Chapter 49

The next track was more upbeat, a contrast at first. Ivy and Aidan were the first to start moving along with it, their quiet head nods turning into full on swaying. Billie tapped her fingers against her knee, a small grin on her lips. When the chorus hit, Finneas raised his brows, looking impressed.

"This is a hit"He said simply

Claudia smiled"It's addictive"

I couldn't help but smile"I wanted something that people could just feel good listening to, you know?"

"It works" Ivy said"I need this on every playlist I have"

The next few songs took a more vulnerable turn, weaving through heartbreak, self discovery, and growth. I felt a lump in my throat when a particularly personal track started playing - a song I had written on a night when everything felt too overwhelming. I stole a glance at my mom, who was already looking at me, eyes softening with understanding. Billie, too, seemed to feel it, her expression unreadable but her gaze never leaving me.

When it ended, there was a silence that felt heavier than before.

"That one" my mom said gently "That one really got me"

I exhaled a small laugh"Yeah. Me too"

Billie's voice was quiet but firm. "That's the kind of song that stays with people"

I nodded, unsure of what to say. It was strange, hearing something so deeply personal out loud, but also cathartic in a way I couldn't describe.

As the album continued, the mood shifted again, the second to last track was another high energy song, one that Ivy and Aidan got up off the couch, dancing dramatically. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and soon enough, even my mom was laughing and clapping along.

And then, finally, the last song. The one that tied it all together. I watched everyone settle back in, their expressions shifting as the first few chords played. This was it - the closing statement, the final chapter.

By the time the last note faded out, I realized I had been holding my breath. The room was still, everyone absorbing what they had just heard.

Then, Billie spoke"That was perfect"

I let out the breath and smiled"Yeah. It feels like the right way to end it."

My mom reached for my hand, squeezing it."You should be so proud of this, sweetheart"

Finneas leaned back, nodding"You made something really special ember"

Claudia smiled warmly "This whole album - it feels like a journey"

I looked around the room, at the people who had been with me through every stage of this process, and felt something settle inside me. Relief, pride, gratitude- all of if at once.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly."Thank you. Really, for being here, for listening, it means everything.

Ivy grinned "Okay so.. when can we hear it again"

Laughter rippled through the room, and just like that, the weight of the moment lifted. I knew Thursday would bring more emotions, more nerves, but for now, I let myself enjoy this.

For now, I let myself be proud.

As the night wound down, people slowly began saying their goodbyes. My mom hugged me tight before heading out, followed my Finneas and Claudia, who both promised they'd be blasting the album once it was released. Then, it was just me, Ivy, Aidan, and Billie.

We sprawled across the couch, i sat on Billie's lap as her arms curled around my waist. The excitement still buzzing in the air, Aidan turned to me with a curious look.

"Okay, we've talked about how amazing this album is, but we never asked-what's it called?"

I hesitated for a second, before exhaling a smile "Wildfire"

Billie's lip curled up"That fits"

Ivy nodded"Yeah, it makes sense. The whole album - it's like your setting everything on fire and letting it burn in the best way"

Aidan grinned "I love it. Feels like you"

I felt my heart sweet at their words. Naming the album had been one of the hardest parts, but hearing them say it like that, felt right.

Billie stretched, moving her head to look at me"I'm staying, right?"

I laughed "Obviously"

Ivy smirked "We'd be shocked if you didn't"

Billie rolled her eyes before tapping my leg to let me know she wanted to stand up. She offered me her hand.

"Cmon superstar, let's get some sleep"

I took her hand, feeling warmth flood through me as I followed her to my room.

As soon as my bedroom door clicked shut, a charged silence settled between us. The air felt thick, heavy with everything unspoken, everything simmering just beneath the surface. Billie stood in front of me, eyes dark, lips parted slightly like she was about to say something-but she didn't. Instead, she stepped forward, closing the space between us with a slow, deliberate confidence that sent a shiver racing down my spine.

Her hands found my waist, fingers slipping just beneath the hem of my shirt, grazing bare skin. "Finally alone," she murmured, voice low, teasing.

I swallowed, already feeling my pulse quicken. "Took long enough."

Billie smirked, her thumb tracing lazy circles against my hip as she leaned in, lips hovering just above mine. "Yeah? You been waiting for this?"

Instead of answering, I surged forward, pressing my lips against hers in a kiss that left no room for question. Billie exhaled sharply through her nose, her hands tightening on my waist as she kissed me back, matching my intensity. The warmth of her body, the way she fit against me so perfectly-it was dizzying.

