Second Alarm (Firehouse Fourteen Book 5) Page 8

  No, she didn’t, but she figured he probably already guessed that.

  “As for how many guys are on my shift—right now, we have seven. Dave and Jimmy are on the medic unit and there’s five of us on the engine. Dale’s the driver, Pete is our lieutenant, then there’s Mikey, Jay, and me. We have a vacancy for Captain—the last guy we had was an asshole and they haven’t transferred anyone in since he left. They’re also talking about adding a second engine to our house but who knows if it’ll ever happen. You’ll get a chance to meet everyone except Pete, because he’s on vacation right now.”

  Beth nodded. She repeated all the names in her head, wondering if she’d end up forgetting by the time they got to wherever they were going. Nerves fluttered in her stomach again and she ruthlessly pushed them away. It was normal to be nervous, she told herself. No reason to let the nerves take control.

  Adam merged the SUV off the interstate and onto the Baltimore beltway. Traffic was heavier now but it didn’t matter because they weren’t on the beltway for long. Ten minutes later, Adam was guiding the SUV into a residential neighborhood and parking along the curb in front of an attractive split-level house. The front yard was neatly manicured, the walkway leading to the door bordered by dormant flower beds. Two large pots of colorful mums sat on either side of the porch, along with a comical scarecrow.

  “So this is Mikey’s house?”

  “Actually, it’s Nick’s. Mikey was living in a renovated barn until they got back together.” Adam turned the engine off then got out, pocketing his keys as he walked around to her side. Beth opened the door, frowning as she tried to figure out the best way to climb down without falling on her face. It was a misplaced worry because Adam was suddenly right next to her, lifting her out. His arms wrapped around her as her body slid down his, all hard muscle and masculine heat. A little groan escaped her when he pulled her closer and claimed her mouth with his.

  The kiss was slow. Deep. Thorough. Like he couldn’t get enough of her. She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving in to the velvety slide of his tongue against hers. Needing more, forgetting where they were—

  Until a teasing voice called out.

  “There’s a spare room in the basement if you need it.”

  Adam eased his mouth from hers, a grin curling one corner of his full mouth as he slowly stepped away. He looked over his shoulder, the grin blossoming into a full smile.

  “Bite me, Mikey.” He reached for Beth’s hand and gave it a tug. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to the guys.”

  Chapter Ten

  Duffy’s was packed as usual. Nick’s band always drew a crowd, which was why Grant—the owner of Duffy’s—had them here at least once a month. Adam preferred the other nights, when the floor space was dominated by two pool tables instead of a teeming throng of sweaty bodies. Like everyone else on his shift, he preferred a smaller crowd, one where you didn’t have to scream to be heard.

  But they still tried to get here whenever Nick was playing, as long as their shift wasn’t working. To support Nick—and because Mikey always guilted them into it. Yet for all the times they’d been here, this was the first night every single one of them brought a date along.

  Adam reached for the plastic cup of beer and brought it to his mouth. He took a long swallow, his gaze scanning the bodies bunched together on the crowded dance floor. Beth was out there, dancing to an old rock song with Melanie and CC. A bright smile wreathed her flushed face as she moved to the beat of the music.

  Adam still couldn’t believe he’d asked her along tonight. No, it was more than that. Once he decided to ask her, he’d actually been looking forward to it. For the first hour at the cookout, Beth had been quiet and reserved, her discomfort obvious. She’d slowly come out of her shell, relaxing enough to join in the conversation. He had even coaxed her into playing some cornhole and they had managed to come in second place in the impromptu tournament that Mikey had devised. Adam’s gaze drifted to the loose blouse Beth was wearing. Even from here, he could still see the silly button she was wearing: a big white round one, with the number 2 scrawled on it. The top of the two had been drawn as a comical smiley face.

  Apparently, Mikey had raided Nick’s school supplies before the cookout.

  Adam lowered his cup to the table then glanced down at the matching button on his own shirt. He frowned then reached up and took it off, tossing it on the table. It slid across the surface and came to a stop in a small puddle of beer near one of the pitchers.

