Up in Flames (Carlisle Fire)

Chapter 12

PETER WAS asleep, and Jerrod wanted nothing more than to take Chase up on his offer. But he hesitated, wondering if this was the right thing to do. Maybe it would be best to wait…. Jerrod shook his head and groaned to himself. What was he holding out for? Until Peter was a teenager? He smiled at himself, and Chase released his hand. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said softly.

“No,” Jerrod said.

Chase’s eyebrows slid upward. “You don’t want me to call?”

“No. I mean, yes. I mean that I don’t want you to go.” He was really messing this up. “It’s been a while, and after the last time, I figured that I’d have to wait until Peter was older before I could date and have… you know… that kind of life again. And now here you are, and things feel so different this time.” He extended his hand, and Chase took it again. He smiled and squeezed his fingers before turning out the lights and checking the door. Once he was sure the house was secure, he led Chase up the stairs and past Peter’s room to his sparse bedroom, then closed the door.

As soon as the latch caught, he sighed and lost some of his nervousness. He locked the door and turned back to Chase, who stood beside the bed. Jerrod just watched him for a few moments before stepping closer. Chase took him in his arms, crushing him against his chest as he kissed Jerrod with a force he didn’t know was possible—one that carried him away. Responsibility, worry, and all thoughts of anything outside the bedroom flew from his mind as Chase’s lips took him on a journey he didn’t think could ever happen, and they still had all their clothes on.

Chase was a take-charge man, and that quickly became apparent. Chase guided Jerrod down onto the bed, their gazes holding as Chase worked open the buttons of Jerrod’s shirt, the air conditioning gliding over his skin as soon as the fabric fell to his sides. Chase kissed him again as Jerrod tugged at the hem of his shirt, pulling it upward until Chase backed up just enough for Jerrod to get his shirt off. Chase’s golden skin glistened in the soft moonlight coming in through the windows. He cupped Chase’s cheeks, whisker stubble rough against his palms.

“Do you know how stunning you are?” Chase asked in a soft, deep voice that sent ripples of desire rushing through Jerrod.

“Me?” Jerrod said. “You’re like some firefighting god.” He drew Chase closer, their lips coming together once more. Jerrod easily lost himself in the sensation, kicking off his shoes as Chase did the same. He wanted more of Chase, running his hands down his muscular back and over the curve of his superior ass. Some guys had a butt, but this…. Jerrod squeezed the muscularly hard cheeks. This was an ass of epic proportions. He squeezed again, and Chase moaned softly against his lips.

“A god, huh?” Chase whispered when he pulled back.

“Don’t let it go to your head,” Jerrod retorted, working open Chase’s belt and then the top button of his jeans. The rest of the buttons popped open behind it, and Jerrod slid the denim down, taking the briefs along with them, Chase’s thick cock bursting out. He stroked the length while Chase lolled his head back.

“The things you do to me,” Chase groaned softly, kissing Jerrod once more as he slipped the jeans down past Chase’s hips.

Jerrod held those perfect asscheeks, his fingers digging into the smooth flesh. Then he gathered Chase to him, chests pressed together, heat building between them. Chase shimmied out of his jeans and climbed off the bed. The man was Greek-statue-worthy as the moonlight shone off his golden skin—wide shoulders, narrow waist—but it was his eyes, dark and brimming with passion, that took Jerrod’s breath away. Chase tugged at Jerrod’s pants, and Jerrod got them over his hips. Chase pulled them off his legs and dropped the fabric to the floor.

His underwear followed. “I like you this way,” Chase whispered.

“What, kind of full in the middle and wondering when middle age is going to hit?”

Chase rolled his eyes. “No. Just like this. Beautiful, naked, and all mine.” He climbed back onto the bed, covering Jerrod with his body, the heat building once more. This was what Jerrod dreamed about at night when he was alone, but it seemed his imagination was lacking when it came to the real thing. “I want you, Jerrod.”

“Then take me.”

And Chase did, right between those luscious lips and all the way to the root in a breath-stealing move that sent Jerrod’s eyes rolling to the back of his head.

“Oh God,” Jerrod moaned as Chase surrounded him in wet heat. He closed his eyes, letting the sensation wash over him. “What are you doing to me?”

Chase pulled back. “I thought what’s-his-name was really good in bed?” His eyes danced. “Didn’t he make you fly?”

Jerrod shook his head. “Not like that. He had other talents, but then maybe my point of reference isn’t as broad as it could be.”

Chase patted his hip gently. “Don’t you dare apologize for something like that, because that only means you haven’t met someone who was willing to get to know you .” He kissed away Jerrod’s meager protest before sucking a trail down his chest, then engulfing him once more.

