The Firefighter’s Woman 2 Page 4

  His phone book held numbers she didn’t recognize, all except hers and one other. Sherise’s. It was nothing. They worked in the same department at their office. They were both health inspectors. “They had been engaged,” she reminded herself.

  That also proved nothing, and she had no right to go into his phone. Matter of fact, she was the one fighting off another man. Tyrone should be questioning her. Her fingers did not stop flicking through his phone. Recent texts came up. She’d somehow bypassed the Inbox and gone straight to the Outbox. About to flip back, she paused at the last message Tyrone had sent out, and her heart thundered.

  Baby, I miss you. Let’s meet tonight. I’ll be in Forest’s End. I need to be with you again.

  The timestamp said it had been sent just after Marlena spoke with Tyrone earlier that night, and the recipient was Sherise.

  “What the fuck are you doing with my phone?”

  Marlena jumped when Tyrone spoke, but anger took over. She held up the message. “What’s this? You took so long because you were over at Sherise’s sleeping with her?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Give me my phone, Marlena.”

  “Answer my question, damn it!” She held the phone out of his reach, but he just grabbed her in a rough grip, yanked her to him, and took it. With quick fingers, he pressed a few buttons. Marlena recognized the beeps. He had deleted the evidence. Lot of good that did since she’d seen it already. “Tell me the truth, Tyrone. Are you cheating on me with her? Are you seeing me to get to her?”

  “Believe what you want to believe.” He turned away and began rummaging through the food bags.

  Marlena ran over to the table, snatched the bags, and then dumped them in the trash.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” He tried to save the food, but because she’d not closed any of the containers she had peaked in, they sloshed all over the place, mixing together with each other and the garbage. Tyrone slammed his fist on the counter. “Now what, Marlena? What do you want from me?”

  “I want the truth!”

  When he started to speak, she had a feeling he was going to say some dumb crap like “you can’t handle the truth.” Instead, he said, “All right, fine. I want her. I never stopped wanting her. I’ll get her back, and if it means fucking another woman over, so be it.” His gaze grated over hers. “You do have a nice body like I said, and we’ve had fun, but you’re not her.”

  A sudden rage came over Marlena. She laid her hand on the closest item, which was a shoe, and threw it at Tyrone’s head. “You asshole!” She located the other shoe and threw that too. When that wasn’t enough to make a dent in his skull, she ran to the kitchen to find something breakable.

  All the way, she fought tears. Tyrone didn’t deserve her tears. Hell, she didn’t even love the bastard, but the way he had put her down, like she was just a temporary substitute, had hurt. And he’d said it in such a matter of fact way, like he hadn’t known what he said would cut her.

  Yanking open cabinets, she came across the set of plates he had bought her when they had been shopping at Wal-Mart one night. He’d said then that it annoyed him when they ate off of mismatching sets. Jerk! She grabbed one of the plates and turned to throw that. Tyrone was closer to her than she thought. He caught her wrist and wrenched the dish from her hand.

  “Stop this, Marlena. You’re just mad, but you’ll calm down and remember that we said right from the beginning it wasn’t about love between us. Come on, girl, if you get it together, we can still enjoy each other tonight.”

  “Are you freaking serious?” she shouted. Without thinking, she kneed him in the nuts. Tyrone went down hard, clutching his crotch. “Get the hell out of my house, Tyrone! I don’t ever want to see you again.”

  She turned to stomp out of the kitchen, but he grabbed one of her legs and brought her crashing to the floor. Before she could get away, he climbed over her and pinned her to the floor face down.

  “Get off me.”

  “Not until you calm down.”

  She huffed and struggled to no avail. “I told you to get out.”

  “It’s late. I’m not leaving till morning. You can deal with me one more night, and you’ll be sorry you let me go then. Trust me.”

  Knowing she wasn’t going anywhere until he let her go, she stopped struggling and tried to catch her breath. Her chest ached, and her throat was dry. She hated him, hated his touch and the sound of his voice. After some time with them lying there, she demanded, “I’m calm. Now get off me.”

