When I step inside, she’s sitting on her bed, hair wet and piled on her head.
“Can we talk?”
“Sure.”
“I don’t want to sound like an asshole.”
“But?” Her laughter surprises me.
“I like you, Ember,”—I run my hand through my hair—“a lot, but if we do this, this thing between us…”
“It’s just sex.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry. You deserve more than that, but that’s the best I can give you. If you’re not okay with that, I understand. We can…”
She gets up off the bed and walks over to me.
“I’m more than okay with that.”
“You mean the world to Amelia and me. We would be lost without you. I don’t want to do anything that would hurt you.”
“Really? Maybe you shouldn’t bite so hard then.” She gives me a flirty wink before turning away back toward the bed.
“I’m being serious.”
Ember sighs as she sits down and pats the seat next to her. I follow her invitation.
“You’re not doing anything to hurt me. I promise. Listen, I just got out of a really bad relationship. I’m not looking for anything except a fresh start, a good job, and some great sex. Right now, I need to focus on myself. So, when I say you’re not in danger of breaking my heart, I mean it.”
“We’re on the same page then?”
As if we’re conducting some sort of business transaction, she extends her hand to me.
“Friends… with benefits.”
Instead of taking her hand, I kiss her, taking full advantage of the benefits she just offered.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Ember
Two weeks ago, Ryder and I embarked on our friends-with-benefits arrangement.
I’m still trying to decipher what the difference is between that and a relationship. They sure as hell feel a lot alike. I won’t complain, though. These have been the best two weeks of my life.
I no longer feel like I have to tread cautiously around him. There’s no denying our desires. We just give into them—whenever we want, wherever we want. And God, do I want him all the time. I’ve never been more satisfied in my life—sexually, mentally, even emotionally, though I know there isn’t supposed to be an emotional connection.
When we’re not having sex, we’re talking, laughing, or playing with Amelia. Those are the moments when it gets a little rough and the lines seem to blur. Just sex. That’s what we’re supposed to be, except sometimes, it feels like so much more.
If my feelings for Ryder aren’t bad enough, there’s Amelia. That little girl has owned my heart since the moment I met her. Never in a million years did I picture myself wanting a child, let alone having one. Now, after weeks with Amelia, I can’t picture not having one. She’s the highlight of my day. Our talks, her laughter—she truly makes everything better.
Hazel sets a slice of cheesecake in front of me as she slides into the opposite side of the booth.
“So, things with the boss, they’re good?”
Nothing about Ryder is just “good.” He’s amazing and wonderful, a god in bed. He satisfies and sates, then does it again. No, good does not remotely describe him.
“They’re great. He’s exactly what I needed after Devlin.” I cringe even speaking that vile name. It’s not often I think about him, but let’s face it, after what he put me through, he’s a little hard to forget.