Neil's Fire

An eRedSage Publishing Publication This book is a work of complete fiction. Any names, places, incidents, characters are products of the author’s imagination and creativity or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is fully coincidental. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or any portion thereof in any form whatsoever in any country whatsoever is forbidden. Information: Red Sage Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 4844 Seminole, FL 33775 727-391-3847 eRedSage.com

Neil’s Fire An eRed Sage Publication All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2012 eRedSage is a registered trademark of Red Sage Publishing, Inc. Visit us on the World Wide Web: http://www.eRedSage.com ISBN: ISBN: ISBN: ISBN:

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Neil’s Fire Neil’s Fire Neil’s Fire Neil’s Fire

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Published by arrangement with the authors and copyright holders of the individual works as follows: Neil’s Fire © 2012 by Nacomy Blue Cover © 2012 by Taylor Wade Graphic Design Printed in the U.S.A. ebook layout and conversion by jimandzetta.com

Neil’s Fire ***

One night I had this dream (a nightmare, really). It was about the love of my life cheating on me with his ex. It was horrible and even though I knew I was dreaming I could actually feel this physical pain squeezing my chest. When I woke up, I could not remember the end of the dream but I could remember the pain. So I decided to write down my feelings and next thing I knew I had written a full paged novel but with an ending that was much more satisfactory. Hope you love Safire and Neil as much as I do!

Chapter One October 28th Un-fucking-believable!!! Safire Robins had to be the poster girl for bad luck. Not two minutes after moving into her new apartment, she realized that her ex-boyfriend, who had deserted her for his exgirlfriend, was her downstairs neighbor. It was a nice, peaceful, quiet neighborhood called Babonneau in the northern part of the island of St. Lucia, a Lesser Antillean island in the Caribbean. St. Lucia, famous for its twin dormant volcanic peaks, the Pitons, a World Heritage site, was a small island with an approximate popular of only 160,000 people. Four years before, Safire had hightailed it to Canada like the hounds from hell had been sent to assassinate her. Today was the first day she set foot on the island she had called home for so many years. She was in no way expecting to see him today, and definitely not as her downstairs neighbor. If that was not the worst luck, she did not know what was. Maybe falling into a fiery pit filled with venomous snakes could compare. Dammit! When a four-door blue Suzuki jeep pulled into the driveway designated for the downstairs apartment, she had been curious. Being a social recluse for the last few years, she was ready to make some friends. She needed to start living again, and part of her plan was socializing more. She missed having someone to talk to. Even the most casual of conversations are better than none. She’d had friends from work in Canada, but it was not the same thing. And lo and behold, who’d stepped out? None other than Neil Ryan, her ex. He had been as shocked to see her as she him. The way his jaw dropped, almost hitting the concrete, and the widening of his hazel eyes said as much. Neil was a god amongst men in the looks department. A six-foot ebony Adonis. He seemed almost the same, but older, more refined. 5

Lean and muscular, he had filled out a bit. The blue dress shirt and black pants he wore did nothing to hide the perfection of his body. The shirt molded to his chest as the breeze blew on this late sunny afternoon, faintly displaying all its washboard qualities. His square jaw was covered with day-old stubble that surrounded his luscious pink lips. His dropped jaw showed that his teeth were still perfectly straight and could have been used in a whitening toothpaste ad. By some miracle of nature he had perfectly sculpted eyebrows and gorgeous eyes fringed with lashes any woman would envy. He still wore his black hair close-cropped. The sight of him brought back all the wonderful things he had promised her. Marriage, children of their own, the happily-everafter kind of love. And how he had rudely jerked it all out of her grasp and given it to someone else. The memory of that night four years ago was still devastating. She had believed they were happy, even with their fair share of problems. They met when he was nineteen years old. She had been eighteen. Neither born with a silver spoon in their mouth, they moved into a tiny one-bedroom apartment a few months after they started dating. Since her job as an entry level accounts clerk and his as a construction worker were not the best paying jobs on the planet, they got behind on their bills, but he was working toward a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the local university with the help of a partial scholarship and financial aid. On May 20th, 2006, they had been together for three years, ten months, and three weeks. She loathed the fact she could still remember that. She had been waiting all that unusually hot night for him to arrive from his final exam. All his hard work, and hers, was finally about to pay off. As soon as he found a better job, she would start obtaining an international qualification in accounting while they continued saving up for a bigger place. She had been so excited. Especially because she had news of her own. She was pregnant. She had been on the pill, but apparently it had failed. When she first found out, she was absolutely terrified. The bottom had fallen out of her stomach and her heart had beat so 6

Neil’s Fire hard she feared that it would break the barrier of her chest. She was not ready for a baby. They were not ready for a baby. But then, happiness blossomed from beneath the fear. They were going to have a baby. Though they were not prepared, and it certainly was not the right time, they’d make it work. There was no other option. They were having a baby!! She’d been eager to tell him but decided to wait until his exams were done. She didn’t want him distracted. But he had been an hour late. Then two hours. Three. Unable to reach him on his cell phone, her excitement turn to worry. What could have happened? He was usually home on time unless he went out with his friends, but when she phoned them, none seemed to know where he was. She was ready to call in a missing person report when finally, at eleven o’clock, he walked through the door. The sight of him started a slow, pulsing ache in her pussy. No matter how many times she saw him, her body always reacted that way. Like it was preparing to receive his cock. At the thought of his cock, she felt cream drip onto her panties. But one sight of his face shut down her libido. Something was wrong. Very wrong. His clothes were not rumpled. He had no visible wounds. But he looked like he had been hit by a train. He was shaking. His normally glowing ebony skin had taken on an ashen hue. She rushed up to him. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Not knowing what to expect, she was shocked into silence at his words. “Lily-Ann’s pregnant.” Her confused mind grappled for an explanation. Lily-Ann? LilyAnn Michaels? His ex-girlfriend? Why would he care? Why did he look so… devastated by the fact? Did he still have feelings for Lily-Ann? He’d had an on-again, off-again relationship with Lily-Ann , who’d grown up in the same neighborhood, until they broke up for good not a month before Safire met him at a street party. She had 7

suspected that he still had some attachment to his ex, but nowhere near this scale. He looked crushed. She continued to looked at him, not sure what to say. Her heart was breaking at the depth of his feelings for another woman. “The baby is mine.” No. This had to be a joke. Right? A small hysterical laugh broke free as she said, “This isn’t funny, Neil.” But no one was laughing. “She called me about two months ago. Said that she needed my help, so I went over to her place. I really thought something was wrong.” He paused as if gauging her reaction so far. She was frozen. He continued, “When I got there, she confessed that it was only an excuse to get me there. She wanted to talk. I stayed. We talked. That’s all I intended to do, I swear to you. We started drinking and… and we had sex.” She searched his face for any clue that it was not true. It couldn’t be true. Could it? Could it? It was. “She told me today. After the exam.” She could feel her heart shatter. The pieces hurt so bad that suddenly every bone in her body weakened, became almost impossibly heavy and ached with a slow steady throb. She felt tremors start to rack her body. It was suddenly very cold. Dreadfully cold. “When?” He didn’t pretend to not know what she was asking. “The last time I went out with the guys. It only happened once, I swear.” Was that supposed to make her feel better? “Did they know?” Would the humiliation not end? “Yeah.” Her laugh was bitter. “Did you have a good laugh at my expense, huh? Is that what I am to you? A joke? Who else knows? Am I the only one who doesn’t?” 8

Neil’s Fire “No one else. Fire, please… I… I love you, Fire. I never meant to hurt you. Please—” She cut him off, his struggle for words doing nothing to make this any easier to accept. “So you had sex with the tramp, then came home and lay down next to me. On our bed. Like nothing had happened? Oh my God, Neil.” Something else occurred to her. ”We made… had sex after you fucked her!” It was not a question. She already knew the answer. Somehow that made what he’d done much worse. His eyes lowered guiltily. She barely heard his answer. “Yes.” “Why? How could you do this to me? You said you loved me, Neil. You said we’d grow old together. Was it all a lie?” The whisper was forced through trembling lips. “I do love you. More than anything. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. You have to believe me. I’m sorry.” He reached for her. She jerked away, her palm warding him off. She would not be able to stand his touch. He was sorry? You said “sorry” when you stepped on someone’s foot. When you forgot a birthday. Not when you fucking trampled on that person’s heart, grinding it into a bloody mass of nothing but hurt and pain. “You liar!” Now she was screaming. He cringed as her condemnation, the pain and anger she felt, swung at him like a physical blow. “You love me? You love me? Were you thinking about that love when you were fucking that slut? Were you?” She spat the words at him like they were poison. “You bastard!” Guilt made his eyes bright in the dim light. “I never meant for this to happen. I swear, baby. It was only one time. One time. I’m sorry. Please. Please, forgive me.” Shaking her head, she backed farther away from him, tears spilling down her cheeks. She had no idea when they had started flowing. Her hand brushed her stomach and the reality of her own pregnancy came crashing down. Maniacally she started laughing. Her life had turned into some kind of ghetto soap opera. 9

He looked at her as if she’d gone mad. She laughed harder as her tears flowed unchecked. He held his hands up in an I-mean-you-no-harm gesture, taking one step toward her. Too late. The harm was already done. “Baby? Fire?” His pet name for her pushed over the precarious edge and she flew at him, fists swinging. She connected with his jaw once before he wrestled her to the ground, his weight pinning her to the floor as he restrained her hands. The sight of his bloodied lip gave her no satisfaction. The difference in their strength just made her angrier. Her body continued to writhe. Her heart demanded a pound of flesh. She needed for him to hurt like she did. A pound of flesh was not enough. She fought harder. “You bastard! I hate you. I hate you.” Her shout bounced off the walls and echoed in the small room. “Baby, please stop.” His pleas went unheard. “Get off me! I’m gonna rip your heart out, you motherfucking asshole!” He rested his cheek against hers and the wetness there caught her attention. Was he crying? What did he have to cry about? He was not the one hurting. She was. He was not the one cheated on. She was. He was not the one pregnant. She was. And Lily-Ann. Suddenly all the fight left her body. She was defeated. The pain was too much. Violent sobs racked her body. She couldn’t control them as her broken heart was squeezed by the huge weight on her chest. All her muscles spasmed painfully. Noise roared in her head, beating an excruciating tattoo on her brain, pain so bad she wanted to die. Her body went lax, Neil let go of her arms and held her tightly, murmuring, “I’m sorry” over and over, his own tears dropping into her hair. His arms roamed over her hair and arms as if trying to heal the wounds he’d caused. 10

Neil’s Fire His presence was suffocating. She pushed at his chest weakly. “Let go of me.” He lifted his head and looked in to her eyes. She ignored the pain shining in his. He had done this to them. With a quiet intensity she said, “Leave.” He rested his forehead on her, whispering, “Baby, Fire, I’m sorry.” His apology only sent more stabs of pain through her chest. She did not want to hear his words because they were just that. Words. They could not take away the pain he had caused. “Leave.” He looked straight into her eyes, and what he saw there made him get off her. She curled into a ball and cried. And cried. Through the haze of pain she finally heard the door close behind him. And she cried harder. The next day, she moved out of their apartment, unwilling to face him again. For a while she stayed with her aunt, Milly, who lived in Cedars, a community on the outskirts of Castries, St. Lucia’s capital. She had been hiding out in her bedroom most of the time, barely eating. With no appetite, she had to force something down. She needed to care for the baby. Sleep offered no solace. Her dreams were a muddled mess of laughing and dancing with Neil, her belly swollen with their child. Then their happiness shattered like broken glass as Lily-Ann walked up to them and kissed Neil in front of her. He returned her kiss, they joined hands and walked away. She would wake up silently crying with tears streaming down her face. The pain in her lower abdomen and back had been a steady constant ache, like the onset of her menstrual cycle. She had ignored it. That pain was nothing compared to the one in her heart. But as night approached, the pain got increasingly worse. When she tried to rise from the bed, sharp pains rushed up and down her spine. She cried out. Her aunt had come running in. She could not remember anything after that except waking up in the cold hospital room hours later. 11

Before the doctor said anything, she had known. She could feel the difference. The loss. She had completely broken down after that, blaming herself. If only she had taken better care of herself. If only she had eaten more. If only…. She had fallen into a state of depression and was in the dark mentally for few months. She switched between extreme bouts of anger at herself, then at Neil. If Neil had been faithful, their baby would still be alive. If only she had—whatever—her baby might still be alive. The guilty thoughts of all the things she could have, should have done ate her alive. She isolated herself, not wanting to see or speak to anyone. Her aunt had tried to comfort her, saying “It’s gonna be okay.” It wasn’t okay. It would never be okay. And she was tired of hearing it was. She had begged her aunt to keep her miscarriage a secret. She knew that she would not be able to handle anyone else’s sympathy or their pretending to understand. None of them could possibly understand. She would go crazy if one more person said “I’m sorry.” She had been so desolate that she barely noticed her move from St. Lucia to Canada not a week after her miscarriage. Her aunt had made all the arrangements, knowing instinctively that Safire needed to distance herself from all that had happened. She could not remember the flight, or arriving in Toronto, though she did remember the burst of cold. The first few months there were a blur. But one day she glanced in the mirror and did not recognize the person looking back at her. Dull, listless eyes stared back at her. Her hair was a complete mess, limp and lifeless. Her skin had an unhealthy gray color. She’d lost so much weight it was scary. A whole year of her life had passed her by. Seeing herself in such a poor state shook her. She realized it was time to pick herself up and dust herself off. And she had. Slowly but surely. She found a job doing payroll at a small family-run restaurant and bar, and started her schooling. She threw herself into those two things, focusing all her energy on them, not giving herself time to 12

Neil’s Fire think or feel. And it had worked, somewhat. Another three years went by and she completed her studies in record time. Now she was back. She had been offered a position to be proud of as a chartered accountant at a very prestigious accounting firm. She knew that she would one day have to find some closure for that part of her life. It was partly the reason she returned. She was tired of running. It was time to settle the traumas of the past. Naturally, she also knew that she would have to face Neil to do so. But she had always pictured it in a controlled situation where she knew beforehand the time and date. She had not prepared for this. Needing to retreat, she hurried back up to her new apartment. Her name on his lips was the last thing she heard before closing the door. “Fire!”

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Chapter Two Neil Ryan was absolutely shocked at the sight of his onetime girlfriend, Safire. He had not seen her since that fateful night when he destroyed all they had built together. The night he hurt the one woman he had loved more than life itself. He’d tried to get in contact with her after she left. At first he decided to give her some space to cool off, but after a month he was desperate to see her. He tried calling her, but her cell phone rang without answer no matter how many times he phoned. He called her family members, hoping to learn her whereabouts, but met a blank wall. Calling her workplace yielded no results, either. Then the cell phone stopped ringing entirely, and he knew she must have changed her number. In his desperation he visited her mother, who had always looked at him like he was the slime of the earth. Most times she could barely manage to be civil to him. That day the gloves had been off and she told him what was on her mind. But only one thing had been clear to Neil. Safire was gone. Anger had pulsed through him like a flaming sword. How could she just up and leave the island without a word? He may have been the world’s biggest ass, but their relationship warranted at least an attempt at salvaging. But despite his anger at her, he was pissed at himself. He’d lost Fire, and he didn’t even have a child. If he could have kicked his own ass, he would have. None of this would have happened if he had just done the obvious. Like keep his cock zipped in his pants. Shit! But he had not given up. He had tirelessly tried to obtain a number, any number to reach her. No one knew where she was or how to reach her. The only thing he learned for certain was that she had left with one of her aunts. Safire’s family was in no way close to him, so her mother and a few cousins were his only points of contact. It was like getting information from a mime. 14

Neil’s Fire It was as if she’d dropped off the face of the planet. He sent endless e-mails. None were answered. Social networking sites yielded no results. Nothing. She had disappeared. God, he had missed her so much. The tiny apartment felt like a torture chamber. Her scent, light and lemony, lingered for months. Although she was gone, her presence was always visible. The way she had arranged the sparse furniture. The place she put the shampoo in the bathroom. He left everything as it was when she left, hoping she would return. He got a new job in the Ministry of Communications and worked his butt off so that he had no time to dwell on his mistake and its consequences. But each night, returning to the empty apartment, he had nothing but time to admonish himself for his actions. After months and months of waiting and no answer to his emails, he had to accept the truth. She was not coming back. Knowing that, living alone with all the reminders of her became more than he could endure. He had moved across town. The sound of a passing vehicle snapped him back to the present. He pulled his keys from his pocket. Ensuring that his jeep was locked, he entered his apartment. Inside the two-bedroom apartment, he toed his shoes off. The digital clock on the microwave said that it was 6:42 PM. The twilight of the setting sun sparkled through the heavily draped windows. He usually grabbed hold of his cell phone to order a pizza as soon as he got home. That was the extent of his culinary skills. His mother sometimes cooked meals and stored them in the refrigerator, saving him from starvation or death by overdose of take-out and pizza. But today he had no appetite. Sighing, he unbuttoned his shirt and walked into his bedroom, not bothering to turn on any lights in the almost-dark apartment. His new apartment was simply laid out, but roomy. The front door opened through the kitchen, which he obviously had no use for, on into the living room. The hallway to the right led to a bathroom and two bedrooms. His bedroom had a master bathroom. He had been living here more than two years, but never took the 15

time to decorate or add any personal touches. The kitchen had the bare essentials, stove, refrigerator, microwave. The living room furnishings consisted of a brown leather corner suite, center table, flat-screen television, game console and music set. His bedroom contained his bed, two side tables—only because they came in a pair—one dresser and a wardrobe closet. The second bedroom doubled as his office. He went through the bedroom to the bathroom where he did turn on the light. He discarded his dress shirt and black pants in the laundry basket. His mind never left the woman upstairs. The landlord had said someone would be arriving today. Was she his new neighbor? Or was she simply visiting someone? A man? The thought sent an unwelcome flash of possessive jealousy through him. Guilt quickly followed. He had no right to feel that way. He’d given up all rights the night he slept with Lily-Ann. At the thought of Lily-Ann, a flash of anger shot through him. Pushing down the anger, his mind returned to Safire. That night should never have happened. He still cursed himself for hurting the one person who had stood by him, good times and bad times, flaws and all. Safire. Her name still sent a spearing jolt of heat through his body. And that heat went straight to his cock. It always stirred at the thought of her and how good they had been together. Way, way more than good. Explosive. Intense. Powerful. Seeing her today, he realized the depth of his feelings had not lessened. Not one bit. A thousand emotions had surfaced, erupting with the force of a newly awakened volcano. Guilt, happiness, surprise, sadness, relief, anger, hurt. All these emotions competed to rise above the rest. Love and sexual arousal were at the forefront. God knows he had tried to stop loving her. He tried to get back on the horse and had started dating, but everyone he went out with came up short compared to her. Their personalities were wrong. The way they smelled was wrong. Their smiles were wrong. They 16

