Page 42 of Embers in the Dark

Finally, she brings her eyes back up to meet mine and the heat between us mimics the kind I’m usually putting out on a call. My eyes lock on her deep brown irises and her hands touch me just below my ribs. Fuck, it feels like she’s going to leave burn marks along my skin.

“Baylee,” my voice is just above a whisper, “my silence last night wasn’t a way of telling you I didn’t feel the same. You caught me by surprise. Last summer, it wasn’t just you. I didn’t just want a piece of you—I wanted all of you. I just wasn’t sure I’d be able to let go once I had you. And I’m not sure if I got a piece of you now, I’d be able to let you go.” I run my tongue along my bottom lip.

She tightens her grip on me, but doesn’t say a word, so I continue.

“And Firefly, I’ve fucking dreamed of hearing you scream my name every single day since. But if you feel like this thing between us is over, you just lit a fire last night.”

I push off the fridge, leaving her behind. I already miss her warmth, but I have to make her come after what she wants.

I smirk, seeing her chest rise and fall with her breath as I saunter off. I turn around, grabbing my phone in the process. In a spur of a moment decision, I decide to drop the towel, exposing my back to her. I hear her intake of break, but don’t look at her to see her surprised expression. I can only assume it has the intended effect.

The minute I get into my room, I let the entire interaction wash over me. I look down and take in my erection and how fucking hard I am for this woman. Shit, I wanted her hands to travel south and feel how hard I was for her. I had to keep myself composed as I talked to her.

That outfit she was wearing was enough to make meblow my load. That dress is tight as fuck, that sheer wrap she had on top of it did nothing but heighten the allure of the dress. Add that to the fact I wanted to rip those tights and put my fingers in her panties to see if she was wet for me. Damn it, I’ll need another shower to rub one out at this rate. There’s no way I’ll be able to fall asleep without taking care of this.

I make my way to my ensuite bathroom and turn on the water yet again to get under the hot stream. The minute I get into the shower, I start to stroke myself. I close my eyes, imagining Baylee on her knees and it only takes a few strokes before my balls tighten and I’m climaxing. I orgasm and moan her name as I grip the tile. Fuck. I better get acclimated to my right hand because I have no idea if this thing between us is going anywhere.

I turn off the shower and towel off for the second time in the last hour. Once I get to bed, I close my eyes and drift to sleep faster than I expected. I dream about the deepest brown eyes and raven hair, and hope she’ll put me out of my misery. Living like this feels like torture with her down the hall and still out of my grasp.

The next morning, I wake up early to head over to the station. I’m in the kitchen getting my coffee brewed when I hear the door to Baylee’s room open. I’m surprised she’d wake up this early after what happened last night, but I school my expression before turning around to greet her.

“Good morning, Bay,” I tell her as I take a sip of my coffee.

“Morning,” she says, confidence radiating off her. That’s the Baylee I’ve longed to see before me. I smirk behind my mug.

“Did you sleep well?” I say as I watch her reach up to grab a coffee mug.

“No, I didn’t, Tucker. And you damn well know I didn’t.” She sounds aggravated.

I chuckle and she makes a sound of irritation but doesn’t look over at me.

She’s wearing clothes that she wore before douchebag Myles dated her—an off-the-shoulder shirt with her bra strap exposed, along with a pleated skirt and her combat boots. I can’t help the way my eyes peruse her body. Every inch of her is perfection.

She swiftly turns around and catches me watching her.

“So, I was thinking,” she says.

“Oh?” I say.

“Yes. Here’s what’s going to happen,” she begins, “we’re going to go on a date.” I’m mid-sip of my coffee and begin choking. Baylee has never been one to beat around the bush, but I still didn’t expect her to be so forward.

“Tucker, you okay?” She looks over, then comes to my side and starts slapping my back. I move my hand up and nod to indicate I’ll be fine.

I finally stop coughing and once I calm myself down, she continues.

“As I was saying, you and I—a date.” She brings her coffee to her mouth and takes a sip.

“Are you asking me out?” I ask her.

“Tucker, I think we’re past that.” She rolls her eyes. “I saw your ass last night. It’s nice, by the way.”

“Thanks?” I say in response, grabbing a napkin to wipe some of the coffee off the corner of my mouth.

“You’re welcome.” She smiles. “And nothing fancy please. You know I don’t like that kind of stuff.”

“Hold on. So you’re telling me we’re going on a date, and you’re dictating where? I don’t think so.”

“Tucker, I—” she begins.

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