Nadia snorted, shaking her head. “You always were a glass-half-full kind of person.”
Scarlett laughed, draping an arm around her shoulders as they started across the parking lot. “At least we get along well. I think we’re a great example to cousins everywhere.”
Nadia grinned wryly. “As long as you never sleep with any of my boyfriends, we should be good.”
12
Nadia didn’t realize how much she’d missed Reid until he came to pick her up for their date on Sunday night. Wearing a pale blue button-down shirt untucked over jeans and heavy black boots, he looked sexy enough to take her breath away.
His broad shoulders practically filled her doorway as his eyes blazed a trail down her body before slowly lifting to her face. When he smiled, it was all she could do not to leap into his arms, throw her legs around his waist and kiss him senseless.
“I know it’s a cliché,” he drawled, “but, baby girl, you are a sight for sore eyes.”
Her blood went hot, carrying the heat to all parts of her body. “It’s good to see you too,” she said with a smile.
He stepped inside, his hands lifting to cradle her face. Gently, as if she were a rare and beautiful thing he wanted to behold.
“I missed you,” he said in a husky voice.
Warmth pooled in her belly.
“I missed you too,” she whispered.
He lowered his head, slanting his mouth over hers.
She caught her breath, her blood pulsing furiously through her veins. A satisfied groan rumbled out of his throat as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes fluttering closed. Their lips clung softly, then parted for a brush of tongues before they joined again. Heated intoxication swept through her veins, making her feel drunk and dizzy.
As the kiss grew deeper, Reid’s hands slid downward to span her waist before drifting lower. He cupped her buttocks and pulled her closer, letting her feel how hard he was for her.
She broke the kiss with a breathy laugh. “We’d better go so we won’t be late to the movie.”
“Hmm.” Reid ran his mouth up her neck to her ear. “Let’s catch a later show.”
She shivered, so tempted to acquiesce. “We can’t. I already got our tickets. And by the way,” she said, forcing herself to step out of his heated embrace, “you really didn’t have to leave me your credit card. I may not be a multimillionaire athlete, but I can still afford movie tickets.”
“You don’t have to,” he said. “Not when you’re going on a date with me.”
She lifted a teasing brow. “That’s rather old-fashioned of you.”
Reid cocked a brow right back at her. “You think I’m gonna let my woman pay for our date?”
Her heartbeat quickened, pulsing in her throat like a drum. “So I’m your woman now?”
“Yeah.” He slid his thumb along the seam of her lips. “You are.”
She stared into those blue, blue eyes of his and felt like she was drowning.
Or falling in love.
Shaken by the thought, she cleared her throat and turned away to grab her fur boy bag off the sideboard table.
Reid glanced around. “Nice place.”
“Thank you. Just give me a sec,” Nadia said, taking out a compact mirror and a tube of lipstick.
Reid watched as she smoothed the red color over her full lips. “You have no idea how hard I get watching you put on lipstick,” he rumbled low. “The things I wanna do to that mouth of yours…”
“Oh my,” Nadia purred with a sultry pucker. “These dick-sucking lips got you hooked, huh?”
“Like a fiend.”
She grinned, tossing her lipstick back into her purse.
Reid took her hands in his, holding her arms away from her body as he gave her a slow perusal.
After rummaging through her closet for over an hour, she’d put on a black blouse with a scalloped neckline over a Harajuku-inspired red plaid skirt that flared out from her hips and landed just above her knees. She’d accessorized the outfit with edgy platform heels and thigh-high fishnet tights. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a high bun held together with hair sticks.
She felt sexy, stylish and super feminine. Jess, Scarlett and Bianca would be proud.
Reid’s obvious approval felt pretty damn good too.
“Nice outfit,” he murmured. “It’s giving me anime vibes.”
“You like that?”
