Fire in You
by Jennifer L Armentrout
Published by Jennifer L Armentrout
Book 6 in the Wait for You Series
Jillian Lima’s whole world was destroyed in a span of a few hours.
The same night her childhood love, Brock ‘the Beast’ Mitchell, broke her heart, her life was irrevocably altered by the hand of a stranger with a gun. It takes six years to slowly glue together the shattered pieces of her life, but Jillian is finally ready to stop existing in a past full of pain and regret. She takes a job at her father’s martial arts Academy and she’s going out on her first date since a failed relationship that was more yuck than yum. Jillian is determined to start living.
She just never expected Brock to be a part of her life again. But he’s firmly back in her life before she knows it, and not only is he older, he’s impossibly more handsome, more teasing and more everything. And when he sees Jillian, he’s no longer capable of thinking of her as the little girl who was his shadow growing up or the daughter of the man who gave him a second chance at life. He sees the woman who’d always been there for him, the one person who believed in him no matter what.
Brock knows she’s the one he should’ve made his, and what begins as a tentative friendship quickly turns to red-hot chemistry that sparks a flame that burns brighter than lust. Falling for Brock again risks more than her heart, because when the past sorrow-filled and guilt-ridden past resurfaces, and a web of lies threatens to rip them apart, the fallout could lay waste to everything they’ve fought to build together, and destroy the dreams of those they care most about.
RATED: 18+ CATEGORY: MOOD:
Steamy #NewAdult Happy Ending
Trigger* #Romance
Trigger Warning: This book has gun violence. Be advised.
Fire in You by Jennifer L Armentrout is the sixth and final book in the Wait for You series. This book centers on the Jillian, Abby's young and quiet friend, and Brock, a rising MMA star (who Cam and Jase are obsessed with), who is best friends with Jillian. This book jumps ahead six years after Nick and Steph's story, where a lot has happened. After having her heart broken by Brock, that very same night, Jillian was at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and almost lost her life to a stranger with a gun. After six years, she is finally starting to get her life back together, when Brock suddenly enters her life again. Friendship turns into so much more, but is it worth the possibility of getting hurt once again?
Fire in You was a book I was unable to put down. Jillian's story ws heartbreaking in so many ways. Her obvious love for Brock being unrequited was heartbreaking (who hasn't been there, right?), and how their friendship imploded left a bitter taste in my mouth. I kinda hated Brock in that moment. Then to be shot? Ugh. Painful for Jillian, who was hurt in so many ways. Painful for Brock, even, because despite making horrible choices that night, he knew he did wrong. I just don't think it truly hit him until Jillian almost died. Fire in You had a little bit of everything, and I honestly couldn't stop reading until Jillian found some happiness. One thing I didn't like, was the ending. I wish we had a little bit ... more. While we got updates on each and every couple, I was left wanting ... more. Especially for Brock and Jill.
Let's talk about Jillian. She is probably the one character I relate the most too. I think one of the most painful things is to love someone so deeply, and not have it returned. To not be truly appreciated. She is obviously incredibly loyal. And talk about strong. She suffered a gunshot wound. A horrific one. One that caused lasting disabilities. While it took time, she persevered. She left a job she hated to finally work a job she always wanted. She put herself out in the dating world again. She started standing up for herself. Even with Brock. Now Brock ... I have to admit, he is not my favorite guy in the Wait for You series. Obviously, he smartens up, and ends up seeing what was always in front of him, but I can't help but be disappointed in some of his actions. By the end of the book, his strength of character greatly improved, and while not even on my top ten list of Jennifer Armentrout's male love interests, as our favorite stripper psychic says, he is worth it now. I gotta say, the chemistry is wonderful between the two of them.
Fire In You is not just a romance. It's a story of a young woman picking up the pieces of her life, and learning not to settle for less than she deserves. It's an important lesson for every women, hell, every person, needs to learn, really. Jillian's arc throughout this novel is a good one. While the ending was a bit rushed for my taste, I do consider it a happy ending, because, yes, while her and Brock do end up together, and in love, she finds happiness within herself as well.
