Dallas Fire & Rescue: Flashpoint (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Cowboys on the Edge Book 4) Read online

  TROY CLOSED HIS eyes and lifted his face into the needle-sharp, cool spray. He’d hated her expression when he’d rejected her offer. She’d made it with sexy confidence, and then her expression had slowly closed. Saying those words and admitting her desire had taken guts, and he’d rained all over her. And why? Sure, he’d feel a twinge of guilt over the fact she’d be pink-cheeked when she faced her guys, but that wasn’t the main reason he’d called a time-out. He wanted her to be sure. As much as he wanted to be sure himself that he was ready for the consequences. She might think this was only about tonight, but he already had more than a sneaking suspicion that making love with her would change his world.

  Everything about Diana pleased him. Her small, curvy frame. Her pale, shoulder-length hair. Her moss-colored eyes. He loved their size, the fact they didn’t tilt upward or downward at the corners, but narrowed into sexy slits when she was annoyed. He couldn’t wait to see them drift lazily closed as he made love to her. Yeah, her eyes were intriguing, but her mouth was what kept him so damn hard. The upper lip was a little larger than the lower with a pronounced bow in the center. Damn his horny hide, but he couldn’t wait to see that upper lip stretched around his dick.

  Troy leaned downward and let the hard spray pound his head. He’d have to jerk off before he rejoined her. No way could he get through an evening of standing close to her, smelling her lovely lemon and flower scent, and not have his body give him away.

  He reached into the soap well and pushed down on the dispenser to fill his palm, then he gripped his shaft, hissing at the first touch because he was so swollen he didn’t know how his skin hadn’t split like a roasting sausage. Palming his balls, he hissed again. Hard as stones, he couldn’t bear his own touch, so he gingerly stroked himself, flexing his hips to drive his length through his fist, imagining his hand was her tight channel. Only she’d be hotter, and his body would be landing against her soft cradle and brushing her small breasts.

  The more he thought about how she’d feel when they were together, the less satisfied he was stroking his own grip. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” he muttered. He let go and spread his legs to let the pressure ease. There’d be no easy fix. He’d be a walking hard-on this evening, and worse, if she didn’t change her mind, if she ended up back here, he’d come the second he slid between her soft folds.

  The glass door slid open, but he didn’t glance backward. His body quivered even before a soft hand slipped around his hip and gripped his shaft.

  “I heard you cursing,” she said, whispering beside him. “And I figured you needed a little help. Let me,” she said, easing her hand up and down his length. “No fucking. I promise.”

  The way she’d said the word, kind of breathless, made him groan. “I’m too full. I’ve been aroused for too long,” he said. “Hurts to even touch myself.”

  Her hand fell away, but then he felt her sliding downward, her soft skin moving along his back and ass, and she crawled right between his legs, turning in the tight space between him and the tiled wall while water sluiced downward, plastering her hair against her head and starring her eyelashes. He held his breath as she settled on her knees and rose high enough to take him into her mouth.

  Chapter Three

  DIANA KNEW HER smile gave her away. But she couldn’t help herself. Her mouth felt puffy, and her lips were a little raw. Anyone looking at her mouth would think she’d been in a heavy necking situation. That the man beside her had kissed her lips until they looked like this. But he had yet to kiss her.

  No, her mouth was chapped because she’d used it to suck him dry. Crudely put, but she owned her action. He’d come shouting, his entire body shuddering with pleasure.

  Yup. She still had it. The possessive way Troy’s hand stayed planted against her lower back told her he wanted more.

  Strange, but her body moved like she’d been the one who’d screamed her satisfaction—languid, lazy, swaying to the beat of the country-rock playing in the firehouse garage. Her breaths were deeper, more relaxed. When she halted to let a fireman pass, she liked the way Troy’s body bumped against hers, and when she turned her head, her hair slid against his shoulder he was so close.

  She glanced sideways and slowly upwards. His mouth was firmed into a straight line, but his eyes smoldered with heat. “How long did you say we have to stay?” she whispered before lowering her lashes to watch him from underneath the fringe.

