Page 64 of Unwrapping Ember
“I’m not sure if I’m ready to take this leap,” I confess, the determination in my voice evident.
“I’ll be right there with you,” Bella assures me, her eyes brimming with unwavering support.
As snowflakes twirl gracefully around us, I begin to feel a thrill of excitement building inside me.
Koda
As the music pulses through the room and the lights dance, I find myself lost in the rhythm. I place my hand on her shoulders, swaying my hipsagainst her, consumed by the moment. Her hands encircle me, her nails sinking into the fabric of my underwear.
My mind is a whirlpool of emotions, a chaotic storm of feelings. Focusing on the dance, I move my body against hers, hearing her soft, excited moans escape her lips. But they’re not the ones I want.They’re not hers.
The music swells and a wave of desperation crashes over me. I begin to mentally retreat, my heart pounding in my chest. She gazes at me, desire evident in her eyes, and I realize that I need to say something. I open my mouth, but the words catch in my throat. My hands explore her body, her breath coming heavy and warm. I slide down her form, straddling her lap, my fingers tangling gently in her hair. I lean in, my lips brushing against her neck as I grind my hips against hers.
But then I blink at the sensation of her hands moving over me, and disappointment seeps deep within me. How did I let this happen? A sense of regret washes over me.
Suddenly, I snap back to reality. Ember isn’t the one I’m dancing for, and the woman beneath me looks genuinely perplexed.
"Hope you enjoyed the dance," I say, rising off her lap.
She looks flushed, likely wondering why I just thrust myself against her. I thought she was Ember, but she clearly wasn’t.
I walk away, a heavy mix of shame and regret settled in my chest. I need to find Ember and make things right. It's been a struggle since she left; the atmosphere has thickened with gloom, and everything feels off-kilter. We need her back, and I’m determined to convince her. I haven’t pressed her since she vanished, but we talk every day.
"What was that about?" Baine asks as he approaches, shrugging into his coat for the night.
"What do you mean?"
"Carla filled me in on the dance... you slipped again, huh?"
"I don’t know what’s happening to me. I can’t stop imagining her everywhere." We exit the club and climb into the car, leaving the music behind as we wait for Ev to emerge.
"You’re in love, Koda."
"I know that. I wasn’t just telling her for the hell of it." He chuckles as Ev slides into the backseat.
“Get us home, bro. I need a drink and to forget about this shit.” He lights a cigarette, inhaling deeply the thick smoke swirling around us.
"Is it Ember again?"
"Yeah," Baine replies, as if this is an ongoing theme.
"I promised her I wouldn’t bother her until she was back. I owe her at least that."
They both shake their heads, glancing out at the snow tumbling from the sky as we navigate home.
"I think you know what you need to do, Koda."
My brow lifts slightly, a smirk tugging at my lips, my eyes focused on the road ahead. "I think I do too."
Ember
As I finish my third glass of wine, I catch my foot tapping to the cheerful rhythm of the Christmas music playing in the background, my heelclicking softly against the floor. Bella bounces over with a bottle of white wine in hand.
"More wine?" She beams, and I extend my glass toward her.
I watch as the liquid swirls and splashes around the rim while she pours it generously. After refilling her glass and attending to some guests in the living room, she joins me at the balcony, leaning over the railing. The silver jingle bells jingle every time the apartment door opens, and twinkle lights flicker in the night, casting a gentle glow over my apartment.
"I think the party turned out wonderfully, don’t you?"