  What the fuck was he doing? Bringing a date to a shift party? Playing games and wearing stupid winner buttons? What the hell was wrong with him? He needed to have his fucking head examined. What made it worse was the fact that he’d actually been enjoying himself. Beth was fun to be around once she got over her nervousness and shyness. She had an open laugh and an easygoing smile that drew everyone in. Well of course she did. She was a hairdresser, she interacted with people all the time. Being open was probably part of her job, kind of like a bartender was always so good at listening.

  Adam’s gaze slid to the bar, coming to rest on Jay and his girlfriend, Angie. She still worked here at Duffy’s one or two nights a week, despite her new job as a veterinarian. And on the nights that Nick’s band played, Jay usually jumped behind the bar with her to help out.

  Just one big happy couple.

  Like Mikey and Nick. And Dave and CC. And Dale and Melanie. Christ, it was enough to make his gut clench in disgust. And here he was, playing right along with the whole game.

  With Beth.

  With a woman he’d picked up online for the sole purpose of getting laid.

  Yeah, he definitely needed his fucking head examined.

  He grunted, calling himself a fool as he reached for his cup again. Something kicked his foot and he looked up, surprised to see Dave studying him from across the table.

  “Why do you look so pissed?”

  Adam could barely hear the other man even if he didn’t have trouble making out the words. That didn’t mean he wanted to answer, not when he’d have to shout.

  Not when he didn’t really have an answer to give.

  He shook his head and brought one finger to his ear, silently telling the paramedic he couldn’t hear. Apparently, that excuse wasn’t going to work because Dave stood up and walked around the table then lowered himself into the empty chair next to Adam.

  “So, what’s going on?”

  “Nothing, why?”

  “Then why do you look so pissed off?”

  “I’m not.”

  Dave studied him for several long seconds then shook his head and turned to look out over the dance floor. Another minute went by before he turned back to Adam with a small smile. “Beth seems nice.”

  “She is.” Probably too nice, especially for someone like him. Adam expected Dave to make a similar joke but he didn’t.

  “So where’d you meet her?”

  “Uh, online.” In a chatroom for hook-ups. No way in hell was he going to tell Dave that, though. Let him think Adam was talking about online dating or something as equally ridiculous.

  “How long have you guys been seeing each other?”

  “We haven’t—” Adam stopped, took a quick swallow of beer, stared down into the cup. “I mean, not long. This is only our, uh, third time out.”

  Yeah. Third time. Three home runs and the game was over. Tonight would be the last time he saw Beth. He had rules for a reason, and no way in hell was he going to break them—no matter how much fun he was having with her tonight.

  And if tonight was going to be his last time with her, what the hell was he doing sitting here, talking to Dave? He should be with Beth, somewhere private and quiet with his dick planted solidly in her tight, wet pussy.

  And fuck, instant hard on, just like that. Except it wasn’t just like that, not when he’d been fighting it all day, ever since he picked her up earlier. Yeah, it was time for them to leave. He would take her back to her car. The park-and-ride area was secl
uded. He could save some money on another hotel room by making use of the big back seat of his SUV. Then they’d part ways and that would be that.

  The song ended, loud applause and cheers filling the silence following the final chord. Another song started up almost immediately, this one an eighties rock ballad.

  Adam drained his beer then pushed away from the table. Beth and Melanie and CC were walking toward him, laughing and breathless. He swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat, wondering why the hell it felt like something just punched him square in the gut when Beth’s gaze met his.

  Probably the damn burgers he’d chowed down on earlier.

  He ignored the inner voice that called him a liar and grabbed Beth’s hand, leading her back out onto the dance floor. She stepped into his arms with no hesitation, her head tilted back as she looked up at him. Adam ran one hand down along her back, lower to the full roundness of her ass. He pulled her even closer, fitting her hips against him, the hard length of his erection pushing against her stomach.

  Her eyes flared with instant heat and she quickly looked away. Her tongue darted out and swept across her lower lip before pulling it between her teeth. Adam groaned then leaned forward, pressed his mouth against her ear.

