Page 4 of All He Wants

I blinked. “Huh.”

Nick’s mouth twitched. “That’s all you have to say?”

“What do you want me to say?”

He shrugged, sitting up and running a hand over his hair to smooth the mess he’d made. “I figured you might have questions or something.” Nick hopped off the bed and wrapped one hand around the dark wood of the bed frame as he walked back to his side of the bed and unbuckled his belt. The sound of his zipper made my body stand to attention and I watched leisurely as he tugged his jeans down until he was left in a pair of black boxer briefs and his tee.

“How long did you date her for?”

“About six months.”

“Was she the only one?”

He shook his head. “We tried a few different times but after a while, the spark fizzled and being with only one of us just wasn’t the same.” The muscles in his chest and stomach clenched and stretched as he pulled his tee off over his head and dropped it to the floor before climbing into the bed. “Does it bother you?”

I snapped out of my stare. “What? No. I mean, I assume you and Oakley weren’t⁠—”

“No, no. It was all about her. The girl.”

“Sounds nice,” I murmured and he smiled.

“Yeah, it was. It’s just a shame we never found the right girl. One who would stay.” For a moment his eyes were heavy on me as I turned and began to strip out of my clothes and into the soft cotton pajamas I’d packed. But the tension had eased by the time I turned back around. “Anyway, my point is that you do know me. And I know you, Ember.” A knock sounded at the door and Nick smirked. “You should get that.”

Slowly, I turned to the door and pulled it open, unsure what I’d find on the other side. A slightly older man blinked at me as I peered around the door before opening it wider. He passed over a silver tray and smiled, hurrying away once I’d accepted it.

“Thank you,” I called, shocked at how fast he’d run off. The door closed behind me with a soft thud and I looked down at the tray. “Is this…?”

“Chamomile before bed, just like you have at home, water for your bedside, and chocolates for the morning – because I love you,” he added, and I laughed.

“Thank you. That was sweet of you.” I set the tray down on top of the dresser that was next to the bedroom door and carefully took the mug of tea into my hands, letting the soothing scent wash over me before I had my first sip. “Though I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to you having staff.”

He chuckled and I settled in next to him on the bed with my mug, the warmth driving into me until my limbs felt like jelly and my eyes were struggling to stay open.

“Come here,” he murmured, taking the mug from me and pulling the covers up and over us. “Goodnight, Ember.”

“Night,” I mumbled, sleep claiming me as soon as Nick tucked my head against his chest and stroked his hand over my hair.

CHAPTER TWO

Oakley

I usually loved the holidays. Being surrounded by family, good food, and presents. Plus, I was a big fan of the snow. This year should have been no exception, but…

“Sorry, did I steal your spot?” Ember smiled at me and I had to swallow the lump in my throat before I could reply. She was curled up on the window seat with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a book held open in her lap with one hand. The snow beyond the window was a pale wash over her skin, making it glow and her blonde hair seem almost silver.

I’d taken too long to reply, dazed by her smile, and she’d started to stand, freezing when I waved her off. “No, no. Sorry. You’re all good. I’ll just…” I gestured behind myself awkwardly and jumped when she grabbed one of my hands, her skin unnaturally warm from the hot drink she’d been cradling.

“There’s room for us both.”

She didn’t mean anything by it, just friendly good-heartedness, because she was Ember and she was in love with my brother.

Unfortunately.

I shook the harsh thought away, annoyed at myself. Nick deserved every happiness. I just wished… Well, it didn’t matter what I wanted. Not where she was concerned.

Off-limits.

My body didn’t get the memo though, accepting the slight tug on my hand as Ember tucked her legs under herself and pulled me down onto the seat beside her. I hadn’t even noticed her blanket until she lifted it up and draped half over my lap, awarding me with a glimpse of her legs under the long sweater dress she wore.