Chapter 6
SIX
MELISSA
Turns out we were called away and were never able to go to my cabin after all. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to spend more alone time with Aspen, but the realities of life came crashing down on our time together.
It's been three days since I've seen him, and it's been on purpose.
Okay, I'm avoiding Aspen Brooks, because things are moving along too fast. I'm catching feelings way too fast and that can only lead to trouble.
It's worked out because I think he's been called back to work or maybe he's avoiding me as well.
I think I'm handling things well until my bestie pulls me away after one of my classes.
"What is going on with you, Melissa?"
"What do you mean? I'm fine."
"The hell you are. You've been distracted the past few days, and I even saw you call some students by the wrong name when you know each one of them by heart."
"I'm sort of avoiding the firefighter."
"The hot firefighter?"
"We kissed."
"OMG that's amazing. Let's go to the cafeteria so you can tell me more."
We start walking side by side as I try to gather my thoughts. I don't want to kiss and tell, but I need my bestie's input on what's happening in my life. Ms. Vivian has already tried to pry into my business, but I've kept closemouthed because she knows Aspen's family.
I get some water at the cafeteria and we sit down in a secluded spot in the room. The water is cool going down my throat and it eases my nerves.
"So…"
"The kiss was…intense to say the least."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"We were interrupted. But if we hadn't, I don't think we would have stopped."
"You would have had sex in a car?"
"A truck."
"It doesn't matter what you call it. It's not like you. At least not the woman I've known for the past five years. What's going on?"
I try to think on her question. What is going on? Is it because he saw me at my worst on the day we met? Is it because even though I was a brat to him he's always been kind and understanding to me. Except with the whole tearing down my door thing.
"I've formed a connection with him. He's a good man and a good firefighter. I don't even know why he let me hang out with him, because I was a real brat to him when we first met."
"If this is all about sex, I say go for it. You've been on your own too long."
"That's the thing, it's more than sex. Besides, I'd rather be alone than with someone that could potentially hurt me."
"You think he'll break your heart?"
"I don't know if I'm ready to be with someone again. Relationships are complicated."
"You're making it all too serious in your head. You need to relax and get to know him better. I do have some bad news, though."
"What?"
"The radio station update says the fire is moving back to your area, so your house is not out of the woods just yet."
"Damn it. I hate imposing on Ms. Vivian."
"Oh, um…incoming."
"What?"
"I'll talk to you later."
She gets up from the table like a fire has been lit under her and I just stare at her in shock. Everything becomes clear when a delicious looking firefighter takes her place.
"Hey, kitten."
The endearment makes my whole body heat up and I shift on my seat.
"What are you doing here?" I say in a soft voice.
"I wanted to see you. I know it's the middle of the school day, but I've got a surprise for you."
"I'm done with my classes for today."
"That's great. Get your things and come with me."
I only need to get my purse from the teacher's lounge, but I take the time to figure out if I should follow this man or stay here where my heart is safe. My curiosity over 'his present' wins and I hurry to meet him at the parking lot.
As usual he helps me get into the truck and buckles me in, reminding me of how he's such a gentleman. Also, of how freaking good he smells. I manage to get a hold of myself while he enters the car and take furtive glances of him every chance I get.
He's as delicious as he's always been, but now he seems really happy about something. I hesitate once more on whether or not I'm doing the right thing by encouraging his interest in me. Or should I say of reveling in his sunny presence.
"You're very quiet. Is everything okay?"
"When I hadn't seen you in the past couple of days I thought…"
"I had stuff at work, but I know you were avoiding me because I asked about you several days in a row."
I blush at that, embarrassment flooding me.
"It's just that we've grown close so fast, and that kiss."
"That kiss was everything, kitten."
I happen to agree with that assessment, so I just smile back at him. When he shuts down the engine, I'm surprised that he's parked in front of my cabin. Joy fills me that it's still standing and I burst out of the car to enter.
What do you know? The door is completely fixed!
"Surprise!"
"Oh my god, you fixed it! Thank you so much."
I throw myself into his arms with such gusto that I almost topple him, but he puts his strong arms around me and holds me tight keeping us from falling. I follow my instincts and start placing kisses all over his face, making him laugh.
The sound of his laugh is enchanting and I'm glad I caused it. Once I stop kissing him, I look up into his eyes and see my own passion reflected in them. He lowers his head just enough that our lips almost meet and I swear he is waiting for me to consent to another scorching kiss.
I close the distance between our lips and as they mesh together, I find I'm exactly in the place I should be. It's a feeling I haven't felt often, which is why I cherish it when I have it. The kiss intensifies and I'm glad Aspen is holding me tight, because my legs seem to be wobbly.
My heart is beating a mile a minute inside my chest and I just give myself fully into this amazing kiss. I barely register that we're outside of my house where anyone can come along and see us. My body is responding rapidly to the heat and passion between us and I start moaning. Loudly.
Aspen stops our kiss and looks at me with a smile on his face.
"I think the whole mountain heard you, kitten. Maybe we should go inside."
I take a moment to compose myself and then nod to tell him I'm good with that plan. We enter my home and happiness fills my heart because it's still standing and still whole. My knickknacks are all there in the shelves where I put them as I started collecting them.
Aspen walks behind me and puts his arms on my shoulders.
"We're still not out of the woods, Mel."
It annoys me that he just had to say that, but that's his job and my current reality. I walk forward into the living room and sit down where I was when Aspen found me that first day. I do a gut check to see if my stomach is going to rebel, but Aspen's presence seems to be keeping it in check.
When he sits next to me, I practically jump him. I grab his shirt and pull him down to me so that I can taste his lips once again. Deep inside, I've decided to let things move along as organically as they have with this hot devil, and I'm not looking back.
I let myself melt into the kiss, relishing our closeness and the way my body is responding to Aspen's touch. I suddenly feel like I'm overdressed and need to be skin to skin with him, so I pull back and start taking my shirt off. Aspen hesitates.
"Are you sure, Mel?"
"Very sure, Aspen. Please make love to me."
His gaze grows even more heated and he starts helping me get my jeans off. When he sees me in my underwear I swear he growls.
"Kitten you're a vision. I want to tear these from you and ravish you right here in this couch."
"Less words, more action, rookie."
He gives me a huge smile but doesn't tear said garments making me frustrated and needy. When I start to take the garments off he stills my hand.
"Not yet, kitten."
He helps me lie on the couch and takes his shirt off.
I'm in awe of his physique, but also of several tattoos covering his chest. I see the scars on his chest. There must be a story there, but I don't have time to find out about it right now.
I signal with my finger that I want him on top of me, but still, he hesitates.
When I see him get in between my legs I gasp and almost stop him. No one has ever gone down on me before and I don't know if I'll like it, and don't I need to be naked for this? Aspen starts placing kisses up my thighs and I start to lose focus on what I was worried about.
His openmouthed kisses are hot on my skin and my pussy responds in kind. I'm almost embarrassed of how aroused I am by what he's doing. When he reaches my core, all rational thought leaves my head and I push my hips forward so that he kisses me there.
"Is this what you want, kitten." He pushes the crotch of my panties aside, opens me up and places a kiss on my clit, making me shiver.
"Yes, please, Aspen."