When We Burn (The Blackwells of Montana #1)

Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

DANI

T his is, quite possibly, the best day of my life thus far.

Not only am I at a Sidney Sterling concert, which has been on my bucket list for eons but never thought I could afford the tickets, but said show is in my home town, and my boyfriend, who is Bridger Blackwell , is dancing with me.

I never thought any of those words would cross my mind in a sentence, let alone be true.

But, here we are. It’s not even a dream. It’s real.

Bridger seems to be content with the safety situation, and I have to admit, people are so happy to be here, there really hasn’t been anything bad happening, that I’ve seen anyway. If there has been an incident, it was handled quickly and quietly, the rest of us none the wiser.

We’re still with our group of friends and family, in a section near the stage that was roped off just for us, and I’m pretty sure this is what it feels like to be a VIP.

How am I supposed to settle for nosebleed seats after this?

“I can’t see Birdie,” I yell to Bridger, looking around our group.

“She’s in front,” he says. “Dancing with Daisy. I have eyes on her.”

I nod, relieved, and then Sidney introduces her band, including her hot-as-Hades husband, Keaton Williams, before she sits on the stool next to his piano and starts to sing a slow song that I love, making googly eyes at her man the whole time. It’s so romantic. And I do not miss the smug smile on Keaton’s lips as he plays the piano.

Holy hotness, Batman.

Bridger wraps his arms around my shoulders from behind, swaying us back and forth with the music, and I melt back against him, my head leaning against his chest and my hands gripping his arms as he moves us in rhythm with the music.

Being in Bridger’s arms is my favorite place to be. Nothing makes me feel more special or more cared for than when my man holds me against him.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” Bridger says into my ear, sending tingles through me. “Your ass looks amazing in these jeans. I can’t keep my hands off you.”

I grin and look up at him. “The jeans worked, then?”

He nods, and when I look back to the stage, he plants his mouth by my ear again, and my panties are officially soaked.

“I saw the guy flirting with you when you went to get us drinks.”

I frown. “There was no?—”

“I saw him,” he says again, perfectly calm, without a hint of jealousy. “But I’m the only one who gets to hold you and touch you. And it’s such a fucking turn-on, knowing that you’re all mine, sweetheart.”

I have to take a deep breath to calm my hormones down because I’d like to pull him away and try to find a quiet spot to have my way with him, but I also wouldn’t leave this show for anything in the world, so I just need to resign myself to being hot and bothered for the rest of the concert.

One of the things that I enjoy about going to shows like this is some of the people-watching. It makes me happy to see others so excited and having a good time, so I take a second to glance around at the crowd, smiling because so many of us are singing along with Sidney, and the happiness is contagious.

My eyes skim over a face that’s all too familiar, and I freeze, but then a tall man walks in front of my line of vision, and when he’s gone, so is the person I thought I saw.

No way.

I shake my head and turn back to the show. There’s no way I saw that.

“What’s wrong?” Bridger asks against my ear.

“Nothing.” I shake my head, but he holds me closer.

“You went pale on me, sweetheart. What’s wrong?”

I look up at him and cup his cheek. “I’m fine. I thought I saw someone, but I was mistaken. Honest.”

He narrows his eyes, and for a minute, I think he’ll push a little, but then his gaze falls to my lips, and he’s suddenly kissing me for all he’s worth, here in the middle of this huge crowd amongst all of the people we love.

I guess my man has no issue with public displays of affection.

When the show’s over, Bridger walks with us back to the Wild farmhouse, where Birdie and I will hang out with the others while Bridger helps with the traffic control back into town.

“That was the best concert I’ve ever been to,” Bee says with a happy sigh as she leans against me and rests her head on my shoulder. I have Birdie in my lap, snoozing away, and Alex is sitting on the other side of me.

We’re all wiped out, in the best way, talking about the show and waiting for traffic to thin so we can all go home.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Sidney herself says as she walks into the room. She’s already dressed in leggings and a T-shirt, her hair and makeup still done, and she collapses into a chair next to Erin. “It was the most fun I’ve had at a show in a long time.”

“Don’t you have VIP photos and stuff to do?” Erin asks her.

