Chapter 15
Sirens filled the air as Scott shook his head. What the fuck had happened?
“Sir, are you okay?”
Opening his eyes, he saw a small crowd standing near him. Flickering light from enormous flames danced in his vision. The house had exploded.
“Heather,” he yelled, attempting to sit up. His head spun but he pulled himself to his knees and looked around.
A few people surrounded her as she lay on her side, unconscious, hair spilling over her face.
Crawling the few feet that separated them, he pushed aside one of the spectators and touched her shoulder. Ashes and red marks covered her bare skin. Scorched holes dotted her top. He had some too.
“Hey, wake up,” he called softly to her. “You’re stronger than this.” Touching her neck, he felt for a pulse. Please God, let it be there. Blood pumped through her veins under his thumb. Yes.
Two fire trucks pulled up, the men jumping out, pulling hoses with them. The crowd moved back as they turned on the water then sprayed the house. There wouldn’t be anything left. It was too far gone. But he and Heather had gotten out, so nothing else mattered. As long as she was fine.
“How long were we out?” he asked one of the people still nearby, an older woman in a bathrobe and slippers. She seemed quite concerned for Heather.
“About ten minutes. I’m Sadie, I live there.” She pointed to the house to the right of Heather’s. “I hope she’ll be all right. She’s such a sweet girl, always helping me when I need it.”
“I hope so too,” he replied, running his fingers over Heather’s cheek.
“Do you live here? Do you know what happened?” The fire chief had come over, one eye on the firefighters and one on them.
“This is her house, Heather Silva. We were inside and smelled gas. We figured we’d call to get it checked once we got outside.”
“Good thing you did.” He bent then slid his fingers over Heather’s wrist. “Paramedics are pulling up now.”
Relief surged through him, and he moved only slightly away as they checked her neck then gently turned her over onto her back.
“How is she?” His voice sounded like he’d eaten nails.
“She’s got a good size bump on the back of her head.” The man glanced around and nodded. “Lots of debris around. Possibly she got hit with something, or had she hit it before you got out?”
“She was fine, but it all happened so fast. I think something in the cellar went first and we hightailed it out of the house.”
A soft groan slipped from Heather’s lips and Scott reached for her hand. “It’s okay, princess. You’ll be fine.” He hoped that was true.
Her eyes fluttered open and she struggled to sit up. The paramedics helped her, but when she saw the flames behind him, her face crumpled.
He rushed closer then pulled her into his arms as she cried, “My house.”
“It’s only a house. The most important thing inside got out. You.”
Holding her tight made him realize he never wanted anything bad to happen to her again. What the hell had caused this? Just another coincidence? He didn’t think so. This time they’d gone too far. Whoever the hell they were.
“We’d like to take you to the hospital to get checked out. There are some burns and cuts that need to be cleaned and treated. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to make sure nothing’s broken. There’s a possibility you both have concussions from the blast.”
The fire chief asked a few more questions, then they were hustled into an ambulance. They were allowed to ride together, and he held her the whole way. She was quiet except when one of the paramedics asked them questions, making sure they weren’t confused or disoriented. Unfortunately, they were led to different rooms in the ER to be examined. He didn’t want to be separated from Heather for even a second.
“Mr. Holland?” A woman in a lab coat walked in and pulled over a rolling stool. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”
“I’m fine,” he insisted, his mind on Heather. “I’m more concerned for my friend who was brought in with me. It took her a little longer to regain consciousness.”
“And the fact you were unconscious yourself, even for a few minutes, is enough for me to take a look at you.”
Scott sat still while the doctor poked, prodded, and asked questions. The light she shone in his eyes made his headache throb like a bastard, but all he could think about was Heather and how she was.
“Slip off your shirt, please. I’d like to see the skin where you’ve got holes in your shirt.”
He did as asked and the doctor made a few grumbling sounds then stood up.