Jerrod wasn’t sure how much longer he could take this. The energy built inside him, and he clutched the bedding as he tried to remain in control, but Chase seemed to know what he wanted before he did. “Chase….” Just when Jerrod thought he was about to tumble over the edge, Chase pulled away. Jerrod growled and whimpered, breathing deeply as he tried to think. “You really are evil.”

“I don’t want this to be over too soon.” Chase climbed onto the bed, pulling Jerrod into an embrace.

“I know. But….”

Chase chuckled slightly. “You and I have all night. There’s no need to rush. And sometimes anticipation makes everything better.”

Jerrod rested his head on Chase’s shoulder, running his fingers over his chest, the muscle flexing slightly under his touch. He smiled slightly, tweaking one of Chase’s pink nipples, earning a soft moan. “I see. You like that.”

“Yeah,” Chase said, and Jerrod leaned closer, running his tongue over the tightening bud before sucking lightly.

“Okay.” He sucked harder, loving the soft sounds Chase made. It was gratifying that he could get Chase to quiver under him. That was a rush. Jerrod was well aware that he was not the kind of guy who turned heads. He worked hard, and that helped keep the weight off and stuff, but with Peter, he didn’t have the time for everything. The gym had fallen by the wayside years ago, and quick meals had replaced thoughtful homecooked items. But the fact that he could get hunky Chase to react to him with breathless abandon was incredible.

“Damn,” Chase whimpered. “You make me want things that I never thought possible.” He grabbed Jerrod, crushing them together in a strong hug, kissing him deeply. Jerrod lost himself in the moment, letting the heat and passion build.

Chase rocked slowly above him, and Jerrod moved right along with him, holding Chase’s ass, loving the flex of the muscles as they moved together. Energy built between them as Jarrod held Chase, looking into his eyes, the two of them alone in the moment of building ecstasy that never seemed to end… until Chase drove him to the brink and over the edge.

Jerrod lay on the covers, a sweaty mess, holding Chase in his arms, eyes closed, just enjoying the moment.

“Daddy.” A knock followed the cry, and Jerrod instantly tensed.

“What is it, buddy?” he asked. “You should be in bed.”

“Okay, Daddy. But there’s someone knocking on the door downstairs. I’ll go get it.”

Jerrod jumped out of bed, pulling on his jeans as he grabbed his underwear, using it to wipe himself up. He put on his shirt as he opened the door, then raced downstairs. “I got it, Peter,” Jerrod said as the knock sounded once more. He lifted Peter into his arms, peering out the window to try to see who it was. Then he opened the door partway. “Can I help you?”

“There’s smoke coming from the back,” the young man said. “Should I call the fire department?”

“Yes.” Jerrod set Peter down and told him to stay right there. Then he raced through the house to the back to pull open the door. He half expected an inferno climbing the rear of the house, but instead he saw nothing but a bright dancing glow until he approached the back fence, where the neighbor behind him had set up a bonfire, probably to try to burn the trash and yard waste rather than disposing of it properly. The flames reached four feet in the air. He went back inside and told the young man who stood in the front doorway what was happening.

“Thanks. So it’s in the yard of the house directly behind this address?” the young man said, relating the details on the call.

Jerrod nodded. “Apparently it’s someone burning yard waste or something.”

The young man relayed the information before waving and heading off down the sidewalk.

Jerrod closed the door and locked it.

“Is everything okay? Is the fire going to come get us?” Peter asked, fear in his voice.

“No,” he answered as Chase came down the stairs.

“The department is on their way,” Chase said, shaking his head. “That is not allowed in the borough.”

Sirens sounded, and Jerrod turned out the lights and took Peter back up the stairs. He got him tucked in bed and sat with him until the activity behind the house died down. “It’s okay. The fire is out now.” He rubbed Peter’s back until he rolled over, holding his stuffed duck.

Jerrod left the room, closing the door partway, then met Chase in the bedroom. “What the hell were they thinking?” he whispered. Things had finally quieted down. He went to the window overlooking the backyard, now bright from the firefighters and their equipment, but thankfully the yellow of the flames was no longer to be seen. He pulled the curtains, casting the room in darkness, and sat on the side of the bed.

“All I could think of was making sure we weren’t going to get burned out again.”

Chase slipped his arms around Jerrod’s waist. “Your neighbor is a real idiot, and the ticket he’s going to receive should deter him from further late-night bonfires. Plus, once the captain gets done notifying the borough, there will be letters and warnings coming his way.”

“I see.” Jerrod turned away from the east-facing window, his heart finally beating at a more normal pace. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” He sighed and stripped off his clothes before sliding under the covers. “I just reacted and was ready to grab Peter and run out of the house if the fire had been a real threat. In fact, I don’t know why I didn’t do that.”

“You made sure Peter was safe, and then you checked on the danger,” Chase said softly, sliding under the covers next to him. “It turned out that there wasn’t an immediate threat. You and Peter are okay.”

