TEN
CASEN
I was so nervous walking into Jedi’s to meet Embyr. It felt like the first time I went on a date. My palms were sweaty, and I second guessed my clothes more than once before leaving the house. I have never felt less confident in my life…until I saw her sitting there looking amazing.
Since talking to my mom the other day, I really thought about what I wanted to do. I went through every scenario I could think of. Do I ignore her for the rest of my life? Do I forgive and forget? Do we become friends? More than friends? Between all the thoughts I had, there was only one that not only made sense but made me truly happy visualizing it. Make her mine again. I’m not sure she ever wasn’t. It’s not going to be easy but I do know that we need to start with some talking, regardless of how much I want to take her to bed immediately. I know our physical connection is still there but we need to get our shit straight emotionally.
I asked Trinity to set this up. I thought Jedi’s would be the perfect place, but after looking at her and hearing how loud it was, I just knew we needed to go somewhere quieter.
The night air greets us as we step out of the bar and onto the sidewalk. Letting go of Embyr’s arm, I turn to her and ask, “Where do you want to go?”
She says nothing, just stares at me. I can’t read her. She seems almost stunned. “Em?”
“Let’s go back to my place.” She requests, breaking out of her coma.
I purse my lips. “I don’t know. I think we need to be in a public place.”
“I just know how much we need to talk, and I don’t want others to hear me beg at your feet for forgiveness, Casen.”
Casen. My name falling from between her lips sounds like ecstasy, and the visual of her at my feet has my cock twitching. “We definitely have to discuss what happened, but if we go to your place, it has to be agreed we just talk.”
She nods. “Agreed.”
Embyr’s condo is pitch black when we get there. I know Trinity is working late tonight at the studio so we will have more than enough privacy. Talking through all this in private is the best choice. I just hope I can keep my hands off her.
“Have a seat.” She points to the sofa. “Want something to drink?”
I ask for a beer and make myself comfortable while she stirs around in the kitchen.
“Chinese or pizza?” she yells from the kitchen.
“Chinese is good.”
“Hi, I’d like an order for delivery,” Embyr says into her cell phone as she hands me a Budweiser. She takes one as well, which surprises me. I didn’t think she liked beer.
I take her in. She’s wearing a hot pink tank that showcases her breasts with a hint of cleavage breaking through the top. Her long toned legs look smooth, tan, good enough to wrap around my neck, in black pleated shorts that aren’t long enough. She finishes the call and sits next to me on the couch. Not close enough to touch but close enough that it wouldn’t take much to snatch her and haul her into my lap.
She inhales. “Casen, I’m so…”
I interrupt her because I need to be the one to talk first. “No, let me say what I have to say first. Okay?”
She sips her beer and settles back into the couch, folding her legs underneath her. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry, Embyr.”
Confusion furrows her brows. “You? Why are you sorry?”
I twist my body, leaning my right elbow on the back of the sofa. “I’m sorry for so much. I’m sorry for not doing anything. That’s what I regret the most. I sat there and let them make that bet. I watched them do all those things to you. I stood by watching them make you miserable and never told anyone. I couldn’t even look you in the face, Em. I know I told you, but it got out of control. That bet was so fucking stupid, and I wish I would have been more of a man and told them to fuck off. I should have staked my claim on you, but I didn’t. I let my anger of you going out with Ian control my view of right and wrong. I don’t know why you did, but it hurt and I let it cloud my judgment.”
She stops me with a hand on my knee. “Casen. I want to explain that. I said yes to Ian to get your attention. I thought if I went out with him then you would notice me.”
Blowing out a breath I run my hands down my face. “I feel like you don’t owe me the answer to my next question, but can I ask why you slept with him then?”
Her head drops and she wipes a tear from her cheek. “I didn’t realize what was happening, Casen. I swear. I didn’t say no to him but I also didn’t stop him from doing it. I thought if I said no he would tell everyone. He coerced me.” She pauses. “Jesus. If I had known what was going to follow I wouldn’t have. It messed up so many lives.”
“You couldn’t have known what was going to happen. I hope you realize I had nothing to do with that video.”
“I know.” A disturbed look crosses her face. “It was Reece.”
