back so I can reach behind and take his balls in my left hand. It seals the deal.

“New. Car. Today.” My right hand leaves his thigh and I use my index and middle finger to rub circles over my clit.

“Yes. Fuck, okay, yes. You win,” he shouts, clenching his jaw, and his hands go to my hips to move me faster and harder over his cock. “You gonna come on this dick? Oh, fuck, you ride me so good.”

My fingers work at a furious pace as I try to meet his release. His stomach flexes and his hips thrust up just as I feel my orgasm begin to crash. He comes first—a strain of words and curses leaves his mouth—but I’m not far behind and a similar shout of inaudible language leaves my lips. I glance around because we were really loud, and although we’re hidden from the neighbors, it’s still broad daylight.

“I won.” My lips pull into a grin that hurts my face and Ash laughs. “Come on, big boy.” I slap his belly playfully and pull my body off the ground, collect my leggings and tug them up over my legs. “It’s time to go to the dealership!” I almost bounce up and down, I’m so excited. I love cars. And the fact we’re saying good-bye to the sad little Prius has me filled with glee.

Ash tucks himself into his jeans and pushes up off the ground. He reaches out a hand to me. “As you wish.” His fingers intertwine with mine and we walk into our house, side by side, lovers, best friends, and partners. In this moment my heart is full, content, and well loved. The desire that stirs within for this man is a flammable heat, simmering beneath the surface, ready and waiting to ignite. Some people search their entire life for that spark. But for me, there’s no fire without Ash.

The End

Dear Reader,

Thank you for picking up this copy of Caught in the Flames. I hope you’ve enjoyed Callie’s story and her happy ever after. I relate to Callie in that I too share a slight obsession for men in fire gear. It’s gotta be the pants! But more than that, Callie’s story is an important one because she shows how easily a good person can begin to give up little pieces of themselves to the wrong person, all in the name of love. How after that toxic person is extricated, she is left trying to piece back and recover the person she is; only this time a stronger, wiser, better version of the woman she was. How her friends and family play a role in her self-rediscovery.

I have a little treat for YOU! I’ve written a bonus chapter from Ash’s point of view that will only be available in paperbacks OR by leaving an honest review on the retailer you purchased from. For details on obtaining the bonus scene—and believe me, you will want to read this—please email
[email protected]
with BONUS CHAPTER in the subject line along with a link or screen shot of your review.

Did you know that when I first set out to write Caught in the Flames I planned for it to be a standalone novel? However the further into the story I went, the secondary characters started speaking to me, more and more. Now I have several books in the works that will most likely become a series of interconnected standalones. Out of all the supporting characters in CITF, who are you hoping to read more of? Please feel free to email me at
[email protected]
or find me on Facebook and shoot me a message. I look forward to your thoughts and questions!

As always, thank you for your support, and for spending time with my characters. It’s truly a blessing to be able to write and publish the stories that live in my mind. More so with readers like you.

Much love,

Kacey

Excerpts

Please enjoy this excerpt from Uncovering Hope, book three in the Uncovering Love series, by Kacey Shea.

“Oh, my gawd! Did you see Dr. Fine Ass making rounds this morning?” Jenny giggles from where she sits atop the counter. She’s swirling a plastic spoon through her cup of yogurt, legs swinging haphazardly.

I’m done for the day, having worked a night shift. I stretch my arms overhead and stifle a yawn. Jenny and I have been friends since we graduated nursing school and landed our first RN jobs here at Children’s nine years ago. She always fills me in on the latest hospital gossip. We don’t usually work together, but our shifts often overlap.

“I’m sure that’s not his name.” I grin. My uneaten snacks are still in the breakroom fridge so I pull them out and stuff them in my large purse. My phone doesn’t show any messages or missed calls, and a little sigh of relief escapes. Years have passed, yet I still anticipate bad news. I try not to. It’s a bad habit I’m working to break. My brother and his fiancée take excellent care when my boys aren’t at school.

“If you’re not sure who I’m talking about, then you haven’t seen him. I’m serious, Carly. The doc has mojo. He’s only been here a few weeks and has half the floor walking around with lady boners.” Giggling, she hops down and wraps me in a bear hug.

She’s outrageous, but I chuckle along. “I’m out. I’ve got to get a few hours of sleep before the boys get home. And then I have my brother’s engagement party tonight.” Jenny nods and tosses her empty container into the trash.

“I’ll walk with you to the elevator.” She pulls the door open and lowers her voice as I walk through. “So did you have Mama Bear or Greta the Grouch as supervisor last night?”

