CASEN (The Karma Series Book 2)

by Amy Marie

  Embyr’s eyes grow wide. I don’t think she was expecting a chat about this tonight. “I know. He told me you two spoke.”

  “Mom.” I step toward her. “I’m not sure…”

  “Casen, hush it.” She waves a ladle at me. “This isn’t your business.”

  I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Now.” She continues. “What my son did and didn’t do back in high school was disappointing. For him to stand by and not help you, well, I just thought I raised him better than that. I will say that I’m glad you came after my son.”

  “MOM!”

  She shakes her head as Embyr continues to just stare in disbelief. “No, no, hear me out. I’ve seen a shift in him, and even if your intention was to hurt him, I’m glad you two saw the light and fell for one another. The whole situation is shitty, but I’m thankful it’s turning out the way that it is.”

  “Me too, Mrs. Parker.” Embyr smiles shyly. “Me too.”

  “Well, you two skedaddle for a bit. I need to finish up,” she tells us, pulling out some pans from the bottom cabinet.

  “Do you need any help?” Embyr offers.

  My mom shakes her head. “No, thank you. Everyone should be here in the next thirty minutes.”

  “Come on,” I grab Embyr’s hand, “I’ll show you my room.”

  As we hit the bottom of the stairs, my mom yells from the kitchen. “No making babies up there!”

  Embyr and I both laugh.

  My room hasn’t changed much since I left for college. I wasn’t the typical college graduate who lived at home for a long time after graduation. I was here maybe a month before I got a job and moved out with Ian and Reece so there was no need to change anything in my room. I’m surprised my parents haven’t turned it into an office or some shit like that.

  “Wow!” Embyr exclaims stepping into my room. “Well, isn’t this a throwback to high school.”

  I have nineties posters all over the wall and pictures of high school friends, football games, race nights, and trophies everywhere. I grab a hold of Embyr around her waist as she runs her fingers along my yearbooks on my desk. I pull her hair back and kiss her neck. “You smell amazing.”

  “Thank you.” She picks up a trophy and sets it back down. “I always wondered what your room looked like.”

  Her ass pushes back into me, waking up my cock. “I always wondered what you’d look like in my room.”

  Embyr cranes her neck to the side, her soft lips searching for mine. “Did you fantasize about me in here?”

  Taking that as my cue, I pop open the button of her jeans and slowly lower the zipper. “I did.”

  Her hand stops mine. “Didn’t your mom say no making babies?” She laughs.

  Twisting my hand, I release myself from hers and dip it into her panties. A calm comes over me as I feel how wet she is. “I’m not going to stick my dick in you, Embyr. I’m going to just release a little of your tension.”

  She leans onto the desk, her palms taking the brunt of her weight, as I find her clit and circle around it between my thumb and pointer finger. She moans, so I wrap my free hand around her mouth and whisper harshly, “Be quiet.”

  Her teeth bite my finger and it amps me up. I’d love nothing more than to fuck her right now but I know my fingers can have her there in under a minute. Putting that theory to the test, I pinch her sensitive nub and clamp onto her shoulder with my teeth. My fingers start to rub at a hurried pace. Her muffled moans get louder. Her ass pushes back into my cock. Faster and faster I work her over and in no time she’s screaming into my hand and pulsing underneath my touch.

  “That’s my girl,” I speak softly into her ear. “I love how I know your body so well. I knew I could get you to come in less than a minute.”

  She reaches back, grabbing my stiff dick. “Your turn?”

  Just as I’m about to command her onto her knees the doorbell rings. I secure the button and zipper of her jeans before turning her around, grabbing her jaw. “Not now, but later, this mouth will be swallowing my come. Plan on it.”

  I walk to the adjoining bathroom and start to wash my hands. When I’m finished drying them, the room becomes crowded as Embyr closes the door behind her.

  Seductively, she lowers herself to her knees and unzips my pants. “I bet I can get you off in under a minute as well.”

  My cock slips into her wet mouth and she proves she can do just that.

