“My hands have not been all over her,” he said deliberately, his eyes fastened on mine.
“You haven’t discouraged her.”
Reed stepped between my legs, leaning forward and placing a hand on either side of me on the table. “No. But I’m not taking her home.”
It was difficult to think when he was close enough to touch, and yet we weren’t. “Are you taking anyone home?” My voice sounded shaky, and I knew I was partly afraid of his answer.
His unwavering gaze refused to release mine. “I don’t know. That depends on you,” he whispered in a silky tone that made goose bumps pop on my skin. “Are you leaving with me, Ellie?”
I hesitated, thinking of Bunny. “I’m not sure what’s left to say.”
His eyes dropped to my mouth. “We don’t have to talk,” he said, his tone making it clear what he intended us to do tonight. I quivered with anticipation.
Maybe I should have pretended to at least consider his suggestion before agreeing, but I wanted him with a need that rocked me to my core, and it had been so long since he’d touched me. I pushed away thoughts of Amber and Bambi and refused to think about what Reed was keeping from me. Sending Cora and Isabelle a quick text, I followed Reed’s advice and asked Cora to see if Jase needed a ride home since he’d come with Reed.
I did not think of how Reed and I were not together or how different it would feel to have sex with him instead of making love. Honestly, I only cared about being with him in any way that I could.
Everything else would have to take a backseat to that need.
Chapter 22
We didn’t talk on the way to his house.
The sexual tension between us was hot and palpable, so it surprised me that he didn’t touch me when we got to his house. Instead, he calmly offered me a drink.
I shook my head, which was still fuzzy from the effects of the shots. Something bothered me about his coolly detached attitude.
“You can go on into the bedroom then. I’ll be there in a minute.” He didn’t even look at me.
It hurt. I started to say something, but he’d already walked off. Pulling my phone from my skirt pocket, my pride demanded I call Cora to come get me but my heart overruled it and I went to Reed’s bedroom. I looked around the room, my gaze pausing over the neatly made bed as I wondered what I should do.
Sitting down on the bed, I waited anxiously. Then I got up and paced the room. My eyes snagged on a piece of paper sitting on Reed’s nightstand. It read, ‘Houston Plaza Rm #211’ in a feminine handwriting.
My blood went cold. Amber worked there. He’d said that Amber was helping him with something and my mind raced with possibilities. It didn’t make sense that they’d rent a room where she worked especially since they both had places of their own.
Lost in thought, it took me a moment to realize Reed stood with his shoulder propped against the doorframe, watching me.
“Changed your mind?” he asked nonchalantly, as if it wouldn’t matter to him either way.
“No.”
Neither of us moved.
Finally, Reed spoke. “Take off your clothes.”
My heart pounded in my ears and my chest rose and fell with each rapid breath as I tried to decide what I should do, run or strip. I could listen to my pride or my heart.
Standing up, I reached for the hem of my tank top and pulled it over my head to reveal my flesh-colored lace bra. His gaze briefly dropped to my breasts, showing no emotion as he waited for me to undress. Unbuttoning the skirt, I let it fall around my ankles and gently kicked it aside, my eyes lifting to Reed’s.
“I want you naked.” His eyes flashed hotly, and I thought that he was challenging me.
I hesitated only a moment before I slid the straps of my bra down my shoulders and shimmied the bra down my body, catching my panties and leaving me completely bared to him. Resisting the urge to cover myself, I stood naked before him and didn’t bother to remove my boots because I knew he liked them on.
He nodded toward the bed. “Get on your hands and knees,” he ordered me.
The visual his words created sent a trail of heat in my lower body, but I didn’t move. “What about you?”
Amusement briefly glinted in his eyes before they once again became impassive. “It won’t work if I’m on my hands and knees.”
I blinked. “It won’t work with your clothes on either.”
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Ellie, if you want to have sex, get on the bed and get on your hands and knees.”
