Standing next to me, with his head against the wall, he doesn’t seem so sure of his sure thing either. “I can’t do it.”
“By it, I take it you mean you can’t do Crystal?”
“Yup.”
“You understand Jane is still fucking the prick, right?”
“Ouch! Whose side are you on anyway?”
I push off the wall and face him. “Yours. I’m always on your fucking side, Luke, but this shit has gone on long enough. Go after her or don’t, but make up your fucking mind and don’t drag me into your attempt at getting revenge. I’m gonna tell you the truth here, brother. Jane’s keeping you at an arm’s length, not letting you closer, not cutting you loose. Just stuck in the middle. You’re going to have to make the hard decision. Figure out what the hell you want and then go after it.”
He stands up, looking me in the eyes. “I could say the same fucking thing to you, brother. The difference is Jane may be struggling to figure out what she wants, but I know what I want. That’s a hell of lot more than what you’re doing.”
“I had sex with Reese. Twice in Texas. So don’t come preaching to me that I’m not doing anything. But unlike your situation, our situation can cost her a job. Besides that, I’ve made myself clear on how I’m feeling for her, to her. And that’s all that matters. Have you told Jane how you feel?”
He looks away.
“I didn’t think so, so you have nothing on the line to lose. Take Crystal, Yvette, Janet, or whoever else you’re fucking around with while waiting for Jane, parade them in front of her and see how she reacts.” I hate fighting with him and I can tell he’s torn up over it too. “I say this as your friend. Those girls in there are hot, but they’re not Reese and they aren’t Jane.” I pat him on the shoulder. “Go home, my friend. Go home alone and figure this shit out. Give my goodbyes to the girls. I’m out of here.”
“C’mon, Danny. Don’t go.”
I wave over my shoulder as I push through the gate to the parking lot. My Jeep is parked at the far side of the lot, but I don’t hurry toward it. I need the air to think. My situation with Reese is fucked up because we fucked up a long time ago. He’s right. I don’t take my own advice much, but I’ve laid my heart on the line for her. Whether she picks it up remains to be seen.
I walk into Illustrious to check in one last time before I head out of LA. My feet come to an abrupt halt when I see one of the last people I expect to see—my biggest competitor sitting across from my agent. Irritated, I detour to Jody’s desk. “He’s in a meeting with Sebastian Lassiter?”
Glancing over her shoulder, she nods. “Yeah, Mark’s been trying to sweeten the pot to get him to come work with Illustrious.”
“And here I thought the day was going pretty damn well.”
She spins in her chair to face me and lowers her voice. “I know you don’t like hi—”
“He’s a rich kid who couldn’t give a shit about modeling.”
“He sure is raking in the jobs for someone who doesn’t give a shit.”
With my hand on her shoulder, I warn, “Don’t be fooled by the good looks, they’re only surface deep, like his sincerity.”
“Good to know.”
I stare at him through the glass. He stares right back, the cocky fucker. When he grins, I’m left perplexed on why his day rate is so high. “Maybe I’m bias, but he caused a lot of problems for one of my good friends.”
Mess with Johnny Outlaw. He can take care of himself. Mess with Holli, and he’s got Johnny and me to deal with. He’s just lucky his ass got kicked when it did, or I would have been the one kicking it. And I would have broken more than his nose. The fucker. I cross my arms over my chest and face her. “Are you serious about him signing with Illustrious?”
“Yes. Mark found out that Sebastian recently left his agent. He switched up his whole team from his manager, agent, and PR. He claims he doesn’t like the direction of his reputation in the media.”
“Interesting.” I glance back once more. He’s still got that smarmy-ass smirk on his face. Fucker’s challenging me. “Keep me in the loop.”
“I will. Here’s your itinerary. Have a good trip and check in when you get back.”
“Take care, Jods.” With Mark in with Lassiter, I’ve lost my desire to meet with him. I can’t deal with Lassiter today, so it’s best I leave now before I get even more riled up.
