Fire and Flames [Dragon Love 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “We wait.”

  “What the hell for, Ridge? We’ve waited long enough. Hell, too damn long.”

  “Are you that ready to start aging?” He’d use whatever reason he could to keep Colter in check. When a dragon found his mate, he started aging in his human form. His dragon would lose its immortality and die when the human body finally gave into the ravages of time.

  “For the right woman I am.” Colter filled his glass again. “And Marlee’s the right woman.”

  “We need to make sure,” added Adam. “Not that I doubt your word.”

  “There’s another problem.” Ridge could sense the other two men tensing up.

  “Shit. Why can’t this be easy?”

  Ridge ignored Colter’s complaint. “There’s this other firefighter. Jack’s his name. Although she denies it, I think he’s bothering her. Harassing her.”

  Adam confronted him, a scowl on his face. “Harassing her how?”

  “By telling her a woman shouldn’t do the job.” Colter chuckled and motioned toward Ridge with glass in hand. “Like Ridge did.”

  “You told a lady firefighter she shouldn’t be in the job she’s already doing? Way to go, friend.”

  “It’s not the same thing. He’s getting physical.”

  “Yeah. Ridge is right. We need to stop this guy.”

  Adam was more than ready to help out, especially if it involved a fight. Unlike most Emeralian dragons, who were the first ones to try and keep the peace, Adam was always ready for a good brawl. They’d had to bail him out of several jails in the past.

  “So we agree.” Colter dragged a hand through his black hair. Red flashed in the silver eyes that were so much like Ridge’s. “What do we do?”

  “For now, we watch. We make sure he doesn’t do anything when she’s alone.”

  “So we hang around the station?” asked an eager Colter.

  “We watch. We don’t go inside, and we don’t interfere.” He fixed a hard look on his cousin. “And we don’t go after this guy unless she needs us to.”

  “So we let her handle him. If she can’t, then we step in.”

  “Exactly, Adam.” Again Ridge leveled his attention on his impulsive cousin.

  “How is watching her going to get us closer to her?” Colter was already chomping at the bit to get near her.

  “Give it some time. If she’s meant to be ours, she’ll be thinking about us, too. When we think it’s time, we’ll make our move.”

  “Sound like it’s going to take too damn long.”

  Adam laughed and slapped a hand on Colter’s arm. “Take it easy, friend. Good things come to those who wait.”

  Colter shrugged off his hand. “Bullshit. Good things come to those who take.”

  “Like you took that sweet little thing at the festival in Italy? Yeah. And that turned out great, didn’t it? You got us run out of the country.”

  “How was I supposed to know she was the daughter of a wealthy shipping tycoon?”

  Ridge turned back to the city scene stretching out before him as the other two continued to banter back and forth. He understood Colter’s frustration, but if Marlee was the one, they couldn’t afford to act too quickly and scare her off. If they did, if she wanted nothing to do with them, they might lose their only chance.

  * * * *

  Adam fought the urge to celebrate. Doing so would only make the losers angrier. He’d learned the hard way not to rub his good luck in the faces of his fellow gamblers.

  “Are you sure you don’t have a card up your sleeve?”

  “Can I help if it Lady Luck likes me better than you?” Adam laughed, blowing off the half-serious accusation. If he didn’t, the other three players might decide Ronald Contalino had a point.

  “Shit. Lady Luck fucking loves you, you asswipe.”

  Again, he let the comment slide off his back. “Are you gentlemen up for another game?”

  Ronald hesitated, clearly trying to decide if Adam was really cheating or not. The entire thing was insulting. They knew him well enough to know he never had to resort to cheating. He was just that good.

  Next month, he’d head to Vegas to the World Poker Championships. While he was there, he’d check in with his Emeralian dragon clan and catch up on the news. He’d heard that three of the remaining four dragon clans were doing their best to keep peace between the clans. If the Talasium, Verian, and Emeralian clans could get the Dradian dragons to give up the hostilities, then they might have a chance at the first peace the dragon clans had seen in centuries.

  Until then, he’d keep on gambling and enjoying life.

  He checked his phone but saw no messages from either Ridge or Colter. The cousins were busy watching the fire station. Wherever Marlee went, they went. Thankfully, she hadn’t had to fight any fires since they’d met her two days earlier.

  A car alarm blasted the air. At first, none of them paid any attention to it. But when shouts added to the noise, Adam threw his cards into the middle of the table. “I’m out.” He gathered his chips together and shoved them toward Ronald. “Cash me out.”

  Ronald grumbled but started counting Adam’s winnings. “You gonna check out the ruckus?”

  “Yeah. Might as well see what all the fuss is about.”

  “Let us know if it’s important.”

  “Sure thing. Because that’s what I’m here for. To be at your service, man.”

  Just then his phone beeped, signaling that he had a text message. He glanced at his phone and saw Colter’s two short sentences.

  Fire. 219 Rodhaven Drive.

  It took a moment before he finally connected the address to his location. Scooping up his winnings, he shoved them into his pocket and strode to the door. Bursting into the open, he confirmed what the message had said. The only difference was that he’d expected to see the small Mom and Pop shops and surrounding apartment buildings across the street on fire. Instead, a newer Corvette was burning. Flames leapt skyward, heat scorching the air. The entire vehicle was engulfed, leaving nothing for them to save.