I think he was testing me, maybe trying to see how far he could push me but I didn’t care. His words turned me one, and I walked to the bed and did ask he asked. I still trusted Reed. Hearing his sharp intake of breath, I realized that he had not thought I would obey him.
Naked on my hands and knees and exposed to him, I waited. Each sound prickled my senses, his boots on the hardwood floor, him unfastening his belt and jeans, unzipping them. I shivered with each sound.
“Ellie?”
I heard the question in his voice, knew that he wouldn’t touch me unless I gave him some sign that I was okay. “I’m waiting,” I said softly.
The bed sank with his weight. He brushed my hair from my neck as his hands slid down my back and cupped my butt. Everywhere he touched me my skin tingled. I was already soaking wet even before he slipped his hand between my legs and sank a finger into me, stroking my sweet spot.
I moaned softly.
He groaned.
His hands gripped my hips and he entered me, taking me hard and fast. My hands gripped the comforter, and I held on for each thrust until I shattered and cried out his name. Somewhere in the fog of my ecstasy I think Reed called my name as well.
When it was over I waited for him to pull me into his arms and settle me against his chest, but he didn’t do that. He got off the bed and I turned over to see him fastening his jeans.
“Get dressed. I’ll take you home.” His tone was impersonal, and he didn’t even look at me.
I swallowed back a knot of emotion, determined not to show him that he’d hurt me. “Okay.” I managed to keep the one word calm and controlled.
Reed strode from the room and didn’t look back. I got dressed quickly, wanting to be away from him before I broke down. I was angry and hurt and disappointed, but I was determined that Reed not know any of those things. To my dismay, I felt tears sting the backs of my eyes but I refused to let them fall.
I found him in the living room with his back to me, looking out the window at the dark forest, silent and still. He must have heard me approach because he turned. I didn’t wait for him to say anything, just turned and headed outside, unwilling to allow him even a glimpse of the pain he’d caused.
I needn’t have worried. Reed didn’t even look at me as we got into his truck. We didn’t talk on the way to my place, but the tension between us was intense, the silence uncomfortable.
“I forgot to thank you,” I told him when he pulled into my apartment complex. He glanced at me cautiously, as if not sure what to expect. “I appreciate you getting my job back.”
“You should never have lost it.”
“Thanks for that and for tonight.”
For the first time since we’d had sex, Reed looked at me. “What do you want from me, Ellie?” he asked harshly.
“I’m fine with the no strings attached sex,” I lied.
He smirked. “I’ll call you the next time I’m horny and need a good fuck.”
I let gasped before I could stifle it, and Reed’s eyes flashed hotly. My temper spiked. “You do that, Reed. And if I need a good fuck, I might call you. Or not.” I shoved open the truck door and hopped out as Reed called my name.
I made it to the stairway before he caught my arm and turned me to face him. “It’s not okay for me to call you if I want to fuck?” I practically shouted at him.
“None of this shit is okay with me, Ellie. I’m tired of playing games. If you want us to be fuck buddies, I’m sure as
hell not turning you down, but don’t look at me like I’ve hurt you when I offered everything and you threw it all way.”
His hands gripped my arms a little too tightly, but I was too pumped up to notice and so was he. “I didn’t want us to break up! I was confused about your feelings for Amber. I knew if you weren’t sure now you’d regret it later and breaking up would hurt worse then.”
“You don’t even know that we would have broken up. Ellie, you can’t control the future and breaking up with me because you’re afraid it might happen later on is crazy. I don’t even think you realize that.”
Unfortunately, I’d realized it a little late. Still, something bothered me about Reed and Amber. “Something is going on with you and Amber. What happened in room 211?”
His expression registered surprise and guilt. “Not what you think.”
“Let go of me Reed.”
Neither of us moved.
“Step away from her, sir,” ordered an unfamiliar voice.
We both turned at see a young security guard watching us warily. “Take your hands off of her,” the guard ordered Reed with a little more force in his voice than the first command.
Reed’s eyes locked on my face. He let go of me and looked down at the red marks on my arms and I saw his shock and regret.
