“Bull!!!” I call out, but can’t find him anywhere, even with the low visibility, had he been in there I would have.
That only leaves one room. Holding onto the wall I make my way to the spare bedroom. The door is locked. I use my shoulder and ram it, Dragon joins in and it breaks away from the frame and opens up. Lying on the bed is Bull. He’s unconscious, that much is clear. Still, even through the smoke I can see the blood. A fucking lot of blood coming from his head! I don’t have time to inspect him further, I grab him in a fireman’s hold and start back the way I came. Dragon leads the way to our escape route, none too soon. The heat is closing in on us and you can hear the crack of wood all around. We need out of here before the whole damn place collapses on us.
“Damn Bull, you are a big motherfucker,” I say to no one in particular, as I struggle to carry this hulk of a man.
We make it back to the bathroom much quicker, but by now the flames have spread and they are reaching out towards us like deadly hands. The creaking of weakening beams becomes louder.
Dragon helps me carefully get Bull out the window, handing him out to Gunner and Frog. He then insists I go out the window first and since we’re both coughing like little bitches, I don’t argue. He plows out just seconds behind me and we drag our tired asses from around the house and back to the garage.
I see Carrie the minute I turn the corner and she runs straight at me. She’s a damn mess, but at the same time so achingly perfect. She is the answer to every dream I’ve ever had.
I grunt as she connects with my body at full force. She wraps her arms around me and I grab hold of her ass and lift her up. A second later her legs are locked at the back of my ass.
“I was so worried,” she whispers against my lips. I push into her mouth kissing her hard. My throat is burning and dry but I do not give one damn. I need this. Our lips break away slowly and I give her one more chaste lip touch before pulling away completely.
“Care Bear. I’m okay.”
“I love you, Jacob.”
The words give me the familiar kick in my gut and a speeding heart. They also bring me a feeling of joy. I can’t stop myself from kissing her again—this time with everything I’ve got inside of me. Our tongues dance and mate and then war with each other, fighting for dominance. Even the taste of smoke can’t stop the flavor of Carrie from coming through. This woman is better than a drug. She’s like pure air and I need her to survive.
“Bull?” She asks and I shake my head, because I don’t know.
I’m jealous which is fucked up seven ways to Sunday. My brother is in bad shape, even I could tell that through the smoke. Yet, here I am jealous because my woman is worried about him. Hell, I’m worried about him. I grab her by the back of the neck and turn her face towards me.
“Give me the words.”
She looks thoroughly confused and I understand, because I am too. Still, she takes her hand and moves it along the side of my face. With her other hand, she places it over my heart and applies gentle pressure. The warmth of it is enough to calm the heavy beating.
“I love you, Jacob.”
“Sir, we need to check you over,” I look over my shoulder and there’s a paramedic standing behind me.
“I’m fine, see to my brother.”
I don’t want to be bothered. I want to stay with Carrie. It’s weak and totally the wrong time to be feeling shit, but crowds trigger panic attacks. I do not want to have one of those surrounded by strangers and having my brothers here would make that shit worse. I hold on tightly to Carrie’s hand. Can she tell how it shakes? I look at her face, but she just smiles. I pray I’ve kept it hid.
“The other wagon has your buddy,” the paramedic explains referring to the other ambulance. “Please sir it’s my job, you inhaled a lot of smoke. Let me just check out your lungs. I also see some blood, it won’t take long.”
I’m about to tell him to fuck off when Carrie’s hand goes to my side. Is it wrong to get turned on with all the shit going on around us? I swear I can feel my dick harden as her hand moves along my side and her fingers tease against the edge of my jeans.
“Jacob, you’ve been hurt!”
I look down as she pulls my shirt up. It’s a jagged cut down my side. It’s nothing, but my woman is worried about me and I’m an ass enough to eat that shit up. So, I let her guide me to the ambulance. I sit on the base of the bumper step, while the paramedic does his business.
I’ve barely settled before the guy pushes an oxygen mask in my face as a ‘precaution’ whatever in the hell that means. Then, Carrie leaves me to go check on Bull.
Motherfucker!
I’m left with a piece of plastic held over my mouth and nose, watching her cry over another man.