7. Seth
Chapter 7
Seth
I ran into burning buildings all the time. That was part of my job. It didn’t scare me. Didn’t even make me hesitate after doing it for seven years.
When my crew and I pulled up to that house fire, I had no clue Marlee would be inside. When I scoured the hallways, searching for survivors, I never dreamed I was looking for Marlee.
Then I heard the voice, calling for help, barely audible over the flames.
I found the chair wedged beneath the door handle. In the back of my mind, I registered that this was the work of the arsonist—a significant escalation from setting harmless fires in empty houses to trapping someone inside while their home burned down around them.
But that wasn’t my primary concern. Getting that victim out and controlling the fire were my only priorities.
When I opened the door and I saw Marlee there, huddled in the bathtub, soaked and smudged with soot, I felt sick to my stomach. For the first time in my life, I was scared. If my crew had been five minutes slower in getting to that fire, it would have been too late to save Marlee.
I retrieved a bottle of water from the cooler we kept in the firetruck. I dumped the icy liquid over my head, trickling down my face and into the collar of my borrowed coat.
Now that the fire had been put out, the remains of Marlee’s house looked like a charred skeleton. Lieutenant Hardy and Mueller were searching the interior for hot spots along with any evidence of arson.
I leaned back against the truck, bracing my hands on my knees as I fought to get a decent breath. As a firefighter, I was accustomed to being the one that people looked to for support and comfort in a crisis. While their homes burned, they needed someone strong to rely on. They needed to look in my face and see calm, level-headed confidence.
Now that Marlee was at the hospital, and the fire was contained, I felt myself crumbling.
This morning, we’d been texting, planning our day. Less than an hour later, everything went haywire. Pulling Marlee out of that burning house, seeing the fear in her eyes…would haunt me for the rest of my life. I wanted nothing more than to get my hands on that arsonist for what he’d done to her.
In the blink of an eye, everything had changed. From flirty and fun, to disastrous.
I could have lost her.
“How are you holding up?”
I raised my head at the sound of Lieutenant Hardy’s voice as he approached.
“I’ve been better,” I admitted.
“This one hit too close to home, didn’t it? Take the rest of the day off. Get some rest.”
“No,” I replied immediately. “Sitting around and twiddling my thumbs will drive me crazy. I need to make myself useful. I need to do something.”
Lieutenant Hardy gestured at the smoking remnants of Marlee’s house.
“Fine. Then go check on your girl. She could use a friendly face right about now. We’re almost done wrapping up.”
I combed my fingers through my damp hair and rose to my feet.
“Not until I have information I can give her about this arsonist. He barricaded her in the bathroom, Lieutenant. That’s attempted murder.”
“Mueller found three ignition sites. He’s in the process of handing over all the evidence to Sheriff Beck. The rest is up to the police. Now, would you please go to the hospital? I can’t stand seeing you torture yourself like this.”
I chuckled.
“Yes, sir.”
As soon as I entered the hospital, I didn’t need to ask where Marlee’s room was. All I had to do was follow the sound of her voice, protests echoing loudly through the corridors.
“This is ridiculous,” she said. “I’m fine and I’m checking myself out.”
God, she sounded so sharp and clear and alive.
“No…no! I don’t care if a wheelchair is protocol,” Marlee continued. “I have two perfectly good legs. I’m walking out of here. End of discussion.”
Then Marlee rounded the corner and came into view. A few patches of gauze marked her legs and arms where she’d been burned. Wearing only a hospital gown, my coat practically smothered her. Bundled in the crook of her arm were her soot-stained clothes. The determination in her eyes showed she’d made up her mind and no one was going to stop her.
“Sounds like you could use a getaway driver,” I said, jerking my thumb over my shoulder. “My car is in the parking lot, ready to go.”
Marlee blew out a breath of relief and swallowed hard. Her determination wavered. Suddenly, exhaustion lined her face. I closed the gap between us in two strides and gathered her into my arms. She sagged against my chest, her fierceness melting away now that she knew she was safe with me.
“Get me out of here,” Marlee said, muffled against my shirt. “I can’t stand it for another second.”
Looping my arm around her waist, I led Marlee through the double doors and into the fresh air. After she was settled into my passenger seat, I brushed my knuckles against her cheek.
“You’re stressing me out, sweetheart. First, that firework in your office. Now this? I’d appreciate it if you stopped scaring me half to death.”
Marlee managed a faint, tired smile.
“Believe me, this is not what I had in mind when I moved to Romeo. I was looking for less drama. Not more of it.”
I wanted to probe that remark more, but she’d been through enough already, so I left it alone for now.
“How do you feel about making a pit stop at the Bluebonnet Bakery to pick up those donuts I promised?”
She heaved a sigh and shook her head.
“I’m not very hungry. A shower would be great though.”
I nodded and reached across the center console, offering my hand, palm up. Marlee interlaced our fingers together.
“My apartment has fantastic water pressure,” I replied.
“I was thinking more along the lines of a hotel,” Marlee countered.
“Sweetheart, there’s a firebug after you. The safest place for you to be is cozied up with a firefighter.”
She took a breath to protest but I shook my head.
“I didn’t say this was up for negotiation. If you really hate it, you can bunk at the firehouse with the boys. But I’ll warn you, they snore. Loudly.”
I started my car and made my way onto the main road. To my surprise, Marlee didn’t fight me on it. That was proof enough that she was really worn out. This arsonist had dodged the cop stationed on watch duty outside her house. I wasn’t taking any chances.
