Page 19 of Firefly Embers

The moment the door opened, the air crackled with a familiar energy, and my skin tingled as the feeling of an electrical current wafted over my skin, raking its way from my head to my boots.

Wade’s gaze tracked a slow trail down my body, cataloging every inch of skin visible. His eyes held an unrestrained hunger, like a predator sizing up its prey.

I stood in front of him, unashamed and basking in his attention. I liked the way I felt when I had Wade’s undivided attention.

Granted, I had been the sole recipient of most of his attention since we were in our early teens, but this was different. He wasn’t looking at me like I was the loudmouthed girl next door who had declared him her best friend.

He was looking at me with an unrestrained lust that could only be described as unfiltered desire. It was a sensation unlike any other, and I wasn’t ashamed to admit that I wanted more of it.

Snapping out of his haze, Wade cleared his throat awkwardly and ran his hand across the back of his neck, dropping his head and breaking our stare. I swore I saw a hint of blush crest over his cheeks, but it was dark, and I couldn’t be sure.

“You ready?” he asked, refusing to meet my eyes.

Sure, it stung a little that he had felt the same connection I did yet chose to ignore it. But tonight, things were going to change.

I was tired of the same old song and dance, and we were either going to turn it up or cut the music before the night was through.

WADE

Fuck me sideways.

It took every ounce of strength in my body to rip my eyes from the vision of Ray bent over in the doorframe, tugging on her boots. Her tits were barely restrained in the low neckline of her dress, and when she bent over to pull her boot on?

Fuck me.

I was sure one of them was going to fall out, and I silently prayed to whoever was listening for it to happen.

Once she stood up, I raked my eyes over her entire body. She was stunning. Actually, stunning is too simple a word for the knockout standing in front of me. She was all curves and softness, yet her gaze was sharp as a knife.

As if the curtain had been pulled back and my eyes were seeing her for the first time, I couldn’t get enough. She was all silky tanned skin, thick, dark hair, and those lips… fuck.

When her eyes caught mine, her signature smirk kicked up on one side of her mouth. The things I’d do to that mou⁠—

Nope. Not going there.

This was my best friend, for Christ’s sake. I had known this girl since we were preteens.

But the thing about growing up? Rayna Cortez wasn’t a girl anymore. She was an incredibly intelligent, hardworking, and caring woman. Not to mention, sexy as all fucking get out.

The self-deprecating thoughts started creeping in, a black cloud over the bright light that surrounded Ray.

She could do better than me. She deserved better than me. I wasn’t the type of man who deserved her. She needed someone who could make her happy, who was stable, a man who knew what he wanted out of life and wasn’t afraid to go after it.

Six months ago, I probably could have been that man. Now? I can barely get out of bed without a stiff drink in my hand and a whirlwind of thoughts about how useless I am.

I wouldn’t ever be able to deserve Ray, as much as I wanted to. I wasn’t that carefree man anymore.

Clearing my throat of the tightness of anxiety that threatened to cut off my breathing, I brought myself back to reality.

“You ready?” I asked her, stepping off the front porch and waiting for her to follow.

Ray didn’t reply, but I saw a quick flicker of sadness wash across her features. She schooled it back into neutrality, but I had seen it, and the gut punch of realization hit me like a ton of bricks. She was dressed up tonight, and it was far from her normal look. Had she dressed up for me? There was no way.

I pushed the thought from my mind as I climbed in the truck and turned the key, the engine roaring to life.

The entire drive to Jack’s was spent in awkward silence, something neither of us was familiar with. It was unnerving to watch the town roll by without the constant commentary of what was happening at Ray’s house.

With ten kids, there was always a story to tell. But she sat silent, her hands clasped in front of her, watching out the window as if anything was more interesting than the inside of my truck cab.