Read My Mind

by Natasha Preston

  “Yeah, I get that. Just make sure you’ve totally got him out of your system before you do that,” Indie warns.

  “He’s as out of my system as the cheap beer we drank five years ago.”

  “You haven’t been apart long,” Wren says. Her tone does nothing to hide her doubt. So my track record isn’t fantastic when it comes to Liam, but so much has changed now.

  “I’m not the same person I was then,” I tell them with a conviction that shifts something inside of me. “I won’t go back to a failing relationship.”

  “Glad to hear it,” Wren says.

  “I’ll drink to that.” Indie raises her glass, and we all clink in the middle.

  “What have you been doing this past month, anyway? We’ve barely seen you.”

  “I’ve been working on my writing, and obviously there’s been my work experience, which is awesome. Apparently, my writing doesn’t suck, so that’s always incredible to hear.”

  “Obviously, it doesn’t suck,” Indie says. “Glad working with Reid is going well. You clocking up as much library time as I did?”

  “I’d have to move into it to do that, babe. I’ve been at Reid’s most evenings, and some days when he’s working from—” I snap my teeth together when they both look at me with the same expression: eyebrows raised, heads tilted.

  Oh, that’s right. They don’t know just how much time I’ve been spending at Reid’s.

  There’s a lot of suspicion in those gazes.

  “What?” I mutter.

  “You didn’t say you’d been spending so much time with the hot neighbour,” Indie says.

  Wren slaps the table. “Good. If I was single, I’d totally do him.”

  “Well, I am single… and I’m totally doing him.”

  “Fuck off!” Wren sits taller, tucking her legs underneath her. “You’re sleeping with him? When did this start? What’s it like? How big is he?”

  Indie laughs. “Breathe, Wren.”

  “I can’t breathe! She’s screwing that god!”

  “Okay, Reid isn’t a god… he just fucks like one.”

  They both squeal. I swear only dogs can hear them.

  “Tell us when. Tell us everything!” Wren won’t let up until I’ve answered all of her questions. I now know how annoying I was when probing them about Brody and Spencer.

  I don’t know if Reid would be happy for me to discuss this with them. He’s not asked me to keep it between us. He knows the girls and I talk a lot.

  “Friday, last night… and a lot this morning. I never really thought much about sex with him before we started hanging out, but I assumed he would be a gent in the bedroom. He’s so not, though. Holy orgasms! I’ve never been with anyone who knows exactly what to do. He’s so attentive and he makes sure I’m taken care of. And. He. Takes. Charge.”

  When he tied me to his bed, I thought I was going to come on the spot.

  Wren’s smile couldn’t get any wider. “This is the sex you’ve been waiting for.”

  “I know!” I shake my head and take a sip of my prosecco. “He’s just so… ugh, there are no words. I literally want to jump him the second I see him. It’s crazy how much I want to be around him. Not just in a naked way.”

  Indie fans her face with her hand. “Tell us about the first time. How did you go from working over there to sleeping with him?”

  Wren leans forwards, her pretty blue eyes wide and ready for all the juicy details. She pushes her long blonde hair behind her ears, as if that was going to stop her from hearing every word.

  “Down, girl. You’re acting like a crazy person.”

  “I’m acting like you,” she shoots back with a smirk.

  “I prefer the term quirky to crazy.”

  “That just means weird.”

  I shrug. “But quirky sounds so much posher.”

  Indie taps the table. “Can we focus?”

  Pointing at Wren, I say, “Hold still. So, Friday night, it was kinda drizzling outside, and I was sitting in his bay window reading, like I’ve done dozens of times before. He was at his desk. He didn’t say anything. He just took my book and put it down, then took my hand and pulled me to my feet.”

  “This is already hot,” Indie says.

  Laughing, I feel the rush of heat as I recall the most erotic moment of my life. “Neither of us said a word. He kissed me, and I honestly thought I was going to pass out. He kissed me like, if he didn’t, we would both die. No exaggeration, like, actual death.”