  “Stop looking at me like that,” he growled.

  “Thought I’d handled that problem,” she said, daring to rub her bottom against him.

  “Just you wait,” he muttered, then jerked his head upward as Chief Thacker approached with his pretty wife, Sherry.

  He held her hand, and they looked relaxed. No doubt they’d had stellar shower sex, too.

  The mayor’s gaze rested on Diana. “I see you didn’t hold Troy’s little stunt against him,” she said, one brow arching.

  “I’ll admit, I was ready to kill him at the time, but he’s been…charming ever since,” Diana said with a grin.

  The mayor laughed and held out her hand. “I understand you’re a teacher.”

  Diana blinked and returned the handshake. How had the woman managed to ferret that out? And why had she bothered?

  The mayor waggled her eyebrows. “Your firehouse. I’ve met most of the men already. They speak highly of you.”

  A pang struck Diana squarely in the chest, casting a shadow on her happy mood. “They’re great guys,” she said, stiffening against Troy.

  Troy’s hand dropped from her back, but didn’t disappear. Instead, he reached for her hand. “A teacher?”

  The mayor waggled her eyebrows. “We’re always trying to fill a shortage at the elementary school. Maybe you’ll consider applying…” She winked and moved on with her handsome husband.

  “You’re a teacher,” Troy said.

  “It’s not a secret. I would have told you.” She stiffened but didn’t know why. His expression told her of his dismay. Like being a teacher and a widow somehow should make her completely off limits. Her lips no longer tingled. They stung. And she wasn’t feeling languid and sexy. Just tired. She tugged against his grip, but he refused to let her go.

  He pulled her toward the refreshment table where he paid for two Shiner Bock beers.

  “So, you really can go anywhere you want. Even Caldera.”

  What does that mean? Gaze narrowed, she turned her head toward him. Never mind she’d already been thinking about leaving San Angelo. Did he think she could just pick up and leave on a whim? That she’d want to move here?

  His blue-eyed gaze locked on her face. “Good to know. That’s all.”

  Diana’s gaze shifted beyond his shoulder. Cade was heading their way. And by the tightness of his jaw, he wasn’t happy. Should she warn Troy?

  Troy was still studying her. “Caldera’s a great place. The canyon’s a huge draw—if you like to hike or camp—”

  “Dee, I’ve been looking all over for you,” Cade said, clapping a hand atop Troy’s shoulder and squeezing.

  Troy winced but raised a brow.

  He knew she hadn’t bothered warning him. Guilt niggled her stomach. “I’ve been right here, Cade,” she said with a tightening smile. She didn’t want an argument, or God forbid a fight. Cade had had a couple of beers from the look of it, and his face was red.

  His gaze flicked over her face and paused on her mouth.

  Couldn’t he just assume her lips were sunburned? Being so protected suddenly felt like a curse.

  He let out a breath, and his shoulders dropped an inch. “You okay?” he said, not bothering to let go of Troy.

  “I’m fine, Cade. Really. Are you having a good time?”

  He quit squeezing Troy’s shoulder and gave the spot he’d clamped a couple of hard pats. “I’m heading out in the morning. Just wanted to let you know in case you needed a ride.”

  She forced a smile she didn’t really feel. “You know I brought my own vehicle.”r />
  “Right, right.” He nodded, and then gave Troy a narrowed glance before bumping his fist against Troy’s shoulder. “She’s special, you know.”

  Troy rubbed his arm. “I know, buddy.”

  Cade jerked up his chin and left.

  When he was gone, Diana pursed her lips and whistled. “That went well.”

  Troy raised a finger and pointed over his shoulder in the direction of Cade’s departure. “I take it that Cade and your husband were close.”

  “Best friends. They came through the academy together.” She bit back a sigh. Friendship like that was a gift, truly it was.

  Troy nodded. “Explains a lot.”

  Diana felt a little sick to her stomach. Too much tension swirled around her. All she’d wanted was a good time. To let go—of her past, her sorrow. But she couldn’t escape it. “I should probably go.”

