When We Ignite (Fire Between #1)

by Alex Cross

“How old are you?” I asked Ethan, making an attempt at small talk to get him to loosen up. He turned to me, surprised, his baby-blue eyes captivating. “Nineteen.”

Ethan made to go, but I grabbed his wrist before he left. “Can you be a dear and fetch me my drink?” I didn’t wait for his reply before answering the call. From the corner of my eye, I saw him hesitate before nodding. I smiled to myself. He might need a little work, but he can take orders. “Has Ida picked a hotel for us yet?” I said into the phone, smirking at Warren’s sigh. Ethan came back with my drink in his hand. I smiled and winked at him in thanks as he ducked his head with a small grin and made his way back to the table. He was flattered by the attention, and that was the first step in the right direction.

I’d been getting used to the idea of Charlotte and Oliver for years now—it didn’t faze me—and I’d been around their same crowd all my life. Maybe not exactly the Langleys, but close. But Sebastian? I just couldn’t wrap my head around it being him. The man I had seen for so many years, the one I heard my friends regularly singing praises to—that Sebastain Langley— was the one who had been hitting on me. On me.

“He asked me about you tonight.” I glanced back up and Henry chuckled. I knew it was bait, but I couldn’t help it. “Why?” I thought he’d forgotten I existed by now. “He asked me if you were here.” I bit my lip, knowing he wanted me to keep pushing. “He’s not coming?” I asked, noticing his satisfied grin as he shook his head. “Workaholic.” He widened his eyes. “Don’t you want to know what else he said?” “It looks like you’re the one dying to tell me, so...” I made a “carry on” gesture. “He said I could give you his number if you asked about him.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer, even though we were alone. “I promise I won’t tell the happy couple.”

I stared at his pocket. “Did you just send it?” My heart was roaming somewhere around my throat. “Mm-hm,” he said again, smiling, his tone mocking. “Don’t worry, I can keep a secret.” He winked. “There’s no secret to keep,” I insisted. My phone chimed—a high note notifying me that I had just received a text.

Why was he even texting me in the first place? What could I say to that? I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. It wasn’t as if something could ever happen between us, but at the same time, I didn’t want him to lose interest. It was just harmless flirting for a little while, and then we would both move past it. I didn’t even know how you were supposed to flirt with a man—a thirty-four-year-old man at that.

Scratch that, he was definitely flirting. My face was hot, and my heart was hammering in my chest. I saved his number in my phone before replying. Now the screen read Ash Langley.

“I should probably shower.” I looked toward the door, rubbing my hand over my nose, and noticed his smile widen. “Is that an invitation?” I chuckled nervously. “It’s not,” I clarified. He laughed too—a flirty, controlled laugh. “That’s too bad. See you upstairs for breakfast.”

“I told you to call me Ash.” “And I’m just supposed to do as you say?” I shot back. Leaning slightly toward me, his voice dropped like he needed to share a secret. “Not yet, but you will.” His grin widened, painting Sebastian Langley as the devil he was.

Sebastian handled me like something precious, shifting from blunt attraction to treating me like a pet. Like he was caring for me, but, at the same time, trying to assert his dominance. I felt like a mouse staring into a trap, only to realize that escape was impossible. I was already ensnared.

“How can you tell when I’m nervous?” I grinned. “You have a tell.” “What is it?” he asked, tilting his head slightly—unintentionally endearing. “I’m not giving that away,” I said, leaning forward, taking a slow drag. “Why not?” he protested. “I like having that over you. Maybe you can offer something in return,” I suggested. His smile faded a bit. Perhaps I’d pushed too far. “Like what?” he challenged, surprising me. I’d expected him to back off. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something,” I replied casually. “I thought you liked calling the shots,” he teased, taking another drag. My heart skipped—a mix of surprise and delight. He’d nailed it. I licked my lips, and his eyes followed the motion. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll give it up if you play my game.” His face clouded, puzzled. “What game?” He probably didn’t mean to do it, but he lowered his voice too. With its natural huskiness, it sounded so alluring. I smiled. “You’re smart, Ethan. I’m sure you’ve figured it out.” A flush crept up his cheeks as realization set in. “I’ve told you, I’m not into men,” he said quickly. “That’s fine. You don’t have to be into men,” I replied. He seemed confused. “Just into me,” I added with a smirk, leaning back.

We stayed outside, keeping our distance the rest of the time. When we left, I barely looked at Ethan, avoiding a direct goodbye. After kissing Charlotte’s cheek, I gave a general wave to the table. The confusion in his eyes didn’t escape me. I hated it.

“Fine. Yes, I want to see you,” he confessed. I laughed softly. “Could you stop laughing at me?” “I’m not laughing at you, my darling. I’m just happy you said it. I want to see you too.”

“I’m dead serious,” he said, his breath warm against my cheek. “I’m so attracted to you. You have no idea what you do to me, Ethan. I didn’t stop chasing you because I was bored. I’m not supposed to have you, but I want you. I’ve been dying to get my hands on you since we first met. I’ve been dying to fuck you, and I can’t stop thinking about it. About you.”

