Page 34 of Chasing the Flame (The Sacred Flames Of Ruin #1)

“I didn’t want to presume…” he trails off, clearing his throat and running a hand through his beard. “You’ve been through so much, and the last thing I want to do is put pressure on you.”

For some reason that sentence makes me angry, like he thinks I don’t know my own mind. I’ve been grappling with my feelings for weeks now, trying to reconcile the fact I’ve fallen in love with him.

“Jettson, stop.” I command, placing a palm on his chest in reprimand. “I could care less about separate beds.”

“No, I really think it’s for the best. At least for tonight, you need to process what happened—”

I storm out of the cab, just as the sky starts to turn dark. Thunder rolls in the distance, and in a matter of seconds it’s a downpour. I race toward the cabin, laughing as rain splatters on my face.

“Averie!” Jettson calls, and I laugh even harder, sprinting toward the tree line. I throw my head up, and let the water wash over me, sending a wave of gratitude in the air. I thank the god and goddess for keeping me safe. For bringing me here…with him.

I spin, and spin, letting go of every bit of emotion I’ve been holding onto. I feel it leave my body, the light seeping in and banishing the darkness. My laughter rings in the air, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve ever felt so carefree.

Then, electricity shoots up my spine, awareness flooding my skin like ripples of gooseflesh. I feel his presence, and I turn only to lock eyes with him .

He sees me, really sees me. Not for what I can give him, but for who I am. For the person I want to be. The realization sends a pang through my chest, followed by tears brimming at the corner of my eyes.

I’m soaked to the bone, but I don’t care. I need this. I need to make him understand just how badly I need us.

I need to claim my power back, to take ownership of my body. This is my choice.

Jettson’s still leaning against the hood of his truck. He looks so fucking good. He’s drenched, his shaggy locks sticking to his forehead, as his black shirt clings to his frame. I close the distance between us, shivering as the temperature drops close to chilly.

I’m standing directly in front of him, drowning in his gaze. Sucking in a sharp breath, I whisper, “ Fuck it .”

Jettson

We’re standing in the pouring fucking rain, both of us tired of fighting this pull. We’re struggling to breathe correctly, our chests rapidly rising and falling in the frigid air. There’s a charge in the atmosphere, one that has my dick straining against my jeans.

I’m trying to fight this need… but god dammit .

I want her. So, fucking bad. I wanted her the moment she opened the door of that bastard’s house, scowling at me like she already knew what a pain-in-her ass I was going to be.

I burn for her.

Every waking moment, of every single fucking day. From the time I get up until the time I go to sleep, I’m consumed by thoughts of Averie Blackthorne.

And goddamnit, I’m fucking sick and tired of fighting it.

“ Fuck it ,” she whispers, completely confident as her eyes blaze with need.

I don’t think, I react, snatching the back of her head and crashing my lips down on hers. My nose stings, but I don’t give a fuck. The gasp that leaves her lips pulls a deep groan from my throat. She tastes fucking divine, and meets every punishing stroke of my tongue with passion.

She mewls, melting into me, her hands frantically working at my old belt.

I break the kiss, spinning her around and gently push her face down against the hood of my truck.

I tut, “What a greedy little thing you are, Averie. Are you already soaked for me? I bet if I yanked down your jeans, your pretty pussy would weep if I so much as blew on it.”

Averie whimpers, clenching her thighs together. My palm rests on her back, holding her in place and my rock-hard dick has long surpassed the point of uncomfortable. Still, I’ve been waiting for weeks to get my hands on Averie, and I’m going to enjoy every fucking second of it.

I reach a hand around, rubbing her sensitive pussy over her jeans. She squirms, bucking her hips, and I remove my hand and smack her ass.

She gasps, groaning softly when I squeeze the tender spot, massaging it with my fingers. “Don’t be greedy, I plan to take this slow, baby. ”

“Oh, fuck!” The groan is like music to my ears. I have her exactly where I want her, practically melting in the palm of my hand. “Jettson, I-I need you.”

