Chapter 4 #2
I knew it could be seen as predatory, but something so desperate inside me needed her reassurance, some hint that it was as incredible for her as it was for me.
"I don't know what you want me to say."
"I want you to tell me what you're thinking."
She let out a shaky breath. "I'm thinking I'm insane." One hand snuck up between us and she bit down on a fingernail.
"For what?" I asked, pulling her hand away, brushing my thumb over her lip. God, I wanted to kiss her again.
"For being here. For not quitting." She met my gaze directly. "I thought about it… but then God, that sex was so incredible, Nathan." The way she said my name made my insides jiggle like Jell-O.
"Nate," I corrected, and she smiled.
"And I think when something is that amazing, you have to have it more than once…" Ember looked up at me through her thick eyelashes and bit her lower lip. "So I came."
Relief and guilt warred in my chest, tangled together until I couldn't tell which was winning.
She'd thought about quitting.
Of course she had.
I'd crossed every line, violated every rule of professional conduct.
And now she was staying—not because she loved the job, but because she wanted more of what we'd done yesterday.
It was one of the most exquisitely painful feelings in my life.
But it revealed just how crappy of a boss I really was.
"You wanted to quit?" I said slowly.
"I thought about it." She tilted her head, studying my face.
"Your schedule is impossible, Nate. You work nonstop, and you expect everyone around you to keep up.
I've been running myself into the ground for four days trying to meet your standards.
" Still, even as she was speaking, she curled one hand around my tie and the other rested on my stomach.
"But you're staying."
"For now." A faint smile touched her lips. "The benefits are better than I expected."
God, the way she said it was so sexy, I felt myself harden to a rock-like state and knew precum was probably dampening my boxers.
I couldn't help myself.
I had to kiss her again.
She made a small sound against my mouth and pulled me closer the instant my mouth touched hers.
I felt her arch into me, fitting against my body in a way that made coherent thought impossible.
My hips started grinding against her thigh of their own accord.
I slid my hand up her side, feeling the curve of her waist under her robe, and she bit my lower lip in response.
Heat flooded through me, my body responding to her with embarrassing enthusiasm.
"Dr. Bradley!"
The voice cut through the haze, and I jerked back from Ember as though I'd been burned.
The festival director was calling my name from somewhere near the stage, her voice carrying across the square.
I looked down at Ember, who was breathing hard, her lips swollen from the kiss. "Wait a few minutes before you follow," I said quietly.
And though I could tell she didn't want me to walk away either, I saw her nod in acknowledgement.
I adjusted my robe, willing my body to calm down, and stepped out from between the booths.
The director spotted me immediately and waved me over.
I forced myself to walk normally, to appear composed and in control, even though every nerve in my body was screaming for me to turn around and finish what I'd started.
"There you are!" The director clapped me on the shoulder, oblivious to my discomfort. "Beautiful ceremony. The crowd loved it."
"Thank you." I clasped my hands in front of me, using the folds of my robe to hide the evidence of my arousal.
"I wanted to go over the schedule for the next few weeks." She pulled out her phone and began scrolling through a calendar, though her voice became a monotone droning sound as she ticked off all the events I was expected to attend.
I was barely listening.
My focus was split between maintaining appropriate eye contact with the director and trying to will my erection away through sheer force of determination.
Neither effort was particularly successful.
"Are you all right?" the director asked, tilting her head.
"Fine. Just a long day at the hospital." I shifted my weight, adjusting the robe again.
"Well, we certainly appreciate your making time for these events. The community is thrilled to have you as Lightkeeper. You're exactly the caliber of man we want representing Beacon Hill's values."
Her words felt like accusations because I was standing here with an erection I couldn't control, still tasting Ember on my lips, while this woman praised my moral character.
"I'm honored to serve," I mumbled, but it twisted the guilty knot in my gut.
The director continued outlining responsibilities and dates while I forced myself to pay attention, to nod at the appropriate moments, to ask clarifying questions when necessary.
But my mind kept drifting back to Ember, still hidden between the booths, waiting for enough time to pass before she could emerge without raising suspicion.
This was insane.
I was supposed to be above reproach, a respected physician, a leader in my community.
And here I was, unable to control my own body's response to a woman young enough to be my daughter.
If this got out, the press would have a field day and my father would probably cut me out of his will.