  Troy sighed, reached out to grip her waist, and bring her closer. He tucked her against his body, his hand pressing gently against the back of her head until she leaned her face against his chest. “Do you want to go home?” he said, his breath stirring the hair beside her forehead.

  She liked the way he held her, gently but firmly. She liked his strong hands, his solid chest. And she liked the way he smelled—of soap and his own musk. No cologne. Just his own fresh masculine scent. “No, I don’t want to go home. But maybe I should.”

  “I think…we should dance.”

  Not the segue she’d expected, and she tilted back her head to read his expression. A smile stretched his lips. She smiled and straightened inside his embrace. “I’m not a great dancer.”

  “I’m probably worse.” His smile widened.

  She couldn’t help it. She laughed.

  TROY FELT THE tension leave her body. She settled deeper against him. Her smile was relaxed without a hint of shadow or worry. So, he could make her laugh. Maybe that would be his gift to her. Her gift was the fact she’d started him thinking about the future. What he wanted for himself. What he wanted to give someone else.

  Right now, he wanted to give Diana a little of the mind-blowing pleasure she’d treated him to in his shower. Lord, the things he’d do to her if she gave him the chance. But right now, he’d promised her a dance.

  The band began playing an old Hank Williams ballad, and Troy stepped back and took her hand. “Let’s have that dance, and then get the hell out of here.”

  She didn’t answer, but she followed him out onto the concrete driveway in front of the bays. Moonlight and a tall security lamp provided illumination, but he moved toward the edge of the drive, wanting a little privacy before he stepped all over her toes. Only the moment he drew her into his arms, she clomped on his.

  She snickered. “I told you I wasn’t any good at this.”

  “I thought you were kidding,” he murmured, then winced when her sharp heel dug into the thinner leather on the top of his boot.

  “I’m not this clumsy with other things.”

  He pulled her closer, partly to save his instep but mostly so he could let her feel what she was doing to him. Again.

  She moaned beside his ear. “My van’s around back.”

  “My truck’s closer.”

  “Think they’ll notice if we just…walk away?” Her hand caressed his neck.

  “We’ll just dance a little closer to the darkness, darlin’.” He led her in a couple of turns, moving them farther from the lamplight. When they were hidden in shadow, he wrapped his arms around her and bent his head to kiss her cheek. She angled her head upward, and their lips met in their first intimate kiss.

  The touch was sweet and soft. Flavored with Texas beer and moonlit passion. He rubbed his lips against hers, tilting his head, inviting her to follow, waiting until she opened. Then he slid inside.

  The kiss was instantly less innocent. He stroked inside her mouth the same forceful way he wanted to drive his cock inside her body.

  A quick inhale sounded. She groaned and bit his tongue.

  He grunted and clutched her full bottom to bring her belly against his hardness. The way she rubbed against him—her breasts and her belly grazing his front—had his heart leaping in his chest. He broke the kiss and tightened his grip on her backside. “Time to go.”

  “Past time,” she said, her mouth open as she panted.

  He moved backward then grabbed her hand. Without glancing toward the firehouse, he pulled her behind him.

  She giggled. Her steps skipped.

  He smiled, but if she’d seen it, she might have gotten a little scared. He was in prey mode. Full on ready to fuck.

  Before he reached his truck, he had the fob in his hand and beeped the locks. He opened the passenger door and bent to lift her, not wanting to wait as she climbed. When he dropped her on the leather seat, she placed a hand on his chest right over his heart. “Hurry.”

  He jogged around the front of the car, opened the door and climbed in beside her. One tap of the ignition button and the engine rumbled. The trip back to his place took too long. He couldn’t look her way, not without having a wreck.

  But she had no such difficulty. Her hand snuck into his lap, and she traced his length through his trousers.

  He spread his legs to give himself room to expand. She cupped him and stroked up and down. When he pulled into his driveway, he shut off the engine, slammed out of the cab, and stalked to her door. When she angled her body to lower a foot onto the running board, he picked her up, waiting as she wrapped her legs around his body and clutched his shoulders. The walk to the front door took seconds. The front door lock had him growling, but then they were inside. He turned, placed her back against the door, and kissed her hard, pressing his cock against the juncture of her thighs.