  Everyone is staring at us when we reach the bottom step. I don’t have to look to know that Embyr’s face is red. That woman’s mouth feels like heaven. Not as much as her pussy but I can make comparisons later tonight.

  “Nice of you to join us, son.” My dad, in his over six foot glory, comments extending a hand.

  “I was showing Embyr around.”

  “Mr. Parker.” Embyr shakes his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  My dad’s head tilts to the side. “My wife has filled me in. I think we may have met a long time ago, but it’s nice to see you again.”

  “Likewise,” she responds.

  It’s funny to see the polite side to Embyr. One minute she’s sucking me off and the next she is being shy. I have so much more to learn about her.

  Ian’s parents are sitting in the living room. Even though it’s been quite a while since Ian has passed, they still look dejected. I don’t know how long it takes to get over the death of a child. I assume you never do. I can’t imagine their pain and on top of losing him, the killer is still out there – free. They stand when we walk over and Mrs. Smith pulls Embyr into an embrace. When she releases her, Ian’s mom has tears streaming down her face.

  “Annie, I’m so sorry.” She cries.

  Embyr flinches as do I. It’s awkward to hear her called by her birth name. It’s not that I try to separate the two anymore but I still have a hard time relating the two, and I’m not sure Embyr is going to take it well.

  “Mrs. Smith.” She starts to tear up. “Please call me Embyr and why are you apologizing?”

  Ian’s dad just stands back, looking more confused by the second. “Why are you calling her Annie?” he asks.

  She’s looking at Embyr but answering her husband. “This is Annie Barnes. The one our Ian…” She doesn’t finish that sentence. I don’t know if anyone wants to hear it anyway. My hackles rise. I don’t want Embyr to get upset. “I’m just so sorry all that happened to you. I can’t tell you how thankful I am that you’ve turned out to be such a beautiful, successful woman…from what I hear from Kate anyway.”

  Ah, Kate. I don’t know how I could have thought she wouldn’t have told her mom. Mr. Smith still looks confused but changes the subject immediately. Looking to me, he extends a hand toward the dining room. “Shall we eat?”

  Dinner is awkward, to say the least. My mom keeps commenting on how much of a cute couple we make. Ian’s mom won’t stop staring at Embyr like at any moment she will burst into tears. My dad and Mr. Smith talk about golf and football. I’m on the other side of the table than them, leaving me to keep the estrogen to a minimal level.

  When dinner and dessert are done, and the kitchen is clean, I decide to get Embyr the hell out of there. If she has to hear how adorable our kids will look anymore I’m sure she will run from the house screaming. We almost make it to the door after our goodbyes when Mrs. Smith grabs a hold of Embyr’s arm.

  “I know I’ve been acting weird tonight. It’s just been an off day, but when I heard that you were coming to dinner I wanted to make sure I talked to you. What Ian did, that was wrong. I want you to know that I had spoken to him on more than one occasion about what happened. He told me everything. The bet Reece started and how he didn’t know it was being taped. I just pray he was telling me the truth when he said he didn’t release that video of you.”

  Embyr grabs both of her hands. “Mrs. Smith, what happened in the past is in the past. You’re correct, it was so very wrong, but I’m letting it all go. Ian wasn’t lying to you when he said he didn’t send that video out.
It wasn’t him, and even if it had been, I’m done letting all of that lead my life. I’m making my parents proud.”

  “I was sorry to hear about them,” she sadly tells Embyr.

  “Thank you. I know you are still grieving, and my showing up again may have brought back some things you weren’t exactly proud of your son doing, but if you could focus on all the good he did do. The stuff that made you smile. His success. His job. His beautiful place. His love for you all and his sister. That’s what you should be holding onto.”

  She hugs Embyr before we leave.

  Halfway down the street I look over at Embyr and see tears streaming down her face. I pull over and unlatch her seatbelt. She slides over into my lap, and I hold her until she’s ready to talk.

  The windows start to steam up, but I could care less. I just need to comfort her.