“I think you’ll live,” she joked, her smile wide. “You’ve got a few minor burns and cuts. I’ll send in a nurse to clean them up. You’ve also got a possible concussion. Slight, but I’d like to keep you here for observation for a short while. Mostly because you lost consciousness. If everything looks good, we could send you home by dinner time.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Humor me,” she said. “I’m going to assume your friend will have a similar treatment.”
“Could we share a room?” He winked at the doctor and grinned.
Laughing, she answered, “Probably not, but don’t give me any more hassle and I might be able to get them near each other. Let me go check on her.”
A few minutes later a nurse walked in with a tray holding ointment and bandages. “Your friend, Ms. Silva, is still being treated at the moment. The doctor’s recommending a few hours of observation. Most likely she’ll be sent upstairs in a short while. She’s been asking about you too.”
If Heather had time to worry about him then she must not be too bad off. A weight lifted from his shoulders. As the nurse finished with some of the wounds on his back, Jack showed up.
“Scott? Are you all right? I drove past Heather’s house on the way here and there’s nothing left.”
“We got out right before it blew.”
“How’s Heather? Callie wanted to come, but we couldn’t get a sitter this quickly. I told her I’d call as soon as I saw you.”
“Heather’s still being treated. Guess we’re both getting watched for a bit. There’s no reason for it. I’m good to go.”
Jack glared at him. “You were both almost blown up. Let them keep an eye on you for a while.”
An orderly walked in pushing a wheel chair and Scott groaned. “I do not need that. I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
“Sorry, sir, hospital regulations.” The man maneuvered the chair next to the bed but Scott refused to allow him to help. Even when the room did a little dance and spun around.
“Let me call Callie to tell her I’ll be a few hours.” Jack pulled out his phone.
“No. I don’t need you sitting, watching me. Go home. I’ll call you when I need a ride.” Hopefully his truck hadn’t been damaged too badly, as it’d been farther away from the house. Heather’s car had looked totaled under all the flaming debris.
Jack raised an eyebrow and Scott pointed out the door. Jack left and Scott had to sit through the embarrassment of being wheeled down the Emergency Room hall. As they passed another room he heard Heather’s voice and put his foot down to stop the chair.
“Mom, Dad, I do not need you hanging around while I rest. You’ll be wasting your time and I’ll feel like I have to entertain you.” You had to love her argument.
“But dear—”
“No, Mom, I’m a big girl. I can handle this. You heard the doctor. I’m fine. It’s simply a precaution. I’ll call if I need a ride later.”
Heather’s wheelchair rolled out and her face lit up when she saw him.
“You’re all right?”
“Same as you, it seems. Observation.”
Scott held out his hand and nodded at the orderly who rolled him down the hall. Heather’s orderly followed beside them. She now wore a scrub top that snapped up the front. Her shirt must have been more damaged than his.
In the elevator the two orderlies looked at each other and said, “Fifth floor.”
“I bribed the doctor to put us close together,” Scott told her.
“Bribed or flirted?” She chuckled though her eyes seemed blank somehow. “I saw your doctor was a woman. I’m sure there was a little charm involved.”
“Are you saying I’m charming?” God, he would love her to think that.
She narrowed her eyes. “You can be. When you want.”
Unfortunately their rooms were a few down from each other. The nurse who came in to check on Scott pulled the shades then made him rest in the bed. No sneaking down to see Heather.
After a few hours of being constantly interrupted and checked on, the call was made to let him leave. He strolled down to Heather’s room to see the doctor giving her the same instructions for wound care and concussion symptoms. “If any of these things get worse, please come back immediately.”
“Jack’s on his way to pick me up. Did you want a ride or have you called your parents?”
Her sad expression almost killed him as she nodded. “I’d like to go with you, please.”
It was the soft please that got to him. His little warrior was nowhere to be seen. Sitting next to her on the bed, he pulled her into his arms. Her head fell onto his shoulder. He simply held her until Jack poked his head in.
Once they were in the truck and driving away, he asked, “Do you want us to drop you at your parents’?”
Her head shook, but she didn’t say anything, just stared out the front window as she chewed on her lip.
“You’re more than welcome to stay with me.” No response from her. It started to worry him.
