Fire Always Burns - By Krista Lakes Page 0,61

to him before they gave me more of that medication, but I don't remember what I said."

"Your dad is fine but he was worried about you. He said you sounded out of it, but I told him you were on some pretty serious pain killers," Andrew answered. "He said he could change his flight to come home sooner, but there really isn't anything he can do at this point. I made sure to give him Aunt Heather's phone number and address, and he said he will give you a call tonight."

"Thanks Andrew," I said putting my hand on Andrew's leg. He smiled. "How about Luke?"

"Luke gave me a call while you were sleeping. He had been up for 24 hours by that point so he was pretty tired. He said the fire is an absolute mess. They've lost over 20 houses just today, and it is getting close to the town. He doesn't think they are going to be able to contain it for a long time. He's doing alright though- wishes he could do more, but that's just Luke," Andrew said. The car hummed down the winding road, my ears popping as we came out of the mountains. I could feel my eyes getting heavy, the medication finally kicking in.

"Do you mind if I fall asleep for a little bit?"

"Sleep away. I'll wake you when we get there," Andrew said, turning the radio down. I smiled and curled up into the window, confident that Andrew would take care of me. I quickly fell asleep lulled by the hum of the road.

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Flames. Fire everywhere. There was no where left to run... I had to get out, but I couldn't walk. The heat was rising, smoke everywhere- I couldn't breathe-

"Holly! Holly, wake up! You're having a nightmare," Andrew said shaking my shoulders. I woke up shaking, sweat covering my body.

"The fire- the fire was going to get me!" I wanted to scream.

"Shh, shh, it's okay. It was just a dream, you're okay," Andrew's voice was soft and soothing as he held me in his arms. I held onto him like I was drowning, like he was the only stable thing in my world. It was the third night in a row I had woken up screaming about fire. After the first night, Aunt Heather put an air mattress in my room so Andrew could sleep there at night. She didn't want us sleeping in the same bed, but she didn't want me to be alone with my nightmares.

"It was so real," I sobbed, burying my face into his shoulder. He hugged me tighter and rubbed my back.

"It's alright, I'm here. I won't let the fire get you," he whispered. I sniffed and wiped my face with the back of my hand.

"Thank you for saving me," I said, looking up at him. He smiled.

"You know I will always save you," he whispered back, kissing me softly on my forehead. "Do you need more meds?"

"No," I said shaking my head. "I think they are giving me the nightmares."

"Can I get you anything?" he asked, his hand still rubbing my back gently.

"Just stay with me. I don't want to go to sleep again. Not yet," I said. I could hear the fear in my voice despite my best effort to hide it.

"I'll stay here with you as long as you want," he said. I leaned into his strong arms, feeling his body wrap around me. I reached up and touched his face, tracing the curve of his jaw. His two day stubble felt rough beneath my fingers, but I liked the way it felt. I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck and pulled him into a kiss.

His lips were soft and inviting. He kissed me back, deeper this time, a passion stirring within me.

"Your aunt is working tonight, right?" I whispered, a naughty grin spreading across my face.

"She isn't supposed to be home until eight," he answered slowly, my grin mirroring on his face.

"Then kiss me again," I whispered.

"Gladly," he replied, his voice gaining a husky quality. He kissed me, our lips meeting and merging, tasting one another. He gently bit my lower lip, making me moan softly. His kisses flowed down my neck, stopping to nibble on the curve of my shoulder. My body temperature was rising, a primitive need beginning to take control.

I grabbed the bottom of his t-shirt, pulling it up over his head. He wiggled out of it, tossing it to the side as I ran my