Attest (Centrifuge Duet Book 2)(27)

“Raincheck on the fire, then?”

“Huh?” She turns back to look at me. Her eyebrows nearly touch. It’s almost comical, the look of confusion that’s twisting her pretty features. It eases the nausea and calms my fears. “I was only heading inside to check on the boys, but we can raincheck if you’d like?”

Now, it’s my turn to be perplexed.

“I thought...” I halt and try to find the words to explain what I thought without sounding like I cashed my balls in for a sack of estrogen while I was in prison. “Ah, fuck it.”

Three, long strides close the distance between us. I lay a hand on either side of her face, just like I used to, and plant my lips against Amber’s plump pair. She pushes to her tip toes and meets me with equal passion. Kissing her again is like being able to breathe pure oxygen again after being buried alive and subsisting on stale, dank air.

I can’t get enough of her. Not now. Not ever.

The chemistry between us is palpable—nothing she felt for Seb could come close because this is once in a lifetime shit. The dark cloud I let form over my head this morning dissipates. It takes with it the feeling that there’s too many hurdles in the way of us getting back to how it used to be.

We stand a chance as long as we keep fighting.

It’s with that calm certainty flooding my veins that I manage to pull back from Amber with a smile on my face.

“God, I’ve missed you, sugar.”

Amber throws her arms back around my neck and snuggles into my chest. Her shoulders start to shake. I pause, uncertain if she’s laughing or crying. My dilemma is ended when she lifts her head and looks at me with pure love in her eyes.

“It’s stupid, but I think I’ve missed hearing you call me that more than anything else.”

With my thumbs, I wipe away her tears. “So these are because you’re happy?”

“Very much so.” Amber laughs wryly. “Considering the circumstances.”

“That’s good enough for now.” I turn her by the shoulders until she’s facing the shack door. “Check your boys and I’ll get the fire going.”

“Deal.”

It’s barely cool enough to warrant a fire, but I know how much she loves them. I want to see her happy, but it also helps that they lull her into a sort of trance where every question I ask is answered with complete honesty. Yeah, I’m using my insider knowledge against her, but I want her to open up to me, so I can make sure that we’re on the same page. I need to know why she came with me last night—and why she was so intent on hiding her phone call from me.

The flames are building nicely when I hear the shack door shut. Amber sits next to me on the bench seat. She moves with delicate precision until she’s maneuvered herself close enough for me to smell her subtle scent, but not close enough for our hips to touch. I bump her with my shoulder and stare at the teeny gap between us.

“I think it’s for the best.” Amber arches her right eyebrow as if she’s waiting for me to object. I stay silent. Her part in this saga is a little more involved than mine. I’m happy to take my cue from her.

“I get it. We have two, long years to discuss before we can even think about our next step.” She inclines her head in agreement with my observation. “Where so you want to start?”

“My boys and I are a package deal. They weren’t created in the most optimal circumstances, but I love them with every fibre of me. Do you think you can cope with that?”

“Whoa. I guess when you become a mother, you develop the ability to go straight for the jugular.” Holding my hands up in front of me as I twist to face her, I lay my cards on the table. “Do I think I can cope? Yes, I do. The actual question is, do you think you’ll be able to cope when they begin to take after their father in ways that remind you of the circumstances of their birth?”

Amber screws her face up. “Nature versus nurture?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll deal with it when it happens.” She dismisses me with a flick of her wrist. “Now, your turn.”

“That’s it?” I question her hotly. “Out of everything we need to discuss, that’s the only thing you’re interested in?”

My pulse is pounding in my head. It makes my temper flare, the heat from my anger rising like an awakened volcano until it’s ready to explode. “What about you and Seb? What about the things Jax has done to you? What about your role in my incarceration?”

Standing up, I peer down at Amber with fury in my expression. She holds out a hand to touch me. I back away. If I let her lay a hand on me, I’m liable to throw her to the ground and use my cock to re-establish my ownership of her body and her soul. Amber doesn’t get the hint. She stands and follows me. I take another step back. The fire is hot on my ass and the back of my thighs, and I’m running out of places to go, but she doesn’t yield. She comes after me once again.

This time I stand my ground.

I am the unwilling participant in a game she chose to play.

I have a right to my anger.

I have a right to answers.

“Tell me,” I demand.

“Everything you’re asking is inconsequential. We’ve both done things we’re ashamed of in order to survive our time apart, but it doesn’t matter now we’re back together again.” Amber implores me. She grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me to her. Our mouths are inches apart. Her breath hot on my face. “Ask the right question and I’ll give you the answer you seek.”