Page 134 of Ink and Ashes
Sex has never been something I long for. With Gabriel, it was always something I felt obligated to do, not because I wanted to, but because he wanted me to. But with Colson, I’m desperate for it. In the few short weeks since our first time, he’s gotten to know my body better than Gabriel did in six years.
I’d like to think it’s because Colson just knows what he’s doing, but the truth is, it’s more than that. Sex when you’re in love changes everything, and I never knew just how intoxicating it could be until I met Colson.
“I love you,” Colson mutters over and over in time with his thrusts. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”
“I love you too,” I tell him, my voice breathy.
He kisses me softly as he mutters, “Come for me, baby.”
And I do. He thrusts in deep at the same time that he pinches my clit between his thumb and forefinger, and I fall apart around him. My entire body pulls taut while he continues driving into me, and just as I start to come down, he pushes in deep, his release filling me.
The crew compartment is silent save for our heavy breathing as we both ride out our orgasms, my arms wrapped tightly around his neck the same way his are around my waist.
When my mind clears enough to form a coherent thought, the only thing I can say is, “I’m never going to get sick of this.”
“Neither will I,” he returns as he leans up to press another quick kiss to my lips. But before they touch, we’re startled by the sound of someone banging on the engine.
Colson’s hands grip my waist tighter as the words, “Two hoses, one truck!” come from the other side of the door, accompanied by a chorus of giggles.
My cheeks heat as Colson mutters, “Shit,” under his breath. The chuckling outside continues, and I hide my face in his neck as I join in. Colson follows suit, and before I know it, the two of us are laughing just as hard as the five people outside the door.
At least they can’t see inside.
“Have fun, kids!” Dom calls out, banging on the truck again.
“You’re on truck cleaning duty next shift, Killjoy!” Beau adds, still laughing.
Colson shakes his head, pressing a kiss to the side of mine. “So worth it,” he whispers as their giggles fade into the distance. Our mouths meet in the kiss that was interrupted by our friends, and when he pulls away, Colson adds, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Holland Rhodes.”
I smile at him. “And you to me, Colson Caldwell.”
Hours pass as we get lost in each other, our moaning over skin against skin the only sounds filling the station. We take our time learning every inch of each other’s bodies, moving together in a way we couldn’t before everything happened. Because for the first time since we got together, there’s nothing weighing on us. Nounanswered questions hanging in the air, no waiting for the next shoe to drop, no wondering what comes next.
It’s just us.
Him and me, together.
The way it was always meant to be.
CHAPTER 48
Colson
Two weeks have passed since the fire that nearly killed Holland, and life has been a whirlwind since then.
The day after everything happened, we discovered that the other two fires that had been called in at the same time as that one were fakes. Welland was trying to get us to split our resources and hide the scene of the real fire, but clearly, it didn’t work.
I’ll admit, learning those were decoys was almost as much of a relief as finding out he was dead. Heading out to a fire the day after almost losing Holland would’ve nearly killed me. Instead, the crew spent the day mopping-up at the ranch before I brought Holland by for her welcome home party.
We didn’t get too much reprieve from flames though, because a holdover fire popped up not too far outside of town shortly after Holland’s release from the hospital. You’d think the weather would’ve cut us more of a break after everything we’ve gone through over the past few months, but that would be asking too much. Thankfully, it only lasted a couple of days before we had it controlled, and now we’ve all just been trying to adjust to lifepost-Whitlock/Welland.
The town has yet to pick someone to replace him, so it’s been even more chaotic. They’re holding an award ceremony to recognize the bravery of everyone on the team tonight, and supposedly someone new will be appointed then. Except none of us at the station have been told anything, and my all-knowing father has refused to say a single word about it, so no one really knows what to expect.
Everyone at the station is certain it’ll be me, and I truly hope they’re right. I’ve been preparing for this day ever since I was in diapers. Being chief of EGFD is my birthright—the one thing I’ve been working toward my entire career. I know there is a strong possibility I’ll be chosen tonight, and if I am, I’ll vow to protect this town with my life.
But part of me can’t help but wonder if they’re going to pick someone else instead. My actions over the past few months have been nothing short of unprofessional, and I’m not sure if I’m cut out for the job anymore.
From not realizing sooner that this town had an arsonist, to keeping secrets from my team, to breaking every possible protocol the night Holland was kidnapped and leaving a man inside the burning house to die, I’ve made a lot of selfish decisions that don’t exactly inspire faith in me. I worry that the rest of the town sees that too.
