Hearts on Fire 5: Loving Frankie (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  But then she noticed Reggie looking at Frankie. “This must be Frankie.” He reached his hand out to her. Frankie smiled and said hello.

  “Come on. Join us for lunch, and we’ll talk about dinner tonight. You should come, too, Frankie. We have a few friends coming over as well,” he offered.

  Cassidy grabbed Frankie’s hand and smiled. “She would love to.”

  * * * *

  Frankie couldn’t help but smile. Cassidy seemed so happy. As they walked across the wooden planks to the entrance to Sullivan’s, Cassidy gasped and then gave Reggie a smack on his arm.

  “They’re all here. You surprised me,” she said.

  Frankie watched as Cassidy was greeted by men who appeared to be Reggie’s other brothers and some friends. Then Cassidy introduced Reggie.

  Some of the guys were dressed in dark T-shirts with fire station insignias on the front and others in police uniforms, and a few wore plain clothes. Sullivan’s was packed. One of the guys held out a chair for Frankie.

  “I’m Max,” one of them said to her.

  “Hi, Max. Nice to meet you.”

  “Same here, beautiful,” another said, and Cassidy chuckled.

  As everyone continued to talk and order food and drinks, Frankie noticed the way Max took position next to her and would whisper things to her to get close. She felt uncomfortable. He was flirting, and she didn’t want to be rude. Cassidy looked so happy.

  She felt Max’s arm against her arm as the waitress delivered their drinks.

  “You sure you don’t want something to eat?” Max asked her.

  “Yes, thank you. I’m fine. Actually, I ate a big breakfast this morning. I think I’ll take this iced tea to go.” Frankie stood up and so did Max and two other guys.

  “Frankie, don’t go,” Cassidy begged her, and Frankie sat back down.

  “Okay, okay. So tell me how you guys met,” Frankie said, causing Cassidy to smile.

  Reggie pulled Cassidy closer, and Peter took her hand and brought it to his lips.

  * * * *

  “I can’t wait to sink my teeth into Sullivan’s pub burger. Damn, I’ve been thinking about it since last night,” Marcus Towers told Mike as they headed toward Sullivan’s.

  “I’ve been listening to him going on and on about eating that damn burger. I should sneak the waitress a twenty to bring one well done out to you,” Marcus’s brother John teased, and Mike chuckled.

  Mike peeked down at his cell phone again. Still no response from any of his brothers about Frankie. Nate had called Charlie and Lure to get in touch with Frankie but hadn’t had any luck. He was hoping to get together with her this week. Hell, only two days away from the woman and he felt frantic to see her.

  “Look who’s here,” Marcus said as he greeted the other guys who had a large table outside.

  Mike looked up as he heard his name and started shaking hands and then his eyes landed on Frankie. She was sitting between Max, a firefighter, and Todd, a cop. She sat forward as though she was uncomfortable as both men kept a hand on the back of her chair. She wore some kind of cover-up that hugged her figure and was partially see-through.

  “Mike, oh my God, what are you doing here? Are you having lunch?” Frankie asked as she stood up.

  Todd and Max gave Mike the dirtiest looks, and of course, Mike gave his own nasty expression right back. It was funny how it didn’t matter how long Mike had known Todd and Max or that they’d gone to the same high school. They were too close to his woman. He would make everyone see that Frankie was his. He’d never felt so jealous or possessive in his life.

  “We thought we’d have heard from you today. Nate called Charlie,” he told her, and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “I haven’t called into Prestige today. They were doing some changes to the schedule, and I may be working this week for some special parties.” She stepped around the table and the guys to come closer to him.

  He could tell they wanted to move in on Frankie. He was pissed off.

  Mike gently reached for her wrist and pulled her closer. He softly rubbed the skin on her shoulder with one finger as he wrapped his arm around her waist with his other hand.

  “Getting some sun, baby?” he asked softly.

  She smiled at him.

  “I was trying to, but Cassidy wanted to join her friends for lunch. Do you know everyone?” she asked, slightly turning toward the table.

  Everyone was just watching them.

  “I do. These are my friends, Marcus and John Towers. Guys, meet Frankie.”

  Frankie reached out to shake the guys’ hands as both men smiled and then looked at Mike as though he was a god. Frankie was a stunning woman. He shouldn’t be so pissed off right now, but he was. He didn’t want other men around her, flirting with her. He needed to do something.

  He cupped her chin.

  “Join us for lunch? Cassidy’s in good hands with these guys.”

  She didn’t even glance at Cassidy. Instead, she locked gazes with Mike and nodded. He was relieved. He felt as though she wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her. Most importantly, she showed him that she wasn’t interested in any of the other guys at the table.

  He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her softly. When he released her lips, he let his hand slide down over her ass—facing the table of guys and specifically Max and Todd—and gave her a light tap.

  “Come on, doll. Later, guys,” he said.

  Frankie pulled from him a moment. “I’ll meet you after, Cassidy, and we’ll head down to the beach?”

  Cassidy smiled and nodded.

  “Max, can you hand me my beach bag?” Frankie asked Max, and he stood up and brought it to her.

