Wildest Dreams (Dreamers Series Book 1) (8 page)

As she stepped into the lobby, she noticed the woman who had been with Blake earlier that morning. She was talking to the concierge. Ember could tell she was upset about something, but when she spotted Ember coming in, she looked relieved.

“Never mind, I see my friend.” Her voice was taut, and she smiled nervously at Ember.

Ember handed the attendant her passkey, and when he gave it back to her, he looked over at the woman, who was evidently in a hurry to go. With a concerned look, he told Ember, “You could ride the garage elevator all the way up, you know?”

“I know,” she said and smiled at him.

The lady was already standing at the elevator when Ember got there.

“I can’t believe the nerve of some people,” she huffed.

Ember wasn’t in the mood to talk, so she stood waiting quietly.

When they got inside Ember stood to the back, hugging Kaylen, who was still sleeping from the ride.

“Is that your daughter?” The lady’s tone wasn’t a friendly one.

“Yes,” Ember said quietly, not looking at her.

“Kids are such a burden. I'm glad Blake agrees.”

Ember was shocked by the rude comment. Did Blake feel like that? How sad. She didn’t miss the smug look on the woman’s face as she said it.

“What were you arguing about with concierge?” Ember stared at her until the woman’s gaze fell and her jaw went tight. Ember could see the tension in the woman’s features, and inside she smiled. It was so hard to be nice to mean people.

The doors opened, and Ember headed toward Ridge’s apartment while the lady went toward Blake’s. Ember felt relieved once she was inside. The smell of spaghetti woke Kaylen up, and she looked around. When she saw her uncle Ridge in the kitchen, she smiled and looked at Ember.

Ember took her to the room that she was going to be using and unpacked the clothes Jade had sent while Kaylen got out some of her stuffed animals and started decorating the room with them.

Afterward, Ember walked back into the living area, but before she reached the kitchen, she could hear a woman yelling outside the door. Ridge had a concerned look on his face as he started for the doorway, so she followed him. The woman was pleading with Blake like she was trying to get him to change his mind, yelling at him because he wouldn’t and crying because she was distressed. She apparently just figured out he wasn’t in the same kind of relationship she thought they were, and Ember knew that must have had something to do with why she was so agitated downstairs. Blake continued to walk calmly toward the elevator and pushed the button while the lady berated him, calling him several names that Ember hoped Kaylen couldn’t hear.

Knowing that she wasn’t getting to him, the woman looked over at Ember. “Be glad you have a kid. At least you won’t have to worry about him ripping your heart out.” She stormed onto the elevator, banging on the button.

As the doors closed, Blake looked at Ridge and Ember. “Sorry about that. I have no idea how she got up here. I had strict instructions for them not to let her back up here.” He looked embarrassed.

“That’s my fault,” Ember said quietly as she picked Kaylen up from where she had been hiding behind her leg. “She told the attendant I was her friend, and then she got on the elevator with me. I didn’t know she wasn’t supposed to be up here. I’m sorry.”

She caught the look on his face when she picked Kaylen up. So apparently the woman wasn’t lying about the no-kids part. “It’s fine. She’s gone now,” he said flatly and headed back toward his apartment. Ember stood there a moment watching him before noticing Ridge, who was shaking his head as he too watched Blake then glanced over at her.

“Party’s over. Ready for dinner?”

“Yes. Very ready.” And she hugged Kaylen close. “Are you ready, bug?”

“Yes. Very ready.” And she grinned at Ember, who smiled back at her.

After Ridge had filled his plate, he headed into the living area to eat. Ember cleared her throat to get his attention, and when he turned to look at her, she shook her head and nodded toward the table. Kaylen was already sitting in her booster seat patiently waiting while Ember worked on her plate.

Ridge grinned and walked back to the table. “I didn’t realize you had decided to continue Mom’s dining customs.” It was a known fact that all family meals were at the table at their parents’ house.