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Jill: "There's food in the bowl. You can eat the dry kibble and it won't hurt you."
As I turned around, Rhage hopped off the island and pranced out into the living room, his furry butt high in the air. A second later I heard one of the thick pillar candles hit the floor and roll across it.
Jill: "Ass. You're eating the food in the bowl."
Another candle hit the floor.
Jill: "Throwing a temper tantrum is not going to get you anywhere."
Memory
Katie: "She knows what I'm saying. He treats her like a little sister/slave. He's not worth it. Not yet."
Brock: 'I don't think I've ever heard you use the word 'fuck' before. Well, there was the one time you tripped over your own feet and banged your knees off the pool deck. Pretty sure you yelled 'fuck' then."
Jill: "This is not happening."
Brock: "Actually, I think you yelled 'fuck' when your uncle Julio caught you trying to sneak out of the house. You remember that, right? You were trying to follow me -"
Jill: "You can stop with the walk down Fuck Lane."
Brock: "Rage? That's an interesting name."
Jill: "It's based on a vampire - a book character."
Brock: "Glad you clarified it was a book character."
Brock: "I don't know you anymore. I know the old Jillian. Could sit here all day and tell you about her, but this Jillian? I don't know her. But I want to. By the way, I want something to be clear between us. There is not a single moment in the last two weeks that I've looked at you and seen the little girl I used to throw in the pool. I see a woman - a beautiful woman. Don't tell yourself otherwise."
Brock: "You, on the other hand, look well rested. I'm guessing your date with that little guy didn't turn into a weekend adventure."
Jill: "My date with Grady went very well, thank you very much, and for the last time, he's not little."
Brock: "Uh-huh."
Jill: "And how does one date turn into an entire weekend?"
He raised a brow
Brock: "Obviously you haven't been on a really good date then."
Heat blasted me cheeks.
Brock: "Because a really good date with me doesn't end with an art exhibit. A really good date won't end until the next night. Not until I've spent hours making sure it's the kind of date my woman never wants to end."
Jill: "The reason why I'm in your office is because I wanted to see you -"
Brock: "It's about time you admit that. Have I told you lately how much I like it when you wear your hair down?"
Jill: "No."
Brock: "I do. You have beautiful hair."
His jaw tightened
Brock: "Never noticed that before. You always had it pulled up, didn't you?"
Jill: "Um."
Brock: "Yeah, that's right. Always pulled up. You've always been a pretty girl. I know I've said that to you before, but you've become such a beautiful woman."
Jill: "I'm just a girl, standing in front of an oven, asking it to hurry up and bake my pizza."
Brock: "I can't ... I can't remember the last time I saw you smile."
I tensed.
Brock: "Well, actually I do."
He dragged his thumb along my lower lip
Brock: "I remember."
My eyes closed as his thumb made another sweep.
Brock: "I know your smile now has to be as beautiful as it was before. Don't hide it, Jillian."
Brock: "Pumpkin spice. Still steaming."
I glanced from the cup to him.
Jill: "For me?"
Brock: "Do I look like a white girl in America? No. The pumpkin spice isn't for me."
"Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell." - Joan Crawford
Brock: "Hey, you all right?"
Jill: "Yeah. I was ... You haven't been standing there long, have you?"
Brock: "Long enough."
I tensed.
Brock: "Sometimes you get that look on your face. Like you're a thousand miles away. As if you're someplace else. And I think I know where."
Oh God.
My eyes widened.
Brock: "And I've seen that look before."
His shoulders tensed
Brock: "Because I ... I put that look on your face before."
Jill: "I wasn't thinking about that. Not at all. I was just lost in thought. Seriously."
Brock: "You ... you never cease to amaze me."
I laughed nervously
Jill: "I'm not sure that's a good thing."
Brock: "You protect me."
Jill: "What?"
