Page 65 of Against the Autumn Pines
With my breathing calming down, I smirked at the camera before hitting the stop button, sending her the video, and turning off the vibrating for her.
I watched as I cleaned myself up. She glanced at her phone, her lips parting as she tapped the video.
“Fucker,” she mumbled beneath her breath as her arms leaned against the counter and her eyes glued to the screen. “Maybe I’ll shove one of these up his ass.”
Chuckling at her sass, I couldn’t help picking up my phone and sending her a quick text.
Me: Bring it on, little flame.
I watched as she read it, rolled her eyes, and then flicked off the camera with both hands, only to shake it all off and go back to work.
Meoooowwwww.
I jumped slightly and stared back at the orange fluff ball behind me. “Don’t judge me. It isn’t my fault your mom is hot as hell.”
CC tilted his head, staring at me, before he stood and walked into the bedroom, leaving me alone to feel his judgment from another room.
“Can’t believe I’m worried about impressing the cat,” I mumbled to myself.
Ember
Time passed quickly after that.Pastries in and out of the oven. Fancy coffees brewed to perfection. Clean up, wipe down, and do it all over again. All the while, Wyatt stayed upstairs and out of my way. Aside from the random vibration in my ass, the dirty video I’d be keeping forever, and his text, I hadn’t heard a peep from him.
When it was finally time to close down for the night, I literally sighed with relief. Thursday’s weren’t busy days by any means, but after the escapades of last night? I needed a long, hot bath and a good night’s sleep—neither of which seemed to be in my future until I was able to kick Wyatt the hell out of my apartment.
Walking the coffee pots back to the sink, I glanced at the clock, relieved it finally read seven thirty, but as I walked around the counter to lock the front door, it opened, the chime ringing louder than it normally felt.
I felt the blood drain from my face as I looked over the man that stared back at me, my throat feeling tight as I took a step backwards, my back hitting the countertop.
“We’re closed,” I said in the most confident voice I could muster.
He let out a dark chuckle. “Talk to your Pop’s yet?”
I shook my head and crossed my arms across my chest.
“Hm,” he hummed as he looked around. “This place will go up nicely, Ember. Call him, or it’ll be someone more…official calling him to update him about you. It’s him or you. Understand?”
I nodded. “I tried…” I began, but I shut up. This man didn’t want to hear my shit right now, so I dropped it. “Yeah, yes. I understand.”
“Good. Now, lock up. I’ll check back in soon.” He turned and walked out, and I rushed behind him, locking both locks and flipping the sign to say we were closed. Taking a shaky step back from the door, I stared out the glass window as he disappeared down the street.
“Ember?” a sudden deep voice from behind me questioned, and I let out a small scream as his hand brushed my shoulder.
I looked up into his deep blue eyes, and so many feelings crossed my mind at once.
Relief. Exhaustion. Anger. Paranoia.
But along with the feelings came clear visions of what it all meant—if they were willing to dispose of me to get to my father? What would they do to Wyatt?
“Why are you still here?” I snapped, taking a step away from him. “Go the fuck home, Wyatt.”
He stared at me, his hands now in his hoodie pocket, as if he felt they should be tucked somewhere so he didn’t reach for me. He was always reaching for me. Even before he knew I was me, he’d reach for me. It didn’t make any sense.
“Who was that?” he asked, ignoring my question in favor of his own.
“You don’t listen, do you? It doesn’t fucking matter who it was. It doesn’t concern you, so get out. Go. Home.”
“And if I don’t? You going to take another bat to my bike? My SUV, maybe? I have a decent enough house you could go after if you wanted to.” He was so calm, so matter-of-fact. Nothing moved this man the way it did me. I stayed uptight,forever feeling too much, and Wyatt was a fucking rock. Everything was controlled.