“Why don’t both of you stay at our house tonight?” Jack offered. “That way Callie and I can keep an eye on you, per doctor’s orders.”
“You don’t really have the space for us, and I don’t want to displace anyone. We can go to my apartment.”
Heather stirred. “They blew up my house.” Her voice sounded dead, emotionless.
Pulling her closer to his side, he said, “We’ll go to my place, Jack. Thanks.”
The ride was quiet and soon Jack pulled up to the parking lot.
“Thanks for coming to get us. Appreciate it. Tell Callie not to worry. I’ll make sure Heather is all right.”
“Call if you need anything. Anything. We owe the both of you more than we could ever repay.”
“No, you don’t.” He helped Heather slip from the truck and guided her in to the building, then the elevator. Once in his apartment, he pulled her toward his bedroom. He needed to change out of his dirty clothes but he didn’t want to leave her alone. The stupor she was in scared him. It was so unlike her.
“Sit here while I clean up a bit. Can I get you something to drink first?”
Shaking her head, she sighed but never looked up. He quickly pulled out some sweatpants and threw them on, discarding his burnt T-shirt. She never stirred, her eyes remaining on a spot on the wall.
Sitting next to her on the bed, he stroked her face and lifted her chin until she looked at him. Despair filled her eyes.
“I know this totally sucks, but we’re alive. Nothing else matters right now.”
Her face crumpled and her lip trembled as she leaned forward then fell apart in his arms.
* * * *
Her house was gone. They’d almost been killed. Scott’s arms around her were comforting, but nothing right now could fill the emptiness Heather felt deep in her soul. Snuggling closer, she let out everything she’d been trying so hard to hold in since she’d woken up with her house in flames earlier today.
“Shh, it’s okay. I’m right here,” Scott whispered as his hands gently caressed her back.
It wasn’t okay, though. Everything she had was gone.
Tears continued to fall and loud sobs shook her body. Scott’s soft words kept her only partially sane, but at least she had someone here to help her through this. If it hadn’t been for him smelling the gas, they’d both be dead.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely audible muffled against his shoulder.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“No.” She looked up at him. His face was etched in concern. “I mean for getting us out of there. I was totally lost in what we were doing, I didn’t even notice until you said something.”
“I was in fairly deep too,” he replied, lifting his hand to push back a strand of hair from her face. His fingers stroked her cheek and she briefly closed her eyes to enjoy the sensation. “As a builder, the smell of gas is something that signals a big warning for me.”
“You saved my life.”
The smirk on his face deepened the dimple in his chin. “You know, in some cultures that means I own you now. That could be cool.”
She tried to smile but didn’t quite succeed. “I certainly don’t own anything anymore. Everything I had was in that house.” Her voice cracked on the last sentence.
Pulling her closer again, Scott kissed her cheek. “It’s all just stuff. You’re alive and that’s the important thing here.”
“I know that. I do,” she cried. “But it was all mine. And not simply my possessions. There wasn’t anything in that house that wasn’t a part of me. Part of who I am. I bought the house with money I earned myself. The furniture, the decorations, everything I bought myself.”
Running his fingers through her hair, he simply listened, allowing her to vent.
“I chose the colors for the walls. I shopped for every single knickknack and picture frame. I painstakingly matched and coordinated accessories, picked out furniture according to what I liked. Not what my mother thought would be appropriate or accepted by her friends and society. My dad didn’t pay a cent for any of it. I bought it all. Me.”
Her heart raced, beating painfully in her chest when she thought of all the time and energy it had taken to get the house exactly the way she wanted. To make it a home. One she felt comfortable in. It hadn’t been the showcase her parents had, but it had been something she could be proud of. It had been hers.
The tears wouldn’t stop falling. Her head pounded in a terrifying rhythm. From her loss or the concussion? Why couldn’t she get herself under control? She never let anyone see her cry. It showed weakness. But Scott wasn’t treating her like she was weak. He was simply holding her, letting her mourn a loss. Yes, it was only a place and it held only things, but they’d been her things.