“I want you to want this…” he began, his voice a low rumble that forced my eyes closed against the flood of sensation. “I want you to beg me to touch you.” His grip in my hair tightened just enough to make my breath hitch. My teeth sank into my lip, desperate to stifle the sound rising in my throat. “When you do, I’m going to get my hands all over you. And I’m going to savor every second. I won’t fuck you until you’re aching for it too. And when you are, I’ll give you the best fuck of your life. And then I’ll do it again. And again. And again. For as long as you want me to.” His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Is that clear enough for you?”

“I need to ask you something.” I swallowed hard. “I’m not sure what this is or if things will change between us, but...” “Yes?” he prompted. “While…whatever this is, is going on, I need you not to fuck around with other people,” I said quietly, my voice lacking the force I wanted. Sebastian’s smile spread slowly. “You are jealous.” I nodded, looking him in the eye. “I’m not into sharing. It’s a deal-breaker for me, even if nothing is happening yet. It can be a deal-breaker for you too—I get that.”

He nodded, his face burying itself against my chest. His smaller frame molded perfectly against mine, as if he belonged there.

After finishing another cigarette, I headed upstairs, stopping at Ethan’s door. I knocked softly and waited. Footsteps approached, and he cracked the door open just enough to peek out. “What?” he asked, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I’m not letting you in,” he added in a hushed tone. “I wasn’t planning on asking,” I quipped, earning a quiet laugh. “I just wanted to say goodnight—and I’m sorry your sister walked in. I was really enjoying what was happening down there,” I whispered. He looked away, but his smile lingered. “Goodnight, Ash,” he said, his voice low and raspy. I smiled, leaning slightly closer. “Goodnight, darling,” I murmured, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. Before he could react, I stepped back and headed to my room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him still standing there, wide-eyed. I collapsed onto my bed and checked my phone. A text was waiting. My Pet I’m sorry she walked in too I grinned as I typed my reply.

are you in my room right now? Apparently, that wasn’t clear enough. I raised my hand in front of the frame, snapped another photo, and hit send. No response. About three minutes later, the door opened. Sebastian stepped in, looking surprised. “What are you doing here?” I dropped my phone on the bed and stood up, swaying slightly but proud I didn’t fall over. “Waiting for you.”

“Ash,” I said, meeting his gaze. “Kiss me.” His eyes softened, his hands tightening on my back. “Just like that?” “Just like that,” I whispered.

“I want you so fucking much,” he murmured against me, his voice vibrating through my chest.

He seemed even less thrilled. “Ethan, you shouldn’t feel like you have to ‘go through’ something. You’re supposed to want this.” “I do! I just—” my voice cracked, “—you make me nervous, okay? I can’t think around you. You’re so…you. And I’m⁠—” “Amazing,” he interrupted, a faint smile softening his expression. “You’re amazing, Ethan. What’s not to like?”

“I’m not trying to be difficult,” he said softly, his voice a soothing contrast to the tension between us. “I’m trying to savor it and make sure you do too. Please, just do what I’m asking. I promise you’ll like it.”

“I promise I’ll take such good care of you, Ethan. Just let me.”

“Ash,” I breathed. “Tell me what you want me to do,” he said, his voice laced with anticipation. “Look at me.” Our eyes locked. “Kiss me,” I said, my voice barely audible. His lips curved into a triumphant smile. “Good boy,” he murmured again before leaning in and pressing his mouth to mine. God, it was electric.

I kissed him again, parting my lips fully, meeting him halfway. Sebastian tasted of cigarettes and whiskey—a potent, intoxicating mix that overwhelmed my senses.

“You need to stop doing that,” he warned, pulling back slightly, his breath hot against my skin. I tugged him by the hair, refusing to let him go. “Ethan,” he growled, his voice low and rough. “I’m going to fuck you over this desk if you keep this up.”

“I need to get you out of these clothes,” he muttered, his voice thick with desire. “I can’t stand them anymore.” The thought of being bare before him was daunting, but the promise of feeling his skin against mine was irresistible. I nodded, and he groaned, his forehead resting against mine. “You’re supposed to tell me to stop.” “I don’t want you to stop,” I rasped. He groaned again, the sound vibrating between us. “You’re too fucking much. Enjoying me so far, darling?” I nodded.

“I told you I don’t want to tame you, Ethan. Come out and play.”

“I’m not going to break you, but I do need you to bend,” Sebastian said, his forearms braced on either side of my head. His breath was warm against my ear. “Do this for me while I can take you to bed, and I promise I’ll reward you for it.”

“You don’t have a clue what you do to me, do you?”

“You have me in the palm of your hand, Ethan. I can’t deny you anything you want,” he whispered. His words were a salve to my doubts, each one softening the tension in my body. “Let me give you everything you want.”

“Are you going to explain what exactly you mean by that? Or am I just supposed to trust you?” His smile softened, his eyes locking with mine. “I like you so fucking much,” he said, his voice raw with honesty.

