Page 53 of Backdraft
His body jerked at her touch. "You gotta give me a minute. " he murmured against her mouth. “You’re killing me.”
She tipped her head and looked up at him. "Well, if I know you, that minute won't be very long."
Water streamed over her features, making her mouth look so wet, glossy, full, and very inviting. Taylor held her cheeks between his hands and lowered his head, gazing into her eyes. He crashed his mouth down on hers.
Her tongue was waiting for his. They met and played, and he groaned into her mouth. The way she arched her back and pressed her breasts to his chest, her nipples hard and insistent, undid him.
They kissed, and their hands explored each other under the rain of water until it chilled and forcing them out of the shower. Taylor wrapped a towel around her shoulders, and she handed him one. They dried each other off. There was no need to speak as they tended to each other with a gentleness that almost choked him up.
Drea gazed up at him. "You know what? I think I've worked up a bit of a hunger." She pushed her damp hair back off her face.
He smiled. "We didn't eat much after yesterday's late lunch. Fancy some pancakes and bacon?"
"Kali's?"
"You must be reading my mind."
He liked how her eyes lit up. She was happy. In that instant, Taylor knew he wanted to continue to make her happy. Her smile and dancing eyes were like the sun coming out from a dark cloud. A dark cloud that had hovered over him for far too long.
Our server slid the breakfast plates in front of us. I looked down at the stack of pancakes, side of bacon, and hash browns and couldn't wait to dive in.
"I discovered this place the day after I arrived. One of the firefighters from the fire scene interrupted my breakfast," I told Taylor as I spread butter nice and thick over my pancakes.
"What guy? Did he give you his name?" he asked and drowned his pancakes in syrup.
"No, he did look familiar, but I don't know from where, because I don't recall seeing him at the scene." I shrugged and took a forkful of pancake with a piece of bacon. "Mmm, so good. When Shannon and I had dinner the other night at the bar, he was there too, and she shooed him away. She said she knows who he is. Said he’s a bit of an outsider but harmless.”
"Good to know. It worries me though, with the threats you've had recently."
I paused with my coffee mug halfway to my mouth and looked at Taylor. He was cutting a piece of bacon, but his forehead was furrowed, eyebrows bunched up, and he was frowning. My heart swelled seeing the concern etched on his face.
"Taylor."
He looked up at me.
"Please don't worry. I'm sure it's just some whacko who doesn’t intend any real harm. Thank you for your concern. You know, I can handle myself," I said gently.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure you can. But it's not a bad idea to have people watch your back now, is it?"
I nodded while he chewed and stabbed another pile of pancakes. "Yes, it is nice to know you have my back." Maybe I should change the subject. "Yesterday was nice."
His smile was enough to brighten anybody's day. "Yes, it was. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
"I really did."
He was gentlemanly enough to not bring up this morning. He was leaving that for me.
I swirled pancake and bacon through the syrup. "Thanks for washing my hair this morning." I grinned, and he laughed.
"Any time. I was happy to help." The sexual intensity in his expression made me gasp softly. All I wanted now was to whisk him outta here and have my way with him. I gripped my fork a little tighter and selected more food.
Our relationship had taken a bit of a turn. We’d gone from being only acquaintances with a spicy past to being lovers and possibly building a relationship. Not to mention working together as it warranted.
I wasn’t really surprised by the shift into a physical relationship with him. I hadn't been able to put it out of my mind since we first stumbled across each other at the first fire scene.
We ate quietly for the next little while, comfortable in the quiet. To me, that showed we were used to each other and didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with small talk.
I looked around. The restaurant was full, and a waiting line had started. I didn't recognize anyone. I suppose I still had a while until I felt totally at home in Oak Creek.
