Into the Flames (Out of the Ashes #2) (15 page)

“Patience, love
, there’s still so much to explore.”  He continues to feast on my breasts for several minutes.  One more flick of his tongue and I will be undone.  He seems to sense this and pulls back from my body, leaving me cold.  “Oh I see what game you’re playing but there’s no way to beat me here, sweetheart.  Don’t worry I’ll let you come…  But not before I’m ready.  Now where was I?”  He kisses down my abdomen running his fingers lightly against my sides making me squirm.  The friction is delicious and I move to do it again but he stops me.  “Greedy girl.”  He smiles at me and I melt in an instant.  He kisses around my navel before dropping his tongue inside.  His kisses move further south until he reaches the top of my garter. 

He parts my legs and kneels between them before setting to work removing the garter and stockings.  With each strap that he removes he places a kiss to my upper thigh.  When he gets to the straps between my legs, I pray that he will stop his kisses
.  There is no way my body can bear for him to touch my sensitive flesh.  His fingers run over my skin as he delicately unclamps first on one side and then the other.  He then rolls one stocking down my leg before licking his way back up to do the same to the other side.  He presses a kiss to my core through my panties, which are horribly soaked by this point.  My need for him completely evident.  “Fuck, Lauren, you smell so good.”  He pushes my panties to the side and sinks in a finger.  “Is this all for me, sweetheart?  Is this what I do to you?  You have to tell me Lauren or I will have to stop.”  Quickly he withdraws his finger and sinks it into his own mouth to taste.  “Damn, beautiful, I want more of that.  Please tell me that’s what you want too.  That you are mine.”

“Ian…”

“Oh no, you have to do better than that.  I need to hear the words.”  He starts working my thong down my body.  “Better hurry, sweetheart.  Time’s running out.”

“Please Ian.  Please.”

“Still not good enough.”

I sigh in frustration.  Doesn’t he know I would happily tell him what he’s longing to hear if I could only revive the mush that he has made of my senses.  With every last fiber of my being, I grit out.  “Ian, please.  I need you to fill me up like only you can.  God, I love you so much.  And yes, I’m yours.  Always will be.”  I flash a smile proud that was able to get out all the words he needs.  Then just to be defiant I continue.  “Now bring that gorgeous cock up here and fuck me already.”  The smile he had when I first started speaking fades immediately and I worry a little that I made him angry or made him think I wasn’t being sincere.

His eyes glaze over and darken even more.  “Fuck sweetheart.  That dirty mouth is going to have me coming before I even get inside of you.”  Then the smile is back.  “But I really do need to taste you first.”  With that his face dives between my thighs.  His tongue swipes through my folds lapping up all my wetness.  “You taste like fucking honey!  Amazing.” 

His lips wrap around my clit and he sucks causing a groan of pleasure to erupt from my throat. 
He continues his torment of my sensitive flesh as he inserts first one and then a second finger.  “Ian.”  I cry out unable to control myself.  My walls tighten around his fingers and feeling myself fall, crashing into a thousand pieces as my orgasm rips through my body.  He looks up at me sheepishly.  “Can’t be patient at all can you.”  His tongue continues to smooth over me licking up any wetness.  “Well, I guess it’s my turn now.”

He kisses his way up my stomach paying close attention to each breast in turn.  Then his mouth is on mine; his hunger evident in his searing kiss.  He parts my lips with his tongue and pushes in allowing me to taste myself on him.  The sensation is incredibly erotic and I moan in pleasure.

“Fuck, sweetheart.  I need to be in you now.”

“Yes, Ian. Please. Now.”  Broken phrases are all I can manage; I need him in a way I almost couldn’t even fathom.  It was always like this with Ian but tonight it felt deeper. Maybe it was the fact that he made me wait, maybe it’s
our growing connection after everything that has happened with Dean.  I don’t know but I want to be closer to this man and the only way to do that is through fusing our bodies together.  His erection gently nudges my entrance spreading my wetness around before he pushes in fully sheathing himself.  His head dips down and he takes a nipple into his mouth sucking furiously.  My walls clamp down even tighter on his cock causing him to moan deep in the back of his throat.