When I get home, I put on shorts and my running shoes and hit the pavement hard. One mile in, I’m soaked with sweat and still just as frustrated about everything. By the fifth mile I find a bench and sit, trying to recover from pushing myself. The problem is I can’t outrun Reese in my head. I can block out almost everything, everything except for Reese. She’s ingrained in my brain and I want to see her and finally have that talk.
I pull out my phone.
No more texts.
It’s time to call her.
The phone rings once, twice, three times before it goes to voicemail.
“You’ve reached the voicemail of Reese Carmichael. Please leave your name and number after the beep. Thank you and have a great day.”
Beeeeeep.
“Reese, it’s me, Danny. If you get a chance, call me back. Thanks.” My mind is made up. I pack my phone away and head back home.
I’m going to be on the first flight to New York tomorrow morning.
Oh, who am I kidding? The first flight is never gonna happen. I like sleep too much, so maybe the third or fourth flight but definitely on a flight by one or two in the afternoon. At the latest, by three.
23
REESE
The elevator doors close before Keaton can catch up to me. I release a heavy breath that had been stalled in my chest. Everyone behind me has their head down or they’re staring up at the tiles of the ceiling. I’m so glad no one can read my mind. I’d be fired for sure if they could. But no one else made a move to hold the doors open as he came running toward it either. Very interesting. Maybe he’s not as popular as he likes to think.
What did I ever see in him?
I shake my head, beating myself up over that bad decision. Bad on so many levels.
Almost as bad as walking away from Danny. Just young, dumb, not in a good place mentally. Now I’m older and don’t have those excuses. I’m just dumb, but with crow’s feet that I can’t seem to get rid of no matter what expensive cream I try.
Outside on the sidewalk, I find a bus bench, slip on my Jack Purcells, and start off for my apartment—twenty-one blocks. Keaton always hated these sneakers. It makes me like them more. He hated this walk more. After two times, he started taking his car and meeting me there. I hate the gym so this is my compromise to stay fit. Eventually I gave up the battle and rode in the car with him though. I was tired of being pressured. Our relationship was always good when he was getting his way.
My social life was lost once he started getting his way. I should have seen the signs. Beyond him being my boss, the isolation I felt should have sent up more red flags than it did. I can do this life without him, without anyone.
I can stand strong on my own.
Vinnie—he’s kind of my knight in purple armor. I trust him. I’m not sure if I should, but I feel I can. And he loves Danny, for good reason.
The fifty texts I get each week from Vinnie telling me to screw it all and to screw Danny instead, are funny. He makes many valid points. I guess I should tell him I’ve already screwed him a few times already.
Danny is so handsome. He’s ridiculously charming. Smart. He reads me like no one else. He knows me even better. Even after all these years, he knows my soul almost as well as I do. He’s real with me. And I’m my most true self with him.
The real me.
He accepts me flaws and all. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am in my career. He was my biggest support back then. He still might be now as well.
When I round the corner and look up, I smile seeing a familiar gorgeous face. Leaning against my building—flowers in hand. Casual clothes
look anything but casual on such an incredible body. A gray beanie and sunglasses protect his identity from everyone, but me.
Mine.
As I get closer I see the scruff his jaw is working. It’s just enough that if used in the right way, I’ll remember the feel of it for days after when I cross my legs.
My pace slows though all I want to do is run to him, have his arms wrap around me, and kiss him.
He doesn’t hold back. Pushing off, he smiles then rushes toward me. When we reach each other, he does what I’m not brave enough to do—he puts his heart on the line and wraps his arms around me and kisses me.
And then I throw my heart into the ring and kiss him just as deeply right back. Because it’s him. Danny. Mine. His lips on mine.
Flowers at my back as he holds me the way I remember him holding me in Marfa. I missed this. I missed him. I thought his texts were nice fillers, but as our tongues caress again, I realize texts will never be a substitute for the real thing.
