Page 87 of Frosting and Flames

“That was amazing. You’re amazing. I—”

She’s cut off by a long, drawn-out howl, the high-pitched sound echoing through the night.

She sits up, languor gone. “What was that?”

There’s a second howl, rising and falling in a nearly musical rhythm, eerie in its wildness, that then breaks into yips and sharp barks. This one doesn’t sound that far away.

“Coyotes,” I say, zipping and buttoning up her jeans for her.

Her eyes widen, almost comically.

I gather the pillows and blankets and tell her to get in the cab of the truck, which she does without hesitation.

“Are we in danger?” she asks when I join her a minute later after making sure the air mattress is still tied down.

“We’re fine,” I reassure her. “But better safe than sorry getting out of here. We’re in their territory.”

She looks at the dashboard as I start up the truck. “Oh my God, it’s after eleven.” As if on cue, she yawns. “I haven’t been up this late in forever.”

I take her hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it. “I hope it was worth it.”

I love the slow, soft smile that overtakes her face. “Definitely.”

I drape a blanket over my lap on the drive back, resisting the urge to adjust myself in my jeans. I’m still worked up with no relief, needing a distraction.

“It’s eleven-eleven,” I tell her, nodding toward the dashboard clock. “You have a wish?”

“Wow, a nighttime eleven-eleven. That’s rare.” I glance over at her, finding her eyes closed and face scrunched. “Okay, wish made. You?”

A sense of peace steals over me, as if I don’t need any more wishes. I have everything I’ve wished for in this moment.

“I’m good,” I tell her, taking the turn back to the main thoroughfare of Aurora.

We pass the gas station, the only thing open this late at night, a beacon of light in the otherwise dark, sleepy town. I slow near the fire station, its familiar brick walls tugging at my chest—part pride, part responsibility. And part… concern. I don’t want Rachel worried about me on the job, but I’m not sure what I can do to help that.

A few more storefronts line the street like old friends, with their hand-painted signs and shadowy windows, waiting for daylight to brighten them again. And then there’s Rachel’s bakery, closed up tight but with the faintest scent of cinnamon I swear I can smell.

Further down the road, the businesses give way to houses, their yellow porch lights glowing like watchful eyes, wind chimes tinkling as a soft breeze blows through. By the time I turn on Rachel’s street, night has settled deep and still, but I’m more awake than ever.

She’s yawning when we pull up in front of her house, and I say goodnight to her in the truck, not wanting to get worked up again kissing her on the porch.

When I get home, the house is dark, including under the strip of door to Tanner’s room. He must already be asleep.

I move quietly to my room, intending to simply get ready for bed, but as I change out of my clothes, my still-interested dick makes itself known. Palming myself, I picture Rachel again,warm and willing underneath me. Her gaze sultry as she told me how much she liked what I was doing to her.

I grasp myself tighter, keeping my groan at bay as I imagine what else I could have done to her, too. Peeling off her top to reveal what I haven’t had a glimpse of yet. Teasing the tips of her nipples as she gives me those throaty gasps. Sucking them until they turn hard. Hearing her beg for more.

My strokes speed up and I brace myself against my dresser, my imagination running rampant as I imagine it’s her hand on me, her delicate fingers wrapped around my cock. Her lowering to her knees to take me in her pretty mouth, her cheeks hollowing out as she sucks me.

“Fuck,” I mutter, my hand going full throttle now. I want everything with her. To bring her back here and spread her out on my bed, feasting on her pussy. To sink into her wet heat and feel what it’s like to be truly connected to her.

For nothing to ever break that connection.

I grab a tissue just in time and spend into it, keeping quiet. It’s not the first time I’ve jacked off to fantasies of Rachel, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

But after tonight, I’m one step closer to making those fantasies a reality.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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