  He wanted a bed under her back, but he didn’t want to walk that far. So he reached between their bodies, unzipped his pants, and shoved them and his boxers past his hips.

  She hadn’t bothered with underwear, something he’d discovered when he’d clutched her ass in the shadows beside the firehouse. A fact that had fueled his urgency all the way home.

  With his cock free, he raised her, clutching her hard, knowing he’d leave bruises, but after all that had passed between them, he was too far gone to be gentle. His body was on fire. She pushed on the top of her shoulders and lifted herself. He centered the head of his dick between her folds, then clutched her ass again and lowered her onto his shaft.

  Blood rushing in his ears, he closed his eyes as her pussy consumed him. So wet and hot. Already rippling and clenching around him. “Fuck, I won’t last long.”

  “Then don’t,” she whispered, leaning her forehead to his.

  “Damn embarrassing.” And then he remembered he’d forgotten to protect her. He cursed under his breath and lifted her off his cock. “Condom,” he bit out.

  “Oh.” Her eyes popped wide. “But you have some, right?”

  “In my bathroom,” he said, rubbing his cheek against hers, fighting to curb his mouth from letting loose a string of fucks.

  She tapped his chest. “Let me down.”

  He knew he had to. He could hardly walk with her to his bedroom now because he’d trip over his sagging pants. Unromantic as hell. But he didn’t like letting her go.

  Once her feet touched the ground, she turned and ran down the hallway, her dress settling downward with each step. He grabbed his trousers and pulled them up, grimacing as the zipper scraped his cock, then he followed her. A light shone in his bathroom.

  She was busy riffling through drawers.

  Chuckling, he reached past her and opened the drawer with the box of condoms.

  “Finally.” She brushed away his hands and opened the side of the box to extract a packet. Then another. She met his glance in the mirror. “Just being prepared.”

  Grinning, he shook his head. Then he slowly lowered his trousers, this time toeing off his boots and stepping completely out of his clothes while she peeled open a packet and knelt in front of him.

  She rolled t
he condom expertly down his shaft. When she finished, she rose and grabbed her dress just beneath her hips and shimmied it upward, completely baring her body. He’d seen her nude before, when she’d blown him in the shower, but this time, she didn’t look like a drowned rat. She looked like a movie star—her makeup perfect, her hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. The bright light from the overhead fixture revealed every freckle and mole, the sweet rose of her nipples, the dark blonde ruff between her legs.

  And he wanted her to see herself the way he did. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face the mirror.

  Her gaze lifted to his in the glass and locked. Then he traced downward, over her lovely skin and curves, until her gaze followed. When they both returned upward, he noted all those telltale signs of heightened arousal: her pupils were dilated, her nostrils flared, and a lovely blush of color filled her cheeks.

  Troy slid a hand to her belly and pressed the other between her shoulder blades, tilting her slowly toward the counter.

  Diana reached out and braced her hands against the white tiles to retain the position he wanted, leaving his hands free to roam. He began at her shoulders, cupping the corners and massaging them with his palms, thumbs digging into the tense tissue.

  Her mouth pursed around narrowed streams of air, and he wished he could kiss her, but he wanted her to see them in the mirror. Wanted her to feel as well, as he began to move his hands around her front to cup her breasts.

  Lord, he loved them—soft, just large enough to fit the well of his palm—and spiking against his coarser skin. With her gaze dropping to watch, he gently pinched her nipples, twisting and tugging them, until he felt a shiver work its way down her spine. He wanted to feel it against his cock, so he moved closer, sliding his dick between her buttocks.

  She stiffened for a second, but then her eyelids lowered halfway, giving him that look he’d wanted so badly to see—her narrowed eyes, her slack mouth. What he wouldn’t give to fuck her right there, her chest gliding on the tiles as he pounded inside her, but she deserved better for their first time.