Page 26 of Embers in the Dark

“You didn’t tell him where I am, right?” I can’t help the panic in my tone.

“No, I didn’t tell him your whereabouts, I assure you.”

“Thank you,” I say weakly.

“Once I have more updates, I’ll call you. But if you have any questions, or you see anything that makes you uncomfortable, you give me a call. You understand?”

“Yes, thank you, Officer Tamos.”

“Alright. I’ll let you go. Please rest up. Take care, Ms. Rios.”

I say my goodbyes and the minute I hang up, I lean my head back on the headboard, closing my eyes and feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I try to shake off the feeling of pain and dread that has been there since the moment Myles barged into my apartment and throw the covers off me. The moment I sit up, the soreness along my torso reminds me I can’t move as fast as I’d like. I stand slowly, wincing, and make my way to the ensuite bathroom.

When I’m finished in the bathroom, I make my way out of the guest room and down the hall. I hear movement in the kitchen and soon I’m greeted with a naked torso and Tuckerin gray sweatpants. Even in my battered state, I can’t help the internal groan I’m holding back. I might be hurt, but I’m not blind nor dead. This man is gorgeous. I watch his toned muscles flex as he mixes the items in front of him on the stove.

It isn’t until I get closer that I realize he has headphones on and what looks like an apron tied around his waist. His back is still to me, so he hasn’t noticed I’ve entered the room and I’m enjoying the view too much to get his attention. I pull up one of the barstools and decide to sit down. May as well soak up the hot chef while I can. My eyes do another perusal while he’s turned away.

“What a dirty bird,” Tucker whispers.

Um, what now?My pulse races as my eyes nearly bulge out in panic. Can Tucker see me through the reflection on one of his appliances?

I’m relieved once he seems to continue with his cooking and my ogling isn’t the reason for his outburst. But then he stops mixing and seems to be focused on whatever he’s listening to. Is it a podcast or something? It’s definitely got his attention.

There’s a Bluetooth speaker to my left and I begin fiddling with it. Without realizing it, I accidentally turn the speaker on and whatever Tucker is listening to with his headphones is now connecting to this Bluetooth speaker in front of me.

It feels like I’m listening to a porno“…oh, you fuck me so good, Anton…right there. Fuck me harder with that hard cock. Touch my nipples, like that. Oh yes! I’m going to come! Yes! Yes!”

My eyes go wide and I look over at him, amusement etched on my face. He swings his head over as it registers what’s going on.

“Oh my God!” Tucker says, pulling his headphones off.

I start laughing. That prompts me to grab my side because the pain is sharp, but even with it, I continue to laugh. Is Tucker listening to a smutty book?

“Baylee, what are you doing up?” Tucker yells over at me. His face is fucking beet red.

“What? Was I supposed to stay asleep until you came to my room with a tray or something?” I’m laughing so hard that I’m wheezing and I have tears streaming down my face. I’ve known him my whole life and he still finds ways to surprise me.

“Fuck, Robin, you’re so fucking tight...”the audiobook continues and it’s just too much. The volume is on full blast too, so it just makes this whole thing even more comical.

“Fuck, where is the god damn off button on this speaker!” Tucker exclaims.

“Tucker, this might be the best thing ever!” I’ve fallen off the barstool and I’m crouched on the floor. I can’t help it.

He finally turns the audiobook off from his phone and he places his hands on his thighs, heavily panting like he just ran a marathon, catching his breath. I’m bent over, still in hysterics because it’s hard to imagine this burly man, that I’ve loved most my life, listening to a smutty book while cooking dinner. Now I’m laughing all over again.Who is this guy?

I’m wiping the tears from my face and soon I feel Tucker’s shadow looming over me. I give him a big smile, the first I’ve had since he came to my rescue.

He continues to stare at me until I calm myself down. I finally catch my breath and get back up on the barstool. He moves his fingers to wipe the hair that has fallen across my face and I feel his warmth on my skin, I try to ignore how it lights me on fire, much like it did months ago.

I clear my throat and sit up taller on the barstool. I give him another smile. He’s still standing close to me, with a stern look on his face. Did he feel that force between us like I did?

For a minute I think he’s going to say something about it.

“Baylee,” he begins.

“Yeah,” I whisper.

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