  “Then?” Wren asks, leaning forwards again. I really hope she goes too far and falls off the chair.

  “Then he carried me upstairs.”

  “Yeah, he did!” she cheers.

  “He was totally in charge, and I have never been so turned on.”

  “What did he do?”

  “Wren, you’re such a pervert.”

  Indie fake coughs. “I seem to remember you demanding details before.”

  I narrow my eyes. “Yeah, well, now I don’t like it.”

  “Mila!” Wren cries.

  “Fine. He tied me to his bed. It was the best sex of my life. I’m having the best sex of my fucking life!”

  “Wow. Was it awkward after?”

  “No, not at all. We fell asleep cuddled up. In the morning, he made breakfast, and we spent the day together. It was…”

  Right.

  “Yeah, I get that,” Wren says.

  “Bit different to you and Brody,” I tell her.

  “How so?”

  “Erm, you married Brody in a foreign country when you were pissed.”

  “Okay, that is different, sure, but we started having sex first.”

  “Yeah, well, Reid and I aren’t together.”

  “Do you want to be?” Indie asks.

  “I… yes. I’m over Liam. Completely. No question. But I’ve not been single since I was sixteen. I don’t want to start stressing over this. I’m going to go with the flow and see where it takes us. Hopefully somewhere exotic.”

  “I’m just so happy you’re finally getting great sex,” Wren says.

  “I’m certainly getting that.”

  “Cheers to great sex,” Indie says, and we all raise our glasses.

  Thirty-Three

  Reid

  It’s a Monday morning, and I’ve never been so happy to go into the office. It’s the start of Mila’s final week. I’m going to miss seeing her in this environment. The office won’t be the same once she’s gone.

  Now I wish I’d taken the teasing from Mel and spent the entire month here.

  To stop myself from being a pining loser when Mila met up with her friends yesterday, I went off roading with Jason.

  Once at work, I head straight to the kitchen.

  No one but Mel is in there. She’s filling the coffee machine with beans.

  “Good morning, Mel,” I say.

  She turns, and her eyebrow shoot up. “Well, don’t we sound chipper today? Did you ask her out? Is this our first office romance?”

  “Not quite. Stand down.”

  “Not quite? What does that mean?” She folds her arms.

  “I’m absolutely not talking about this. How was your weekend?”

  “Bad date. Bad. Nothing like his profile picture. He said he was forty-one but he was most definitely in his sixties.”

  “Sugar daddy?”

  She laughs. “I wish. No, I think the universe is telling me to remain single for a little while longer.”

  “Morning.”

  I turn at the sound of her voice.

  Mila is leaning against the doorframe wearing a tight black, knee-length skirt and a dusky pink vest top. Her hair is tied up, and her pink lips are glossy.

  “Mila, darling. Hi,” Mel says behind me.

  “You’re early,” I say, raking my eyes over her face with my heart kicking in my chest.

  She shrugs, stepping into the room. “Well, it is my last week.”

  “You’re early because it’s your last week?” I ask.
/>   Her cheeks turn red. “Yes.”

  That’s not it at all.

  “Come and sit down, Mila. We all have time for a coffee before starting work… since it’s your last week and all.”

  Her amber eyes flit suspiciously between Mel and me as she takes a seat at the table. I sit beside her.

  Mel turns around, grabbing two more mugs.

  “I didn’t tell her,” I mouth, reaching to her from under the table. She bites her lip when I stroke her bare knee.

  “I told Wren and Indie,” she whispers as the coffee beans grind loudly.

  I nod. “I figured.”

  Her hand reaches down, her fingers entwining with mine. The contact burns in the best way imaginable. I’ve never reacted to anyone’s touch the way I do to Mila’s.

  She looks at our hands, fingers clinging to each other, and then up at me.

  Mel is still making coffee, onto the second cup now.