“Should I call the police?” the guard asked me nervously.
“No,” I said quickly. “Please, it’s okay. We were just talking.”
The guard’s frown deepened. “One of the tenants called to complain. Ma’am, are you hurt?””
Reed winced. I saw the regret in his eyes and it tore at my heart.
“No,” I replied firmly. Then I turned my attention to Reed. “You didn’t hurt me.”
“I’m sorry, Ellie.” Reed backed away from me. When he turned to go I didn’t stop him. Our relationship was like an open wound, and we’d picked at it enough for today.
“What happened between you and Reed?” Isabelle asked the next day, while we sat in a Mexican restaurant waiting for our order.
“We talked,” I told her, scooping salsa on a tortilla chip. “He took me home.”
“And?” She motioned for me to continue.
“It didn’t end well.” That was an understatement, but I figured Isabelle would appreciate the censorship. She definitely didn’t need to know that we’d almost ended the night by having the police called on us.
“Reed said the same thing.” She checked her cell phone. “He’s also asking how you’re doing, which is weird.”
“He’s texting you now?”
She nodded. “What should I tell him?”
“Tell him I’m great.”
“What the hell happened between you two last night?”
I sighed. “I went home with him and I found a room number at the Houston Plaza written in a woman’s handwriting.”
Isabelle frowned. “Did you ask him about it?”
“Yes. He said it wasn’t what I thought.”
“That’s odd. You should have made him explain.”
“I would have, but someone called security on us.” I saw Isabelle’s eyes widen. “We were arguing when the guard showed up.”
“Wow. Sounds like an interesting night. At least no one called the cops.”
“That’s standard by which I judge all my dates. ‘At least no one called the cops.’”
Isabelle laughed.
I looked at her, unsure if I should ask what I was thinking. Taking a deep breath, I said, “Isabelle, are you and Reed spending Thanksgiving with Amber’s family?”
She seemed instantly wary. “Yes, we always do. Is that what you’re upset about?
“A little, yes,” I admitted. “Amber told me how much she loves Reed. She asked me to give them some time to work things out.”
Isabelle stared at me, her clearly shocked. “She said that to you? That does it.” Her fingers moved quickly over her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“You and Reed are going to work this out today.” A moment later she said, “He’ll be here in ten minutes.”
When I shot her a puzzled look, she explained, “I told him that you were crying and I couldn’t calm you down. Don’t be mad.”
“You did not say that!” She looked totally serious.
“Actually, I did,” she said unapologetically.
“He’s going think I’m pathetic.”
“Ellie, my brother is so in love with you that it wouldn’t matter even if he did think that.” Our food had arrived and she waited until the waiter sat it down to continue. “I’m sorry that Amber did that. I’ve never known her to be that selfish.”
“She didn’t make me break up with Reed.” I wasn’t angry with Amber. She was honest with me and I, foolishly, listened to her instead of my own heart.
“You’re the sweetest person I know. If another woman had done that to me, I’d be pissed.”
“I am but mostly at myself.”
“Ellie, it is you.”
I turned at the syrupy sweet voice and was surprised to see Brooke and Davis with Aunt Lacy and Uncle Jonathon.
I stood up and said hi to everyone. Brooke and Uncle Jonathon hugged me first. Davis hugged me next, and Aunt Lacy leaned over and placed a fake kiss against my cheek, but she didn’t actually touch me. I introduced Aunt Lacy and Uncle Jonathon to Isabelle. Brooke and Isabelle were already acquainted.
Once the introductions were out of the way the conversation came to an awkward pause.
“I didn’t know you liked Mexican food,” I told them, mostly because I had nothing else to say. “This place is the best.”
Aunt Lacy scrunched her face up. “Davis’ parents picked the restaurant.”
Isabelle and I exchanged a look. “Oh. Well, it’s great,” I replied awkwardly.
Aunt Lacy looked down her nose at me. “You are certainly looking better than the last time we saw you.”
