Ember Frost’s POV

As Orion and I sat looking at each other with smiles, my mother cleared her throat, interrupting the peaceful warmth between us. "Ahem, please keep in mind we're still here," she said, half joking, half serious.

Startled, we instantly pulled our hands apart like guilty children caught in the act. Our cheeks flushed a deep pink, like ripe fruit—we must have looked ridiculous.

He gave me a playful wink, and I returned a smile. We both looked at each other’s flushed ...