Do you want me to touch you?” I wished I wasn’t so clearly into this—wished I could disguise the way my body was responding. But it was only a matter of time before he noticed, and I wasn’t sure I could handle his inevitable smug reaction. “Not as much as you want to touch me,” I quipped, clinging to the last scraps of my dignity. Sebastian chuckled, his lips curving into a smile. “You have no idea.”

“And do you honestly think I’m immune to you?” he continued. “Do you think I can lie here, touching you, kissing you, hearing you, and not be hard as a rock?” I glanced at him skeptically, but Sebastian chuckled again, grabbing my hand and guiding it between us. My knuckles brushed over him, still restrained by his briefs, but there was no mistaking the evidence of his arousal. “See? This is what you do to me,”

“No, darling. We’re moving forward,” he said firmly, setting the boundary with no room for argument. I opened my mouth to object, but before I could, his tongue ran along the underside of my cock.

“What I always think when I look at you.” “What?” he pressed, his smile widening. “That you’re beautiful.”

“You’re supposed to say I’m handsome.” “Handsome—that’s a word for a lot of people. But you? You’re fucking beautiful, and that’s something else entirely. You look like a dream pulled straight from my imagination, yet even in my wildest thoughts, I don’t think I could’ve conjured someone as perfect as you,” I said, my voice low and sincere.

“I’m not going to do it if you’re not ready, but can you say it? Just once?” I asked, my words rushed. “What?” he rasped, his voice deliciously husky, just like I imagined he’d sound. “Ask me to fuck you,” I whispered, my plea spilling against his lips. His breath hitched, and I rubbed my body against his, eliciting one of those quiet, intoxicating moans. “Please, darling. Just once.”

“If you want to make me come, darling, there are two ways you can go about it,” I murmured against his lips. He nodded, eager for me to continue. “You can climb over me and ride me,” I said, watching his eyes widen as his hand froze mid-stroke. I traced my thumb over his bottom lip, planting another soft kiss there. “Or,” I went on, “you can use that pretty little mouth of yours. I can teach you how, if that’s what you want. Both options—but only when you’re ready.”

“You don’t mind me making a mess of your space?” I laughed, exhaling smoke as I whispered, “No. You’re the prettiest thing I have in here.”

“I could spend the rest of my life watching you come like this and never tire of it. You look so fucking good,” he whispered, his voice thick with awe. His hands were magic, relentless and knowing, driving me closer and closer to the edge. “Ready to finish, covered in my cum?” he murmured, the filthy promise breaking me completely.

“Fine then,” Sebastian quipped, turning back to him. “Play something loud on the radio while I make out with my high school boyfriend. Just make sure you keep your eyes on the road so you don’t catch me sticking my hand down his pants.” Henry laughed loudly, and my eyes widened in shock, heat rushing to my face. It was clearly a joke, but the casual use of the word “boyfriend” made my heart skip, butterflies erupting in my stomach.

Sebastian turned to face me, his dark-brown eyes intimate. His lips curved into a smile that felt like it was meant just for me, and in that moment, I knew. I was falling in love with Sebastian Langley, and there was no stopping it now. Full throttle ahead—I was in deep fucking trouble.

His skin was smooth and fair, clean-shaven, with thick, perfectly curved brows that framed those eyes. Ethan’s were striking—not just because of their pale-blue hue. They always held a quiet kindness, even when he was angry, his eyes betrayed him.

“I don’t know. That kid could ask me to jump off a building, and I’d only ask which one,”

Ethan stood there, his eyes locked on mine, the anger simmering in their blue depths. “So, that was Chris,” I said awkwardly, trying to break the tension. “Don’t you mean ‘babe’?” Ethan replied, the venom seeping from his words. It was a terrible time to notice, but he looked hot as fuck when he was angry.

“I’m not seeing anybody else per your request. I can’t talk to them either?”

“Kiss me.” I turned to Ethan, alarmed. “Are you fucking serious right now?” “Kiss me,” he repeated, his jaw set like a challenge. “Ethan, anyone could walk by. Even if they don’t, I can’t be seen kissing you—not in front of Chris, not here. What if he tells someone?” I tried to reason, but he shook his head stubbornly. “I don’t fucking care. You trusted him enough to fuck him for four years. I bet he won’t tell. Kiss me.” “I can’t,” I said through gritted teeth. “Then I can’t leave with you tonight,” he said simply, shrugging as if the decision were final. “What?” My heart sank, my voice rising involuntarily. “And I probably can’t go on the trip, either,” he added, his tone dripping sarcasm. “Too bad—I know you were set on getting your hands on me. But, hey, at least your fuck buddy’s here, ready to jump in.” “Ethan, for fuck’s sake,” I snapped, but he only shrugged again. “Or kiss me.”

“Can’t do it, can you?” Ethan said, shaking his head and turning to walk away. “Fine, Sebastian. See you around.” My body moved before my mind could catch up. I grabbed his arm, exhaling loudly as I stepped in front of him. Without another word, I cupped his face and kissed him.