Hell Fire (Wild Fire: 2) (FINISHED)

42 - Why did I say that?

"Uhm..." Ember uttered as Max half-dragged her into a forest. "What are we doing here?"

He smiled over at her at the question. "I thought to take you to a very pretty place this time of year."

"It's... spring," Ember uttered. "And we're in a forest full of pine trees, no flowers. You do realize that the pine needles they drop purposely kill other plant life?"

"Noted," Max said, smirking at her. "My little nerd."

She rolled her eyes. "Are you going to tell me where we're going or not?"

"Nope."

She sighed.

"We're almost there, though," Max promised.

He was right, about two minutes later, they entered his destination, and Ember gasped, eyes glittering as she stared up at the sky.

There were trees all over her, not pine, but...

Cherry blossoms.

The pink flower petals rained down around them, drowning her in its beauty as she lifted a finger and caught one on her hand.

"Pretty, huh?" Max wondered.

She looked at him then, something odd flashing through her eyes.

But he blinked when she started to him, and he yelled out when she jumped onto his form and wrapped her legs around his waist, clasping their lips together seconds later.

Max succumbed, pulling her closer as she drowned in his earthy scent.

She smelled like strawberries and cherries and everything he couldn't imagine a girl would smell like. She was sweet and savory, the salt from the ocean still lingering on her lips, but the sweetness from her cherry lip gloss was still there, too.

He then turned and pressed her against a tree, separating their lips for a moment so he could turn her chin to the side and continue down her neck, hearing her moan softly.

Her fingers twined in his hair, and she buried herself in all the heat coming off his body, though she couldn't tell if she was sweating or not.

Max let go, leaning toward her and pressing his lips to hers, holding her tightly to him as she continued to give into him.

But he-once again-separated himself from her, staring into her ocean-blue eyes and loving how the lights reflecting in them gave her life.

She stared up at him, confused. "You... still can't?"

He closed his eyes as if in pain and shook his head.

She then dropped her legs and untangled herself from him. "I see."

"Ember..." Max whispered.

"I don't understand you," she said then, something cold in her voice. "You say you want me, claim it, then give off that physical attraction that you want me... and then..." she paused, staring up at him, "you just push me away."

He was silent.

"You told me that you're afraid of letting your guard down," she stated, eyes glimmering with a familiar anger. "You're lying."

He parted his lips to respond.

She put a finger up, silencing him. "No. Stop. I don't want to hear your excuses. Either you want me, or you don't."

Max sighed, shaking his head. "I do, but... I can't."

"Why?" she pressed. "Why can't you?"

"I..." he stammered. "I just...."

She closed her eyes, lowering her head as something cold consumed her. "Just say it, you don't want me."

"Ember..." he whispered.

He didn't deny it, though.

"Clearly, you don't," she said sharply, turning away. "Two months ago, you just... you were all over me. You wanted me so much. And through those two months, I pushed away because of my magic. You told me it didn't bother you, but really, it does, doesn't it?"

"Ember, I never said-"

"You didn't HAVE to!" she yelled as he flinched, turning to him with her eyes glimmering with tears. "You didn't HAVE to say it! When I hurt all those officers, you were repulsed! I saw it in your expression! For these two months, you've been getting weary around me, admit it!"

"No!" he said, trying to get her to understand. "That's not why!"

"Then what is it?" she questioned; tone sharp. "What is it? Are you growing bored of me?"

"Ember...."

"Are you repulsed by me?" she continued.

"Ember."

"Are you cheating on me?"

He gazed up then, something inside him bursting. "SHUT UP, WILL YOU? NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT YOU!"

She drew back at his thunderous tone, shocked.

But she sank back into herself, eyes burning as her whole body grew hollow and cold.

What did I just say? Max thought. No! I didn't want to say that! I didn't mean it! What the hell?

Ember looked at him fully now, as if finally realizing what was happening. "Alright."

He stared up, holding his hand out when she stepped away.

"Max," Ember murmured, voice quiet, "it was nice... All this... Thank you for taking me to all these lovely places, but..." she paused, trying to find words, "if all I am... is a burden to you? This fear I have and selfishness? Then... then maybe you should just let me go."

"No, Ember, I-"

"It's okay," she whispered, heart cracking. "Don't... don't lie to me again. At least I know now what you think of me."

And she walked off.

"No!" Max said, running after her. "I didn't mean to say that! Hey! Come back!"

What was wrong with him? Why did he say that?

She wasn't selfish! She was the exact OPPOSITE!

Why couldn't he control himself? What the hell was happening?

After he darted for her, she turned a corner, disappearing in the trees.

"EMBER!" he screamed.