Chapter 13 The Ambiguity in the Room

"Emily?" Emily was trying to get Michael to sleep when she heard James's deep voice behind her.

"James?" She froze for a second before slowly turning around. Their eyes locked, and it felt like a jolt of electricity shot between them.

James should be in the master bedroom right now. What was he doing here? And why was he dressed like that? Emily thought, standing there like a statue.

James was only wearing a white towel, his wet hair sticking to his forehead, with a few strands falling between his brows. His bare chest and muscular lines stood out in the dim light. Water droplets slid down his firm chest, tracing the lines of his abs, and finally disappearing at the edge of the towel around his waist.

Emily couldn't help but stare at his chiseled yet stern face, feeling like the air around her was getting thicker.

She quickly looked away, her cheeks turning pink, her heart racing. "James, what are you doing here?" she whispered.

James raised an eyebrow, amused by her blushing. "This is my house."

"That's not what I meant," Emily quickly explained. She wasn't the lady of the house anymore.

James's eyes were deep and unreadable.

The master bedroom's bathroom was out of order, and it hadn't been fixed yet. He came to Michael's room to take a shower and was about to head back when he heard a noise outside. He opened the door and saw a figure in a white dress through the misty steam.

Emily's long hair swayed at her waist, and her delicate profile looked softer than usual, her brows gentle, and her face full of smiles.

It was Emily, softly talking to Michael.

The moonlight poured in, casting a thin layer of light over both of them. James took in the scene, feeling a bit dazed, not wanting to interrupt. He waited until they said goodnight before speaking, "It's late, aren't you going to bed?"

"I just came to put Michael to bed," Emily explained.

James moved closer, and Emily could smell the pleasant scent of his body wash, making her get lost in it. During those eight years, they were so close that such moments of contact were countless. She even habitually leaned into James's embrace. But halfway through, she stopped herself.

'James has a girlfriend now,' Emily reminded herself, the thought hitting her like a bucket of cold water. Even though they had Michael as a bond, and they needed to remain co-parents and, hopefully, friends, they shouldn't cross the boundary and do anything inappropriate.

Even if she was James's ex-wife, any rekindling of emotions would be futile. Olivia might be waiting for him in the master bedroom, and she couldn't immerse herself in the twisted remnants of a relationship.

She knew what it felt like to have the one she loved leave her, that heart-wrenching pain, and she didn't want anyone else to experience it. They were over. Olivia was such a good person, so she couldn't steal someone else's boyfriend.

Taking two quick steps back, Emily finally stood still and spoke, "I'll leave now. I'm sorry for disturbing you."

She bowed hurriedly, wanting to escape the room, but found she couldn't open the bedroom door. Emily's fingers trembled as she tried to turn the doorknob, but the door wouldn't budge.

On the other side, Michael squinted, secretly slipping the key into his pajama pocket. "Mommy, since Daddy's here too, why don't you both stay with me tonight? Don't leave."

The door wouldn't open, and Emily was getting anxious, a thin layer of sweat forming on her forehead. "Open the door, please. I'll stay with you sometimes, but not tonight. Daddy has other things to handle. Be good and open the door, okay?"

Michael pouted, not understanding why Emily was suddenly anxious. He lay back on his small bed in a huff. "No, no, no! You two are clearly fighting and lying to me. If Mommy and Daddy don't make up, I won't open the door."

Emily felt helpless but saw James stride to the bed and extend his hand to Michael. "Give me the key."

James's voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority. Michael shivered under the covers, not daring to defy James. He reluctantly took out the key and hid under the blanket, sulking and ignoring them.

Emily was still waiting by the door when she felt James's presence close behind her. His long fingers gently wrapped around her hands, turning the key in the door.

Everything felt so natural. The warmth from his palm made her heart race, and a huge sense of security instantly surrounded her. James's breath brushed against her ear, making Emily shiver slightly. She turned around, her lips brushing against James's cheek, and they both froze.

James hadn't thought much while doing all this, as they had been so close for so many years. But at this moment, he suddenly felt his throat dry, his Adam's apple moving involuntarily.

Emily shrank at the door, her head lowering, not daring to look at James. Her slightly flushed cheeks and lips moved as if forming a silent invitation. The sight stirred something deep within James, a primal urge to seize her, to kiss her with the same fervor they once shared, to devour her until she melted in his arms and begged for mercy.

A tightness formed in his lower abdomen, and James's voice became hoarse, the deep look in his eyes making Emily reluctant to move.

They stood close, James's unique scent enveloping Emily, hot and scorching. Her breath hitched, and she instinctively tried to move away, but his firm hand on the back of her head held her in place.

"Don't move," he commanded, his voice rough. After a moment's pause, he added, "Emily, the door is open."

His proximity and the huskiness of his voice sent shivers down Emily's spine, making her go weak in the knees. "Okay," she whispered, her voice so soft that it startled even herself.

To James, her whisper was like a kitten's purr, awakening his yearning to hear more. "Emily," he murmured, his tone dangerously low, "are you seducing me?"

James arrogantly raised his chin and grasped Emily's slender wrist, his eyes slightly lowered as he looked down at her. Last night's intimacy was fresh in both their minds, and Emily was acutely aware of James's current state of desire.

Just then, the bedroom door creaked open. Instantly, Emily broke away, rushing out of the room, too flustered to notice Olivia's restrained and gloomy gaze from the dimly lit hallway.