  “I want to watch you do that to my cock. Want to watch as your tongue swirls around the head, licking me. Sucking me.”

  Tremors raced through Beth’s body as she stumbled against him. Adam pulled back, just enough to look down at her. A smile crossed his face when he saw the blush fanning across her cheeks. Her eyes closed, the lashes dark crescents against her flushed skin. Adam leaned down and pressed a kiss against the pulse beating against the tender flesh of her throat. Another tremor shook her when he dragged his mouth along her neck and gently bit down on the lobe of her ear.

  “I want to dip my hand under your skirt and play with that beautiful clit of yours. Dip my fingers deep inside that tight little pussy and feel how wet you are. Want to taste you on my fingers. Right here, with everyone watching.”

  Beth’s eyes flew open, horror and excitement mingling on her face. She looked around, no doubt to see if anyone was listening, then quickly shook her head.

  “I don’t—”

  “I’m only teasing. About doing it right here, I mean. But I absolutely do want to do all that. And more. So much more.” Adam pressed a quick kiss against her mouth, hard and fast, then stepped back. “Are you ready to leave? Go have some private fun?”

  For a horrifying second, Adam honestly thought she was going to say no. But it must have just been his imagination because she finally nodded, that full lower lip still pulled between her teeth.

  He wrapped his hand around hers and moved through the crowd back to their table so she could get her bag. A few quick goodbyes—quick enough that he knew he’d get the third degree come day shift—and then he was leading Beth back across the dance floor, this time toward the door.

  He helped her into the front seat, watching as she smoothed the material of her skirt around her thighs. Fuck, he couldn’t wait. He needed a taste, just a quick taste.

  Adam leaned in, dipped his hand under the hem of the skirt and up along her bare leg. Smooth flesh, warm and soft. Up higher to her inner thigh, higher still—

  Beth stiffened, her legs swiftly closing. “Adam, what—”

  “Sh. I need to feel you. Need to see how wet you are.”

  “We’re in the parking lot—”

  “Nobody can see.” He caught her gaze with his, held it, let her see how much he wanted this. She released a heavy sigh, the sound almost a low moan, and eased her legs apart.

  Adam dragged his hand higher along her thigh, his knuckles brushing against the lace of what he knew was her thong. He stroked her through the damp material. Once, twice, her hips rising to meet each stroke.

  He eased the material to the side, baring her pussy to his touch. And fuck, she was so wet. So fucking hot. He flicked the hard flesh of her clit, heard her moan as her hips surged toward his touch.

  She reached for him, her fingers tangling in his hair as he kept stroking. Her hips lifted once more, silently begging with each thrust, with each harsh gasp that escaped her. Adam swallowed back his own groan and slid two fingers inside her. Muscles clamped around them, hot and wet and so fucking tight. He reached down with his free hand and rubbed the hard length of his cock through the denim of his jeans as he pumped his fingers into her tight pussy.

  “Fuck, Beth. You are so fucking hot. Do you have any idea how fucking hot this is? How much I want to see you come right here?”

  She muttered something, the words unintelligible. She grabbed her skirt with both hands, yanked it up past her hips, exposing her bare wet pussy. Her back arched and her hips lifted off the seat as his fingers slid into her. Harder. Faster. Deeper.

  Adam glanced over his shoulder to make sure there was nobody else in the parking lot. Even if there was, they wouldn’t be able to see anything. Not much, anyway, since he was parked in the far corner.

  He turned back, his gaze dropping to his hand, watching his fingers disappear into Beth’s tight heat. It wasn’t enough. He wanted more. So much more.

  He tore at the button of his jeans and struggled one-handed with the zipper. His cock sprung free, hard and thick and long. Eager, twitching with anticipation. He wrapped his hand around himself and stroked, hard, almost painfully as his gaze rested on Beth’s pussy. Wet, so wet, glistening in the overhead light of the SUV.

  Adam leaned closer, bent his head down and ran his tongue across her clit. Beth moaned, a breathy sigh that made his cock jump with excitement.