“Very much. But you look even younger than usual, which kinda makes me feel like a perv.” He released her hands so he could trace the curve of her hips. His touch made her pulse quicken and her breasts tingle. As she watched, he eased the hem of her skirt up, groaning when he saw that her fishnet tights stopped at mid thigh.
“Please tell me you’re wearing panties,” he said raggedly. “I won’t be able to function if I know you’re naked under there.”
She smiled coyly as she lowered her skirt. “That’s for me to know…and you to find out later.”
“Later?” He flicked a glance toward her bedroom. “How about now?”
“Later.” She winked. “I promise.”
He grumbled under his breath, adjusting himself in his jeans. “Tease.”
She laughed and grabbed his hand. “C’mon. Let’s go.”
The theater was within walking distance in LoDo. It was a funky little dine-in cinema that showed indie and foreign films. Nadia wanted to share her enjoyment of these movies with Reid, so she’d suggested seeing Only Lovers Left Alive starring Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton.
They entered the theater and found their seats in the middle. It was Sunday night, and the movie had already been out for months, so only a handful of other couples were scattered around. They had the row all to themselves.
After perusing the menu together, Reid pressed the button on their table to summon the waiter. They ordered bratwurst and curried chicken salad sandwiches with two draft beers. While they waited on their food, they chatted about the Rebels’ impressive 6-1 win against the Bruins. Reid had played masterfully, scoring a goal and racking up four assists. The team’s next game was at home, which Nadia promised to attend.
When an American Express ad flashed across the movie screen, she remembered that she still had Reid’s platinum card. He’d insisted on her using it to buy their movie tickets, but now that she was trying to return the card, he refused to take it.
“Just hold on to it, babe.”
“But I don’t need it,” she insisted.
“You might.”
“I won’t.”
“Then go shopping. Treat yourself to something nice.”
She grimaced, thinking of yesterday’s disastrous outing. “I think I’ve had my fill of shopping for a while.”
“Said no woman I’ve ever met.” Reid chuckled. “Just keep the card in case you change your mind.”
“I really don’t—”
He leaned over and kissed her, silencing her protests.
Then their meals arrived, the lights went down and the movie trailers started.
Only Lovers Left Alive was about a centuries-old romance between two retro-cool vampires. Reid was wryly amused by the post-apocalyptic Detroit setting, and every time he chuckled, it let Nadia know that he got the film’s quirky humor.
After they finished eating, he reached under the table and took her hand, linking their fingers together. A pleasant warmth spread through her veins.
That was how it started. Perfectly innocent.
And then his thumb began rubbing lazy circles on the back of her hand. Her nipples pearled and goose bumps pricked her skin.
She glanced at him. He was staring at the screen, seemingly engrossed in the movie. But she wasn’t fooled. He knew the effect his touch was having on her.
As he kept up the maddening stroking, her breathing became uneven and her skin grew flushed. Her nipples were so hard they felt raw as they strained against the lacy fabric of her bra. She found it difficult to concentrate on the film when her body was in
such a heightened state of arousal.
When Reid lifted their joined hands and brushed his warm mouth over her knuckles, she clenched her thighs against a sudden rush of moisture.
This time when she looked at him, she found him watching her. His gaze was searing in the semidarkness.
Releasing her hand, he cupped her knee and gently squeezed. A knot of arousal tightened between her legs, sharp and hot and almost painfully intense.
He drew slow circles around her knee, making her squirm in the seat as her panties went from damp to drenched.
She parted her legs as he reached under her skirt, running his hand along the inside of her thigh. The heat of his touch burned through the sheer fabric of her tights and scorched her skin.
She licked her lips, her breath coming in shallow spurts. He watched her face as his fingers slid higher to caress the bare flesh of her upper thighs, right above the edge of her tights.
Her nerve endings exploded, firing her blood. She stifled a whimper.
He leaned close, his breath warm on her cheek. “I tried.”
“Tried what?” Her voice was a choked whisper.