Neil’s Fire were just… not right for him. Only after he’d judged several women this way did he realize he was comparing them to Safire. That whatever he did, no woman would replace her in his life. In his heart. Worse, he’d had sex with two women since their break-up, just to scratch the itch, so to speak, but he felt like he had cheated all over again. Those women were not Fire. Only she would ever satisfy him. Not only his dick, but his very core. Naked, he went into the shower. Adjusting the temperature, he let the warm water relax his tense muscles. Its heat brought back a special time he’d made love with her, fiery, hot and fast. It had been a weeknight, and she had been wrapping up her hair. Doing those little things women did before going to bed. She was wearing only lace boxer shorts and a little wisp of material she called a pajama top. No bra. On her right hip was a tattoo with the Japanese symbol for “true love” and his name printed beneath. Possessive pride shot through him, seeing his name on her. His matching tattoo, on his shoulder, branded him with her name. Seeing her had aroused him. Well, more like aroused him more, because he seemed to walk around in a state of semi-arousal when she was present. It was as simple as that. All it took was the sight of her. Wearing nothing but long pajama bottoms, he’d walked up behind her, trapping her between the sink and his body, his hands on her waist. There was no mistaking the erection he sported. She responded like she always did. Instantly. Willing and ready. “You look so fucking hot tonight.” She giggled and said, “That’s what you always say.” “Because it’s always true.” She wiggled her bottom against him. “Is that for me?” A groan rumbled through his chest. “All for you, baby.” She flashed a quick smile that drew his attention to her lips. Lips he knew tasted like dark chocolate, sinful and decadent. Lips that seemed especially designed for wrapping around his cock. He groaned again. 17

Jesus H. Christ. He was going to come before he even entered her. No, we can’t have that, can we? He wanted to feel her tight pussy squeezing him when he came. His hands travelled up to her breasts. “Do you have any idea how much I want you?” Their weight filled his hands. Perfect. Her ass wiggled against him again. “I think I do.” The husky quality of her voice shot straight to his groin. He pinched her nipples through the fabric and her head tilted back against his shoulder. Never one to let an opportunity pass by, he captured her lips in a scorching kiss. He brushed his tongue against her lips, seeking access. Access granted. Thrusting his tongue into her mouth, he tightened his grip on her breasts. She moaned, pushing harder against his weeping cock. He knew exactly how she liked it—a little pain mixed with her pleasure. His tongue touched hers in a sweeping motion. Never one to be passive, she gripped his head and took control. Angling his head the way she needed, she thrust her tongue more aggressively into his mouth. His groan was muffled by their joined lips, his hips thrusting on their own accord against her behind. Needing to be closer to her, he spun her around, lips still clinging to hers, and hoisted her up onto the counter. Her thighs wrapped his slim hips. Wanting, no, needing to get even closer, he angled her hips so that her pussy fit snugly against his cock, her panties and his pants preventing him from ramming into her. Her panties were already wet. Shit! Mimicking the action of their tongues, their hips bucked against each other. He could hear her breath hitch in her throat. The sensation was so sweet, yet so agonizing. Grabbing the top of her sleeveless pajama top, he pulled it down. The sound of the fabric tearing resounded in the small room. He gripped an exposed globe in each hand, pushing them up. Those breasts were made for his eyes only. This touch only. His. 18

Neil’s Fire He released her lips. “I love your breasts.” She answered by moaning deep in her throat. He swooped down, giving each pointed nipple a long lick. Capturing a pinkish brown nipple between his lips, he sucked hard. Her sweet moans mingled with his harsh breathing, bouncing off the wall of the bathroom. “Baby, yes. That feels so good.” Her broken cry only fanned the flames of his desire. Using his tongue, he pushed her right nipple to the roof of his mouth and lashed it mercilessly. She thrashed helplessly against him. He could feel her pussy throb against him as her cream, smooth and silky, soaked through his pants and bathed his aching cock. His cock answered with a matching rhythm as the tip wept. He bit down on her nipple. “Fuck. Yesssss.” Her hiss reverberated loudly in the room. The need in her voice caused his hips to involuntarily slam against her with a sudden intensity that sent her crashing into an intense orgasm. “Oh my God. Neeeilll!!” Her short nails raked his back as she arched and her hips lifted off the counter. Grinding harder against her, he dropped her nipple with a pop, needing to see her face as she climaxed. The sight of her orgasm always gave him pleasure. Each and every time was different, but no less special. Her eyes took on a heated glazed look and her breath hiccupped in her throat before slamming out of her on a loud, loud moan. Beautiful. She was the noisiest woman he had ever been with. The vocalization of her pleasure pleased him to the point of climax. Her lips were swollen from the assault of his and her cheeks glowed with that special hue of satisfied woman. Her hair was mussed, his fingers having destroyed her careful preparation. Her wet pussy still rubbed against him. He could feel shocks flow from her body, vibrating through his. The smell of her cream wafted up to his flaring nostrils. He would love nothing more than to strip her panties away, spread her legs and eat that pussy until she came again. And again. And again. To gather up all the wonderful cream 19

he knew would be pooled there. Had he been a stronger man, he would have done it, but his cock was bursting at the seams and he needed to get inside her. Now. Too impatient to pull away, he pushed his pants down as he tore her panties, exposing her to his imminent possession. “Sorry.” His untruthful apology was met with a “Hurry.” “You want this?” Taking his cock in one hand, he rubbed the mushroom head against her vulva, up and down her slit. Her cream dripped in a steady stream onto the counter top. She moaned. He beat the head of his cock against her clit and she cried out as her body arched farther into him. One, two, three, four, five times in quick succession. “Yes, Neil. Give it to me, baby. Give me your hard cock. I need you.” Impatient, she pushed against him. Using one hand on her hip to hold her steady, he placed the head of his cock at her opening. And rammed into her. She screamed. “Fuck,’” he shouted. She was so tight. He was, not to brag, a bit larger than average, length and breadth, and he always made sure she was ready before penetration. He did not want to hurt her. She was more than ready this time. Her internal muscles grabbed at him, massaging his length. He paused. His back and thighs tingled with the stark need to come in her warm, gushing vagina. Wanting to draw out the moment, he started moving in and out of her with slow measured strokes. Guessing his intentions, she seized him by the ears. Looking into his eyes, she commanded, “Fuck me.” Her words set him off. He clutched the back of her head and plundered her mouth. And fuck her he did. Hard. Fast. Deep. Three thrusts later, her spasming pussy clamped down on him in a death grip as she came again. He pulled his mouth away from hers to look into her eyes. He loved how she kept her eyes open during orgasm. It was like a window to her soul. Every emotion was visible. 20

Neil’s Fire His muscles clenched as his hips pistoned in and out of her pussy. The friction was exquisite when her muscles clenched around him rhythmically. He felt like he was freefalling from an enormous height, experiencing an intense, blissful moment of freedom, yet unbearably tense, waiting for the final earth-shattering event. And when that moment arrived his testicles tightened to his body. He felt his cock swell even more, become even harder. He wanted to slow the moment to enjoy the feelings coursing through his veins, but the buildup was so intense there was no way of stopping it. Suddenly he felt her muscles tighten even harder on him. “Neil, I’m coming. Yes, fuckfuckfuckfuck, fuck!” An impression of a million fire ants started at his toes, worked its way up his legs, ending at the base of his cock tingling in a painpleasure sensation. He felt like a gate had opened, and his seed gushed into her with every thrust. Her shout was forced through clenched teeth. He buried his face against her neck and his mouth latched onto her chin, licking and sucking as hips jerked in a helpless movement. He fought the urge to bite down. Oh God. He had the impression he was dying, but it was the sweetest, most wonderful death possible. He felt like his head had blown off. His hands on her hips tightened in a bruising grip. He ground against her and pushed his cock against her womb as her muscles milked him dry. So warm and wet. Home. If there was ever an out-of-body experience, this was it. His head felt so light it seemed that it was no longer attached to his body. He had no idea how much time had passed until his brain was able to process one thought. Wow. They held each other tightly. Aftershocks still shook both their bodies. He could feel their combined juices run down his legs. She was stroking his sweaty back in gentle, comforting strokes. He did not know how she found the strength to lift her arms. His were still clenched on her hips. He made a profound effort to loosen his 21

fingers. The moment was ruined only by the guilt he felt. In a moment of weakness, he had betrayed his passionate lover not more than a week ago.

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Chapter Three Neil jerked out of his daydream to feel his cock standing stiff as a friggin’ pole curved toward his stomach. He was wearing the largest erection he he’d had since, well, since that night four years ago. The damned thing was standing at attention and waving at him if to say “Please make use of me.” Needing relief, he grabbed hold of his pulsating dick. Bracing himself against the bathroom wall with his other hand, he let his head fall forward, eyes closed. The water beat down on his back. With the image of Fire in his mind he started pumping his hand, back and forth. Fire had always been beautiful. Deep brown eyes a man could get lost in, and so expressive her every emotion was readily available in them. When she was aroused her pupils dilated, making them appear black. She still wore her hair the same, curly and loose. “Bra strap length,” she called it. He could still remember the way those curls felt brushing his skin when they made love. Her lips, so juicy and delicious. They were a masterpiece, skilled at bringing him to a climax with almost no effort. The sweet suction. Pulling him in. Slowly letting him go. Holy shit. His breathing grew harsh. Her caramel-colored skin would flush pink when she was aroused, from the top of her head, her breasts, all the way down to her pretty little toes. He loved the way she moved with an effortless grace that set things jiggling in all the right places. Every part of the female anatomy was God’s gift to men as far as he was concerned, but he was an ass man. Oh, yes. His hand pumped harder. Back and forth. Back and forth. The sight of her ass had brought on—and probably would alway summons—the image of holding on to her ripe hips as he plunged his cock into her tight pussy while he fucked her hard from the back, smacking her ass as she moaned in ecstasy. 23

Back and forth. He had always loved a woman with curves. A “thick” woman. A real woman. One that could withstand the force of his passion as he rammed his body into hers, one who gave as good as she got. And Fire had been that woman. Passionate and generous. Back and forth. Harder. Faster. He remembered the feel of pounding into her welcoming body as she strained against him. Wanting more. Everything he had to give. She always had been wet for him, gushing, her pussy warm like an internal blazing furnace. Her muscles would grab onto him, making him feel like he had arrived home at last as they squeezed him. Harder. Faster. Her pussy was the prettiest shade of brown-pink. The sight of her spread out for him was pure heaven. Her folds would open like a rose with her erect clit jutting out, seeking attention. Her cream, like white pearl drops, would shimmer over her swollen center. He had to taste her. Sin with a hint of tang. That’s what she tasted of. Harder. Faster. He thought of the feel of her as she climaxed around him, how her flesh would tighten, sucking him farther in as her limbs wrapped tighter around his body as if she never wanted to let him go. Her nails would scotch his back. She always kept them short, so the damage was never too much. The sight of the tiny scratches on his back always aroused him. She had branded him with those tiny marks. Just as he branded her. Faster. Harder. Faster. Harder. Harder. Faster. “Ahhh.” He tried to stifle the sound of his pleasure as he felt the tingling needles furiously attacking his back. He glanced down at this cock. The engorged head was so red it had taken on a purple hue. His precum mixed with the drops of water and streamed down his cock. Their tracks made him imagine that it was her fingers trailing over him. He pumped and pumped, his cock playing a game of peek-a-boo beneath his fist. He imagined it was her pussy bouncing over him. His seed shot from his body in furious squirts, mingling with the falling water, washing down the drain. His hips worked in time with 24

Neil’s Fire his hand with helpless thrusts. He came and came, endlessly. His lungs burned, trying to drag in enough air, and his head felt so light he was surprised he didn’t float away. His knees weakened as a prickling sensation raced across his skin. Only his stiffened hand against the tiled wall kept him from sliding to the floor. His eyes closed helplessly against the assault. All thoughts left his head at that moment. Weak and disoriented, drained, he felt the last of his semen shoot from his cock. He felt empty, relaxed, but still unsatisfied, edgy. It was not enough. Only Fire’s body, real and true, would get rid of this restless need he felt. His body slumped against the tiles. He straightened away from the wall, sighing. He closed the tap and stepped out of the shower. Pulling a towel from the nearby rack, he dried himself off. After turning off the light, he went into his bedroom, deciding not to put on any clothing. He did not think his semi-erect cock could stand the pressure. Night had fallen, and the room would have been entirely dark were it not been for pockets of light from neighboring houses and street lamps drifting in. He could see the half-moon from the window. The drapes were pulled back. He lay down on his king size bed and placed a pillow under his head. Sighing, he lay there for a long time, thinking. And only one thought was clear. He wanted Safire back.

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Chapter Four The smell of roses pulled Safire to her bedroom. Intense and concentrated, the scent seemed so real she thought she was awake. Lit by the sunshine streaming in through the window, a trail of red rose petals stretched from the door to the foot of her bed. More petals were scattered abundantly over the sheets. There was a note with a long-stem rose lying diagonally across the white envelope. She went to the bed and picked up the rose. Bringing it to her nose, she inhaled deeply. Wonderful. The smell of roses always made her feel sensual, erotic. Closing her eyes, she trailed the rose over her face, down to her neck, over her breast, her stomach. She shivered and sighed. Opening her eyes, she placed the rose back on the bed and feathered her fingers over the envelope before picking it up. Carefully, not wanting to tear the delicate paper, she opened it and removed the single sheet. It said— Roses are red, Violets are blue Their beauty cannot compare to you. Corny, right? And very unoriginal. Sorry… but very true. She smiled. What I am trying to say is… You step into the room And your scent wraps around me, Sinful and decadent. Your lips tip ever so slightly, A little secret smile A siren’s smile And mine answers. Last night Not a distant memory. Tonight 26

Neil’s Fire I tingle with anticipation. The way you wrap your hair The way you take off those thigh-highs Ever so slowly The way you lick those cherry lips Seductively What you want, what you need, clear With that look I know so well My heart pounds My cock’s ready to serve Now and always Sexy My beautiful Fire My very own sizzling flame of passion Happy Valentine’s Day By the end her heart was pounding and she was ready to melt. And suddenly she knew she was not alone. She did not see him. But she could smell him. Hot and spicy. Manly. She could feel him. Not physically, but his very presence sent a hot blast of arousal her way. The molecules in the air hummed with the sexual tension. She turned and there he was, braced against the door frame with the light from the other room shining at his back. He looked like a dark angel, mysterious and sexy. Even with his tall physique leaning against the door frame, his broad shoulders filled the space. He wore a pair of blue jeans. They were unbuttoned, riding low on his slim hips. His hooded hazel eyes screamed his desire for her. He moved away from the door and stalked toward her like a magnificent beast closing in on its prey. Prey that marveled at all the strength and stealth contained in one creature. Scared but fascinated, she watched with aroused anticipation as he got closer. He stopped in front of her, leaning down to settle his lips over hers as his arms circled her waist, pulling her flush against him. She eagerly met him half way. No words were necessary. Well, none of the spoken kind. Her arms encircled his neck. His tongue brushed against the seam of her lips and hers parted 27

as she sighed. Yessss. He sipped her lower lip like it was fine wine, sucking on it before his talented tongue swept across, his teeth adding a small bite of pain. Nerves that she did not know existed tickled, delighted with being treated so lavishly. He released her lip from its sweet prison to pepper nibbling kisses, angling his head this way and that. Wanting more, she followed his lead. Finally his tongue swept into her mouth to engage in a dance of lick and retreat with hers. Lick, retreat. Lick, retreat. Taking her head between his big hands, he held her still. And plundered. Not in the way one would expect, rough and wild. No. He drank deeply from her, exploring every region on her mouth. Smoothly. Without haste. He teased her senses with a finesse the smoothest player could not imitate, giving her what she needed, then pulling away. She craved more, but wanted to linger in this special moment as time stood still and it was only the two of them. United. In love. In lust. He released her tongue and pulled back slightly. They both sighed, breathing in each other’s air. He dropped one last kiss on her lips and took one step back. Her arms fell to her side. She watched as he unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it down her arms. It dropped to the floor. He unbuttoned her pants next and pushed them down her thighs. They too dropped to the floor. She stepped out of them. She could not say what color they were, even had her life depended on it. Only her lace bra and panties remained. They were red. Maybe. “You’re so beautiful. Breathtaking.” She ran a finger down his chest. “You’re not so bad yourself.” Understatement of the year. He placed a small kiss next to her jaw as he cupped her breasts. He placed another on her chin and his thumbs flickered across her nipples, causing her to shiver. Then another, right on her sweet spot where her jawline met her ear. Another just below that. Then another and another, making his way down to her breasts, placing one between them. He kissed each nipple in turn. Her head fell back on her 28

Neil’s Fire shoulders as she held his head to keep him close. She felt his teeth on her right nipple, tugging gently. The rough lace rasped against her sensitive peak. “Mmm.” Sweet mother of God. Thunderbolts of pleasure raced to her pussy. Her panties were already soaking wet. Her left breast received the same treatment before it was graced with a long lick. She whimpered. There was no other word for the sound that escaped her lips. He returned to kiss her lips and she felt her bra fall away from her heated skin, which already had a fine sheen of sweat. Her nipples brushed the fine hairs that matted his chest. She whimpered again. Again he swept small kisses down her body. So frustratingly slow. So blissfully slow. “You’re killing me.” He chuckled against her skin. “You’ll survive.” She wasn’t so sure about that but, hey, what a way to go. He stopped just above her panty line. Oh, her panties were actually pink. Close enough. On his knees he rested, but looking anything but subservient, he pressed his face against her crotch and inhaled. The sight was so erotic. So sinful. She felt more cream cascade onto her overburdened panties, a drop running down her leg. He caught the wayward drop on his finger tip. Looking up into her eyes, he brought it to his mouth. The vibration of his groan shook her body. “So sweet.” Holding his gaze, she watched him lick a straight line over her lace-covered labia, over her throbbing clit. She actually felt her pupils dilate. Had it not been for his hand holding her up she would have sunk like a limp noodle to the floor. He hooked his hands into the waistband of her panties, pulling them down over her hips, past her thighs until she stepped out of the stretched fabric. He brought them to his nose and sniffed before letting them drop to the floor. She shivered as he kissed the tattoo 29

that resided high on her hip. He looked up at her, his hand cupping her sex, and he said, “Mine.” The possessive glint in his eyes always thrilled her. She smiled. “All yours, baby. Now and always.” He hummed, clearly satisfied by her answer, and placed another kiss over her belly button, his tongue dipping in before retreating. She traced the tattoo on his shoulder and said, “Mine.” His smile made her heart beat a little faster as her pussy clenched. “Now and always, beautiful. Now and always.” He stood then. His jeans were added to the heap on the floor. He wore nothing underneath. She licked her lips. She could almost taste him already. A smoky, salty flavor that burst on her taste buds. His cock was fully erect, hard against his stomach. The redpurple head was weeping for her. The foreskin was pulled back and she could see the faint outline of veins running along his length. “Like what you see?” He chuckled. “You have no idea.” She could hear the appreciation in her voice. Again he chuckled. He secured his hands on her butt cheeks and lifted her. Her legs and arms automatically wrapped around him. Her eyes were level with his. She felt the head of his cock brush against her spread pussy. A shiver worked its way down her spine. Placing her mouth over his, she kissed him, tasting a faint hint of her cream on his lips. She could not remember him moving, but suddenly she was on the bed, flat on her back. Soft petals were crushed beneath her as they caressed her skin. Breaking their kiss, he pulled back, also breaking her hold on his hips. He sat back on his heels and placed a pillow beneath her head. His gleaming chest rose and fell with deep breaths. His cock stood at attention waving its red head at her. The drops of precum beckoned her. She needed to touch him and reached out for him, but he caught her hand. Bringing it to his lips, he kissed each finger before placing it at her side. “Later, love.” 30

