When Ashes Fall

ALIX

PRESENT DAY

"NINE-ONE-ONE, WHAT'S YOUR EMERGENCY?" I said into the headset as I stared at the computer screen.

While I waited for a response, I sucked in a deep breath and rested my fingers on the keyboard, my thumb gently tapping the space bar but not hard enough to actually press it down. My body tensed. The tips of my toes ground into the bottom of my shoes.

It was a ritual.

One I repeated every time I answered a call.

"I'm at the Public Garden," the woman said. "And a man just fell off one of the benches. He's on the ground, screaming. You can probably hear him in the background. It looks like he hurt his arm or something."

Once I processed her description, my chest loosened.

The air I'd been holding in slowly made its way through my lips.

The tapping stopped.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Why do you need that?"

"It's for our records and also so I know what to call you."

"I'm not comfortable with giving you my last name, but my first name is Rachel."

"Rachel," I repeated as I typed it into the system, "do you know the man's name?"

"I don't know him. I was just walking by with my boyfriend, and I saw it happen."

"Are you able to get close to him and ask if he's okay?"

"Look, I'm just calling out of courtesy. I don't have time to go over and assess the man."

Before I could respond, Rachel disconnected the call.

So, I finished typing up my notes and dispatched the emergency response team to the Public Garden. Before they even left the firehouse, they'd know the man could be suffering from a broken arm, shoulder, or even head trauma and that no other symptoms had been reported.

Once I finished all the coding, I logged off and removed the headset. Then, I took out my bag from the bottom drawer and reached inside for my cell. I found Rose's last text and started typing.

Me: I'm not going to make it. I'm exhausted.

Rose: If you don't show up, I'm going to walk to your townhouse and drag your ass out. It's your choice.

Me: I'm leaving work right now. See you in 15.

Rose: I got us a table outside, right in front. You can't miss me.

I put the phone back in my bag and stood from the desk, making my way through the call center. This was where most of the emergency and non-emergency calls were answered for each district of Boston. Where we worked eight-hour shifts and handled over a thousand calls a day.

I wondered if I'd have the same ritual tomorrow.

Or if I'd have a different one.

Or maybe I wouldn't have one at all.

That thought was interrupted when I heard, "Alix," as I walked by Marla's office.

I stopped reluctantly and turned around, backtracking until I was in her doorway. "Hey," I said, watching her smile as she got up from her chair.

Marla was an officer and had been supervising this department for the six years I'd been employed by the city. I'd met her while I was in the EMT recruit academy when I was first hired.

She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and hugged me. "I hope today went all right."

I closed my eyes and made sure she didn't hear me sigh.

This was what I hadn't wanted.

Along with the extra-big smiles from my coworkers when I had walked into the call center earlier today.

And the card that had been slipped into my desk, which I'd opened before my shift.

And the invitation to lunch I had declined.

It was all really unnecessary.

And way too much.

I squeezed her back because it was the right thing to do and said, "Yes, today went fine." Then, I immediately pulled away.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course."

I wondered if tomorrow would feel different.

I thought about that as I made my way through the police headquarters.

This building was so busy with employees, many of whom I'd met. Maybe even close to all of them. If they saw me, they'd want me to stop walking. They'd want to talk.

Some might even want to hug me.

To avoid any type of contact, I took out my phone and held it to my ear, pretending to be in a serious conversation. At the same time, I stayed to the left side of each room I passed through and kept my face down.

That was everything I could do to go unnoticed.

I was flooded with relief when I made it out the front of the building without having to say a word and continued my trek to Ruggles station, hurrying into the train before the door shut.

Two stops.

That was how far it was to Back Bay station.

During the ride, I looped my arm around the metal pole and scrolled through one of my apps. I was only able to read a handful of status updates before Back Bay station was announced from the speakers.

Once I made my way outside, I went down Dartmouth Street until I reached the restaurant. Rose was right in front, just like she had said in her text. She was at a small, round table that had two glasses of red wine and a charcuterie board on top of it.

"Hiii ," she said as I got closer and embraced me the second I reached her.

I didn't mind.

That was part of the reason I was here.

I even hugged her back as hard as I could.

Rose and I had been assigned as roommates our freshman year at Northeastern. I was a shy girl from southern Maine, who made the honor roll with ease and wanted to work in health care. I was also extremely inexperienced in partying. Rose was from South Boston. She came to college with a master's degree in drinking and could throw up the next morning without even smudging her lipstick.

We were complete opposites.

And, although we had both changed so much over the years, we were still closer than ever.

"Hi," I whispered back.

She was holding me so tightly; it was hard to breathe.

"Thanks for not canceling."

"Well, I tried," I admitted.

"You know, if you really didn't want to come tonight, I wouldn't have forced you."

"I know."

I moved to the other side of the table and sat across from her. Once I slung my bag over the corner of the chair, I lifted the wine glass, clicked it against hers, and took a sip.

Pinot noir.

She knew what I needed.

"To moments," she said as I swallowed.

Rose believed in celebrating them.

Always.

And, according to her, today was one.

"To moments," I repeated.