“Tried to forget what you’re wearing under this little skirt. Tried to concentrate on the movie. I tried, but...”
He stroked toward the apex of her thighs, his fingers coming closer and closer to the lacy barrier at her crotch. She was almost panting by the time he slipped his hand inside her panties. When his fingers dipped into the hot, slick moisture that bathed her slit, he inhaled sharply.
“Holy shit,” he rasped against her cheek. “You’re soaked.”
Her belly quivered. “Your fault.”
His fingers feathered over her clit with short, light strokes that made her shiver. Her heart was racing, her lungs squeezed tight with excitement and arousal.
When he sank a long finger into her pussy, it was all she could do not to moan.
Or maybe she did.
Three rows ahead, a woman glanced over her shoulder, eyeing them suspiciously.
Nadia bit her lip, guilty heat suffusing her face.
When the woman turned back to the movie, Nadia whispered shakily to Reid, “You’re gonna get us arrested for lewd conduct.”
His low, wicked chuckle was the sexiest sound she’d ever heard.
Undeterred by the threat of getting caught, he slid another finger inside her while his thumb stroked her clit. Her head fell back, her eyes closing as jolts of pleasure sizzled through her, curling her toes.
He caressed the walls of her pussy as hot juices spilled out of her, coating his knuckles. She writhed against him, hips rocking, thighs clenching around his hand.
His fingers plunged deeper, hitting the sweet spot that sent her over the edge. As her orgasm slammed into her, she bit down on her lip to keep from crying out.
Reid growled something low, the words drowned out by the roar of blood in her ears. He stayed with her, drawing out her pleasure as delicious spasms convulsed her body, her muscles clamping around his fingers.
When it was over, he slowly withdrew his hand, leaving a slick trail across her inner thigh. She slumped back against the seat, her legs trembling.
As she watched, Reid slid his fingers into his mouth and tasted her cum, his eyes closing in carnal ecstasy.
She nearly climaxed again.
In the semidarkness, she could see the telltale bulge in his jeans. She wanted to kneel between his legs, wrap her lips around his cock and suck him bone-dry.
It was the first thing she’d do when they were alone again.
As the credits began rolling, they grinned mischievously at each other.
After leaving the theater, they headed back to her building where Reid was parked. They held hands as they walked along together, talking and laughing. Even on a Sunday night, the streets were still pretty crowded. Every time a rowdy group of bar hoppers jostled too close, Reid pulled Nadia against his side, his hand big and warm around her waist. The protective gesture made her feel small and fragile, and incredibly safe.
She was having such a good time that she didn’t even mind the stares from people who either recognized Reid, or were absurdly surprised to see an interracial couple.
As the crowd thinned closer to her block, she took out her phone to show Reid photos of her parents.
He scrolled through the images, smiling as he observed, “I see where you get your looks. Your mom’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Nadia grinned. “You know black don’t crack.”
“It sure as hell doesn’t.” Reid paused on a photo of her mother lounging on the beach in a white swimsuit that complemented her toned figure and smooth dark complexion. “Damn. If I were ten years older…”
“Hey!” Nadia protested, poking him sharply in the ribs.
Laughing, he slung an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. “Relax, babe. You know the only Warner woman I want is you.”
“Uh-huh,” Nadia grumbled, fighting the tug of a smile.
After looking through the rest of the pictures, Reid held onto her phone, his long fingers sliding across the screen.
“What’re you doing?” She eyed him suspiciously. “Are you going through my contacts?”
His lips twitched. “Gotta make sure you’re not keeping in touch with any ex-boyfriends.”
“What?” Nadia tried to snatch her phone back, but he laughed and held it high over his head, easily out of her reach.
“C’mon, Reid,” she whined in exasperation. “Give it back.”
“Why? What’re you hiding?”
“Nothing!”
“Let me be the judge of that.”
“Seriously?”
“Yup.” He turned away from her with the phone.