“Yeah, I know that,” Jerrod said with an edge in his voice. “But what am I going to do? What if the next threat isn’t as benign?” He sat up. “We have to figure out who is behind all this so that I can sleep at night again. I know tonight is different because something actually happened, but I go to bed and doze on and off all night, waking just in case something happens and I need to be ready to get Peter out. I have a fire extinguisher in every closet in the house and one in the kitchen. I keep thinking that every sound is someone trying to get inside or into the backyard. Last night I stared out the back window downstairs for half an hour after one of the neighbors’ dogs started barking. I didn’t see anything, but I couldn’t go back to sleep either.” He closed his eyes. “Maybe I need help.”

Chase put his arms around him. “What you need is a chance to get some rest and to let a little time pass. The fire and the loss are still new, and I think it’s natural to be jumpy.” He gently soothed Jerrod down onto the pillow. “I’m here, and I won’t let anything happen to you. Just rest and know that I’m here and you and Peter aren’t alone.” His voice carried this soothing property, and Jerrod could almost believe him.

“But what if you fall asleep and something happens?”

Chase tugged him tighter. “I’ve slept at fire stations during my internship and since I’ve been here. You learn to rest while at the same time be ready at a moment’s notice. So trust me. If anything happens, I will be up and ready for both of you. Now roll over.”

Jerrod humphed as he turned onto his belly, and then Chase’s big, strong hands massaged his back. “Damn…,” Jerrod hummed as those amazing hands performed a miracle, letting the tension flow out of him. “That’s good.” Jerrod closed his eyes and tried to relax. Chase made it easy, and Jerrod groaned softly as Chase’s touch swept up and down his back. This wasn’t a sexual kind of touch, but it was intimate and caring.

“Breathe deeply, let the tension go,” Chase whispered, and Jerrod did his best. He visualized the tension leaving him with each breath, and after a few minutes, his mind went blank and all he felt were Chase’s hands on him. Time seemed to have no relevance as Chase worked his magic, and when his touch eased and pulled away, Jerrod lay still as Chase settled next to him and pulled up the covers. “Just rest now.”

Jerrod hummed his agreement and closed his eyes, letting sleep overtake him.

Light streamed into the room when he woke. Jerrod blinked himself awake. He actually felt rested as he rolled over to find the other half of the bed empty. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and got out of bed, wondering if Chase was somewhere in the house, but it seemed silent. He reached for his phone to check the time and started because he really needed to get moving. He was scheduled to be at a job in half an hour. He grabbed clean clothes and pulled them on before heading to Peter’s room, where he found his son playing blocks, already dressed—well, his shoes didn’t match, but that didn’t matter.

“Daddy. You sleeped a long time.” He jumped up and ran over. “My tummy is hungry.”

“Mine too.” He took Peter’s hand and led him downstairs, where he made a quick breakfast before getting him ready for day care.

“Where is Mr. Chase?” Peter asked.

“I’m not sure.” Jerrod checked his phone and found a message. “He said that he had to go in to work and that he didn’t want to wake us up.” A bunch of sleepy emojis followed. “He says he’ll call later and that he hopes we have a nice day.”

“Okay.” Peter took a bite of his cereal. “Did you and Mr. Chase have a sleepover?”

Jerrod hesitated, considering how much he wanted to say about his relationship with Chase. He liked him a great deal, and Jerrod could easily see himself falling for him. But still, he hesitated because he didn’t want Peter to get too attached. If things didn’t work out, the last thing he wanted was for Peter to be hurt as well. Maybe it was already too late for that. Jerrod had no idea. In the end Jerrod decided on honesty… to a degree. “Yes.”

Peter took another bite. “Do you like him? Is he your boyfriend?”

That question threw him for a loop for a second. “I don’t know. I think he might be. Is that okay?”

Peter nodded. “Yes, Daddy.” The tone told him Peter thought he was being silly. “Will I have a boyfriend when I grow up?”

“You might. Or you could have girlfriends. It’s okay to love whoever you want to.”

Peter raised his gaze. “But you like boys, right?”

Jerrod couldn’t believe he was having this conversation. “It isn’t important if you like boys or girls as long as you’re happy. That’s all that counts. I promise you that. The rest is just packaging on the outside. What really counts is what someone is like on the inside. Okay?” He hoped that would be enough of an answer for now. And thankfully Peter seemed satisfied and went back to his breakfast. Jerrod ate quickly and then got everything ready for work before bundling Peter into the truck to drop him off at day care.

“Do you think Mr. Chase will be back? He isn’t mad at us, is he?” Peter asked.

“No. He isn’t mad, and I hope he’ll be back.” After last night, Jerrod sure as heck hoped to see him again soon, but with the way things had been going, he hoped it was under happy circumstances rather than in an emergency.