Brock: "You protected me back then. And you are still doing it now, aren't you? You don't want me to think about that night, because you don't want me to be upset. Even thought I know it still fucks with you. It still fucks with me. It always fucks with me, but you were the one hurt. I was the one who screwed up, and yet you still try to protect me. And I don't deserve that. I sure as hell didn't deserve it then, and I still don't deserve it now."
Jill: "Brock .."
Brock: "But I'm going to change that. One day, one day real soon, I will change that. One day, one day real soon, I will change that."
Jase: "I know you guys were bereft without us, but we're back.
Teresa snorted.
Jase: "I don't think bereft is the right word."
Brock: "You got water in the fridge?"
Jill: "I got water in the faucets, too."
Jill: "Brock?"
Brock: "What, babe?"
I stared at the ceiling
Jill: "Is this ... is this weird that we're here, right now?"
Brock: "Weird?"
I felt him shift, and then suddenly he was staring down at me.
Brock: "There's nothing weird about this. If anything, it's right."
My eyes searched his.
Jill: "Did you ... did you miss me this whole time? I missed you."
Brock: "Missed you every fucking day, Jillian, with every ounce of who I am"
Brock: "Jillian? Are you in there? I hope so. Because your cat is staring at me like he wants to be fed, and I feel like if I feed your cat, I'm crossing some kind of line."
Brock: "Now I want you to listen to me and I want you to listen real good. If you think for one second I can go around and pretend that I didn't have my fingers in you and you didn't come all around them, you have another thing coming."
Jill: "Oh my God!"
Horrified, I pressed my hands to me cheeks.
Jill: "Can you not be any cruder?"
Brock: "Crude? You sure as hell didn't have a problem fucking my hand last night -"
When he strode in, bringing my pumpkin spice latte, all I could think about was how his hand had felt against me, and I could feel my face burn like the seven circles of hell.
His lips twitched as he placed the cup on my desk.
Brock: "Good morning, Jillian."
Jill: "Good morning."
Brock: "How was your weekend?"
Jill: "Good. I just hung out at home. You?"
Brock: "Mostly boring. Except for Friday night and Saturday morning. That was far from boring."
Brock: "I remember sitting in this room, the nicest room I'd ever been in at the time, thinking I needed to leave. You know, that I didn't belong in this house. And then there was this quiet little knock on the door. I had no idea who it could be."
Grady: "It was you."
Grady said, brows raised as he glanced over at me.
Brock: "She brought me her teddy bear. What did you say when I opened the door and you shoved the furry old thing in my hands?"
Jill: "I said you looked like you needed a friend."
Brock wasn't smiling as he met my stare.
Brock: "She then ran off, going back to bed, I guess."
A faint smiled appeared
Brock: "I knew Andrew had a daughter. Even seen her a few times from a distance, but ... never expected she'd give me, complete stranger, a damn teddy bear. From that point on, we were close."
Grady: "I can tell."
Brock: "I've been her shadow ever since."
Brock: "Are you seriously going to pretend like you don't know why I would be here?"
Jill: "I don't know why."
Brock: "He's not what you want."
Brock: "I'll let you get back to your oh-so exciting nice date."
He slipped out of the booth; his gaze drifted over me.
Brock: "I really wish I could see the rest of you in this dress, because what I see so far is fucking amazing. You look beautiful."
My mouth continued to hang open.
Brock: "Have a nice evening."
Brock lifted his gaze and his lips parted.
Brock: "Damn."
A strange look crossed his chiseled features, like he was seeing something hidden for the first time. Something he knew always existed but was out of reach.
Brock: "You and that dress ... I knew you would look beautiful."
Jill: "I don't want to hear you say that. I don't even want to know that you think that."
Brock: "When did you get those curves, Jilly?"
Jill: "Oh, I don't know. When I was nineteen. But you didn't notice them then, did you?"
Brock: "No."
He shook his head, almost in wonder.
Brock: "I didn't want to notice."
My brows flew up
Jill: "You didn't want to? That makes no sense."
