Page 33 of Embers of You (Amity #1)

Jameson

I make sure Sutton is comfortable as I help her pull her clothes back on.

My shirt is ruined for the time being, so I keep an eye out for the prying eyes of my mother as we walk back to my house.

Bennet and Duke stay close by, following us while they play around and I’m not sure how they have this much energy after all this time.

I’m also not sure how I have this much energy either. The fact that she made me fall apart with her mouth, then again in her perfect pussy back to back is new for me. And the fact that I feel like I could do it again right now if she asked is completely unheard of.

We get back to my house and I’m anticipating the moment Sutton closes up and runs away again.

But even as I start the shower, she continues to look at me with wide green eyes, and there’s no sign of her closing off.

Not as she reaches down, pulling off her shirt, all while holding our gaze steady.

I swallow roughly as I take in her standing in front of me like this.

The small bathroom begins to fill with steam as the water gets hotter, and she reaches behind her back to unhook her bra, letting it fall onto the floor in front of her.

Neither of us say anything, I’m not about to break whatever spell she’s under and ruin this for either of us.

She pushes her pants down and I bite back a groan.

My pants are tightening against my erection that’s somehow present once again, and I think she may actually kill me if this continues.

She steps toward me, her bare chest brushing against mine as she steps into the shower. Once she’s under the water, she smiles. “Are you going to join me or just stand there staring?”

I don’t think I’ve ever moved faster than I do in this moment after hearing her say that, shedding my clothes and even though the shower is not big enough to fit the both of us, I’m not going to deny her.

She giggles at both of us squished into the small stall, and I help clean her before doing exactly what she said and getting dirty once again.

After an amazing day together, I thought Sutton may stay the night with me, but she doesn’t and I don’t push. Especially because as she left she kissed me like she never wanted to stop and as she drove away it felt different this time.

The next day, I’m at Ma’s, cleaning up her house while she naps and can’t yell at me for it, when I get a text. A smile instantly spreads on my face the second I see her name. Happy that she reached out first.

My hands are wet from doing the dishes, but I wipe them on my jeans quickly so I can open her text. I should probably try to play it cool, but I’m not going to do that. Not when she’s letting me in. I’m not going to screw that up.

Sutton: Bennet just brought Captain Cuddles to me. I think he’s trying to tell me something.

Jameson: What do you think he’s trying to tell you?

Sutton: Either he misses you…

Sutton: Or he wants to play. It’s 50/50.

I chuckle at my screen, typing back to her.

Jameson: I think it’s the first one, should I come over to see him?

Sutton: If you want to. Then he won’t be lonely while I’m out tonight.

Jameson: Out? Where are you going?

Sutton: Jealous? *wink emoji*

Jameson: Concerned. I just want to make sure you’re safe.

Sutton: I’m going with Bailey. I’ll be safe.

I know Bailey is the neighbor she went to the rodeo with. I wasn’t here when she moved into town, but I know she isn’t from here. Everyone in Amity knows everyone and everything, including if you leave or arrive.

In fact, it’s only a matter of time before someone catches wind of what’s going on between Sutton and me. I’m a little surprised that the rumor mill hasn’t started already, or maybe it has and I just haven’t heard anything yet.

Jameson: Let me know if you need anything.

Sutton: Don’t worry, I will, cowboy.

I shake my head, then I hear my mom’s voice behind me saying my name softly and I put my phone away.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asks, her voice groggy with exhaustion, and her eyes match. Seeing her like this hurts my heart.

“Are you okay?”

She smiles softly. “Yes, I’m okay. But I’m not going to be if I find out you’re doing things around here for me when you shouldn’t be.”

“Ma, can you just accept that I want to help you?”

She sighs, looking around the kitchen and clearly noticing everything I did to clean up and narrows her eyes at me. She doesn’t say anything about it and I’m not sure if I should call that a win or be worried that she’s not putting any energy into her playful fights with me.

“I saw Sutton leave yesterday.”

“Did you?”

“I like her.”

I chuckle. “I know you do.”

“Did she have a good time? Was Sandy good to her?”

I fight the blush that wants to cover my cheeks when I think about the good time we had that had nothing to do with the horses.

“Of course she was. That horse is an angel, you know that.”

“She is,” she agrees with a smile. “They all are. we have a good herd.”

“We do. You trained them really well.”

She waves me off as she always does and I catch how unsteady she is. I don’t like how weak she seems, and I step toward her. “Come on, Ma, I want to help with dinner tonight and I don’t want to fight about it.”

“Fine,” she sighs and that also has me a little worried. “Have you seen your father?”

“No.” I know what’s going to come next, and because it’s her I’m going to do it.

“I’ll let you help with dinner if you ask him to join us.”

I nod. “Anything for you, Ma.” Turning to go find him, she calls out my name again and I face her.

“Then, you go have a nice time with Sutton.”

I shake my head. “She’s going out with a friend of hers tonight.”

“Hm.” She smiles.

“What is that?”

“Hm, oh nothing.”

I think about letting it go, but the way she’s reacting has me wondering what she’s thinking. This is how she sounds when she knows something. I should let it go, but there’s a chance that she may actually be thinking something I want to hear.

“What is it?” I finally question before opening the door to leave.

“Did she tell you she didn’t want you to join her?”

“No, but she didn’t invite me either.”

“Maybe she wants you to surprise her.”

“Ma, I think you’re wanting to cause trouble.”

She just smiles, and I continue to leave to find my dad, hoping that this isn’t going to lead to a fight with him. I just want to make Ma happy, and I hope he wants the same, at least before it’s too late.