  “See ya around, Frankie. Probably at Prestige,” he said, but Frankie just took her bag and walked toward Mike, hugging his arm to her as Marcus and John held the door to the inside of the restaurant open for them.

  * * * *

  Lunch had been fun despite the awkward moments when Mike had arrived with his friends to see her squeezed between Max and Todd.

  Finally, after lunch, John and Marcus said goodbye and shook her hand, and Mike suggested they take a walk while Cassidy and her new boyfriends finished up their lunches.

  She didn’t know what to say to Mike or even whether to bring up the scene he’d walked up on. She didn’t want him to feel jealous, yet there was a part of her that felt special and cared for that appreciated his sincere reaction and jealousy. She would be lying if she said it didn’t turn her on.

  Mike took her hand, and they walked a little ways down the boardwalk until he stopped her by a small area and bench. He turned her around, gently pressed her against the railing, and placed one hand on her waist. He held her gaze, and then he let his eyes roam over her cleavage. His move caused her cover-up to lower, exposing her full breasts, covered by the small black bikini.

  “You couldn’t wear something that covers more of you?” he asked, teeth clenched as he breathed through his nose.

  She felt her belly tighten, and for a moment, she was concerned. He must have seen her expression change to fear, and he lowered his head and pressed closer, hugging her to him.

  “Nothing was going on, Mike,” she whispered, hugging him back.

  He pulled back slightly and cupped her cheek but kept his other hand at her waist. It felt so good to be held by Mike and touched this way.

  “I didn’t look that way when I showed up. They were too close to you and hitting on you.”

  “Your timing was perfect.”

  He softly ran his thumb along her lower lip. “I didn’t like it.”

  She gulped. Her breasts felt fuller and her pussy actually tightened. His seriousness and firm statement aroused her.

  “Just kiss me, Mike.”

  He lifted one of his eyebrows before he covered her mouth and kissed her deeply.

  When he finally released her lips, his hold still firm, he stared down into her eyes, all serious once again.
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  “Come home with me.”

  Her eyes widened, and she tried putting some distance between them.

  “I’ll call my brothers. They can meet us there, and we can spend the rest of the afternoon and evening together.” He kissed her forehead and then along her cheek to her ear.

  “I want you, Frankie. I don’t want to lose you to anyone else.”

  This was a huge decision, a big step, and she was so fearful of making another mistake.

  “Mike, I’m not ready for that. I need slow,” she told him.

  He pulled back slightly. He looked disappointed as he glanced over her shoulder and out toward the water. His eyes were narrow and tight, his lips sealed, and she felt compelled to explain a little.

  “Mike, there are things that happened to me, I mean that I went through that I need to still work out. Trust isn’t easy for me, yet here I am, wanting you and your brothers, too.”

  He cupped her cheeks and stared down into her eyes.

  “Who hurt you?”

  She blinked and tried looking away, but Mike wouldn’t have it. His fierce dark eyes, the tattoos on his arms, and the scruff on his face all aroused her and intimidated her at the same time. He was a firefighter, a person who was supposed to protect and preserve life, to rescue those in danger. But she had looked to a first responder before, to Kevin, in the hope of getting back those feelings of security, safety, and love she had when her family was alive. The risk of being used and getting hurt was so strong.

  “Talk to me, baby. Make my brothers and me understand your fears. We can work them through. You don’t think we’re afraid of falling for you? You think we’re not worried that you might find someone else or perhaps not care for each of us or maybe that you’re interested in a ménage just to say you had one? There are lots of fears.”

  “I would never do that.”

  He raised one of his eyebrows. “We would never hurt you or use you.”

  He brushed his lips against hers. “Come back to our place. We’ll watch a movie, hang out on the couch, and just get more comfortable with one another.”

  “Frankie.”

  She heard her name. Mike released her, and she spotted Cassidy with the guys.

  “I’m going to head out. I’ll talk to you later or see you tomorrow night at work.”

  “Okay. Bye.” She waved at them and then looked at Mike.

  “I guess my plans have changed,” she whispered.

  He smiled, pulled back, and took her hand. “Good, come on. On the way we’ll discuss options for movies.”

  She chuckled as she tried to keep up with him.

  “No girly, mushy stuff,” he told her.

  “No gore and bloody massacres,” she replied.

  “Some violence and action?”

  “Of course.”

  “Great, we’ll find something to agree on,” he told her then kissed her again as they walked.

  She loved the feel of his much larger hand holding her smaller one. She loved how tall and muscular he was and also how sexy and wild he appeared with the tattoos and the scruff on his face. She hugged his arm, and he smiled down at her as they reached his truck.

  Was she making a huge mistake? She wasn’t sure, but nothing would happen that she wasn’t ready for. No matter how turned on Mike made her, she would maintain control and not give in so quickly. Taking it slow was the best thing she could do.”

  He started the truck and placed his hand on her thigh right under her cover-up and against her skin, and she felt about ready to faint.

  Perhaps taking it slow and not giving in would be too difficult to do after all.

