Page 93 of Into the Light

“Tomorrow works because I need to prepare Pico.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll see you guys then?” Walsh questioned. We both nodded before piling up the letters and bringing them back to the bike.

Once we got outside, I tugged on Ember’s hand, encouraging her to meet me outside the gates. She looked between Walsh and I, unsure, but eventually agreed.

“I know it’s an inappropriate time to talk about this, but I just wanted to let you know that I understood why you did that with him.”

“Kept the secret?” Walsh questioned.

“Yeah.” I sighed.

“I didn’t want to hurt my sister, but I was so conflicted—”

I stopped him. “I know. I get it.”

“Thank you . . . you know, for understanding.”

I pursed my lips, my jaw clenching as I shoved my hands in my pocket. I was standing on the stoop of this massive mansion behind me while Ember waited just outside the large gates.

“About Ember,” I began. “I just wanted you to know how much I really care about her.”

“I know,” Walsh added quickly. “I see it. I think Ash saw it, too.”

“It didn’t start until she came back to school, but there is just something about her.” I looked out at the distance, watching her jet-black hair fly in the wind.

“She’s special,” Walsh agreed. “I know you don’t need it or anything, but you have my permission to fall in love with her. To be with her forever.” He chuffed.

“You know about the house, Walsh.”

He shook his head, a smile creeping on his face. “Come on, of course I know.”

I gave him a quick twist of my lips. “Thank you. For the permission. I do love her.” I gave him a quick handshake before walking toward the bike where Ember was standing.

“Is everything okay?” she asked as soon as I’d gotten past the large wrought iron gates.

“Perfect, mi pareja.” I dropped a kiss onto her lips. “Let’s go home?”

She laughed one of those beautiful melodic laughs where her entire body shook. “Which one?”

The corners of my lips twisted up. “Very funny, princesa.”

We’d decided to go to Ember’s apartment.

“It’s not even five p.m.” She whined, and I looked at the clock for confirmation and laughed.

“It feels like it’s freaking two a.m.” Her weary smile was so bright, even in the dimly lit apartment.

“I like you here,” she said, standing on the other side of the apartment where the small kitchen was. I was over by the windows watching as the rain lightly hit the window. The sound was something that existed in one of those sleep machine sounds to help people sleep. Thetap-tap-tapfrom the rain hitting the cold glass was soothing.

“I like being here,” I whispered, “but there’s nowhere for you to run here.” I gave her a little wink before she rolled her eyes at me.

“Unlike at our house.” Fuck, the way she saidourmade me so fucking hard and desperate to taste her sweet little cunt.

“Come here,” I demanded, and she stalked toward me.

“Take off your shirt,” I growled back at her. She stopped midstep, about halfway to me before she looked down and pulled her sweater off her head.

“It is pretty dirty,” she mused.

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