Fire in the Smokies

Chapter Six

Brianna’s jaw dropped as they pulled up to Jaxon’s cabin. “Jax?”

He turned to face her and squeezed her hand. “Yes?”

She didn’t look his way, but she sensed him grinning next to her from his tone. “This is not what I would call a cabin.”

“Well, it’s home to us. Cabin. House. Whatever.”

“It’s so…big.” The cruiser pulled to a stop and Brianna dipped her head to get a better view out the window. A sprawling ranch-style home sat tucked away in the mountains. Sure, it was made of logs, but the resemblance to a cabin stopped there. Cabins were tiny structures with one room where a person might go away for the weekend to get a rustic vacation.

Suddenly she understood better how so many people could live here together.

“Come on. I’ll show you around.” Jaxon opened his door and tugged her toward him.

Brianna followed, awestruck by the surroundings. With no neighbors and only trees and animals for company, this elegant home was truly secluded.

Sheriff Hardin twisted around in the front seat and tipped his hat at them. “I hate to run, but I’ve got to get back to the station.”

“No problem. We’ll talk later.” Jaxon patted the hood of the car with one hand as Hardin drove away.

Jaxon didn’t release Brianna’s hand. His thumb grazed repeatedly over her palm, distracting her from everything around her. She had to yank her hand free so she could take it all in.

To the left of the main house was the barn. “Thoroughbreds you say?” She took a few steps in that direction. “I don’t know a thing about horses.” She could see a few of them in the corral outside the barn. Gorgeous majestic beings. She was drawn in that direction and ambled toward the fence.

Jaxon followed her. She could sense his presence right behind her even without glancing back. It made her shudder. What if there was more to his story than she currently believed? They did most assuredly seem to have a connection beyond just telepathy she couldn’t deny.

When Brianna reached the fence, she leaned against it, folding her arms over the top and resting her chin on her hands. Even the fence was perfect for the scene. Natural wood rungs nestled together to blend with the environment.

Jaxon laid a hand on her back. “They are beautiful, aren’t they? I guess I don’t stop and admire them often enough. I’m glad you like the farm.”

“I didn’t—” Right. I didn’t need to say how I felt, you read my mind.

Jaxon set his chin on her shoulder and kissed her neck. His breath on her ear made her melt beneath his gentleness.

“My brothers are coming out of the barn to meet you. Then we’ll go inside and you can meet Juliana.”

Two figures emerged from the barn at that moment.

“This telepathy thing is weird.” Brianna turned toward the man who insisted he was her mate. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it.”

“You will, baby.” His words caressed her in sync with his hand running up her spine. “Juliana said the same thing and she’s doing fantastic now.”

“That’s Sergius’s wife, you said?”

“Yep.” Jaxon nodded toward his approaching brothers and tugged on Brianna’s hand. “Come on.”

The men coming toward her looked amazingly similar to Jaxon. There was no doubt they were brothers. They could have been triplets. Dark hair and penetrating brown eyes must run in the family. Even their strides were similar.

“Ma’am.” The one on the left tipped his hat. “I’m Sergius.” He reached out a hand and shook hers.

Brianna smiled at him. Before she could speak, the other brother took her hand from Sergius. “Micah. Welcome.”

Jaxon pulled her hand from Micah and swatted at his brother. “That’s enough. Give her some space.” He pulled Brianna in front of him and wrapped his arms around her middle.

She grinned internally at his possessive streak. It felt so…safe.

Micah stepped back. “Like the space you’re giving her?” He laughed.

“No, like the space you’d want me to give your mate, hotshot.” Jaxon squeezed her tighter, if that was possible.

She glanced down at his hands against her stomach. God, she was still in full fire gear. And she had no doubt there was soot still lingering on her face. “I’m a mess. Do you have a shower somewhere in that cabin of yours? Perhaps if I could clean up a bit, I might be recognizable.” She twisted her neck and smiled up at Jaxon.

“I think we can at least muster up some cold water and a metal trough,” he rattled in a mock backwoods accent.

