The Ember In The Dark
Ch. 19

Toni let me embrace him for another couple minutes, before Ash and Rachel found us. They told usthat everyone was going out to eat at the local pizza place. We all packed into Toni's car. Josh,Killian and Tris followed in Killian's jeep. Thankfully Dex drove his motorcycle home.

"You and Toni looked intimate." Ash linked me.

'l want to let him in. I just don't know how much exactly." I told him honestly.

'I'm impressed you're letting him in at all."

“I'm trying.’

We got to the diner and all hopped down from the car. I hung back letting Rachel and Ash walk infront for a change.

“Get me a slice of cheese. I need to talk to Toni." I linked Ash.

'Will do. Go get him, tiger.’ He joked as he held the door open for Rachel.

I turned around holding my hand out for Toni to take. He looked at me a bit confused at first, butplaced his hand in mine all the same. A slight smirk played on his lips as he rubbed the back of myhand with his thumb.

"What's up?" He asked curiously.

"Can we talk for a minute?" I asked him shyly. I am not sure what exactly I am going to say, but Iwant Toni to know how I feel about him.

"Of course. Everything okay?" He asked worriedly. “Is she mad at me for hugging her so long?" Iheard his thoughts enter my mind.

"Just come with me." I pulled him towards the side of the building where there wasn't anyonearound. I didn’t want anyone to hear what I have to say.

"Ember, I'm starting to get worried. What is it?" He asked me after I stood in front of him, silent for acouple of minutes.

"I'm sorry. This is just hard for me." I sighed, staring at the ground trying to gather my thoughts andmy courage that seemed to have vanished.

"You can tell me anything, Ember. I am not going anywhere.” He tried comforting me with his words."I told you last night I've been hurt and it's hard for me to trust people. It's nothing you've done, infact the opposite. You make me want to trust you. I can feel the pull of the bond, but it's not just thebond. You're a great guy Toni. I just want you to know that although I'm not ready for you to claimme just yet, that I'm willing to take things slow with you. I mean if you're wanting to anyway." Ifinally blurted out. My eyes were glued on the ground the whole time I talked.

"Ember." He called my name and I looked up meeting those brown irises of his. “I am more thanhappy to do whatever you're wanting to do. If that means just having these stolen moments withyou, then that's more than enough for me.” He smiled that dazzling smile of his, as his thumbcaressed my cheek.

I felt my face heat up as the crimson tinted my cheeks. His gentle caress made the hair on the backof my neck stand on end. I wanted nothing more than to feel his lips against my own right now."Kiss me?" I asked him shyly.

"Anytime." He whispered as he brought his face close to mine.

He stopped a few centimeters away, looking deeply into my eyes, before his soft lips pressedagainst mine. I could feel myself getting lost in him. I wrapped my arms around his neck, crossingmy wrists behind him. His hand was pressed against my lower back as he pulled me closer to him,bending me back.

Every part of me felt like it was floating away, only held down by his touch. His tongue danced overmy lips, seeking entrance. I'd never been kissed like this before. I opened my mouth allowing histongue to enter and dance along mine. A small moan left me and I could feel Toni smiling againstmy lips.

"You can't do that." He chuckled lightly, resting his forehead against mine. "If you moan like that, Iwon't be able to stop.” His thumb rubbed against my lips. “Should we go back now?"

"Yup, just one second.” I said, closing my eyes and inhaling his intoxicating smell one more time."Okay, ready now."

I felt the corner of my lips curve up high. Toni chuckled and grabbed my hand, walking me to thefront of the diner. He opened the door for me...such a gentleman.

"There you are.” Rachel said excitedly. "I was wondering if you would be coming back." She smiledplayfully.

Toni rolled his eyes at her as we sat down. Ash smiled at me, handing me my plate of cheese pizzaand a grape soda.

"Yay! They had grape?" I asked him excitedly. I love grape soda, but no one really carries it atrestaurants.

"Yeah!" Ash was just as excited about it as me.

Toni laughed at me, taking a bit of my pizza.

"Hey!" I slapped his shoulder lightly. "That's mine.”

"Can't share?" He asked, taking another bite and then putting it down on my plate.

"No " I huffed, but there was a smirk on my face I couldn't wipe away.

"Ember, never shares food. She's a bottomless pit.” Ash laughed.

"Rachel's the same way." Toni elbowed her arm.

"Whatever. At least we stay skinny." She told them both.

We all ate, spoke and laughed. It was a really nice evening out. It felt odd knowing that at just thebeginning of this week I was depressed without friends and without a wolf. Now I sit heresurrounded by new friends, filled with laughter and joy. A strong wolf inside me with magic and adragon I will later meet.

I'm worried though, life never goes this perfectly for me. I am scared of getting too accustomed tothis happiness. If one day I were to lose these people from my life, I would be more depressed thanever before, having had a taste of what friendship feels like.

We all said our goodbyes and jumped into Toni's car. I was feeling pretty wiped from tonight'sevents and I felt my head start to bob against the car window.