When the Smoke Clears (Interracial Firefighter Romance) (16 page)

I raced toward them. Panic hit my heart, even though I knew my son could swim and would probably be fine. But life wasn’t so predictable anymore. I’d forgotten that when I married, and I’d relearned it the hard way.

Lorenzo’s words came out soft and with no judgments. “They’re going to be fine, and we’ll be right next to them, just in case.”

“Yes.”

“Everything is fine.”

The tension left my chest.

“Yes, it is,” I whispered and exhaled.

The boys hadn’t gone too far. Their little legs slowed the surfboards down more than propelled them forward.

Thankfully, Lorenzo never said anything else. He kept my pace. My husband Ellis would’ve just waved my worry away and yelled that Rich would be fine. He never understood the seriousness of situations. Sometimes, it was okay to use a careful eye.

By the time we got in, the cool water tingled against my toes. It was a perfect match with the warm sun and sand. Silently, Lorenzo trailed behind me, watching my every move and then checking back at the boys every now and then.

Once we got within five feet of the boys, I stayed back to give Rich some room. Although, I was a hovering mother, I did my best to pretend that he had some sense of freedom.

Lorenzo broke the silence. “You’re a fast runner.”

“I’ve been working on my time.”

“Are you a good swimmer too?” he asked.

“Definitely.”

He gestured to Rich. “He looks like he knows his way around the water.”

“He does.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Did you lose someone to drowning?”

Shocked, I walked further into the ocean. The waves rose to my hips. “How did you know?”

“You just seemed extra careful and aware, once your son decided to swim. My mother was like that. She lost her brother.”

“That’s so sad.”

“Yeah. They were kids when it happened.” He touched his chest. “She named me after him.”

“Well, I love your name.”

“Thank you.” He then proceeded to paint me with his gaze. “That swimsuit is. . .”

“Beautiful?”

“No. It’s a clear fire violation. I’m actually wondering if I’m going to write you a citation or just take you straight to jail.”

“Well, I don’t want to get into trouble.”

“You should’ve thought about that before you decided to put that bikini on.”

“It’s not a bikini.” I dragged my fingertips around the crocheted design that held the bottom and top together.

“That’s not fabric. That’s just hints of a pretty pattern on sexy skin. This suit might cause you future problems.”

“Oh, no.” I winked at him. “Then, should I take the swim suit off?”

Words left him. A stunned expression fell on his face, and I laughed for the next couple of minutes as I walked away, further into the water and closer to the boys.

A low groan came from behind me. “Hmmm.”

Chapter 10

Lorenzo

W
e
played in the ocean. Rich, DeShawn, Kassie, and I. She really knew how to have fun. Her laugh rose in the air, flooded out the crash of the waves, and set me on fire.

She was amazing. The full package. A beautiful face, but something loving and constantly rising within her. She possessed splendor within. This woman had more to offer than seductive moans and soft flesh.

And her curves. My God. I gritted my teeth a lot to keep my hands off of her. I prayed for strength and hoped the universe heard me. She had rich brown skin that made you want to caress it on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I wanted to spend hours upon hours massaging her softness on a day, when life stood still, and it rained hard and cold outside while we were safe and warm in bed. No one to bother us or call out our names.

Kassie splashed water on me. “What are you thinking about?”

The sun dipped low beyond the horizon brushing the sky with flurries of dark gold and fire red. Darkness hover above us and the stars danced across the blackness perfectly. Water rippled around us, and appeared more like a mirror than something fluid and constantly in motion.

It looked like black glass and I couldn’t help but lick my lips each time it waved against Kassie’s stunning skin. Drops splattered her flesh. Her damn bathing suit displayed succulent skin and hid the parts of her I yearned to see. That damn swimsuit had me drooling all day as we played around in the sun. I couldn’t keep my hands off of her. Anytime I could bump against her softness and brush her skin, I did.

“Lorenzo?” She splashed me again.

“Yes, Beautiful?”

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

“Things that we shouldn’t be talking about right now.”

Drums beat off in the distance.

The drum circle had formed right before sunset, luring the kids to the interesting sights. Hippies from all over the area grabbed their drums and fire torches, guitars and incense. They wore flowers in their hair and peace signs dangling from their waists. Like gypsies, their skirts flowed around and around and the men’s pants slipped against the sand as they hopped to the tempo. Religiously, they came to the beach to pound a rhythmic sound to the sun and remind us all about that constant harmonious connection to nature.

Weed smoke usually filled the air. I didn’t like the drug use, but everyone always remained calm and peaceful, so I left them all alone.

My twins had come over to us and pulled the boys away. Hope stared at Kassie for several uncomfortable minutes. I had no idea what ran through her mind, but after she looked Kassie over, she smiled, nodded at me, and rushed off with the rest.

The kids now danced with the drums. Their shadows pranced around along the fire torches that outlined most of the musicians.

For some reason, Kassie remained with me in the water. I couldn’t believe my luck. Somehow, I’d broken through a few of her walls. She’d decided to let me in for a few minutes, if only to spend some time in the courtyard of her heart and walk around.

“I’m happy you came to the beach today,” I said.

“Thanks for inviting me.”

“I would love it, if you came again.”

“I might,” she said.

“You will.”

“I may.”

“You will.”

“Do you always get what you want?” she asked.

“No, I just pray really hard, put my dreams out into the universe, and hope to God that I get it.” I twirled my finger in the water. “What are you doing Sunday?”