Neil’s Fire He reached for something and brought it into view. It was the lone rose. Holding it by the stem, he passed it over her breasts and stomach in an intricate pattern. Her back arched as her breathing hitched. Her sex quivered as her nipples tightened. Moving lower, he opened her thighs, pushing them far apart. Cool air brushed her pussy, doing nothing to temper the heat she felt there. From her view point she could see her cream, white and shiny, over her labia. The hood had lifted off her clitoris. It protruded out from her body. It too was shiny with her juices. Spread, she felt vulnerable but powerful. How could she not as his eyes blazed down on her with heat. The black center of his eyes had expanded, almost covering their green-brown color. She opened her legs even wider. He brushed the rose against her sex. She trembled, the touch was so light. She tried to get closer, but the pressure did not increase. He did it again. Her heavy breathing boomed in the bedroom. Again he did it. And again. Over her labia, between her lips, gently dipping into her opening. Her vagina clenched, hungry for the hard presence of his cock. When the rose touched her clit she practically jumped off the bed. His hands held her steady. She gasped and moaned. The rose was glistening with her juices. Again he swirled the rose over her skin, her neck, breasts, stomach and finally her lips. A trail of cream was left in its wake. He brought the wet rose to his nose and inhaled. He licked the petals and a “hmmm” of appreciation vibrated through his chest. “Beautiful.” When he crushed the petals in his hand, the smell of roses and cream intensified. He opened his hand and the petals rained down on her naked breast. She gasped at the lovely sensation. He tossed the stem to the floor. “Play with your nipples.” His order was immediately obeyed. She pinched them and cried out. “No, no. Gently, baby.” Removing her hands, he showed her what he wanted her to do. 31

Gently he rolled them between his thumb and pointing finger. He stopped and replaced her fingers with his. Instantly she took up action. The feeling was great, but still not enough. The soft nature of his lovemaking held her on the edge of coming, keeping her from that final leap. Trying to relax, her fluttered her eyes closed but snapped them open when she felt his hot breath on her pussy. He was kneeling between her legs, eyes focused on hers. Her fingers stopped their agonizing action. “Don’t stop,” he said. Stop what? His gaze fell to her breast as if he heard her bewildered question. Oh. Her chest heaving, she resumed her action. Her nearly black eyes pleaded with him. She needed to come badly. So badly. “Good girl.” His breath brushed her pussy every time he spoke. Her body jerked in time with his words. Finally, finally, his mouth settled over her nether lips in an openmouth kiss. She could not help herself. She squealed. He growled against her. The vibrations added another dimension of pleasure. “Yes. Baby. Eat me. Eat my pussy.” And he did, his tongue suddenly stabbing deep. Unable to keep her hand at their designated location, she grabbed onto his head and pressed him closer. He stopped. Goddammit! She returned her hands to her breasts. Pressing her thighs high up against her stomach, he resumed with a long lick from her perineum to her clit. He paused and pressed hard. The muscles in her stomach contracted almost painfully and the back of her head pressed into the bed. Her eyes closed as her chest heaved. Colors flew in a wild pattern behind her eyes. Fire began to build in the back of her thighs and spine. He sucked her clit into his mouth and his teeth latched on, scraping gently. She exploded. The feeling started over her clit and spread all through her genital region. The muscles in her stomach tightened as her toes 32

Neil’s Fire tingled before going numb. She felt them curling. She felt more cream rush from her body, running down the crack of her ass. Her fingers tightened almost painfully over her nipples, pulling. Her head felt ready to disintegrate. Tiny needles pricked every inch of her skin as the colors behind her lids detonated into an erratic dance. Twin streaks of hot and cold ran up and down her back in different directions as the skin on her head contracted, pulling her hair tight. She felt him move from between her legs. No! She was not done yet, dammit. Her thighs tried to hold him, to no avail. His weight settled over her, pushing her thighs even higher, and his huge cock slammed into her already spasming pussy. He filled her pussy to maximum capacity as his swollen head bumped against the mouth of her cervix. “God.” Her already orgasming body went wild, the muscles on her thighs visibly tightening. Her hands clutched at his back, nails digging in. He pulled away and slammed home. The position made it almost impossible for her to move. Helpless, she received his thrusts as orgasm after orgasm slammed into her gasping, moaning, screaming frame. Sitting back on his heels, he settled her ass snug against his hips on his thighs, lifting both her feet over one shoulder. His pubic hairs tickled her butt. This pushed him even deeper into her, making him seem impossibly larger. He picked up where he left off and rammed into her quavering vagina. He brushed against her gspot with every thrust. “Oh, God.” She screamed even louder. They would certainly be hearing from the neighbors. “Damn, your pussy feels so good. So fucking good.” His thrusts became short and jerky. He was coming. She felt the first jet of his come against her cervix as he groaned. Then another and another as his hips continued their stabbing motions. Another small orgasm shook her exhausted body. As his orgasm receded, his thrust slowed to a stop. He removed 33

her feet from his shoulder and settled them on either side of his hips. His still semi-hard cock nestled inside of her, he moved his hands to her hips and reversed their position with a tired grunt. They settled and let sleep consume their bodies. His name whispered from her lips as sleep reigned. “Neil.” “Happy Valentine’s day, sweetheart.”

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Chapter Five Midnight, October 29th Safire woke from her erotic dream with a fine sheen of perspiration covering her body and her thighs wet with her juices. The ripples that fluttered through her core did not surprise her. It was not the first time she had wakened in the grip of an orgasm after one of her dreams. Her thighs tightened and the action increased the pressure on her throbbing clit as the fabric of her panties rasped against her. Her internal muscles clenched in a sucking motion, needing something solid to latch onto. Her back arched off the bed and the back of her head dug into her pillow. Her loud breathing bounced off the walls in the dark room. It was not enough. She spread her thighs and pushed the fingers of her right hand beneath the waist band of her panties. Her swollen clit and labia were wet with cream. She stroked her lips and her flesh quavered deliciously as it tightened. She moaned. She added her other hand to the mix and spread her lips. Using her right hand, she placed two fingers on the clitoral hood and made small circles around her clit. The circles got tighter and harder but her body was not willing to jump over the edge. That too was not enough. Removing her hands, she dragged her panties down her legs and flung them carelessly away. She resumed her previous position, thighs spread, feet flat against the bed. Using her left hand to spread her lips again, she bypassed her clit and plunged a finger into her pussy. One was not enough. Two. Then three. God! Yes! Her hips jerked against her hand. She attacked her g-spot, rubbing and stroking. Her thumb hit her clit with every thrust. 35

She could feel the orgasm just within her grasp, but something was missing. Neil’s face flashed into her mind and just like that… Boom! She exploded. Her pussy gripped her fingers as she continued to hit the spot. Her left hand left its designated position and pinched her nipple through the fabric of her shirt. A torrent of cream soaked her hands and dripped onto the bed. She bit her lip, trying to contain her cries. The metallic taste of blood flowed onto her tongue but she was beyond caring. On and on it went. She did not know how much time had passed, but finally her arched back fell onto the bed and her drenched fingers fell limp from her pussy. As the sensation receded, she felt her thighs tremble and her heart pounding in her chest. Exhaustion washed over her, leaving her drained. The smell of her cream was strong in the air. This dream was one of many that had plagued her for the last two years. The scene was the second of their Valentine’s Days together. She still had that poem tucked away, though she would not admit it to anyone. The next day, the neighbors did not confront them about the noise, but not-so-discreet glances had greeted them. Aching in wellused places, she could not have cared less what they said or thought. The envious glances from both males and females had been a constant during the years they lived in the tiny apartment. She felt her small smile quickly disappear. The relaxed feeling evaporated and she pulled her thighs together. She still loved him. The sad fact had been confirmed when she’d seen him so unexpectedly. The fact that she had not dated since their separation should have been a clue. The thought of sex with someone else had never entered her mind. The depressing reality was that those dreams were the highlight of her sex life. The orgasms were good, but they left her feeling empty and alone in her bed. Nothing compared to what his cock and body could do. Before his infidelity, things had been perfect. Well, not perfect. But close. 36

Neil’s Fire He had been attentive and generous, in and out of the bedroom. She never really understood what he had seen in her. She was nowhere near his type. His type was tall, with a barely-there waistline accessorized with high maintenance and a bitchy attitude. Lily-Ann fit the bill to the tee. She was not that girl. Not by a long shot. Short with a generous waistline and breasts that could fit in nothing less than a double-D cup and a butt to boot, she was the exact opposite. She was a man’s woman, comfortable with staying in and watching sports. Going out once in a while was fine and dandy, but she was a homebody. Cuddling on the couch watching a good movie was more her speed. He had seemed happy with the way things were. They had spent many nights at home, just being together, enjoying conversations about nothing in particular, or holding each other in the dark. And of course, the toe-curling sex. Yes, she missed all that. The conversations. The silences. The sex. Being with someone. But not just anyone. Neil. That was the sad truth. She was alone and only wanted the man who had destroyed her heart and soul. She glanced at the digital clock on her bedside table. It was 4:30 AM. She sighed and pushed off the bed. She stepped on something wet. It was her panties. She picked them up. Finding her way in the dark, she went into the master bathroom attached to her bedroom. She turned on the light, deposited her sweat-soaked t-shirt and panties in the laundry basket, and adjusted the water temperature. She took a warm shower, cleaning up the evidence of her wet dream. Returning to her bedroom, she donned another cotton tee and a pair of cotton briefs. Knowing that she would not be able to get back to sleep, she left her bedroom, walked down the dark hallway and through the living room. A snack was definitely in order. She’d had no chance to shop since moving in. All her refrigerator contained was bottles of water, two apples, one bag of M&Ms and a slice of fruit cake, her favorite. She decided to leave the cake for later. 37

With a small bottle of purified water and the bag of M&Ms she wandered back to the living room and sat on the couch with an “oomph”. Remote in hand, she started flipping through the channels. A report on the weather channel caught her attention. Lately there had been some coverage on a weather system with the potential of developing into a hurricane. The latest reports on the storm developing over the Atlantic Ocean were not favorable, but the news was not surprising. It had been raining when her flight landed. Turning the volume up, she listened intently to the announcer’s words. “Currently located 470 km east-southeast of St. Vincent, tropical storm Thomas is developing very quickly and is expected to attain hurricane status with 36 to 48 hours. It is expected to continue on its current path toward the islands of the Lesser Antilles. The islands of Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Martinique and St. Lucia have been placed under tropical storm warning. Wind speeds are approximately 60 mph. “High tides and strong wind gusts are already being experienced throughout these islands. Fishermen are expected to adhere to the small craft advisories and remain in port. “Please, folks, ensure that you have all your hurricane relief supplies and are aware of all hurricane shelters near you. “In related news, the local Creole Day festivities may be cancelled if the storm approaches.” Creole day, or Jounen Kweyol as the locals called it, was an annual celebration on the last Sunday in October. That year it was to be held on the 31st. It was a celebration of the French, African and native influences on the island‘s French dialect and culture. The day was celebrated with a mix of kweyol food, dialect, games, music and dancing. Madras and quadrille or kwadril dress, the national costumes, were always highly visible and the sounds of quadrille and polka music could be heard on every street corner. Traditional square dancing was a common sight. Many venues on the island held their own celebrations. It was an essential and island-wide festival. As the meteorologist continued to drone on, Safire mentally 38

Neil’s Fire checked off the things she would need in the event of a hurricane and added the missing items to her shopping list. Welcome home, she thought. In Canada, hurricanes were one thing she definitely hadn’t missed. On St. Lucia, talk of hurricanes was commonplace with each annual rainy season. There were essentially two seasons in the Caribbean, the “rainy” and the “dry.” The rainy season lasts for half the year from June 1st to November 30th. This year, she’d heard, the “dry” season had been severe with spells and water shortages. Normally around this time of year, people breathed a sigh of relief. The peak of the hurricane season, in September, was over. However, hurricane activity had been high throughout year, she had heard. Personally, Safire never had the misfortune to be around during a hurricane. However, she did have an unfortunate anxiety about rain. For as long as she could remember the sound of rainfall had upset her, sending waves of distress radiating throughout her body. Trying to ignore the thought of the oncoming bad weather, she returned the volume to normal and continued her channel surfing until she found a romantic comedy about a fake proposal. She had already seen it but what the heck? It was a good movie. Remote down, she shimmied and wiggled until her butt found the perfect groove in the softness of the couch. She took a sip of water and dug into her bag of treats. And tried to ignore the thought of Neil only a few feet away from her.

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Chapter Six About ten o’clock that same morning, arriving from the supermarket, Safire pulled her late model Mitsubishi Lancer into her portion of the driveway. Neil’s jeep was parked there too. Not ready to see him face to face again, she rolled her windows up, popped the trunk and pushed the door open. Purse in hand she hurried to grab her packages, wanting to get behind the safety of her closed apartment door as soon as possible. But it seemed that the Fates were really and truly against her. She heard a door open behind her. Then the swing of a gate. Hoping that it was not him, she continued to remove the plastic bags from the trunk, ignoring the presence behind her. But she knew it was him even as she tried to deny it. “Hi.” No mistaking that voice even after all these years. It had that slight undertone that made her think of melted dark chocolate over naked bodies. Smooth but with a rough edge. Now that was an oxymoron if she had ever heard one, but it described it perfectly. You need to act cool. He does not need to know how he affects you. With that in mind, she turned to face him and the little chant flew right out of her head. Due to the difference in their height, her eyes landed first on his neck and the strong column had her swallowing. Up, she traced the length of it, over his now clean-shaven cheeks and until she landed on his lips. Oh, those lips came straight out of every straight woman’s fantasy. She could still remember the full yet firm feel of them. Those pink-brown lips often seemed to tip with internal humor. He bit his lower lip before his pink tongue swiped over the abused flesh and her temperature rose. Trying to break the spell, she tore her eyes away to travel higher. His beautiful bone structure 40

Neil’s Fire produced high cheek bones that glowed with health. Her gaze caught his and immediately she drowned in the green-brown intensity. Those eyes could range from innocent puppy looks to salacious, clothes-stripping lasers. In self-preservation, she tore her eyes away to survey the rest of him. When she saw him the day before, she had not taken the time to really study his features. He had not changed all that much. He had gained a little weight, but it appeared to be solid muscle. He was wearing a graphic black tee and the fabric stretched over the gorgeous bulge of his shoulders and arms before tapering off into large, manly hands. Hard pecs pressed against the tight material, complimented by a set of defined abs. A pair of dark grey cargo shorts hung low on his honed hips. His large feet were encased in a pair of black beach slippers. God he looked even better with age. Like aged wine. “Hi,” she said. He had moved from his balcony and stood only a few feet away. “How are you? You look great.” Yeah right! She had never been in any way thin, and she had gained some pounds during her fight with depression. “I’m good. Um, thanks. You, ah, look good too.” Apparently she was famous for her understatements. Yummy, maybe. Scrumptious, lip-smackingly delicious, definitely. Come on, Fire. Pull yourself together. This is the guy who cheated on you, remember? Apparently her body had forgotten, because she could feel it going soft with desire. Her heart did not seem to care either, busy doing a little happy dance. Her poor brain was trying to throw logic at the treacherous organs but it was losing the battle miserably. Damn. “Do you need some help?” With what? Her face must have shown her confusion because he added, “The bags.” “Oh. No, I’m good.” 41

But he was not listening. He had already moved toward the trunk and was starting to remove the bags. “Neil, seriously. I don’t need any help.” It fell on deaf ears. He bent over, and his pants pulled tight over his oh-so-slappable ass. Oh, yeah. That had not changed either. When he was done, he stood there with plastic bags hanging from his hands and billowing around his legs. There were two small bags left in the trunk. He was looking at her expectantly. Giving it one more try, “Neil.” Gosh, his name sounded good on her tongue after so long. Dammit, Safire, focus here. Clearing her throat, she added, “You don’t have to do this. I can handle it.” “I know you can, Fire. I’m just helping out my new neighbor. Come on. I’ve already got the bags.” He had that stubborn look on his face, the one that told her he was not going to budge. She sighed. “Fine.” She reached out for the remaining bags and closed the trunk with a bang. **** Neil trailed behind Safire as they climbed the stairs to her apartment. She was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans and a simple yellow tank top. From the front, the outfit hugged her curves to perfection. From the back, they molded the twin globes of her ass the same way he desperately wanted to. His cock had already risen in adoration of the flawlessness swaying in front of him. When he heard her car pull into the driveway, he’d decided to seize the opportunity to get close to her. He wanted to put things straight between the two of them and perhaps strike up a friendship. More, if he had a choice. After the way things had ended, he knew he would have his work cut out for him. He did not expect it to be any other way, but Fire was more than worth the effort. No woman had ever made him feel 42

Neil’s Fire the way she did, before or after. If there was any chance he could recapture what they’d had, he would fight for it. But there was one major problem. Did she have a new man in her life? With his cock apparently not satisfied with his fist, last night he had lain awake while that question buzzed around in his head like a fly that refused to die. What if she did have a man in her life? Would that stop him from making a pass at her? No matter how many times he asked himself that question, the answer was still the same. No. He refused to acknowledge that she might have found anything similar to what they’d had. A once in a lifetime kind of love. All he needed to do was remind her of that. And hope she forgave him for his stupid lapse of judgment. While it sounded simple enough, he knew it would be anything but. Therefore, he formulated a four-step plan of attack. Step One: Beg for forgiveness, on his knees if necessary. Step Two: Become her best friend. That way he would have the inside scoop on any romantic developments in her life and promptly sway her away from anything not related to their relationship. Step Three: Get rid of any man in her life. Step Four: Be the man in her life. Foolproof, right? God, he hoped so, because he was desperate. Desperate with a capital D. Her keys jingled and the door opened. He followed inside. Her love for color was apparent in her furniture and decorations. She’d only been here for a few days, yet what a difference from his still-not-decorated place! He followed her to the kitchen. All her appliances were stainless steel, and a small light-brown table with two matching chairs was positioned against the opposite left wall. The kitchen and living room were divided by a counter with two bar stools on the living room side. They were also light brown. The kitchen cabinets were only a shade darker. The counter was covered in a white tile with a small red rose in the middle, just like his. The 43

dividing counter had a stainless steel double sink. Even with still unpacked boxes littered around the two rooms, her apartment made his look like a dump. “Just put everything on the counter.” He did as instructed. Putting down the bags she carried and her purse, she turned to face him. “That was very nice of you. Thank you.” She started moving toward the front door, which she had left open. If that was not a dismissal, he did not know what was. He was not having that. “Your place looks great.” Whatever she heard in his voice probably told her he would not be dismissed so easily. She sighed heavily, not bothering to hide her displeasure. She continued to the door, closed it, and came back to the kitchen. “Thank you.” She started removing items from the bags. “Do you need any help?” “No.” “You sure?” “Yes.” Ah. When Fire became upset, she became stingy with her words. Safire had a quick temper, but her anger usually burned itself out pretty quickly. She was the direct opposite of him. It took quite a lot to get him angry, but once he reached that point, it took a long time for him to simmer down. He knew she did not want him in her space, but he had things to say to her and did not want to put them off. He leaned against the counter to wait her out. She could never keep up the silent treatment for long. She opened and closed cabinets and the refrigerator, placing items on shelves and on the counter. She still did not say a word. He used the time to study her. She still moved with an unconscious grace that he found sexy as hell. Her face was free of make-up and her curly hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail. A few tendrils had broken free of their confines and tumbled around her oval face and down her back. Her tank top started to ride above her jeans and hints of skin 44