  “You’re not going to try to throw anything at me?”

  “No.”

  He stayed where he was a little while longer, and then he stood up. If she expected him to help her up, she was mistaken. He took a couple steps back from her, his expression leery like he didn’t trust her to keep her word. He was right. Before he knew what she was going to do, Marlena chucked a mug at him. The heavy ceramic thunked into his chest and then smashed at his feet.

  Marlena whirled around, ran into the dining room to grab her keys and purse, and then left the apartment. She needed to get away from him. She couldn’t make him leave without calling the police and causing a stir all across town, but if she stayed, she might kill him in his sleep from being so pissed off at him. Better to get away.

  By the time she was half running, half jogging down the street, the tears had started. At first, she wanted to avoid running into anyone, but when she spotted, of all people, Sherise coming out of Tony’s restaurant, Marlena’s anger boiled up again. No time like the present to set some things straight.

  Chapter Seven

  Marlena marched up to Sherise and stopped just inches from her face. “So you want him back. Is that it?”

  Sherise blinked at her. “What are you talking about?”

  “Tyrone, damn it,” Marlena shouted for all the world to hear. At the back of her mind, she felt like everyone and his brother paused to listen to the argument. Common sense told her to take this somewhere private, but she was too angry. “You know damn well what I’m talking about. You were with him tonight, weren’t you?”

  Guilt was written all over the woman’s face. “Marlena, I…”

  “Don’t even try the excuses. I saw his text to you, telling you he wanted to be with you. And you came up in my class acting all friendly. For what? You should have come right out and said you wanted to get back with him, and he felt the same. All this sneaking around is just low.”

  Sherise seemed to get angry too. “I don’t appreciate the accusations you’re flinging at me, Marlena.”

  “Oh you’re going to deny it?” Marlena balled her fists at her sides. She’d never been in a fight in her life, and it disgusted her to see women on the street acting a fool, shouting and carrying on like they had no home training. But for the first time, she understood how a person could be pissed enough to forget who they were and just attack.

  Just when she was about to punch Sherise, Tony shouldered his way between the two of them and shuffled Marlena back a few steps. “Now, now, ladies. There’s no need to get into a scuffle over a man who’s not worth it. Am I right?”

  Marlena fought against Tony’s hold, but the man’s muscles must have been made of steel. She glared up at him, and the pleasant smile spread over his face did not match the determination in his gaze. “Fine,” she muttered.

  “If you will listen to Sherise, she will tell you what happened tonight,” Tony suggested.

  Marlena turned her head. “How do you know?”

  “Because I was here when the stupid fuck got his ass handed to him by none other than the beautiful Sherise.”

  At the comment that Sherise was beautiful by yet another man, Marlena stiffened. She wanted to break down again, but she remained silent. Tony was using his size and strength against her. There was nothing she could do whether she liked it or not.

  Sherise stepped from behind Tony, a look of sympathy on her face. “Look, girl, I know how you feel. Okay? But I broke up with Tyrone for a reason, and that reason stands. He did text me, but I’m guessing you didn’t see my response back to him. I told him I’m not interested.” She spread her hands in front of her in a sort of entreaty for Marlena to believe her. “Unfortunately, he tracked me down here. You know it’s hard to hide in this damn town. Can’t go anywhere without fifty people reporting it to a hundred others.”

  Marlena knew that. She dreaded the news flying around about how she’d run up on Sherise, ready to punch her. Some would say she went through with it too.

  “I can vouch for Tyrone tracking her here,” Tony interjected. “Sherise came by to sample the perfection that I create, and she had the boldness to complain about it.”

  Sherise sucked her teeth. “This is neither the time nor the place to talk about your dry ass lasagna.”

  Tony’s face reddened. He released Marlena. She wondered if he was hoping she was still angry enough to crack Sherise. She wasn’t.

  “Anyway,” Tony continued, lips and jaw tight with annoyance, “Tyrone barged in and demanded that Sherise come outside to talk to him. She told him she wasn’t interested. They argued back and forth before I threw him out for disturbing the atmosphere of my restaurant. He peeled away from the curb with screeching tires. That was about eight-thirty.”