Our breaths—like our kisses—are exchanged. When air becomes scarce we reluctantly part. His beautiful brown eyes stare into mine and if I’m not careful I might fall under his spell and throw more than my heart into the ring. I might be willing to throw everything I’ve worked for away over those puddles of caramel love.
“You’re here,” I say, dumbly, because yeah, he makes me lose my better senses.
“I’m here, for you.” He pops the flowers in front of me. “I brought you flowers.”
Smiling, I take the bright red Gerberas from him. “They’re beautiful. You didn’t have to bring me flowers.”
“I wanted to bring you flowers. They always made you smile.”
“They still do. Thank you.” Not wanting to have this conversation on the street, I ask him up. We walk inside the lobby and wait together for the elevator in silence. My doorman greets us, but leaves us be.
Danny bumps my hand with his and looks down. When I look up at him, he smiles gently at me. My face heats. We step into the elevator, keeping a respective distance until the door closes. He’s on me—my back against the wall, his mouth on my neck, his breath warming my collarbone, his words pure lust in my ear. “I missed you. I missed being inside you. I want you, Reese.”
The doors open and he steps back. I take his hand and lead him into the hall. “Is that why you’re here, Danny? You missed my body?”
“No. It’s just one of a million things I missed about you. I’m just struggling to voice those when your body elicits such a fervent response from mine.”
My thoughts get lost under my own impassioned desires for him. I unlock the door and set the flowers and my bag down on the table. When he’s inside, I lock the door behind him and lean against it, gripping the knob to hold me in place. My heart’s racing in my chest, my breath deep with want, my thoughts in turmoil over what to do while I stare at the back of his head. Do I put the brakes on or go? He turns and his eyes meet mine.
Go.
Go.
Go!
I push off and run to him, jumping into his arms. My legs wrap around his middle, my arms are around his neck. Our mouths clash together as my back is slammed against the wall. His pelvis tilts and I moan. Through my pants and his jeans, our desire is felt—hard against soft. I need more, the need for him consuming me. “The bedroom,” the words stagger out between kisses, my desperation is heard. “That way. Go. Danny.”
His hold under my ass is firm. I feel secure in his arms and relax as he carries me into the other room. Pressing me against the wall just inside the door, he pulls back, and says, “I’m going to fuck you against this wall before I leave New York.” He spins me around, takes me to the bed, and sets me down. “But this time I want you to think of me every time you get into this bed.” He pulls his shirt over his head and drops it to the floor, the beanie coming off with it. His hair is a complete fucking mess and as if it was possible, he’s even hotter. “Get naked, Reese.”
The command in the deep timbre of his voice is felt between my legs and I take off my clothes. He pulls two condoms from his pocket and tosses them on the bed next to me. “You came prepared.”
“I came prepared to make you come.”
My thighs clench from his words and I move up the bed. With my head resting on a pillow, I run my hands over the comforter as I spread my arms wide, letting my legs follow. “Don’t let me keep you.”
“Damn, woman. You’re gonna be my undoing.”
“Only if I’m doing it right.” My voice is suddenly huskier, befitting this conversation and the thickness of the sexual tension filling the room.
He kneels at the base of the bed, taking hold of my ankles. “I have no doubt you’ll do me right.” My head hits the mattress as he pulls me until my knees are bent over his shoulders. “But I’ll go first.”
The scruff I mentioned earlier… Oh yes! Hail to the scruff. I’m a believer. My eyes drop closed and my back arches as he scrapes the inside of my thighs, his lips taking possession of my pussy like it was his all along.
Maybe it always was… like other beating parts of my body.
My thoughts become quicksand, slipping under as my body tightens. Running my nails lightly up his neck and into his hair, I take hold, and fist. His hands are on my stomach, my breasts, my hips. He’s consuming me, his body owning all of mine, making me fall to pieces beneath him.
When he moves, my thighs squeeze together, trapping his head between them as my body reacts to the sensitivity in my post-orgasmic euphoria. Hands slip between my legs and he spreads them apart then looks up.
I shrug, and though I’m a little tired, I smile, feeling so good, almost too good. “Sorry.”
