My eyes widen. “Greg, no. I can’t do that. Not with a kid. Not with him working with Grady.” The thought alone makes my palms sweaty. There is no denying the thought crossed my mind, very late at night, when I felt too restless.
“Would you stop thinking about everyone else for once? You’ve been alone for five years, Shelb. You deserve to be a bit selfish.”
I know he’s right. I mean, I know I am not looking for a commitment either. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s my girl. I really want to get together again soon. Away from all this.” He motions his thumb to the restaurant. “So you can get to know Will better.”
“He’s a cutie.” I grin, nudging him. “I’d like that. God knows I need something to do. Even Brody is getting bored with me.”
“I highly doubt that. But speaking of something to do. Will’sverywealthy boss is having a party this weekend. Their baker canceled.” I tilt my head at him. “Look, whether you showed tonight or not, I was gonna call you.”
I groan. “I don’t bake anymore.”
“Don’t or won’t?” He taps my arm lightly.
“Not this again.” I focus on my feet. “It just doesn’t feel right, you know. It feels like that was our thing, mine and Drew’s—”
“Shelby! You are a great baker. Drew was always supportive of you—”
I try to interrupt.
“—and they’re willing to pay a lot of money for a couple of your fancy tarts.” He wiggles his brows.
I can’t help but laugh at that. I think about Brody and the fact that I need to get another job at some point. The foundation pays me for the work I do for them, admin, paperwork, fundraising. But can I do this forever? Drew’s life insurance is set aside for Brody’s education. Our son is growing, and so are his demands.
“All right,” I concede. Greg is right; my husband wanted me to succeed. That was what drew me to him in the first place.
He looks stunned, eyes bulging, and almost ghostly in the light shining from the restaurant. “Really?”
“Really.” He pulls me in for a squeeze.
“I’ll send over the details.”
We bid our goodbyes, and our conversation runs through my mind on the drive home. I pick Brody up, and when he’s in bed, I curl up on the couch watchingGone with the Wind. I doubt I’ll get to the first intermission, but it feels like an old movie kind of night.
* * *
A knockon the door startles me awake. I sit up so quickly I almost tumble off the couch. I don’t even remember falling asleep.
Another knock. I turn the TV volume down, wrap my robe around me, and walk to the door. “Who the hell would be knocking at this time?” I groan. The clock on the wall shows it’s a bit after two a.m.
I swing the door open, surprised to see Ember standing on my porch. His hair is damp, so I assume he’s just come off a shift. The white t-shirt and gray track pants he wears look far too good on him. I let my eyes roam over his body, then meet his dark gaze.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, crossing my hands over my chest.
“I wanted to see you.” His voice is deep and breathy. It’s sexy, and it makes my nipples peak.
“Why?” I insist, stepping back a bit when he steps closer.
“’Cause I forgot to give you this.” He closes the distance between us, tugging me by the waist against him in one quick motion, his thumb and forefinger grip my chin almost painfully. He smells of soap and wood and everything I should not want and desire. I let out a shaky breath as his eyes roam over my face, settling on my lips.
Ember presses his warm lips against mine. I’m rigid at first, but the more his warmth engulfs me, the more I cave, letting his tongue invade my mouth, tipping my head to give him better access. I moan against his mouth, and a low growl vibrates in his chest. He slams the door behind me and walks me backward until my knees hit the couch. His hands move over my back, my sides, my shoulders until he pushes my robe off. It falls to the floor beside me, and chills run over my skin.
“You look fucking beautiful,” he hisses.
“Ember, we shouldn’t,” I plead while letting his lips settle in the curve of my neck, sucking, tasting as his hand gropes my breast, gently kneading. My insides feel molten, and I can feel how wet I am. “Oh, God.”
“That’s what I am now, baby,” he growls as he licks my lobe. “Here to give you just what you want. You want this, firefly?”