When we entered my apartment, I gave her a quick rundown of the place.
“Make yourself at home. Kitchen is open day and night, so you’re welcome to raid the fridge for midnight snacks. I’m not much of a cook, but I can order the best takeout you’ve ever tasted. Bedroom and bathroom are around the corner.”
Marlee surveyed her surroundings, clutching her bundle of dirty pajamas. A pang of sympathy twisted in my stomach for her. Uprooting her life in California. Moving to a new town. And now, losing her brand new home. She just couldn’t catch a break.
I gently pried the clothes away as I led her to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, I tested the water until it ran pleasantly warm.
Marlee watched my movements with solemn blue eyes. It was strange to see her so quiet, without her usual snappy comebacks and sharp tongue.
Tossing her dirty clothes in the hamper, I peeled her coat off her shoulders. It dropped to the floor with a heavy whump. Marlee closed her eyes and swayed toward me, curling her fingers into my shirt.
“You don’t have to take care of me,” she whispered. “I can handle myself.”
I hummed as I unlaced the ties of her hospital gown.
“I know. But you don’t have to.”
With a tug, the gown slid off and fell to the ground. Fuck, she was perfect—full hips, the beautiful, heavy curve of her tits with rosy pink nipples. I craved every inch of her—to taste her, to lose myself inside her—but Marlee needed stability and security right now. Not sex.
Stripping off my own clothes, I stepped into the shower, taking her with me. I worked my soap into a lather and washed her hair, combing my fingers through the tangles. She closed her eyes with a noise of contentment, tilting her head back.
Marlee turned and peppered butterfly kisses across my chest as I rinsed her hair clean. My cock twitched, bumping against her thigh despite my best attempts to keep the damn thing under control. I trailed my hands down her smooth skin, slippery and warm from the soapy water.
Then Marlee curved her fingers around my cock. I sucked in a breath, hips thrusting forward into her fist.
“You’ve been through a lot today,” I said. “I don’t want you to do something you might regret later.”
She ghosted her lips along the curve of my neck. A shiver rippled up my spine. I reached past her shoulder and turned off the shower. Pulling back, I dipped my head to meet Marlee’s gaze.
“Tell me what you want.”
Marlee skimmed her palm up my chest, over my shoulder, and down my bicep. She nuzzled into my neck, curling her body into mine.
“To feel safe with you.”
I trailed my thumb along her jawline, tucking a damp lock of hair behind her ear. Such a simple request and I was more than happy to give it to her.
Taking Marlee’s hand, I stepped out of the shower and toweled her off. She turned around in the circle of my arms, with her back against my chest. I let the towel drop to the floor, filling my hands with her. I touched every inch of skin I could reach while Marlee’s eyes fluttered closed. She braced her palms on the counter and pressed her ass back against my cock, grinding and rolling her hips.
Something primal in my brain took over—cradling my woman in my arms, the scent of her arousal becoming sweet and thick in the air. No smoke, no fire, no trembling with fear. I hooked an arm around Marlee’s waist and tucked my hand between her thighs. She gasped when I stroked over her clit, slipping lower to curl two fingers inside her hot, slick pussy.
“I wish I could have you like this morning, noon, and night,” I murmured in her ear, nipping at her shoulder. “Falling apart on my fingers, my tongue, my cock—whatever you needed.”
Marlee’s walls clenched tight, sucking my fingers deeper until I was buried knuckles-deep inside her.
“You wouldn’t have the stamina to keep up with me,” she replied.
I met her gaze in the mirror, my eyebrows raised in surprise. She smirked, clearly issuing a challenge. I breathed a soft laugh and pinched her skin between my teeth.
“Careful what you wish for, baby.”
Tugging open one of the sink drawers, I retrieved a condom and rolled it on. I grazed my palm over Marlee’s bare hip with a squeeze. She shifted her weight forward, angling her ass toward me for better access.
I dragged the tip of my cock through her folds, savoring the way her breath hitched. Then I sank in slowly with a groan. Marlee hummed with satisfaction and tipped her head back to rest on my shoulder. Gripping her hips, I set a slow, steady pace, allowing us to feel every inch of each thrust.
Marlee grabbed my wrists and pulled my arms around her. I tucked my face in her neck, surrounding myself with her body heat, her scent, those sweet little noises she made when I buried my cock deep.
When I felt her walls flutter, I pressed my mouth to her neck in a searing kiss. Then I circled her clit with enough pressure to make Marlee arch against me.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she babbled, rising up on tiptoe.
I snapped my hips into her, over and over, as her orgasm rose. Marlee gave a needy whine, clawing at my forearms. I clutched her body tighter, gritting my teeth to hold out a little longer.
“That’s it, sweetheart,” I rasped. “You’re so close.”
I pulled out and thrust back in with one hard stroke. Marlee shattered, fingernails leaving red welts on my arms. I kept circling her clit, sending one wave of pleasure after another washing over her. She squeezed my cock so tight that I exploded a second later, pulsing inside her.
The only sound in the room was our harsh breathing. Marlee relaxed, boneless in my embrace. I kissed her cheek and smoothed my tongue over the red mark on her neck from my teeth.
“If the police don’t catch this arsonist,” Marlee said. “I might have to stay here a while.”
I smiled, skimming my palms up her torso to cup her breasts.
“In that case, I hope the arsonist never shows his face again.”
Reluctantly, I pulled out, hissing at the loss of contact when my cock slipped free. Tossing the condom in the trash, I hoisted Marlee into my arms, carrying her to bed.