Brock: "It doesn't? You were Andrew Lima's little girl."
Jill: "I'm still his daughter, the last time I checked."
Brock: "True."
His gaze swept over me once more, starting at the tip of my head down to the pointy tips of my heels, then swept up again, lingering on my chest.
Brock: "But not so little anymore."
Jill: "Are you drunk?"
Brock: "I haven't touched drop of liquor since that night."
Brock: "Why in the hell is this inappropriate?"
Jill: "Because - because you're my boss."
Brock: "I am not just your boss. Have you forgotten that I literally had to carry you upstairs and put you to bed after you got into your dad's liquor cabinet for the first time? Or the fact that you've been there for me, for some of the darkest moments of my life? Helping me change into clean clothes because I was too fucked up on pain meds and alcohol to even know what year I was in? Or let's talk about how not that long ago you were riding my fingers until you came? Just a boss? Come on, Jilly, you can do better than that."
Brock: "Nice?"
His hands glided up my sides, and my body reacted without thought. My back arched and my breath hitched as he lowered his mouth to my ear.
Brock: "You don't want nice. Nice doesn't excite you."
Jill: "I was young and -"
Brock: "And I didn't want to see what was right in front of my face. I just wanted you to think of me like you would a brother."
Jill: "Brock -"
Brock: "But I knew that wasn't the case. I wasn't a fucking idiot."
I stiffened.
Brock: "And I wanted to just think of you as someone who was like a baby sister to me."
Jill: "You did. You didn't once treat me like I was anything other than that."
Brock: "I told you. I couldn't let myself. You were six years younger than me. Now? Not a big deal. Then Not to mention jail-bait, but your father would've murdered me. Hell. He still might kill me. You were too young and I was ... I was too caught up in my own head. All I had were my dreams - be this big UFC star. Get a shit ton of endorsements. Work hard and party fucking harder, and you -"
Jill: "I didn't fit into that."
Brock: "But I always knew. I fucking knew how you felt."
Brock: "Walking out of this apartment is not what I want to be doing. What I want to be doing is taking you back to the bedroom, stripping you bare, and fucking every single doubt from your mind."
Go after him.
I started to but stopped, because I ... I was scared. Truly terrified by what was happening, because I had lived for so long no longer hoping Brock would wake up interested in me, and now he was. On what level and how deep, I had no idea. I wasn't even sure he knew, but I wanted him - wanted him more than I ever wanted anyone, because I'd always wanted him and he had never wanted me.
Until now.
And what terrified me was the knowledge that if I fell for him again, I would fall deep, and I'd never recover. If I loved him again, I'd be lost forever.
Mom: "Did you two have sex?"
Jill: "Oh my God, Mom!"
Mom: "What?"
Jill: "What? Okay, like I don't want you ever asking me that again. Ever."
She sighed heavily in my ear
Mom: "It's human nature, Jilly. Your father and I have a very active -"
Jill: "Stop. Please stop. I don't want to hear any of that."
Mom: "Fine. SO Brock came over and there was no sex. Did you guys quilt a blanket? Watch Beaches? Did you two even cuddle, because I think he's the type that likes to cuddle."
Jill: "Oh my God."
Jill: "I plan on bringing back a ton of books when I come home from Thanksgiving."
Brock: "How many is a ton?"
Jill: "A crap ton."
Brock: "Well I hope a crap ton fits in the Porsche."
Jill: "I never agreed to ride with you."
Brock: "You will."
Jill: "I feel like I'm practically a born-again virgin."
Brock: "Fuck. That just makes me want to do it so much more. You have no idea."
From a little spark may burst a flame. - Dante Alighieri
Brock: "I think there's something you need to understand. Your smile was beautiful before. Could light up a fucking room and could bring a smile to my face seconds before I stepped into the Octagon. Your smile is different now, but even more beautiful now."
Jill: "Come on."
Brock: "It's true. You know why? It proves what you've been through and what you've survived. That smile is a fucking miracle. Just like every breath you take it. That smile is nothing to ever be ashamed of. It's a smile to be fucking proud of. You feel me?"