Grinning, I unbutton her jeans, sliding them over her thick ass and down her legs. She’s wearing the sexiest black lacy underwear, and I want to pocket them. “Step out of your jeans.” She freezes, unsure of the tone of my voice. “ Now ,” I say, giving her another slap on the ass.

She whimpers, not from pain, but from desire.

Then, Averie complies, shifting to kick her jeans to the side.

We’re both drenched, not like it matters they’ll be splattered in mud.

When she’s partially bared before me, save that perfect pair of underwear, I lean down, planting a kiss on each cheek of her ass.

She sucks in a breath, and the growl that leaves my chest is primal.

I fucking love the sounds coming from her.

Using my teeth, I pull down her underwear as much as I can, and use my fingers to help slide them all the way down. “Step out of the underwear, turn around, and put it in my pocket.” The command leaves my lips, gruff but clear.

This time, Averie doesn’t hesitate. She complies instantly, even going a step further by yanking off her black T-shirt and matching bra. Her rosy nipples are a sight to behold, and god dammit if I don’t want to bury inside her.

Right. Fucking. Now.

With great restraint, I dip my head and taste her tits, flicking and teasing with strokes of my tongue. She moans, fisting a hand in my hair and tugging tightly. Oh, so this is how you want to play?

Another devilish grin skates across, stopping me mid-thought. Instinct takes over, and I give her a hand necklace I know she’ll enjoy wearing. My grip is firm but not tight, and I give her a gentle squeeze before lavishing her breasts and stomach with kisses .

Luke was never going to be man enough for her. She is divine—a goddess born to be worshipped.

The minute my hand squeezes a little firmer around her neck, two things happen. The first, Averie bites her lower lip capturing my attention. Then, she uses the momentary distraction to unbuckle my belt. And that just won’t do.

“This. Is. About. You,” I growl, bringing my nose an inch away from hers. Her eyelids flutter closed, and she rolls her head back relishing in my touch. I kiss, nip, and lick down her throat and across her chest.

It’s like everything is set ablaze, and my touch is pushing her closer to the edge. My girl is begging to be shown just how good sex can really be. And I’m dying, no, salivating at the mouth to taste her.

Working my hands across her stomach, I caress and slide my fingers down and gently squeeze her hips.

My eyes greedily take in her right thigh, anticipation thrumming through me at finally uncovering the tattoo that’s been burning in the back of my mind for weeks.

It’s beautiful, a flaming feather that curves along her thigh delicately, ending in a quill dripping with ink.

But it’s the script that stops me in my tracks.

A single quote, but one that’s so powerful.

She wrote in ash and called it hope .

My fingers brush against the script, my mouth following with tiny kisses along each word.

It describes this amazing woman perfectly .

Sliding further down, I plant kisses along her thighs, down her calves, making sure she understands how much I crave her.

Dropping to the ground, I hike her leg up on my shoulder, and lock eyes with her.

I gently blow against her pussy, relishing in the tremor that ravages her body.

She sighs, biting that damn bottom lip again, “Please.”

It’s a whisper, broken, and reverent. I feel the raw need pulsating in the air, smothering us in its intensity .

With one last glance, I lower my lips to hers, and when that first lick floods my mouth, so sweet and pure, I know I’m a ruined man.

Slowly, I devour her, flicking and teasing with every stroke of my tongue. The yelps and moans coming from her are intoxicating. She’s unraveling right before my eyes, and I can’t wait to for her to come completely undone.

Inserting a finger into her delicious heat, I stroke her inner walls, adding a second finger and curling my fingers wickedly as I continue to punish her clit with my tongue. She bucks, rocking her hips back and forth as she fucks my face.

I stop, removing my fingers and trail them up and down her thighs, leaving kisses in their place.

She whimpers, arching her hips up toward me.

I grin, and smack her clit. “Naughty, naughty. You’re getting greedy.

Maybe if you ask me nicely, I’ll let you cum.

” Averie gasps as I inch them higher and back across her belly.

I leave a kiss for every stroke, nipping my way back up to her chest and neck.

Averie cries out when I bite down on her hard nipple, a groan escaping her clenched teeth as my tongue soothes the sting. “Jettson… please,” she whispers, and I cave.

