Trial by Fire (14 page)

He shrugged. “It’s home.”

But she saw how he straightened, the light of pride glowing in his soulful chocolate eyes. This modest little house was his haven, and he wanted to impress her.

He succeeded. Oh, it wasn’t a decorator’s show-place or anything close. But the house was tidy, attractive, and the masculine touches in leather and earth shades were all Howard. His overwhelming presence, his spicy scent with a hint of musk, permeated every nook and cranny, tantalizing her nose. Raising her feminine awareness of him.

Walking over to the brick fireplace, Kat ran a finger down the edge of a framed portrait sitting in the center of the mantel, surrounded by various smaller photos. An attractive older couple beamed from the portrait. The large man was fit and handsome, with salt-and-pepper hair, contrasting with the pretty, petite brunette at his side.

“Your parents?”

“Yes, that’s Bentley and Georgie.” The warmth in his voice was unmistakable.

“They make a fabulous-looking couple.”

“They’re fabulous people.”

She peered at the chief. “You resemble Bentley. Big frame, square jaw, brown eyes.”

“We get that a lot. Most folks don’t realize I was adopted.”

Lips curving up, she studied the smaller snapshots. One was a group photo of six firefighters lined up in front of an engine, five of them men, and one lovely woman with lightly bronzed skin. Black or Hispanic, Kat couldn’t tell. Her dark hair was pulled back from an angular face with striking features, complementing a slender runner’s build. Kat marveled at any woman being able to pass the grueling physical tests required to become a firefighter. Tests geared toward men. How did the woman compete in a male-oriented environment?

The team smiled for the camera, arms draped over each other’s shoulders, the lieutenant towering above the others. If mutual love and respect could be made tangible without words, this picture told the tale of the team’s closeness.

“My brothers,” he said simply.

Kat tapped on the photo. “And sister.”

Howard cocked his head. “Maybe I thought that way in the beginning, when Eve was new. But now I can’t say I think about her any differently from the guys. Although she has her own quarters with her own bunk for propriety’s sake, Marshall’s just one of us.” Howard’s easy manner suggested there wasn’t anything between him and Eve, and never had been.

Interesting. And a bit of a relief, though, under pain of torture she wouldn’t admit to the brief flash of jealousy.

“The rest?”

He pointed at the picture, starting from the left. “Next to Eve is Tommy Skyler, and you’ve met Zack, who took over as the FAO when I made lieutenant. The Hispanic dude is Julian Salvatore, our resident pain in the ass. The tall, brown-haired guy on the other end is my best friend, Sean Tanner.”

Howard’s voice hitched on Sean’s name. Kat glanced at him, catching the look of pure grief, such profound sadness it took her breath away. His melancholy statement from the day before came rushing in.

Sometimes, no matter how strong you thought you were, the damage takes you out of the game.

“The ex-Marine.” She put an arm around his waist, hugging him. “Taking a wild guess here, but is Sean the friend with the sad story you referred to?”

With a heavy sigh, he put an arm around her shoulders, tucking her close. “Yeah. His family was killed in a car accident several months ago. His son, a senior in high school, was driving them home from his football game instead of riding back with his team on the bus, and ran into the back of a stalled eighteen-wheeler. The car burned to a shell with Sean’s son, wife, and six-year-old daughter inside.”

“My God,” she gasped, horrified. “Was Sean hurt?”

“He wasn’t with them. He had to work overtime with B-shift that night.” Howard dropped his chin to the top of her head. “His engine company was called to the scene, and that’s how he found out.”

“Oh, Howard.” She squeezed him hard. “Sweet merciful God. And Sean hasn’t gotten over it. How could anyone?”

“Especially when he found out his little girl was alive after the crash and burned to death before they could get there,” Howard said hoarsely. “Mia was screaming for her daddy. Several witnesses tried to get to her, but she was pinned.”

Speech deserted her. Tears filled her eyes, though she didn’t know Sean Tanner. Mia had been the age of her own precious students, and she could well imagine a father’s horror, rage, and grief.