  “Hold yourself open, Beth. I want to watch you come. Spread that pussy for me.”

  Adam held his breath, waiting to see if she’d do it for him. For all he knew, she hadn’t even heard him. Fuck, he wasn’t even sure he’d said the words out loud. His focus was centered on watching his fingers slide in and out of her, on stroking his own cock at the same time.

  Her hands moved, slowly slid down to her lap. She hesitated, slid them closer to her own pussy. And then yes, fuck yes, she was parting her lips with her fingers, stretching, spreading herself apart, exposing damp pink flesh to his eyes.

  “Fuck. Beth. God, yes.” He eased his fingers from her wet pussy, dragged them across his cock, then slid them back inside her. Three this time, spreading, stretching. In and out as her back arched even more. A strangled cry caught in her throat as her body tensed, froze…then shook with the intensity of her climax. Her pussy clenched around his fingers, squeezing, over and over and over. Words fell from her mouth, too soft and fast for him to understand. And fuck, he didn’t care, not when his balls were drawing tight, not when his own body felt like it was turning inside out.

  Her orgasm eased, her breathing still harsh but not as desperate. Adam moved his dripping fingers from her pussy and wrapped them around his cock, spreading her silky wetness along the hard length. He stroked harder, faster, waiting for his own orgasm to crash over him.

  “Watch me, Beth. Watch me come.” It was an order, a rough growl that demanded and begged all in one breath. He felt her shift on the seat, sensed her eyes on him as he kept stroking.

  Hard. Fast. Faster.

  His head fell back on a low growl as his climax surged through him. Intense, powerful. He forced his eyes open, looked down as he kept stroking. Semen, thick and milky, spurted from his cock onto the gravel parking lot. He groaned, ran his palm across the tip of his cock, spread the cum over the length. Hot, sticky.

  “Fuck.” He released the hold on his cock and leaned against the door, his chest heaving with each harsh breath. “Fuck. That was definitely different.”

  Beth shifted beside him. He turned, saw her struggling to pull her skirt back into place. A bright flush colored her cheeks, the red clearly visible in the overhead light as she focused on something to her left.

  Yeah, that had definitely been different.

  And probably something Beth had never even considered doin
g. What the fuck was wrong with him? Getting Beth off by finger fucking her in the front seat of his SUV? With the door wide open, so anyone walking by could see? Jerking off while standing next to his car, in full view of anyone who happened to venture outside?

  Was this a new fucking low for him? Or had he become so fucking warped that this was his normal?

  And fuck, he was growing hard again just thinking about what they’d just done—what he’d just done. He bit back an oath and ran both hands down the front of his jeans, then shoved his cock back into his pants. He needed to take Beth back to her car then go home, put tonight behind him.

  Except he couldn’t. Not yet. He didn’t want to drop Beth off anywhere. He wanted—needed—to feel her tight pussy clamp around him one more time. Just one more time, that was all.

  He just didn’t know if she wanted the same thing, not when she was sitting there, very obviously looking away from him.

  Adam leaned in, ran a hand up her arm and let it rest on her shoulder. She stiffened for a brief second then slowly turned toward him. Her eyes didn’t meet his, though.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah. Fine.”

  “You don’t sound it.” He traced one finger along her jaw, dipped it under her chin and tilted her head up so she was looking at him. His eyes searched hers, trying to figure out what she was thinking. What she was feeling.

  He leaned in, caught her mouth with his. The kiss was gentle, reassuring, with just enough pressure to allow her to pull away if she wanted.

  She didn’t.

  Adam gave a silent prayer of thanks then ended the kiss. Wide eyes, their color a mix of green and gold and brown, stared back at him. “You sure you’re okay?”

  Beth hesitated then slowly nodded, her gaze slipping away from his. “I’ve never—I haven’t done anything like that before.”

  “Neither have I.” He pressed another kiss to her mouth, this one lingering. Her body softened, leaned toward his own as a soft sigh escaped her. Christ, much more and he’d be ready for round two, right here in the parking lot again.