Page 44 of Burning Embers
“Rachel, do you honestly not know how gifted you are?” I take her hand, pulling her toward the doorway where I point at the canvas. “It’s like looking in a mirror—you captured part of my soul.”
And she has. Whether she realises it or not, part of my soul is now in her possession.
I glance at my watch and see it’s almost ten-thirty. Time always seems to go by too fast when we’re together. “I need to get back for Buster,” I say as I stack the plates and walk them over to the kitchen sink.
“Of course,” she replies, but I hear the disappointment in her voice.
“Fancy coming to spend the night?”
Her eyelids flutter as she stares back at me, and I see her visibly swallow, but then she straightens her shoulders, nodding. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Great—go grab an overnight bag, and I’ll quickly wash these.”
She heads to the bedroom. I’m excited to get her back to my house.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
OLLY
It’s just after eleven when we arrive back at mine. Rachel nibbled on her bottom lip the whole way here—I know because when my eyes weren’t on the road, they were flicking to her. Unlocking the door, I usher her inside and whistle for Buster who comes bounding out with his latest toy in his mouth.
I crouch down and give him a good pat and stroke behind the ears. “Was you a good boy?” I say in my dog-dad voice. When I look up at Rachel, she’s watching with a smirk on her face.
I shrug, trying to hide my embarrassment, but then she crouches down to join me, giving Buster a quick stroke. “Come on, Buster, out.”
After I’ve let him outside to the back garden, I turn back to Rachel. “Do you want a drink?”
“Just water, please.”
I pass her a bottle from the fridge and watch as she takes a small sip. I can’t take my eyes off of her. When Buster scratches to come in, I open the glass door and lock it before ushering him to his bed.
“I love his little nook,” she says, her head tilted.
I nod. “Me too. I didn’t want to put him in a crate, but I also wanted him to have somewhere to feel safe when I’m not here.”
“I would never have taken you for a dog man,” she says, smiling.
“Really? What did you take me for then?” I ask, stepping closer to her.
“I don’t know…a fish or two, maybe a hamster,” she replies, a soft giggle rumbling from her lips.
“Is that so?” I reply, sneaking my knees between her legs.
“Yep.” Her voice is playful. I grip her chin between my thumb and forefinger, angling her face before leaning down, my lips so close to her.
Her soft breath floats over my mouth, and I hold back my desire to devour her, waiting until she closes the gap between us with a soft murmur. Pulling back, I rest my forehead on hers. “Ready for bed?” I ask.
I watch her throat contract as she swallows before nodding. I lift her off the stool and slide her down my body until her feet touch the floor.
Grabbing her small holdall, I keep her hand securely in mine as we make our way upstairs and towards my room, my excitement palpable. But the truth is that even if all we do is sleep, it would be good enough for me.
I walk over to the lamp on the other side of my room to switch it on, and when I turn back, Rachel’s just standing in the doorway.
I beckon her towards me with my finger; she shuffles over to me slowly, then stops when she’s in front of me. I lean down, my lips grazing her ear as I whisper, “I just made you come with one finger.”
I expect her to laugh at my comment, but instead, she gasps and damn if I don’t go rock hard. My teeth nip on her earlobe; her breathing speeds up, the air crackling with anticipation and want.
She steadies herself with her palms against my chest. Her fingers grip the oversized, neon pink hoody she leant me. “Off,” she grunts.