“Ha ha. Unfortunately, even that sounds divine right now. Water of any sort would do wonders.”

Sergius laid a hand on Jaxon’s shoulder. “Take her inside, man. We’ll talk later.”

Brianna let Jaxon lead her toward the house, his grip tight on her hand. Every time he touched her, she could feel it all the way to her soul. Electricity flowed from him into her, warming her and heightening every sense.

When they reached the house, Jaxon bowed dramatically low as he opened the front door. “After you, ma’am.”

The inside was not what she expected. Modern, and yet maintaining a rustic look. She could tell a woman lived there. The place was immaculate.

“Hey, now. Juliana is a wonderful gal and she works hard around here, but we did okay for ourselves before she met Serg. We aren’t slobs.” His jest made her smile.

“Jax?” She looked pointedly at him.

“Yes?”

“Stop rummaging around in my head.”

“I can’t help it. You’re so wide open.”

Just then the woman who had to be Juliana appeared. “You must be Brianna.” She smiled as she grasped Brianna for a quick hug, soot and all. “I’m so glad you’re here. The potent male overload was getting on my nerves,” she teased.

Juliana was stunning. Thick, soft, red curls made a halo around her face and hung halfway down her back. Clear green eyes gave Brianna the most genuine welcome. Even in jeans and a simple long-sleeved shirt, the woman made Brianna feel inadequate.

“Thank you,” Brianna muttered. She had no idea what to say.

Juliana turned to Jaxon. “Why don’t you show her to your wing? I’m sure she’d love a bath and a change of clothes.”

Clothes. Shit. Brianna had nothing with her. Why hadn’t they stopped to pick up some things before heading out here?

Juliana was sharp. “Can I lend you something to wear? You must have come straight from the fire.” She glanced up and down, making Brianna feel a bit self-conscious. “I bet we’re almost the same size. I’ll find something for you.”

“Thanks.” The woman was incredibly kind. It was impossible not to like her. “I’d appreciate it.”

“Come on. I’ll show you my rooms and let you get cleaned up.” Jaxon tugged her arm again. He did that habitually. Brianna felt a bit like a rag doll, allowing him to yank her around from place to place. However, it wasn’t at all unpleasant.

Her entire life was structured around fighting to stay tough in a man’s world. Every day she struggled to stay stoic and firm. It was the only way she could be taken seriously in her line of work. The idea of having someone take control for a while made her feel desirable, sexy, who was she kidding…horny.

“Relax, baby.” Jaxon took both her hands and led her down the hall backward. “Just be yourself. Everyone will love you.”

When they reached the end of the hall, Jaxon pushed a door open and backed into the room. “Here we are.” He stood back and let her enter. “Sorry, it’s a bit messy. I wasn’t expecting to bring home a mate when I left the house this morning.” He chuckled.

Brianna glanced around the room. Although, honestly, the word “room” was a bit too diminutive for the space. It was more like a suite.

Jaxon shut the door with a snick. “Whatever you don’t like, we’ll change. I don’t have much of a sense for style.”

The bedroom was bigger than her apartment. Brianna wandered in farther. A king-sized bed sat against one wall, the blankets strewn on it haphazardly. Jaxon rushed past her to straighten the sheets and make the bed.

To the right was a sitting area with a beige couch and a flat-screen TV. Surrounding the television was an entertainment center that bulged with CDs and DVDs.

“I like my music.” Jaxon shrugged as he wandered back toward her.

The carpet was a thick luxurious tan, a shade deeper than the sofa and the comforter on the bed. The walls were also painted a deep brown. The room was warm and inviting, like the rest of the house.

“Did you decorate yourself?” Brianna couldn’t imagine any man having the fashion sense to pull this together.

He shook his head. “’Fraid not. I love it, but I can’t take the credit. I hired a decorator when we first moved in. Haven’t changed much since then.” He took her hand again. “Interested in the bathroom?” He raised an eyebrow as he spoke.

“If you don’t mind.”