I glance around for listening ears before I answer. “Grouch.” I shake my head and shove my hands inside the pockets of my scrubs. “She’s a real you know what, and apparently I’m on her shit list.” I don’t even want to think about it. The soft, cool comforter of my bed is calling me. With the blackout shades drawn, I’ll be passed out in minutes. It’s almost cruel punishment that I still have a thirty minute commute to battle.

“Oh, you don’t have to tell me, girlfriend. Sammie said she’s been after everyone lately. I hear she’s going through a bad divorce, but that doesn’t give her an excuse to be a bitch.” I cringe a little and Jenny gasps. “Oh, gawd. I’m sorry, Carly, I didn’t mean it that way. And I wasn’t even talking about you.”

I muster a smile, “Yeah, I know, Jen. No worries.” I wave as we pass the nurses’ station. Three of my co-workers sit at the desks, huddled together, and likely trading conspiracy theories. In our pediatric oncology unit we are close, a family away from our families, and everyone knows everything about everyone. And if they don’t, they speculate.

“Carly!” Heather calls out. I turn back to find a phone cradled in her neck as she waves me over. “You’ve got a call, hun.” Strange. I pull my cell out to check once more. No missed calls. I wonder who it is.

“I better get that.” I smile at Jen. She pulls me in for a quick hug.

“We’ll catch up later. I should get to work, anyway. Love you, girl!” Jenny walks away and I head back to the nurses’ station. Heather hands me the phone and I lean over the desk to rest the headset over my ear.

“Carly Reynolds speaking.” The line crackles and I push the phone tighter against my head. Silence stretches. I try once more. “This is Carly speaking. How can I help you?”

“Hello.” The familiar gravel baritone sends chills down my spine and I drop the phone. The plastic shell clatters to the desk. My heart hammers in my chest and I struggle for breath. The room spins.

“Carly. Carly, hun, you okay? You’re white as a ghost.” Heather rushes around the desk and grips my arm. She pulls me to sit in an empty chair. I resist the urge to throw up. “Breathe. Just take deep breaths. Is everything okay? The boys aren’t hurt, are they?”
My boys
. I shoot to my feet. I need to get to Eli and Ezra.

“Sorry. I’ve got to go. Heather, if anyone calls here for me again
do not
give them any information, okay?” She nods. A worried frown fills her face.

“You know I wouldn’t, hun. You sure you’re good to drive?”

“I’m fine.” I’m not, though. I turn and race down the hallway, thankful it’s still early enough not to be crowded full of visitors. Pushing out a side exit, I shove the door with all my force, only it doesn’t fully open. A pained grunt sounds instead. A man dressed in scrubs pulls the door the rest of the way open. One hand covers his face. I don’t recognize him, but a great many people work in this hospital.

“Shit, you really got me there.” His eyes blink rapidly, and though I can’t see all his features, his ice blue stare pulls my attention.

“Oh, my goodness, I’m sorry. I’m in a rush and I didn’t see you. Are you hurt?” It’s then I notice the blood seeping between his fingers. “Oh, crap. I think you’re bleeding.”

“You think? You sure you made it through med school with those deduction skills?” he jokes and pulls his hand from his nose. Even though blood trickles down his frowning face, he’s very handsome. And young. And with a full head of hair. This must be Hottie Doc, or whatever they call him.

“Well, I didn’t go to med school, so there’s that.” I pull several clean tissues from my bag and press them firmly over his nostrils. “I did graduate nursing school, so you’re in good hands.”

He moves to hold the tissues in place and our hands brush in the exchange. His eyes widen and goosebumps run down my arms at the contact. I instinctively pull away. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go.”

I brush past him, careful not to touch again. My hands tingle from where he grazed them, and I chastise myself for getting caught up with a stranger at a time like this. I need to get to the boys’ school. See them with my own eyes. Touch them. Only then will I have any chance of getting sleep. I unlock my trusty Camry and toss my bag in first before sliding in. The cool, crisp October morning signals the best Arizona weather is just around the corner.

I take care at each turn and light, refusing to give thought to the earlier phone call lest I get in an accident. My body is tight, muscles taut, and I have to remind myself to inhale.

The boys’ school comes into view. I pull up to the red painted curb and throw my car into park. I don’t give a damn that it’s illegal. I run to the door and press the button to be buzzed inside.

“ID and name, please,” the scratchy voice calls from the speaker. I flip open my wallet, slide the license from its clear plastic holder, and lift it to the tiny camera. “Carly Reynolds, for Ezra and Eli.” The seconds tick by like hours until finally there is a loud click from the door. I reach out and pull it wide.