  The sound of the fire engine heralded its arrival a minute before it turned the last corner and screamed to a stop next to the car. Firefighters jumped out, ready to take care of the situation. Before long, they had a streaming blast of water coming from the hose. Others assessed the surrounding area, keeping the curious citizens away from danger.

  Was Marlee one of them?

  He studied each one, discarding the larger, taller ones. At last, he found her. At least he hoped that was her. She moved with grace and ease as she walked back and forth, keeping the growing crowd back. Although the gear she had on hid her body from view, he could see her face well enough.

  He liked what he saw. Hell, he more than liked it. She had a face that could rival the great beauties of history.

  Leaning against the side of Ronald’s condominium building, he took the scene in, growing more impressed with how she handled the fire. She was brave, determined, and working as hard as the others.

  One of the other firemen bumped into her. Adam straightened up and stared. The man had deliberately bumped into her, pushing her a few steps closer to the fire. His first instinct was to help her, but she thwarted that idea.

  After regaining her balance, she spun around and lashed out. Shoving her hands against the man, she sent him sprawling onto his ass.

  “Good for you, Marlee. Show him who’s boss.”

  It seemed like Ridge had been wrong. Marlee didn’t need their protection.

  By the time the accosting firefighter had gotten back on his feet, Marlee had already moved away. She was intent on doing her job, fearless of any further danger he might present. Taking over the job of shooting a foam substance around the vehicle to prevent the spread of fuel and other toxic chemicals, she looked back once at the one she’d taken to the ground and planted her feet apart, her readiness to take him on again apparent in her strong posture.

  She’s a fighter. Good. She’ll need to be if she’s going to be
with us.

  “Marlee! Over here! Marlee!”

  Jealousy, hard and cruel, struck him as two men bounded across the street toward her. Her team stopped them short before they could reach her. Instead, she handed over her job to another firefighter and hurried to the men. Taking off her helmet, her red hair spilled over her shoulders.

  It’s like liquid fire.

  If memory serves, her eyes are blue.

  Fire hair and sky blue eyes. Nothing could be more enticing.

  She hugged the tall, thin man, her affection for him all-too real. Who was he? What claim did he have on her?

  He heightened his sensitive hearing and listened in on their conversation.

  “Sis, this is Clay Miller. You’ve got to help us. He’s in trouble.”

  That’s her brother.

  Relief swamped him. Hopefully, he didn’t need to worry about her loving another man.

  “He’s the one! That’s the asshole that set my car on fire!”

  Adam rankled at the word as he watched another man rush toward Marlee and her friends. Two policemen who had arrived a minute earlier grabbed him and held him back.

  “He’s the fucker that did this. Turn me loose and arrest him, damn it!” The accuser struggled with the officers, hell bent on getting at Clay.

  “Kyle, what’s going on?”

  “No. I didn’t do anything. Tell him, Kyle.”

  Kyle nodded vigorously as one of the policemen came closer. “He didn’t do this. He couldn’t have.” He stopped then opened his mouth before closing it. Again, he tried and, this time, managed to find the words. “He was with me all day. He couldn’t have torched it.”

  “He’s fucking lying.” The man fought to get free, his face filled with rage. “I saw him, damn it. They’re lying. Those fucking gay assholes are lying.”

  Adam had lived long enough to learn to hate discrimination in all its forms. Yet there was something even more disgusting when such hatred was aimed at one person loving another.

  “I’m Officer Darnell. Tell me what you know. You say you were together all day. Including the time right up to when the fire started? Is that right? Did he leave at any time? Maybe for a short time?” The officer motioned for her brother and his friend to follow him farther away from the smoldering vehicle.

  “Yes, sir. Clay and I have been together since this morning.”

  “You two got your IDs on you?”

  Both Kyle and Clay fished wallets out of their hip pockets and handed over their licenses. Marlee hadn’t said anything but was watching the exchange closely.

  “You can’t let them get away with this. They destroyed my car!”

  “Do you know him?” asked the cop. He jotted down the information from their IDs then handed their cards back.

  The look Kyle and Clay exchanged didn’t leave Adam with a good feeling. They were holding back information.

  “He’s Max Bondin.” Clay shot an angry glare at Max, who was still trying to get the other policeman to turn him free. “We know each other from high school. We were on the football team together.”

  “Did you and Mr. Bondin have an argument?”

  Again, too much time passed before Clay answered. Adam eased closer, willing him to tell the truth.

  “He hates me because I’m gay. Even before I came out, he and the rest of his buddies used to bully me. He’s the reason I had to quit the team.”

  “So there’s bad blood between you.” Officer Darnell made a note then lifted an eyebrow and leveled his attention on Clay. “Are you sure there’s nothing you want to tell me?”

  “No, sir. I don’t know anything about his car.”

  “What are you doing around here anyway? Thinking of getting back at him?”

  “No, sir,” answered Clay. “I, um, live near here.”

