Embers Falling (Daniels Family 2.50)

1

Ember

It started with a kiss.

Soft, sweet, intense. He held me like he loved me.

Noah Brennan was everything I’ve ever dreamed about in a man I wanted to spend my life with. I always thought his brooding silence was a mystery to solve.

I know better now.

Noah is filled with passion.

A possessive desire to dominate me and now that I know, I can’t get him out of my head. He consumes my thoughts, desires. My heart and body. My entire soul hungers for him.

After watching my oldest brother, Arsen, fall in love with Marina, and then Kol, fall for my friend Thea, I’m tired of waiting. I’m finally going to take what I want. I’m going to go after everything my heart yearns for.

Taking a deep breath as I stand on the front porch of Noah’s condo, I raise my hand to knock only to be stopped short when the door opens and there he is. Standing in a pair of gym shorts, bare feet, bare chest, ever present scowl and scorching green eyes.

“Em.” He shortens my name like we’re familiar with each other. Truth is, we shared that one kiss six months ago and I’ve barely been able to get him to say two words to me ever since then.

“Noah.” I gasp for breath. He does that to me, steals the air right from my lungs like it belongs to him.

His gaze slides leisurely up and down my frame before he speaks again, a sexy smirk across his lips. “What are you doing here Em?” I can feel the blush creeping up my neck and into my face.

For the first time since deciding it was time to figure out where we stand, I have my doubts. Turning to look behind me, I don’t see an extra car in his driveway, but I have to wonder if he has a woman over now.

Thankfully the dark night covers my embarrassment. “Uhm, you know what, nothing. It doesn’t matter. Sorry for bothering you, Detective.” I can’t even say his name because I know my voice will hitch and he’ll know exactly why I’m here.

Spinning I start to rush down the steps when a strong hand grips my bicep, turning me back around. A blazing inferno greets me as I’m forced to look up at Noah. He crowds me into the small stoop, protected only by his large body, and I freeze as the warmth of his bare chest invades through my thin shirt.

“If you’re here, it matters.” His voice is like fine whiskey, it slides down your throat with only a slight burn. Slowly lowering his head, our lips are a breath apart, “Tell me what you want, Ember.”

Speechless and maybe a little love drunk, I stutter over my words as they struggle to get past my lips. “I, well, you see, that kiss…” I pause and breathe in. Big mistake. I’m over taken by his scent. All man. And something spicy.

“What about it?” He whispers into my neck.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it and I can never get you to talk to me when people are around, so I thought I would come over and find out.” I rush the words out and feel about ten years old again.

He pulls back to look at me, his eyebrows furrowing, and the lusty gaze gone. “What makes you think there was anything to it?” His cold question is like a bucket of water dumping on my head.

Licking my suddenly dry lips, I squeak, “Okay, good. That’s what I thought but wanted to clear the air.”

I feel like such a fool. Ducking under his arms, I rush down the steps and don’t stop until I’m behind the wheel of my car. Starting the engine, I barely check for oncoming traffic as I pull out and zip down his block.

With one last glance at Noah, I see him standing on his front step, a glare in his eyes, and his fists balled at his sides.

“Stupid, Ember, just freaking stupid.” I berate myself. I can’t believe I got so worked up over a stupid kiss.

Noah

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I know I shouldn’t be here, I shouldn’t have followed her. I should walk the fuck away and never look back.

Ember Daniels is off limits for more reasons than she can even guess. Not only is she the baby sister of my partner and best friend, Kol, she’s also twelve years younger than me.

There should be huge warning signs up saying: No! Stay away!