Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5): A Companion to White Heat: Three Short Stories Read Online Free PDF

the living room. No, rattled isn’t quite the right word. Warm and tingly?
    “Hi, Heidi,” Hope greets.
    “Don’t move,” Trinity warns. “Hey, Heidi,” she says without looking at me. She’s focused on lining Hope’s eyes with dark brown eyeliner. A bunch of nail polish is lined up on the desk next to them. One’s a glittering gold that I’m instantly jealous of. I glance down at my own short nails. Last night, I’d painted them a bright plum to match my dress, but now I wish I’d thought of something more fun.
    “Are you sure the polish will dry? Shouldn’t we do that first?” Hope asks as Trinity starts sponging foundation over Hope’s forehead.
    It must not be the first time she’s asked. “Yes,” Trinity answers with exaggerated patience.
    Hope tilts her head at the space next to her. “Come. Sit. Tell me what you’re up to.”
    “She’s nervous,” Lilly whispers to me.
    Trinity sets the foundation down and picks up one small clear bottle. “Shit. My fast-dry topcoat is hard as a rock.” Trinity bites her lip as she keeps trying to wiggle the brush around.
    “What’s the closest store? I’ll go grab another bottle,” Lilly offers.
    “Are you sure?”
    Lilly rolls her eyes. “Yes.”
    Trinity writes down the directions to Wards. The clubhouse is so far out in the country, it will take Lilly at least an hour to drive there and back.
    “Don’t move. I’ll be back. Heidi do you want to come with me?”
    “No, thank you.”
    “You can use my bathroom to change if you want,” Trinity says.
    After closing myself inside, I pull the dress out and inspect it for wrinkles or lint. It’s one-shouldered, so I had to buy a special bra for it, but it’s the most grown-up thing in my closet.
    Once I’m finally in it, I need someone to help with the zipper. “Trinity?” I call out.
    She opens the door and I don’t even have to ask, she automatically moves behind me and pulls up the zipper.
    “Perfect,” she says.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.”
    “Oh, Heidi! It looks so pretty,” Hope gushes when I come out.
    “Thanks.”
    They go back to last minute wedding talk, and there are a few dirty jokes that I’m pretty sure are in reference to my uncles Rock and Wrath— ew .
    “I’m starving. Do you mind if I go grab something to eat?”
    “Not at all. You know where to find us,” Hope says with a giggle. I guess she’s nervous.
    “Do you want me to bring something back for you guys?”
    Both of them say no.
    This end of the clubhouse is surprisingly quiet, considering the big event that’s about to happen. I’d kind of like to say hi to Uncle Rock, but I’m not sure if he’s upstairs or out at the wedding site.
    As I’m about to step into the dining room, I run into Murphy.
    “Sorry.” He reaches out to steady me with a hand on my waist. “Wow.” The way he stares at me heats my skin and I pull out of his grasp.
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    F OR SEVERAL LONG , uncomfortable seconds, I forget how to breathe. I stare at Heidi for so long, she fidgets, nervously tugging at the skirt of her dress.
    “Stop,” I say, reaching out to still her hand.
    “It looks awful, doesn’t it?”
    Absolutely not. I may know fuck-all about dresses, but it’s perfect on her. “No. You’re gorgeous, Heidi. That’s a pretty color on you.”
    Her cheeks flush and she glances down at her feet. “Thanks.”
    I’m not lying. The purple suits her dark hair and eyes. The bare shoulders and skirt that falls right above her knees aren’t too bad either. But it’s the damn top of the dress, fitted tight to her curves, that’s making me edgy.
    Curves I shouldn’t be noticing.
    Curves I don’t want anyone else noticing.
    I’m so quiet, she twists her hands in her skirt again.
    Words. Where are my fucking words? Fuck. I saw her in the dress when she bought it, but somehow she looks so…different now.“You’re beautiful. I’m just not used to you looking so grown-up, that’s all.”
    “Oh.” Her face brightens,