  “I missed you,” I say, testing the waters.

  My reward is a smile that I’ll see until I die.

  “Yeah, me, too,” she whispers.

  “We’re all going to be sad when you leave us, Mila,” Mel says, turning around.

  I expect Mila to drop my hand, but she doesn’t. There’s nothing that can be seen from above the table anyway. Would she care if Mel could see? I’m not sure if I’m ready to test that much yet. It’s taken years to get to this point.

  “I know, it’s going to suck. I can’t believe I have to go back to uni.”

  “Actually, I wanted to discuss an opportunity for you to continue working here.”

  Mila’s eyes light up. “I’m in.”

  “You don’t even know what it is,” Mel replies, laughing.

  “Proofreading,” I say.

  Mel waves a spoon towards me. “Such a smart arse, Reid.”

  “I’m definitely in.”

  “Good. Pop into my office before you leave today and we’ll discuss it. You’ll be in with Reid today.”

  “Sorry?” I say.

  “If Mila is going to edit here professionally, I would rather she spent the rest of the time with editors. She can be with you today and Friday, and Ruby Tuesday to Thursday.”

  I rub my mouth with my free hand, aware how difficult those two days are going to be.

  “Shall we get started?” Mila asks.

  My eyes cut to her.

  “Great idea,” Mel responds for me.

  I let go and grab both of our coffees after Mel puts them on the table. “Thanks for that,” I say to her, and I’m not just thanking her for the drink.

  Mila walks ahead, and I’m fairly certain it’s so I can see her perfect arse.

  “Well, what are we doing today?” she asks, sitting in my chair.

  I put our drinks down. “I’m going to watch you read over Faye’s latest chapters.”

  I fetch a spare from the meeting room. My office feels tiny again.

  “How was time with the girls?” I ask.

  “It was great. We had a pamper day on Sunday with prosecco, masks, drinks, and the hot tub. Though, I prefer your bed to Indie’s spare.” She keeps her eyes on the screen the whole time she speaks.

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “I thought about you a lot, laying alone in the dark.”

  “I’m going to have to stand up to go to a meeting in a little while. Keep it clean, please, Miss Thomas.”

  “That doesn’t sound fun at all.”

  The air between us boils. I clench my hands together to stop myself from reaching over and pushing my hands through her long hair while I claim her mouth.

  “No, it doesn’t sound fun,” I say quietly.

  “In my fantasy, you’d tied me up again.”

  “Mila,” I growl, my fingertips digging into my palms.

  “I sucked your cock in the shower.”

  “Fucking hell.”

  She keeps a straight face. Anyone walking past would mistake our conversation for something innocent and work related.

  I’m sure I don’t look as composed. I shift in my seat, my erection now straining against my jeans.

  Mila opens the manuscript in Faye’s folder. “It turned me on like you wouldn’t believe. I can’t wait to have you that way later.”

  “Mila, I fucking swear to God…”

  She smiles now. “I do love it when you lose that perfect control, Reid. It’s very sexy.”

  “Seriously, I have a fucking meeting.”

  “Do you need a hand?”

  I breathe in through my nose and grit my teeth.

  Her laughter is musical. She’s loving every second of driving me insane.

  “We’re on to the last two days together in the office.” Now she sounds dejected.

  “Where did that come from? Not that I’m not thankful for the subject change.”

  She laughs again. “It’s just going to be weird.”

  “You don’t like change?”

  “I like good change. The last two months have been very good change.”

  “Well, I figured that, since you live across the road, we could probably still see each other once you’ve finished here.”

  “I’m counting on that.”

  “You think I would send you on your way? Too much has happened between us, Mila.”

  “Sex.”

  “It’s way more than just sex and you know it.”

  “Yeah, I do. Is it weird?”

  Frowning, I ask, “Is what weird?”

  “That we spend so much time together… clothed and naked?”