  “Casen.” She finally starts. “That was rough. I never thought I would have to comfort someone for the shitty things their child did to me, but it was a turning point for me. It was easy for me to tell her to think of all the good of Ian. He may have done some shitty things to me but I would never want my parents to have to apologize for all the crap I did when I was younger. When I sit down and look back, I should have fought. I should have said ‘fuck it’ and stood up for myself.”

  “Listen.” I pull her off my chest and look her square in the face. “Don’t you ever apologize for not being stronger back then. What happened was not your fault.”

  “It feels that way sometimes. I shouldn’t have slept with Ian. I shouldn’t have let him do that.”

  I hold her close because I feel like I don’t have the words to fix this now.

  SIXTEEN

  CASEN

  I walk out of Embyr’s room to make some coffee before I leave for the station and turn my head when I hear Trinity’s door open up. I’m surprised to find Reece walking out, pulling a shirt over his head.

  “Casen.” He grumbles. Reece isn’t much of a morning person but you would think if he spent the night with Trinity he’d have a little less crank in him than usual.

  “Reece. Coffee?”

  He grunts, following me out to their kitchen. I make a full pot of coffee knowing Embyr will want some when she’s out of the shower. I fill up two of the one time use to go cups Embyr bought specifically for mornings after I sleep over and have to work. Reece says nothing as he goes about adding cream and sugar. A look at my watch shows it’s just after six o’clock in the morning.

  “No sleep last night?” I tease but my laugh stops in my throat when he looks up at me. He seems annoyed.

  “Not really. Someone kept me up.”

  I’m confused. “That seems to upset you.”

  “Yea, well.” He takes a sip of coffee. “Maybe next time you all could be quieter.”

  Fuck it. I’m asking. “Are you and Trinity still not having sex?”

  “Oh, we are.” Trinty’s sing-song voice fills the kitchen. “We just finished long before you two even started.” She makes herself a cup of coffee, loading it with cream. “I have to say, Casen. You can get pretty loud. Maybe Embyr should gag you.”

  I almost spit out my drink. The vision of Embyr putting tape over my mouth and handcuffing me to the bed gives me a nice little fantasy to play out later. “I have no comment.”

  She eyes me skeptically then laughs just as Embyr enters the kitchen in a short robe.

  “What are you all talking about?” she asks but stops short when she sees Reece. I know there is still a lot of tension between the two of them and I hope it can all be resolved sooner rather than later. I don’t think Trinity knows that Reece cornered Embyr. He did apologize, but I know she is still hesitant around him.

  “Oh, just how you need to gag your man,” Trin answers. “He was so fucking loud. Between the two of you, no one got any sleep.”

  I wrap my arms around Embyr’s waist and secure my lips over hers, sucking her tongue into my mouth. A loud bang startles us apart.

  “Do you want to ride together?” Reece’s voice is laced with annoyance.

  What the fuck is his problem?

  “Sure.” I give Embyr a quick peck and grab my cup. “Let’s go.”

  Once we get to work and settled, we immediately get a call and are out the door. It isn’t until three o’clock that we get any sort of down time.

  “So, you and Trinity seem to be going strong. Is it getting serious?”

  Reece and I haven’t talked much and I can’t gauge his reaction. I haven’t seen him with other women and now that I know they are sleeping together, not just a one night stand type of thing, I have hope for him. I know we’ve had our differences but I want him to be happy. He’s still my best friend, even if he does make shitty choices.

  He twists open a bottle of water before turning on the television. “I think so. I mean, it took a while after Embyr told her all the shitty things I was responsible for back in high school and she still gave me a chance. She was there for Ian’s funeral. There’s just this intense connection I can’t figure out, and the sex is incredible.”

  I laugh at him. “That intense connection is love, man. You love Trinity and between waiting for sex and feeling that way about her, I’m sure that’s why it’s so incredible.”

  He looks my way. “You think so. You think I love her?”

  I nod. “I know so. I’ve never seen you like this before.”

