Hell Fire (Wild Fire: 2) (FINISHED)

11 - Don't you DARE

Ember's eyes shot open, gasping when her sight met darkness.

Where the hell was she...?

"Hey-hey," a male voice said, pulling her closer from behind until his hands circled her waist, "you're fine. Calm down."

She eased into his form when she heard Max's familiar calm tone.

When her sight adjusted to the darkness, she made out a large room with drawn curtains, a couple silhouettes of sofas circling the room, and when she gazed down, she realized she was on one, too.

Max was behind her, holding her body to his while she slept.

"Where are we...?" she whispered in the darkness.

"We're at a temporary home," he responded, fingers stroking her navel gently. "Don't worry. It'll be safe here."

She gazed around nervously, watching the moonlight beam through the tinted windows. "What time is it?"

Max pulled one arm off her and checked his watch before placing it back. "About two-ish in the morning."

She was asleep for that long?

But she sat up on the couch, making Max exhale a groan as if she annoyed him, but she immediately shivered as a cold draft passed through her.

"Nope," she said.

She then collapsed back down and turned so she faced him, burying herself in his hold as he chuckled and wrapped his arms around her.

"Cold?" he wondered at this. He pulled the blanket she was originally under back over her. "There, better?"

She nodded, letting his heat deepen into her. "You're my personal radiator."

He laughed softly, the act rattling his rib cage.

"Want me to rub your back?" he asked.

"Yes, please."

He sighed in amusement, gently moving his hand up her back through the blanket, and then back down, gazing down at her as she rested her cheek against his chest.

He felt his lips tilt when he saw her lashes lower, and her mouth part as if she were already half-asleep.

"Good?" he prompted.

She nodded, feeling comforted just by the vibrations his chest gave from his voice.

"Do you wanna go back to sleep?" he asked her softly, watching her lashes lower more and more.

"Yes, please..." she whispered, fingers slightly rubbing his back in response.

He pulled the blanket over her more and pulled her closer so her head pressed to the nape of his neck. "Go to sleep then. I'll take you up to your room, okay? If you need me, just go across the hall. I'll be there."

"I'm surprised that you're not demanding to be in the same bed as me," she teased sleepily.

"I know you need your space," Max told her then.

She sighed and closed her eyes, loving how his hands felt on her skin. "Why are you so good at soothing me...?"

"Because I know you," he responded. "And, excuse me? Just soothing? Not the kissing?"

She laughed lazily. "Maybe kissing. I've never kissed anyone before, so I'd have to find another guy, kiss him, and I'll let you know."

Max smiled dangerously. "Don't you dare."

She giggled. "What would you do if I did, honestly?"

"You don't want to know," he responded.

"Give me a hint..." she breathed.