  Marlena’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry for accusing you, Sherise.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Sherise gave her a brief hug. Marlena just wanted to disappear. “Like I said, Tyrone isn’t worth the time or effort, but that was for you to figure out for yourself.”

  “Yeah,” Marlena muttered. Not wanting to stand there another minute with the humiliation she was feeling, Marlena turned and walked off. Behind her, Tony and Sherise called out asking if she was okay, but she didn’t answe
r. She kept walking, heading to the place where she’d always found peace—especially at night when few people were around.

  Fort Madison Hill was at the far side of Forest’s End, but the long walk didn’t even register in Marlena’s thoughts. When she arrived at the dimly lit spot with a few acres of grass and trees galore, she dropped to the stone bench across from the water fountain, which had been closed down for restoration a couple months ago. She missed the colored lights that used to illuminate the water and sooth whatever hurt was going on inside of her.

  After a while, she bowed her head and pressed her face into her lap to cry. She had no idea how long she had been crying before a hand rested on her back, stroked it twice, and then the person lifted her onto his lap.

  Marlena looked up in alarm to find Evan holding her. “W-What are you doing here?”

  He shrugged. “I heard you needed a friend.”

  She cried harder, burying her face in his chest. “I guess it’s all over town already, that Tyrone made a fool of me, and then I compounded it by acting a fool with Sherise.”

  “No, you did what anyone would do, Marlena. Don’t worry about it. Tyrone is the one wrong in this situation. And trust me. When I see him, I will put my fist in his face for hurting you.” He hesitated. “You…you loved him?”

  She sat up, trying to get a grip on her emotions. “No way. It’s just…” She sniffled. Evan reached in his pants pocket and tugged a handkerchief out. He offered it, and she thanked him while wiping her nose.

  How could she tell him about her insecurities? About how not one, but two men had rejected her, including Evan. After all, he had left her years ago because of who she was and what she looked like. If he’d been that into her, nothing his mother said could have swayed him to leave. The fact that he had spoke volumes, and Marlena just couldn’t sit there and admit the truth.

  Slipping from his hold, she took sharp control over emotions so the tears would stop. She stood up and moved some feet away from Evan with her back to him. A breeze lifted her hair from her neck and cooled her down a little. Too bad the beautiful night couldn’t fix everything.

  Evan’s hands came around her waist. He guided her into his embrace and rested his chin on her head. A sigh shook Marlena. She would have moved out of Evan’s hold, but he kept her in place. “I guess no matter how you feel about a person, if you gave them your trust, finding out they betrayed you hurts.”

  Marlena sagged against him. He understood. Evan’s head lowered from the top of hers until they were cheek to cheek. He kissed her lightly and whispered in her ear, “You are beautiful, Marlena, and desirable. No woman can come close to measuring up to your perfection.”

  She winced. “I’m not all that.”

  He spun her to face him, gripping her arms. “You are. Believe me when I tell you I don’t want another woman. I want you. I want us as one. Don’t you understand what I’m saying?”

  She trembled. He couldn’t be saying he loved her, could he?” His mouth came down on hers a second time. Marlena let him part her lips and took his tongue deep into her mouth. She savored the pleasure created from their tasting of each other. Her mind reeled. She pressed in closer to him. Did he mean love? Should she? Was it too soon?

  “Marlena,” Evan murmured.

  His hand trailed down her back to her ass, squeezed it, and moved around her hip to slide between them. When Evan cupped her heat, Marlena broke the kiss, her head falling backward and her eyes fluttering closed. She moaned as Evan stroked her. She couldn’t help herself, wanting so much more. The damn clothing separating their bodies was an annoyance.

  Covering his hand and driving him harder to rub until she was ready to come, she called out his name. This was a public place, and they should stop. But it felt so good. The hurt feelings and humiliation from earlier faded somewhat in the heat of her desire for Evan. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. She waited for him to suggest they stop, or to ask if she wanted him to continue. Evan didn’t pause for a moment. He reached up to the button on her jeans, undid it, lowered the zipper, and then found his way inside her panties.