Neil’s Fire peeked out. He strained to catch every glimpse of bare flesh. When she leaned over the counter the tops on her breasts greeted him. As she bent to place something in the lower cabinets, the jeans pulled tight across her ass. His cock pulsed with every strained breath he took. Calm down, man. Getting kicked out would really fuck up the plan. He could do nothing about his cock, so he focused on taking measured breaths. By the time she’d put everything away he was controlling his breathing and hoped he looked outwardly composed. He hoped. She stood at the counter opposite to the one he was leaning against, folded her arms and looked at him as if waiting. The action pushed her breasts up and out. She was tapping her foot impatiently. Shit. “What do you want, Neil?” Right to the point, huh? He didn’t pretend to not know what she was talking about. He moved closer to her, but not too close. He did not want to crowd her. “I want to talk to you. About want happened. Everything.” She put her hands up as if to ward off what was coming, no longer leaning against the counter. “Please, Fire.” That seemed to work. She settled against the counter again and refolded her arms. Now that he had the chance, the words suddenly stuck in his throat and he blurted out the first thing that was clear in the jumbled mess in his head. “I’m sorry.” The words sounded so inadequate. She turned her head away and her arms tightened as if comforting herself. He swallowed. This would not be easy for either of them. “I have no excuse for what happened that night. None. And I will 45

not stand here and try to bullshit you. All I can say is that I’m sorry and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” She swallowed and a tear rolled down the side of her face he could see. She reached up and swiped the tear away. Her hands returned to hugging her midriff. He took an involuntary step toward her. He needed to comfort her so badly that his very soul ached. He needed to take away the pain as if it had never been. But her tears gave him hope. Hope there was something of their former relationship to salvage. If she did not feel something for him still, why would she shed any tears four years later? He took the rest of the steps needed to reach her and hesitated as she stiffened. Willing to deal with the consequences later, he put his arms around her. She remained stiff but did not push him away. That gave him the courage to continue. “I’m sorry for the pain I caused you baby. I’m sorry that I ruined what we had. You will never know how sorry I am.” He whispered the words to her, as if they were too intimate to be spoken loudly. “Please forgive me.” That seemed to push past her barriers. Her body slumped against him. Her arms wrapped around his waist and held tightly. His shirt was bunched in her small fists. Silent sobs shook her small frame and the memory of the night he’d confessed was fresh in his mind. His own vision became hazy. He tightened his embraces, comforting himself as much as her. He had been so stupid. But never again.

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Chapter Seven Fire held on tightly to Neil. She could not remember the last time she had been held in male arms. He was the only solid thing as all her ugly emotions came pouring out. The strongest was grief. For all that had been and all that could have been. For their former relationship and her baby. The years that she spent with him had been the best ones of her life. Financially they had struggled, but that had only made them closer because they had been building their future block by block. They had always made the best of their situation. He had always made her feel cherished, wanted, needed. He was romantic, thoughtful, warm and funny. He was a masterpiece to look at. He was a bit on the possessive side, always touching her as if branding her. But that had never bothered her because she had wanted to be his only. She had wanted him to be hers only. And she had wanted everyone to know it. That was why his betrayal had been all the more painful. Standing in his arms, she cried and cried. With each shed tear she felt a little of the pain dissipate. It was a pain she would never truly forget and a wound she was not sure would ever fully heal, but her heart felt a little lighter, a little more free. The sobs died down to hiccups. Soon those too stopped. Taking comfort from each other’s body, they stayed that way for a long time, each coming to terms with the past. She let go of him and moved. Or tried to. His arms tightened briefly, but he released her. She kept her face averted from him. She might have broken down in front of him, but he did not need to see her swollen face and mucus-filled nose. She got some tissues and tried to dry her face and blow her nose as delicately as possible. The noise sounded impossibly loud to her ears. Damn. 47

Throwing the tissues away, she kept her face averted. “Why?” she asked. “I never understood that, Neil.” She could feel him stiffen even with distance between them. Then he sighed, as if dreading having to answer. “Why did you sleep with her? I didn’t see what was so wrong between us. We were in love. Or at least, I thought—” She broke off unsteadily. She swallowed, trying to prevent a fresh bout of tears. “No, Fire. Please don’t ever doubt that I loved you. I wasn’t thinking. I just lost my head at that moment. I know how cliché that sounds, but have no other explanation. I went to her place—” He struggled to find the words. “We were talking about the past and I got caught up in the moment. It was a horrible, horrible mistake. One that I never plan on repeating. Never.” His resolve sounded so sincere that new pain pierced her heart. He must love Lily-Ann in a way that he had never loved her. “Well, I’m sure Lily-Ann will be glad to hear that.” As if she cared. He laughed. A bitter sound. The sound was so surprising that she faced him without thought. He was standing with his legs apart and his hands tucked in the front pockets of his pants. His face was tight with guilt, and his eyes had a red tint as if he had been crying. “Lily-Ann and I aren’t together. We never were. There was no baby. She lied to break us up.” Safire was shocked speechless. “She was jealous of our relationship. She did not want me, but didn’t want anyone else to have me either. At least, that’s what she said when I confronted her. She knew I would never have denied a baby.” “That makes no sense. Didn’t she think you would notice that she obviously wasn’t pregnant?” “I know. She must’ve taken me for the world’s biggest idiot. She was going to pretend she lost the baby.” Anger shot through her system. Her own miscarriage was never far from her mind and the fact that the… the heifer would lie about something so dreadfully life-changing made her see red. “I… I don’t know what to say.” 48

Neil’s Fire “I haven’t spoken to her since then. I hear she married some poor schmuck shortly after.” How did she feel about this new information? Would it have made a difference if she had known earlier? Maybe. Maybe not. She would never know. But she needed to let it go in order to move on with her life. She could not keep dwelling on the past, and she was ready to move forward. She sighed. One step at a time, girl. One step at a time. “It’s not okay what you did. And I’m still angry and hurt, Neil. I not going to lie. I don’t know if I will ever get over it, not completely. But holding onto all these negative feelings have kept me from living for too long.” She paused, trying to get the courage to say it out loud. “I forgive you, Neil.”

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Chapter Eight Neil could have jumped to Heaven and back when he heard those precious words leave her mouth. But he held himself still, absorbing the healing words. They did not magically fix everything, but they were a step in the right direction. Maybe his ridiculous plan might work. Thank God. “Thank you, Fire. You have no idea what this means to me.” To us. “This was a good idea. Talking, I mean. Now we can both move on.” “Yes. Start fresh. Friends?” He held out his hand in a friendly hand shake. She stared at it for a long time. So long that he thought she could leave him hanging. But finally she did reach out and placed her small hand in his. “Friends.” Yes! He felt like he had just won the Nobel Prize. “Can a friend ask for a hug?” He put on his most charming smile. She’d also said that she loved his smile. An answering smile jumped to her face and surprise lit her eyes. It was as if the smile popped out without her consent. Good. She hesitated then said, “Sure.” And willingly stepped into his arms. God, that felt so good. To have her body pressed against his. Warmth emanated from her skin, a soft vanilla fragrance—it was her favorite—that could not disguise the feminine scent that was uniquely hers. Her scent was earthy but refined. Concentrated but subtle. Rich and creamy. The vanilla scent only enhanced it. Her hair tickled his chin and he could smell the lemon shampoo that reminded him so much of a hot summer afternoon. 50

Neil’s Fire “Thank you, Fire.” She did not pretend to misunderstand. She just patted his back in a comforting gesture. Why in hell’s name was she comforting him? He was the one who should be comforting her. This was why he could never get over her. She had this sincere goodness about her, a genuine kindness that shone through. She was the most honest and trustworthy person he knew. She was always upfront with him, even when it hurt. She had not grown up in the most loving environment. Her controlling mother took her frustrations out on her only child. Although his family had not been the richest, he had grown up with a mother who obviously loved him and his sister and made sure they were provided for the best way she could. The only thing he and Fire’s family had in common were absentee fathers, deadbeats who refused to own up to their responsibilities. He felt sorry for the child that Fire had been, but proud of the woman that she had become, self-sufficient and independent while keeping that slightly innocent air about her. The last few years had not been the best for her. He could see it in her eyes. There was a weariness—and a loneliness—that had not been there before, and he knew he’d played a part, a major part, in putting it there. While she was still the most beautiful woman in the world to him, he could see stress lines on her face, and her body had taken on a slightly defensive posture. He had no way of undoing the past, but he could do his best to write over those prior mistakes and make a happy future for them both. Step one complete. **** In preparation for the upcoming storm, St. Lucia’s two airports and all businesses had been closed on orders from the government. Jounen Kweyol festivities had indeed been cancelled. For the islands of Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Martinique and St. Lucia, the tropical storm warning had been replaced by a hurricane warning. 51

On October 30th Tropical Storm Thomas hit nearby Barbados. There were reports of damaged homes and infrastructure and downed power lines. Roads had been made impassible and trees had been uprooted by the angry storm. Hurricane conditions were already being experienced in St. Lucia with powerful wind gusts, heavy rainfall and way, way above-normal seas. Having decided Barbados should not bear the full force of his rage, Thomas swaggered over to the smaller islands, leaving a trail of rain in his path. Gleefully preparing to batter the island, Thomas had become a category two hurricane within hours, wind speeds reaching more than 100 mph. And according to the radio announcer, the slowmoving storm would remaining over the island for many hours. His mass of clouds covered most of the lower region of the Caribbean, so large was his terrifying force. Anyone brave or stupid enough to step out into the storm would have stepped into a simulated war zone. Debris screamed in protest, hitting the street and neighboring buildings while being dragged helplessly by the moaning wind. Trees were uprooted and roofs were being torn from their houses. Rivers had overflowed their banks and the sea lashed the island from every corner with powerful, angry waves. Vehicles and other heavy items were being sucked away by the raging water like sheets of paper. Many homes, some with families still in them, were smothered and dragged away by landslides. The radio announcer was helpless but continued to report the widespread flooding, massive landslides and destruction of property. Many families and friends had lost contact with one another as many roads were made impassible and power was out island-wide with fallen power lines. Soon even radio reception was lost. The only good news was that many people had moved to designated shelters where they were relatively safe from the destructive force of nature.

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Chapter Nine October 31st It was late in the afternoon. The hurricane raged outside. Safire huddled in a blanket on her couch, trying to get some sleep. She hated storms. Hated them. For has long as she could remember, she had been scared of them. She did not know exactly what time it was, but it may as well have been night with darkness protruding through the windows. Windows that she hoped to God would not be broken by flying debris. She had lit a few candles. All the utilities had already been turned off—electricity, water, internet, cable. At least the gas cylinders were full. She had nothing to distract her from the sounds of the terrible force gleefully punishing the buildings of the community. She had tried reading a book gave up when it failed to distract her. A few times she heard what sounded like roofs being ripped from their houses. Her own roof seemed to be holding up at the moment and she was very, very thankful for the small blessing. She had glanced outside now and then, and the sight had frightened her. The wind howled as rain pelted on the roof and hit the windows and doors with bruising force. Branches, broken off from their trees, and other scattered debris were ruthlessly tugged along on the street. The sound of them smashing against the asphalt sounded like the cries of tortured bodies. Earlier, when rainwater started oozing underneath her front door, she had placed some towels to catch the liquid. Every once in a while she squeezed the water out and replaced them. A knock on the door had her jumping half way into the air. Oh my God! Someone was outside in that terrible weather. Completely forgetting self-preservation, she raced to the door and yanked it open. Or at least, tried to yank it open. The wind was a powerful opponent, but at last she won. Barely. The figure looked like that of a man, but in the extremely poor lighting of flickering candles, she was not sure. He wore a hoodie. 53

She struggled to hold the door open. And only then did she question her unconscious decision to open her door to a stranger. She was a woman alone in a storm. No one would hear her scream. And even if someone did, it was doubtful that anyone would brave the hurricane to come to her rescue. Still, she was too kind to leave someone out in this weather. Dammit. Where was a heart of stone when she needed it? The figure shouted something that sounded like her name. The rest of it was blown away by a strong gust of wind that nearly knocked the figure down. Without thought she reached out to help and the wind almost blew the door out of her grip. A hand met hers halfway and she tugged. At least the person seemed to know who she was. The thought made her feel slightly better about letting the stranger in. The man stepped over the threshold. At least, the size of the figure said that it was a man. She struggled to push the door closed. His hands joined hers and his strength made the job easier. The man reached to pull his hood down. He was soaking wet. So was she, she realized as a shiver shook her body. And so was her floor. Her bare feet told her as much. He pushed the hood back, but before she could discern his identity he stepped forward and enclosed her in a tight hug. And she knew who it was. Neil. She would never forget the imprint of his body against her own. He was so warm. That was her first thought. His heat surrounded her, making her forget that she was as wet as he was. The only wetness her brain could process was the one gathering between her legs. Would this attraction—a silly little word that could not convey the strength of what she felt—ever go away? Did she want it to? She did not like the answer that popped into her head before she could deny it. No. Of their own accord, her arms came up to wrap around his broad back. “God. I was so worried.” 54

Neil’s Fire His whisper tickled her ear. The burst of warm air caused her goose bumps to rise higher. A shiver, much stronger than the first, racked her frame as she drew in a large breath. Ah… he smelled as good as always. Rain and man. She watched a drop of water slide down his neck and into the fabric of his hoodie. How she envied that little drop. Her tongue licked the seam of her lips before curling back into her mouth. All she had to do was lean in a few inches and her tongue would be on his skin. She started to lean forward to catch another drop that was following in its partner’s wake. Just a little more…. His arms tightened briefly before he drew away. She missed his heat immediately. She watched the drop move farther and farther away. No! Come back. “Hey. You okay? God, I was so scared.” She felt a blush heat her skin and was glad some of the candles had gone out. Hopefully he could not see the “I want you” signals flashing from her eyes in bright neon lights. “Ah, yeah. Great,” she said. Just wonderful. **** Neil had to literally force himself away from the temptation of Safire’s nearness. He had been in his apartment listening to the updated report that hurricane Thomas had been upgraded to a category two cyclone when the radio reception failed. All he could think about was Fire up here in her apartment. Alone. In the biggest storm the island had experienced in recent history. He knew that storms unsettled her. She’d had an issue with them since childhood. He used to stay up at night whenever it rained, holding her close. They would talk until she fell asleep. Sometimes more vigorous activity was needed. The image of her huddling alone, near tears dealing with this 55

storm, wouldn’t leave his head. When he could no longer bear the thought, he donned a hoodie that offered no protection at all and raced up upstairs. The short trip up the flight of stairs felt like a lifetime. Had it not been for the protection his clothing provided, he was sure he’d had blistered from the force of the rain hitting his skin. Not that the wind had not done its best to rip the clothes off his body. Only the railing gave him a chance to make it up the stairs in one piece. It had been his guide in the poor visibility while futilely trying to dodge small missiles. At one point something made contact with his arm, and he had felt a stinging pain. When Safire opened the door he knew that he had done the right thing. The frightened look on her face told him as much. He pulled her into that hug without thought. He’d needed to feel for himself that she was indeed fine. And damn if his body did not react to her body so close to his. Her clothes hid nothing. He had felt her erect nipples poking him in his chest. Whether it been from the cold or his presence, he did not know. With his arms around her, he felt the curves that had become more pronounced, more exquisite, with the years that had passed. He longed to explore them, to reacquaint himself with them. To mark them as his. The possessive streak he felt for her knew no bounds. He wanted to brand her body, her mind, her heart, her soul as his. And to be marked as hers. In the faint light she looked… delicate. Like a fragile orchid, something to be cherished. The rain had drenched her large t-shirt and shorts. Her hair as well. The curly tendrils were wild around her face, hardly weighed down by the moisture, brushing her chin with a sensual touch. Shit, now he was jealous of her hair. It was touching her in ways that he yearned—yearned —to touch her. He groaned internally. He was sinking to new lows. Knowing that he had to control himself, he pulled away. “What are you doing up here?” was her soft question. “I was worried about you. With the hurricane getting worse, I needed to know that you were okay. I know how rain gets to you. Soooo….” In his estimation, Awkward would describe this moment 56

Neil’s Fire perfectly. “Um… just wanted to know that you’re doing okay.” Shit. He sounded lame. “And you’re okay. I can see that you’re fine.” He passed a hand over his head. He was making a hash out of this. “I should go back down before this gets worse.” Could I sound any more like a moron? “Stay.”