She took a drink from her glass, and then she crossed her arms over the table and leaned in closer. "Tell me all about your day. I want to hear every detail."

I had known this question was coming. That was partly why I'd wanted to cancel. "I woke up, went for a run, and went to work, and now, I'm meeting you. There's not much else to tell."

"Alix ..."

She didn't say my name in a reprimanding way.

She said it as though she were encouraging me to talk about it. Because Rose forever assumed I needed to get something off my chest.

"Work was fine," I said. "The entire shift was rather uneventful, honestly, and for the most part, it was a shockingly safe day in Boston."

Her face began to relax.

I certainly hadn't missed how tense it looked.

"And it was a sunny day," she said.

I nodded. "I'm thankful for that." I took another sip, hoping I'd satisfied her enough that she would change the topic.

"I have news."

Relieved that I'd gotten my wish, I reached forward and grabbed a cube of cheese and a slice of prosciutto. "Oh, yeah? What kind of news?"

"I picked a man."

"What?" I said, chewing the bite that was in my mouth. "You already have a man, so why in the hell would you be looking for another one?"

"He's not for me. He's for you."

I shook my head. "Oh no."

"You know I've been dying to set you up with one of the art directors in my office, and now, it's finally time. Don't think I forgot the promise you made me."

Three months and one week ago, Rose had asked if she could set me up.

I'd told her I would consider it in three months.

She had been smart not to ask me last week.

She was even smarter to ask me now.

I set down the almost-empty glass I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

Just as I was about to respond, she said, "I'm not asking you to get serious with the guy. I just want you to meet him for dinner. The same thing we're doing right now. If there's chemistry, pursue him. If there isn't, then at least you tried."

"You really want to get me laid, don't you?"

"Is that a bad thing?"

I opened my mouth and then instantly closed it. I needed to think about what I was going to say before something unforgettable came tumbling out of it. "No, I suppose it's not."

"Good." She grinned. "Then, let me get you laid."

I didn't know if I'd actually go on the date with the art director. But, to avoid one of Rose's talks, I smiled and made sure my tone was convincing when I said, "I can hardly wait."

DYLAN

THREE YEARS AND TWO MONTHS AGO

THE FIRST TIME I had seen Alix Rayne, she had been walking into the restaurant I was dining at. She was there with a girl, who I later learned was Rose, her best friend. I was there with another woman.

I didn't mean to watch Alix move across the room. My date just wasn't holding my attention.

And, because I was used to taking in my surroundings, my peripheral vision more sensitive than most, once Alix entered from my direct right, I couldn't take my eyes off her.

She was absolutely fucking gorgeous.

Both women landed at a table less than ten yards from mine.

Alix sat, facing me.

Then, she laughed at something Rose had said and glanced down at the wine menu.

"Dylan?" my date said.

I turned my head, staring at her now but listening for sounds coming from the other table. "Yeah?"

"Didn't you want to order some wine with dinner? I think it should be here soon."

I didn't want to be rude, but I no longer wanted to have dinner with her.

Not even if that meant a guaranteed blow job in the backseat while my driver took her home.

I wanted to be with the beautiful woman at the other table. The one with long chocolate-colored hair and a curvy waist and lips that naturally were pouty and pale pink.

Just as I was about to respond, a vibration came from the inside of my jacket. I reached into my pocket and took out my cell. When I saw the name on the screen, I said to my date, "I have to take this." My finger swiped the phone, and I held it up to my ear, "Yes?"

"I have a situation," my assistant said.

"Talk."

"One of the pilots showed up, under the influence. He's been sent home, and boarding has been delayed. The plane is scheduled to leave Logan International Airport in thirty minutes. I've contacted all of the other pilots in the area, and none are available. How would you like to proceed?"

"Where's it going?"

"Las Vegas."

She wanted to know if I would fly the plane or if she should book the passengers a commercial flight and issue them a credit for the inconvenience.

My customers used my airline for many reasons.

One of those was that we always got them into the air, and it was never on a commercial vessel.

We figured it out.

No matter what that looked like.

Therefore, she knew my answer before I said, "I'll be there in thirty minutes."

"I'll let the airport know."

I put the phone into my jacket and reached into my back pocket for my wallet. I took out three one-hundred-dollar bills, knowing that was more than enough to cover everything we had ordered, and set them on the table. "I have to go."

"What? Seriously?"

I got up from the table and moved around to her chair. I put my hand on her shoulder and said, "Stay. Enjoy yourself. Eat your meal ... and mine. If you want. It was nice meeting you ..." I stopped and cleared my throat, trying to remember her name. It didn't come to me, and I had nothing left to say, so I walked away.

But I didn't leave the restaurant.

I went to Alix's table, stood right at her side, and put my back toward my date. "Excuse me," I said.

Rose was already looking at me.

Not Alix.

I had to wait for her to slowly turn to me, her gaze gradually lifting until it reached my face. "Hi."

"I want to give you something."

She smiled out of nervousness. "Okay."

"Give me your hand."

"She's not giving you anything until I know what this is about," Rose said.

The dynamics of their friendship were defined in that moment.

So were their personalities.

I glanced at Rose. "What I'm about to give her isn't going to hurt her."

