Jonah's Return (Detroit Heat Book 3) (7 page)

"The last one I ran was in April, but I am scheduled for the Detroit Marathon in October.”

Keeping the conversation light was a difficult task. "I'm sorry," I sighed, "We should be having this talk over drinks, and not something poured out of the machine." I held the coffee cup up, glancing at the poker hand printed on it.

"Jonah, don't worry about it. These things happen."

"I am worried about it, though. This was supposed to be a fresh start, and I don't know. This isn’t very fresh." I tried not to think about the pressure, but it was there pushing down on me. The pressure wasn't that I had to be perfect. It was the pressure to be
me
, which is even harder. I had to show Abbey that I could really handle things this time around.

"I never thought I could have my cake and eat it, too. I don't know, I'm rambling. I'm delusional from blood loss."

Abbey laughed and shook her head, "Yeah. That's what we’ll say it is. Really, Jonah. Life is messy. We know that better than most. We'll get you stitched up and then go eat. How does that sound?"

"Okay. Okay."

"Even with a busted face, you still look handsome."

I looked over at her and smiled through the pain. Abbey was one in a million, probably even more rare. She was beautiful and collected. I didn't want to spend one more minute in the emergency room.

"And you look far too pretty to spend the evening at a hospital." I stood up and handed her the cup of coffee. There were two nurses on duty at the check-in counter, and they were both women.

They both gave me the same curt and quick smile, the well-practiced hospital expression. I stood between them and spoke in a low voice, "Do you see the gorgeous woman over there?" I pointed my head back towards Abbey. "I had a shot with her two years ago, and I blew it. I mean
blew
it. Tonight might be my only chance to win her back. Tonight might be the only chance at the real deal, and I might have already screwed up."

Both nurses looked past me to Abbey. One of them paid no attention and turned back to her computer. The second one, a little younger, hung on to my every word.

Her face changed into something a little more dour, "Awww.”

"I actually left my job this morning," I pointed up my nose, "and this was my retirement gift. Long story short, I know this injury is for me at the bottom of the list, and I know no one will believe me if I say my pain is a 10 out of 10, but if we’re stuck here all night, I can guarantee I'll be in pain. My heart will be broken beyond repair, far worse than a 10 out of 10."

It was sappy as hell, but it was worth a shot. It might not have been
exactly
true, but the sentiment was. If I screwed things up with Abbey over something stupid, I'd never regret it. I gave the nurses a halfhearted smile, "Thanks for listening, I guess."

I headed back to the chair without waiting for reply.

"Chatting up the nurses?" Abbey had a questioning look on her face, but I knew she was messing with me.

I turned to sit down again, and the second that my butt hit the seat, somebody called out "Swain, Jonah."

I shot myself right back to a standing position an extended a hand for Abbey. "Why thank you, sir." She took it, and the two of us followed the doctor as he headed back to the exam rooms.

As we passed the check-in station, the younger nurse watched us with great intent. She mouthed
good luck
, and I gave her a big thumbs up.

Fifteen minutes later, we were rushing to Iridescence.
 
If we made the lights, we’d get there just in time for our extended reservation.
 
Since that morning, the swelling had gone down considerably, and I didn’t feel so much like a slob at dinner across from Abbey.

We had a good time. Maybe not the best time in the world, but good. Abbey was guarded, and I couldn't blame her. I knew that I had a lot of work to do. The work didn't bother me, but there were still so many unknowns. I was willing to do whatever I could to get her back, but that didn't guarantee that Abbey would even want me back.

We stood together outside of her door talking about old times an old calls we went on with Engine 37. After months and months of being uncomfortable at work, Abbey felt so refreshing. It was hard not to fall into old routines with her. She and I just clicked. We could use half the words and understand twice as much.

I knew she wasn't going to invite me inside, and I was okay with that. I was as okay with it as I could be. It was hard to be okay with it when the woman in front of you was beyond compare. I had been stealing glances at her legs all night, and she’d caught me more times than not. If it had upset her, she didn't let me know.

It had all started with those legs. On her first day of work at Engine 37, we all met her first thing in the morning. I thought she was pretty, like any guy would but it was in the workout room later that day when I got hooked. I spotted her on the treadmill as I walked past, and I couldn't help but stare. Somebody caught me, I don't remember who. Luckily, Abbey hadn't caught me that day.

"Thank you for a great dinner, Jonah."

"Thank you for some great emergency medical technicianing."

A musical laugh came from her. It was genuine, and it made me feel weightless. It was the kind of laugh that made a heart ache.

"You’re welcome," Abbey started fishing for her keys, confirming my suspicion that I’d be sleeping alone. It was probably for the best, but damn, did I want to tear that dress off of her. She looked too beautiful in it not to be taken in the best way.

Easy, Jonah. You've got a long road ahead of you.

I gave Abbey a stupid grin, "G’night, Abigail.” I turned to leave before I could see a disgusted look on her face. She always hated being called by her full name, and I only did it on special occasions.

Why did he have to call me Abigail? Things are going perfectly fine between us. Not amazing, but perfectly fine. A nice, respectable dinner, and he had to ruin it by doing something stupid like calling me Abigail.

I didn’t even realize I was speaking, “Jonah, get the hell in here.” I grabbed him by the wrist with one hand and unlocked my door with the other.

The chemistry was there, I knew that. It was there in my office, fully alive even with a two-year hibernation.
 
