Page 43 of Unwrapping Ember
Watching Ember twirl gracefully in the living room, I can't help but wonder if she could handle the truth about me and my friends. She seems so pure, and the idea of tainting that innocence disturbs me. Yet the tantalizing thought of revealing our world to her, of showing her the real me, is hard to resist.
Taking a deep breath, I consider the possibility of her staying here and weaving herself into our lives. It would be risky, certainly, but the pull I feel toward her is undeniable. Maybe I can manage to keep my darker side hidden while embracing her light. But only time will reveal the outcome. For now, I’m content with watching her dance, her laughter echoing through the room as I push my darker thoughts into the background.
“Koda, come dance with me!” She shouts over the thumping beat of the music, the bass reverberating through the walls of our home.
Thankfully, we don’t have neighbors for miles, allowing us the freedom to do whatever we please. “What do you want me to dance to? Christmas music?”
“Or you could put something else on and show me those moves again.” She bites her painted red nail, eyes drifting over my body, her cheeks flushed with desire.
Meanwhile, Everest is busy mixing another round of eggnog, while Baine lounges nearby, observing with a wicked grin; he knows exactly what the fuck I’m thinking.
“Are you listening, Koda?” Ember’s voice snaps me back to the moment, and I can’t help but smirk, a playful yet dangerous glint in my eyes.
“Do you want me to dance for you again, or with you?”
“With me…” She leans toward me, her chest nearly brushing against my face, her intentions undeniable. “I want you to make me feel like the girls you dance for." Her hand deftly captures my bulge, igniting a fire within me. “I want you to look at me like I’m the only one in the room." She inches closer, her lips tantalizingly close to mine, and I can feel the heat of her breath. “I want you to touch me, Koda. I want to feel your hands all over me... inside me... around my throat.”
Overwhelmed by desire yet desperately trying to maintain control, I grip her throat gently, my fingers meeting the throbbing pulse beneath my touch. Pulling her closer, I close the distance between us, capturing her lips in a kiss that feels both electrifying and reckless. My tongue dances with hers, exploring the warm depths of her mouth, drawing a soft, blissful moan from her.
Yet, amidst the thrill, a voice of caution lingers at the back of my mind. I know I shouldn't be crossing this line, but her innocence only fuels my desire to claim what I want. As I hold her, her hands exploring my body, I can’t shake the unease that we're treading dangerously close to the edge. What if I push too far? What if the truth shatters her?
In that sweltering moment, all reason fades away, and I give in to the irresistible magnetism between us. For the first time, I begin to grasp that embracing Ember might just be worth every fucking risk it entails.
Ember
I'm not sure what's come over me; I barely recognize myself anymore. Before I arrived here, I was a timid, inexperienced virgin, terrified of a man’s touch. Now, I'm the complete opposite.
Even though I revel in this newfound boldness, I can’t fathom the transformation. Sleeping with all three men within my first week here is something I would have never imagined doing, yet now, all I crave is more. Right now, I want Koda more than anything, and the intense, yearning look in his eyes tells me he feels the same.
As I cup the bulge in his pants and brush my lips against his, I notice his grip around my throat tighten, flushing my skin with a deeper hue than just arousal. There’s something intoxicating about the way he chokes me; it feels surreal, a reminder that I'm alive when I once felt like an empty shell of myself. I want him to consume me—to make me feel pain because pain signifies existence, a stark contrast to the numbness Shawn left in his wake.
"What’s gotten into you, my little Ember?" He murmurs, dragging his tongue down my cheek and biting at my dimple, sending shivers racing across my body.
"You, and I want you to be that way again," I boldly reply, aware that the alcohol coursing through my veins definitely helps to fuel my confidence.
The liquor may distort my truth, giving me a false sense of bravery, yet I can’t deny my yearning for Koda. I ache for his hands, his lips, his body pressing against mine. But deep down, I know this isn't the real me; it feels as though I'm trying to fill a void, escaping the lingering pain within me.
Then Koda leans in, his breath warm against my ear, whispering, "I'll give you what you need, Ember. Let me take care of you."
In the moment, I succumb to the intoxicating power of his words, surrendering myself to a world filled with passion and desire. Still, a part of me wonders if I’m just plunging deeper into the darkness I’ve fought so hard to escape, even though the fierce flames of longing within me drown out any hesitation. He rises, guiding me across the living room, his hands gripping my hips, moving me in sync with the pulsating beat.
"Put your hands on me somewhere," he purrs in that dangerously sexy tone that ignites a primal urge within me.
Reluctantly, I grip his waistband, slipping my fingers beneath it.
"Good girl," he groans, licking his lips in a way that makes my heart race.
"Mmm, Koda, what’s gotten into you tonight? You’re very...demanding."
"This is who I am, little Ember. You’ve just never seen the real me because I wouldn’t let you," he admits.
I blink, intrigued, wanting to explore this unveiled side of him.
"Is it too much for you?"
"No, not at all. In fact, I kind of like it."
"Kind of?" His brow arches playfully, a knowing glint in his eyes.