April Embers_A Second Chance Single Daddy Firefighter Romance Read online

  “Hey, dad.” I stood up, and he hugged me quick. It doesn’t really matter how old you get. A hug from a parent leaves me all warm and fuzzy.

  “Where is mom?” He sat next to me.

  “With your sister. Talking to Kit.” I arched a brow.

  “Whoa, he’s here?”

  When dad ordered a vodka rocks, I knew the answer was yes.

  “Yep.”

  “You don’t want to talk to him?” I know I don’t. I mean, I want to meet the man with my sister, but I’m not in the mood to play good cop-bad cop.

  “I already did. He seems alright. But I needed a drink.” He chuckled.

  I shook my head.

  Maybe I should just stay in here. Convince Emilia to have a private dinner with me instead. I want to do that stuff with her. Go out to dinner, take her home, rub her feet and listen to her day.

  I never did that with Vivian. Hell, the more I looked back on it, the more it felt like we weren’t even married in the first place.

  “Got it. She seems happy though.” He nodded.

  “Yeah. She does.” He smiled to himself. I ordered another scotch.

  We had our drinks and caught up on all the boring stuff. Dad and I never had very deep conversations. But I always felt I could talk to him, and he gave good advice. I guess I was lucky in that way.

  “What do you think of me starting another business? This time keeping it.” I asked him, and he shot me a look.

  “Bored already?” his thick brow arched.

  “Maybe. But I figure if I did it again, I wouldn’t do it with the intention of selling it.” He pursed his lips.

  “Understandable. What would it be?” He asked.

  “Tech holding.”

  “Damn, ambitious. I like it. You think you can handle it?” He smiled.

  I shrugged, “Yeah.”

  “Then go for it. You know we’ll support you.” I nodded. That was always a guarantee.

  “What’s the first step?” He asked.

  “Uh, buy an old startup. Decide to sell it for parts or rebuild and then keep doing that. I have to put a lot of my own money into it at first, but it will pay off soon.” Dad nodded.

  “Makes sense. Is this something you’ve been thinking about?”

  “Yeah. Since Vivian…I just need a change. A new goal.”

  I couldn’t tell him I also wanted something to keep me from Emilia. If she was going to focus on work, I wanted to do the same thing too. And I didn’t want to lose sight of my ambition. I couldn’t sleep until noon and day trade for the rest of my life.

  “You will do a great job, I know it. Come on, let’s join the party.” He dragged me, figuratively kicking and screaming, back to the reception hall.

  The guests had piled in and taken their seats, but Emilia was nowhere to be found. I was sandwiched between mom and Natalie, with dad on mom’s side. And Kit.

  He looked like a fucking screen model. Blonde hair, gray eyes. Maybe that’s why he can go out and sell a bunch of expensive medical equipment hospitals know they don’t need. He was taller that Nat, which rarely happened because she was almost six feet. She went to college on a volleyball scholarship. Naturally, I was inclined to dislike him. But the way he looked at my sister…that I liked.

  He tried to make conversation with me, and I was as polite as possible. Well, Natalie just kicked me under the table if I wasn’t being nice enough. But he was smart, in a way. He was five years older than her, but I guess it didn’t matter at her age. Thirty-seven and thirty-two are the same thing, apparently. Emilia was younger than me by three years and it didn’t seem like it. She’d always been smarter than me. Well, when she wasn’t balancing a check book.

  Anyway, the happy couple sat at the end of the table. Levi was giving Gab that look, and her the same. We made eyes a few times, and he nodded to the end of the table where Emilia sat, engaging in conversation with Sasha and her grandson. Her son was there too, and he was my age. It was obvious he was hitting on Emilia.

  They sat next to each other. He was showing her photos on his phone, probably of his developments. He was involved in real estate too. Thinks his custom homes are the best of all. She was vaguely intrigued but pretended well. I could tell. I stared at her, until she felt my eyes and she looked at me. I smiled softly, and she returned it before being pulled back into the conversation. It made my blood boil, seeing her with anyone else.

  I knew my feelings were strong, and I didn’t think I could do just casual beyond the wedding. But I’m not a monster. I won’t take her dream away from her. So, I just sit back and watched her from a distance.

