(Embry’s POV)
December 11th, it had been only three days ago when Noah paid his little surprise visit. My heart races just at the thought of it and I can feel my stomach churn when I imagine what could have happened that day if he hadn’t been so careless. Unless he wasn’t being careless, what if it was his plan and it was just to scare me and then convince me I was safe to then BAM, take me back with him.
Indigo and Sebastian kept telling me I was being paranoid but in reality, was I or was I just being prepared. Okay yeah, maybe a little bit paranoid but this is Noah Hill we are talking about and he looks extremely bone chilling when angry. Any confidence I had gained in staying here had vanished and I was once again checking behind me every couple moments, convinced someone would be there just watching me.
I felt the only time I could relax was when Sebastian was here because truthfully he was probably the only one who could take him in a fight, I do suppose Dakota’s small and fiery self may also have a chance against him. Give a girl credit where it’s due, you know.
On top of the incident with Noah , I was feeling more and more homesick with Christmas right around the corner. I could hear the Christmas music from the street and it stung badly. I had never actually been away from home before at Christmas time and despite it not being the most exciting thing in the world with my family, at least it was familiar.
The edges of my lips lifted into a small smile as I remembered how Sebastian promised to come over today and decorate the apartment with me. Indigo had left boxes of Christmas decorations for us, feeling bad her and Dakota couldn’t join as they were out cake tasting. I didn’t think she would ever understand how truly grateful I was for everything she was doing for me, I mean she even promised to bring me back some cake.
But despite how grateful I was, I knew it was stupid to stay here, that I should have kept running, but I had nowhere to go. Getting a job felt too risky, and who would hire an eighteen year old who couldn’t exactly give her name and had no ID. I wasn’t even really sure how I would ever get to see my family again without constantly putting them in danger. It felt like I was trapped in a box, I wasn’t even with Noah but he still managed to control a serious amount of aspects of my life.
I guess I would just have to trust Sebastian, and I did. I had given up trying to fight against the comfort he brought me, seeing the good in people was just so easy, so why wouldn’t I.
“I need you to promise me that no matter how much I help you, or how close we get, you can’t get attached, you can’t let your guard down and you can’t just forgive me.”
Well, at least I was trying to just fully give into the feeling of security around Sebastian, but there was always a part of me spitting his words out on repeat. He was just trying to protect me, that was all, I was sure of it. I guess I was also sure that Noah wasn’t a murderous crazy man at one point but no. No. I couldn’t get into that again, stop overthinking Embry.
Yelping, I jumped back from the hand that landed on my shoulder, “you okay princess? I called your name when I came in but you seem to be caught up in your own world.” Hanging my head in shame I turned away from him, what if that had been Noah. “I can see you beating yourself up inside, what’s up?” He threw himself onto the couch, resting his head on my lap as his legs hung off the edge.
“I don’t know I just feel stupid, that could have been anyone who walked through that door, and I didn’t even realise, I mean no wonder I find myself in these situations” I sighed, scratching his scalp slightly, the softness of his hair relaxing me.
“You’re allowed to be able to have a place where you can relax, feel safe and not have to worry about being in danger all the time” he smiled comfortingly up at me, grabbing my hand that wasn’t in his hair, to fidget with my fingers.
“Oh my gosh, wait, can I braid your hair?” I shot up in my seat in excitement as he fell off my lap and couch at the sudden movement. “Whoops, sorry” I shrugged, smiling apologetically. “You are one of a kind, and not in a good way” he teased, sitting in between my feet.
“Okay, any preferences?” I probed, letting his hair fall from his man bun to just above his shoulders. “You know, you kind of look like Flynn Rider from Tangled with this hair,” I smirked.
“I don’t know the different plaits so you just do whatever you want,” separating his hair into three I began to plait his hair. “So if I look like Flynn Rider then does that make you Rapunzel, princess?” Gasping my mouth fell open, “you are such a flirt,” my cheeks once again sporting a red hue.
“Only for you” I could hear the smirk in his voice, as I gave his hair a small tug in retaliation. “Don’t tease me princess, maybe I’m into hair pulling,” I could feel my heart drop at his words, flustered, I gave him no reply and just continued with his hair.
“And done” I whispered, shying away from his gaze as he turned to look at me, the heat still present on my cheeks. My breath got caught in my throat as he slowly leaned over, his breath hitting my ear sending shivers down my spine. “I think it’s cute you get so shy about these things” his voice was throaty as his hand slowly came up and applied a gentle pressure on my throat. “What a pretty necklace, huh?” He smirked as my cheeks burned with an impossible hotness, a funny feeling swirling within my stomach.
“Well, shall we start decorating?” he stood straight up, as if nothing had happened. Swallowing harshly, I jumped from the couch, turning away from his gaze, “what the fuck” I mouthed. “Ye-yeah” I coughed out, not recovering as quickly as he had.
“Damn, well don’t I look badass with this hair style” he winked at me through the mirror. Breath Embry, just breath, he’ll think you’ve gone into shock or something. Taking in my red face he just laughed as he began to unpack the decorations from the box.
Slowly composing myself, I began untangling the lights as he assembled the artificial tree. My eyes drifted every once and a while to him, “you know it’s rude to stare, princess” he smirked, sending a knowing look my way. “I was just making sure you weren’t messing that up” I nodded, suddenly staring at the lights in my hands as if they were the most interesting things in the world. “Mhmm, sure you were,” he ridiculed.
The whole evening I couldn’t get what happened earlier out of my mind. The way his voice hit the shell of my ear and the way my lower abdomen flipped. Almost done with the baubles I jerked back into a standing position as Sebastian smirked at me. “Something wrong princess?” he feigned curiosity, mischief present on his face. “Every time I bend to pick a bauble from this box you just so happen to brush your hand against my bottom,” I snapped, flustered at how he had been acting the entire evening.
I wasn’t used to these kinds of feelings and it was overwhelming to say the least. “Sorry, I didn’t quite get that last part, your where?” He condescendingly cupped his ear as he put down the item in his hand. My stomach somersaulted at the way he looked at me, “my behind” I whispered, really wishing I had something in my hand to fidget with.
“No, I didn’t quite get that either” his smirk widened as he slowly stepped towards me. Eyes wide, I stepped back with every step he took, my mouth agape as I felt the wall behind me. I had been in this situation so many times with Noah but I wasn’t scared, I guess, I was kind of excited.
“I said my behind” my heart was in my throat as I watched his hands rest on either side of my head, his body pressing me against the wall. The atmosphere felt heavy as my breathing became deep and slow.
“You mean here” I sharply intake air as his hand grabbed the place it kept brushing against earlier. Gulping, I found the courage to let my eyes meet his, “yes or no, Embry” he tilted his head mockingly, his face getting closer to mine with every second.
“Yes” my tone was airy as my hands clutched the fabric of his shirt, whether it was in some way to pull him closer or to just keep myself standing upright I wasn’t sure. “I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I, princess?” He murmured once again his mouth resting right beside my ear. Not able to form any sort of words, I slowly shook my head no. “Good” he sighed, using his hand that rested on my behind to pull me roughly against him.
Taking his chance as I choked on the air at the sudden sensation his action brought, he crushed his lips against mine.
Well, I definitely don’t remember that Christmas decorating tradition.