“I had so many personal items from when I was a kid and some pictures. Everything else in there I’d purchased. It signified me, who I am now. It was my house, not one of my parents’ that I happened to live in. It was my home. I had made it a home.”
Now it was gone. She was homeless. The hollow feeling inside grew and expanded. Were her lungs even working? It was hard to get air in.
“Breathe, princess,” Scott encouraged. How had he known? Was he reading her mind, feeling her thoughts?
Despair rushed through her once more as the visions of her house engulfed in flames flickered through her mind. “I just wanted something that was all mine. That my mom or dad didn’t have anything to do with. Now it’s gone. I have nothing.”
“You have me.”
Scott cupped her face with his hands, kissing the tip of her nose. He was barely visible with the wetness that clogged her eyes. Wiping his thumb under them, he touched his forehead to hers. “You also have your family and Callie and Jack. You’ve still got your job, your clients, and lots of friends. It won’t matter to any of them what you don’t have. You’re still you. That’s why we all hang around. You’re beautiful, special, a unique individual.”
His arms slid lower and tightened around her back as he pressed his mouth to hers. The touch of it made everything fade. It was all still there way in the back of her mind, but the slide of his tongue over her top lip helped ease the pain of loss. Grabbing his head, she slid her fingers through his wavy hair and pulled him closer. She needed him to make her forget. To keep her sane and help her cope.
“God, Scott, I need you.”
“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
She leaned back and pulled him to lay next to her on the bed. After adjusting them so her head rested on his shoulder, he didn’t do anything else. Didn’t he want to have sex? Finish what they’d started?
Skimming her hand down his chest, she marveled again at the lean muscles honed from hard labor. Before she reached her goal, he stopped her.
“Right now I think you need to get some rest. We both do. Everything else can wait.”
Shifting slightly, he pulled the covers from under them then slid them on top, stopping at their waist.
Concentrating on the warmth of his body so near, her eyes fluttered, beginning to close. The day had been shot to hell, her whole life now in disarray, but with Scott’s arms around her and his lips pressed to her hair, it didn’t seem to matter.
* * * *
Scott’s eyes flew open as he felt the pillow next to him. It usually didn’t have anyone there but tonight Heather had been resting next to him. Practically on him. She’d been so distraught though that he hadn’t even dared do more than give her a light kiss. The weight of her against him was solid, supportive, and nicer than he’d ever thought it could be. When they’d slept together in Vermont last year, he’d scurried back to his bedroom afterward. Mostly to keep Callie and Jack from knowing what they’d done. It wouldn’t have looked good for his young nephew to find Uncle Scott naked in bed with Auntie Heather either. Awkward didn’t even cover that scenario.
And as much as he’d like a repeat of that night, it wasn’t what Heather needed right now. She’d just lost her house. And they’d both almost been killed. Shit. Once she was feeling better he had to dig a little deeper into what the fuck was going on. For now he should find where she was.
Slipping out of bed, he padded barefoot into the large living area. He tugged up his pajama bottoms, which had slid lower on his hips as he’d slept. Slept better than he’d expected to after almost being killed. Must have been the amazing woman next to him.
A light in the kitchen was on and the clatter of something metallic alerted him to where his missing guest might be. Heather stood by the stove pouring liquid into a mug.
“Hey,” he said softly not wanting to startle her. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“I slept for a few hours.” Her gaze went to the clock on the microwave. Two fifty-seven. Not quite when he typically woke up.
“What do you have in there?” Walking over to the counter, he glanced in the mug. Hot water.
“I figured coffee wasn’t what I needed at this time of night, but I couldn’t find any tea bags.”
“Yeah, sorry. Tea isn’t really my thing. Guess I’ll have to get some if you stay here.”
“Stay here?” Her eyes searched his face, her expression confused and maybe a little hopeful.
“You’re certainly welcome to until—”
“I find someplace else to live.” She looked around the room and her eyes clouded over. Was she going to start crying again? Surprisingly, he hadn’t felt awkward when he’d been comforting her earlier. He usually shied away from out-of-control female emotions. With Heather, he’d simply wanted to ease her grief.