  The policeman paused as though wondering if Clay was lying then checked his notes. “Okay, then. We’ll be in contact if we need you.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Max went crazy, doing his best to fight out of the officer’s hold.

  The two policemen, however, were able to restrain him, pushing him away from Marlee’s brother and his friend. By the time they’d gotten him over to the cruiser, he’d calmed down enough to stop shouting.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Clay.” Marlee didn’t offer her gloved hand. “Even under these circumstances.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too.” Clay warily glanced at the officers who were still talking to Max. “I wish it hadn’t happened like this, either.”

  Her smile was brighter than any fire. Adam would’ve gladly stood in the line of her brilliant beam.

  She shifted from one foot to the other. “I don’t mean to be rude, but maybe it would be a good idea for you two to head out while you can. Kyle, I’ll call you later, okay?”

  “Sure thing.” Kyle pressed a kiss to her soot-covered cheek. He slid his hand in Clay’s and walked away, going in the opposite direction of Max and the police.

  Marlee stayed where she was until her brother and his friend rounded the corner and were gone. He took the opportunity to get close.

  “Marlee?”

  She was even sexier up close. Her blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Yes?”

  He wanted to touch her with more than just a handshake. “I’m Adam Parker.”

  “Yes?” She swallowed, keeping the tears at bay. A glint of interest brightened her eyes.

  “I’m a friend of Ridge and Colter Radison.”

  “You are?” She searched behind him, as though expecting to see his friends. Yet it was a few more moments before she pulled her hand out of his. “What can I do for you, Mr. Parker?”

  “Please, call me Adam. And I don’t need anything.” His gaze slid to the firefighter she’d pushed to the ground. “But if you need any help, all you have to do is say so.”

  “Why would I need your help?” Her intense stare speared through him.

  “I saw what that guy, the other firefighter, did.”

  “And?”

  “I’m just saying. If you want, I can talk to him.” Suddenly, he felt caught in a trap of his own making. She was getting defensive.

  “Did your friends send you?”

  Shit. How’d the conversation get twisted? “No. I was at a friend’s.” He pointed at Ronald’s building.

  “Uh-huh.”

  She didn’t believe him. That much was easy to see.

  “Marlee, I think we’ve gotten off track. How about I meet you back at the station and take you for a drink later?”

  “No thanks. I’m on duty.” She turned and walked away. After going only a few feet, she spun to face him again. “You wouldn’t be stalking me, now would you?”

  “What? Of course not,” he asked although he could see how she might think it. First Ridge and Colter show up at the station and now here he was. Yet a quick lick of her tongue over her top lip told him that, although she was leery of him, she was also attracted to him.

  Her scrutiny was hard and long. At last, she nodded, as much for herself as for him. “Fine. Just tell your friends—” She stalled. “Never mind.”

  Before he could think of a response, she was already back at the car and talking with another firefighter. He stood there for a minute or so, trying to understand. It wasn’t until a hard breeze wafted over him that he gave up. Turning his face toward the sky, he searched and found the place where the air seemed to shimmer.

  “Damn it, Ridge. Get the hell out of here.”

  * * * *

  Adam Parker could make a woman drop to her knees and beg to suck him off. Until she’d met him and the Radison cousins, Marlee had never had so many carnal thoughts. But they were the type of men who could make the sanest of women go sexually crazy.

  What was going on? How had she met three hot men in less than a week? She’d been surprised at her primal reaction to all three of them. Working with firefighters, she was used to being around buff men with great physiques. Men who were no less than
heroes in her eyes. And yet, she’d never found herself thinking about them, wondering what their caresses would feel like and yearning to find out.

  Was he still there? If so, she could stroll over and tell him she’d changed her mind. What would be wrong with having a drink with him? Would Ridge and Colter come along?

  The heat that had little to do with the burned car left her wishing she could tear off her gear. She’d taken off her helmet when she’d talked to the police, but now she would’ve liked to have stripped down to her underwear. Or better yet, if she could’ve gotten alone with the three amazing men, she’d have gone butt naked.

  Was he watching her?

  She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye while answering Walt’s questions about the police and her brother. Their eyes met, prompting a quick inhale before she averted her gaze.

  Dayumm. He’s so fucking hot with his dark blond hair and deep brown eyes.

  I wonder if he works out.

  Stupid question. Anyone with a body like his has to work out.

  I’ll bet he’s good under pressure, too. His palm was cool, his gaze steady.

  “You okay, Marlee?”

  She forced attention back on Walt. If she didn’t watch out, her coworkers would see her drooling over a stranger. Something Jack would claim a male firefighter would never do.

  Which, of course, was total bullshit.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Is everything okay with your brother? What’d the police want with him? He’s not involved with this fire, is he?” Walt backpedaled at her glare. “Of course he’s not. But that guy sure seemed set on blaming his friend.”

  “And he’s wrong. Clay was with Kyle all day long.” She had to lie and give Clay the benefit of the doubt, if only for her brother’s sake.

  But why had Kyle lied? And in front of her no less. Didn’t he remember that he’d called her to say he was going to the store before going to Clay’s? His call had come before the alarm for the car fire had blasted through the station, but it was proof that Kyle hadn’t been with Clay all day.