Burn the World: Changeable Skies, Volume 2

By Shannon Cooper

Really? No, she didn't. Did he really just...? SO MANY FACEPALMS. This is the novel that will boost your self esteem and make you realize you are not really that bad at adulting. A catfight has gone nuclear, and the friends and family of Fiona Lee have caught her contagious Bad Decision-itis. In an epic display of poor judgment, one of our circle has destroyed his own future, and another may have built a doomed future. As our cast of wild things plays musical partners, the only things hotter than the sex are the tempers in boiling-over Miami!
Check out the song from Rob Taylor especially written for this book! https://youtu.be/eVBTFPXh89c

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shannon Cooper
• Release date: Jul 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370663675

Shannon Cooper

East coast writer and troublemaker.

Book preview

Burn the World:

Changeable Skies

Volume 2

By

Shannon Cooper

Copyright 2016 Shannon Cooper

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

Emotions Have an Echo

Sunday morning dawn brought the sea breeze, pink and yellow skies chased out the deep blue night. A songbird twittered. Fiona slowly opened her eyes, 6:29 am on the alarm clock. Gabe's warm hand was around her front resting on her naked breast, his body spooned up behind her. She stretched out a leg, then the other, and his arm tensed, pulled her closer. He mumbled something in his sleep, his breath on her neck. He kissed it and pulled her tight to him. His cock was awake before he was; his morning wood prodded her ass. She moaned softly as it poked her, dangerously close to her opening.

Fiona pushed back and opened her thighs to direct his dick between them. She reached down with her free hand between her legs to caress it, ran her finger around his hole, pushed it between her wet labia and put her hand back on Gabe's hip to pull him closer. He kissed her and murmured something. His hips started pumping, his dick slid back and forth between her labia, up to her clit and back, and she fingered herself as he thrust. He sucked her neck as he cupped her breast.

Groaning, he thrust upward, searching for her cunt. The head of his cock found her and pressed in, just the head. Over and over, just the head of his dick entered her as she fingered herself, two fingers up and down on the side of her clit. His hand traveled down, following her hand to her warm crotch, his two fingers beside hers. Her hips bucked and he penetrated her fully, groaning with her in the pink morning light. He slid his other hand under her arm and hugged her chest as he pumped.

Ay querida, so wet in the morning! he whispered.

She clenched against him, and his hand over hers sped up, he could feel his cock sliding into her. She reached her hand back further and placed a finger to each side of his dick and squeezed, a makeshift cock-ring, as he scissored her clit. The extra pressure on his cock brought his balls up tight and he felt his release from deep down, under them. With a moan he quivered and plunged into her, losing control of his hips. His angle from behind rubbed her g-spot, and her own convulsions took her, racking her lower abs and hips, seizing his cock as he was just starting to relax. He grunted as he came even more, held her tightly to him as she shook and rocked.

They lay together, gripping each other for some time. Gabe kissed Fiona's neck, her ear, her cheek as she rolled over to face him. More kisses on the lips, nose, forehead.

Good morning, Beautiful, he smiled.

Good morning, Handsome, she whispered, snuggling into him, laying her head on his chest. Sleep well?

Like the dead, he murmured into her hair. You? You did a fair amount of tossing around for a while. He held her hand, pressed a thumb into her palm, rubbed little circles in a line across her hand.

Once I was out, I was out, she rubbed her cheek against his chest hair. What's on deck for today?

Mm? A couple errands, nothing much. He kissed her ear.

I need to go for a run this morning, she said, stretching her legs. "I think, yerrghhh, she stretched some more, I think maybe ten will do it this morning." She yawned.

Maybe I'll go run my errands while you do that. You want to hit the beach later? Picnic?

She sat up and cocked her head to one side. Just us? she smirked.

Absolutely! He poked her in the ribs, tickled her as she struggled to free herself of the tangle of sheets. She squealed as she leaned back to him and pecked him on the cheek.

Bet I'm back before you are! she teased.

You're on, he said, and he grabbed her and pulled her back on top of him. She sank into him, a few more kisses for the road.

Gabe pulled into the parking lot of Publix just as his phone rang. He answered it as he got out of the Honda, the morning sun beating down on the blacktop, breezeless. Papi sounded very cheerful, if distracted, jumping from jai-alai, to boxing, to Raul Castro's minor modifications in Cuba's government. Gabe was selecting tomatoes when Papi asked him what his dinner plans were. After hemming and hawing, Gabe finally told Papi that he and Fiona were spending the night in, just the two of them.

Not tonight, Papi. Please. Next weekend, ok? Fiona and I just need some time to ourselves. The thing with William was pretty... dicey... for us.

Is William, is that the big guy? Papi asked.

Sí, and he's leaving today, and that's good. But we need some time to...

Recover? Papi finished for him.

Sí. Recover. That's a good way to put it. Gabe picked up a bunch of bananas.