“I have to admit that Kaylen and I were the only ones at the table for the last five years, but I have resolved to have everyone at the table for dinner from now on.” Her tone was matter-of-fact, and it made Ridge grin again.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said and saluted her. She rolled her eyes at him and grinned back.

A family meal at the table was for discussions and building relationships, so that’s what they did. As they ate, they each took turns discussing their day. Kaylen was excited to share her day with them. She told Ember and Ridge everything as if Ember hadn't heard it already. She was delighted that they were both as excited about her story as she was, making her more animated about it. Ember could tell that Ridge was genuinely interested in listening to Kaylen, and it made her happy. She was glad to be home.

Ridge may not have expected to have a lot to say about his day, but after mentioning his plans for Africa, Kaylen was curious to hear about him flying on a plane, and she wanted to know if he was going to see any elephants. Ridge told her he would take her on his plane sometime and assured her that if he saw any elephants, he would take a picture. Kaylen was excited about that, and when Ember glanced back at Ridge he was looking at his plate, but the smile on his face was very visible.

When it was Ember’s turn to share, she was careful not to mention Blake with Ridge. She knew that if he found out what had happened today, he would kill Blake. She decided to tell him about meeting Jenna. “I met someone from the tower today. Her name is Jenna Wells. She seems nice, and she invited me to go out sometime with her and some of the other women working there.” Kaylen was done eating by now and playing in her plate, so Ember dismissed her to play.

“Jenna, our communications manager?” Ridge sounded surprised, but Ember was the one who was shocked.

“I guess you work pretty close to her?”

“Not really.” He shrugged. “But I have talked to her a few times.” Ember could see the color in his cheeks and tried to hide a grin. He looked up at her. “What?” he said, apparently trying to convince her he wasn’t affected one way or the other about Jenna, although she wasn’t sure if he was attempting to convince her or himself.

“Nothing,” she said, grinning.

After dinner, Ridge did the dishes while Ember helped Kaylen brush her teeth and change for bed. Then Ember got a pillow and blanket ready for Kaylen so she could lie down and Ridge got the movie ready. The look on his face was priceless as he picked up the Blu-ray disc and looked at the case.

“Kaylen, are you sure this is the one you want to watch? I mean, I think we can find something else if you want.” He grinned over at her.

“Yes! I want this one!” She laughed.

“Okay, Buttercup, just checking. As long as you're happy,” he smiled as she giggled.

They were only about thirty minutes into the movie when Ridge looked over at Kaylen on the pillow that Ember had placed on her lap, and he laughed. “Just like her mother.” Ember looked down and smiled at her sleeping beauty.

Ridge picked Kaylen up and held her gently in his arms. “I remember you being this small, just like it was yesterday.” He smiled at Ember. She felt like her heart was just as full as her stomach at that moment. He carried Kaylen into her room, and Ember followed. She watched him put her to bed, and then she kissed her on the cheek.

They walked back out to the living room and sat on the couch.

Ridge looked at her with some concern, “You'll be alright here while I’m gone, right?”

Ember smiled at him. He was such the worrier. “We'll be okay. I promise. I don’t want you to spend the whole trip worrying about us. Hopefully, I'll have a job to start soon after you get home.” She warmed at the thought.

“I have no doubt you'll have a job sooner than later. You never were one for sitting still long.” He grinned at her then sighed. “I guess I need to try to get some sleep.”

“Yea, I probably should too. We have to go shopping tomorrow.” Ember rolled her eyes mockingly as if shopping was a burden.

CHAPTER 11

Ember and Kaylen spent the day shopping. Ridge had insisted that she use his card, so she was able to fill her closet with everything she needed except scrubs. She was waiting until she got a job for that.

When they got home that evening, Ridge was getting ready for his trip. Ember made dinner for the three of them while he read a story to Kaylen and after dinner, they watched another movie. This time, she picked
101 Dalmatians
, so Ridge didn’t complain as much since it wasn’t animated.