“Mind? A gorgeous naked woman in my bathroom, luxuriating in my deep Jacuzzi tub? Why would I mind?” Jaxon turned toward a door on the left and pushed it wider, exposing the largest bathroom Brianna had ever seen.

“Did you say Jacuzzi? You have one of those in your bathroom?” She followed him, lured by the promise of steaming hot water.

“I did.”

She nearly gasped when she entered. Sure enough, the bathroom boasted a tub big enough for two people in the middle of the room, half sunken into the floor. While she gawked, Jaxon fiddled with the knobs, sticking his hands under the water until he got the temperature just right.

As the tub filled, Jaxon turned to Brianna. With his gaze plastered to hers, he tugged on the sleeves of her jacket until he had the yellow coat removed.

Brianna stood frozen, as though she weren’t capable of undressing herself. Something about the way Jaxon moved around her was so damn sexy, she couldn’t bring herself to stop him. Like a ritual mating dance of some sort, he pulled her boots and outer pants off, lifting her feet one at a time. He then proceeded to remove all her thermal wear.

Every time he let his gaze land on hers, she could see the fire burning behind his eyes. His expression grew more serious by the second.

When he had her completely naked, he laid a hand on each of her biceps. “Brianna…” The one word was all he said, muttered so soft she could have missed it. His lips landed on hers for a sweet kiss. “Do you know how fucking alluring you are?”

Brianna didn’t respond. She knew she was attractive. Well, she assumed as much by all the whistles she got from men in the academy she’d attended. But those men could have been desperate, considering the long days without any other women around besides her. The captain of her company didn’t tolerate any sexual misconduct from his firefighters.

Thank God for her collection of sex toys in the special drawer next to her bed. She could entertain herself just fine during fire season without getting involved with a man.

But nothing could have prepared her for the look Jaxon gave her now—as though she were the most precious commodity.

“Can I join you?” Jaxon stepped back and let her enter the water. “You can say no, of course. But I might self-combust now that I’ve seen you naked.”

Brianna slunk down under the hot water as it rose up the side of the tub. She looked over at Jaxon and sucked in a breath. Even fully clothed, the man could turn heads. His jeans hung low on his hips in such a perfectly casual way.

He pulled his T-shirt over his head, exposing his firm chest. Only a light sprinkle of hair covered his pecs. He was a bronzed god. Under normal circumstances she’d have considered him out of her league. But these circumstances were anything but normal, and according to Jaxon, he was already hers in every sense of the word.

You are a lucky woman. If you get to spend even one full day in the hands of this man, life will have been worth living. No way in hell would she turn him down for anything he suggested. Who knew what tomorrow might bring when she went back to work? She’d at least have today.

“You’ve seen me naked.” She tipped her head and gave him a coy grin.

“Not quite the same.” He sauntered toward her, popping the button on his jeans. “It was dark.”

“You said you see perfectly fine in the dark.”

He smiled. “I see well enough. Good memory. But in the light of day, you look exquisite.” He dropped his jeans and stepped out of them. He sprung free in front of her, right at eye level.

Brianna licked her lips.

Jaxon moaned. “Baby…”

She jerked her gaze up to his face, her own cheeks burning with embarrassment. What the hell was with her today?

Brianna hadn’t really answered the question, but she scooted forward in the tub as Jaxon moved to climb in behind her. He spread his legs and situated her between them before pulling her back against his chest. The water still ran, not quite covering her entire body yet.

Where was her usual modesty? Her breasts lay bobbing over Jaxon’s arms above the water level. When she glanced down, she saw her nipples firm and pointing out. She gripped Jaxon’s thighs and let her eyes fall shut.

“Relax. Enjoy.” Jaxon nibbled on her ear as he spoke. He left one hand wrapped around her middle and grazed a path up her arm with the other until his fingers reached her head and pulled her mouth around for a penetrating kiss.

Her ears rang. The only sound in the room was the water still running. The world stood still while Jaxon sucked her tongue into his mouth, forcing a moan from her lips.

