Hearths of Fire (2 page)

“Red died alone, Crest.” Catori stated the obvious, not knowing what else to say. She’d come to Ship Bottom in order to remember a past life that she would never get back. Crest didn’t get to land blows and ruin the memories. “Where the hell is your compassion?”

“There’s compassion and then there’s fucking enabling. I won’t enable you, Marine,” Crest stated, shaking his head to emphasize his words. “We’ve maintained a friendship over the years and I won’t abandon you to lie in your own crap. Face facts. You were always the brains of the outfit. Red was the brawn, an operator. And to be honest with you, it’s a lot harder to replace you than it would be him. Find yourself a new lead operator and get back to doing your damn job.”

Catori didn’t reply, mostly because she had nothing to come back with. Yes, she’d been wallowing in her own misery. Wasn’t she entitled to? She’d lost her husband, her partner, her lover. The world had lost a good man, an honest man. The anguish once again hit her chest and she blinked rapidly to contest the tears that she didn’t want to appear. It could be going on ten years and she would still feel the same. She’d tried everything imaginable to let go and even resorted to taking a man into her bed last night. It didn’t work, which was why she was out here by herself, trying to make sense of what her meaningless days had become. Life wasn’t fucking fair and here Crest was, reminding her of that fact.

“It’s time, Catori.” Crest placed the manila folder between them on the weather worn bench that had lost its color long ago from the harsh elements. She knew how the wood felt, for that’s how her soul would appear in the light of day. “There are dossiers inside this file that will give you detailed information on men and women that I’ve selected for your new team. Take it or leave it, but know that I would hire any one of them for CSA. I’ve done the grunt work for you—now all you have to do is get your ass back into mission ready status.”

Catori didn’t reach for the packet or reply to Crest’s little speech. She hated that he was right and that she needed to start doing something with her life other than fade away into nothing. Red wasn’t here. He was never going to be and it was time that she faced facts, regardless that her heart would never beat the same. It was now hollow and only involuntarily doing what her body asked. If there was anything left to give, it might as well be to those people who needed help. Maybe it would speed up the time that had slowed down to an unbearable crawl, aging her beyond her years. She looked forward to the moment when she and Red would meet again.

Crest stood, not bothering to place his sunglasses back onto his face. Dusk had fallen and the ocean was turning dark, much like the abyss she knew it to be. There was nothing left to be said, but when her friend took two steps away, she found she didn’t want to be left alone…not yet.

“What am I going to owe you for taking the time to vet these potential team members?” Catori released the tight hold she had on her sweater and let her fingers brush the folder. She wouldn’t admit to the small spark inside of her at doing something slightly different than her monotonous routine of waking up in the morning. This was just to pass the time. “You know I hate favors.”

“You owe me nothing more than you did before,” Crest replied, stopping but not fully facing her. He turned slightly and looked over his shoulder, hands back into his pockets. “I’m repaying a debt that I owed Red from a long time ago. Take advantage of it, and when you’re in my neighborhood give me a call. I’ll take you out to dinner, Top”

Catori laughed softly, the sound foreign to her own ears. She watched as Crest walked away, and although he’d said things she hadn’t wanted to hear, knew that she had a true friend in that enigmatic man. She and Red had known him for years, but there was something about Gavin Crest that would always remain a mystery. Regardless, she knew whom to call if she were ever in some serious shit.

“Crest,” Catori called out, waiting for him to turn around once more. He was at least forty yards out, but she could still make out his form. “You’re more likely to be in California than I am in your bitter-assed state. Look me up.”

A flash of smile in the early moonlight and then her friend was gone. Catori sat there for a few more moments, wondering why Crest had chosen now of all times to tempt her with something new. He was very much like Red in his timing, but then that’s what had made Red so good at his job. She looked down at the file, and giving in, picked it up. She’d wait for morning before seeing what was inside. It felt odd to have something to do besides wake up tomorrow. Waves were still crashing against the sand, fighting against the eternal tide. She knew that’s what it would feel like starting over, but maybe this time she could manage to bring them all home.

‡

C
atori held the
folder underneath her arm as she walked up the porch stairs to the small beach house she and Red had always rented when they visited Ship Bottom. Well, the house
she
now rented the same week, the same month every year. Regardless if she chose to go forward with what Crest was suggesting, she would keep on doing so until her dying breath. Using her key, she opened the door with a little more force than necessary and stepped inside the cool air-conditioned living room, leaving behind the warm evening humidity. The lamp beside the couch had been turned on, lighting up the homey yet tattered furniture. It was quiet and though it sounded as if no one was inside, she felt another’s presence and knew yesterday’s company remained.

“I didn’t think you were coming back.”

Catori turned upon hearing Josh’s voice coming from the direction of the kitchen. Sure enough, the man she’d picked up at a bar last night stood in the doorframe wearing nothing more than a pair of cut-off denim jean shorts. One muscled arm was leaning against the wooden jamb while he held a bottle of water with his other hand. She suddenly felt a twinge of guilt at picking up a man at least twenty years her junior. It was his disheveled blond hair that had grabbed her attention, looking so close to that of Red’s, along with his build. The only thing missing were her husband’s red highlights.

“I needed some time to myself. You didn’t need to stay.”

“That’s what I figured,” Josh replied in a soft tone, relaying that he didn’t have any hard feelings. “For some reason, I couldn’t leave without making sure.”

Catori placed her keys on top of the folder and set both items on the side table, next to a glass vase with various shells that had been collected from the beach. She wasn’t used to being in this predicament; however she found that a part of her was glad Josh had stayed. Discussing the past with Crest had shifted something inside of her and she didn’t want to be alone—not yet.