He chuckles as he kisses the inside of both of my thighs and then slowly removes my legs one at a time from his shoulders. I move up the bed and he takes a condom from on top of the covers as he moves up.
Coming down, he holds his body above me, only allowing access to his lips through a kiss, restraining himself, until he’s not. His eyes are set on mine and he says, “I’m going to make love to you.”
“Okay,” I reply breathlessly, craving his heat to cover me.
“After I fuck you, Reese.”
My eyes widen and my mouth opens. “Okay.” Only one word is needed.
He drops down on me as he takes control of my mouth, holding my jaw in place as he covers me with intense kisses. His body throbs, moving in ways that summon mine to match his rhythm.
With the orgasm he conquered coating his lips and tongue, I don’t think, I taste and feel, the act dirty and raw, visceral, and real. Danny doesn’t hold back. This is me and him, him and me in our most natural state. I refuse to feel ashamed for enjoying the intimacy of sharing ourselves this way.
Sitting up, he flips me over so I’m face down. Excitement is stirred inside me and I like feeling vulnerable to his needs, to his demands. I like giving him what he wants and craves from me. “You’re so beautiful,” he says, the condom wrapper heard right after.
Looking at him, he strokes himself a few times and then rolls the condom down his proud length. I turn back around just as his leg comes over mine, his cock rubbing against my ass. Both of his hands slink under my body, grazing over my breasts and sliding down until they’re holding my hips, and he lifts me up. I prop up on my elbows and his hands run over my backside and lower. Two fingers are dragged over my pussy and up until they’re on my lower back and one disappears.
A quick smack to my ass surprises me, my head jolting around. “Are we playing?”
“Do you want me to?” he asks, positioning himself at my entrance, the tip of his cock teasing. The sweet pressure makes me want to seat myself solidly on his lap, but his hold of my hips gives him the final say.
“I want you to fuck me like you promised.”
He slams forward, bringing my body to meet his in one fast motion. My head drops down, the weight too much to hold up under the power of each thrust. His fingers wrap over my shoulders for leverage and he keeps his p
romise.
Our bodies are slick with sweat and the sound of them hitting together is vulgar, animalistic, and so fucking sexy. He slides his hands around and grabs my breasts, squeezing as he fucks. They go lower over my belly. His thrusts slow as he weaves his pelvis behind me, hitting me deeper while one of his hands incites my clit. “Don’t stop, Danny.”
“I won’t, baby. I want you to come so hard for me.”
“God, so close.” I lift up onto my hands just as the twisting in my middle unravels, taking me with it. My whole body trembles and he continues to move, making it last longer.
My arms shake, weakening under the pleasure just as his orgasm hits him. “Fuck, Reese!”
He curls around me and I lie down, my head to the side, my hair stuck to my face. Maneuvering to the side I’m facing, he takes the condom off and disposes of it somewhere I don’t see. Danny lies in front of me. He reaches up and lifts the hair from my face, placing it so I have a clear view. With the gentlest of touches, he rests his hand over my heated cheek. I look at him through my sated state and smile. “Welcome to New York.”
“I’d say so. Best greeting I’ve had in a long time.”
I can’t stop the quickened beat of my heart hearing those words. I love that it’s his best greeting, of course, and how could I not know that after feeling his passion. Twice. Yes, I feel good. Best I’ve felt in forever.
Since we have been apart for ten years. I’m not sure I really want to go there, but I can’t help but wonder how many greetings he has had like that, and unfortunately my mouth speaks before I can stop myself. “How many greetings have you had since… since me?”
“Do we really want to sully the incredible time we just had with things that don’t matter?” He runs the back of his fingers over my cheek and down my neck. “Let’s just be two people getting to know each other.”
“I’d ask this of anyone I would sleep with.” The tips of my fingers glide over his chest. I’m liking the light covering of chest hair.
“I don’t want you mad at me. I still owe you a lovemaking.”
Vote Then Read: Volume I Page 277