Page 24 of Embers of You (Amity #1)

Sutton

“Don’t look at me like that,” I tell Bennet who’s watching me get ready to go to dinner with Jameson and his parents. I don’t know how I ended up in this position, but there’s no way I can back out now.

Even if I’ve thought about it multiple times over the last several hours.

It’s just a dinner, and it’s not even for him. It’s for his mom, who was really sweet when I met her. It makes me believe that maybe Jameson really is as good as he seems when he was raised by a woman like that.

Though he may be sweet, I saw a glimpse of another side to him the other day.

The day I threw caution to the wind, let my mind turn off and just act on pure instinct, which at that moment was to feel good.

It worked almost too well because every time I think about how it felt to be on his lap I’m tempted to relive the entire moment.

The way his lips felt on mine, how I was so turned on I could practically cry as I rubbed against him.

The low moan he let out when we both found our release without our skin even touching.

The feeling was already so strong, I can only imagine how strong it would be if we really got the chance to take things further.

Which is why we can’t.

And why this dinner tonight doesn’t count as a date. It won’t lead to anything else other than making his mom happy, and maybe a few laughs.

What it will not do, is tempt me any closer to Jameson Turner.

Jameson’s truck pulls up outside, and for another two seconds I debate telling him I changed my mind, or that I’m violently ill.

Anything to get me out of this, but Bennet nudges my hand, something he often does to get pets on the top of his head, and I look down and see his big brown eyes looking at me.

It’s his silent encouragement. “Fine, I’ll go,” I tell him with a groan, grabbing my purse and walking out the front door.

I’m greeted by Jameson walking toward me, and I inwardly groan at how good he looks. The white button down is so simple, but hugs his frame in a way that should be obscene. The black slacks make my knees weak and I never thought I’d have such a visceral reaction to some pants.

Okay, aside from grey sweatpants I suppose, but those are obscene no matter who’s wearing them.

“You look gorgeous,” he tells me, and I scoff, looking down at my simple sundress, which compared to him seems underdressed.

“Thanks,” I murmur, and as he takes my hand, my eyes shoot up to his. “You said this wasn’t a date.”

“It’s not, my parents are in the car. Friends can’t hold hands?”

I suck my bottom lip into my mouth as we walk toward his truck, and I want to argue that no, friends can’t hold hands, but it feels too good. It’s also short lived as we approach the car and I start to step toward the backseat.

“You’re up front with me,” he says.

I shake my head. “No, I’ll ride in the back.”

“The back is taken,” his mom says from the now open window. “You’re the guest, you get the front, sweetie.”

Jameson faces me with a small grin. “I tried to tell her. Might as well get in the car, she’s not going to change her mind.”

I notice that an older man, I assume is Jameson’s father, is also in the back seat, sitting next to his mother, but he doesn’t say anything.

I relent as Jameson opens the passenger door for me, and I climb in, turning back toward his mom with a soft smile.

Jameson climbs in and his mom speaks up again, “This is nice, almost like we have our own chauffeur. I feel like a celebrity.”

We both chuckle as Jameson starts to drive. I don’t hear his dad make a noise, but when I glance back, I see their hands intertwined together. I try not to make my smile too obvious because I don’t want to seem weird smiling at these two strangers.

I realize I’m not sure where we’re going and I’m about to ask when his mom speaks up instead.

“What’re your intentions with my boy?” Her tone is teasing.

“Ma,” Jameson scolds.

“Oh stop it, we’re here to get to know the girl.”

“That’s not what you said.” He looks up at her through the rearview mirror, and I cover my mouth to smother my laughter.

“Sutton, how’d you and my unruly son meet?”

“Unruly?” I sputter, unable to help myself.

“Yes, unruly because if he had any sense he would be settled down by now.”

Jameson groans loudly, and rolls down his window, leaning toward it.

“What’re you doing?” she asks.

“Just thinking about jumping out into traffic, Ma.”

She reaches forward and slaps his arm lightly, and I bark out a loud laugh and quickly slap my hand over my mouth.

“See what I have to deal with?” Jameson raises an eyebrow in my direction quickly before looking back toward the road.

“I’d take this over my parents any day.” I regret the words as soon as they’re out of my mouth because I don’t want that to lead to any questions. Luckily, everyone else in the car seems distracted enough that no one comments about what I said.

Jameson drives us out of town toward Aberdeen, which is the closest bigger city and the playful banter with his mom keeps up, though it seems to stay lighthearted. I’m pulled from my wandering thoughts when I feel his warm hand on my thigh.

I look over at him, and see the easy smile on his face, one hand steering, the other resting on me comfortably. He must feel me looking because he says, “Friends can do this.”

Again, I don’t argue, but I have to disagree with him. Friends definitely don’t do this.

We get to the restaurant, and of course before I’m able to open my own door Jameson is there, opening it for me.

I notice how his dad is doing the same for his mom, and though the man didn’t say a single word on our drive over here, he helps her out of the lifted truck carefully.

I’m staring, but it’s so sweet and even before everything went down in my own family my parents were never like this with each other.

That probably explains why my dad cheated and why my mom didn’t even care.

“Are you okay?” Jameson asks, his hand slipping into mine again.

I look up at him, hoping he can’t read me, but the way his blue eyes look at me with so much concern and care has my heart thumping even harder in my chest and I forget about the betrayal I was thinking about.

Right now, all that matters is the way this man is looking at me.

“Yeah.” I nod. The weirdest thing is that I don’t yank my hand away from his. I tighten my grip and let him lead us inside.

He doesn’t let go until he’s pulling out my chair for me, and then sits next to me at the table. His dad does the same for his mom and I melt a little more watching them.

Once we’re all sitting and looking at the menu, Jameson’s mom speaks up again, “Sutton, sweetie, I hope you know I was just joking.”

“Oh, it’s okay, Mrs. Turner.” I give her a smile.

“I know you only have good intentions with Jameson. I mean you’re the only girl he’s ever had us meet, and one day I hope to see him get married and?—”

“Ma,” Jameson cuts her off.

“We’re just friends, Mrs. Turner, that’s why I’m here.”

“Ah, yes, friends .” She winks at me and I bury myself in the menu pretending to decide what I’m going to order as if I don’t order the same thing at almost every restaurant I go to.

Though, this place is a bit fancier than I’m used to so instead of the chicken tenders I would usually try to order I’m choosing some grilled chicken and vegetables.

“So how long have you all lived in Amity?” I ask to try and pull any attention from myself so no one asks me any questions.

“I’m from here, actually.” I assume she’s referring to Aberdeen, where we currently are. “Benjamin was here attending college when we met and decided we wanted to find somewhere small to settle down, found the beautiful property in Amity and the rest is history.”

She looks over at her husband, and I’m just now realizing I didn’t know his name until right now. His gaze softens toward his wife and I smile.

“And all we wanted was for Jameson here to take over the ranch, but he wanted to run off to the tropics instead.” Benjamin’s face hardens again as he faces his son, his gruff voice only makes him sound resentful.

My spine stiffens at his tone and I feel Jameson tense next to me. Without thinking I place my hand on his thigh, attempting to comfort him.

“Benjamin,” Jameson’s mom scolds softly.

“And now I’m back,” Jameson says through gritted teeth.

“Which we’re both so happy about.” She reaches her hand across the table with a wide smile.

Benjamin huffs and Jameson clenches his jaw.

“I’m happy about it, too.” The words escape my mouth before I’m able to stop them, I just want to do anything to help ease the tension that has come over the table.

His eyes swing over to me in shock. I give him a soft smile and squeeze his thigh. He seems to relax slightly, his hand covering mine. “Me, too.”