Page 16 of Ember’s Heart

Ember

I t was Friday night and the Last Chance was buzzing.

The jukebox was playing a mix of nostalgic rock and today’s country.

The air was thick with laughter, the scent of beer and yummy fried food, and the smell of the creek that flowed just outside was coming in from the open doors that led to the back deck.

The Last Chance sat directly across the creek from the swimming hole where my brothers, my friends, and I had spent countless summers. Even from across the creek you could always hear the music drifting from this bar.

Avery and I had claimed a couple of stools at the bar hours ago, and by now things were definitely looking brighter, and a little fuzzy.

We were alternating between our favorite Lemon Drop shots and the occasional tequila shot, because, well, why not?

I was feeling… good. Really good. Like, halfway to channeling my inner Coyote Ugly and attempting a questionable routine on the bar.

My inhibitions had apparently taken a vacation, leaving behind a louder, bolder, and definitely more…

flirtatious version of myself. It was a side of Ember I rarely let out.

Tonight, though, she wanted to let loose and have a damn good time.

I was one Lemon Drop away from convincing myself I should crawl up on that bar and shake my ass, which trust me, I don’t think would be nearly as sexy as in the movie.

I’d look more like a confused otter trying to climb a slippery rock.

Avery nudged my arm. “Another one?” she giggled, her words starting to slur. She had a mischievous grin on her face, and her cheeks were flushed.

“Why not?” I signaled to the bartender for another round.

I raised my empty glass, “To… to questionable decisions and even more questionable men!” I giggled.

Tonight was about forgetting. Forgetting the responsibilities with the farm, forgetting my worries, and most definitely forgetting a certain infuriatingly handsome and persistent Colton James.

When the bartender set the next round in front of us, we each grabbed one, clinked the glasses and threw back our shots, the citrusy sweetness followed by the fiery kick of tequila slid easily down my throat.

Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the noise. “Ember Carter? Is that really you?”

I turned to see Jake Miller, leaning against the bar with that same cocky grin he’d worn in high school. I haven’t seen him in years, but it was obvious he was still a flirt, and maybe still a bit of a goofball. And tonight, under the influence of liquid courage, he was… intriguing.

“Jake Miller,” I purred, batting my eyelashes dramatically. Avery snickered beside me, clearly amused by my liquid courage.

He chuckled as he sidled closer, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. “Wow, you look… amazing. Haven’t seen you since graduation. Last I heard, you went off to college to study… uh… Agriculture or something?”

I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head. “Close. It was actually marketing and business.” I paused, then leaned closer, my voice low and husky. “But enough about me. Tell me, Jake… what have you been up to?”

As I spoke, my gaze drifted past Jake, and my heart did a little drunken stumble.

Colton. He was standing in the doorway, his eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched.

Oh, this is getting interesting, my tipsy brain thought.

A little grin spread across my face. An idea, reckless and impulsive, bloomed in my slightly inebriated mind.

If he wanted to play games, fine. I could play too.

I turned back to Jake, my hand resting lightly on his arm. “So, you were saying…?” I purred, my voice laced with playful invitation. That little voice inside my head, I knew I shouldn’t listen to, telling me to make a certain brooding soldier a little jealous.

Jake, clearly delighted by my sudden interest, moved closer.

“Ember,” he mumbled, his gaze dropping to my lips.

He leaned in, his lips hovering just above mine.

I could feel his breath on my skin, the scent of beer and something vaguely…

masculine. I closed my eyes, anticipation bubbling inside me. Here we go…

His lips finally met mine, tentative at first, then growing bolder.

His hands slid down my back and I felt a thrill course through me.

One hand dipped lower, finding its way beneath my shirt, his fingers ghosting my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

They continued their descent, lower, lower…

until one hand found its way to my ass cheek.

He gave it a firm squeeze, and my breath hitched.

Well, okay, Mr. Smooth, my tipsy brain slurred. Talk about being a little grabby.

But before the other hand could join in the fun, Jake was suddenly… gone.

I opened my eyes, blinking in confusion. Where had he…?

Then I saw Colton. He was standing there, his face a mask of angry and jealous possessiveness. His eyes were blazing, his jaw tight, his entire body radiating a silent, dangerous warning. Well, hello there, possessive soldier, my tipsy self giggled internally. Looks like someone’s not happy.

Jake, meanwhile, looked utterly bewildered, his eyes darting between Colton and me, clearly trying to decipher the sudden shift in atmosphere.

I couldn’t help it, a giggle bubbled up from my chest. Avery, perched on her barstool, was clearly enjoying the show, a wide, entertained grin plastered across her face.

“Take a hike, Miller,” Colton growled, his voice low and dangerous, never taking his eyes off me. “She’s off limits.”

Jake’s eyes widened at the fury in Colton’s voice. He took one last, panicked look at me, mumbled a hasty, “Uh, yeah, Ember, call me sometime?” before practically tripping over his own feet in his haste to escape.

‘Yeah, I’ll definitely do that,’ I thought. ‘Right after I teach my pet unicorn to dial.’

I tried to muster some semblance of seriousness.

I jabbed Colton in the chest with a wobbly finger.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?

You can’t just waltz in here and ruin my fun!

” I slurred slightly, my indignation battling the lingering buzz of the tequila.

He just stood there, a smirk playing on his lips, clearly amused by my inebriated outrage.

Before I could launch into a full-blown, tipsy tirade, Colton bent down with surprising swiftness, scooped me up, and threw me over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry.

“Say goodnight, Ember. Time for you to go home,” he said, his voice firm but with a hint of something else…

something that made my stomach do a little flip despite my annoyance.

“Goodnight, Ember,” I mumbled to his back.

His hand suddenly connected with my backside in a sharp, playful slap. “Watch it, Firefly,” he said, a chuckle rumbling in his chest.

My eyes widened in surprise, the alcohol momentarily forgotten.

“Hey!” I exclaimed. “Put me down, you… you overly possessive jackass!” I yelled, slapping his back with all the drunken force I could muster.

The world spun with each of his steps. Behind us, Avery raised her glass in a mock salute.

“Well, that was certainly… efficient ! Don’t forget to call me tomorrow!

” she called out, her laughter echoing through the bar as Colton carried me out into the night.