"I don't know that."

I reached into my back pocket again, took out my wallet, and gave it to her. "You have everything in there-my ID, pilot's license, credit cards, debit card, and over a thousand in cash. If something happens to her, you can hand it over to the police. Except for the cash; you keep that."

She looked up from her palm where it was all resting and eventually said, "Fair enough."

My stare returned to Alix. "Please give me your hand."

She lifted it off her lap, and as it moved through the air, I caught it and flipped her hand around. As I held her palm face up, I took a pen out of my jacket and pressed it against her skin, running the tip length-wise.

When I finally released her, she looked at it to see what I had written. "Your phone number?"

I nodded.

"You could have typed it into my cell."

"That's too impersonal."

"And writing on my hand isn't?"

Out of all the questions, she'd asked that one.

"I got to touch you," I said, my tongue circling the corner of my lip from the memory of what she had felt like. "And then I got to watch and feel the way you responded to me."

She searched my eyes, her cheeks beginning to redden. "I could be married."

I didn't care if she was.

That was how strongly I felt for this girl after being in her presence for only a minute.

"Then, don't call me. Or do. The decision is up to you."

When I took a few steps toward Rose, Alix said, "Where are you going?"

I waited for Rose to put my wallet on top of my hand before I said, "The airport. I have a plane to fly."

"You're a pilot." She didn't say it as though she were questioning me. She said it like she was storing the information, cementing it in her brain even though this was the second time I'd told her.

"I'm many things," I answered, and then I left the restaurant.

Thirty-eight minutes later, I was in the air.

ALIX

PRESENT DAY

MY TOWNHOUSE WAS ONLY six blocks from the restaurant-too close to get a car service, just far enough away to fill my body with fresh air. So, after having dinner with Rose, I walked home, taking in the smells and sounds and sights of the city.

Boston was never quiet.

I appreciated that.

Silence was like moisture; it created an environment that allowed things to grow. Fester. Eat into the walls and foundation.

I didn't want to give my thoughts that kind of space and freedom inside my brain. I knew they'd never go away, but I wanted them to stay dormant for the rest of my life.

Therefore, I preferred the loudness, especially when it seeped through the windows of my brownstone and padded the rooms with noise.

There seemed to be an extra dose of it this evening, which excited me as I continued to head home. When I turned onto my block, my speed increased, and I hurried up the five steps.

I unlocked the door.

Keys were placed in a bowl on a table in the entryway, and I set my bag on the closest barstool in the kitchen.

There was a note from Dylan on the counter.

I smiled as I read it and grabbed the bottle of red that was next to it. When my eyes landed on the last word, I filled a glass and carried it into the bedroom.

My jewelry was dumped in a drawer on the right side of the closet, my clothes in the hamper, my shoes wherever they landed on the floor.

Without stopping in the bathroom to brush my teeth or wash off my makeup, I brought the wine over to the bed, and I climbed in. Once I was settled, I reached toward the tablet on the nightstand, pressing the button that flipped off the lights and another that turned on the TV.

HGTV.

That was all I ever watched.

While I was still sitting up, I took a few sips of wine, my lower body sinking into the mattress, my muscles slowly starting to relax. Once the feeling moved toward my center, I set the glass next to the tablet and slid until my head was nestled into the fluffy down of the pillow.

I tugged the blanket up to my neck, and the warmth of the wine began to move to my face.

My eyes closed.

I rolled onto my stomach, the coolness of the top sheet now resting over my bare ass.

Just as I was hugging a pillow against my side, I heard him.

I smiled again.

And then I exhaled a long, deep sigh. "I've missed you, Dylan," I whispered.

"I've missed you."

He was here.

With me.

That was the only thing I wanted.

"I can't stop thinking about you," he added.

That made me shiver.

Even harder.

I felt movement, and the blanket shifted. Then, suddenly, he was on top of me.

His smell.

His touch.

His presence.

I loved all of it.

While I stayed on my stomach, his mouth traveled down my back, peppering my spine with kisses. It forced my lips to spread almost as wide as my legs.

"You're so fucking beautiful, Alix."

Oh God.

My arm shot out from under the pillow, and it feathered down the front of me until two of my fingertips were pressed against my clit. "I want you," I moaned.

My hips shifted higher to give him more access, his tip easily finding my wetness.

He growled in my ear, and then I heard, "You're going to get all of me."

I swallowed.

And then I gasped as his long thickness thrust deep inside me.

It was perfection.

So was the sensation that consumed my entire body, the tingles that spread to each of my limbs.

Emotion burned my chest.

And, with each stroke, my pussy pulsed even more.

"I love you," I breathed.

It was true.

I loved him more than anything in this entire world.

He knew that.

I constantly told him.

"I love you, too, Alix."

He always made his feelings extremely clear, and they were as strong as mine.

The prickling in my navel moved higher, the pulsing in my clit began to really throb.

My hair was pulled, and my face came out of the pillow; warm air surrounded it, and I felt his kisses on my neck and along my shoulder and all the way up my cheek.

It wasn't just the intimacy I craved.

It was the affection, too.

And the build.

I was there.

So close.