The Memory Keeper: Twisted Roots

Chapter 21: Ember Still Glows

Her hands roamed, tracing the contours of my back, pulling me impossibly closer until there was no space left between us. My fingers tangled in her hair, my heart hammering against my ribs as I kissed her deeper, drinking her in like I had been starving for this—for her. And maybe I had.

I could feel her breath hitch, feel the way her body melted into mine, fitting so perfectly as if she had never left. As if she had always belonged here, in my arms. The heat between us grew, our bodies moving instinctively, like a rhythm we had never forgotten. Every touch, every sigh, every gentle press of her fingers against my skin sent a shiver down my spine, igniting something I had tried so hard to bury.

We weren't thinking. We weren't considering the consequences, the inevitable morning that would come, the questions that would follow. Right now, none of it mattered.

Right now, there was only her. Only this moment.

And I wanted to drown in it.

This moment deepened, and I pulled away slightly, just enough to whisper against her lips, "God, I miss you so much." My voice was breathless, trembling with emotions I could no longer hold back.

She looked at me, her hazel brown eyes darkened with the same longing that burned inside me. Then, without hesitation, she kissed me again, a soft murmur slipping between our lips, "I missed you too."

I cupped her face, tracing the curve of her jaw with my thumb, memorizing every inch of her as if I could etch her into my very soul. "Can we stay like this... forever?" My voice was barely above a whisper, laced with a quiet plea.

She didn't answer—not with words. Instead, she kissed me again, deeper this time, with a desperation that sent fire coursing through my veins. Her hands roamed freely across my body, igniting every nerve, every memory we had buried beneath time and regret.

I melted into her, surrendering to the way she made me feel—whole, alive, completely and utterly hers. In this moment, there was no past, no future. Just us. Just the way our bodies moved as if they had never been apart.

And for tonight, that was enough.

~~~

I leaned against the counter, swirling the water in my glass as I listened to Khalise's words. Her casual tone didn't quite match the weight of what she was saying, and something about it made my chest tighten.

"She still has nightmares?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

Khalise nodded, scooping another spoonful of ice cream. "Yeah, every now and then. She never says much about it, but I know. She avoids sleeping on beds, says it makes the nightmares worse." She glanced at me with a small smirk. "But I guess you're an exception."

I swallowed hard, my fingers brushing absentmindedly over my engagement ring. Khalise's eyes flickered to the movement, and she tilted her head.

"Huh. Engaged?" she asked, her voice light but observant.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah."

A small chuckle escaped her lips. "She should be lucky then." There was a pause before she added, "I'm happy for you, Rain."

I wasn't sure why, but her words sent an uneasy feeling through me. "And what about her?" I found myself asking.

Khalise let out a dry laugh. "Oh, Khai? Nah... She's too caught up in work. She forgets she has a life outside of the business." She tapped her spoon against the rim of the container. "I guess you could say she's already married—to the job."

I tried to laugh, but it barely made it past my lips. I looked down at my ring, my thoughts spinning in directions I wasn't ready to confront.

Because as much as I wanted to deny it, I knew—Khai was never just married to the job. She was still tied to something else. Someone else.