Ok, I'll tell your mother. But I warn you, she's already planning your wedding food, Papi chuckled into the phone. Gabe sucked in a breath.

Papi, let's not get ahead of ourselves, ok?

Aw Gabi. Whatsamatter, hm? She didn't really love that big guy, eh? She's with you now, just like I told you she would, remember that?

Papi, I think she did love him. Not the same as me. But I think she did, does he said softly into the phone.

You don't worry, Gabi. She's with you now, and your mother is making the peace. Everything's alright. Anyway, I'll tell your mother next weekend, ok? But you got to come next weekend, you know I can't hold her off very long.

Fiona pounded the running path along the beach. Six miles down, four to go, she glanced at her watch. She ran strong and hard, two steps for each breath, white sand on her right, access road and hotels to her left. She threaded her way through the clumps of morning walkers, arrived at the end of the line of high-rise hotels; cheaper motels and ramshackle huts strung out for several blocks. After those ended, the public parking lots began. One big gray square after another, looking for all the world like used car lots, but for the parking slips on each dashboard. Near the end of the second lot, a large dark figure leaned on a hatchback in the last slot of the lot, next to the low chain-link fence. Fiona stayed to the right of the sidewalk and kept her eyes ahead of her.

Seeing her, the dark figure straightened up and put a leg on top of the fence, hauled himself over it in one sweeping motion. He removed his sunglasses and walked towards her as she ran. She had no option but to stop, he took up most of the sidewalk. She looked up at him, dreads tied back together, sweat running down the sides of his face. She tried to calm her own breathing, panting not from exertion, but from the sight of him.

Walk with me? he asked, palms up. She nodded. He started in the direction from which she'd come, back to the shadow of the buildings. He sat down heavily on a bench outside of a taquería, patting the wood next to him.

Sorry to interrupt your run, he started, looking out at the ocean. But before I leave, I, he stammered, took a deep breath, I was hoping for an explanation. I know last night was not a good place or time for a big thing, but... I need to know, before I go. He looked at her bare legs, criss-cross-applesauce like a child, on the bench.

Fiona, what happened? You didn't throw me out just because I punched a guy?

No, I didn't. Fiona looked at the ocean, as she felt his eyes on her, watching the sweat slide down her chest into her tank top. Her fists clenched, she fought her tears, squinting, looking to the sky.

Baby, he turned to face her, pulled her hand to him. She flinched and pulled back, putting her hands over her face, she heaved silently into them.

Babygirl, talk to me, his voice low, gentle as seafoam.

I don't even know what to say, she sobbed into her fingers. He reached up and pulled her right hand away from her face, sandwiching it between his own. She used her left to wipe her tears.

He's a good man, William. And you, she buried her eyes in her left hand as he held the other.

He picked up her hand from his lap, brought it to his mouth, nuzzled his lips to her fingers, never taking his eyes from her. The ocean breeze wafted over them, fried food from the hotel restaurants, gulls calling from the water's edge.

I'm? he asked.

You're Kryptonite, she sobbed. He smiled slightly into her hand.

The problems I had with Gabe's family, you made it so easy to just walk away from that, you know? You just breeze into town, no baggage, with your, she waved her hand up and down his body, "with you and your... addictiveness? Is that even a word? And you make me forget everything, all the good and the bad."

How is it that I lose you, then? William's voice was low, rolling like thunder.

I cannot handle... I can't handle it.

What, baby? he asked.

"I can't handle you! she wailed into her hand. Your temper, William. I can't deal with that level of..." she didn't finish, hiccuped into her arm.

Even though he made a mistake too? Thursday night? You said Cesar kept tabs on him? William's hopeful gaze never left Fiona's face. She shook her head.

It's different. He screwed up, to be sure. But he thought he was alone. You, I don't know why you did what you did. I was standing right there, and you...? she couldn't finish her thought.

I lost my shit, Fiona. I know that. I was scared. You guys were out there for so long, and I, I snapped. I wanted him gone. I felt like, I've already lost so many months with you to this guy, I couldn't lose another minute, he explained, as he kissed her fingertips. You know I didn't mean to scare you.

I understand. But it's, it's the same with your art. You find your fuel in anger. You produce through anger. I cannot provide that fuel. It's terrifying, but I can't ask you to change your basic nature. I love you the way you are. But I can't live scared. She met his eyes, her face tear-stained.

Fiona, I don't know how I'm going to go back north. I don't know how I'm going to go on, never seeing you again. He looked back to the ocean. A gull stole french fries from an overflowing trashcan.

I'm sure there are plenty of women in New York, she said flatly, sniffing. He shook his head, dreads whipped his face. Or, don't go back to New York. Stay here. Lots of ladies here too, she looked at him. He looked at her. For a long moment they didn't say anything, holding hands, sitting on a bench in the shade of the closed taquería.

You really wouldn't mind, if I stayed here? he asked.

