Embracing Ember (21 page)

Serenity looked over and said, “Hey, can I borrow that thing to let her understand what we are saying?”

Eon looked at her then said, “Well, I only had the one chip. So, give me a moment to get Kylan to bring another one.”

He moved to get up, and felt Serenity’s hand on his arm. When she looked up at him, he felt every muscle tighten with need. His mind had him bending his head and capturing her luscious pink lips and devouring them. He could almost feel her small sigh as he captured it in his mouth and deepened the kiss, to explore her depths with his tongue. He almost missed what she said, it was said quietly as if she didn’t want her friend to hear, “How many are there?”

“There is only Kylan and myself.”

“Am I lying to her?”

He looked at her puzzled. She stared at him for a few seconds before sighing, and said, “Am I telling her that you won’t hurt us and really you intend to? I need to prepare her. She has to be ready.”

Eon caressed her cheek, and stated “You have nothing to fear from us, little one. You have no idea how precious you are.”

Serenity had no time to dwell on his words, she had to reassure Anna that nothing would happen to her, and hope like hell she wasn’t telling her a lie. She also had to process the fact that she had essentially been abducted by aliens, a couple of crazy people who hadn’t been taking their medications, or this was one hell of a dream.

Saving Celine

She was barely existing…
Celine is haunted by a past that she is desperate to forget, but the memories won’t leave her alone. She has become a shell of the person she once was. She is broken.
Until he brings her back to life…
Reed agrees to help his Aunt with a special case. He is supposed to get close to her and help her accept the past to heal. He never expected to fall in love with her.
But can he save her when the past becomes present?
Just when Celine is starting to heal the threat from her past is back and it wants her blood. Can Reed save her from this threat? Can Celine save herself?

Enjoy an excerpt:

The bang sounded like a gun through the art room. Celine’s heart pounded and she barely stopped the scream from passing her lips. She wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans as she looked around, trying to see if anyone had caught her. She caught site of Ally picking up the books and files she had dropped and released the breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding.

No one had noticed. She took deep breaths and fought the burn of tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. She walked quickly to the bathroom, collapsing in an empty stall. The memories hit hard, her breaths coming in gasps as the panic threatened to overtake her. Her chest tightened a sharp pain that stole her breath.

She flinched as the memory took her deeper. It unfolded around her. The sound of birds and the smell of the forest that surrounded her, and the sounds of crying that she couldn’t forget assaulted her, taking her breath from her. The sound of laughter filling the restroom brought her from the hell of her memories and she pulled her panic back with a silent prayer to thank whoever had interrupted her private hell. She wiped her face, and quietly exited the stall. She stared in the mirror for a few seconds, attempting to regain her composure. Her mask of apathy hid the demons that taunted her endlessly. She should probably tell her doctor that the medications weren’t working.

She walked slowly back to her workstation with her mind blissfully blank. She was surprised to see Mr. Gardner at her office door. “Mr. Gardner?” she asked.

“Miss Johnson. I’d like you to accompany me to my office.” he replied. She nodded and followed him. “It would seem a new client has specifically requested you for their project. I have to agree with this because it is what the client wants, but if this gets to be too big of a task for you, then you need to let me know and we will get you help. The client is waiting in my office with the details.”

Celine was surprised. Who would know who she was, well, in the artistic sense anyway. She had her fill of the spotlight in High School, but she pushed those thoughts aside, they only led to memories best forgotten. She walked with her head down, her eyes continually scanning the room. Her palms were sweating and she wiped them on her jeans as she entered Mr. Gardner’s office. A light golden blonde man who appeared a little older than herself with beautiful green eyes stood to greet them as Mr. Gardner closed the door behind him. She looked up into his face. Her average 5’5’’ frame dwarfed by his approximate 6’ 4’’ one. His shoulders were broad and even in his casual suit, she could tell he was well muscled, not bulky, but the muscles of a man who had participated in his share of hard labor. His skin held a tan that spoke of time in the sun, his eyes and mouth held the subtle beginnings of laugh lines. This man laughed and he laughed often. There were also notable stress lines. Her artist eyes took him all in and she felt her heart speed up a bit. She moistened her dry lips and looked away from his gaze to the female at his side. She was his spitting image, in female form although she was the same height as Celine. Celine’s inner artist mused that it was spectacular how her features seemed so feminine where her doppelganger seemed so masculine. She also took in that the female version seemed to exert her individuality with a slightly darker hair color, its dark honey blonde locks were cut to her shoulders with soft, barely noticeable layers. She was dressed in the latest fashions, her nails perfectly manicured with black nail polish. These two looked so much alike, yet they were definitely different people.

“Mr. and Miss Holcomb, I’d like to present Miss Celine Johnson. Miss Johnson, these are the clients that have requested you specifically to personally handle their advertising needs from conception to finalization. I have cleared your work schedule and reassigned all of your projects until you have fulfilled Mr. and Miss Holcomb’s wishes.” Mr. Gardner stated.

Celine nodded her head at the introduction. She really didn’t know what to say, thankfully, Miss Holcomb seemed to pick up the conversation without problem.

“Miss Johnson, please call me Riley and this is Reed, my brother. We know of you through your mother who has heralded your praises. I have a new clothing line coming out, it’s target group blue collar males with a slight dark edge added. Reed here has so graciously agreed to be my model for most of the advertising. I need an ad campaign that will appeal to other men like my brother here. So, my question is, Miss Johnson, do you think you can do it?” Riley stated matter-of-factly.

Celine pondered a moment. Could she handle this? The pressure that came along with a project this big, could she do this and not crack? She spent a few moments in quiet contemplation, and then a voice in her mind told her that she needed this type of distraction. If she worked then she didn’t have time to remember. “Riley, I prefer Celine, and I believe that I would like to give your offer a try. I want to warn you up front that I am an artist. I have no real experience with other aspects of advertising. I will, however, strive to ensure all of your goals are met. If you still want me to do this, then I believe if you have time, I need to hear a little bit about your line, or better yet I need to see examples of the clothing. So, whenever you are ready to get started, I’m ready.” She responded quietly.

Riley looked at her and nodded her acceptance, then replied, “I believe that you will do just fine. If it is okay with you, then I will leave Reed with you, I want you to get to know him and base the line around him. He embodies everything I want my line to represent. Tomorrow I will meet you at my offices where you can get a look at the clothing line up close and personal. Reed should be there also. Thank you, Celine.”

Celine nodded and looked up at Mr. Gardner. He nodded his approval then stated, “Why don’t you take Mr. Holcomb out to lunch and get to know him like Miss Holcomb suggested that way you can get started right away.”

Celine nodded then looked up at Reed Holcomb. Her heart rate kicked up a few notches as she met his gaze. She gave a smile, but knew it was weak. He smiled back, the small lines crinkling at his eyes. He extended his hand to her and she stared at it blankly for a second before she placed her hand in his and allowed him to shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you Celine, I’m Reed.” He said as his large hand enfolded her smaller one.

His callouses were a striking contrast to his gentle clasp. She marveled at the hidden strength in those hands that enveloped her own hand so gently, but firmly. The smell of the forest assaulted her senses, his hands so strong. She had trusted him at one time, too. That was her mistake. She took a deep breath and shook her head to rid herself of the memories she yearned to forget. Reed frowned at her and slowly released her hand. She was thankful that he didn’t ask. She knew he had felt the involuntary tensing of body when she remembered. She could never explain. If she explained she would have to remember. She couldn’t remember.