Sooner than she expected, Ember held open the door to her bedroom. “This is it.”
Connor stepped in, lingering near the door. “Nice. Way bigger than mine.”
Ember bounced on the bed, tucking her legs beneath her. “Yeah, not by much, but I have the rest of the house.” She tucked a curl behind her ear and out of her eyes. “You can come closer. I’m not going freak out.” She patted the bed beside her.
“Oh, good.” He copied her, plopping down hard enough to bounce and making her wobble.
She laughed and grabbed for her pillow, hugging it and talking herself down. You’re not freaking out. He isn’t jumping on you, just the bed. Everything is good.
“So… who is in the picture?” He pointed to the photo on her dresser.
“Oh! That’s my sister.” The brunette didn’t look much like Ember. “Dani looks like Dad.”
“He’s not the ginger?”
Ember shook her head. “Nope. No hair at all really,” she said with snicker.
“She’s cute.” He leaned toward her and whispered. “You’re cuter.”
Smiling, she leaned toward him, close enough for their lips to brush.
“Yes! God, yes! Fuck.” Paige’s voice was muffled by the wall but still loud and jarring.
“Oh my God!” Ember jumped off the bed and away from Connor. “I had no idea. I mean, she had her eye on a guy, but I didn’t expect them to be here.” The end of the sentence was washed out by more cries from the next room.
Connor laughed loudly. “No biggie. Happens at my place all the time.” He stood up and approached slowly. “It doesn’t bother me,” he insisted, running his fingers through her hair.
The trembling took her and she felt like her teeth were chattering. She squeezed her eyes shut, afraid of what might come next.“I have an idea. Let’s go downstairs again.”
Her eyes flew open. “Really?”
Connor chuckled and shook his head. “Enthusiastic consent. I’m not going to push you, Ember. Whatever will make you comfortable. I bet we can’t hear them downstairs.”
She took a step closer. “You’re sure?” She closed her eyes and groaned at the grunting coming from the next room.
“Yeah. Let’s go.” He wrapped and arm around her shoulder and urged her out of the room. “But thanks for welcoming me in here. It means a lot to me.” He kissed the top of her head and her stomach fluttered, in the best way.
“I want you there. I want you everywhere.” She stopped on the stairs and covered her mouth. “I didn’t mean—”
“I want to go everywhere with you too,” he replied before she finished. She tightened her grip on his hand in thanks. “Would making out now be too awkward?”
Ember frowned. “Yeah, kinda.”
“No big. Want to watch something?” He pointed to the TV. “And cuddle?”
“Cuddling sounds good.” Taking a seat on the couch, she waited for Connor to sit beside her. Then she leaned her head into the crook of his neck. Inhaling the smell of him, she felt safe.
Connor kissed the top of her head. “No stress, princess.”
She chuckled and wrapped her arms around him. “Not with you around.”
Awkward! This is one scene where Ethereal Guardian overlap Ethereal Witness. :)
And now, on to the other teasers!
