Page 19

Story: Through the Flames

I did what she asked and sat back on my knees, pulling the thing that was holding me down over my head. I looked down at her body, which was now moving around, and saw what she was wearing. The silk, light pink nightgown had ridden up and over her thigh, showing off the tiny black lace that hid her arousal from me. The nightgown had a low neckline, and her b****t moved with every deep breath she took.
She looked like a vixen. A little garden face that acted sweet and innocent, but I knew the witch that was really there.
And she was mine.
I leaned over her again and put my hands on the sides of her face. I ran my hands down the side of her neck, over the dark purple bruise, and across her chest.
When I lightly held her neck, her eyes got darker with desire. I bent down and sucked on her bottom lip, chewing on the pink flesh.
I made it clear that “You have never been like a sister to me. You may have been my foster child for a week, but you have never been like a daughter to me.” “I tried to hide my feelings for you at first because I thought I was taking advantage of your situation. But Amaya, as the months went by, I couldn’t help it.”
“You’re a light in my life. You’re the only thing that makes me happy, and I live for you. You thought I was protective of you because I saw you as a sister, but I’m really protective of you because I would die if anything happened to you. Amaya, I’ve told you many times that I love you, but you need to know that I’m in love with you and have been for a long time.”
Her eyes turned red, and tears filled them. I quickly wiped them away and kissed her slowly, taking in the moment. Her arms wrapped around my neck and her legs crossed at the small of my back.
She whispered against my lips, “I love you too, Cartie.”
I had a feeling she had, but hearing it from her made me feel better. I didn’t think it would have such an effect on me. So I kissed her harder when my eyes started to hurt. Thanking her for loving me, promising to never hurt her, and saying that I will always love her.
She was everything to me, and that was all I needed.
**********
At one point in my life, I thought that fate was against me. I was sure that I would be alone for the rest of my life.
Tessa would have kids one day, and I would treat them like they were my own. As I got older, her kids would look up to me as their cool uncle who was too cool to ever settle down.
Then one day I would die. A firefighter with a lot of medals and hundreds of saves. My body would lie there, cold and alone, forever.
The thought scared me.
I was terrified of what would happen to me, and I didn’t know how to save myself.
Some people might say that I saved Amaya, but I don’t think they know that it’s the other way around.
I owe my life to Amaya Chase.
I was in such a dark place in my life, but she brought me light. I hadn’t laughed in years, but every day since Amaya has made me smile.
I needed Amaya, but I also wanted her. The problem with the word “need” is that it means “necessary.” It says that I won’t be able to live without her, and that’s something Amaya and I both know.
I wanted her, though. I wanted her and was so lucky to have her.
I told Amaya every day that she was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I heard her whisper from behind me, “You look so pretty in the morning sun.” I was sitting on the edge of the bed when I turned to see her sleepily looking up at me.
The silk sheet barely covered anything; it hung over her body like a blanket.
I turned my head away.
“I think that’s my line, baby girl,” I said with a smile and kissed her, not caring about anything else.
She hummed, “Mmmm,” and sat up. Her legs were so smooth that they looked like they went on for miles, even though we both knew she was only a little taller than average.
She moved off the bed and stood between my legs without breaking the kiss.
I couldn’t help but touch her because her body felt so soft against mine. She broke the kiss and threw her head back as I kissed my way down her neck.
You’d think I’d get used to how she made me feel after almost six months, but every time it felt like the first time.
“Do you want some breakfast?” she asked, and the rest of her sentence sounded like she was in pain when I bit her soft skin.
“I just ate breakfast,” I said with a smirk.
“Don’t waste my time; you won’t eat what I want you to.”
I nearly choked.
Tessa and I have been together for too long, and now my sweet angel is a nymph in heat.
I didn’t pay attention to what she said and tried to get my bearings. We got out of bed, and Amaya’s smug face was clear.
While Amaya showered, I tried to get rid of all the thoughts that were racing through my mind by making some food.
She came into the kitchen just as I was making her plate. She was wearing denim shorts and a cropped hoodie. We sat across from each other at the table, and every now and then I would see her looking at me.
I asked, “Do you want to come over here?” and they nodded their heads. She came over and sat down on my lap. After she finished her breakfast, she batted her eyelashes at me so I’d give her my food too.
I teased her by blowing raspberries on her neck while she tried to eat. “My baby is hungry,” I said.
She acted like she didn’t want me to play with her, but we both knew she loved it when I did.
I sang, “My baby…” and swayed us from side to side. “Little queen of mine…” Her whole neck turned a soft shade of red. It always amazes me how she can go from being a s****l goddess to an innocent fairy.
“My wife…”
The elbow to my gut knocked the wind out of me, but I knew it was coming.
She jumped off my lap and ran into the kitchen with our dirty dishes in her hands.
“That wasn’t funny, Carter,” she said angrily when I walked in behind her.
“Yeah, you’re right. Your elbow is mean.”
The glare I got could have melted a small country, but it just made me smile.
For a while now, Amaya has been hinting that she wants to get married. I have no problem making her my wife; in fact, the thought of it gives me chills. I just want to make sure it’s the right time.
Amaya is just twenty-one. I’m ten years older than she is. I’m going to be a captain in the Fire Department soon. For only a few months now, she’s been old enough to drink.
I might be ready to settle down, and she might think she is, but I will not force Amaya to get married at such a young age.
Anyone can tell you that I’m not afraid to be with her. Keeping Amaya safe and happy is the most important thing in my life. That’s why I want her to think about whether or not she really wants to get married right now.
“Fine! Don’t bother me about it if you don’t want to marry me.”
“I want to marry you, but I want to make sure you want to marry me too.”
She picked up the glass she was washing and turned to throw it at me, but she stopped at the last second.
She was trying to calm down her anger.
“I don’t think it’s safe for me to marry you. I mean, I might end up being a victim of domestic violence,” I said with a smirk.
She yelled in anger and ran to the bedroom. I might have gone a little too far this time, and I knew I had to calm her down.
I saw her making the bed in the bedroom. That was when I knew she was really angry. Amaya doesn’t clean anything.
“You know, if you don’t want to marry me, just say it. You don’t always have to be so mean.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes, making me feel like the worst person in the world.