“Fuck sweetheart.  So fuckin’ tight!  I love this sweet pussy.  Let’s see how I can make you grip my cock when you come.”  I almost come from his dirty talk alone.  The imagery he’s creating in my mind is hot as fuck.  He pushes into me slowly and with the same slow restraint drags his cock back out, rubbing all the right places as he goes both forward and back.

“Ah, Ian!”  After just a few strokes I already feel the sensations building and know that it won’t be long before I crash again.  I hope I can handle the impact.  He continues to punish me with his slow, deliberate strokes for several more minutes before his control gives way and he starts to slam into my body.

My walls grip his cock causing him to moan.  My cries join his as our bodies spiral into bliss.  I feel the fire begin to burn lower and soon am completely lost to the sensation.  My orgasm rips through me just moments before Ian cries out and joins me.  We are both spent and he collapses on top of me, kissing my face and lips.  “I love you so much Lauren.  You have no i
dea what you mean to me but I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you.  You are my everything.”  His sweet words lull my mind as his physical exertions have just lulled my body; I drift off into a pleasant sleep wrapped in his arms. 

Thanksgiving day arrives with no further fanfare.  I have been talking with Marlene and Claire almost daily now planning for our trip to England for Christmas.  Ian plans for us to leave as soon as the doctor clears me and Gavin will join us when we go over.  Claire and Marlene will arrive as soon as Claire finishes the semester.    The preparations for dinner have all gone off without a hitch despite Dean’s shadow hanging over everything.  I keep wishing for news while at the same time I dread what I may hear.

Most ever
yone has arrived by the time I’m getting the last of the side dishes into the oven.  Gavin’s parents, Kathleen and Jonathan, have taken up residence in the living room where football blares loudly from the TV.  Occasionally I can hear the sweet sound of Ian’s laughter filter through at something Jonathan said.  I’m glad to be finished with the cooking so I can join them though Marlene and Claire have been keeping me company at the island in the kitchen.  Thankfully the bruises on my face are fading now.  I have been self-conscious about them but of course no one here today would ever say anything, they all know difficult this has been for me.

“Shall we join the others?”  I smile at Marlene and Claire.

“Of course, dear.  Is there anything else that needs to be done or anything you need help with?  I feel like I haven’t done anything to help you.”

“No,
with the sides that you and Kathleen brought I think we are all set.  The guys put the turkey in this morning since Ian said he didn’t want to wake me.  That was the last of my side dishes,” I nod toward the oven, “dessert is in the fridge so I think it’s time for us to relax as well.”  I pick my wine glass up off the counter and head to the chair where Ian is sitting.  His gaze never leaves my body as I walk toward him though he continues his conversation with Jonathan.

“Ah there she is.”  Jonathan’s boisterous attitude is just what I need today.  There is no reason we shouldn’t celebrate; we are all here together and I will never take that for granted.  Jonathan speaking pulls my focus back, “I think a toast
is in order to our lovely hostess.”  He, Gavin and Ian raise their beer glasses and the ladies raise their wine glasses in salute.

“No need for that.  Everyone helped.  We should be toasting and thanking all of you because there is no way I could have pulled this off without every last bit of help.”  I feel my eyes start to well with emotion.
  The people in this room mean the world to me and I would do anything for them.  Silently I say a thank you to my father and Ian’s for bringing all of us together because I have no doubt that they have been working on this.  “So thank you!”  I raise my glass to the room and take a sip before sinking down into Ian’s lap.

“Nonsense girl.”  Jonathan continues, “You are the only woman I know that could go from everything
that happened last week to this.  You are nothing short of amazing and don’t you ever forget it.”

“Well said
, Dad.  I have been telling her that for ages but she never listens to me.”  Gavin smiles at me.  I’m becoming very uncomfortable with all their praise so am grateful when my phone rings.

I excuse myself to take the call in my room.
 

“Hello.  This is Lauren.”

“Ms. Carmichael, this is Detective Barrows.  I’m sorry to interrupt your holiday but I felt this was important enough to warrant a phone call.”  His words and tone are ominous. 

“No, Detective it’s fine.  And please call me Lauren.  I’m sure if you thought you needed to call today it must be important.”

“Well Ms.…. Lauren, I wanted to let you know that Mr. Marcus had his preliminary hearing yesterday and despite the district attorneys best efforts he was granted bail.  This morning bail was posted.  So I thought I should let you know that Mr. Marcus has been out of jail since about 10:00 a.m. this morning.  I would have called earlier but I was not in when the bail posted and am only just now finding out.” 

