Page 103 of Raging Fires

He slid in and out in a slow, smooth stroke, both of them teetering on the knife edge of climax, extending their pleasure to the breaking point. Kelli dug her fingers into his hair, little whimpers escaping her lips as she writhed against him. She cried out as her climax crested within her, and it shot him over the edge. He plunged into her harder and faster, culminating in a powerful explosion that shook him to his very core.

There would never be anyone else for him. Kelli was all he’d ever wanted, all he’d ever need, and more than he could have ever hoped to have. More than he deserved. Yet, here she was. Again. And she wanted him back, after all they had been through. Which was good because he knew now that she was his everything.

Jake relaxed, lowering his head to her shoulder, his breath coming in pants. Kelli rested her head against his, letting out that familiar sigh of contentment, and murmured, “I’m so glad you’re back.”

Jake lifted his head, gazing intently into her eyes. “No more leaving, no more hiding. No more giving up. Either of us.”

Kelli nodded and kissed him softly. “Welcome home, Jake.”

Epilogue

Jake was sitting on the couch the next afternoon, waiting for Kelli to get ready to go out to dinner—not LePur, where he suspected they were permanently blackballed. Toby was on the sofa with him, his head on Jake’s leg, giving the gift of ten thousand dog hairs on his favorite jeans. Jake’s phone rang, and Jake picked it up, ignoring Toby’s disapproving look.

The screen read Emma. Jake smiled to himself. His agent was calling to congratulate him on the win. She didn’t know how very good his win had been.

“Hey, Em. Watch the game yesterday?”

“Are you kidding? Saw every minute of your performance. To mix sports metaphors, you knocked it out of the park, kid.” She went on for a while, talking skill points and comparisons and teams that were in need of a starting quarterback. “Howard will up your price; I wouldn’t be surprised if he calls me wanting to tie you up for another year. But Las Vegas, Miami, and Cleveland are obviously going to be looking for a starter. Kyle Cummings got hurt—again.”

“No way I’m going back to Miami.”

“No. Of course not. I’m just saying, there’s going to be a real market for quarterbacks next year. You’ve got another exhibition game to flash your stuff. Who knows, Moran could get injured this year.”

“You’re all heart, Emma.”

“I’m your agent. And it’s a realistic possibility. He’s getting old.”

“Neil’s a year younger than you,” Jake pointed out.

“I’m getting old. That’s not the best situation for you, anyway. I’m really interested in Vegas. They drafted some good rookies this year, and they’ve been smart in their trades. I think they could be building a contender.”

“Emma. Emma. Stop.” Jake cut her off before she could really get rolling.

“What?”

“I want to stay in Phoenix.”

There was a long moment of silence. “Is this a joke?”

“No. I’m serious. I like it here.”

“Jake, you can’t throw away your career just to stay with a girl.”

“She’s not just a girl, Em. She’s my wife.”

“So? Wives can’t move to some other city?”

“She’s got a career, too. We have the bar.”

“You could sell it. Or hire a manager. Or, hell, if she has to stay there, you can do what you were talking about last time I saw you—have a permanent home in Phoenix and play wherever.”

“And be MIA for half the year? That’s not exactly my idea of being married.”

“Jake, do you realize what you’re doing? What you’d be giving up?”

“Yeah, actually, I do. I had the money and fame before; I know what it’s worth. And I know what I’m getting if I stay. I have Kelli. I have friends. I have a bunch of relatives, crazy as they are. Hell, Emma, I have a dog.” He stroked his hand over Toby’s head. “Do you know I’ve never been able to have a dog because I’m gone all the time?”

Emma sighed but didn’t say anything, no doubt trying to think how best to hook him.