Jill: "I feel you."
Brock: "So did he treat you like you deserved?"
Jill: "Most of the time it wasn't bad or good. It was just ... somewhere in the middle. I don't regret the relationship. I learned a lot from it."
Brock: "Like what?"
Jill: "Like not to ever settle again."
Mom: "You just had to bring Satan with you, didn't you?"
Jill: "I couldn't leave him at home."
Mom: "He's staying in your room."
Jill: "Of course."
Brock: "Am I seriously the only person this cat likes?"
Dad: "It's good, real good to see you two together again."
Jill: "I'm glad to hear that. Because Jillian and I are together."
Julio: "Look at you two. Name your first kid after me."
Jill: "Oh my God."
Dad: "I'm sure they'll name their first kid after me."
Mom: "But what if it's a girl?"
Jill: "Can we not talk about having babies? We really aren't at that stage."
Brock: "I want kids. Maybe not a soccer team like some."
Julio: "But you'll have fun making that soccer team."
Julio grinned
Heather: "Bit you will not have fun delivering said soccer team."
Jill: "Okay."
My face was on fire
Jill: "I need to get -"
The child at the carrier fell back and Rhage flew out of the cage in a flurry of brown and white fur. Claws rapped off the wood floor as he shot into the living room. Mom shouted. Kids squealed and ran off.
Jill: "Damn it. Not again."
Dad laughed as he walked up to my side and kissed my temple.
Jill: "Welcome home, Jilly."
Jill: "I'm sure. I want to go. Do you want to go with -"
Brock: "Babe. If you're about to ask if I want to go with you, I might turn you over my knee."
Jill: "I really would like to see you try that."
Brock: "I bet you would really like it."
Steph: "Look at you! Holy crap, you look amazing. Love the boobs."
I blushed as Nick dropped his head, shoulders shaking with laughter.
Steph: "What? She looks hot. Women need to tell other women when they're looking hot. It need to be a rule."
Abby: "I honestly worry about drinking the water here. It's like everyone is waking up pregnant."
Steph: "I heard you can catch it on a toilet seat."
I laughed
Jill: "Note to self. Do not use the restroom here."
Abby: "Yeah, but a Brock and Jillian baby would be so cute."
Jill: "Shut up right now. Do not jinx me."
Katie: "I got something to say to you, Jilly. Hopefully you listen to me this time. Still going to be rough at times, but he's worth it now. You just had to wait to discover that."
Jill: "I'm sorry. Hold on a second. How did you meet this guy?"
Katie: "Well. Let's just say he was a very, very determined patron of the club. And we've been together for like eight years. So it was about time we jumped the broom."
Steph: "What? You've been with this guy since then?"
She shrugged a shoulder.
Katie: "Yes."
Roxy: "Why haven't you told us?"
Katie: "When did I have a chance to talk to you guys about my man? Y'all are a bunch of dramalicious bitches who constantly need my wise and sage advice. And it's not like I'd ever come to any of you for relationship advice. For realsies."
Brock: "You here with me?"
Jill: "I'm always with you."
Jill: "If my parents caught you in here ... Actually, my parents wouldn't care. They'd probably applaud it."
Laughing softly, Brock nuzzled my neck.
Brock: "You're right."
Jill: "Isn't that kind of weird."
He kissed the space below my pulse.
Brock: "A little."
Jill: "You are not going to be comfortable in this bed. You barely fit."
Brock: "I'll be fine."
He kissed the tip of my nose.
Brock: "Besides, we're just going to sleep."
Jill: "For real?"
Brock; "Yep. As much as i want to get my mouth between those pretty legs of your, we're in your parents' house. Not happening."
A surprised laugh left me.
Jill: "You are being serious."
Brock: "Yeah, I am. Not going to disrespect your parents like that."
Jill: "Oh my. Look at you, being all gentleman-like and stuff."
Brock: "Shut it."