After Kaylen had fallen asleep halfway through the movie, Ridge put her to bed and excused himself to get some sleep.

“Ridge, do you mind if I go out with Jenna since Kaylen is asleep, and you’ll be here? I won’t stay out too late.”

It was only eight o’clock, so she didn’t want to go to bed yet, and she didn’t want to spend the night sitting alone if she didn’t have to.

“Sure, but take a taxi, so I don’t have to worry about you driving.”

“Okay.” She grinned and hopped up from the couch to get ready, excitement coursing through her.

Ember sent Jenna a text to see if she was still going out. She didn’t have to wait long for her to respond with the directions to the karaoke bar.

After a quick shower, she put on the black dress, jewelry, and heels that Jade had given her. Since her hair was still dry, Ember put it in a cute up-do and fixed her make-up quickly so that by nine o’clock she was ready to go. She sent Jenna another text to let her know that she was leaving soon.

She opened the door to the hall, and her eyes went wide. Standing in front of the door was Blake. Looking like he could be in a photo shoot for GQ magazine he was wearing a white button-up shirt with a gray suit jacket and slacks. He evidently hadn’t run his hands through his hair recently because it was immaculate. On his way to the elevator, the door opening had caught his attention, and he turned to look at Ember, suddenly stopping in his tracks. His eyes grew dark with a look of... what, desire? He didn’t say anything, and Ember wasn’t sure if he had forgotten how or he just liked to be dramatic. She headed for the elevator, feeling his eyes lingering on her while she moved. She pushed the button and could feel him behind her, standing so close she could smell him. She closed her eyes, trying to force herself to stop shaking. Having her legs tremble while she was wearing high heels was not a good idea.

He leaned in closer to her, “Date?” he asked in his smoky voice.

Ember exhaled softly, opening her eyes and bashfully looking over her shoulder at him she answered quietly, “No, but I’m not sure why you care.” She was still upset about the other day and wasn't sure why it mattered to him.

She could tell her answer surprised him, and he stepped back. “Really? You dress like this on a regular basis?” he said skeptically.

“I’m meeting up with Jenna. What about you?” She was afraid if she gave any more explanation her voice would be shaky. The last thing she wanted him to know was how he got to her, even though she was pretty sure he already knew that.

“No. Just need to get out.” The doors to the elevator opened, and they stepped in.

She went to the back of the elevator and was shocked when he stood with his arm against hers like the first time they rode in the elevator together.

“Did Ridge see you leave?”

Ember looked over at him, but he was staring down at the floor with his hands in his pockets, and his jaw was tight. “No. Why?”

“That explains it.” He still wouldn’t look at her. “I didn’t think he would let you out of the apartment looking like that.”

“What does that mean? Exactly how do I look, Blake?” She was beginning to take offense to his comment. Turning to stand in front of her, he placed one hand beside her head, the other on the wall beside her waist. He leaned in close, his mouth so close to her neck she could feel his breath, causing her heart to pound, making her slightly dizzy.

“What do you think you look like, Ember?” His voice was low and sultry. She didn’t have time to answer him before the elevator dinged and started to slow before picking up another couple heading to the garage. Blake had moved back to her side by the time the doors opened to let them on.

Ember was still trying to remember how to breathe when they got to the parking garage. She was about to step out when she remembered she was taking a cab. When she didn’t get off, Blake turned around and looked at her curiously.

“Something wrong?” She could see the concern in his eyes.

“I told Ridge I’d take a cab. I forgot, I have to meet them in the lobby.”

“You don’t need to take a cab. I can take you.” His tone was soft, almost pleading.

“You don’t even know where I’m going, and I don’t want to ruin your evening.” The man either had no idea what he did to her, or he was so full of himself he didn’t care how he affected her. All she could think of right now was how he had held her and the feel of his lips. Being close to him was dangerous, and she knew that, but she didn’t know how to get out of it.