Page 7 of Unwrapping Ember
“What’s with the gloomy vibe?” She asks, taking in my apartment, which is more like a bachelor pad, cluttered and dark.
I watch her face light up as she traces her fingers over the various photographs of us as kids I have hung on the wall. “You still have these?”
“Guess some things never change,” I mutter. I can't afford to have things change, especially not now.
“Yeah,like you being a brooding mystery,” she teases, glancing over her shoulder at me. “You haven’t changed at all, have you?”
The truth stings, for sure. “You don’t know me anymore, Ember.” The words slip out, harsher than I intend—I can't help it.
She’s a reminder of my past, and I’m a fucking storm of tangled emotions—fear, desire, and regret.
Her smile falters for just a moment, and in that flicker, I see hurt mingled with confusion.
“Then why am I here?” She steps closer, eyes searching my face, as if they can dissect all the layers I have built up. “Don’t you want to reconnect?”
“I do, but... " I hesitate, weighing my words. “I’m not the same guy you remember. This life…” I gesture vaguely, knowing I can never explain it completely. “It’s not a good place for you. You shouldn’t be around it.”
“I’m not afraid of you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“No, it’s not me I’m worried about.”
Her confusion deepens. “What are we talking about then?”
Footsteps echo from the back, voices drifting closer. I feel a wave of panic rise within me. “Just—wait here.Please.” I motion for her to stay while I try to calm the brewing storm behind the door.
“Who is it?” she whispers, glancing towards the faint sounds.
“It’s just the guys.” The guys who live in the same dark world I’m trying to shield her from. “Trust me.” I quickly step out into the hall, shutting the door behind me.
Everest, with his ever-ready bravado, and Baine, who could charm anyone with a flick of his smile, lean against the walls.
“You sure about this?” Everest’s brows knit together as he locks eyes with mine.
“It’s fine. Just… act normal.” It’s a futile request. “With Ember around, nothing will feel normal.”
“Normal? This shit isn’t normal.” Baine runs a hand through his tousled hair. “We agreed on no distractions. And if she sees—”
“She won’t see anything. Just keep it fucking cool.”
As I return to the room, my heart races. I open the door, but Ember isn't where I left her. Instead, she stands by the window, her back to me, staring out at the street below. The moonlight catches her hair, framing her in a halo of warmth that makes me forget about the chaos brewing at my back.
"Ember... listen,” I start, but she turns around, a smile playing on her lips.
“Do you really think I’d let you push me away that easily?”
Desire and desperation crash against one another within me. I have to protect her, but a part of me wants nothing more than to pull her close, to drown in the familiarity of her presence and forget everything else.
“You don’t understand,” I press, my voice low, as if the very walls can hear the weight of my admission. “This isn’t just a simple reunion. It’s dangerous.”
“Maybe I’m okay with that.” Her gaze holds mine, unwavering.
“No, you don’t get to choose that.” I take a step forward, the air thick with tension. “Not when it’s my job to keep you safe.”
The lines of duty and desire blur, and I find myself anchored in the moment, just a heartbeat away from losing everything I fought to protect. Her warm vanilla scent drifts right up my nose as she walks past me and out of the room, sending tingles through my body that awaken something inside of me. But I try my hardest to ignore the feelings. I can't fuck her life up now.
But now she’s right in the middle of it, and I have no idea how to handle the situation.
Everest and Baine catch my eye as I follow her, and I can see the concern in their faces as they watch Ember in our home. They know how much she means to me, and they also know the danger of her finding out about the secret I kept from her for so long. I have to do something to distract her—to keep her from finding out thetruth.