“I did them,” Sidney responds with a happy sigh. “I did a bunch before the show, too. I snuck away to come hang out with you guys.”

“We are the most fun,” Blake replies with a laugh. “How can you do what you do? Obviously, you’re in great shape, but you sang and danced for two solid hours, Sidney. What kind of training does that include?”

“When I was gearing up for the world tour,” she begins, “I sang every single song in my catalog while running on the treadmill.”

The whole room rumbles at that.

“You’re kidding,” Alex says.

“No, ma’am. I don’t lip-sync, ever. Now, remember, there are some numbers that I’ll sit on a stool and sing, and that is when I rest. Then, it’s time to move again. It’s rigorous. I have a specific diet and a nutritionist who goes on tour with us because I want to deliver the best show out there. I know that it’s an investment, and I’d be mortified if anyone ever walked away disappointed.”

“I don’t see that happening,” I reply. Holy shit, am I talking to Sidney Sterling? “Your concert has been on my bucket list for years, and this surpassed all my expectations.”

“And that, right there,” Sidney says as she points my way, “is why we do it. Your daughter is adorable, by the way.”

I feel a pang in my heart as I brush my fingers over Birdie’s dark hair. “Thank you, but she’s not mine.”

But, oh, how I wish she was. I don’t think I could love this peanut more if she’d come from my body.

“She fits with you,” Sidney says, and then is pulled into another conversation, and I feel my eyes fill with tears.

“She’s right,” Bee says softly next to me. “Birdie fits with you, and you fit with them.”

I nod and take a deep breath.

“I know.”

It’s been back to regular life since the concert on Saturday night. Some of my kids were a little cranky today in school because they were still tired from the show, so we took it easy in class.

Now that school is out for the day, and all the kids have been picked up, I’m more than ready to go home and get comfortable. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent every night at Bridger’s house, and Pickles hasn’t been moved back to my rental.

I go back and forth to get clothes or things I need, but for all intents and purposes, I’m basically living with my boyfriend and his adorable daughter.

And I’m not sad about it.

In fact, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. When Bridger’s working, I pick Birdie up from her sitter and take her home with me. We have an evening routine down pat already. If Bridger’s home, we cook dinner together and settle into a similar routine.

We make love every night.

I’ve never felt so cherished. Due to my hang-ups and trauma, I’ve never really been in a relationship before, certainly not one that feels so right. As if I was supposed to be here all along. I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin either, and I can attribute that to Bridger’s attentive and loving nature. I feel … safe.

There are a few other teachers leaving at the same time as me, and we smile and wave at each other, but it’s raining, coming down in sheets, so we run for our respective cars.

However, once inside of mine, it won’t start.

“Shoot.” I try again, but it doesn’t even try to turn over. With a deep sigh, I lean my head back on the headrest. I don’t want to walk home in this downpour.

Suddenly, someone knocks on my window, and I open the door to find Stephen, a second-grade teacher, frowning at me.

“Won’t start?” he asks.

“No. It’s dead.”

“Come on, I’ll give you a lift.”

“I have my snack tote with me today,” I tell him.

“I have room. I’ll get it for you.” He gestures for me to follow him, waiting with his umbrella as I gather my things and then rush over to his SUV with him. He holds the door open for me as I sit inside, and then he rushes back to my car for the tote and back to his own, stowing it in the back, then walks around to the driver’s side.

Stephen’s a really nice guy. He’s helped me out a lot since I came on staff, not to mention he’s handsome. But he’s never crossed the professional line with me, and I’ve always felt comfortable with him.

“Sorry about this,” I say when he starts his vehicle.

“Don’t be. I’m just sorry that your car is dead in the water. ”

“Yeah. I’ll call Brooks when I get home to get a tow to his shop. I’m over on Pine Avenue.”

“Got it,” he says with a nod and pulls out of the parking space. “Did you go to the concert the other night?”

“I did. It was so great. How about you?”

“Yeah, I went with some friends. She puts on a great show. Were your kids a little grouchy today, or was it just mine?”

“No, it was definitely mine, too. They’re probably still tired from all the excitement. Hang a left here, and then I’m three houses down on the left.”

“Got it.” He follows my directions and pulls into my driveway. “You go on up to the porch. I’ll get your tote.”