  “You’re staring.” Natalie whispered in my ear. I glared at her softly.

  “Maybe.” I sipped my wine. It went well with their choice of a ravioli dish and tres leches cake for dessert.

  “Have you guys talked?” She pressed.

  “A little. She wants to be casual. I guess it’s better than nothing at all.”

  “Yeah, but don’t let it hurt more.”

  She was right. And it would hurt more at some point. I didn’t really want to stick around for that, but there wasn’t much I could do. I would rather have at least a piece of her than nothing at all. And the piece I was getting was pretty damned good.

  Glasses clunk together and Levi stood up to make his speech. I wanted to be a good friend, so I didn’t do any asshole moves I was thinking of doing.

  “Thank you, guys, for coming. I figured I would read my vows now in case Gabriella decides to leave me at the altar.” Everyone laughed at his joke, but I honestly wouldn’t put it past her.

  He didn’t even read from the paper as he talked.

  “When I first met you,” he turned to her, and she gleamed up at him in her off-white evening gown, “I knew you were way out of my league. But I still went for you, because I couldn’t imagine not taking a chance. I would regret it if I didn’t at least get rejected by you. So, I did. But you said yes when I asked you out, and I didn’t know what to do because I didn’t imagine it going that far. But it did. You said yes to me even when I was just a poor farm boy, with no family. And no money. Now I have you—which is everything I could ever want. And I can’t wait to say yes to the rest of our lives. I love you so much.”

  The room was up in applause and Gab was on him in seconds. Kissing him like they were alone, but I couldn’t be mad. They were in love, and happy. And it was one hell of a speech. Levi got the best end of it. He has one of those life stories that make you wonder how he can even get up in the mornings, but he does. And he is better for it. Gab stuck around and gave him a chance even when he had nothing. Most women wouldn’t do that. It’s how I knew she really loved him even though she made him wait almost a decade to marry her.

  “That was so sweet.” Natalie sniffed.

  “Are you crying?” I gaped at her. She shoved me as she wiped her eye with a napkin before it could drip on her makeup.

  “Shut up. It was beautiful.” She leaned into Kit and he kissed her forehead.

  I avoided his gaze and looked on to Emilia. Since the order of the dinner was over, people started getting up to dance. Was I allowed to dance with her? I wanted to. And I mostly wanted her away from Luke. Sasha’s grandson.

  “Excuse me.” I said to no one in particular.

  I got up and headed toward Emilia. I touched her shoulder gently and she turned to face me.

  “Tristan, you look dashing.” Sasha stood and hugged me.

  “Thank you. You look ravishing as always.” She swatted me away, even though she was all pimped out in a gold dress.

  “If you don’t mind, I would like to dance with Emilia.” Her eyes lit up. How do old people always know when you like someone?

  “Of course.”

  Emilia took my hand and I led her to the dance floor, the live jazz band played an easy track.

  “You looked like you needed saving.” I rested my hand on her hip and used the other to take her hand. Her hand was around my shoulders, her fing
ers swirling the nape of my neck. It sent a shiver right down my spine. The closeness of her body made me feel her heat against me; the warmth and softness of her body is a novelty.

  “A little. Did you enjoy the party?” I stared down at her eyes. They pulled me right in and made me crazy.

  “I enjoyed the flowers.” I smirked.

  “His speech was good. He’s always been good with words. He is a lawyer after all.” I chuckled.

  “Yeah. But it was nice. Gabriella looks really happy,” I admitted. Speaking of the happy couple, we spotted them next to the cake, stealing some more. Levi is a pig, he used to always steal my food in our dorm.

  “She does. I’m just ready to be done playing wedding planner. It’s stressful.” I laughed, and she giggled softly.

  “You did a good job though.”

  “Thank you.”

  We danced on, until she got closer and closer and we were basically embracing on the dance floor, her head on my chest.

  I whispered in her ear, “I booked my hotel room next to yours.” Her body froze, but then her clenched muscles relaxed. “You can stop by if you want. I’m a great stress reliever.”

  My fingers circled her hip. Making it obvious how much I want her.