We stumbled back toward the bed, lips never parting, hands wandering. Billie's fingers tangled in my hair as she deepened the kiss, tilting my head back slightly. I let out a small gasp when she trailed her lips down to my jaw, then lower, her breath hot against my neck. My fingers clutched at the fabric of her shirt, desperate for more contact.

"Billie-" Her name slipped from my lips in a breathless whisper, and she hummed in response, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. Her pupils were blown wide, her expression unreadable except for the unmistakable heat in her eyes.

"You're so beautiful," she murmured, her fingers tracing my jaw, her touch featherlight. The way she looked at me, like I was something to be savored, something she never wanted to stop looking at-it made my stomach tighten, made my heart pound in a way that was almost overwhelming.

I let out a small, breathless laugh. "You're such a flirt."

Billie grinned. "Only with you."

She kissed me again, slower this time, like she wanted to take her time, like she wanted to memorize every second of this. I melted into it, letting myself get lost in her, in the way her touch made my skin burn in the best way. Her fingers slid higher under my shirt, palms warm as they pressed against my back, pulling me closer until there was nothing between us but heat and anticipation.

Her hands moved with purpose, fingers gripping the hem of my shirt, lifting it slightly. She hesitated for just a second, eyes searching mine for permission. I gave a small nod, my breath catching as she tugged it over my head, discarding it somewhere behind us.

Her gaze dropped, her fingertips tracing lightly over my bare shoulders, down my arms, like she was committing every inch of me to memory. "God, Ember..."

The way she said my name sent a fresh wave of heat through me. I reached for her, pulling her close again, feeling the way her breath hitched as our skin met. Her lips found mine once more, and this time, there was nothing slow or teasing about it. It was urgent, deep, full of something we were both too caught up in to name.

I sighed against her lips, hands tangling in her hair, pulling her impossibly closer. Billie's hands roamed, fingertips ghosting down my spine, sending a shiver straight through me. She traced every dip, every curve, her touch soft yet deliberate, like she wanted to learn me by feel alone.

She guided me gently back onto the bed, hovering over me, her knee pressing lightly between my thighs. The warmth of her breath ghosted over my skin as she peppered soft, lingering kisses down my neck, my collarbone, stopping just above the swell of my chest. I bit my lip, eyes fluttering shut as her hands traced lower, pressing into the small of my back to keep me against her.

"Tell me what you want," she murmured against my skin, her voice thick with want, with restraint.

I swallowed hard, my fingers gripping at her shirt, desperate to feel more, to close the space between us completely. "You. Just you."

A slow, teasing smile tugged at her lips before she leaned down again, capturing my mouth in another deep, lingering kiss. Every touch, every movement, felt like it was setting my skin on fire in the best way possible. There was no rush, no urgency-just this intoxicating dance of hands and lips and the sheer anticipation of more.

I traced my fingers down her sides, slipping beneath the hem of her shirt now, wanting to return the favor. She let out a soft sigh as I pushed the fabric up, running my hands over the bare skin of her back before pulling it over her head, tossing it to join the growing pile of clothes on the floor. My breath caught as I took her in-every inch of her, bathed in the soft glow of the lamp beside my bed.

Billie smirked slightly, as if she knew exactly what she was doing to me. "Like what you see?"

I exhaled a shaky laugh. "You already know the answer to that."

She leaned in again, lips brushing against my ear as she whispered, "Good." And then she kissed me, deep and slow, making my head spin all over again.

Her hands skimmed down my sides, her touch featherlight but enough to send another shiver through me. She traced slow, lazy patterns along my skin, like she was reveling in every inch of me, memorizing every reaction. I let out a breathy sigh as her lips trailed lower, pressing warm, open-mouthed kisses along my collarbone, down the curve of my shoulder.

Billie's fingers ghosted along my stomach before sliding to my back again, pulling me closer. "You're incredible," she murmured between kisses, her voice laced with something deeper, something that made my heart stutter in my chest.

I tangled my fingers in her hair, arching slightly into her, letting myself get lost in the feeling of her, the way she touched me like she had all the time in the world. Every kiss, every whisper of her breath against my skin sent sparks rushing through me. Nothing else mattered in this moment.

A/N:Hey guyssss! I've started writing my next book woohoo! I won't be publishing any parts until this book is completed which it's coming to an end 🥲 I'm so sad because I've loved this book but I'm so ready for the next one to be bigger and better!! Thanks for all the support !My new book is called "only you" I'll let you all know when the first chapters published!🩷🩷