Fighting the Flames (Firefighter Romance #1)(72)

“Jacqueline?” Toby squatted beside to her. “You okay?”

“Toby?” She peered at him.

“Come here,” he said and pulled her to him. “It's over. He's gone. You're safe now.”

But even as she fell into his warm embrace, Jacqueline knew something wasn't quite right. She just couldn't quite remember what made her feel that way.

“Take me home,” she whispered, closing her eyes.



****



Toby guarded her sleeping form. She seemed so right nestled into his bed, surrounded by the clutter of his bedroom, a place where women didn't often visit, preferring to keep it as his private sanctuary. When he had physical relationships with women, it was usually at their place or some other location that didn't mean anything to him. Fewer complications that way. But seeing Jacqueline lying there twisting and turning felt right in ways he couldn’t describe.

In the recliner by the window, he waited for her to wake up. Darkness shrouded the sky, and only pale beams illuminated the room; she'd only been asleep a few hours. Toby’s fingers drummed over his thigh, and thoughts of what Angela could be doing to his bar crossed his mind, but he tried not to worry about it too much. More important matters twisted his brow, important women like his banshee Jacqueline.

He smiled at the realization. More important than his work—or anything else—was Jacqueline. When the hell had that happened?


Her eyes opened, and he leaned forward, anxious.

“Jackie?”

“Toby,” she murmured. “That you?”

“Yes, I'm here.” He shifted to the bed, sitting on the side. “How do you feel?”

“I don't know.” She rubbed her head. “Sort of hung over. What happened?”

“Derek Spark.” Toby watched her expression change to one of distaste. “Do you remember him?”

“Yeah. We were at the restaurant, and he told me that he wanted me for his personal weapon.” She yawned. “He put a spell on the people at the bar so that it seemed like time stood still, and then… I don't know what happened. I woke up in a morgue or something.”

“That's where I found you. At Harrington Cemetery's funeral home. Do you know why he brought you there?”

Toby had been asking himself the same questions while she slept. It had been too easy to get Jacqueline back. Something else was going on. He reached for her but hesitated.

“I… I don't know. There was another man there.” Jacqueline's eyes grew wide with the memory. “He was the one that killed my husband. He told me so.”

“Who was he?”

But she couldn't get the words out. Jacqueline cried, deep sobs that broke Toby's heart to hear. He put his arms around her, saying nothing. After a few minutes, she calmed, but he couldn't bring himself to let her go. The smell of her hair, the warmth of her body, the curve of her against him—it was intoxicating.

She looked up, and he saw the desire in her eyes. Gently, he wiped away a stray tear and lowered his lips to hers. She returned his soft kiss, but the heat between them ignited, and her hands gripped his body as if she were drowning.

God, she was so perfect in his arms. The taste of her sweet kisses, like an exotic whiskey he could have survived on for days. She broke away from his embrace and shoved him on the bed. His head thumped into the pillow as she straddled him. For a moment, Jacqueline studied Toby, and he thought a flicker of uncertainty flashed in her eyes.

“Don't think,” he whispered.

With a grin, she slipped the straps of her green dress from his shoulders. He ran his hands down her neck and over her bared skin. Teasing the fabric, he tugged the dress until her breasts fell free of the fabric. Unable to stop himself, he touched the silky skin, delighted when her nipples hardened.

She gave a low moan, and the sound ripped through him, turning him on, further stirring his desire. Not caring what she thought, Toby flipped her onto her back and shimmied the dress off. The sight of her in nothing but green, lacy panties had him hurriedly ripping off his own T-shirt and pants.

She giggled a little as he fumbled to remove his clothes.

“Slow down,” she teased. “I'm not going anywhere.”

“No, you're not.” Toby skimmed along the length of her legs. Soft and smooth, just like he'd imagined. Her stomach quivered beneath his touch as he stroked and caressed her. When his mouth connected with her nipple, she gave another one of those moans that drove him crazy. Eagerly, he suckled at her while his hands roamed where they pleased.

The dampness between her legs enticed him, causing him to move lower.

“Remove,” he whispered, and the panties disappeared. He grinned at the perks of being a wizard, and he tasted her. His tongue flicked at the most delicate part of her, causing her breathing to heave in short bursts. She twisted her pelvis as if to break away, but his strong arms pinned her as his mouth sucked and pulled until she shuddered with pleasure beneath him.

“Toby,” she cried out, arching as an orgasm burst through her, turning her skin a soft shade of pink.

“Shhh…” he soothed. “I'm not done with you.”

Toby covered her body with his own, and she clung to him, desperate and needing. Her hands on him were almost enough to make him lose control as she guided him into her. When he entered her, he could have sworn the room lit with electrical energy. Or maybe that was just how she made him feel—like together they created a current of power too good to turn off.