Groaning, I slide back down her body, stopping just shy of her pretty pink pussy.

“Good girl,” I coo, sliding a single lick up her wet cunt.

She squirms, and I take both my hands, spreading her legs wide and push her hips back down.

I lick her clit again, picking up the pace, and eat her pussy like a starving man.

She’s the flame I’ve been chasing. The flames fan higher, covering us both in an explosive ecstasy, and we’re fucking drowning in it.

Her walls clench, and I push harder, fucking her with each punishing stroke of my fingers. Her legs quake, and she’s screaming my name. When her orgasm floods me, soaking my beard and face, my dick strains painfully against my pants .

She’s so fucking gorgeous—goddamn made just for me.

Water from the downpour is sliding down her body, the cold droplets causing her skin to pebble. She’s spent, her sage eyes hazed and flashing with carnal passion.

My jeans and boxers are gone in a flash, my thick and long length springing free. Her eyes widen, taking me in from head to toe. I smirk, knowing just exactly what she’s thinking.

It won’t fit, it’s too big, goddamnit Jettson.

The last thought has me full-blown grinning, before the alpha inside me takes over. “Slide down the hood, turn around, bend over, and make sure your legs are spread wide. I wanna see that pretty little cunt before I destroy it.”

Her expression darkens, fire flashing in her eyes.

She licks her lips, doing the exact opposite of what I asked and drops to her knees before me.

“Not yet,” she says, stroking my dick with her hand.

“I want to taste you.” She grins devilishly, and I suck in a sharp breath, groaning when her mouth wraps around my cock.

Averie’s mouth is pure heaven, her hand pumping and stroking me as she flicks and sucks the head of my cock.

My hands wrap in her hair, and she takes me deeper, nearly causing me to cum on the spot.

I pull out of her mouth, lifting her up off the ground, and onto the hood of my truck. I can’t wait anymore, I need her. Averie inhales sharply, her eyes wide. “Are you sure?” I ask, needing her confirmation before I take us all the way home.

“Jettson, I swear to god if you don’t fuck me right now—”

Her words die when I thrust inside her, turning into delicious moans that have me groaning in satisfaction. “I love you,” she says, breathy and seductive, nipping my lip bottom with her teeth .

“I burn for you,” I growl, thrusting harder and deeper, eliciting a deep moan from Averie. “I think I’ve loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you.”

Her hands trail up my back, caressing and holding me, tugging me tighter against her. Averie wraps her legs around my back, moving her hips in time with my thrusts. “Jettson, I need…”

She moans loudly, and I reach a hand down to her clit, circling her swollen bud of nerves with my thumb. “Cum,” I command, not stopping for a second. I don’t stop when her thighs shake, nor when her grip around my back tightens. No, I don’t stop until she’s screaming in ecstasy and calling my name.

I quicken my thrusts, moaning in satisfaction when she urges me to go harder, gripping my ass with her hands. She cries out, moaning and nips my ear. “Jettson,” she whispers, and it’s like a prayer against my skin. In two more strokes I’m cumming, pulling out and spraying my seed on her belly.

As if she couldn’t get anymore sexy, she swipes a finger in the cum and brings it to her lips, sucking hard. “Mhh, you taste exactly like I thought you would,” she whispers, her gaze heavy lidded and sated.

I chuckle, relishing in the look she’s giving me. “Let’s get you inside and cleaned up,” I murmur, lifting her off the hood of my truck and into my arms.

Averie nods, nestling her head against my chest, and I gently carry her toward the cabin.

Inside, the silence wraps around us like a spell—soft, golden, untouched. I nudge the door shut behind us, holding her a little tighter, our bodies still pressed together, wet and bare. The storm has dwindled to a hush against the windows, its fury spent.

I lower her onto the bed like I’m setting down something sacred. Her skin is still damp, her breath still catching in that quiet, trembling way. Her hair spills over the pillow like firelight, her mossy eyes finding mine with a softness that undoes me.

Without a word, I trace her body with my hands, with my mouth—needing to memorize every inch of her.

Each kiss is a promise. Each touch a prayer. And in the hush between heartbeats, I lose myself in her all over again.