Page 17 of Burned By Fire

7

SOL

Saturday, May 7th

I’m early to our meeting point in the park. My restless energy has me jogging on the spot. My skin prickles when I feel Ember’s presence. She looks beautiful in her figure-hugging sportswear. The way it curves over her breasts and flattens against her tight stomach makes my dick twitch. I’ve never allowed myself to look at her like this before, but after yesterday, I’m struggling to get the blood to flow to my head.

Her face is red as she finally sprints toward me, and I don’t think it’s because of the exercise. It was selfish of me to indulge in her yesterday, but I don’t want her to think I used her. I shouldn’t be so weak when it comes to guilty pleasures, and I’m unwilling to replace my alcohol addiction with her. That doesn’t mean I’m going to push her away, though. I like Ember, and having her around gives me the motivation to be a better person.

“Morning,” I say.

“Morning.”

“Are you ready?” I ask, unable to take my eyes off her lips.

“Yes. Let’s do this.” She doesn’t wait for me. Instead, she races off and leaves me looking at her ass. I involuntarily lick my lips before chasing after her.

We take my usual route, but we push harder than before. She doesn’t give me a chance to talk because I have to fight to keep up with her. Once we’ve made it back to the starting point, she walks it out. I keep jogging to get in front of her.

“Do you want to go again,” she asks, although she’s breathing hard.

“No. Why, do you?” A look passes between us, and I don’t miss the double meaning.

“No. I’m ready for the cooldown.”

I slow my pace to a walk, and she stops to stretch out. Something has changed between us, but I want to try to make the transition smooth. Once I’ve done my own cooldown, I make my way back to her. “Are you working today?” I ask.

“No, but I have to go soon. There was only one hotel room left for Saturday so I’ve booked it, and I was thinking we could set off around seven in the morning.” She watches me, and I have a feeling she thinks I’m going to bail.

“Okay. Shall I come to your place?”

“No. I’ll pick you up and I’ll drive.” She waves her arms in the air to loosen her muscles.

“Where are you going today?”

She looks off into the distance. “I need a dress for the wedding.”

“Don’t you already have a dress?” I try not to judge. The mind of the female isn’t something I know well, but she had a beautiful dress for the firefighter’s ball.

“I want a new one. Something that hasn’t been seen before.”

“Are you going to Prescott?”

She nods. “Yes.”

“I could come with you if you like.” I don’t want it to be weird between us, and Ember isn’t acting like her usual self. I’m not running away. I need her to see that.

“Just because we had sex doesn’t mean you have to start taking on boyfriend duties. I knew what I was getting myself into.” Her eyes meet mine for the first time today.

“I think that’s sensible, but we’re friends, and I’m offering to go with you as a friend.”

She turns away again. “It’s not necessary for you to come with me. I usually shop alone, and you’ve never come with me before.” She starts to walk back to her car.

An unfamiliar feeling settles over me. I’m disappointed she doesn’t want my company. If I let her go without me, what would I do with my day? I’ve started cleaning up my house, but the idea of looking for a job seems overwhelming. “I have something I need to pick up in Prescott, so it makes sense for me to come with you.” It’s a lie, and I hope she doesn’t see through it straight away. I jog to catch her up.

Her eyes follow my movement as I feel uncomfortable in my own skin. “Okay. I’ll go take a shower and pick you up in an hour.”

“Sure.”

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