"No you don't." When I shake my head, he cradles my jaw in his large hand and lifts my chin until I meet his eyes. "I'll do it. For now, at least. Call me the Interim Chief or whatever title you need to use."
His offer makes my heart skip, but I can't expect him to take this on when I know it reminds him of such painful moments in his life.
"You don't have to do that for me."
His grip on my chin doesn't change, but his thumb skates softly over the skin just below my lip. "I want to do this. Yes, for you, but also, for me. I've been running from this for a long time. I need the change, to face what I'm afraid of. There will always be fires to fight, dangerous situations, but I'll know that the people who are part of our department will have the best training."
He's so intent, so serious, I don't bother to argue or press him further.
"Thank you." My gratitude is sincere, heart deep, and I wrap my arms around his neck. The hug I give him doesn't feel awkward or strange. In fact, it's the most comfortable I've been in a very long time.
He groans and I shift, worried I'm hurting him, then realize there's a hard bulge beneath my hip.
A very large, very hard bulge that makes my body go hot all the way through.
11
BRAND
Having her on my lap is the best feeling, but I have no control over how my body reacts to the close contact. My cock is aching and hard, begging me to move against her to give it the friction it needs.
"Am I hurting you?" she asks, her eyes wide, and I know she's caught on to the problem at hand.
Or not at hand, exactly.
"You are perfect. I'm fine. Happier than I've been in a long time."
She shifts, drawing a pained groan from me, and there's a teasing grin on her face.
"Careful or I might think you like me in spite of all the sexy glower you have whenever I'm around."
My brows raise in happy surprise. "So now I'm sexy? Good to know. Because you, sweetheart, are the only thing I can think about. It's dangerous how sexy you are. Complete distraction."
Her eyes go wide, her mouth parts, and I drag my thumb across her lower lip. So soft and I want to know what she tastes like.
"I'm dying to kiss you."
She nods, tipping her mouth up toward mine, and it's the permission I need. My lips land on hers, hot and possessive, ready to explore and devastate. She gasps against me, and my tongue darts into her mouth. She's tense in my arms for a second, then she melts against me. My hands skate up her back and I thrill at the way she shivers in response.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing heavy and she's turned until she's straddling me. Heat pours off her and I want more. All of her. Every moan, scream, cry she has to give. I want to swallow it all down and save the memories of her pleasure forever.
"Lydia," I manage to get out, my brain forcing out words before my body overrides my caution. "You owe me nothing. So don't kiss me because you feel like you have to. Anything we do or don't do, it's completely up to you. And only if it's what you really want."
She smiles, and it's a luminous thing. Like being locked in the dark for too long and finally seeing the sun again. Bright and pretty, warm and full of life.
"Fair enough. For the record, though, I want you doing all kinds of things to me. With me. Clothes on. Clothes off. Since we're being honest and all."
Joy fills me, and I bury my face against her neck. Breathing in the scent of her, it eases the pressure in my chest.
"Good, because I'm dying to taste every inch of you, love." I surge up to my feet, supporting her as she wraps her legs around my waist. With every step, my hard cock bumps against her center, and she makes helpless little sounds every single time.
By the time we've made it to my bed, I'm ravenous for her. Our clothes disappear in a rush, and I promise myself there will be a next time. And I will torture her with how slowly I strip her naked. But for now, I need to see her laid out for me.
"Damn, you're beautiful." My voice is reverent, even to my ears, but it's not a lie. Her curves are perfection, her hair spread around her like a halo and the way she's reaching for me makes my heart skip.
I don't resist when she pulls me down, and this time our kiss is less exploration and more hunger. Our tongues clash, her teeth nip at my bottom lip, and I'm lost in a haze of need and desire. I work my way from her mouth down the sensitive skin of her neck, marking her with proof of the passion between us. Her breasts spill out over my hands when I hold them both, and her nipples form perfect hard peaks when I suck each of them into my mouth.
Her hands land in my hair, tugging on the strands as I continue learning her body, following the curves and lines until I'm at her very center. She's glistening and pink, and when I draw my tongue over her core, she arches and pants out my name.