Somehow I manage to hold onto the phone but my hand falls away from my ear.  I can hear the detective still
talking but can’t understand what he’s saying.  My legs are no longer able to hold my body weight and I sink down onto the bed.

“Lauren, Ms. Carmichael, Lauren…”  I hear the detective shout through the phone but
I don’t have the energy to speak.  Ian must have been wondering what was keeping me.  He’s on his knees in front of me the instant he sees my panicked state, phone still hanging at my side, face smeared with tears.  He gives me a once over and plucks the phone from my hand.

“Lauren…  Lauren…  Are you still there?”

“This is Ian Jacobs.  What’s going on?  Who is this?”  Ian’s tone is far from friendly and he’s on the verge of smashing the phone.

“Please
Mr. Jacobs.  This is Detective Barrows.  I was just explaining to Laur... Ms. Carmichael that Mr. Marcus was granted bail yesterday at his preliminary hearing and that bail was posted this morning.  I don’t think he will bother her or you as that would violate his bail but I wanted to make Ms. Carmichael aware of the situation especially since he’s attacked her twice already.”

Ian’s face hardens at his words.  They continue to talk back and forth for a few more minutes but I have retreated into my mind and can no longer hear what they are saying to
each other.  After a few minutes, Ian sets the phone down next to me on the bed and wraps his arms around me pulling me into his lap.

“Sweetheart, don’t.  Don’t do this.  I promised you.  He will never hurt you ag
ain.  You’re safe.”  I know he’s trying to comfort me but the fear is all consuming.  The thought of Dean hurting the people I love causes an all-consuming fear to bubble up in me.  “Lauren please love.  We’re all here for you.  Nothing is going to happen to you.”  His embrace tightens and I feel him gently kiss my hair.

I turn my face up to his until our eyes meet.  I don’t know h
ow to explain this to him.  It’s not myself that I fear for; it’s all of them.  Looking into his eyes, a realization hits.  They know what Dean and my mother did, what kind of people they are and all of them are still here, still vowing to stand by me and protect me.  The least I can do is the same for them.  I don’t have all the answers but Dean will never hurt any of them; I vow in that moment.

“Sweetheart?”

“Oh Ian.”  Tears continue to stream.  “What if he tries to hurt one of you?”

“Lauren, you have a protection detail already and I will always keep you safe. 
As for my mother, Claire and Gavin, we’ll just get some security for them until we leave.  Once we’re in England, security on the estate is worthy of the President not to mention the odds of him finding you are not in his favor.  We will fly into London but there will be no travel records beyond that.”  He drops a kiss into my hair.  “Don’t let him ruin our holiday.  Don’t let him in at all.  He’s not even worth your fear.”

“You’re right,
” I say with new resolve.  “I just can’t handle the thought of him hurting any of you to punish me and that is exactly how he and my mother operate.”

Ian’s face pales.  “Love, speaking of your mother…  Did you hear everything the detective said?”

I shake my head.  “No I couldn’t focus after he said Dean wasn’t in jail.” 

“That’s fine.  He filled me in.  Apparently it was your mother that posted bail and made a case for him getting bail at his preliminary hearing.  Well, through the lawyer anyway.  The court made him surrender his passport and there’s a protection order for you so he can’t come near you.  He is also not allowed to leave the state without notifying the court. 
Still I don’t want to take any chances so as soon as you are cleared to travel we’re leaving.  Dr. Somers thought it would only be a few weeks more.  Until then I don’t want you out of my sight or away from your security.”  I want to protest the security regulation.  It makes me feel like a child that I can’t go anywhere or do anything on my own, even the bathrooms have to be checked before I’m allowed to enter; it’s rather overwhelming.  The concern in his eyes is enough to stop my protests.

“
It shouldn’t surprise me that she would do that.  But really what kind of mother would do that, post bail for the man that beat up her daughter?  Well, I guess the answer is mine.  Just promise that you’ll get a detail for everyone else tomorrow.  I don’t want him near any of you!”  My tone is emphatic. 

He hugs me to his chest tightly trying to soothe away the pain caused by both Dean and Natasha.  No point in calling her mother any longer.  She never wanted to be one and I am only fooling myself if I think that will ever change. 
“I’ll take care of it first thing in the morning.  Now we should probably leave this room or everyone is going to be wondering what we’re up to.”  His eyes fill with mirth before darkening with lust. 