  * * * *

  Mike couldn’t help but to stare at Frankie as she held on to the railing off the back porch and looked out toward the bay. It was so quiet out here, and he and his brothers loved that about the place. It had needed a lot of work, but they were all handy, especially Nate and Rye.

  She turned toward him, leaning against the railing, looking at him watching her. She smiled, and his heart pounded, and his cock hardened for the dozenth time since he’d seen her today at Sullivan’s.

  “This is such a beautiful spot. It’s quiet and so peaceful here. How long have you guys lived here?” she asked.

  “Turbo and I have been here the longest, about ten years.”

  “Nate and Rye didn’t always live with you guys?”

  “They were off doing their thing. Nate worked for the government after being a soldier in the Army. Rye had some ups and downs for a while until he figured out what he enjoyed doing.”

  “Construction, you mean?” she asked, walking closer.

  She lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip of tea. He still couldn’t get over her body. He could see partially through the cover-up, and there was something on her hip, closer toward the front. Was that a tattoo?

  “What? Is there something on me?” she asked and looked down at her cover-up, pressing her palms over the material.

  He sat forward on the chair and shook his head. “Sorry, I thought I saw something, but I think it’s on your skin.”

  “Oh, my tattoo.” She smiled as she clasped her hands in front of her.

  He licked his lower lip, and she held his gaze.

  “Can I see it?”

  She looked around them and then took a step back. He slowly stood up.

  “I thought you said something about a movie?” she asked, trying to change the subject.

  Mike gently took a fistful of the material and pulled her closer again.

  “Come on, baby. I want to see it. I’ll show you mine.” He released his hold, reached for the hem of his T-shirt, and pulled it up and over his head. He placed it down on the table and caught her staring at his body.

  She swallowed hard. “Very nice.” Then she tried turning away. He placed his hands on her hips.

  “Am I making you nervous?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I asked you to go slow.”

  He reached around her waist, pulling her closer as he used his other hand to cup her chin and cheek.

  He whispered close to her lips, “I can do slow. As slow as you want.”

  * * * *

  She felt his arm go around her waist, and then his palm caressed down her lower back over her ass. He squeezed and kneaded her flesh as he kissed her deeper. She was lost in all the sensations running through her body. She kissed him back and ran her hands over his tight, hard pectoral muscles then up over his shoulders. His hands moved under her cover-up and against her skin. She felt wild, as though she could lose control when he explored her body further, and his hand cupped her breast.

  She loved how his skin felt against hers, the way his hard muscles pressed against her soft skin. But this was going too fast, and things were getting crazy. He pulled from her lips.

  “Baby you feel so good.”

  “We have to stop, Mike. We have to,” she whispered against his neck.

  He held her tight and squeezed her against him. “But I don’t want to,” he whispered against her lips.

  She heard the floor creak, and she looked over his shoulder to find Turbo standing there in uniform. He licked his lips, and she gripped Mike’s shoulders. Mike continued to kiss her neck and her shoulder as Turbo stepped onto the porch. He licked his lower lip then ran his hand along her ass and the bathing suit that barely covered it. Then his hand trailed up her back under the cover-up until he cupped her head, leaned closer, and kissed her.

  Turbo tasted so good. She found herself kissing him back while both men used their hands to explore her flesh. Mike unclipped her bikini top and cupped her breast, making her moan into Turbo’s mouth. Turbo squeezed her ass and pressed against her side as he explored her mouth. She was stuck between the two men, and it aroused her to the point where she felt herself letting go and trusting them.

  Then came the echo when Turbo’s police radio and the sound of the dispatcher’s voice interrupted the moment. He pulled ba
ck and cursed the damn thing, pressing something on the side of it. She took that moment to pull away and push her cover-up back into place. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, feeling uncomfortable with her top undone and her large breasts and hard nipples pressing against the top.

  Mike reached for her, and she stepped back.

  “No. That was too fast and too crazy. We need to stop,” she said and then turned away from them, reached under her cover-up, and re-clipped her top.

  She adjusted her breasts, and when she turned around, Turbo was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, and eyes glued to her body. Mike had his hands on his hips and looked wild and hungry.

  “You were enjoying yourself,” Mike told her.

  “A little too much.”

  “Never too much when the connection is like that. I told you my brothers and I want you. You want us, too.”

  She looked away and felt the anxiety again. The fear of giving in and getting hurt.

  “I need more time.” She reached for her bag, and Mike stopped her.

  “Don’t go. Don’t run from this.”

  “Mike, I’m not ready to take the risk. I’m sorry, but I need time.”

  She heard Turbo move, and now he was closer, placing his hand on her shoulder and looking down at her. They were both so big and tall. It was hard to resist their appeal and to not feel intimidated because they were older and more experienced than her.

  “This guy, whomever he was, did a number on you. Maybe if you talk to us about him, make us understand your fears, we can deal with this together.”

  She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “That would make me even more vulnerable,” she told them as she adjusted the bag on her shoulder.

  Turbo stepped closer and placed his hands on her hips. He was in full uniform, gun and all, and represented exactly what she feared. Another cop, another good guy with potentially bad intentions, and someone who could hurt her.

  She closed her eyes to avoid his appeal and to try and not compare him to Kevin.