Howard didn’t have to tell her the man wasn’t doing well. That he’d probably never be the same, if he survived at all.

After a few moments, Howard straightened and kissed her forehead. “Would you like to see the rest?”

Grateful to put aside the awful topic, and feeling somewhat guilty about the ease of escaping someone else’s hell, she nodded. “I’d love to.”

Three bedrooms, the living and dining areas, were filled with sturdy oak furniture suitable for a big man. Including the mammoth king-sized, four-poster bed in the master bedroom at the end of the hallway.

“This is my room.”

Kat’s stomach did a funny flip at the image of his body sprawled on cool, crisp sheets. Naked.

Awareness sparked between them, stretching the sexual tension as taut as a bowstring.

“Yeah. Anyway . . .” Clearing his throat, Howard hurried back down the hallway the way they’d come, continuing the tour. One bedroom had been converted to his workout area, and bristled with equipment she couldn’t name and had no clue how to use.

She’d seen gyms that weren’t decked out this well, and couldn’t help the stab of unease knifing her breast. Howard was physically the most beautiful man she’d ever seen, and she wasn’t naive enough to think he hadn’t had dozens of women. Gorgeous, leggy women who’d complete the other half of a striking couple.

Inwardly, she scolded herself to knock it off. Howard had made it clear he wanted to be with her, and no one else. So far, he hadn’t done anything to deserve her doubt.

“Wow, this is something. Cool setup.”

“But not your thing, as I recall,” he said.

Giving him a narrow-eyed look, she saw he wasn’t making fun and schooled herself to relax. “Nope, sorry. I never had the burning desire to be perfect, just appreciated for who I am.”

His lips quirked. “You think I’m vain?”

“I didn’t say that. I only meant I’ve accepted what I can’t change about myself.”

Digesting this, he nodded thoughtfully. “Just like I’ve accepted what I can.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning I’ll never be scrawny and beaten again,” he said quietly, hands fisting at his sides. “For me, being capable of defending yourself is not about vanity, Kat. We have so little control over our destinies, maybe none in reality. But I can be ready for whatever comes.”

Moved, Kat touched his arm. Her heart ached for the boy huddled inside the grown man, determined never to be vulnerable again. “Nobody’s going to hurt you the way your father did, Howard.”

The shadows in his brown eyes eased, though she wondered at the odd expression that flickered across his face. Taking her hand, he kissed her fingers. “Want to see the deck?”

Subject closed. She took the hint. “Sure.”

He pulled her through the living room, opened the French doors, and stepped out onto a wide, impressive redwood deck meeting the jewel-green backyard dotted with huge trees. She sucked in an appreciative breath.

“This is fabulous!”

He smiled. “Thanks. Bentley and I built the deck together. ” He pointed to a barbecue grill to the right, along with a table covered by a large umbrella and flanked by several chairs. “I’ve got plenty of space for friends to hang out.”

She glanced to the left edge of the deck at a hexagonal-shaped structure. “And a hot tub, too. Lucky duck.”

“All the comforts a man could want.” Hesitating, he leveled her with a heat-filled gaze. “Well, almost all.”

He melted her with a look. Nothing more. Before he stepped close, took her face in his hands, she was already burning up from the raw sexuality blazing in his eyes. If she ever got his clothes off, felt the slide of his naked skin against hers, she’d probably incinerate.

“Kat,” he whispered, voice like sandpaper. Cupping her cheeks, he slanted his mouth over hers. Angled himself to press against her full length. His erection rose hard against her belly, insistent with need.

Kat moaned, twining her fingers in his hair, stroking his tongue with her own. Suckling, loving his spicy taste. Her nipples tightened, grazing his chest, and she arched into him, seeking his warmth. She wanted—
needed
—him inside her, enveloping and protecting her. Wanted to drown in his essence, his flavor. To savor and explore.

Howard broke the kiss but remained wrapped around her, arousal hot and unyielding even through his trousers. His desperate expression mirrored her own as he spoke for them both. “I want you.”