“You’ll get soaked. I can do it.”

“My mother would kill me if I let that happen.” He offers me a lopsided smile, and I give in with a nod. “There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Thanks, Stephen.” With a chuckle, I climb out of his car and hurry over to the porch, watching as he opens the back of the car and grabs the tote, carrying it to me. “I appreciate it.”

“It’s my pleasure, really. If you need a ride to school tomorrow, just let me know. I’ll give you my number.”

“Oh, that would be great. Here, just let me…” I pull my phone out of my pocket, unlock it, and pass it to Stephen, who adds his number to my contacts.

I also hear Bridger’s door close and look over to see him walking toward us, his face not happy in the least.

“Stephen, do you know Bridger Blackwell? ”

Stephen’s head comes up with a frown, and then he must hear the other man approaching because he glances behind him and nods.

“I do. Hey, Bridger, I didn’t realize you lived across the street.”

“Yeah,” my man says as he slips his arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him. “I do. What’s going on here?”

“Oh, my car decided to die on the wettest day of the year, and Stephen gave me a ride home.”

“Here you go, Dani. My number’s in there.” Stephen passes me my phone, smiling softly at me, and Bridger stiffens beside me. When I look up, his dark eyes are furious.

“In case I need another ride tomorrow.”

“She won’t,” Bridger says, turning his attention back to Stephen. “But thanks for taking care of my girl today. I appreciate it.”

He holds out his hand for Stephen to shake. The other man looks at me with a quizzical smile and then back at Bridger.

“Of course.” He takes Bridger’s hand, and I can see that Bridger’s grip is just too tight. “Like I said, happy to help.”

He pulls away, nods at me, and then walks down to his car, pulling out of my driveway.

“What was that?” I ask, frowning up at the angry man beside me. He’s practically vibrating. “Why the dick-measuring contest? ”

His eyebrow climbs. “Don’t look now, sweetheart, but you just swore.”

“Yeah, I’m kind of mad at you.”

“ You’re mad at me ?”

“Yes.” I roll my eyes and unlock my door, walking inside. It smells a little musty, like it hasn’t been lived in much.

Because it hasn’t.

“You were rude to him, and there was no reason to be.”

“I was perfectly calm. Trust me, I wanted to punch him in the face, so you should be pleased with how that all went down.”

I set my things aside and prop my hands on my hips as I face him. “What? Why? He just gave me a ride home in the rain because my car died. He was totally nice to me.”

Bridger’s jaw tightens, and his hands flex into fists at his sides.

“Bridge, are you okay?”

“No.” He shakes his head and walks slowly to me. “I’m not okay when another man drives you home, walks you to the door, and puts his motherfucking phone number in your goddamn contacts, Dani. There’s nothing about that scenario that is in the vicinity of okay.”

“Bridger.” I sigh and close my eyes. My man is beyond jealous, and he has no reason to be. “I’m yours. You know that. I’m not interested in Stephen at all, even if I was single, which I’m not . He’s just a friendly coworker who saw that I had car trouble and helped me out. It was completely innocent.”

“For you.” He tips my chin up, finally touching me. “But I saw the look in his eyes when he looked at you, and it’s not innocent for him.”

“That doesn’t matter,” I insist. “My intentions are what matter here, and there aren’t any intentions with that man. He’s just a nice guy. End of story.”

Bridger shakes his head and then his lips are on mine, hard and unrelenting, as his hands dive into my hair, holding me in place so he can plunder my mouth. With a groan, I lean into him, fisting my hands in the shirt at his sides, immediately ready for him.

I’m always ready for him.

I’m in a skirt today, and he bunches it up around my waist as he picks me up and carries me to the kitchen where he sets me at the edge of the countertop, and his fingers pull my panties aside, and then a finger slips through my already wet folds, making me groan.

“That’s from you,” I manage to say against his lips. “Only you.”

“Damn right.” He hits his knees, and his mouth is on me, sending me straight into a climax so hard and fast, I see stars. “This is mine, Dani. Mine. Fuck, do you have any idea how hot you are in this skirt? I’ve wanted to fuck you in it for weeks.”

