Layers of Us (Second Generation Book 2)

Chapter 20

EMBER

“Come back with me,” Miles’s breathy request made the hairs on the back of my neck stick up and my knees shake a little. Okay, full transparency the knees shaking may have been a touch of wobbliness due to the number of drinks that I had tonight, but nonetheless, his voice penetrated my entire body, making me want even more penetrating me.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Don’t you have to work or something?”

It was a lame excuse, I knew it, but it was pretty much the only thing I had going for me. I knew that going back to his place was no good, not in a bad way, but in a very, very good way. Rather than taking no for an answer, he spun me around until my back was flush against his chest and his arms had a tight squeeze around my midsection. “Please, Sugar, we don’t need to do anything, I just want you with me.”

I look around and notice that we’re all alone outside of the SUV. Miles’s lips on the back of my neck are making it almost impossible to think this through, so I just nod my head. We begin to move again, the back door to the SUV opens up and Stef looks at me with a Cheshire grin on her face. I climb in first, forcing her all the way to the back corner of the third row and Miles climbs in behind me. Once the door and shut, his hand rests on the back of my neck, slowly running his fingers through my hair.

“Hey, Stef?

She looks at me with her own glossy eyes and big fat smile. “Something you want to share with the class, Ems?”

“I’m going to go hang out with Miles tonight.”

“I’m sure you are,” she spits out and then starts laughing like it is the funniest thing she’s ever heard. The noise gets Jace and Deacon’s attention from the center row and they both turn around.

“What’s up with her?”

“Stef is a giggling drunk. Everything is going to be funny to her from now until morning.” I reply to Deacon.

“Hey Ember,” Harlow slurs from the front seat, “Lyle is just going to drive back to the ranch, okay? You two can crash with us.”

“She’s crashing with Miles,” Stef replies, only to start into a fit of laughter again. Her crazy laughter makes everybody start laughing, even Miles. His deep chuckles are like nothing I’ve ever heard before and it is causing vibrations through every part of my body. As we turn into the ranch, I realize that I have fallen completely over onto Miles and I’m resting my head on his shoulder. He doesn’t seem to mind a bit though, his hand has moved from my neck to my shoulder, tracing tiny circles onto my bare skin.

I gracefully stumble out of the SUV and into Miles’s waiting arms and as he turns to attempt to catch Stef, she falls way too fast and almost hits the ground except Deacon was right there to pick her up. He slapped her hands on his chest as she threw her head back in laughter. “Thank you for saving my life. Imma call you Superman.”

“God, Stef, you are such an embarrassing drunk.” She takes a look at me and reaches out to try and shove me playfully, but completely misses, almost taking a tumble again. “See, totally embarrassing.”

“Come on, Stef, let’s get you up to Lyle and Harlow’s place. Can you be quiet while we walk? We don’t want to wake up Koda.”

“KODA,” she screams at almost the top of her lungs. Deacon shushes her and she brings her voice down just barely, “oops, I got excited. I love that dog.”

“Are you coming, Ember?” Lyle waits after opening the door for Deacon and Stef.

“She’s coming back with me.” Miles tightens his grip around my waist.