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Chapter Ten The word had flown out of her mouth before Safire thought about it. A brief moment of silence, interrupted only by the sound of howling wind and skin-blistering rain, followed by the faraway banging of a roof hanging onto a house by a thread. “Excuse me?” “S-Stay. I, uh, I mean, it’s not safe to go back out there. So I, uh, I think you should stay. And ride out the hurricane.” The words rushed from her mouth. Damn, did she have to sound like such a brainless idiot? “I mean, I, ah, I am little scared and I wouldn’t mind the company. You know how I hate storms. Unless there’s something you need to do or there’s, ah, someone waiting for you….” She trailed off awkwardly. She’d die of embarrassment if there was someone waiting. “No. There’s no one waiting for me. I’d be happy to ride out the storm with you.” Thank God. That comment sounded loaded with innuendo, but she mentally shook herself. Men like him, gorgeous, did not go for women like her, short and frumpy. That much was obvious from their history. Especially in her current state with her hair aiming to all the points on a compass and her wet clothes sticking to her body, doing nothing to hide her generous curves. “You need to get out of these clothes,” she said. **** Oh yeah. That was more like it. That was Neil’s immediate thought. That statement unfortunately did not translate into “let’s get naked and fuck like bunnies.” 58

Neil’s Fire After getting his hopes—and his cock—up, Fire had disappeared down the hallway and returned with an armful of towels. She had ordered him to remove his hoodie and wet shirt. She then gasped. Instantly he was alert, searching for the source of danger, but she was looking straight at him. At his arm actually. And then he remembered the pain he had felt earlier. “What happened?” She was already at his side, examining the wound. Her soft touch caused him to flinch. And it had nothing to do with pain. “I’m sorry.” She snatched her hand away, obviously not wanting to cause him pain. Shit. “Ah, it’s nothing. Something nicked me when I was coming up here.” She worried her lower lip, watching the small gash as if it were a bullet wound, and at that moment he would gladly have taken a bullet to get her to touch him again. “I’ll have a look at it after you’ve dried off.” She passed him the towels and ordered him down to the hall bathroom to get dry. His hopes were deflated, but his cock had not gotten the message and remained as hard a as club. He returned to the living room in a pair of sweat pants that she’d left in the bathroom for him. They looked suspiciously like his. She had kept them. A warm feeling blossomed in his chest. She was waiting for him in the kitchen. She avoided his gaze. She had lit more candles and mopped up the floor. Towels he had not noticed before lined the bottom of the front door. “Sit.” He sat at the small table. “These are my pants.” It was a statement. Her eyes widened slightly. “Ah, yes, I guess so. I must have taken them by accident. Sorry.” But you kept them. All these years. He left the words unsaid and allowed her to tend his wound. All 59

the while, his heart was bursting with joy. Such a little thing, but so telling. He gazed at the sexy goddess sitting oh-so-close to him and inhaled the scent of rain and the subtle essence of spicy woman. Her dark brown hair was still damp from their run-in with the rain and was already forming its usual curl pattern. The light from the numerous candles lit around the room revealed gold highlights that sparkled. Free of make-up, she looked touchingly young, innocent. But there was nothing innocent about what he wanted to do to her, with her. She was wearing a pair of long drawstring pajama pants with a matching sleeveless top. She was not wearing a bra. It was the most erotic thing he had seen in a long while. The top hugged and released her figure in a teasing pattern. It clung to those womanly curves, showing them off to perfection, and then released. He groaned. The sound came out without his permission. She looked up at him sharply. “Did I hurt you? “Nah, babe. It’s fine.” Even his voice sounded croaky. “You sure?” “Positive.” She looked doubtful but went back to her task. One moment her large nipples, standing like obedient soldiers, poked at the cotton fabric. The next moment they were gone, barely hidden. They drew his attention like a cake drew a fat kid. He needed to distract himself. “So, ah, Thomas was ungraded to a category two hurricane.” It was the first thing he could think of to say. Great, asshole. Remind her of the rain. Her nipples peeked at him again. “Yeah, I heard. The rain’s really coming down, isn’t it?” The pants hugged her bottom, showing off the line of the boxer shorts she was so fond of wearing. She was not a fan of thongs, and he loved that fact she did not feel the need to put on a seduction. Sex appeal oozed from her pores. But still, the few times that she had worn a thong just for him 60

Neil’s Fire had been rather special. Her ass in a thong was a thing of beauty. “Yeah.” Is that the best you can do? “I’m glad you came up. Thank you.” She was done cleaning the small wound, a scratch really, with antiseptic. “No problem.” None at all. For the nipple peek-show he would have braved the hurricane a thousand times. She gave him a little smile and applied a small bandage. All the while he continued to fight for glances at her peek-a-boo nipples.

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Chapter Eleven Safire became self-conscious as Neil continued to silently stare at her with a look she could not decipher. You look a mess, that’s what he’s thinking, she silently bashed herself. No make-up, not that she usually wore all that much. Uncombed hair. No bra. What was she thinking? While she was getting dressed, she hadn’t been thinking about anything other than the naked body of Mr. Yum-Yum a few meters away. Her double-Ds would probably begin sweeping the floor the minute she stood up. And she did not even want to address the fact that he’d recognized his pants. She had taken them by accident when she left. But she’d never had the heart to throw them away. She was like a love-sick puppy begging for a bone. No pun intended. She trained her eyes on what she was doing. Which was bandaging a wound that was already bandaged. Jeez…. She stood suddenly, nearly knocking over a candle. Stupid, stupid, stupid. “Hey. You okay?” His deep voice sent a shiver through her pussy. Not taking her eyes off his ripped arm, she brushed the smooth muscle and answered, “Fine. The cut doesn’t look too deep. I don’t think it will scar.” Shrugging like it did not matter one way or the other, he said, “It feels fine. Thanks.” Slowly, her gaze made its way up over his smooth, toned chest, to his broad shoulders, taking in his ebony skin, and finally to his strong face that could not quite be called handsome, although it was striking. Unforgettable. His full lower lip beckoned her. The Nobel Prize should be awarded to her for the restraint she showed but not leaning in and 62

Neil’s Fire licking that moist lip. She finally met his gaze and said, “My pleasure.” His hazel gaze held her brown one and she could feel herself drowning in it, helplessly, totally out of control. “Would you like something to eat?” She needed to distract herself. She reached for a large t-shirt with a huge question mark across the front and handed it to him. She needed to cover him up before she attacked. That hard chest, rippling biceps and all those other muscles she could not name would tempt any hot-blooded, living, oxygen-breathing female. Maybe even a dead one. She moved to the stove before he could answer. He was still staring. The heat of it burned into her back. Great. Now her huge ass was on display. Nice going, Safire. After placing a kettle of water over a lit burner, she moved to the refrigerator. She heard the sound of fabric moving over skin behind her. Thank you, Lord. “We can have chicken sandwiches. That okay?” “Sure. You know I’m always ready for anything you dish out.” Her startled cry barely registered above the sound of the howling wind. She nearly jumped ten feet in the air. He was no longer sitting at the table. When had he gotten so close to her? His voice was directly behind her. He seemed to be making it a habit of sneaking up on her. She turned to face him. “What can I do to help?” The t-shirt was stretched tight across his chest. “Um… The power’s out, so no toaster. So, ah, you can put the bread in the oven, I guess. The bread’s over there.” She pointed to the bread bin on the counter. He did as instructed. She took the ingredients for coleslaw, tomatoes, lettuces and a bottle of sandwich spread out of the refrigerator along with the chicken. She laid everything out on the counter and started slicing cabbage. Her peripheral vision followed his movements as he split hamburger buns and bent to slide them into the oven. He moved with the effortless grace of an athlete. No wasted motion. 63

She remembered what a thing of beauty he was on the basketball court, all sweaty as those strong arms dribbled the ball and those long legs ran up and down the court. The only reason she’d gone to the games he played was to goggle at his hard body. The showers that followed afterward… well, enough said. Her kitchen seemed a pretty good size to her, but two steps took him from one side to the other. He dusted his hands against each other. “All done.” “Thanks. You can have a sit. Everything will be ready in a minute.” He sat at the table once more. “So how have you been?” “Well, um. Pretty good, I guess. I, ah, I finished my accounting qualification this year. I got a job offer here so I decided to come home.” She said the name of the company that she now worked for. He whistled. “Wow. I’m impressed. Even I’ve heard of them.” “Thanks.” His praise meant more to her than she wanted to admit. “How about you?” “I work for the government. Civil engineer. It’s great job. I love my work. It can be a bit hectic at times, but what job isn’t, you know?” “Congrats. I knew you could do it.” “Thanks. That means a lot.” “How are the guys?” As he told her about the antics of his closest friends, he made her laugh. It felt good. Damn good. And his scent filled her nostrils, making her giddy. “What are we drinking?” Huh? “With the sandwiches?” “Oh.” A nervous laugh left her. “Ummm. I was thinking hot chocolate, but I’ve got coffee and tea. Or juice if you like. Amazing how he still affected her, making her nearly forget everything else around her. How could he have such a calming effect on her, even as he had her hormones jumping up and down? “Mom and sis have missed you.” The statement sent a pang through her heart. They had treated 64

Neil’s Fire her more like family than her own family did. “I missed them too.” She placed each sandwich on a plate along with a side of coleslaw. She moved to set the table as he finished with the chocolate. She brought the plates to the table and he followed with the hot chocolate. She sat and he placed her mug in front of her. Her chocolate was overflowing with marshmallows. He remembered how she liked it. A small smile lifted the corners of her lips before she could stop it. “What’s that smile about?” She looked up at him. “Nothing. This just feels… nice.” He smiled. “Yes. Yes it does.”

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Chapter Twelve For a while there was silence. Or at least as much silence as there could be with a hurricane raging outside. They ate their meal, stealing glances at each other. It was like when they had just met, the heat that had surrounded two people curious about each other. It had been at the Gros-Islet Friday Night Street Party. They were two teenagers on the brink of adulthood, both looking for a way to make their lives better. Music echoed from large speakers and locals and tourists swayed and moved with the beat of several types of music including dancehall, reggae, R&B, local and international. It was not really her scene, but she had warmed to the dancehall and reggae beats booming from the speakers. She loved to dance, and music helped her pack all her troubles in a neat little box and file it in some faraway part of her brain. She and her mother had never gotten along, but lately the tension was escalating. Growing up, her mother dreamed of becoming a world-renowned doctor. An oncologist. But her dreams were cut short when she became pregnant at sixteen. The man— more a boy than a man— who was her biological father denied that she was pregnant by him and ran off to the US to further his own education. He never returned to St. Lucia. Her grandmother, not the most understanding parent, had kicked her mother out, leaving her to bounce from the home of one relative to the next before overcoming her anger enough to finally take her back in. Grandma sincerely hated freeloaders, so her mother had to quit school and start working to support herself while the baby grew inside of her. Her dreams had gone down the gutter as if they had never been. Safire knew her mother blamed her for tying her down to a life she did not want. On her part, she worked as hard as she could to please her mother, got good grades, got into one of the best 66

Neil’s Fire secondary schools on the island. She stayed away from boys, helped with house chores, even got a part-time job to contribute to the household income. But it was never enough. When she graduated from secondary school with plans to obtain an accounting degree, her mother did not even show up at the ceremony. All she said was, “You think you’re better than me? You’re nothing. Nothing.” Those words made her finally realize she would never please her mother. Her mother held onto bitter emotions that ate her from the inside out. She pushed everyone away and drowned her sorrows in alcohol. Needing to get away, Safire set out with no destination in mind, but the beat of the music had attracted her. Their eyes had connected across the overcrowded street as her hips swayed to the lively tempo and their attraction was instantaneous. Even from a distance, something about him called to her. With a smooth movement of muscle he had approached her, and her natural reserve fell away. The time they spent dancing on that street was a mass of sensations as they gyrated against each other. Hips pumped and grinded. Hands explored the skin available. It was all so sensual. Hot. Erotic. “Fire.” His voice sounded far off. “Fire. What are you thinking? You okay?” She crashed back to the present and stared into Neil’s curious eyes. “Fire. What’s the matter?” The passion she felt for him, she would never feel for anyone else. He would always have her heart. Getting into a relationship with someone else would be a mistake. Not just for her. It would be extremely unfair. She would never be able to give all of herself because so much of her would always remain with Neil. Her pussy pulsed, clouding her head. She wanted, needed to feel that passion, that excitement at least one more time. Tomorrow was unknown, but she could have tonight. But first…. 67

He’d said he had no relationship with Lily-Ann, but that did not mean that he was not in a relationship. She looked down at the rest of her sandwich. He had already downed his. Her appetite was gone. For food, at least. “Are you seeing anyone?” she asked. The surprised look on his face was almost comical. He cocked his head to one side as if to say “Come again?” She repeated the question more slowly, making sure that he heard her clearly. “No. I’m not.” Thank God! Inside she was doing the happiest of happy dances. “Are you?” He stared at her with the most intense gaze, as if her answer meant life or death. “Me?” She gave a small laugh. She could not help it. The notion was ridiculous. She had not even looked at another man. “No.” He cleared his throat and seemed to be to suppress a grin. She nodded. Good. That was out of the way. She would never want another woman to feel the way she’d felt. “I don’t want to be alone tonight,” she said. “Of course not. I’m going to stay until the storm dies down. Don’t worry.” He reached over and awkwardly patted her arm in a reassuring gesture. She sighed. It looked like she was going to have to be a little more direct. Sandwich forgotten, she stood and he followed suit. She moved to his side of the table. “Hey, you okay? Oomph—” His sentence ended abruptly as she pushed him back down onto his chair. She knew she was only able to accomplish the task because he was surprised by her action. “Fire—” She placed a finger on his lip. “Ssshhh.” He grabbed her hand but made no effort to move it away. His eyes blazed. That was the only way she could explain it. An inner fire lit up his eyes and they glowed. She remembered that look. The candles did 68

Neil’s Fire not offer sufficient light, but she was sure if she looked closer she would see his pupils expanded, leaving only a faint green-brown ring around them. He wanted this too. She pulled her hand away. He let her go. Clutching the bottom of his t-shirt, she pulled it up and up. Inch by inch of gorgeous chest was exposed. Abs, obliques, pecs. His golden skin, covering those perfect muscles, glittered in the candle light. A fine sheen of sweat sparkled over his skin even though the room was chilly. The shirt covered his face briefly, and then it was lying carelessly on the floor. Yum yum! He was even more gorgeous than before. He was more ripped, more defined. More… just more. And tonight she intended to get reacquainted with every inch of skin. She put one leg on either side of his thighs. Her breasts were level with his eyes. He stared straight at them. Her nipples had already hardened and she was sure that they were poking against her top. He swallowed before meeting her gaze. Slowly she grabbed the bottom of her own top and his gaze jumped to the action. Her fingers ate up more and more of the cotton material. His tongue moved over his lips as if they were suddenly dry. She pulled the top higher and higher and then felt the cool air brush her nipples. She shivered. A strangled sound came from his throat. She tugged her shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.” Her repeated words made him looked up at her, slowly, as if he had to fight to look away from her breasts. His look said he finally understood. “I need you, Neil.” More than I’m comfortable with. She pinched her nipples, one in each hand, and rolled then around. She moaned and her head fell back on her shoulders as her eyes closed. Her hair brushed her back, and goose bumps pebbled on her skin. His breathing became louder. She brought her head up and opened her eyes, looking down at him. His skin was flushed, his cheeks stained and pulled tight. His hands were clenched at his side. The imprint of his cock was very visible against his pants. 69

“Do you need me, Neil?” Slowly she sank down until she straddled his thighs. She let go her nipples to gently rake her fingers over his skin on her way down. Pecs jumped, abs and obliques quavered in her wake. “More than you will ever know.” He fairly growled at her. She wanted to convince herself than his answer meant more than lust. They had always been good together. More than good. Mindblowing. Sitting on his thighs, she immediately felt the hardness of his erection straining against the confining pants. Hmmmm. She licked her lips. That’s what she wanted. He seemed frozen. All his muscles were clenched as if he was holding himself in check. We can’t have that now, can we? She wiggled experimentally and his chest billowed on a deep breath as his gaze roamed her face as if searching for something. She moved until she found the perfect spot with her clit pressing against his cock. She slid forward, stopping only when the tips of her nipples brushed his chest. His cock jumped beneath her. Yes! It had been sooooo long. She started rocking gently back and forth. His cock was now pulsing in time with her movements as her nipples brushed his chest. “I want you, Neil.” He shuddered beneath her, as if a dam had broken with her words. He groaned and seized the back of her neck and kissed her with ferocity that shook her. His tongue pushed past her lips and lashed at her tongue. She moaned in his mouth. This was not a gentle kiss. No sirree. This was an invasion. Pure and simple. Her hips continued to thrust against him in a rough jerky motion and their kiss mimicked the action. Tongues warred and fought for control. She could hardly breathe, but who needed air anyway? At first she thought the loud crash she heard was her heart crashing against her rib cage, but it was one continuous sound and unless she was dying, she was pretty sure it did not sound like that. Pulling away from the kiss was one of the hardest things she had ever done. 70

Neil’s Fire “What was that?”

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Chapter Thirteen Neil groaned against Fire’s lips. His brain had long since shut down, at the moment when she whipped off her top. God! He could not ask for anything more. Safire was in his arms again and all was right in the world. Or it would be, if the hurricane did not destroy their beautiful little island. He’d have thought this was a dream except that his cock felt like it was about to explode. The woman in his arms felt very real. Curvy and warm. Her scent was intoxicating. Her mouth was aggressive against him as her crotch grinded against his. He had no idea what brought this on, but he would take it. She pulled away. No! “What was that?” Huh?!? Neil’s upper head was running low on blood. Way low. All the blood was pulsating through his lower head. It took some time, but Safire’s question finally registered. He, too, heard the crashing sound. She was staring into his eyes and her breathing was labored. Before the little blood that had returned to his brain drained back down to his cock, he tried to answer her. “It sounds like a tree has fallen.” Her hips still rocked against his cock. He wondered if it was a conscious action. Not that he cared, so long as she continued. “It sounded close.” Her skin was flushed all over. Her nipples were stiff and rosy brown in color. “Yeah. But we’re safe.” “The hurricane’s really making a mess out there.” He could manage only a non-committal, “Hmm mmm.” A different kind of storm was brewing inside, and Neil would gladly forget about the one outside. Safire’s lips were swollen from the assault of his, and her cheeks had taken on a rosy hue. Her hair 72

Neil’s Fire was mussed from his fingers. Fingers that were still tangled in her almost-dry curls. He had no idea when he had placed them there. Her pussy was warm over his cock. If he inhaled deeply, he could smell her aroused pussy making his nostrils flare like that of an animal scenting its prey. He would love nothing more than to strip her pants away, spread her legs and eat her pussy until she came and came. Again and again. One of his hands unclenched from her hair and tweaked her nipple. Her eyes went blank and a soft breath huffed from between her lips. His other hand settled on her hip, right over her tattoo. She leaned forward again and her mouth opened over his. Their eyes were locked. She did not kiss him, and he did not move except to flick her nipple again. She made a sound in her throat, a cross between a sigh and a moan. “I want you so much it’s eating me alive, Fire. You have no idea how many nights I dreamt of this. Of you.” All her movements stopped and her eyelids lowered to hide her expression. Shit. You should have kept your big mouth shut. His cock moved away from his thigh as if trying to convince her to resume her action. I’m with you buddy. Her eyes lifted and she gazed at him. “I want you too, Ne—” The rest of her sentence was muffled underneath his lips. He ravaged her mouth. He could not get enough of her. Her taste was addictive. He was like a heroin addict relapsing. Only, Fire was his drug and no amount of rehab would ever make him break the habit. His hands closed over her breasts and she moaned. Had she been wearing a top, it would have been torn to shreds. His hand shifted from her hips to her ass and he stood, lifting her. Her legs wrapped around his waist. The friction of her pussy against his cock was exquisite, but not enough. Not by a long shot. He needed to get rid of these damned clothes. His hand swept out impatiently and dishes crashed to the floor. The crash of the dishes barely registered in his head even as he felt a few drops of liquid soak his pants. He set her down on the edge of 73

the table and pulled his mouth away. “Sorry,” he muttered against her lips, forgetting what he was apologizing for as soon as the word left his mouth. His lips moved to her neck and down to her breasts, dropping hard little kisses. He caught one nipple between his lips, sucking hard as his hand rolled and pinched the other. She arched her spine and moaned as she clutched his head to her. His hips were mindlessly moving against her trying, to get closer. Hitching her legs higher, he pushed his pants down with his free hand and kicked the offensive material away. His cock pumped like a fist as if celebrating its freedom. Her hand immediately found his cock and she swiped her thumb across the head. He let go her nipple with a pop. “Fuck, that feels so good, baby.” His weeping cock rejoiced by dancing in her hand. His hips arched into her hands. His breath bellowed out of his chest. She brought the thumb to her lips and her tongue flickered out and licked. She moaned, then sucked her finger dry. Damn if that was not the most erotic thing he had ever seen. Well no… but still, pretty close up there with her spread pussy or his cock in her mouth. The images did not help his self-control, and his cock swelled even more. “Mmm. You taste good.” Her voice wrapped him further in her spell. Her other hand was slowly pumping his cock. Up and down. Up and down. “Jesus, Fire. You’re killing me here.” She smiled at him. A siren’s smile. Confident in her power over him. Damn. “No, no, no,” she said. “I need you alive for what I have planned for you.” Shit! He could not wait any longer. He had to get inside her. Pulling at her pants, he realized that he had to step back to get them off. Dammit! Pulling away, he unwrapped her legs from his waist. Lifting her butt off the table, he pulled her pants along with her panties down 74

