Page 20 of From the Embers

I roll my eyes as I head back to the bar. “Clearly you haven’t been on any dating apps lately. I could tell you some stories.”

Something flashes in his eyes for a second, and I don’t know what it is but he grinds his jaw.

Wait, is he jealous?

Why the heck would Denver be jealous hearing my woeful dating stories?

“No man on any dating app would be good enough for you, Adi, just remember that.”

I thumb behind me as I walk backwards, mouthing, “Got to go.”

Yep. Lost for words.

This man is like nobody else. Especially because he’s my brother’s best friend and we shouldn’t go there.

Shouldn’t.

I guess some rules were meant to be broken.

seven

Denver

It may not be my fault what just happened with Hannah and her tribe, but I feel like an asshole for even having anything to do with Hannah in the first place. Her and those intolerable friends leave quite an impression. Watching Adelaide make a quick exit was totally understandable, but I needed to make sure she was okay. I don’t like her being upset. I hate that she even heard the girl’s disgusting comment.

When her shift is over and she’s had the rest of her wine I’ve been keeping safe, I say goodnight to Eric and Brax, they’re almost ready to leave themselves, and we get ready to make the short walk home to her place.

It’s becoming a bit of a ritual. Every week for the past three weeks now we’ve done the same thing. Daryl will no doubt check in with me over the weekend, as expected, and Adi will come up in conversation, like she usually does.

Not that there’s much to say. As far as I know she’s settling in well and enjoying her new digs in Old Town. It suits her and I love the area. I like that she’s in a comfortable apartment and in a great neighbourhood. Her safety is paramount.

I guess that part of the discussion with Daryl is one I can keep. But my eyes staying in their sockets when she’s around is a total other story. The woman is hot. She has curves that go for days and I’m into it. I shouldn’t be into it, not with Adi, but I’m still a man. A man who can’t stop thinking about her.

Adi pulls her coat on and just as we head out, Hannah and her friends are sliding into a cab. They all look our way. For some reason, Hannah is still acting like she’s God’s gift to man. My eyes shift to Adi and then she turns to face me.

“I think we should give them something to talk about, don’t you?” she says.

My lips part. “What did you have in mind?”

“Do you trust me?”

I smirk. “Of course.”

“Then stop talking.” She reaches for me as I bend down. At first I think she’s about to whisper something in my ear, but her hands snag on the lapels of my jacket and in all of two seconds, her lips are on mine.

They’re soft, plump, and feel like a goddamn dream. Momentarily stunned, I cup her face as her lips part, and then our tongues meet. Every single cell in my body is on fire. The inferno deep within has been brewing ever since I laid eyes on her, and I’m kidding myself if I don’t admit we have a spark. My dick presses painfully hard against my zipper as her soft body pushes up against mine.

I hear the girls gasp, but Adi isn’t pulling back. What I’d give to be alone right now. I’d sweep her up into my arms and really show her what she’s been missing.

We’re panting when we finally pull apart. She glances over her shoulder at the girls who are all still staring at us, then smirks, pulling me by the hand as I follow her like a goddamn puppy dog.

When we’re halfway down the street, she turns to me. “I’m sorry, it was a spur of the moment thing.”

“And here I was thinking you were a planner.”

She giggles. “Oh, the look on their faces was priceless.” She bites her lip, then adds, “I should have asked you⁠—”

I hold up my other hand to stop her. “You don’t ever have to ask me to be your fake boyfriend. You know I’ll do it willingly.”