Chapter Sixteen
Lucy
“You did what?!”
Ember screams at me through the phone speaker.
Her eyes look like saucers, but her smile is so big, I bet you could see it from outer space.
I laugh, looking back down at the recipe I know by heart.
I knew telling her about this would rile her up, but she sat quietly through the whole story until the end.
“Don’t look away from me. Stop acting like you don’t know that recipe by heart.” Ember points to her screen, but it’s definitely directed right at me.
“I don’t know, Em. I don’t know what I was thinking,” I say, dropping my head into my hands. I let out a groan.
“Don’t you dare feel guilty or embarrassed about doing something for yourself.
He offered, right? You could have said no.
” She pops a candy in her mouth before continuing, “Do not spiral about this, Lucille. Own it. You just let an incredibly hot man make you orgasm harder than you ever have, probably in your life.”
“I know. I just—” I try to form thoughts, but my brain has been scattered since I got out of the shower.
I drag my hands down my face and continue, “How am I supposed to look them in the face now? Any of them? I’m still stuck here for the next few days until I hear back from the fire chief, who is taking their sweet time getting back to me. ”
“I don’t know how you went this long without letting any of them touch you, anyway. I would’ve slept with them all by now if I’m being honest.” Em grins and gives me a wink.
I laugh and roll my eyes. “It hasn’t even been a week, Em. I’ve been here for like five days.”
“That’s four days too long in my book, babe.” She eats another candy, and I can hear a muffled sound in the background.
I pause my mixing and look into the screen. “What is that sound?” I try to look behind her, but I can’t see anything.
“Oh, that’s Jake. He’s tied to the bed right now.” Ember takes a drink of her coffee and shrugs.
“Ember! You can’t leave someone tied to your bed. Has he been in there the whole time we’ve been on the phone?” I ask, already knowing what she’s going to say next.
“Yes. Is that a problem?” she replies, cocking an eyebrow up and giving me a look.
“Go release Jake, you crazy bitch.” I shake my head at her.
“You texted and said it was an emergency. I had to call you. I told him I would be back when I was done.” She rolls her eyes and lets out an annoyed huff.
“Ember!” My tone is firm as I lock eyes with her through the phone.
“Fine. But remember Lucy, do not feel bad for taking an orgasm that was offered to you. Be confident in your choice. Maybe do it again with another one of them. Or take them all at once. You need that kind of excitement in your life. Also, I will want every single detail so I can live vicariously through you.”
“Yeah, that probably won’t happen, but—”
“What probably won’t happen, Darlin’?” Nash asks, walking in and setting his to-go cup in the sink.
“Uhm.” I look at him, my face starting to burn from his question.
“Which one is that?” Ember’s voice is loud coming through the phone, and I quickly pick up the phone.
“I’ll call you later. Bye!” I can hear Em start to argue, but I hit the end call button before she says something to embarrass me more than I already am.
“So?” Nash leans against the counter, watching me as I pour the blueberry mixture into a baking pan.
“How did it go at the elementary school?” I ask quickly, trying to change the subject.
Nash chuckles and shakes his head. “Job went fine. There wasn’t much damage. It should hold until the storm disappears and we can get in there to fix it the right way.”
“Oh, that’s good. Glad you guys could figure something out.”
“Ms. Randall was very appreciative of us,” Nash says, walking to the fridge to grab a cold beer. “Are you going to tell me what you and Ember were talking about?” He takes a sip from the glass bottle and looks over at me.
“It was nothing,” I say, walking over to put the dish in the oven. Shutting the door, I wipe my hands on the towel sitting on the counter. I can feel heat creeping up the back of my neck as I set the timer.
“If it was nothin’, why are your ears gettin’ so red right now?” Nash asks in an amused voice.
When I don’t answer, he chuckles and takes another drink. I can see the muscles move in his neck as he drinks, and I’ve never been so turned on by watching someone swallow something.
“Can you take this out and set it on the counter when the timer goes off, please?” I say, turning around and quickly racing out of the room.
“Sure thing, Darlin’,” Nash shouts, and a laugh is the last thing I hear as I beeline to my room.
I need a cold fucking shower.
I’m stopped by the front door opening while Ren and Colson stumble in out of the rain. They are soaking wet from head to toe, and water drips onto the floor.
“Hey, Love. Where are you off to in a hurry?” Ren shakes his head, and water flies all around. His eyes are bright in comparison to when I glance over at Colson, who is shrugging his coat off.
“I’m just running to my room for something.” The words rush out as I cross my arms in front of me. I glance down to the floor and shift my weight from one foot to the other.
“Alright. We picked up dinner, so don’t be in there too long.” Ren lifts takeout bags and the smell of french fries hits my nose. My stomach threatens to growl, so I nod my head and continue on my way. When I make it inside my bedroom, I shut the door and lean against it, letting out a deep breath.
I guess a cold shower will have to wait.