Neil’s Fire her legs and tossed them carelessly behind him. Immediately her legs rewrapped themselves around his waist, pulling him back to the place where he belonged, between those gorgeous appurtenances called legs. His cock met a very wet, very warm pussy. The head of his cock found her slippery entrance like a hound dog on a fresh scent. His hands gripped her hips. She kissed his lips, more of a lick, actually, and pulled back, looking into his eyes. “What are you waiting for? Fuck me, Neil.” It was as if her words pushed his hips forward. His cock slammed into her, sitting him to the hilt. She screamed. He groaned in relief. God, he hoped he had not hurt her, because he didn’t know if he would be able to stop now. “Ah, Fire. Did I hurt you?” But it was like she had not even heard him. Her hands were clinging to his back, sure enough leaving half-moon prints behind. Her back arched onto him, pushing her breasts against his heaving chest. God, those lovely breasts. His hand covered one. It filled his palm and then some. He could feel her heart pounding, like his. Her pussy tightened around him, and it was all he could do not to lose the control that was clinging by snapping threads. “Your pussy feels so good.” She was so fucking tight. And wet. And warm. Shit. He had to slow down. He sucked air into his lungs, closed his eyes and tried to clear the red haze invading his cells. He felt like if he made one move, he would come. No, no, no. That would not do. He had a lot of time to make up for. Although, he highly doubted that coming now would get rid of this erection he had been carrying around since he saw her. Her fingers slid down his back and gripped his ass, pulling him deeper into her. The head of his cock nudged her cervix. She wiggled as if to say “What are you waiting for?” “Fuck me with your hard cock, Neil.” She pressed a kiss on his chin and on his neck. Her tongue touched his skin, and then she nipped him. He shuddered. “How? How do you want it, babe?” He pulled back and the friction was so exquisite his knees nearly 75

gave out. He stiffened them. “You know how I like it. Give it to me, Neil.” She nipped his shoulder blade, and despite his resolution to slow down, he slammed home again. She panted against his skin. He groaned. “Yes, Neil. Like that. Just like that.” There was no way he could go slowly. Holding the side of her neck, he placed a hard closed-mouth kiss on her lips and pushed her back until she lay on the table. With his hands on her hips he slid her forward until her butt hung off the edge of the table. Her legs were open on either side of his hips. She was completely exposed to him. Her clit protruded from her glistening flower. She was stretched around his cock, wet from her juices. His dark pubic hair was smashed against her cleanshaved mound on every thrust. His cock was coated with her cream. The sight made him swell even more and jump in her pussy. Her pussy answered by squeezing him tight. He could see the muscles of her tummy clench. “Beautiful. Fucking beautiful.” He placed a hand under her bottom to keep her steady for his thrust. The table was no match for his thrusts and shook with every slam home. Nothing else mattered. There was no hurricane raging. There was no past, no future. Only the present. Only the feel of Fire’s warm gushing pussy contracting around his cock. Only the sight of his hand gripping her flesh as her breasts bounced with the force of his thrusts. Her eyes were closed. Her chest was arched on the hard surface as her heels dug into his ass. He needed to see her eyes. He let go her breast and smacked her ass. The flesh jiggled appropriately, but she did not open her eyes, just arched even higher as her pussy clenched. Smack, smack. Each smack was rewarded with a clenching of her pussy. Growling, he braced his feet farther apart. He placed both hands on her hips and thrust harder. She grabbed her nipples and pinched, crying out. “Open your eyes, Fire. Open them for me.” The words were 76

Neil’s Fire pushed out from behind clenched teeth. She did, and he was drowning in a sea of molten chocolate. His barely there control went down the tubes. And he surged into her warmth. She met his thrust, as best as she could in her position, as her gaze pulled him in. He felt the fire spreading from the backs of his legs to his back, pooling around his cock. He would not last much longer. He was actually surprised he’d lasted this long. Removing one hand from her hip, he thumbed her clit. At the first flick she started to tremble and convulse. “Harder, Neil. Fuck my pussy.” He aimed to please and did as requested. Harder. And deeper. And faster. “This what you want? Tell me, Fire.” Her head was thrown back on the table, leaving her neck exposed. “Yes, fuck.” Her body spasmed like something out of the “Exorcism of Emily Rose.” Her hands left her breasts and grabbed at the edges of the table as if to brace herself. Her nails dug into the wood. “Neil. Oh, God. Fuck. Neeeiill!” “Fire. Sweet Jesus. He shuddered as jet after jet of what seemed like an endless stream of come ripped from his cock. His thrusts had become almost violent in nature and the table moved with his thrusts, before hitting the wall. His orgasm set her off again as her pussy tightened even further. He would not have been surprised if she had snapped his cock in half. Her cries drowned out the sounds of the storm outside. There was no way in hell he would have been able to curtail the strength of his thrusts as he fucked her rippling pussy. And her body welcomed each movement by pulling him closer. “Shit, oh, shit. Fire!” His grip on her hip tightened as he surged once, twice, and then stilled, his cock buried to the hilt. Her pussy milked his cock of every last drop. Letting go her hips, he hitched her farther up the table—with 77

superhuman strength considering that he could not feel his toes— and buried his face in her neck. He placed a soft kiss on her skin. Lifting his head, he kissed her on her lips. A gentle kiss. She kissed him back.

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Chapter Fourteen November 1st By 8:30 AM the winds had died down to a mournful cry. The rain still pounded against the windows, but the intensity was way less. A faint gleam of light shimmered into the room from the windows. The smell of sex was strong in the air and their combined moisture, genital and perspiration, made their skins stick together. They panted against each other and the slap of skin on skin was loud in the humid environment. Gravity pull Neil’s weight down onto Fire. Her legs were wrapped around his waist as he thrust heavily into her. “Oh God.” Fire’s heartfelt cry was husky. Her throat had long since become sore from her continuous cries during the long love-making session. “Oh, baby. Oh, Fire. You feel so good.” He too sounded hoarse. Their love-making had taken on a slow, leisurely quality. The haze of lust that had overcome them had slowed down to a degree. Early on, the furious slap of skin, very naughty words and lusty cries were the only sounds to permeate the apartment. Well, apart from the howling wind and such. They had moved from the table, intending to go to the bed, but made it only to the couch where they fucked doggy style. Then he took her with her bottom raised over the couch and her head hanged down to the floor. She came at least three times as he strummed her clit and teased her anal ring before he flooded her pussy with his semen. They paused briefly to catch their breath, and then she rode him as he sat on the couch. After that they had dozed for a while, his body still embedded in hers on the too small couch. Finally, around midnight, refreshments were in order. After all, a workout like that deserved subsistence for all the calories burnt. They had bypassed the mess near the table and raided the refrigerator after lighting more candles, and found some fruit and 79

water there. They had barely separated the entire time, their stolen kisses, licks and nips punctuated by bites of fruit and sips of water. They fondled each other openly with no embarrassment about their nudity. Later they finally made it to the bedroom where they promptly resumed their former activities. They made love again and again before falling into a tired sleep. Fire woke to the touch of light kisses over her face. Before she could say anything her lips were covered as Neil positioned his body to take hers. He stroked her from the inside out with long deep strokes as he fondled her breasts gently and kissed her softly. Their cries died down as their mutual orgasms faded. Fire was sore in places that she’d have sworn had developed cobwebs for long abstinence. Luckily, no spiders had fallen out. She was hot, not only from her exertions but from Neil’s heat surrounding her. She was sticky from sweat and cum, which she was sure would leave a huge wet spot on her new bed. Thinking about it, her couch and her table probably had wet spots too. Ah, she felt great. This was the best she had felt in years. Their sex was earthy and primal, basic. All romance novels she had read made the act seem so delicate, soft touches, whispered compliments. Certainly not with the words “fuck” and “shit” that flew through the air during the hours they had spent together. “You okay?” Yawning, she had the urge to stretch and her arms extended above her head, touching the headboard. It probably had a few scratches from hitting the wall so many times. Her fingers dug into the sheet like a cat finding a comfortable napping position. The pillows were somewhere on the floor. She grinned. God, she felt good. The blood was pumping in her veins. And despite the fact she could not have gotten more than four hours sleep since he arrived, she felt energized. “Wonderful.” He returned her grin. The soft light in the bedroom cast intriguing shadows across his face. “That was great. You were great.” 80

Neil’s Fire “You weren’t so bad yourself.” Her belly rumbled and they both looked down. They laughed. “You’ve worn me out. I need food. What time is it?” Looking at his watch, he said, “Almost nine.” No wonder she was hungry. She had barely eaten any of her sandwich, and the fruit they had indulged in barely constituted food in her opinion. Thinking of it, she was thirsty too. All that screaming did make a throat parched. The smile refused to stop tugging at her lips. He burrowed his nose in her neck and his morning whiskers tickled her skin. He ran a finger down her side. She laughed again. Her legs tightened around him reflexively and she felt his cock jump her pussy. The man did not know how to call it quits. No matter how many times they had made love, the thing had yet to fully go down. “You’re tickling me. Stop.” “What? I’m not doing anything.” She swatted his shoulder. He lifted his head and looked down at her, trying to look innocent. He wasn’t fooling anybody. He knew how ticklish she was. “You look beautiful.” Highly unlikely with her hair a hot mess, sweaty skin, and God alone knew what she smelled like. But appreciating the compliment nonetheless, she said, “Thanks.” “We didn’t use anything last night. Or now. I guess I was so used to us not using anything, I didn’t think.” At her confused look, he added, “Condoms. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you, honey. I didn’t plan on last night, so I didn’t carry anything. And I totally lost my head. You could have gotten pregnant.” “It’s okay. I’m still on the pill. I had some health issues and my period became irregular, so I needed to stay on them.” She pushed those “health issues” to the far corners of her mind. She wanted to enjoy this moment. “Okay. Good. That’s a relief.” Why did he look slightly disappointed? “Well, I’m healthy. So you have nothing to worry about on that subject. I haven’t been with anyone in a while and my doctor gave me a clean bill of health the last time I saw him. That 81

was”—he looked away, thinking— “about six months ago.” She did not want to think about him with someone else. “I’m healthy too. It’s been awhile for me too.” Four damned years. “How come some guy didn’t snatch you up? I’m not complaining, mind you. But still… are all the guys in Canada blind?” He stroked her thighs and she shivered. Her nipples grazed his chest. “I guess I didn’t want to be snatched. How about you? Why are you still single?” “Same reason, I guess. My heart already belongs to someone.” The way he looked at her made her want to believe he was referring to her. Stop it, Safire. She needed to change the subject quick, before she said or did something stupid like throw herself at him. No, wait… she’d already done that. Damn! He kissed her before she could say anything. A soft kiss, barely a touching of lips. She wanted to cry. Once again, she was going to get her heart broken. He pulled away slightly and the intensity in his eyes made her pussy clench around his cock. His cock pulsed inside her. “I missed you, Fire. Your smile. Your laugh. This. So damn much.” He began to slide between her already over-sensitized folds. The friction was exquisite. Her thighs trembled. His eyes were locked on hers. “Did you miss me, Fire?” Oh God. This was so not fair. She could not think with him stroking her pussy like that. She could not protect herself like this. Her heart was striped bared, more so than her body. He changed the angle of his thrust and she moaned. “Did you, Fire?” The trembling spread to the rest of her body. She closed her eyes, trying to hide. Her gripped her chin and kissed her eyelids. “Look at me Fire.” She was helpless to resist. “Did you miss me?” 82

Neil’s Fire He changed the angle again and hit that spot, right on the mark. “God, yes. Yes. I missed you, Neil. I missed you. Damn you.” Her confession was a forced whisper. Tears leaked from her eyes before she could stop them. He kissed them away. “I’m sorry.” His apology forced more tears from her eyes. He buried his face against her neck and held onto her tightly and sank his cock into her again and again, never pulling out of her completely. “I’m sorry.” His strokes were deep but slow. Teasing her nerves until she was a mass of sexual energy waiting to explode. He panted against her neck as she moaned. It was like he was apologizing with his body, hoping it would do something his words couldn’t. And when her orgasm washed over her, it was like a great tide that snuck up on her and sucked her into a vast ocean. Her body was pulled tight and it lashed at her from every angle leaving no part of her body, mind or heart untouched. She was sinking deeper and deeper and there was nothing she could do about it. Nothing at all. She felt him swell, and then his seed bathed her insides. Overloaded with moisture, juices escaped and dripped down the crack of her ass. They stayed that way for a long time. They may have dozed for all she knew. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes again. She wanted to avert her gaze, but her eyes refused to obey. “I will never be able to make for what happened,” he said, “but I will spend the rest of my life trying.” Whoa. They were getting too deep here, too fast. She needed to think, to regroup. He was saying all the right things, but her heart was cowering, scared of trusting again. Scared of hoping again. As if he sensed her inner conflict, he said in an overly cheerful tone, “Why don’t we clean up and find something to eat?” She got with the program right away, thankful for the reprieve. “God, the water must be freezing.” With the electricity out, that was a very real possibility. He pushed himself onto his knees and the friction of him sliding 83

out of her made her shiver. More liquid gushed onto her sheets. Without his heat surrounding her, she realized how cold the room was. “You’ve got to get me some new sheets.” “Anything you want, babe.” His serious tone told her that those words were loaded with a double meaning. She swallowed. But he let her off the hook once more by adding, “You go use the bathroom and I’ll go get us the grub.” His offer sounded great. But wait. This was the man who burnt water. “Um, maybe I should make us breakfast. Unless you’ve taken some cooking classes and a miracle has happened.” He had the grace to look sheepish. “No, but my cooking’s not that bad.” She gave him a pointed look. “Okay, it’s that bad. Hurry then, woman. I’m hungry. Chop, chop.” He snapped his fingers. He was already off the bed by the time she answered. “I’ll be right back.” While she cleaned up, she could hear him moving around in the kitchen. The water was indeed cold. What are you doing, Safire? You are way out of your depth. Looking at herself in the mirror, she had the appearance of a woman who had spent the last twelve-plus hours having wild monkey sex. Her lips were swollen and red. She saw the beginnings of a hickey on her neck. Damn, what was she? A teenager? Her hair was a total mess and her cheeks glowed. Only her eyes looked less than satisfied. They looked sad. She turned away. Her heart wanted to be with Neil, and wanted to believe that he wanted to be with her too—and only her. But her brain was berating her for putting her heart at risk again. Still, the deed was already done. When and if he vanished from her life again, she hoped she could pick up the pieces again. She needed to figure what she was going to do and fast. Play it cool. When she clean and dry, she dressed in a pair of short denim 84

Neil’s Fire pants and a purple peasant blouse. Bra included, this time. She followed the noise. He was cleaning up the mess they had left behind. He glanced up at her and his heated stare traced the path of her legs all the way up to her face. She could feel her neck and cheeks heat up as her nipples pebbled and her pussy melted. Playing it cool, remember? “Stay over there. One of the mugs broke and there are pieces of glass on the floor.” He’d put his pants on and had found her broom, dust pan and paper towels. She sat on one of the bar stools and enjoyed the show. His muscles rippled in the gray-toned light. Looking never hurt anybody, right? “I’m really sorry about this.” The pants were pulled tight across his ass. She licked her lips. “About what?” “This.” He indicated the mess on the floor. His muscles rippled as he moved. She had to bite her lip to keep from moaning. Damn, you’re weak, girl. “No need to apologize. I think we’re both to blame for that.” She waved away his apology. A few broken dishes were the least of her problems. When he was done throwing the dirty towels and pieces of glass into the bin, he turned to her and said, “Do you have a portable radio?” Trying to ignore his bare chest, she stood and moved into the kitchen. She took it from the cabinet, handed it to him, and moved to the refrigerator. With the power out, she decided to use as much of the stuff in there as possible. She had no idea when the power would be back on, and she did not need her apartment smelly with rotting food. With the intensity of hurricane Thomas, it might take a few days at the least. Removing some bacon and eggs, she heard him fiddling with the radio behind her. The static cleared and the report was loud in the room. “…downgraded to category 1 hurricane and is expected to further weaken to a tropical storm by the end of the day. Moving 85

west-northwest with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, Thomas has moved into the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Forecasts predict that the storm will continue moving northwest at an approximate speed of 12 mph and is expected to hit impoverished Haiti by Friday, possibly as a category 1 hurricane. This will be a terrible blow for the nation, which has recently suffered from a massive earthquake in January. In St. Lucia, no deaths have been reported as yet but that is expected is to change in the upcoming hours. Communication has been cut between many parts of the island, with much devastation left in the wake of this terrible storm. Several roads have been made impassible due to landslides, leaving several communities completely blocked off. There have been reports of damaged houses and damage to the cricket stadium in the north of the island. There has also been an unconfirmed report of damage to the hospital in the south. The entire island is without power or water. Widespread flooding….” The news reporter continued to list the catastrophic events of the previous night and Fire felt guilt stab at her conscience. Her earlier joy fled. While she was having the time of her life, people may have been dying. With the reporter’s voice in the background, she felt Neil’s arms close around her from behind. He placed a kiss on her unruly curls. “I sorta feel guilty. While we were….” She paused. “People may have died, Neil.” “I know, honey. But there’s nothing you could have done to prevent that. You have nothing to feel guilty about. We’re safe, and right now that’s good enough for me.” They stayed like that for a few minutes. She absorbed the comfort he offered. The smell of sex still clung to his skin, mixing with his natural scent. She could even smell hints of her shampoo on him. It was a heady combination and not at all unpleasant. She inhaled deeply, filling her senses with him. This felt nice. Really nice. Too nice. Like they were a real couple again. But they weren’t. 86

Neil’s Fire Last night did not mean they were back together, and she needed to remind herself of the fact before she acted the fool. She needed to distract herself. No time for a pity party. She stepped forward. He gave her one last squeeze then backed away. She missed his heat instantly. “We need to call our families. Do you think there will be phone service?” She turned in his arms and his hands settled on her hips. “Only one way to find out.” “Where’s your cell?” “I turned it off to conserve the power. It’s in the bedroom.” “Good girl.” Her eyebrow lifted at that. He just tapped her butt, grinning at her dirty look. “I’m gonna go to my apartment while you make me a yummy breakfast.” He kissed her lips “I’ll get my phone and change my clothes and be right back. ’kay?” She smiled at him. “’kay.” She remembered his playful side. He was like a big kid sometimes. She loved that about him. He made her feel like a kid too. But the erection he always seemed to be sporting reminded her otherwise. He was rubbing it against her now like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her pussy weeping in his presence seemed inevitable, too. “Where are my clothes?” “Guest bath.” He kissed her on the lips again and left the kitchen. His tight ass was a thing of beauty. “I can feel you checking out my ass.” He turned and gave a mischievous smile, catching her in the act. She blushed at being caught. “Am not.” “You were so checking me out.” “Was not. That’s just your vanity speaking.” “Aww, come on, sweetie. There’s nothing wrong in admitting you like my tush. I freely admit to sneaking a peek at yours every two minutes.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. She could not lie. “Whatever,” she said fighting a smile and losing horribly. 87

His laugh sounded like music to her ears as he disappeared down the hallway. A small smile stayed on her lips as she picked up the eggs she’d placed on the counter. While she did not know what tomorrow would bring, she made up her mind to enjoy today.