The hand around her waist released her to travel to her breasts. With her eyes shut, she couldn’t anticipate where his fingers might land, which heightened her arousal even more as he trailed his fingertips almost imperceptibly over her nipples, circling them and flicking them one at a time until she squirmed with need.

His cock rested behind her ass and she was more than aware of its length as he grew more aroused.

Suddenly, he pulled back from the mesmerizing kiss and left a peck on her nose. “Let me wash you,” he murmured, “before I get so carried away that soap gets completely forgotten.”

Shit. She’d already forgotten.

He chuckled, a habit that told her he’d read her mind. “Tip your head back to wet your hair.”

Brianna obeyed, leaning back into the water when he pushed her forward just enough to allow her to get completely wet. The water was higher now, having submerged her up to her neck while she’d been lost in the vortex that was Jaxon’s kiss.

“I’ll have to kiss you silly more often if it makes you this pliable,” he teased as he reached to turn the faucet off.

“I can’t think when you’re touching me. Your kisses turn my mind to mush.” She narrowed her gaze. “But you know that.”

“You’ll learn to block me. Don’t worry.” Jaxon grabbed a bottle from the side of the tub and tipped it up. Thick pink liquid poured into his palm.

Brianna raised her eyebrows. “How many women have you entertained in this tub?” Why did the man have girly shampoo?

He smiled at her and reached for her head. When his fingers rubbed her scalp, she thought she’d die. “None, baby. You’re the first. I’m sure my brother’s thoughtful mate scurried around here when she heard we were coming so you’d have some nice things in my bachelor wing.”

Ahh. She’d have to thank Juliana later.

“Close your eyes.” As soon as she did, Jaxon leaned her back and rinsed the shampoo from her hair. He was so precise; she needn’t have bothered with her eyes. He didn’t even get her face wet.

“You know,” she began when he’d lifted her back to sitting, “I am capable of washing myself.” She scooted forward a few inches to give herself some space and looked back at him. “Hand me that soap.” She pointed to the bar behind him.

“This soap?” He lifted the bar but made no move to give it to her.

She held out her hand, but he didn’t let her have the bar.

“Wasn’t I doing a good job? You nearly purred while I rubbed your scalp. What sounds would you make if I was to bathe the rest of your body?”

She couldn’t resist him. “Turnabout’s a bitch, you know,” she warned.

“God, I hope so.” He made a show of lathering up his palms and then spread them over her shoulders and down her arms. He even massaged her fingers as he worked his way down. When he reached for the soap again, she was breathing heavily.

The water was so warm, her skin pinkened. Resigning herself to his pampering, she leaned back against him while his magic fingers caressed her breasts and then wandered down to her thighs. He lifted first one leg and then the other, kneading her muscles as he soaped all the way to her toes.

When he finished with her legs, he tucked each one under his own. She stiffened when he used his feet to pull her legs apart, spreading her wide and then reaching under the water to stroke her sex.

Her head rolled back against his shoulder. She reached for his hand between her legs to stop him. If he kept this up, she was going to come with little effort. She’d never been so fucking horny in her life. The scene was so damn erotic and she wanted this man like she’d never wanted anyone before.

She wanted to flip around and straddle him, sit down over his cock and take him into her warmth. But he wouldn’t have it. He grasped her wrists with his hands and put them both in one of his larger ones. “Let me love you, baby. Please. I want to watch you come apart.”

Brianna moaned and bit her lip. She opened her eyes to find Jaxon’s gaze on her face. A serious expression filled with care. He kissed her, deep and long, his tongue tangling with hers while he explored her mouth as thoroughly as he’d washed her body.

With his free hand, he stroked her thighs, first one and then the other, right at the apex of her sex. Finally, when she began to squirm once more in his clutch, he stroked her clit.

All thoughts of kissing flew from her mind. Every brain cell went toward concentrating on the fingers playing her like an instrument.

He alternated between circling her nub and flicking over it until she lifted her ass off the bottom of the tub, using her body to plead for more.