  “Maybe. I want to stay focused.”

  “I know I’m a distraction.” A smile hinted at my voice. She pulled back to look into my eyes.

  “I didn’t mean it that way…I’m easily distracted. And you…I could stay in bed with you all day if I’m not careful.” She smiled softly. My cock hardened at the thought of it.

  “You know, we’ve never had sex in a bed before.” Her eyes widened as her skin flushed.

  I just pulled her back and kept dancing with her, leaving her with that thought.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Tristan

  By the time I got to my hotel room I was exhausted and horny. I shouldn’t have been thinking about Emilia like that, but I couldn’t help it. The way she looked in that dress. She was stunning. So much so that it hurts. My cock, specifically.

  I met plenty of women in the elevator that were jumping at the bit to get me off. What was it with weddings? I gave them all a polite smile and averted the situation. We never said we were exclusive. I could have easily been an asshole and taken any of them to my hotel room. But the simple thought made me sick. I cared about my baby doll way too much. And for my own good too.

  I had to figure out what I’ll do when the wedding is up. I won’t convince her to be with me, but she was an adult. If she decides to, then how the hell can I stop her?

  I keyed in my room and started undressing. I was about done for the night. Shoes off, tie undone, I had nothing but my pants on when there was a knock on my door. Did one of those women follow me?

  It’s almost midnight. It isn’t mom or dad. With a heavy sigh, I opened the door prepared to let someone down but instead I saw Emilia. In a tee shirt that might as well be a dress. My eyes quickly took in her small frame, pert breasts and smooth legs. Down to her fuzzy night slippers.

  “Come in, I don’t want anyone seeing you.” I pulled her inside. “What are you doing here?”

  Her round blue eyes widened as they looked up at me, stopping to look over my naked chest. She closed the space and pretty much jumped on me, but I didn’t miss a beat as I kissed her back. Hard, hot, and heavy. Our tongues were a slobbering mess of desire as my hands brought those hips right to me, rubbing against my cock.

  But then she broke away, leaving me with my eyes shut searching after her until I looked into her eyes.

  “I want you…to have sex in a bed with you for once.”

  I smirked and happily obliged. In seconds, she was in my arms, and in another few she was on the bed; squealing with shock as I threw her down on it. On my knees, I looked down at her, her beautiful eyes bright with desire as she looked up at me. She shivered as I ran my fingertips up her legs, slowly until I reached the apex of her thighs where she parted her legs for me ever so slightly.

  “I’ve been wanting to taste you for so long.” I said, my voice even. Her breath hitched as she nodded softly.

  She shimmied her body lower, until her shirt hiked up her legs where I was happy to find she was bare underneath. Fuck. Good thing our rooms were right next to each other. She bit her lip softly as she looked up at me, and I lowered myself on her. I kissed the swells of her breasts through her shirt, she exhaled deeply as I blew my breath over her nipples. They perked through her shirt and I pinched one softly as I bit the other. She mewled like she couldn’t control herself.

  I curled my fingers around the hem of her shirt, lifting it up to reveal every inch of her perfect body. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t taken her to bed yet. Her small hands fisted the sheets as I teased her, kissing her everywhere but where she wanted me to. I pressed my lips to the space between her breasts, moving over to suck her rosy buds until they were hardened. Her fingers seared through my hair, edging me downward. I breathed over her small tuft of hair; I loved that she wasn’t bare, reminded me how much of a woman she was. My nose trailed down, inhaling her sweet musk.

  “Mmmm…” she moaned deeply when I pressed my tongue over her, kissing her there.

  She pressed her hips to my face, clamping her fleshy thighs around my ears as I continued. I swirled my tongue between her folds, avoiding her clit until she was trembling, begging me, moaning like she didn’t care about the people next door. I dipped my finger inside her hot core, curling up to her rough patch that drove her crazy.

  “Tristan! Please, I need to come.” She begged. Her voice a sharp cry, it spurred me on.

