Page 78 of Embers in the Dark

Once everyone has left, it’s just the two of us and Tucker leans against the front door, his eyes bulging.

“What just happened?” he asks.

“They’re all nuts and we’re the normal ones,” I declare.

“Agreed,” he says.

“Can we start this over and I walk in and you maul me?” I smile sweetly.

“I like that plan better.” He pushes off the door and grabs my face with his hands and kisses me hard.

We end up skipping dinner and going straight to dessert. And by dessert, I mean he gives me three orgasms—two in bed and one in the shower.

CHAPTER 24

Tucker

The reliefI feel now that Baylee can start to live a life without that monster walking the streets is freeing. I was livid when she told me he watched her on campus at least once. Add that to the fact he followed her into the bathroom at the courthouse, I can feel my blood boiling.

It’s been a few days since she returned from Connecticut and we’re having our gathering at Clay and Abby’s tonight for the season finale ofLove and Lost. Unfortunately, I lost the battle of hosting. To no one’s surprise, I’m fully invested as everyone predicted; I could do without Baylee’s smug smile as we walk into Clay’s apartment.

“What’s the rush, Malloy?” Clay says as he moves out of my way so I can get inside.

“It’s going to start,” I say, making my way to the kitchen to set down the bags of chips and dip we brought.

“If I have to hear about how slow my legs are one more time, I’m going to lose it,” Baylee says behind me.

“Bay, I told you, it’s tradition—we have to be in our seats and ready by the time the show starts. We talk shit from the first scene to the last.” I walk over to her and kiss her cheek.

“What’s the appeal of this show?” she asks.

“It’s addictive. What more could you need?” Kennedy answers for me as she picks her spot on the couch and throws a blanket over her legs.

“I’m excited, even though I’ve barely watched this season,” Samara says. “I will say it looks like a hot mess. I did watch that episode they brought the drama by bringing ex-girlfriends into the mix and things got ugly.”

“Sam, that’s the whole point,” Kennedy points out.

“What do you want from me? My life is chaotic enough as is. I have twins. I live in a state of constant drama.” She gives her best friend a pointed stare.

Samara is a close friend of Kennedy and Abby’s, but I’ve gotten to know her more throughout the last year. She’s married to Ashton. They are parents to nearly-one-year-old boy-girl twins. Her husband stayed home so she could have a night off and she’s loving life right now with the break here.

Abby comes out of the hallway with Ella in her arms; the baby is babbling and flapping her arms. She looks bigger than the last time I saw her, and she’s got the cutest little dimples.

“Who’s the prettiest baby?” I say as I bring my arms out to take her from Abby.

She lets me take her and I pull her close as she snuggles her sweet face into my chest. I know how much she loves when I put her up high and pretend she’s an airplane. She giggles and smiles as I glide her through the air.

Once I bring her back to my chest, I blow raspberries to her cheek and she squeals in delight, probably from the tickle of my beard against her skin.

“Malloy, it’s starting!” Abs grabs my attention and I move over to the couch with Ella in my arms.

Once we’re on the couch, I make sure the baby is comfortable with me. I start explaining who everyone is on the screen and she’s just as captivated as I am.

“Oh, Ella, you see, Trina has to be the one that gets picked or we’re going to be so upset,” I say as I pop a popcorn kernelinto my mouth. She’s more enthralled by the food than the people on the screen. She keeps trying to grab the bucket of snacks, but Abby is pushing toys in hopes they’re more exciting. Sadly, it’s not working.

“Here, baby girl, try this toy.” Abby hands her a teether that finally does the trick.

“Oh, I think this is the one he’s going to pick,” Kennedy announces, pointing at the TV screen.

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