Page 13 of The Storms Between Us
eleven
I march straightinto my bathroom, turning the shower as cold as possible and stripping out of my clothes. Walking under the spray, I let the frigid water wash over my skin, attempting to calm my throbbing erection. I know seeing Ember pissed off shouldn't be such a turn on, but damn it is. She's sexy as fuck when that fire flares in her eyes and I know it could burn me down. The thought of her lips on mine, the taste of cinnamon exploding on my tongue, has my dick aching already. Grasping my shaft tightly, I try to ease the ache. I pump my fist slowly at first, then harder and faster, already feeling the familiar tingle building in my spine. Fighting with a woman has never been a turn on for me. But with Ember, I'm not sure she could do anything that wouldn't turn me on. I imagine how amazing it would feel if it was her mouth wrapped around my cock, her small hands pumping faster and faster. My release comes faster that I expect and I have to brace myself on the shower wall to keep my knees from giving out. Jet after jet of thick cum coats the tile floor, washing down the drain. I don't think I've ever needed relief so badly in my life. This woman has me wound up tight.
Wiping a hand down my face, I try and fail to shake the thought of her from my mind. I know she thinks she doesn't need anybody's protection, but she's wrong. She doesn't know what crazy fuckers like that are capable of. I understand why she didn't want to say anything, but damn. It's really a matter of pride. Her safety is more important than her ego in this situation. She's not a fucking mind reader. She couldn't have known how big of a prick that guy would turn out to be. Making her realize this isn't her fault will be a challenge, though.
I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my waist. Walking into my bedroom, I lay back on the edge of my bed, staring at the ceiling. I know I said I would tell Everett if she didn't. And I almost feel like bro-code obligates me to tell him about this. Then again, bro-code probably says I should tell him I was just jacking off in the shower to the thought of his sister, and I definitely know I can't do that.
When Ember referred to herself as a dirty little secret, it burned deep in my chest. I knew she was pissed. That wasn't how I meant it to go down, but maybe that's for the best. I could see the pain etched across her face when she told me to go, and I know I'm the one who caused it. Telling Everett about whatever is happening between us will only complicate a situation that's already fucked. A woman like her should never be hidden in the background, but her safety is the priority.
I dress quickly and head downstairs. Ember is sitting at the bar, dressed and ready to go out. Everett is leaning up against the counter, staring at her intently. I approach them both slowly and she turns to look at me. The anger in her eyes is burning a hole through me. Everett turns his gaze to me over her shoulder, his brows knitting together in confusion.
"Ok, who saw who naked?" He says, and the blood drains from my face. "Well, I can tell from the look on both of your faces that something happened. Twin telepathy, remember, Sparky?" He says, tapping his finger against his temple. "So spill. What the hell is going on?"
"Nobody saw anybody naked, Everett. Jesus, can you try to be a normal person for like 30 seconds, please?" Ember says, rolling her eyes.
"Okay, okay. But who wants to see who naked?" He smirks and Ember throws a magazine at him. He catches it, laughing at her obvious embarrassment. I don't think I've ever seen a family dynamic like the one they share. They both seem so attuned to each other's thoughts and emotions, it almost makes me jealous. My relationship with my sister is great, but nothing like this.
"Come on Ember, you know you want a piece of that!" He says pointing at me and giving me a wink. Now it's my turn to roll my eyes at him.
"That doesn't want a piece of me, Everett," She mumbles quietly, gesturing my way. I'm floored by her revelation. There's no way to keep our encounter from him now. His eyes rake over her, trying to discern if she's serious, I assume. Then they lock on me.
"That's not what I said, Ember," my tone is harsh but what the fuck? We just talked about this and now she's laying it out there for him like it's nothing. "What I said was there are more important things than what I want right now, aren't there?" She shrinks back into her seat, turning her eyes intently to the bar top.
"Okay, somebody talk. Now!" Everett snaps and I see Ember jump on her stool. I watch her intently and she remains quietly focused on her hands.
"Look, here's what it is, Ev. Elijah and I kissed and it was amazing but then Kelsea called and told me Justin broke into my old apartment and Eli thinks he's a psycho and he thinks you're gonna be pissed about us kissing even though it's really not your business because we're both adults," She says, the words coming out rushed and chaotic. She takes a deep breath, slumping back into the chair. I look over to Everett and see him staring at me, his emotions guarded.
"Well, that wasn't exactly how this was supposed to play out, but too late now, I guess." I say, huffing out a breath and sitting down next to Ember at the bar.
"We've never kept secrets, Everett. I'm not gonna start now. I'm sorry if you're pissed off, but I won't lie to you." Her gaze shifts from him to me and back again.
"Well. Okay then." He grabs his cigarettes and walks out onto the back deck. He closes the French doors behind him and Ember and I are left alone together. The silence is palpable between us, tensions growing thicker by the second
"I'm sorry, Elijah. But I won't lie to my brother. I've never kept a single detail of my life from him and he hasn't kept anything from me. I won't start now." She says, looking down at her hands in her lap.
"You really think I don't want you, Ember?" I ask her. She looks up into my eyes, some of the tension relaxing in her features. "I'd be damn lucky to call you mine. I just think dealing with this situation with your ex is more important."
"Well, what about what I think? I think Justin has taken enough from me. I don't think you're something I'm willing to give up yet," she says, her gaze boring into mine. I don't think I've ever had somebody look at me the way she does. Like she wants me, the real me. Sure, women have told me they want me before. But what they really want is to take a walk on the wild side before they go back to their safe southern-belle lives.
"Well, I guess the cat's outta the bag now, huh? We'll see where the chips fall," I tell her, putting my hand over hers and stroking gently. She smiles over at me and I know I'll do just about anything I have to do to keep that smile on her face as long as I can.
