The Devil's Ember

s seat

the voice, I was immediately cap

me was undeniably attractive, exuding an a

emed to conceal countless stories. My gaze followed the lines of a heart tattoo

, revealing a glimpse of ink on his collar

s our eyes met, a mixture of intrigue a

oat, my heart racing as his intens

m in the curve of his mouth. His presence possessed a mag

ce of the stranger before me. "Yeah, it's all yours," I managed, feeling a soft blush c

he requested with an air of so

der, and I couldn't help but comm

, his gaze never leaving mine. "I like my

ebrow, "me? Ru

"Yeah. You ar

of an assumption

g? You bumped into me e

led, "You were that stranger.

at's just the

twirling it and givin

e was a reflection of his persona-a man who embraced life wi

gree. What is you

introduced myself.

autiful name for a beautiful lady," he whispered into my ear making me blu

to my cheeks. "Uh, you can just call me Em or Ember. That's what my frien

after all" His hand extended toward me, his vo

for the briefest moment, sending a cu

s eyes as he arched an eyebr

ing as his demeanor put me

g mine. "Ah, I see. So, you

d I sputtered, "It's not that. Just

aptivating. "Alright, I'l

e you be doing in a bar like this, with a tear-streaked face and slacks? Also, y

usement and resignation in my voi

m of his glass as he took a s

s events weighing on me. "Yeah. My f

sh. I recognize you...you were Jaxon's fianceé...does that mean your step-sist

gaze. "Agreed, that's me" I drank the whole glass

rticular but I could feel

I found solace in the presence of a man

g refuge from our respective storms,

he point where it was impossible to consider driving. With an understan

mixture of exhaustion and something else tugging at

enough, I found myself faced with the reality of the situa

ol as I rested my head on his shoulder. "Indeed

a glint of mischief. "True. And you know what they say

by the hint of flirtation in hi

ful smile. "That it can lea

glint. The alcohol had emboldened me, and his pre

ing with a hint of mischief, "I

peaking, as I would never h

ng with a mixture of desire and amuseme

ive glance towards the bartende

est on my bucket list. Losing my virgin

piness. My heart was bitter and once I