“I’m getting there, baby.” He set his chin on her shoulder, undoubtedly enabling him to watch what was happening beneath the water. “Stay still.”

Stay still? Didn’t he know she had no control over her body right now?

Finally, he plunged two fingers into her and angled them toward the front to drag them over her G-spot on the way out. The second time he pushed inside her, he pressed his thumb against her clit.

“Jaxon!” She screamed his name right before she came, squeezing around his fingers still buried deep inside her pussy. His thumb rubbed her clit until she stopped pulsing around him.

“That’s it, baby. God, you’re so fucking sexy.” He released her wrists and pushed her hair from her face as she gasped for oxygen.

This man made her feel like the most sensuous creature on earth.

She swallowed. “I need you. I love that you can make me come so easily, but I still need you inside me.”

“I know, baby.” He kissed her brow. “I just like to watch first. I’ll never tire of watching you come undone under my touch. It humbles me.”

She stared into his deep brown eyes, sensing he truly cared for her on a level that was inconceivable considering they’d met only hours ago.

“Lean forward, baby.” He scooted her forward, lifting her around the waist until she was on her knees. “Grab the side of the tub.”

She glanced over her shoulder as he nudged her thighs wider and inched up behind her. Oh God. He’d taken her from behind earlier and she’d nearly wept.

She had no idea she had such a submissive streak before today, but her pussy leaked watching him arrange her so he could plow into her from behind again. The show of dominance made her shake with desire.

Brianna leaned forward and held the side of the tub. She’d do whatever it took to get him inside her. Nothing except the girth and length of his cock was going to abate the burning fire.

She didn’t have to wait long. Jaxon gripped her hips and plunged into her warmth in one thrust. The moan he emitted could undoubtedly be heard outside the house, let alone the room. And she didn’t even care. Her only concern was that she did this to him. A smile spread across her lips. With just her existence, she had the power to bring this man to his knees.

“Stop thinking, baby.” He held himself inside her and leaned over her body, his chest covering her back. He ran his hands up her arms until their fingers twined together on the edge of the tub. And then he began a rhythm, his cock pulling in and out of her in a way that made the rest of the world cease to exist.

She cared about nothing except fucking this man, or having him fuck her senseless. “Jax…” Her voice faded as she pleaded with him. She had no idea what she wanted beyond what she was getting, but she still begged. She was so full.

As he continued to stroke in and out of her, he pulled back up onto his knees. His hands skittered down her back until he reached her ass. When he spread her cheeks apart, she thought she might faint. She leaned her head on her hands against the edge of the tub.

No man had ever ventured into that forbidden hole, and she was powerless to stop him from doing so. In fact, she wanted him to do anything and everything to her.

Still thrusting into her at a steady pace, he circled her rear hole with one finger and then pressed into her. She whimpered. It felt so good. Even that one finger heightened her awareness of him.

While he stroked her, stretching her tight hole farther with each pass, he reached around her body with his other hand and pinched her clit. Brianna collapsed under the onslaught of sensations. If she hadn’t been leaning over the side of the tub, her head would have fallen under the water.

“Come with me, Bri.” Jaxon increased his thrusts, still pinching her clit and stroking her rear hole.

She was powerless with him. His command sent her over the edge. She gripped the sides of the tub to keep from falling. Or maybe to ground herself in this world while it tilted on its axis, sending her over the edge into the deepest orgasm of her life. She’d never known anything like it. So powerful even her vision grew bleary for several seconds.

As Brianna floated back to earth, Jaxon pulled out of her and sat down in the water, gathering her back against his chest.

She took deep gasping breaths, unable to form words for what had just happened to rock her world.

“You’re amazing. I’m already falling in love with you.”

Brianna’s bliss froze in place. Love? Did he really see this going further than a one-night stand? She couldn’t wrap her mind around that.

“Don’t fight this, baby. It’s meant to be. Yes, I said the L word. Get used to it.” He chucked her under the chin and kissed her nose.

She closed her eyes again and let herself relax like the pile of mush she was.