“Thank you,” I managed to say politely.
Uncle Jonathon looked puzzled, and Aunt Lacy whispered something in his ear.
“I hope you’re not getting back together with that boyfriend,” Brooke said, shaking her head.
Isabelle frowned at Brooke and shot me a questioning look.
“Brooke, I told you I fell. It was an accident.”
She shook her head sadly, as if I was in denial, and I saw that Aunt Lacy believed as her daughter did. So, I’m afraid, did Uncle Jonathon. He usually went along with whatever Aunt Lacy or Brooke did.
“Her boyfriend didn’t beat her up,” Isabelle snapped irritably.
“You really should get some help, Ellie,” Aunt Lacy told me. Brooke hastily agreed with her.
“Why does Ellie need help?” Reed asked, coming up beside me.
Startled, I turned and my heart leapt at the sight of him.
“Because she’s been abused by you,” Isabelle said dryly. “Have you met Ellie’s cousin Brooke and her aunt and uncle?”
“I’ve met Brooke,” Reed replied, nodding in acknowledgment.
“Reed Bentley?” Brooke gaped at him. “You’re Ellie’s boyfriend?”
He didn’t answer, but Brooke didn’t give him a chance to reply. “How did this happen?” Brooke asked, shocked. “I didn’t even know you knew, Ellie.”
“I didn’t know that you knew this guy,” Davis whined at Brooke. “He isn’t another one of your ex-boyfriends, is he?”
“Reed and I are old friends from high school,” Brooke explained, relishing Davis’ obvious jealousy and placing her hand on Reed’s chest. “Isn’t that right, Reed?” She smiled shamelessly up at him with a suggestive glint in her eyes.
“Sure,” he agreed, and listened patiently while Brooke introduced Reed to her parents and Davis stewed. Uncle Jonathon shook Reed’s hand, Aunt Lacy looked like she’d sucked on a lemon, Brooke flirted shamelessly with Reed, and Davis seemed like he was plotting how he could murder Reed and hide the body.
Isabelle seemed entertained. It was Reed that smoothly an
d effectively ended the drama by telling them how nice it was to meet them, and saying goodbye to Brooke and Davis. Before she left, Brooke wrote something down on a piece of paper and handed it to Reed. I couldn’t help but notice how her hand lingered over his. “Send me your address and I’ll mail you a wedding invitation,” she told him, her eyes offering more than an invitation.
I frowned at Brooke.
Finally, the quartet left to find Davis’ parents.
Isabelle shrieked with laughter.
I was still irritated with my cousin, and Reed was looking down at the piece of paper Brooke had handed him.
“She actually gave you her number in front of her parents and her fiancé!” Isabelle smirked, her dark eyes flashing.
My eyes swung to Reed. “Brooke gave you her number?”
He nodded and tossed the paper Brooke had handed him onto the table. Brooke’s digits along with the words CALL ME in written in all caps, punctuated with three exclamation marks but instead of dots she used hearts. I could not believe it.
“I don’t want you thinking I’m keeping it from you. We have enough between us as it is.”
I couldn’t disagree with that, and I felt awful for Brooke and for Davis. “Did Aunt Lacy or Davis see this?”
“Your aunt seems to self-absorbed to notice much going on around her. The fiancé couldn’t take his eyes off you. I’m not sure about your uncle,” Isabelle stated.
I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disturbed.
“I’m outta here,” Isabelle told us suddenly, looking from Reed to me. “Reed, make sure she gets home. Kiss and and make up,” she called with a smile.
Reed gestured at Isabelle’s abandoned seat, and looked at me questioningly.
“You want to kiss and make up?” I asked, deliberately misunderstanding him. “Sure, let’s do it.”
I should be used to the effect Reed’s smile had on me, but I was startled at how my stomach quivered. I was flat out shocked when he leaned over and brushed his mouth against mine, kissing me softly. My heart pounded in my ears so loudly I wondered if he could hear the powerful beat.
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