Ember

3 - This one is special

Marco

I rap my fingers on the steering wheel while slowly backing out of Colin’s driveway. Hannah arrived home a short while ago, which was my cue to leave. Hannah and I do not get on, and we never will. The stupid girl thinks I’ll lead Colin astray. She believes that I’ll get him drunk at a party and he’ll cheat on her.

Why on Earth would she think such a thing?

I know I can be a slut, but Colin never has been. The stupid woman doesn’t think much of me at all. Not that I blame her, but still!

Hannah doesn’t trust Colin if she thinks he won’t say no to a woman. I know she doesn’t trust me as far as she could throw me. That doesn’t bother me, but I thought she knew me better than that.

It’s not in me to help anyone cheat on their partner. I’m not that much of a bastard. Besides, I don’t agree with it. Cheating on the one you say you love is not love at all. There’s definitely no respect there.

You know what pisses me off?

The same old excuse, ‘I didn’t mean for it to happen! It just happened!’

You didn’t mean for it to happen?

It just happened?

Unless you were both naked, walked in on each other, then she tripped, fell, and landed on your dic.k, there is no ‘It just happened.’

Have never cheated on any partner I’ve been in a relationship with, and I never will.

I’m a free agent and can do what I want. Colin isn’t free, and I respect that. The fact he’s married would be reason enough for me to break his nose if he cheated on Hannah. I don’t like the woman, but I wouldn’t want to see her hurt by Colin if he did something like that.

Hannah hates me, but it’s no skin off my nose. She can hate me all she likes, whatever makes her feel better. One of these days, though, someone is going to throttle her, and I’ll do nothing to stop it.

A car suddenly drives beside me and pulls up. I stop my car when I realize it’s Ember. No doubt she’s discovered that she left her notebook behind and wants it back. I chuckle to myself, grab the notebook from the passenger seat, and get out of my car. Ember is already halfway to the front door when I stop her.

“Hey, sex.y,” Ember turns to look at me and rolls her eyes. “Looking for this?” I hold the notebook aloft.

Ember’s eyes widen as she charges toward me, hand out to grab what belongs to her. I move it out of her reach. She leans into me, and the smell of her perfume hits my nostrils. Her body is almost pressed against mine, and all I want to do is kiss her.

Ember is taken, and I won’t do anything, even if I want to. Though I can’t deny how attracted to her I am. I’m attracted to most women, but there’s something special about this one.

Ember is special because she’s off-limits, Marco. Forbidden fruit, and all that.

Ember moves back a step and holds out her hand. “May I have my lyric book back, please?”

“Since you asked so nicely,” I smirk and hand the book over. “You have some real talent for songwriting, Ember.”

Her blue eyes widen. “You read my lyrics?”

I nod while looking at the thick, hardback, lilac-colored notebook in Ember’s hands. It looks like something an early teen would have. Writing is scribbled all over it, and random stickers are dotted here and there. For a woman in her mid-twenties, the book is a little childish.

Why should that matter, Marco?

I get the feeling I’ve done wrong in reading those lyrics. Great, now I feel like a dic.k. “I’m sorry, Ember, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She smiles shyly, and her blue eyes sparkle. “It’s okay. It’s just that I don’t usually let anyone read them.”

“I get that,” I nod while running my tongue over my top teeth.

I feel like a prick for reading what was so obviously private. I should have had more respect for the girl than that. If Ember is as good a singer as Colin says she is, and she, along with everyone else, agrees that she should join the band, it would be inevitable that we’d record her songs. From what I’ve seen, there’s no way we could pass them up. I’ve had but a glimpse of what Ember is capable of, and I can’t wait to see more.

I like this girl. Don’t ask me why when I don’t even know her. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t sexuall.y attracted to Ember; any man would be. Long brown hair, deep, dark blue eyes, legs up to her armpits, small but perfect t**s, and a bubble butt, fuckin.g perfect.

God knows I want to do very bad things to Ember. However, that’s not the only reason I like this girl. She’s sweet and smart, and I can tell that she’s strong in more ways than one. I want Ember to trust me. If there is any chance that Ember might join Dun’s Dungeon, I want us to get along.

“Ember, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to invade your privacy. Colin just wanted me to see why you’d be a good fit for the band.”

Ember tips her head to the side slightly, with a smile on her face. “You’re forgiven. You know, you surprise me, Marco Russo.”

“Do I?” I ask, curiously.

Ember laughs and nods her head. “Colin told me all about you.”

I breathe deeply through my nose while folding my arms across my chest. I’m annoyed that Colin had obviously filled Ember in on the man I am now. I doubt he’s told her anything about the man I used to be.

“He told me how much you love the ladies.”

“I bet he did.” I grit through my teeth.

“Don’t worry,” Ember laughs. “Regardless of the player you are, I would like to know the other side of you. I don’t judge people on their lifestyles, Marco. I just want you to know that. What you do in your personal life is your business.”

This is new. I can’t make my mind up whether Ember is one of a kind or just telling me what I want to hear. Either way, I can’t help smirking.

“Well, I should get going,” I tell her. “Give some thought to Colin’s offer to join the band. All you need do is come by and showcase that amazing voice Colin keeps banging on about.” I wink and hop into my car before Ember can reply.

As I back out of Colin’s driveway, I notice Ember watching me. She tucks her hair behind her ear and bites her lower lip. She clutches that damn notebook to her chest. I wink in her direction, and she blushes and turns away. I chuckle to myself and drive away.

That girl likes you, Marco, and she doesn’t even realize it.

She’s also taken, and I won’t chase after a woman who belongs to someone else. I just hope whoever the guy is is good to Ember. I also hope, should it work out, that Ember will join Dun’s Dungeon and that he’ll be happy for her. If he decides to visit Ember, I may have to put up with him, but that’s okay. We’ll all have visits of a sexua.l nature, none of us suddenly plan to become nuns.

Your life is about to change in a significant way, Marco. Are you sure that you’re ready for this?

I was born ready!