“Do you have to go or can you stay for another hour?” Catori asked, closing the door behind her and then leaning up against the weathered wood. When she and Red had first started out, they hadn’t had a lot of money. This was the only place that would give them a decent rate and they’d stayed loyal to the owners. Why she would choose now to bring a man here she didn’t know. A psychologist would have a field day with her psyche, but one wasn’t here and Josh was. “And just to clarify, it would only be for an hour.”

Josh wasn’t the type to take offense at what she was offering. He probably had his own reasons for being here, and most likely he did this a lot more often than she did. They were both consenting adults regardless of the fact that she was a hell of a lot older than him. It didn’t matter. It was just a physical thing and they both wanted it.

“Yeah, I have an hour.” For a brief second, Catori thought she saw a glimmer of sympathy in his eyes and her stomach clenched. She refused to be anyone’s pity fuck, and if that’s how Josh saw her he was sorely mistaken. Before she could respond either verbally or physically, he’d already tossed his bottle of water onto the old plaid couch and had her up against the door. She soaked up his virility and ignored everything else. It wasn’t like tomorrow wouldn’t bring back all the unwanted solitude. “Same rules apply?”

“Yes,” Catori whispered, turning her head to the side and offering her neck. She knew it was senseless, but she couldn’t find it in her to kiss another man. Sex was sex, nothing more than two people satisfying a basic desire. Kissing was an intimate expression of love and one that she refused to share with anyone other than Red. She couldn’t give that up to any other man. “The same rules apply.”

Josh’s soft lips brushed against Catori’s damp skin, the humidity high even with the AC in the drafty old home. She loved the sensation that his moist tongue added to her senses as it traveled to the curve in her neck. Shivers went through her and awakened what had been asleep for so long. He glided his hands underneath her sweater, causing goose bumps that followed the trail of his cool fingers. He let the material slide from her shoulders and onto the ground. She closed her eyes and pushed all thought out of her mind. She wouldn’t think of Red or she would ruin it.

“Rougher,” Catori murmured, leaning down and sinking her teeth into his bicep. His skin was taut and it felt so nice to have something to bite into, surrendering to her basic urges. Josh had rested his right arm onto the door and his large muscle had been an easy target. She inhaled his scent, loving the fresh ocean fragrance that seemed to adhere to his skin. She ran her tongue over the indentions and only afterward turned her head to meet his sensual green eyes. “You know how I like it after last night.”

Josh didn’t hesitate as he leaned down and hoisted her legs over his waist. She was wearing cut-off denim shorts as well, probably a little shorter than was appropriate for her age. She wore them out of necessity for the heat and no other reason. She didn’t care what people thought of her body, although she kept herself in excellent shape. She knew her figure was too muscular for some, but being a Marine had taught her to keep healthy and stay fit more out of habit. It was a hard pattern to break. Josh didn’t seem to mind her physique if the bulge in his jean shorts was any indication.

Keeping his hands underneath her ass, Josh walked both of them over to the couch and sat down. She straddled him with her legs, placing her knees on either side of him. Seeing as her sweater lay on the floor by the door, the only thing left on her upper body was her faded gray T-shirt, which sported the Marines’ motto of Semper Fi in cracked black lettering. She quickly drew it over her head, freeing her congenitally bronzed breasts. She detested bras, and whenever she could get away without wearing one she did. Red preferred…she threw him out of her thoughts.

The palms of Josh’s hands circled her ample flesh, roughly massaging her globes and causing her copper nipples to harden. Catori soaked in the physical pleasure of his callused fingers. The way she was sitting on his lap, all he had to do was lean forward to take the darkened flesh into his mouth. The searing heat caused her head to lie back against her shoulders. When his bright white teeth bit down on the sensitive nub she cried out at the sheer intense pleasure.

“Yes,” Catori hissed, sliding her fingers through his hair and holding tight. She cradled him closer, wanting to feel something…anything other than what had been consuming her. “More.”

Josh pushed her off of him, tackling the button and zipper on her denim shorts. When they fell to her ankles along with her panties from his prying fingers’ insistence, he followed suit with his shorts and slid off of the couch and onto the floor. He made sure he was situated between her legs. A foot on either side of his thighs allowed him entry to her molten core.

Catori once again sank her fingers into his hair and held tight as his mouth sealed over her clit. A severe wave of pleasure washed over her and she had to lock her knees in place so that she didn’t collapse as she thrust herself against his mouth. His tongue swirled around her clitoris and flicked lightly, causing her arousal to spike even higher. She needed more and increased her grip on his hair, telling him so.

Josh ran his hands none too gently up her legs, leaving a tingling sensation in his wake. He cupped her ass cheeks and pulled her tighter to him, his tongue pressing harder on her swelling nub. Finally he brought his arm back around the front of her and using what she thought was his middle finger, slid it between her wet folds. His touch was too soft for what she needed.

“More,” Catori muttered, surging herself against his mouth. He added an additional finger to her core and forcefully stroked both of them inside of her, massaging her g-spot. It felt so good, that when he did it again, she encouraged him further. “Harder.”

Over and over, Josh thrust his arched fingers into her pussy until she was on the brink of an orgasm. The wet sounds of sex bounced off of the walls, the only noise entering through the roar of blood in her ears. He was now sucking on her clit, adding to the stimuli and keeping her hanging on the edge of that precipice. Reality was finally fading away as she concentrated on the pleasure her body was receiving. This was like a shot of adrenaline and she couldn’t get enough of it.