The expression on her face grew fierce, more like the warrior princess he knew. “They blew up my house!” she thundered. “Who the hell are these people who think they can get away with blowing up my house?”
“We’ll find them. The police need to get more involved after this incident.”
“Incident?” She slammed her hands on the counter then turned around, her eyes holding him in place. “They blew up my damned house.”
Pacing back and forth, she fumed. “I’m gonna rip their balls off when I find out who’s responsible.”
“Calm down, princess.” Moving closer, he reached to pat her shoulders.
“Don’t tell me to calm down.” Slapping his hands away, she continued to shout, “They didn’t blow up your house.”
“No, but they almost blew me up. I have a right to be pissed too.”
Her expression went from furious to horrified. “Oh, my God, they did. And here I’ve been wrapped up in my own little drama.” Slipping her fingers into his hair, she tugged him closer. “If they’d hurt you…”
Before he could console her, she kissed him. Not sweet or gentle or even sexy. Hard and filled with fury. All the pent-up anger that had been simmering under the surface since they’d escaped seemed to rush forward into her lips. Shit, he should push her away but he couldn’t. He needed this too. If anything had happened to her, he’d never forgive himself. Thank God he’d decided to stop by. What if he hadn’t? Or if he’d stopped by later?
Pulling her off the ground, he turned and pressed her against the fridge. She clung to him as their lips smashed into each other.
“Scott.” Her voice held desperation as she dragged her hands down his bare chest, her fingernails scraping lightly over his skin.
“I know. I know.” He couldn’t get enough of her. Energy surged off her body and into his, sending his nerve endings into a frenzy.
“I need you. Don’t leave me.” Slipping her hand lower, she skimmed over his arousal. Fuck, she got him harder than ever with barely a touch.
“I’m not going anywhere, princess. I’m right here with you.” He grabbed her ass and lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist. Shit, was she even wearing underwear? All he felt was skin. Smooth, silky and meant for him. His for the taking.
Against the fridge, though? Looking around, he stumbled to the table. Gentle was how he meant to be, but her hand on his cock sent him into a tailspin he couldn’t pull out of. The table hit her back and he ripped at the scrub top she wore, the snaps popping open to expose her to his eyes.
God, she was fabulous. Full, ripe breasts, rising up and down as her lungs expanded with each deep breath. Dark pink nipples standing at attention, begging for his mouth to suck on them. Her caramel-colored hair spread out around her on the table, making his dick twitch even more. His fingers itched to touch. Everywhere.
“Damn, you’re beautiful.”
He took a step back to truly admire her, but she lifted her feet and caught him by the neck then pulled him back.
“Don’t even think about walking away.” The desperation in her voice sliced through his heart.
“I couldn’t if I tried.” Not with her legs up around his ears. He took a few moments to knead those gorgeous tits and pinch the nipples as her legs tightened and she bent her knees, pulling him closer.
“Did you want something, princess?”
“You. Now. And I don’t want it gentle.”
Holy sweet Heaven on earth. Her panties were barely more than a few strings. He disposed of those easily enough. A slight tug and they lay on the floor, exposing her precious gift to him. He slid one finger inside testing her readiness. Oh, yeah, wet and wild.
“Hold on, Xena, we’re going for a ride.” He thrust into her and she arched, crying out his name. It took only a second to realize it wasn’t from pain. Ecstasy wreathed her face so he shoved in again and again. Grabbing her hips, he held on tight as he moved faster and faster, her feet still up around his ears. This had been a fantasy, having a woman in this position but shit, the reality was better than he’d ever imagined.
The table shook as he continued to plunge into her. He ran his hands up and down her amazing long legs then fingered the tiny nub at the apex of her thighs. She threw out her hands, grabbing the edge of the table near her head.
Moans, loud and strong erupted from her throat as her walls clenched around him. When he fingered her again, they tightened even more. Shivers wracked her body, her eyes squeezed shut, her mouth opening wide.