“Writing.”

“You write every day?”

“I try.”

“You do,” I declared. “And you will.”

“Oh, God. You’re serious.” She laughed. “Anyway, what’s going on tomorrow?”

“Rockstar is the guy that you met earlier today.”

“Mr. Fire and Flames?”

“Yes, he was singing too, and please don’t ever say that to him. His ego is big enough.”

“It should be. He’s talented.”

“Don’t tell him that, either. Anyway,” I traced more lines into the water. “His mother started up a community garden with her church. Everyone in the city basically followed suit. Then, the grants came. It’s been going on for about eight years. She’s holding a harvest party, tomorrow afternoon. It’s a great family event with lots of good food and people.”

“A community garden?” She smiled.

“Yeah. She convinced her church to buy up a block of abandoned drug houses. It took us all a good year to tear everything down, clear the rubble, and level the ground with fertile soil. Now, anyone who lives in Sarasota can have a small plot to grow some fresh fruit and vegetables. We try to promote the garden a lot in the poorer areas. Gardening is good for the kids. It teaches them the power of nature and the fun in hard work.”

She tossed me a funny look.

“What?”

“You’re. . .good.”

“Good?” I asked.

“You sound like a good man.”

“I am.”

“I’m just saying.”

“You’re wondering what’s wrong with me. What I could be hiding behind all the nice things?”

“Yes.”

“So.” I shrugged. “You want to hear all of my flaws?”

“Maybe.”

No, Brown Sugar. I know you’re scared, but you’re going to ask for everything that you want me to give to you. Even this dick, you beautiful fucking temptress.

Maybe?” I moved in closer to her. “Are you ready to hear my flaws or not? Are you ready to admit that you’re interested in learning about me, maybe even dating me?”

She inched back. “Maybe.”

“No. Not maybe. Say it,” I growled. “Tell me what you want.”

She sighed. “I want to hear all of your flaws.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because, I may be interested in dating you, one day.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You want to date me. It might be too soon, so, I’ll be the adult for both of us, and try to take it slow. You feel what’s going on between us, and you can’t ignore it, no matter how much you try. And all day, you wanted my hands all over you as much as I craved to touch you myself.”

“Uh. . .”

“I want to get to know you.”

She exhaled. “Okay. Me too, but. . .”

“I’ll make sure we take it slow.”

The next word came out low. “Okay.”

I tried to look into her eyes, but she hid them from me and the moonlight kept them a secret. “Are we dating?”

“We are. . .talking about possibly dating.”

“Okay.”

Finally, she turned her gaze up to me. “What are your flaws?”

You’re so scared, but don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. I’ll show you how good love can be.

“Here we go,” I said. “I’ve got a temper. It’s taken years for me to keep it together, but I don’t like when people bother someone I care about. I don’t if they fuck with me, but anyone I love, and it’s a serious problem. My temper has never landed me in jail or in any real fights in my adult life, but. . .either way. I’m also a control freak, but I’ve been learning to get a lot of that out on the job. Plus, my twins try my patience enough that I’ve grown a lot these past years.”

She giggled. “Wait until puberty.”

“I’m going to pretend like I never heard that. I’ve delivered several faithful prayers to God and believe that he will answer my hope of them never seeing puberty.”

“I hope that works out for you.”

“It will.”

She giggled some more.

“I also give out more advice than people want to hear. Additionally, I push too hard, when I really want something.”

“These flaws aren’t that bad.”

“Should I go deeper?” I stepped so close to her in the water so that our bodies smoothed against each other. Her breathing increased. I could feel her heart beating loudly between us.

She whispered, “What else?”

My dick grew hard with those low, sexy words.

“I’m a freak, but in the most passionate sense of the word.”

The moonlight glowed along her skin.

“Tell me more,” she said.

“More flaws?”

“No.” The word came out in a low moan. “Tell me more about how you’re a bad little freak.”

“There’s nothing little about me, Kassie.” I gently pressed against her and pulled back, to keep myself calm. Her skin was as soft as I had imagined. “I would caress every inch of you with my tongue and I would take my sweet time doing it. Your moans would keep me hard. I wouldn’t even touch myself. I wouldn’t even want a release. Sometimes, the wait makes it all worth it. I could lick you all day. Just spend hours in bed, kissing your flesh and tugging at those lovely nipples, playing between your thighs until tears leave your eyes and you’re begging me over and over to thrust inside of you, but I wouldn’t. Not until you got on your knees and bounced that lovely ass in front of me a few times. Can you make that lovely ass move?”

She groaned, “Yes. I can drive you crazy.”

There she goes. I knew there was a lioness inside that body.

“One day, I’m going to see that.”

“If you are who you say you are.” With that she walked off, but I wouldn’t let her end our night that way.

I caught her arm and gently pulled her back to me. “You can trust me.”

“Everyone says that.”

“I know, but you’ll see that I am who I say I am.”

“But—”

I drew Kassie all the way to me, pressing her body against mine. So far, she hadn’t asked me
not to
touch her or get too close. “This will be amazing, Kassie.”

She giggled and before she could laugh anymore, not able to help myself, I pressed my mouth to hers and tried to consume every part of her. There was no science to our kiss. It was wet lust and low moans. We both made hungry sounds as though we’d been craving to be touched for a long time, but never found the release.

When we let go of each other, she gazed off at the drum circle breathing in and out like she’d been running.