He nipped at my lip.
Jill: "You still haven't unpacked completely, have you?"
He laughed
Brock: "I keep meaning to do it, but I've been focused on that kitchen. And you."
Jill: "I should feel bad for sucking up your time."
Brock: "But you don't."
Jill: "Nope."
Brock: "I was gathering up your stuff and I found it on the ground. I knew it was mine. You were always finding these things for me. I meant to tell you I had it, but ..."
His eyes met mine.
Brock: "I've worn it ever since. For the longest time, it was the only way I could feel close to you."
Brock: "I want to see you. All of you."
Jill: "I'm ... I'm yours."
Brock: "Keep watching. Fuck. You're tight.
Jill: "I told you. It's been a really, really long time."
His body shook as he held still, and then he thrust in until his hips were flush with mine, and I cried out, nearly overwhelmed by the burning feel of him.
Brock: "I love that sound. I'm going to make sure you're hoarse and can barely talk by the time I'm done."
Brock: "This is going to sound corny as hell, but I have to say it. It's never been like that for me. Usually it's just about coming, you know? Getting off. I didn't want to let go. Wanted it to last. Never wanted that before."
Jill: "I never asked someone to fuck me before, so it's a first for both of us."
Brock: "got to tell you, when you said that, I almost lost if right there. Fun would've been over before we got to the good part."
Jill: "The whole thing was the good part."
Brock: "Yeah. Yeah, it was."
Brock: 'Damn. This is perfection."
"Yesterday is ashes; tomorrow is wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly." - Old Eskimo Proverb
Brock: "I missed that sound. Drove like a maniac to get here now instead of in the morning just to hear it."
Jill: "Brock -"
Brock: "Fuck. That's another thing I missed here. My name on your lips."
Brock: "Why in the hell does it matter what she fucking said to you?"
Jill: "It matters, because I deserve someone who's not settling for me out of guilt! And I deserve to be with someone who loves me as much as I love them!"
Brock: "You love me?"
Jill: "Yes. I loved you when I was eight. I loved you when I was twelve. I loved you when I was twenty, and I ... I love you now."
Brock: "If you loved me all those times and love me now, then why haven't you asked me what I was thinking the first time I saw you at the restaurant? Why don't you ask me what I was feeling when I realized you were going out with that guy again? Ask me what it was like when I woke up the first time with you in my arms? Why not ask me how I felt the first time we kissed. You could've asked me what it was like the first time I got inside you and every time after that. If you loved me all this time, then why haven't you asked me if I loved you?"
...
Jill: "What ... what were you thinking when you first saw me in the restaurant?"
Brock: "I was thinking that I was glad I sought you out. I was thinking that you looked more beautiful than I could've possibly ever imagined. And I was thinking ... I was thinking that even though it was risky approaching you and having you figure out why I was there, I just had to hear your voice."
Jill: "What were you thinking when I said I was going out with Grady again?"
Brock: "I wanted to punch my fist through a wall."
Jill: "How did ... you feel when you woke up with me?"
Brock: "Calmer than I've felt in fucking years. Like I was waking up and I was home."
Jill: "When you kissed me? And when you were finally with me?"
Brock: "Felt like it was the first time and the best and the last time."
He took one more steep, and with his long legs, he was right in front of me. I tilted my head up, and he slowly lifted his hands, cupping my cheeks.
Brock: "I think there is one more question you need to ask me."
Jill: "Do you ... do you love me?"
Brock: "I love you ... I love you like I wish I allowed myself to when we were younger. I love you because you're not just sweet but you're kind. I love you because you have this fire in you that you don't even recognize, but I do. You're strong and you're a survivor. There is not a single part of how I love you that has anything to do with guilt. And I'm in love with you and I've never felt this way for anyone. You're my first. You will be my only. I love you, Jillian."
Jill: "I love you. I will never stop loving you."
Brock: "You've never stopped."
"The inner fire is the most important thing mankind possesses." -Edith Sodergran
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