“I—I want you too, Lieutenant.” She smiled to cover her jitters. She’d never been good at the “sex siren” thing.

Unlike his former lovers.

Stop it, Katherine Frances.

His eyes darkened, muscles tightening as his erection jerked, burrowed into her stomach. One highly aroused man, ready to take what was his. But his touch was gentle as one finger trailed her cheek, traced her lips.

“I can wait until you’re ready. As long as it takes. I don’t want anyone else, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Solid and steady. A gentleman who meant every word.

Joy burst in her heart. “And if I’m ready now? Life is much too short,” she mused, thinking of Sean’s terrible loss.

Howard laid his forehead against hers, a tremble shuddering through him. “Then say yes, baby. I need to hear you say it.”

“Yes.” She brushed his lips in a slow kiss. “Yes,
yes
.”

A slow grin lit his face.

Grabbing Kat by the hand, Howard pulled her inside, barely pausing to shut and lock the French doors. They got as far as the living room before he swooped in for another scorching kiss, palms skimming up her sides. His thumbs rubbed her nipples through the sheer blouse, electrifying every nerve ending.

His shaking fingers fumbled with the tiny buttons on her blouse, endearingly clumsy. Freeing the last one, he pushed the material from her shoulders and flicked the front clasp of her bra. Parted the cups and stared in awe.

“So perfect.” Gently, he stroked the swell of her breasts with his fingers. “Let me taste you.”

It wasn’t a request. Kneeling, he nuzzled the swell between the mounds of flesh, licking the delicate skin. She touched his spiky hair, marveling that the man was so tall, the top of his head was even with her chest. Looking up at her, he ran the tip of his tongue in circles, first around one areola, then the other. Making her anticipate the moment he’d capture his prize. Compelling his lover to
watch
what he did, the intimacy as important as the act. His seduction was the most erotic thing she’d ever seen, yet she knew this was only a sneak preview of his prowess.

Howard grazed one taut nipple with his teeth, nipping, sucking, never breaking eye contact. As he pleasured her nipples, a hand slid upward along the inside of her leg to her thigh. Between her legs.

“God, you’re already so hot.” He stroked her mound through the fabric. “These have to go, too.”

In a couple of smooth moves, he unbuttoned and unzipped her slacks, grabbed the waist and slid them off her hips, panties and all. Still kneeling at her feet, he helped her off with her boots and socks, and tossed her clothing out of the way.

Now she stood completely exposed before him, her vulnerability further amplified by his position. She could hide nothing from him, nor would he allow it. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows to catch at the desire in his eyes. Arousal radiated off him in waves, no less than her own.

“Spread your legs for me,” he rumbled, low and dangerous.

Trembling, she complied. Waited.

Two fingers rubbed her slick folds, and she gasped, steadying herself by gripping a brawny shoulder. He spread the moisture along her slit, paying special attention to the little nub. Flicking, sending whorls of delight shooting to her limbs. As he did this, he dipped his tongue into her navel. Sampled.

“Oh, Howard!”

“That’s it, sweetheart. Christ, that little diamond stud drives me nuts.” His palms slid up the outsides of her thighs, then around to cup her buttocks. He pulled her in so close, she felt his warm breath fanning across her sex. “Open for me.”

She shifted to a wider stance, closed her eyes. His tongue dipped between her wet lips, penetrating her entrance slowly. In, out. Mimicking the motion of his absent cock, spearing her very core.

Her fingers dug into his shoulders. “Oh . . . oh, yes . . .”

“Good,” he whispered. “So sweet, pretty, and pink.”

Under his expert ministrations, she
felt
pretty. Adored. Freed. For the first time.

He laved her folds, tongued her clit to the point of torture. Little tremors began in her womb; spread outward with the delicious edge of heat.

Howard paused, swirled her wet clit with his thumb. “Look at me.”

She complied, and her body went hot all over. His feral expression blazed into her soul, telegraphing his knowledge. He knew what she craved. Deserved. And he wasn’t stopping until she received it.