Free Ember Learns (The Seeker) by Ditter Kellen Page A

up and tucked it into his pants pocket. “Do you know which condo the manager lives in?”
    “Yes.” She could have kicked herself for not thinking of that to start with.
    “Show me.”
    * * * *
    Ember’s heart pounded painfully fast. She was suffocating on disbelief and more than a little fear. She’d thought Angel was her protector, but now…
    Time seemed to stand still while she remained on her knees, in her bedroom, facing the sliding glass door. It can’t be.
    A hand touched her shoulder, jerking her out of her frozen state. She scrambled to her feet and spun around. “Angel?” She took a small step to the side. If she could make it to the front door, she might have a chance. “How did you get in here?”
    “The same way you did.”
    She gaped at him. “Don’t fuck with my head. I left you next to my car.”
    “If you will allow me to explain—”
    “Explain what? That you’re crazy?” Tears sprang to her eyes. She had almost fallen in love with a madman. One who resembled a Greek god and smelled like heaven.
    “Ember…” He reached out to her, and she jerked back.
    “Did you enjoy fucking me and watching me suffer?”
    He flinched. “You have it all wrong.”
    “Then why don’t you tell me, Angel? Or is that even your real name?”
    He stepped closer until she could feel the heat from his body, smell that wonderful scent that made her want to sink her teeth into him.
    She stood immobile as he leaned in slowly, barely brushing her lips with his. After everything she’d been through tonight, it amazed her; she still felt attraction for him—this stranger who in all likelihood was a copycat serial killer.
    He didn’t kiss her. Instead he angled his head until his mouth was next to her ear. “I can’t expect you to trust me yet. I’m asking you to give me time to prove myself to you. There are things you don’t know. Things I can’t reveal to you right now. Just give me a week. Please.”
    “What things?” She could barely think with him standing so close, his face touching hers.
    The doorbell ringing hadn’t gone unnoticed by Ember, but it didn’t seem to faze Angel one bit. Now that the pounding in her heart had subsided, she could hear Laura’s muffled voice. It washed over her in warmth born of relief.
    “Don’t answer it.” His lips skimmed along her jaw to the dimple in her cheek. He dipped his tongue into the tiny groove, wrapped a hand in her hair, and took possession of her mouth.
    Between his delicious scent and the taste of him, Ember’s entire body felt liquid. She wanted him with a passion that bordered on desperation.
    An image of the folder she’d found earlier in his kitchen invaded her mind along with the consistent pounding on the door, and she tore her mouth away. “You’ve been watching me. Did you send the note too?”
    A dangerous glint shone in his eyes. His body went eerily still. “Note?”
    “Don’t pretend you don’t—”
    He grabbed her shoulders and squeezed. “What are you talking about?”
    “Someone left a threatening note at Laura’s place a day after a manila envelope arrived.”
    “What was in the envelope?” He seemed so genuine she wasn’t sure what to think anymore.
    “Two photos. One of a dead woman’s body and one of me at the crime scene. You really didn’t have anything to do with that?”
    “No, I didn’t. You have to believe me.”
    She wanted to. “I—”
    Clay’s voice penetrated her confusion. “Ember? Are you in there? We’re coming in.”
    A low growl came from Angel. “Get rid of him.”
    The sound of a lock clicking could be heard in the silence. Clay yelled just as he threw the front door open. “Hello?”
    Ember jerked away and started across the bedroom. Before she reached the door, the detective came barreling into the room. His gaze locked on Angel, and he stopped short. Something flickered in Clay’s eyes, but it was gone so fast Ember wondered if she’d imagined it. He glanced at her briefly,