  I shake my head. “Not to me. I love spending time with you. In and out of bed.”

  “Me, too. But… I don’t know. Forget I said anything.” Her cheeks turn pink and she ducks her head.

  I think I can guess where this is going and what she wants to know. “I don’t want to spend time with anyone else. I like how things are going between us, and I want to see where else it goes.”

  She smiles but doesn’t look over. “Same. I’m glad you said that. People have been asking what we are and, honestly, I just want to keep going how we have been. No plans, just you and me figuring it out along the way. Oh, and I don’t want to spend time with anyone else, either.”

  This is the closest we’ve come to having a conversation about what we both want from each other. Although we’ve not said we’re official, we’ve admitted that’s where we’re heading, and we’re both happy with that.

  “Good.”

  “Good,” she says, repeating me. “Hey, are you proud that you’re bedding the work experience girl?”

  “Yes,” I answer without hesitation.

  “I would be, too. I’m going to be an employee or freelance here. Do you think the next student through the door will be a male?” She’s laughing at my expression before she finishes. “I’m kidding! You should see your face right now. Don’t break that chair. Ooh, looks like it’s time for your meeting.” She shoos me away with her hand. “Go on, you’ll be late. I’ve got this.”

  “I…” Shaking my head, I push myself to my feet. “What is happening?”

  She looks up with her big eyes that shine almost golden in front of the bright screen. “You’re going to a meeting.”

  “You drive me wild, Mila.”

  “Well, we’re even then. Hurry back.”

  My heart races as I watch her staring back at me the way I’ve wanted her to for so long.

  Thirty-Four

  Mila

  The whole day dragged really, really slowly. Mondays aren’t supposed to fly by—we all know extra hours are snuck into a Monday—but this one was something else. I’m certain that people have conceived, grown, and birthed full-term babies in the time it took for five p.m. to roll around.

  Reid and I sat side by side while we worked. I felt like I was suffocating on the sexual tension. Keeping my hands to myself was no easy task, and I noticed Reid’s clenched fists more times than I could count.

  Now I’m home, and he’s at the gy
m. I’ve had dinner and a long soak in the bath. We don’t have plans tonight since he’s going for dinner with Jason and the guys from the boys’ weekend, once he’s finished his workout.

  I had to pretend that I was fine with that arrangement. To be honest, he didn’t look thrilled about it, either.

  So, here I am in bed at ten p.m.

  Mum and Dad turned in early, too. I don’t want to think about why.

  The only company I have is a serial killer on the TV. I’m trying to focus on why this gentleman killed thirteen people, but my mind keeps going back to Reid. I only have four days left at Wilson Press, and then I’m going back to uni.

  At least we live close. I still need my fix. Maybe I could sleep there.

  Stop.

  Groaning, I switch off the TV and lay down. So far, I’ve managed to resist glancing out of the window. It doesn’t matter if he’s still out because we have no plans. I’ll pretend that the window is open because I’m hot, not just so I can hear cars coming and going.

  I never claimed to be a sane person.

  I curl onto my side and yawn. My brain is constantly on the go, mostly thinking of one thing.

  Maybe another night away from him is for the best. I can recharge and not be so crazy tomorrow. He’s like a drug. I’m permanently tripping on Reid Walker.

  My limbs turn heavy about eleventy million years later, and I drift off to sleep.

  When I wake again, it’s with something pinning me down. At first, I think I’m dreaming, but then a hand covers my mouth and my eyes fly open. My heart races until I see a pair of familiar dark eyes above me.

  “Shh,” Reid whispers. He moves his hand while I lie perfectly still. “I missed you tonight. I sat through dinner and my mind was with you.”

  I blink, but my brain only just catches up when his mouth covers mine.

  My fantasy.

  With a burning need that takes over my entire body, I curl my arms around his bare back. He kisses me until my heels dig into the mattress and neither one of us can breathe. Hot mouths and wet tongues slide against each other.