Free EMBER - Part Two (The EMBER Series Book 2) by Deborah Bladon

into me.
    The connection takes my breath away because it's different tonight. It's not just about his need to get off. It has nothing to do with me chasing an orgasm. It's about two people who are baring themselves in every possible way for the other.
    His hips grind into me as a string of muted curse words fall from his lips. His eyes never leave mine and as I feel my body tense with intense pleasure, he mouths three words that I'm not ready to hear yet. I close my eyes as I race over the edge knowing that nothing between us will ever be the same again.

Chapter 20
     
    "I think we're done, Bridget."
    I turn to look at where she's standing near the desk in her office. It's my last scheduled therapy visit with Harper and I hate to admit it, but I'm going to miss the encouragement she's been quick to offer me. "I'm good to go?"
    "You shouldn't overdo it." She nods towards my left hand. "The bone is healed but it's going to be weak for a few months. Take it slow and steady and you'll be set."
    It's the words that I've been longing to hear. The accident was more than two months ago now, but it feels like a lifetime ago. So much has changed and later today, when I go see Ben, for my check-up, I already know that I'll receive just as promising news from him too. I've been diligent about following every suggestion the medical professionals have offered me.
    "You're doing a follow-up with Dr. Foster after lunch?"
    I smile. "You can read minds. I was just thinking about that."
    She raises both brows. "I can't read minds. I wish I could."
    It's an open invitation to ask what that means but for now, we're still just therapist and patient. She's cancelled our portrait sessions twice and I know that her weak excuse about having to catch up on paperwork was nothing more than a diversion because she's having second thoughts about putting herself out there. Regardless of how much I've assured her that I won't draw her in a way that makes her recognizable, she's wary and I can't blame her for that.
    "Do you still want to draw me?"
    I try to hide the fact that I'm completely taken aback by the question. "I'd love to draw you."
    "I don't have another appointment until four. Can we start now?"
    I jump off of the exam table, reach into my bag and pull out my sketchpad and pencil. "Now is the perfect time to start."
     
    ***
     
    "Are you in relationship, Bridget?" She doesn't turn her head away from the point on the wall that I asked her to focus on thirty minutes ago. She'd sat in complete silence while I outlined the curves of her brow and chin.
    I don't see any reason not to be forthcoming so I put it all out there. "I am. We met a few months ago."
    "What's he like?"
    I've never actually described Dane to anyone. Zoe met him, so there's been no need to explain to her that I see him as this once-in-a-lifetime kind of guy. Vanessa may not know him well but she sees him through the eyes of soon-to-be family member. She'll marry Garrett and Dane will become her cousin-in-law. I have no idea how close their extended family is but judging by what Dane told me about his mother and Garrett's mom, Vanessa will be a part of Dane's life forever.
    I push my hair back behind my ear before I start shading in her hairline. "He's kind, he's compassionate. He has a really good heart."
    "Are you in love with him?"
    These aren't the questions I imagined I'd have to answer when I came into her office more than an hour ago. I also didn't think I'd be drawing her profile.
    "I like him a lot," I say honestly. "I can see myself falling in love with him in time. I don't want to rush into anything."
    "You're too young to be that wise," she mutters through a half grin. "I rushed into my last relationship and it didn't end well."
    "You talked about that before," I offer hoping it helps her to open up more. We're not friends. If anything we're barely acquaintances, but she needs to unload, and if I'm the person she sees fit to do that with, I'm more than willing to sit