Torn between disbelief and amusement, she jumped onto his back, heedless of her flaring skirt. Reid barked out a laugh, reaching behind with one hand to steady her as she looped her arms around his neck.
“You know what?” she teased. “After the last tug of war we had, I ended up with a badass collection of Chanel purses. So on second thought, go ahead and keep my phone.”
Reid’s shout of laughter made her grin.
She leaned down, nipping his ear.
“Ow!” he yelped in exaggerated pain. “What was that for?”
“For perving on my mom.” She soothed the sting with her tongue, felt him shudder. “You can put me down now.”
“Nah,” he drawled. “I’m carrying you the rest of the way.”
“That’s probably not a good idea.”
“Why?”
“I’m wearing a skirt. A good strong wind will give everyone a peep show. Is that what you want?”
“Oh, hell no. That’s for my eyes only.” He stopped and bent down so she could climb off his back. As she smoothed down her skirt, he turned around and handed her back her phone. She stuck her tongue out at him, making him laugh.
As she tucked the phone into her purse, he tweaked her nose. There was a playful glint in his eyes, and his grin was relaxed and boyish. He looked as happy and content as Nadia felt.
He caught her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and they resumed walking toward her building.
When a car sped past blaring rap music, she gave Reid a teasing look. “Do you like Eminem?”
He shrugged. “Not particularly.”
“What?” she gasped in mock horror. “How can you say that? You’re supposed to like Eminem!”
Reid laughed. “Why? Because we’re both white boys from Detroit?”
“Well, duh. You know, solidarity and all that.”
“Solidarity, huh?”
“Yeah.” Nadia cocked her head, lips twisted to one side. “C’mon, man. Why you frontin’ on Marshall Mathers?”
“’Cause he’s an asshole.” Reid grinned. “But I’ll admit he’s had a few catchy songs over the years.”
Nadia laughed. “Wanna know my favorite Eminem song? ‘Lose Yourself’ from that 8 Mile movie. Oh, man, that song used to get me so
amped when I was twelve.” She began rapping the words to the hook, playfully bobbing her head. “You better lose yourself in the music, the moment…”
She trailed off at the look on Reid’s face. He had stopped walking and was staring at her with a quiet, arrested expression.
Her smile wavered. “What? You don’t like my rapp—”
Right there on the sidewalk, he grabbed her face and crushed his mouth to hers.
She gasped.
It was a kiss that stole her breath, that made her tingle all the way down to her toes and made her so weak in the knees she had to cling to him for balance.
As his lips moved possessively over hers, everything else disappeared. The sounds of traffic, honking horns, people laughing and talking, everything. It was just him. His mouth. His hands. His heat and intensity.
She whimpered into the kiss, her heart soaring. She wanted to snatch it back, wanted to harness the joy radiating through her soul. Lyrics from the song “Wicked Game” drifted through her mind.
I don’t want to fall in love…I don’t want to fall in love….
By the time Reid dragged his mouth from hers, she was breathless and trembling. Dazedly she reached up to touch her swollen lips, where his kiss still burned. “Um…wow.”
Reid drove his fingers into her hair and drew her face close to his, his eyes dark with emotion as they searched hers. What she saw in his gaze set her heart hammering.
“Reid—”
“Nadia—”
They spoke at the same time, then stared at each other.
“Holy shit!” a voice exclaimed nearby. “Hey, aren’t you—”
Reid turned his head, shooting the interloper a glare that warned: Not now.
The guy stammered out an apology and quickly retreated with his friends.
Reid turned back to Nadia.
They shared a long look fraught with meaning.
“Your place or mine?” Nadia whispered.
“Yours,” Reid said so swiftly she laughed.
“Why mine?”
He grabbed her hand. “It’s closer.”
They staggered through her front door, panting hotly, mouths locked in a feverish kiss.
Nelson was spending the night at Bianca’s, so they had the place all to themselves.
Wicked Games (Denver Rebels) Page 18