Stay if you like, she shrugged, sniffled. I said I'd still sponsor your school if you stay.

William smirked. You gon' invite me to your wedding? he snorted.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, she barked a laugh. Look, I have to go. I have to finish my run. Let me know what you want to do with the school, so I can call Lupe one way or the other.

"Do you want me to stay here?" he held onto her hand as she stood.

She looked into his eyes, big, sad, chocolate eyes, puffy from his own emotional blowout the previous evening. Another tear escaped her own. "I love you. I want you to stay here if you want to stay here. But I want you live, not just wait in the wings for the featured player to trip and fall off the stage. Understand? She squeezed his hand. I can't live with someone who scares me."

He nodded. Standing up, he let go of her hand. Give me a call, let me know what you decide, she said to the water.

Oh, I already decided, Fiona, he stood close enough to tower over her. I'mma stay right here. He smiled, glanced at the ocean and back to her. Change of scenery do me good anyway.

I'll call Lupe later and tell her, she craned her neck back to look up at him. Let me know if you need anything, and try to stay out of trouble, hm?

He leaned down, close to her face, his hands heavy on her shoulders, whispered into her ear, Yes, and no.

His lips brushed her ear, the fuzz of his whiskers tickled her neck, and she shivered.

I love you. I'll see you 'round, he whispered in her ear, kissed her neck, licked at the sweat. A shot of electricity flew through her groin and she squeaked. He looked up to her eyes and kissed her gently on the lips before stalking off in the direction of his car. She choked back a sob.

Fiona sprinted all the way back home. Flying in the front door, she collapsed on her back on the cold tile, gasping for breath. Sweat dripped off her face, through her tank top, to the floor. She grabbed her phone from her running belt and poked at it. She had just clicked the end-call button when her front door opened. She squeezed her eyes closed, hoped Gabe would see her and not step on her.

He stopped dead in the entry as soon as he saw her.

Querida! Fiona? He dropped his bags to the floor and knelt down beside her, grabbing her hand in one hand, her chin with his other. She moaned an answer, unintelligible.

Baby! Hello? Do you need an ambulance? He pulled her up to sitting. She shook her head.

Overdid it. Water, she panted. He laid her down gingerly on the tile and raced to the kitchen. He placed the glass next to her head and arranged the straw to aim straight for her mouth, so she wouldn't have to twist her head.

I'm going to put these away and then we'll, ah, yeah? he asked, waving his arms frantically. She nodded.

She saw his sneakers through the slits of her eyes, rushing back and forth to the kitchen with green reusable grocery bags. The tile was hard, cold on the backs of her legs and under her arms. Her back and ass were soaked through with sweat, her hair a salty cap. After some banging and clanging in the kitchen, the fridge door opened and closed several times, and Gabe returned to her.

Ay, my poor querida, he squatted down and slid and arm under her legs, another under her shoulders, and picked her up easily. Outside tub or inside tub? he asked.

Outside, she mumbled, her head lolled against his shoulder. He carried her through the kitchen, through the sliding door to the deck, and sat her down in a lounge chair.

I got a surprise for you, amor, he said.

Her eyebrows flew up as her eyes opened. She hugged the water glass to her chest, straw still in her mouth. He cranked a handle on the side of the house, and a canopy floated out above them, extending from one side of the deck to the other. He latched it in place, and then untied the corners; flaps of canvas fell from the canopy top down to the deck, creating two walls where none had been before. Fiona looked up and around with big eyes.

See, baby? Now you have all the privacy you want, or not, eh? he smiled as he knelt in front of her.

When did you do this? she asked, mouth agape.

This morning, right after you left. I called Cesar. I bought it last week, but then we had all the, uh, mess. Anyway, he came and helped me put it up this morning. You like it? He looked up at her while he unlaced her running shoes.

Es perfecto, she breathed.

Mi amor, why did you run so hard? he stripped off her socks, dropping them in her shoes.

I ran, she paused. I ran into William.

Gabe sat stone still.

We talked. I tried to explain that... that whole thing. She waved a small hand in the air.

He says he made one mistake, but you made one too. She stopped to take another long sip of water. Gabe never moved a muscle. Sweat ran down from his temples.

I explained, tried to, that I knew you, that I loved you, that we, you and I, are working through the thing with your family. Gabe nodded as she spoke.

I told him that he made it easy to run away from you, but I'd basically be trading a known problem for an unknown problem or more, because no couple is perfect, right? Another drink of water. The breeze lightened, the birds paused, waiting with baited breath.

Gabe continued stripping her of clothing, her tank top over her head, her jog bra, her shorts.

She looked up at him, nude, her water cup in her hand. He's decided to stay here and run the school.

Gabe let out a rough breath. Seriously?

Fiona nodded. Said he could use the change of scenery anyway.

Gabe took a step back from Fiona and didn't hide his staring. Finally he shook his