“I’ll wear it more often.” I groan and then gasp when he pushes his tongue inside of me. My thighs rest on his shoulders, and my ass is off the counter, in the air as he plunders me with that magical mouth, and all I can do is brace myself on the countertop with my hands. “Oh, God.”

“My name is the only one you’ll cry out when I’m fucking you, kitten. Do you understand me?”

He’s so intense. As if he’s proving a point, but he doesn’t have to.

I already know.

I’m so in love with him, I can’t see anyone else.

“Bridger.” My hips are moving against his mouth, the sound of my desire for him loud and almost obscene in the complete quiet. “Inside me. Please.”

He kisses my inner thigh, and then I’m in his arms again, and he’s moving us to the couch, where he sets me down and starts taking off his clothes.

“Lie back,” he says through gritted teeth.

“I’m still dressed?—”

“Lie. The fuck. Back.”

I’ve never seen this side to him before. This animalistic, out-of-control version of Bridger that intrigues me and has me on edge at the same time.

As he yanks off his clothes, I do what he wants, lying on my back on the cushions of the couch, still fully dressed.

When he’s naked, he reaches under my skirt and pulls my panties off, tossing them over his shoulder, and then he crawls over me, nestles the head of his cock against my entrance, and pins me in his gaze.

“I’ll remind you as often as it takes that you’re mine.” He thrusts inside me so hard, so deep, that I gasp with the twinge of pain, and then he starts to move, and it’s absolutely amazing . “If you need a ride, you call me. If I’m not available, I’ll find someone for you.”

I swallow hard, my eyes pinned to his. I couldn’t look away from him if I tried.

“Do you understand?”

I nod.

“Use your fucking words, sweetheart.”

“I understand.” I groan when he hits that perfect spot that lights me up inside. “I’m yours, Bridge. I promise.”

My words ignite something in him because he suddenly buries his face in my neck and growls, and I can feel him start to come inside of me, and it sends me over on another wave of absolute bliss.

He’s shuddering over me, inside of me, breathing hard, and I can’t help but run my hands down his back, up his sides, soothing him.

“I’m yours,” I keep repeating to him, whispering words of comfort. “Only yours.”

Finally, he takes one long, deep breath and then rises up on his elbows, brushing my hair off my cheeks with his thumbs.

“Did I hurt you?” He gently kisses my swollen lips. “Was I too rough, baby?”

“No.” Unable to stop touching him, I drag my fingertips down his cheek. “I loved it.”

He cocks an eyebrow at that. “Yeah? What else do you love?”

My heart stutters. I’ve never told anyone but my siblings and Bee that I love them .

“I can start,” he says, whispering against my cheek. “I love the sound of your name on my lips.”

Oh, God.

“I love the way you smile at me when you first see me in the morning.”

I can’t help but tighten my grip on him. I feel tears fill my eyes, but he keeps talking, looking down at me.

“I love it when we’re making dinner together and you hum while you cut the vegetables.”

He kisses me softly.

“I love the way you are with my daughter, so funny and sweet. It always makes my chest hurt, watching the two of you together.”

One tear slips down the side of my face, and he catches it with his thumb.

“Baby, I love the way I feel when I’m inside of you, and I love the way you make me feel when I’m with you.”

This kiss is soft, and his tongue slips between my lips and brushes over mine, giving me goose bumps.

“I love you, Dani. I love everything about you.”

Tears run unchecked now as I frame his gorgeous face in my hands. “I love you, too. So much. More than I thought possible.”

“Thank God because otherwise, I was about to feel really stupid.”

I laugh, and then he pulls us both up and rearranges us so I’m sitting in his lap. He brushes my hair back from my shoulder and then pulls his knuckles down my cheek.

“Say it again,” he whispers.

“Which part? ”

He narrows his eyes, and I chuckle as I lay my lips over his. “I love you, Bridger Blackwell. For a million reasons.”

“Mostly because of my dick, though, right?”

I snort and then laugh outright, shaking my head. “Surprisingly, that ranks in the top three, but it’s not at the top.” I can’t stop touching him. “I love how special you make me feel. And I love your daughter.”

He takes a long, shaky breath.

“And then your … dick.”

He chuckles and then crushes his mouth to mine. “I can live with that.”