Her head spins, her eyes glaring into mine with heat. “Robbie, no! I can’t have dinner with your parents when I’m trying to do research on things like ‘cum cream’!”
The third time the words come out of her mouth, I lose it. Without caring about our audience, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her to me. My mouth kisses a trail along the delicate skin at her throat. Her veins pulse against my lips. “Can we refrain from talking about cum cream anymore? Just hearing the word come from your mouth makes me want to take you back to your room.”
Her breath hitches, and she relaxes against me. “Raven’s friends are harmless. If they get out of line, I’ll set them straight. You want to join them, then do it. If not, we’ll hang out alone. Your decision.”
“Okay, call your mom,” she says breathlessly. “Dinner will be fine.”
Cruz is fanning his face with wide eyes as I take my phone and go to the living room. Alex follows.
“You’re there. We thought it would take time, but she feels safe with you. Watching you in there, the second you touched her, she calmed down. I have a feeling you’re going to help her deal with the pain and guilt she carries.”
“What would she have to feel guilty about? It’s not her fault her mother’s a bitch.”
“You said she told you about her dad, right?”
“Yeah.”
“He didn’t beat the shit out of that dickhead because he was banging her sister. Cruz tells me that everyone, including Thad, knew Natalie was promiscuous. But when Thad saw it was Ember’s boyfriend, and the look of hurt on her face, he flew into a rage.
“Thad loves Ember with all his heart, and he knew he hadn’t protected her. With the events of the day, and knowing Natalie had physically harmed her sister, his resolve snapped. Somehow, Ember thinks it’s her fault.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Like I said, you’re going to help her.”
“Alex, what happened after her dad went to jail?”
He looks at the ceiling, blows out a deep breath, then lowers his face back to me.
“Serena and Natalie made Ember’s life a living hell. Every guy she liked or showed an interest in, Natalie slept with. Ember had very few girlfriends because her sister sabotaged her relationships. Even though she was a few years older, she found a way to infiltrate her way into almost every facet of Ember’s life. She finally got bored and moved on, but then something happened. We’re not sure of all the details, but Natalie got into some kind of trouble. A few days later, Cruz and Chloe got the call that Ember was finally leaving and coming to Nashville. I wasn’t in the picture until about two years later.”
“Why the hell did she stay?”
“Goes back to the guilt thing. Thad’s jail was close, and she could visit him. Also, she was still holding out hope to have a relationship with her mom and sister.”
“Is that over?”
“Yeah, she hasn’t looked back. Cruz and I keep a watch on her, but there’s not really anything to be worried about. Natalie and Serena don’t contact her. It’s like she didn’t even exist in their world.”
“Fucking unbelievable. One thing to know about me, I’m protective of those I care about. I care about Ember.”
“Good to know.” He jerks his chin and goes back to the kitchen.
The more I learn about Ember, the more determined I am to crush the darkness that she holds deep.
Chapter 13
A Real Mom
Ember
“It’s just dinner, Ember. Relax.” Robbie squeezes my hand and gives me a wide smile.
“Sure, it’s dinner to you because it’s your parents.”
“You’ve met them before. They’re cool people.”
“Meeting them at an event to celebrate Sayge is different than meeting them as the girl you’re dating.”