“
Whoa there.  Don’t get any ideas.  There will be no sexy time with all those people in the living room so just get that thought right out of your head, mister.”  I give his arm a playful swat so that he knows I’ll be alright and we rejoin everyone in the living room.

“We were beginning to wonder about you two.”  Gavin wiggles his eyebrows at me as if he knows what we were up to in the bedroom.

“Oh stop it, Gav.”  I feel the blush start and know that everyone will assume that it’s evidence of our guilt but Ian jumps to my virtue’s rescue.

“Actually that was Detective
Barrows on the phone with news about Dean.  He’s been granted bail and it was posted this morning so he’s free.  Lauren’s concerned for all of your safety and of course I’m concerned for hers.  This may be a bit of an inconvenience for the next few weeks but I would like to assign security for all of you just as a precaution.”

“That unbelievable bastard.”  Jonathan interjects.  “I wish I could have had him in my courtroom.  There is no way I would have ever granted him bail.  What imbecile sat at his proceedings?”  Sometimes I forget how powerful the people that surround me are.
  Powerful or not though, I know these people love me and would do anything for me.

“I wish you could have presided over the proceedings as well but we both know that would have been a conflict of interest for you.  As to who it was I don’t know the detective didn’t say.”  Ian runs his hands through his hair in clear frustration.

“Well,” John continues, “there is no way he deserves to be out on the street.  He has attacked her twice already.  What more does the judge want for evidence, her dead body?”  Ian’s face loses all color and his hands fist at his sides in anger.  Jonathan steps over and reaches a hand out for his shoulder.  “I’m sorry, son.  That was very insensitive of me.  I’m just speaking out of frustration.  But tomorrow I will find out who was the judge present at Dean’s preliminary.  Do you know who posted bail?”

It’s my turn to answer.  With no emotion, I say, “Natasha, my mother.  Though I don’t really feel like calling her that anymore.  She may have
given birth to me but she never cared about me.  Not the way all of you do.  Not the way Daddy did.”  I can’t stop my tears.  I don’t know if they’re tears for the all the love that I am so lucky to have or tears for the love I will never have from her.  Marlene and Kathleen wrap me in a simultaneous hug. 

“My dear you have us.  I know it’s not the same but we will always be here for you.”  Marlene wipes a stray tear from my cheek.

“Lauren, well other than Gavin, you are like the daughter I never had.”  Everyone laughs at her remark.

“Thanks a lot mother!”  Gavin sputters as he tries to control his laughter around a mouthful of beer.  “Just because I like boys
, doesn’t make me a girl.  No way could I handle all the crap that runs in Lauren’s head all day.  That’s probably why I like men so much, we mean what we say and say what we mean.  And besides without me you wouldn’t get to enjoy all the benefits of having a shopping and spa partner.”

“Now Gavin
, you know I’m only joking.  But I do love you like a daughter, Lauren.  You turned Gavin and I’s couple into a trio and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”

As soon as Marlene and Kathleen release me, Ian pulls me back into his arms.  “Sweetheart, we all love you and would do anything for you.  And as I have already promised I won’t let anything happen to you, to any of you.”

I wipe my eyes and give him a gentle kiss.  “All right, all right.  I know you all love me and you are the best family anyone could ever ask for but if we don’t stop this now the entire dinner is going to burn and I won’t be responsible for that.”

That gets a little giggle from everyone and gets this hol
iday back on track.  “Love, you have absolutely outdone yourself,” Ian beams I set the final dishes on the already heavy-laden counter. 

“Well, I hope everyone doesn’t mind the informality but we will have to fill our plates here and then move to the table as there is no
way our plates would fit with all of this.”

“Perfectly fine, dear.  Plus buffet style prevents everyone from having to pass everything around and then having to eat cold food.”  Marlene takes in a deep
breath.  “Oh everything looks and smells lovely.  I’m so glad you wanted to do this.”

Once everyone has filled their plates, we all take our seats and dig into the food. 
I can’t help but look around the table and think how truly thankful I am for each person here.  Without all of them, none of this would have happened.  I shudder to think where I would be right now without these people.  Finally I begin to hope that this might all turn out alright.