“You aren’t going without me, princess.” Slamming into her harder and harder, his own pinnacle was right there. He skimmed his hands over her stunning figure. The texture of her silken skin sent him over the edge. Wrapping his arms around her legs as his body shuddered, he let go and fell. Luckily she was there to catch him.
Barely able to breathe, he finally loosened his hold and said, “God, sorry. When you said rough, I shouldn’t have—”
“Yes, you should have,” she countered. “It’s what I needed.” Her face was more relaxed than he’d seen it in weeks. Backing away, he couldn’t help but stare at her spread on the table like a feast set out only for him.
“Come on, let’s get cleaned up.” He scooped her up and she curled into him. Damn, it felt good, but anxiety filled him knowing fighting him tooth and nail was more her thing. She was either too satiated to care or her spirit had been blown out of her with the explosion. Hopefully it was the former.
As he entered the bathroom, he set her on the floor then adjusted the water in the large shower stall. “We’ll be careful with the burns on your back.”
“It’s fine. I need this smoky smell off me. I was too tired earlier to do anything except a quick wash with a face cloth, but now it’s got to go.”
Stripping their remaining clothes, he stepped in beside her and made sure to keep her back away from the spray. She lifted her head up and allowed the water to run over her face. The shampoo was man stuff but for now it would have to do. The idea of having female smelly soap in his bathroom suddenly appealed to him. Not to use but to signify the presence of a woman in his life. Someone like Heather? Yeah. Because there truly wasn’t anyone like her.
Filling his hand with shampoo, he massaged it through her hair and the groan that escaped had him getting hard again. A thought entered his head as what they’d done sunk in.
“Hey,” he said, moving to cradle her face in his hands. “I was stupid a few minutes ago.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why? Because you did what I wanted you to.”
“No. I forgot protection. I’m sorry, Heather. You had me so worked up I…” Damn, how could he be this dumb?
She touched his arm then smiled. “It’s fine. I’m on the pill. I have irregular periods and it helps keep me on schedule.”
Her eyes clouded over and she bit her lip. Leaning down he stroked his thumb down her cheek. “What?”
“They were at my house so I don’t have them anymore. Don’t worry, though. I took one this morning. Well, I guess it’s yesterday now. I should be fine. Unless you have cooties I should know about.”
Laughing, he kissed her nose. “My love life has been a bit slow in the past year. It’s basically been you…and you. No cooties.”
The smile she gave him was forced as she rinsed the soap from her hair. He scrubbed himself and washed his own hair as they maneuvered around each other in the stall. Good thing it was huge, though he certainly didn’t mind her naked skin brushing against his.
Once they were cleaned up, he shut the water off and grabbed his fluffiest towel to wrap around her. “Turn around so I can dab some of this burn cream on the spots on your back.” He tried to be gentle, but there were a few times she winced at his touch.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not you.” She couldn’t hide the sob in her voice. Finishing off her back, he turned her around. The tears in her eyes pulled at something inside him. “I can’t seem to get the image of my house exploding out of my mind.”
Leaning in, he touched his forehead to hers pushing her hair off her shoulders. “I’ll build you a new house, princess. I promise. I’ll put in everything you could ever want in a home.” Would she want him in it? And where the hell had that thought come from? They were combustible. They’d more than proved it in the kitchen. Though it had been a good combustible. He sure wouldn’t mind having a do-over.
She kissed him sweetly, and he held her for a few minutes then eased back.
“Let’s get your hair combed out, then you back in bed.”
Pulling her into the bedroom, he stood behind her and picked up his brush. In only a few minutes her silky strands drifted smoothly down her back. As he guided her to the bed, she slid her arms around his neck.
“You know that pill is still working. Might as well get some use out of it.”
Sliding in next to her, he chuckled. “If that’s what you need, it’s yours.”
“Mine,” she whispered as she slid her legs to tangle with his. Her need was apparent, but this time he had more control. And he wanted to take it sweet and slow.