“Stop that. I know Hyland said some stupid shit, but none of it is true. You belong with us.”
“It’s not that. He did apologise. It’s just… Well, maybe I want to be more than that.”
Regardless of the urgent preparations taking place all around us, I refuse to leave this bathroom until I’ve erased that damn look from her face. Ember lets me spin us around and walk backwards until she’s pressed up against the bathroom door.
I quickly flip the lock to seal us inside then pin her against the thick wood with my hips, feeling every hard line and tempting curve locked against me. Shit, it’s been too long since I felt her. All of her. I need to remedy that.
“I’m only going to say this once, Em, so listen well. Don’t for a second think that you’re just a job to any of us. That ship sailed a very long time ago. Hell, I never boarded it to begin with.”
“Sure doesn’t feel that way when you’re counting pills for me while Warner and Hyland seem determined to dictate my every move.”
“You mean caring for you?” My eyes widen of their own volition.
Her nostrils flare with a sharp inhale. “Babying me.”
“There’s a big difference.”
“I’m not sure I agree with that.”
“I know you’re used to being all independent and shit, but you need to get it into your brain that we’re all obsessed with you. That’swhywe’re tripping over our feet to help. It isn’t babying, it’s love.”
She pushes against my hips, attempting to wriggle free, but I keep her pinned against the door. Fuck it. Let them all talk. I’ll lock her inside this room until she relents and cries out my name. Then let her tell me we’re just fucking colleagues.
“Listen to me,” I urge, clenching her biceps.
“Axel, we need to go?—”
“No. Not until you understand. I’d worship the literal ground you walk on if it meant I could be in your presence for a single second. That’s how I feel about you. I’d bet my left foot it’s how Warner and Hyland feel too.”
“We don’t need to talk about this right now.”
“Yes, we do. This insecurity you have is based on a lie.” I search her cringing face. “You’re our family, Ember. The minute you signed on the dotted line, that’s what you became.”
“I just find it hard to believe.” Her eyes drop down to the floor. “That anyone cares, you know? I had to survive alone for so long. Accepting help now… it’s difficult for me.”
Sliding a finger beneath her chin, I tilt her gaze back up to meet mine. “I get that, babe. It’s all the more reason for me to pin you down and remind you how much we care. Even when you make it harder than it needs to be.”
“That’s me,” Ember jokes.
My forehead presses against hers, bringing our noses flush. The sounds of conversation and barked orders on the other side of the door melt away, leaving me to tune into Ember’s strained breaths. She’s on edge. I can almost imagine the violent thrashing of her heart muscle.
“When this is all over, I intend to lock you in my bedroom and prove to you that I mean it,” I whisper over her mouth. “I’m sure the others would join me in that mission too.”
“You’d want that?” Her lips flutter against mine.
“I’d like nothing less. You know I’m down for whatever you want. As long as I get to watch, that is.”
“Be serious, Ax.”
“I am. If it’s what you want, then you’re ours. Whether those idiots realise yet or not. You belong to us, and I’m done skirting around it. Life is too short.”
She melds her lips to mine, stealing a passionate kiss. “I do want this.”
“Then let’s make it work. After we survive this.”
“Right.” She laughs.
When a loud bang raps on the door, we both sigh. This isn’t the right time to be discussing our relationship—or rather, what it could be—but I wasn’t about to let her doubt my intentions.