  One of Marlena’s legs rose alongside Evan’s as his fingers pierced her wet entrance. He kissed down her neck and teased the skin with the tip of his tongue. Crying out, Marlena rode his hand. She tried forming the words to make him stop, but instead, she rode faster, her hips gyrating until he glided up to his knuckles inside of her. Sharp and sudden, her orgasm crashed over her body. She dug her nails into Evan’s shoulders, gasping for breath.

  When the explosion eased, Evan removed his fingers and lifted Marlena in his arms. He carried her from the fountain area where there was only paving and across to the grassy expanse beneath a tree. He laid her down under cover of darkness and went about removing her jeans and panties. Not waiting to undress himself, he yanked his pants open, tugged his erection free and thrust deep into her. Marlena almost howled, long awaiting the rightness of their bodies joined in intimacy.

  Evan reached down to lift both her legs higher as he drove forward. Marlena winced just now remembering how thick he was, how well-endowed. The man was bigger and longer than her previous lovers and knew without a doubt how to use what he’d been blessed with. He reared back on his heels and pulled her to a sitting position on his lap. The change took him farther, but he caught hold of her ass and worked her up and down his shaft.

  Marlena wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. She could no more than whimper and plead, for what she didn’t know. Evan muttered encouragement, cried out her name, and called her his love. Her heart soared, and this time, when the tears fell, they were from the emotions for Evan that overflowed. He must love her. He must!

  They pumped together, devouring each other’s mouths until they were panting. Desperate kisses turned to exhausted nips, but still Marlena couldn’t get enough of Evan. Neither could he by the way he greedily sought out her nipples, pausing to demand she give him access.

  She shoved her T-shirt up and pulled her breasts free of her bra’s confines. Evan latched on, nibbling and licking until Marlena was ready to explode again. She bounced on his erection. Evan swore. Seconds later, they came together, shouting into the still night.

  Chapter Eight

  Marlena woke to the sound of birds chirping. She usually heard them outside her window, but not this close. When she opened her eyes on a yawn, she almost choked. They had fallen asleep, and day was breaking fast. She sat up, looking around. From the waist down, she was naked, and if she hadn’t woken up when she did, no doubt town workers would have happened by and seen way more than she intended. If she thought the drama last night had been bad, this would be worse. Scrambling to get dressed with one hand, she shook Evan.

  “Wake up, damn it, Evan. It’s morning!”

  He moaned, but didn’t stir. A half smile spread over his face, and he reached out to pull her close again. Marlena wouldn’t have been surprised if he was dreaming about what they’d done for half the night. Regret washed over her. In her heavily emotional state, she hadn’t been thinking, not remembering that Evan had walked out on her after they’d been lovers. His mother had made it plain to Marlena after he’d left what she and Evan had agreed to, because it was for sure Evan hadn’t given her an excuse for breaking it off.

  He’d said it would be better for them both if they ended things before they got too serious. Hah! Too serious? She’d told him she loved him at least half a dozen times, and to her memory, he’d done just what he had last night, muttered “my love” while they were having sex.

  No, she’d been a fool to give in last night. Evan had taken advantage of her weakness and got just what she’d been saying all along was what he wanted. Damn, she was an idiot. Well, at least she’d enjoyed herself. Now, maybe Evan would back off, and she could cry a little, lick her wounds, and get back to her regular life. Not for anything would she let another man play with her heart like Evan had, or use her like Tyrone. She hoped both their private parts rotted off.

  The more she thought of being used, the madder she got. When she’d finished dressing and had slipped on her shoes, she zipped up her purse, thanking God no one had happened by and stolen it while she slept, and started toward the stairs built into the side of the hill. She left Evan lying asleep. At least he hadn’t removed his pants, although a part of her wished he’d get caught with his bare ass hanging out when the workers came to clean the area. It would serve him right.