I couldn’t keep it at bay any longer.

I dropped my keys onto the stand by the door.
 
Once Jonah was inside, he had me shoved up against the door.
 
It slammed shut and my body bounced from the impact.
 
I couldn’t stop laughing.
 
Jonah’s hands were at my waist, holding me in place.
 
My heart had gone from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye when I heard him say
Abigail.

It wasn’t the fact that he said it, it was
how
.
 
Jonah had this very subtle way of making things sound so sexy, even a name I hated.
 
He had turned it into something else.
 
I grabbed his hands from my hips and pulled his body against mine.

Our lips met for the first time in two years, but it felt like two days. The passion, the memory, the emotion; it was all still there and as fierce as ever. Jonah's body pinned me to the door, and I remembered all that beautiful weight pushing against me. He let out a low groan, and I could feel him throbbing between his legs. His cock pressed against me, and I knew I had lost the battle in my mind.

Jonah's hands were at my hips, but they began to slide up. God, they felt so big and strong. My heart pounded, and a pressure began to build in my loins. How long had it been since I had sex? How much
longer
had it been since I had great sex? With Jonah, it was a guarantee. Every single time. Our bodies were made for each other, like a two piece puzzle.

His hands cupped my breasts, every squeeze making my heart race faster. I was working the buttons down his shirt, but only made it halfway. It was taking too long, so I pulled it up over his head. Jonah let go of my breasts just long enough for me to pull the shirt down his arms. I dropped the shirt beside me and hit the wall switch. The entryway light came on, bathing us in the warm glow. Jonah's eyes were on fire with desire. He looked positively hungry.

"Jesus, two years. I've missed this. God, I've missed you." Jonah's voice was fire, the flames licking my skin and heating me up. He sounded so manly and sexy, I could feel myself getting wet at just the sound of his voice.

His body looked beefier than I remember, or maybe my vision was just clouded over. His chest was broad, a simple patch of hair between his pecs that led all the way down… I was so glad I turned the light on. I ran both my hands down his chest. I felt his heart racing , and I didn't feel so foolish about my own.

My hands sunk lower, my fingers dancing over his ripples. I dug my nails into his stomach, feeling his strong abs push back. Jonah's lips were at my neck. The inferno between us was growing bigger and hotter. I grabbed him by the hem of his jeans and pulled him to my bedroom.

Jonah's hands were at my ass as I led him down the hall. I felt so petite at his touch. I wanted him to lift me, I wanted his muscles to raise me up like I weighed nothing at all. Before I even stopped in the bedroom, Jonah's hands were pulling up the dress. I stood with my back to him and lifted my arms. Off came the dress, and on came the lights. I didn't want to miss a thing.

One of his hands came up to my chest, the other was at my stomach. Jonah pulled me back against his hard body, and I felt his hard cock through his jeans pressing against my ass. Jonah ran his fingers over the cup of the black bra that I was wearing. My body shook at his touch, and my desire grew. His other hand sunk from my stomach to the lacy lining of my matching black panties.

"Yes, fuck yes." I leaned my head back and whispered to him as a finger sank beneath the panties. He traced the line from hip to hip as my knees got weak.

He could feel it, and in response, Jonah squeezed my breasts and held me up. It only made my strength disappear faster. I reached my hands behind my back and began to undo his belt. I had to touch him, I had to wrap my fingers around that big cock. Desire and need were pushing me forward. I
needed
him so badly in that moment.

Jonah’s fingers sunk lower beneath my panties. I felt his fingers on my mound, and he began to trace down the thin landing strip that led to my wet pussy. He took his time, torturing me and working me up. When his finger finally reached the top of my slit I cried out. I cried out Jonah's name in pleasure for the first time in two years. It was heavenly. He slid across my skin easily, and I was surprised at how wet I was. We always turn each other on so easily, but I must've forgotten just
how
easily.

Jonah's finger slid down my pussy, sending feelings of pure ecstasy surging through my body. I forgot every lover between when we broke up and that moment. I forgot everything that had felt good or new. With a single touch Jonah had wiped my memory clean, and I was ready to start all over again with him.

With his finger on my most sensitive area, it was hard for me to get his belt undone. I was met with desire and finally managed to pull it free. I tossed the belt somewhere in the room and dropped the zipper of his jeans. I slid a hand beneath his underwear and found Jonah's throbbing cock waiting for me.

The second that I touched him, his finger curled up and slid inside of me. Even his finger felt thick, stretching me and spreading me.
 
I couldn’t take it much longer. I turned around and stared at Jonah with big, doe eyes. I saw the need and desire in his own. I sunk to my knees, pulling his jeans and underwear down with me. Jonah had teased me, but I wasn't as mean as him.

Gripping his cock, I open my mouth and took him inside. The feeling of his throbbing member inside my mouth was amazing. I felt powerful, beautiful, and strong sucking him off. Letting go of his cock with my hand, I reached behind my back and undid my bra. Jonah was groaning and letting out beastly noises that only got me hotter.

My mouth watered at the taste, and I got his cock wet quickly. I felt his hands in my hair, pushing, pulling, and grabbing handfuls. I felt pressure of my scalp, and it was amazing. I could have used my mouth for hours and still enjoyed it, but I had bigger, deeper needs. Jonah did, apparently, too, because he reached down and pulled me back up to my feet.