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Chapter Fifteen “Why did you never answer my calls? You just left without a word.” Neil’s question took her off guard. They were lying in her bed. It was already late in the afternoon, with only intermittent showers tapping the windows. Telephone service had been sporadic, but they had been able to reach their families after a few tries. Everyone was safe and sound, and there was only a little damage to property. Thank God! Reports were coming in left, right and center about the damage and destruction the hurricane had caused. The radio was bombarded with calls from people unable to get in touch with their loved ones. Several bridges and paved roads had been washed away. The north and south of the island were cut off from each other due to fallen trees and mudslides. There had been a report of one fatality so far. A woman had been swept away by the flood waters during the night and was found a few meters away from her home, her body tangled in fallen trees. Neil had returned to her apartment shortly after changing into a pair of jeans and a faded t-shirt that looked like it may have been brown at one point. The yard they shared had been littered with fallen tree branches, garbage and other debris, most of it small. People from the neighborhood were out on the streets, sharing their stories and cleaning up, ignoring the recurring bouts of precipitation. A few had lost parts of their homes, and there were accounts of a minor landslide about a mile away. Many people stopped Neil to inquire about his experience and to share theirs. Thankfully there was no mention of anyone hurt. They had eaten breakfast and then moved to help in the clean up as well. The windshield of her car had been cracked. Neil’s apartment was fine. All in all, they’d fared very well during the hurricane’s passage. Certainly a lot better than most, given the stories she had heard. 89

After the cleanup, they had showered. Thankfully, there were water tanks installed on the apartment building, so they were not affected badly by the water shortage. Running water would be scarce, though. A news report revealed the John Compton Dam, which supplied most of the island, had been damaged, and several pipes and mains had been mangled as well. Electrical power was also expected to be out for a few days, due to the destruction of scores of electrical poles and wires. They’d had lunch then made love, which explained their current location. Her head was on his shoulder as they spooned. Her eyes were closed and she was mostly asleep. They were both sweaty, and the smell of sex perfumed the air. At his question, the relaxed air around her disappeared. She did not pretend to misunderstand what he was referring to. “I couldn’t, Neil.” His shoulder moved from beneath her cheek and she could feel him sitting up. She kept her back turned. The cocoon of sexual relief was gone and she felt vulnerable in her nakedness. But she would die before she let him know that. “Why? We could have talked things out. Tried to work everything out. I know it wouldn’t have been a quick fix, Fire, but we could have tried.” “There was nothing to talk about.” “Of course there was.” She really, really did not want to talk about this. It was dredging up memories best left alone. “I don’t want to talk about this, Neil.” She moved to get off the bed, but he would not let her. He gripped her arm, preventing her from doing anything other than sitting with her back to him. “Don’t walk away from me. We need to talk about it, Fire. We need to talk about it to get past it.” She refused to look at him or speak. “Look at me, Fire.” She might have been an exasperating child, given his tone. She had no qualms about behaving like one at the moment. Resolutely she kept her head turned away. 90

Neil’s Fire “Dammit, Fire.” Apparently he did not understand the concept of the silent treatment. He grasped her chin and made her look. His grip was firm but not painful. “I said, look at me.” Anger pushed forward with more force than the hurricane. How dare he speak to her that way? “Who the hell do you think you are? Just because we fucked doesn’t give you the right to badger me.” “It gives me every right. And don’t you dare diminish what we did. We made love, Safire. Not fucking. Lovemaking. And I want to know why you didn’t give us a chance to work this out.” “What the hell was there to work out? Another woman was carrying your baby.” “She wasn’t.” “I did not know that, did I?” “If you had stuck around, you would have known.” He sighed. “We could have found a way. We weren’t a lost cause. I know we could have, had you answered one—just one—of my fucking phone calls. I e-mailed you like a fucking madman.” “Now this is my fault? You fucking Lily-Ann is my fault?” Her anger was boiling darker with each word. “Don’t put words in my mouth. That was all me and I know it. But we could have worked it out. What we had was too strong to simply let it go. You didn’t give us a chance.” “You are such a hypocrite. You’re the one who slept with that bitch. Not me. You. I don’t owe you shit. Nothing. You hear me? Nothing.” By now they were both screaming and glaring poison-tipped daggers at each other. “Maybe I didn’t want to work it out,” she told him. “Did that ever occur to you?” “I refuse to believe that. I know you were hurt, but—” “But what? What? You want to know why I didn’t answer your fucking phone calls, you bastard? Huh? I didn’t answer them because the very thought of you disgusted me. I didn’t answer because you betrayed me. You broke my heart, you stupid fuck. I didn’t answer because I was carrying your baby, you asshole. I was pregnant.” 91

A look of horror descended on his face. “What?” “I was pregnant. That’s right. Aren’t you a stud? Two women pregnant by you at the same time. Oh, wait. I forgot… I guess I was the only one, huh? Guess I should feel honored, huh? But no worries. You aren’t a father. My baby is… ” The rest of the words stuck in her throat. She tried to pull away from his grip, but he was too strong. “You were pregnant? I don’t understand.” “Did I stutter? I was with child. Expecting. Knocked up. Clear enough for you?” He shook his head as if trying to clear the fog that was clearly clouding his mind. “But how? You were on the pill.” “Clearly it failed.” And you allowed him to have sex with you without a condom again. You aren’t winning any intellectual awards, Safire. “What happened, Safire? Where is our baby?” She tried to pull away again. The dam holding back her emotions was rupturing and she wanted him gone. She did not want him to see her cry over him again. Never again, dammit! “Get out. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” He remained rooted in his spot, so she said, “She’s dead, okay?” Suddenly the anger was drained from her body and the dam burst. Tears spilled. “I killed her. I killed my baby.”

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Chapter Sixteen Neil was so shocked his grip loosened. She pulled away and ran into the bathroom, slamming the door. He could hear her sobs through the wood. His hands were shaking. He raked a hand over his face. Oh God. Safire killed their baby? An abortion? That was the only reasonable explanation. No! The pain hijacked his heart and squeezed until his entire chest hurt. Squeezed until there was nothing left but a bloody mess. How could she? Why didn’t she just come to him? “Oh, God. No.” His trembling whisper reverberated in the room. And he grieved. Tears fell from his eyes and landed on the new sheets. His muscles turned to mush. Had he been standing, he would have crumbled. As it was, he fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Her sobs beat at him, intensifying his own grief. He could have had a little boy. No, it was a girl. Fire had said ‘her.’ A beautiful baby girl. God, he had screwed things up so badly. The irony of the situation was not lost to him. Fire, the woman he loved, had been pregnant with his baby, and she had an abortion believing that his ex, the woman he now hated with a passion, was carrying his baby. And this whole screwed-up situation was his fault. If he had kept his cock zipped up in his pants where it belonged, he and Fire would have had their happy little family behind the white picket fence. Why had things become so fucked up? He had no idea how much time passed, but eventually the tears stopped and he could think again. He could not blame her for what she had done. She was young and alone, believing he had fathered another child with another woman. He had no idea what he would have done in her shoes. But damn, this hurt so bad. Her sobs had died down, and only the occasional hiccup could be heard. Sitting up, he found his pants on the floor and pulled them on. 93

Moving to the bathroom, he knocked. “I’m coming in, Fire.” Luckily the master baths in the apartment building did not have locks. “Please, just go away, Neil.” Her tearful whisper was muffled by the door between them. “I can’t do that.” He pushed the door open. She was sitting on the floor, a purple towel wrapped around her with her knees drawn up to her chest. Her forehead was resting on them and her hair curtained her face from view. He sat next to her, shoulder to shoulder. He rested his head on the wall. “Tell me what happened. Did you have an abortion?” She was quiet for so long he thought she was not going to answer. Finally she lifted her head and looked at him. “No.” Now he was truly clueless. Utterly confused. Her eyes were red and swollen. Her misery struck him like a physical blow. She turned and stared straight ahead. “I went to my aunt Milly’s place.” A shiver racked her frame. He wanted to comfort her but his own emotions were too raw. “I was going to tell you. That night. I was about two months along. I was so scared when I found out. But then I was so happy.” She stopped and he let silence reign. She would continue when she was ready. “I knew that I was supposed to take care of myself but, but I just couldn’t. I tried to eat, but nothing would stay down and I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes I saw the two of you. Together. I just wanted to die.” She stopped again and he had to squeeze his eyes against the tears that wanted to fall. “There was so much blood. I woke up and there was so much blood.” Her whisper brought his head up. “I didn’t know what to do. Aunt Milly called an ambulance. Everything hurt so bad. My back, my thighs, my belly. I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t know what to do.” His hands were clenched so tightly that fingernails cut into his palm. He knew where this was heading, and it was worse than her 94

Neil’s Fire having an abortion. “The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital. And I knew. I knew my baby was gone. I could feel it. It was like a piece of me suddenly went missing. Maternal trauma, they said. The doctor said that it was a girl. A girl, Neil.” The last part was barely a whisper. She started sobbing again. “I killed our baby, Neil. I didn’t take care of her, and she died.” She grabbed her chest, and he could tell that she was starting to hyperventilate. He pulled her into his arms. She was shaking so hard her teeth chattered. Her skin was clammy and cold. “Breathe, Fire. Breathe. Come on, baby. In and out. In and out.” Holding her quaking shoulders, he held her in front of him, shaking her slightly. “Breathe for me, baby. In. out. In. out. That’s it, baby.” Her tear-filled eyes locked with his and she tried to follow his instructions. A teardrop fell on her knee and he realized that he was crying as well. He dragged her back into his arms and held her tight. “It wasn’t your fault, baby. If anyone is at fault, it’s me.” She shook her head against his shoulder. “Yes. Yes, it is. This whole mess is my fault. If I hadn’t slept with Lily-Ann, none of this would have happened. I would have been there when you needed me. Our baby would be here.” They both cried, each battling their own demons. Each battling their own sense of guilt. They held onto each other, grieving. Taking comfort from each other’s body. They stayed locked together for a long time before finally she pulled away. “I need a moment… alone.” She stood and turned away from him. He was left on his knees, feeling helpless and anguished. Funny how appropriate the position seemed. “Okay. Okay. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” He got up and left. ****

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Safire felt like her heart had been ripped open. All these overbearing emotions consumed her. Emotions she thought she had already dealt with. Her head hurt. Her heart felt like a hot knife had been staked through it. Reliving those memories took so much out of her. Her baby. She would have been beautiful, like her dad. A sob escaped. She wiped angrily at the tear that fell. She panicked. There was no way she could go through that again. She needed to get rid of Neil. Her life was finally back on track. She had finally pulled herself together. And he was ripping away all her hard work. She could not go back to that mess she had been. She just couldn’t. She could never allow him to have that kind of power over her again. People always said that love was the most beautiful thing on earth. But they oh-so-conveniently left out how it can destroy a person, heart, soul and body. Great philosophers said that love made the world go ’round, but they left out how it could drag you to hell and back and leave you wishing that it would all suddenly end and put you out of your misery. Now she could almost understand her mother’s bitterness towards her. Almost. She was a constant reminder of her father’s betrayal. She understood that her mother was reminded of that pain every time she saw her daughter. And that was the fundamental difference between her and her mother. She would never be able to hate her child. Even with all that had happened, she had never wished her baby away. Had her baby been alive today, she would have poured every fiber of her being into loving her. Sometimes she wondered if having her baby would have helped her deal with the situation with Neil differently. Love left you open, weak and vulnerable. Pure and simple. What was she thinking? There was no way she could let him back in her life without reliving all that pain. She couldn’t do this. She was not strong enough. In the bedroom, she pulled on a pair of shorts and a tank top, not bothering with underwear. She went in search of Neil.

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Chapter Seventeen “I love you, Fire.” Her head shook as if trying to deny his truth. And it was the truth. He loved this woman with every fiber of his being and there was nothing, nothing he would not do to have her back in his life. “Yes, Fire. I love you. I never stopped and I never will. And I know you love me too.” She started to shake her head again. “Don’t lie to me, Safire, please. Truthfully tell me you don’t love me and I will walk out the door and never bother you again. Hell, I’ll even move if that makes you happy. But you have to look me in the eye and say it. Tell me you don’t love me, Fire,” he dared her. Shit. What if she doesn’t? She looked away. “This won’t work, Neil.” A thrill shot through him. She couldn’t say it. She still loved him. And as long as she did, there was still a chance for them. He just had to make her see it. “Of course it will. It will if we both want it to. I want it to work, Safire. I love you.” He reached for her, but she moved away, turning her back. “I can’t do this again, Neil. I can’t. You have no idea what I went through.” “You’re right. I don’t. And if I could I would take it all back, but I can’t. I wish I could, but I can’t.” He stopped and drew in a trembling breath. “All I can do is promise you that it will never, never happen again. I won’t ever hurt you again. I swear this to you. On my life, I swear. I would die before I hurt you again.” She swung around to face him. The anguish visible in her eyes tore through him. Shit. “That’s what you said before, Neil, and look where we are now.” He sighed. She had him there. Dammit! 97

“I know, Fire. I know. I was a fool. I had a good thing— everything a man could want—and I blew it. I let you go and I will have to live with that for the rest of my life. But, please, don’t do this to us. We’re meant to be together. Can’t you see that?” He moved closer to her. This time she didn’t turn away. He touched her cheek. “So much time has been wasted. But we have the rest of our lives. This thing between us is real and it won’t ever go away. Never. And I don’t want it to. Give us a chance, Fire. I won’t ever hurt you again. Ever.” “I’m scared, Neil.” The confession was wrenched from her. “I know. Me too. I will spend the rest of my life showing you that I deserve your trust. I promise you, Fire.” “I….” “Please.” “I… I need to think about it, Neil. I need some time away from you. I can’t think clearly with you here.” “Fire—” “Please, Neil. I just need some time.” He was not happy with this. As far as he was concerned, they had spent enough time apart. But if that was what she needed, he would give it to her. Pushing her would accomplish nothing. He needed her to come to him willingly, or not at all. She had entered the room ready to give him the boot. It was written all over her face, but her resolve was weak. So before she could say anything, he blurted out his feelings. It was a knee-jerk reaction. He was desperate. He could not, would not, lose this woman again. He knew they belonged together, but she needed to see that for herself. He could not force the issue if she was not ready. He was praying that the time she asked for would make her see that. Please God. “Okay. Okay. If that’s what you want. But remember this, Fire. I love you. With everything in me, I love you. You know where to find me when you make up your mind. I’m not giving up on us. We belong together. In your heart you know it too. Give us a chance.” He paused, looking for the magic words to fix everything. There 98

Neil’s Fire weren’t any, so he said the only truth he knew absolutely. “I love you, Fire.” With that the door closed behind him with a final thud. He heard her sob through the door, but made himself walk away. **** It was some time after eight at night. Safire was pacing, wearing a track in the floor in her bedroom. She drew in a deep breath and his scent entered her system. She had washed the sheets and scrubbed every square inch of the room. She had tried to get rid of his essence, but it still lingered, tormenting her, making her body want things it had no business wanting. Making her heart ache. Her hands were clenched at her sides. She had not been sleeping well, but then she hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in four years. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was him. Dreams of them together filled her subconscious. She would wake in the throes an erotic dream with her pussy burning. Her own hand only made the throbbing worse. The passage of Thomas had devastated the island, leaving behind nineteen fatalities, and people were still missing. Entire families had been buried in landslides. The hardest hit town was Soufriere, the popular tourist community where the Pitons were located. Businesses had started reopening and cleanup efforts were underway, but it would take several years and millions of dollars to recover from all the damage. Several persons were housed in shelters and efforts were still being made to resettle the stranded citizens. She missed Neil. From the moment he left, he had made no effort to contact her, true to his word. She heard him leave for work every morning and return late at night. With all the rehabilitation going on around the island, she suspected that he was swamped with work. Being a civil engineer with the government, he was essential in returning road access and communication to the island. She had even caught a few glimpses of him on the local news. She heard his jeep pull up and her heart jumped. Her body filled 99

with the anticipation of seeing him, even knowing that he would not come up. She didn’t want to have to make this decision. It was too hard. She wanted to be with him. She loved him. She had never stopped. But getting hurt again…. Was she the problem? But she was so scared. Could she survive another heartbreak? She had grown stronger over the years. She was no longer a naïve little girl, but a grown independent woman. Was she strong enough to love completely one more time? She was at a crossroads. Remain in this lonely, barren existence, or risk everything once again. Trust. Could she trust him? She wanted to. But that was her heart speaking. Her head was a jumbled mess. She had said that she’d forgiven him, but had she really? She truly thought she had. But now she was having second thoughts. He had hurt her. More than she thought anyone could. More than her mother ever did. Did she want him to have that power over her again? But then she realized she had as much power as he did. He had laid his heart on the line a week ago, risking her rejection. Neil was a very proud man, and she had never heard him beg for anything. Never. And while tongues could lie, his heart had been in his eyes. And they didn’t lie. He did love her. And she loved him. Suddenly all the reasons why they should not be together fell out of her head and all the reasons why they should be together were now abundantly clear. Neil was the only one for her. She needed him in her life and in her bed because he was already in her heart. She needed to see him. She was downstairs without any conscious decision, knocking on his door. Once. Twice. Three times. What was he doing in there? She knew he was home. Maybe he was already asleep. He was probably very tired. She raised her hand to knock a fourth—and last—time, she told 100