  I gripped her thighs and moved downward, bringing my tongue up through her folds and right on her hardened clit. I sucked hard, flicking my tongue against her and she came in seconds. Screaming, trembling, moaning, just how I liked it. I needed to taste her juices again, so I kept going, slower, and then faster again as she climbed higher and higher. Coming again, screaming loud. She soaked my mouth, and I licked up every drop of her, breathing against her clit.

  “Please,” she moved her hand to my shoulder, “I can’t take anymore.” She breathed. I smirked and trailed kisses up her body until I reached her lips. She didn’t turn away as I kissed her and gladly tasted herself on me.

  I flushed my body down on hers, my weight falling into her as I deepened the kiss. It was more than just sex and desire, there was so much emotion between us. It had never been like this for me with anyone. It was like I felt her inside of me, her breath in tune with mine as our hearts beat against each other.

  I ground my cock into her, rubbing against her as I settled between her thighs. It’s where I belonged. Her slender arms held me close to her, trailing down my body until she reached my pants, fighting to get it off. I rolled us aside to kick my briefs off, but she straddled my waist and looked down at me, her hands against my chest. Fuck. She looks so beautiful like this.

  I was completely at her mercy as she grazed her sex over my cock, but never touched me like I wanted her to. Needed her to. Her eyes bore a fire into mine as she gripped me. I hissed and bucked my hips toward her. She smiled softly as she swirled her entrance around me. Her clit was still swollen, her lips a hot pink.

  I watched as I disappeared inside her, taking me somewhere I never wanted to leave. My eyes shut at their own accord, trying to absorb all the pleasure falling over me. I felt it roll through every nerve in my body, gathering at my spine until it was so intense I could barely feel my legs. Then she started to move.

  Slowly. Maddeningly slowly she rocked back and forth, up and down as she adjusted to me. I placed my hands on her hips, letting her do all the work. I worked my hands up her soft body, reveling in her curves and cupping her breasts in my hands. She sighed and rocked back, falling deeper onto me.

  “Emilia. That’s so good. That’s so fucking good.” I groaned. She kept going, rising up to my tip and slowly lowering herself onto me.

  Her tight moans filled the air, the sloshing
of our juices mixed together as she went faster. Her waist was small between my hands as I held her there. She moved up and down, her breasts bobbing as she leaned back, her hair cascading down her back. It was a perfect sight. Then her head came back down, and she found my eyes.

  I wished I could communicate with her like this. I was afraid to tell her the truth. I didn’t want to tell her, and it end up making her stay with me. it had to be real. She had to want me too. The way she looked at me, I know she wanted me too.

  She moved faster, and faster, until the bed was rocking, and I was going so deep. I all but growled as I felt myself coming, but I had to wait for her I wanted her to come first.

  Emilia leaned forward, her freshly manicured nails raking down my chest. She might be taking all my chest hair off, but I didn’t care. I loved watching her come way too much. Her eyebrows drew together, she bit her lip as she inhaled and then they fell apart as she breathed out with a loud, guttural moan. She trembled around me, riding out her orgasm even more. She looked back at me, asking me to come. I took her hips and thrust into her, she cried out, still coming down from her last orgasm as another one rose up inside of her. I could taste it on my tongue, feel it in my throat as I came. Harder than ever. I didn’t stop thrusting until I emptied myself inside of her.

  “Emilia, god, Emilia.” I groaned, stilling inside of her as my cock twitched.

  She collapsed against my chest, shimmying herself down until I fell from her core. I missed being inside of her already. She kissed me like she wasn’t done with me. so, I swirled my tongue around hers before I released her and rolled us over.

  I clamped her thighs together as she wiggled her plush ass in the air. The lines of her back flowed smooth and widened at her hips, I entered in one swift movement, loving the feeling of being buried inside of her again.

  “Oh, yes…that’s so deep.” She turned her head on the pillow, her lips parted as her eyes shut. God, she was beautiful.

  My body slid against hers as I thrust, deep and slow. I wanted to savor it this time. Her body fit so perfectly beneath me, so soft and warm. I hid my nose in the crook of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. I kissed the skin of her shoulder, sucking softly at her neck as she mewled. Her hand reached around to grip my thigh as I drove deep into her. She was so tight, milking my cock for all that it was worth. And I would gladly give her everything.