  He settles deeper into the couch. “Something still seems off but I kind of like this feeling. Makes me feel like an asshole for giving you a hard time.”

  “Well, you are an asshole.” I punch him in the shoulder.

  A bang on the doorframe catches our attention. It’s Captain. “Check your email, boys. Results are in.” His smile tells me it’s good news.

  Reece and I both race up the stairs to the media room and he hits the one and only computer first. Sure I could check on my phone but if I made it, I want to see it in big letters.

  “Fuck, man.” I groan, shoving him in the back. “Hurry up.”

  He finds the Yahoo website and enters his info. I pace behind him, waiting to hear if he made Lieutenant or not but hear nothing. After a minute I look to find his head down on the desk.

  Fuck.

  “I didn’t make it.” He mumbles. “Fuck. I really needed this.”

  I put my hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Reece. I was pulling for you.”

  He clicks out of the internet and stands up, allowing me to take his spot. I’m not sure I want to look at this now that I found out Reece didn’t make the cut. What if I failed too? What if I passed? That would be bad.

  I rip the Band-aid off and log in finding the email waiting for me.

  It’s worse. Not only did I make it, but a second email states they have an opening for me – here at our station.

  “What’s it say?” Reece asks from behind me.

  I don’t want to tell him. We’ve gone through and done everything together. College. Training. Finding a job. I knew making Lieutenant might mean we would be separated but I didn’t think only one of us would pass. I take a deep breath knowing that if it was the other way around, I would be happy for him. Right?

  “I made Lieutenant,” I tell him in a monotone voice and swallow before I finish. “They have a spot for me here.”

  Reece picks up a chair and shoves it across the floor. “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re joking right?”

  Offended, I stand up. “I understand you’re upset about not getting a spot but you seem more upset that I got one.”

  He shoves me. “I am! Just like I told you, Casen. You always get everything. I’m so fucking sick of it.”

  What the fuck? Where the hell did this come from? I thought we hashed it all out.

  “Fuck you, Reece.” I shove him back.

  He launches at me, and we crash to the floor. I hit the leg of the desk and a shooting pain strikes my head. I push on his chest but he doesn’t move.

  “Don’t you get tired of everything
being handed to you, Casen?” he yells, punching me in the jaw.

  I brace both feet onto the ground, pushing Reece up, and he falls off me. I stand and look down at him. He looks pitiful. “Never fucking touch me again, Reece. Do you fucking hear me? Everything I have I worked for.” I point a finger at him. “I’ve supported you through everything. I forgave you for what you did to Embyr. This is how you react when I get a promotion. You’re supposed to be my best friend.”

  “What the fuck is going on in here?” Captain yells, stopping short when he sees me. “You’re forehead is busted open, Parker.”

  My fingers brush my temple and bring back blood. “Fuck.”

  Cap points at Reece. “He do that?”

  Reece rises to his feet, seemingly ready to accept whatever is about to happen to him.

  I shake my head no. “I fell.”

  Captain looks disappointed. “Head to the ER. You probably need stitches. I’ll call someone in. Want me to write a report?”

  I glance over at Reece. His hands are on his hips, and his head has fallen to his chest. Coward won’t even look at me. “No, not necessary. I’ll keep you posted.”

  I’m almost to the door when Captain calls me back. “Congrats.”

  I nod in thanks. Reece is looking up now but he still has murder in his eyes.

  Three stitches. Three stitches were all I needed, and I was ready to go back to the station but someone had already been brought in. Luckily, when I called Embyr and told her I was headed to the emergency room she took the rest of the day off and met me there. Sexiest fucking nurse ever. She picked up some ice cream and beer on the way back to my place and ordered a pizza. She won’t let me lift a finger.

  “Baby, I can take my own shoes off.” I laugh watching her try to untie my double knots.

  She waves me off. “No, no. I got it. Or I will eventually.”

  “Come here.” I command, forcing her up and into my lap. She kneels on either side of my legs and wraps her arms around my neck. “Thank you.”