Neil’s Fire herself, when she heard, “Coming. Dammit, I’m coming! Shit!” Well, he sounded harassed. She almost giggled. And then he opened the door and oh Lord, good God in Heaven have mercy! She almost swallowed her tongue. He was standing there in nothing but a towel around his waist. His chest was sleek with moisture. “Fire.” He was clearly surprised to see her. “Hey.” The small smile he gave her broke her heart. It was so unsure. “Hey.” What else could she say? Her brain had short-circuited. An uncomfortable silence followed. “I, uh, I just, ah…” Geez… great going, Safire. You in no way sound like an idiot, she thought. She tried again. “I, ah….” And then he saved her from embarrassing herself further by saying, “Wanna come in?” She rushed in, keeping her mouth closed because obviously it was not consulting with her brain before speaking. She kept her back turned away. That naked chest was too distracting. She got a quick impression of his living space. How long had he been living here? The place looked so… barren. “I, um, was having a shower. I’ll get dressed and then we can talk.” She took a deep breath and took the plunge. “I love you, Neil.” There, she’d said it. She sensed him move closer to her. She hunched her shoulders and said, “Please, don’t. I need to get this out, and if you touch me…. ” She trailed off and felt him freeze. “Before I met you, Neil, I was determined to never fall in love. To never let a man hurt me like my father did to my mom. But the night we met, I felt something I’d never felt before. Everything was so much brighter. My life suddenly had meaning, although I hadn’t realized that my life before you was so… hollow.” She sighed and went on. “You were everything to me, Neil. Everything. I could not imagine one single day without you. Not one. And when all this happened, I… I lost it. And suddenly I had to live without you. I didn’t know how. All the light left my life, and all that was left was a darkness that was eating me from the inside out. 101

I shut down. I didn’t go to work. I could not eat or sleep. I just… couldn’t.” She was struggling to put her thoughts, her feelings into words. “My self-esteem was shot to pieces. I felt that I must have done something wrong. Maybe I wasn’t pretty enough. Maybe I could have supported you more. Maybe… I don’t know what I could have done. I felt there was something about me not worth loving.” “Fire, it was nothing you did. Please believe me when I say that.” “Then why did you sleep with her? I don’t understand, Neil. You said it just happened, but that doesn’t make sense.” She turned toward him then. She sighed. The sound was tired, desolate. “I stayed up at night asking myself the same question,” he told her. “Why would I mess up the best thing that had ever happened to me? Any feelings I ever had for Lily-Ann were nothing compared to what I felt for you. It was like I sabotaged myself. It took me awhile to figure it out, but I finally did. “I was scared of committing fully to you. What we had was so powerful. I felt like I was losing myself in it. I got scared, and LilyAnn was there. I didn’t sleep with her because of anything that you did or didn’t do. You were perfect. You still are, to me. Believe me when I say making love with you is the best, absolute best sex I have ever had in my life. She could never come close to you in any way.” He dragged in a deep breath and continued. “I was a complete ass. I didn’t realize what I had until I lost it. Lost you.” He was absently holding up the towel in one hand. And despite everything, she could not help but admire how his body glowed in the florescent light. The look in his eyes was breaking her heart. “But I’m ready now, Fire. I’m ready to commit my whole heart and soul to you. I want to grow old with you. I want to build a family with you. Can you imagine the two of us sitting in rocking chairs, old and gray, side by side, watching our grandchildren play?” She could, and the image brought a small smile to her lips. “I know that what I did will never completely disappear from your mind. All I’m asking for is a chance. Just one chance. Please, 102

Neil’s Fire Fire.” She bit her lip, fighting back tears. She thought about what he’d said. “Why didn’t you talk to me about this? Don’t you know I was scared of the same things you were?” The intensity of her feelings for him had felt overwhelming to her. It still did. Despite her best efforts, a tear slid past her defenses. She wiped it away impatiently. “This thing between us isn’t always going to be easy. But is it worth another try?” “Yes, I want to give us another chance. I want you, Neil. I want—” She could not finish because the air was knocked out of her. She was engulfed in a hug. He squeezed her tight. The heat from his body infiltrated hers. “You won’t regret this, I swear.” He was scattering kisses all over her face and mouth. She wrapped her hands on either side of his head, making him look her into her eyes. “I’d better not regret this. If I have to go through this again, I assure you that I will cut off your nuts with a very dull knife.” She meant every word. “Never again. I promise. I love you, Fire.” “I love you too, Neil.” He kissed her then. A tender kiss, to begin their new life together. His towel dropped to the floor.

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Chapter Eighteen Their tender kiss turned into something more passionate and consuming. More demanding. Their mouths ate at each other as tongues warred for dominance. Neil was so happy he could burst. The woman he loved was back in his life, and this time he would not lose her. He tore frantically at her clothes and soon her jeans shorts and blue t-shirt joined his towel. She was nude underneath. Oh yeah! Seizing her breasts, he suckled each in turn. She arched into his mouth and moaned. He lifted his head and looked down at her. Her eyes were closed and her lips slightly parted as she sucked in shallow breaths. Her cheeks were flushed and had a rosy glow. “Beautiful. So fucking beautiful.” Her eyes opened then, and she smiled at him. And if possible, he fell even more in love with her. He had to slow down. This was a night for gentle lovemaking. He needed to show her how much she meant to him. He wanted to have her in his bed, where she belonged. Now. He needed to see her hair spread out on his pillow as her body writhed in ecstasy on his sheets. Without breaking eye contact, he lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist. He walked them to his bedroom without an awareness of getting there. He laid her down, and it was just as he envisioned. She belonged in his bed. It looked right. It felt right. In his heart. In his bed. In his life. There was only Safire. Now. Always. She had that siren’s look in her eyes. Hooded and liquid with desire. “Come here, big boy.” She crooked her finger at him. “Come fuck me.” He placed a knee on the mattress. “Make love. I will make love to you, baby.” She smiled. “Yes. Come make love to me, Neil.” Her legs fell open and her glistening pussy was on display. His 104

Neil’s Fire mouth watered. The mauve color of her pussy called to him. It was as if a rose had bloomed. Her honeyed fragrance laced the air, weaving a web of longing over his brain. God, he could almost taste her. And he intended to. He crawled up to the cradle of her hips and his cock brushed her folds. Her thighs hugged his hips. Her hard nipples pressed into his chest. They both moaned. “It feels like it’s been forever.” He brushed his lips over hers. “I know.” Their breaths mingled with each brush. He pressed harder and she opened for the invasion of his tongue. Their tongues met, tangled and retreated, and he finally understood why they called it the ‘soul kiss.’ He felt that his soul, his very being, was transferred into her keeping with each touch of their tongues. And it felt good. Right. His hand lightly travelled down the length of her body, ending at her knee before traveling back up. She trembled. He broke off their kiss to nibble at her neck. “God, you taste so good.” “You think so?” “Oh, yeah! Like grapes.” “Grapes?” “Grapes. Sweet and tangy.” She clutched his head to her. “I like grapes,” she said agreeably. Lower and lower his lips traveled, leaving a moist trail behind, until he reached her breasts. Grasping one in each hand, he gently tongued the right one while his thumb gently rasped the other. “Hmmm. I could feast on these all night.” “I hope not. There are other interesting… Ahhhhh….” She gasped as he lightly bit down on her nipple before sucking soothingly. He let go with a pop. “You were saying?” “Ah, forgot. Sorry.” She did not sound sorry. He laughed against her skin and gave her right nipple one last lick before moving to the left. It received the same treatment. Moving lower, he nipped her stomach before dipping his tongue in her belly button. She giggled like a school girl, carefree. The sound made him smile. “Hey. That tickles.” 105

Placing one last kiss on her stomach, he moved even lower. He placed a kiss on her tattoo before moving to her mound. He inhaled deeply. Ahhh, yes! Her scent always brought him to a place of euphoria. No other woman could ever smell or taste as sweet as she did. He knew some men who were emphatically against eating a woman’s pussy. Not him. He loved everything about it. The smell. The taste. He could feel every little ripple that goes through her body. And especially, he loved bringing his woman to climax this way, feeling her go wild beneath his mouth. “I love your pussy.” She was looking down at him with those chocolate eyes. “That’s good to know.” He held her legs up and out. Not breaking eye contact, he swiped his tongue over her slit. He saw her pupils expand, almost covering the brown lens. She moaned. “Do you know how sweet you taste?” “Tell me.” He licked again, sucking softly. “Like passion fruit.” She made a sound halfway between a moan and a laugh. ”What’s this obsession you have with fruit?” He licked again. It was definitely a moan this time. “Really. Sweet but with a tangy bite to it. You’re like a fruit basket. So delicious and fresh.” With that he stiffened his tongue and thrust it into her pussy. He gripped her hips to keep her steady. He alternated between tonguing her clit and stabbing into her. Her hands clutched at his head as her hips thrust against his face. “Yes, Neil, baby. Make me come. God, that feels so good!” He plunged a finger into her as he sucked on her labia. She shuddered. “More, baby. More. Neil!” He added another finger, stroking her g-spot. He sucked her clit into his mouth and pulled hard. “Neil… I…. Ahhh… Neil….” Her cries went straight to his cock until he was ready to explode. He increased the pressure. He added another finger and stroked her harder, never letting up on her stiff clit. 106

Neil’s Fire She squealed. The special squeal reserved for her orgasms. “Neil, I’m coming. Ohhh. I’m coming.” And come she did. Her cream slid onto his waiting tongue. The way she rode his face would put any cowgirl to shame. He licked and prodded, driving her orgasm on and on. Her thighs locked around his head in a death grip, pushing his face closer to heaven. As she descended from the peak, her body slumped on the bed and her thighs loosened. He continued petting her, claiming every single drop of her cream. Placing one last kiss on her mound, he rose over her. He caressed her lips with his wet finger before he kissed her. “See how good you taste?” “Wonderful. Gimme more.” She pulled his mouth down for another kiss. She wrapped her legs around his waist and next thing he knew he was on his back. He laughed against her mouth. “Hey! Where’d you learn that move?” Although he said it jokingly, the idea of her with another man sent a jolt of jealousy through him. As if she sensed his emotions she said, “There has been no one but you. It was always you.” He might be a hypocrite, but joy rushed through him. She had been a virgin when they met. Hearing that he was the only man ever to grace her bed made him want to beat his chest in celebration. “I’m glad.” “Me too.” She smiled down at him. “Now where were we? Oh, yeah. I remember.” With that, she resumed their kiss before moving to his neck then to his chest. “I used to dream about this. About us.” That caught the attention of his few remaining brain cells. The rest had overheated and exploded. “Oh, yeah? What kind of dreams?” She bit his nipple gently and he hissed. “The best kind. The very naughty kind.” She licked his abused nipple. 107

“Yeah?” One by one the remaining brain cells perished willing as she wrapped her hand around his cock and squeezed. His hips arched into her hand. “Yeah.” She licked a path to his stomach as her hand moved up and down. Slowly. “I would wake up in the middle of the night, so wet, aching. Craving you. Craving this.” She squeezed his cock tighter and a shock ran through his entire body. “What would you do, baby?” She kissed the head on his cock, his precum making her lips glitter. “I would imagine I had this guy right here.” Another squeeze. He could not help the groan that vibrated through his chest, or his heavy breathing. “Yeah?” She smiled against his cock, then licked a drop of precum from the tip. He groaned. “Yeah. I would imagine him between my thighs, thrusting.” Lick. Her tongue swirled over his tip. “How would he be thrusting?” Lick. She tongued his slit. “Ah, Fire, baby… Damn.” “Hard.” She drew out the word. “I would think of your hard body over mine. You would slam into me. So hard, so far that I wouldn’t know where one of us ended or began.” Her mouth engulfed the head of his cock. He growled as his hips lifted off the bed. All too soon, she removed her mouth. “Fire….” “And I would touch my pussy, picturing your face in my mind.” Her words nearly pushed him over the edge. “And did you come, baby?” Again she engulfed his mushroom head and retreated. “Ahhh….” “Oh, yes.” Again. He clenched his fists at his side, fearing he would otherwise grab her and force her head down. “But it was never enough. I needed you, Neil.” And with that she swallowed his head, pushing it all the way to the back of her throat. 108

Neil’s Fire “Shit. That feels good.” By now he was breathing so hard he feared he would rupture a lung. His hands tangled in her hair of their own violation and his hips began thrusting into her mouth, his movements matching hers. He watched as his cock disappeared into her mouth. The warmth was incredible as she moved her head up and down. He was too much to fit in her mouth. She grasped the base of his cock and her hand and mouth moved in unison. Her teeth scraped light over his skin as she moved, making a shiver run down his spine. “Oh, yeah, baby. Just like that.” She licked, and with every upward movement her tongue caressed his length and swirled at the tip before a long downward movement made him hit the back of her throat. He heard a popping sound and realized his toes had curled. “You’re killing me here, baby. stop.” She looked at him questioningly but did not stop. “I’m so close. I want to come in you, baby. Oh, damn…!” She increased the suction in her mouth before letting him go. She pumped him with her hand twice as she licked her lips. No longer able to wait, he reached down and grasped her around the waist, settling her over his cock. His cock brushed her dripping folds. She seemed to have enjoyed sucking his cock, almost as much as he enjoyed her doing it. “Ride me, baby.” She held the base of his cock and rubbed it against her slit before lowering her body over his. They both groaned as they watched the head of his cock push into her welcoming heat. He allowed her a moment to adjust to his invasion. She wiggled and he smacked her ass. She moaned and he smacked her again. “Like that?” He did it again. “You know I do.” Again. She arched then slammed the rest of the way down on his cock. “Neil!” “Shit. Sweet Jesus.” His hips arched into her warmth, her internal muscles grabbing at him. 109

Her breasts beckoned him and he sat up. He wrapped his arms around her as he chose a breast to suckle on. She was riding him now with slow, steady strokes. They soon increased in strength and intensity. Letting go her breast, he fell back on the bed. “Yes. That’s it. Ride me. You’re so damn beautiful.” She looked like a goddess above him, her gorgeous breasts bouncing, lovely brown skin sleek with moisture, wild hair framing her face, sure of her power over him. Fucking sexy. Literally. “Your cock feels so good. So damn good.” She moaned as her breath puffed out of her chest. Her breasts rose and fell with her rhythm. He could feel his back and legs start to tingle. Her muscles were clutching at him more frantically now. He placed his thumb against her clit and strummed it. “Ahh!” Reaching up with his other hand, he pinched her nipple. And just like that, she came. Hard. Her muscles gripped him, and he could not hold back anymore. His hands gripped her hips and he pumped hard into her once, twice, three times, and his climax followed hers. At the first gush of his semen into her, her body was thrown into another climax. Stronger than the first. She mashed her pussy against him and screamed. His semen filled her as their cries filled the air. She collapsed on his chest and his arms wrapped around her. They were both sweaty and breathing hard. Her nose was buried in his neck. They stayed that way until their breathing return to normal. He smiled as he remembered his plan. Not the best in the world but, hey, it got him what he needed. His Fire, the love of his life, back in his arms where she belonged. He lifted her. She smiled and said, “Wow.” She was so beautiful. “Yeah, wow.” Bringing her head down, he kissed her softly. “I love you, Fire.” “I love you, Neil.”

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Epilogue Three Months Later Safire walked in to her apartment. It had been a very tiring day. “Neil, I’m home.” She dumped her stuff on the small table and toed her pumps off. They had been together for a few months now and things were great. They had decided to move in together almost right away. While some might argue that it was too quick, they both knew what they wanted, and she would not let insecurities get in their way. This past three months had been a learning period for both of them. They talked often about what they both wanted and needed out of their relationship. The past was where it belonged. In the past. And they both worked hard to keep it that way. They made love frequently. Every room in the apartment had been thoroughly blessed. Just thinking about it made heat rise in her body. “Neil.” Where was he? His jeep was in the driveway. She walked down the hallway. Maybe he was resting. She licked her lips as a wicked smile lit her face. She had just the thing to wake him up. It was February fourteenth, and they had plans to go out for a romantic dinner later. She had just the thing to occupy the time between then and now. As she opened their bedroom door, the first thing that hit her was the smell of roses. A sense of déjà vu made her back tingle. There were red rose petals scattered all over the bedroom floor and the bed. In the middle lay a single long-stemmed rose with an envelope beneath. She walked in and inhaled deeply. She ran her fingers over a petal on the bed before picking up the rose. She inhaled and savored the heat that ran through her veins and pooled in her sex. She picked up the envelope. 111

Read the note. My sweet Fire Every day with you is a miracle I thank God for every second of every day that I am blessed to spend with you. Words can never describe The intensity of my feelings for you This poem is not perfect And nor am I But I can guarantee you that I will spend the rest of my life Worshipping your body Stimulating your mind And protecting your heart Always Safire Robins I love you Will you marry me? Her hands were trembling by the time she was done. She read it again. A teardrop fell on the white rose-scented paper and she realized she was crying. She was so happy. And suddenly she knew that she was not alone. Behind her Neil stood. She hadn’t even heard him enter the room. He dropped to one knee. He opened a velvet box carrying the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It had a diamond with two sapphires on either side on a platinum ring. “Safire Robins. I love you with every beat of my heart and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much. Will you marry me?” She dropped to her knees in front of him. Wrapping her hands around his head, she kissed him and poured all her love into it. Pulling away she said, “I love you Neil. Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.” Removing the ring from the box, he placed it on her finger. It was a perfect fit. “It’s beautiful. I love it.” “You won’t ever regret this. I promise.” “I know.” She smiled. “I want children, Fire. As many as we can afford.” 112

Neil’s Fire Her gynecologist had promised her she would have no problems conceiving. “Yes.” She breathed the word. He laughed and hugged her tight. Pulling back, he kissed her. And that kiss led to another and another, and soon their clothes were left in a heap on the floor as they moved to the bed. That night they made love, cherishing each other. Sighs, pants, moans and the occasional scream pierced the air. In the wee hours of the morning when sleep prevailed, whispered words hummed in the air. “I love you, Fire.” “I love you. Neil.” They never made it to dinner. Seven months later they were married in a small ceremony. Her mother came to the wedding. She cried. Baby Elizabeth Megan Ryan was born, 7 lbs. 8 oz., nine months after the much-enjoyed honeymoon.

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About The Author Nacomy Blue is the epitome of beauty and grace. Angels sing in reverence at her presence. Ah ha ha haaaa. If you’re rolling your eyes, I don’t blame you. But seriously, I am a woman just like any other with a guilty pleasure in sweets, a fear of bugs and a love for steamy romance novels. I’m in love with a geek and have the most beautiful son. Writing gives me an outlet for all my thoughts, the good, the bad and the ridiculous.

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