Page 32

“What about you? Do you rub your pretty little pussy to relieve the ache?” The words are so filthy coming from his mouth, and I can’t help but shift in his lap, desperate for some kind of relief. His hands clamp around me to hold me in position, forcing me to remain still. “Little Flame, I’m already holding on by a thread. Do you think it’s wise to tempt me further?”

“No.”

“Then stay still,” he rumbles. “I asked you a question.”

“Yes,” I tell him honestly. “But not…not often.”

“And why is that? No one to get you hot and bothered, or do you not enjoy your own touch?”

“I…I’m not sure. I guess it doesn’t occur to me.”

“Hmm.” Orion trails kisses along my shoulder. “I can’t wait to show you the world, Ember.”

Before I can ask what he means by that, there’s a loud knock at the door that causes me to jolt, and the only thing that stops me from tumbling off his lap is his firm hold.

“I guess our time is up,” I whisper, desperately trying to hold back the disappointment from my tone.

“Doesn’t have to be,” he murmurs. “Let me take you home.”

“I can’t.”

“You don’t want me knowing where you live?”

“No. I mean, I can’t let you take me home. I…I don’t really do cars, or vehicles of any type for that matter, since my brother died.”

I hold my breath, waiting for him to realize I’m too much work and that he’s better off without me, but if anything, he holds me tighter.

“I’ll walk with you then? I don’t like the idea of you unprotected.”

This feels like a big step. Because not only will Orion know where I live, we’ll also finally see one another outside of this dark room.

“Okay,” I murmur.

I climb out of his lap, trying my best to do so gracefully, but I stumble on the edge of the chair. A yelp escapes my throat as I attempt to right myself. But then strong arms wrap around me, tugging me against his body with both hands on my hips.

“Careful, Little Flame,” he murmurs.

My cheeks heat at the endearment. I can’t think of a single nickname I’ve ever been called aside from Em, but I’m really growing to like this one. Probably something else I’m going to regret, but I find myself caring less and less with each minute that passes.

Once he’s sure I’m steady, he releases my hips and immediately grasps my hand in his much larger one, before tugging me toward the door.

“Do you have a bag you need to pick up?” he asks as we slip into the empty hallway.

I nod and tug him toward the locker room. “I’ll be right back,” I tell him, quickly chancing a glance up at him. I just about swallow my tongue when I catch sight of his perfectly styled dark hair and sinfully intense brown eyes. There’s agenerous stubble across his jaw that I felt brush over my forehead when he was holding me, and his suit is impeccably fitted, to the point I’m wondering if he had it tailored to his body this morning.

Well, fuck.

Orion wasn’t hideous, or deformed, or any of the things I had thought he might be when he refused to let me turn the lights on.

No. He’s fucking beautiful. Or maybe that’s not the right word. Handsome. Rugged in a refined kind of way. And hot as fuck.

He gives me an amused smirk and nods to the door, clearly getting a kick out of how thoroughly I’ve just checked him out.

A deep heat washes over me as I slip into the staff room and press my back to the door.

Fuck. I’m so in over my head right now.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE