Heat Up the Fall: New Adult Boxed Set (6 Book Bundle)

by Gennifer Albin

  Evelyn looks concerned. “I’m not sure they’ll agree to it.”

  “I’ll come with her,” Reed says, resting his hand on the desk. “Tell them I’m a representative of the Monroe Foundation.”

  The two of us joining forces seems to sway her. “I’ll try, but don’t get your hopes up. Desiree’s mother sounded adamant.”

  “That’s all I can ask,” I say, standing. “Thank you for trying.”

  Reed follows me out of the office, keeping a respectful distance.

  “I’ll be in touch,” Evelyn calls after us.

  When we get outside, Reed’s arm wraps around my back. My breathing shallows. How can one touch drive me to such distraction? I concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other.

  Reed opens the passenger car door and holds it open. I climb in and wait for him, sorting through my muddled thoughts. As Reed gets behind the wheel, the rain begins to fall again.

  He pulls out of the parking lot and asks, “Why is it so important to you that Desiree take part in the show?”

  His question catches me off guard. “Because it’s important to her.”

  I expect him to question me more, but he lets it drop, concentrating on the road.

  “Why did you say you would come with me to talk to her parents?”

  He flashes me a soft smile. “Because it’s important to you.”

  My breath freezes in my chest, burning my lungs. I’m not sure what to say to that. I’m not sure what’s going on with us. He’s turning into a park, determination on his face as though he’s preparing for a fight.

  I panic. “Where are you going?”

  “We need to talk.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  My panic soars. “No, we don’t.”

  “Yes, we do.” His tone lets me know I’m not getting out of this until he’s satisfied.

  The sky darkens from the approaching storm so the park is empty. Reed pulls the car to a back lane and turns the engine off.

  “We’re not leaving until you’ve hear me out.”

  “Then say what you have to say and let’s go.”

  “Friday night was a mistake.”

  I cringe. I’m horrified and humiliated all over again. I berated myself enough this weekend to equal a flogging. I don’t need Reed to do it too. “Why are you doing this? You made that clear Friday night.”

  “It was a mistake because we were with other people.”

  “Again—”

  He leans over to me and places his fingertips over my mouth. “Will you just let me talk? And then you can skewer me all you want. Okay?”

  I nod, my breathing shallow. My lips are on fire. His touch makes every part of my body ache.

  “Contrary to what you seem to think of me, I don’t routinely have sex in back rooms. And I’ve never had sex with someone while on a date with someone else. That was a mistake. Tina deserved better than that and so did Brandon.”

  He’s right.

  “You were not a mistake. Is that clear?”

  I nod slowly in disbelief.

  “You were definitely not a mistake.” His voice is rich and heavy, but he pulls his fingers from my lips, and they feel naked.

  He’s still leaning over me, his eyes dark. “Why did you pull me into that room?”

  My face flames. “Reed….”

  “It’s a simple question, Caroline.”

  I look down. “It’s embarrassing.”

  He lifts my chin and looks into my eyes. “Then let me tell you why I went with you in that room, even though I was on a date: I wanted you. I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you at Scarlett’s party. Granted, I didn’t handle the situation well. Then Lexi dragged me to that club, and I saw Dylan manhandling you. I was furious he was treating you that way when it was obvious you weren’t interested. So against my better judgment, I intervened. Then when we danced, and I touched you”—he lifts his hand to my cheek—“I wanted you even more.”

  Reed leans closer. “I don’t know what this is between us. I’ve never been this physically attracted to anyone, and I’ve never lost complete control like I did Friday night. You drive me insane, Caroline.”

  My breath is so shallow, I’m about to hyperventilate.

  His hand slides down to my neck, his fingers brushing my pulse point. “Why did you pull me back to that room?”

  A thousand reasons rush into my head. A thousand explanations, but it all boils down to the simplest of reasons. “I wanted you.” My voice is low and heavy and almost a moan.

  Reed’s mouth lowers to mine, his hand on my neck, lifting my chin so his tongue can search deeper.

  I lift my hands to his head, grabbing fistfuls of his hair and pulling him closer.

  I need him closer.

  His hand leaves my neck and reaches for the buttons of my blouse, unbuttoning them faster than I think possible given the fact his mouth is still plundering mine. When he reaches the last button, he spreads my blouse open, then turns me sideways and pushes my back against the passenger door.

  He studies my chest then looks into my face, his eyes dark with lust. “God, you’re beautiful.” His hands skim up my waist, resting below the curve of my breasts.

  I reach for his tie and unknot it, unbuttoning his shirt so I can see his chest.

  He slides his hands onto my shoulders, slipping my bra straps down my arms until my sleeves impede his progress. He pushes my bra cups below the swell of my breasts and lowers his mouth to my chest.

  I arch my back and cry out as his mouth finds my nipple. But he’s twisted at an odd angle. He glides his seat back as far as it will go, then grabs my upper arms and pulls me over the console so I’m straddling his lap.

  I lean over him, the raw hunger on his face driving my libido higher. I bite his lower lip, then run my tongue over it.

  He groans and wraps his arms around my back, and pulls me against his chest as he takes control of the kiss. He lifts my skirt, so that he has full access to my legs and ass. “I like it when you wear skirts,” he mumbles. “I can see your sexy legs, and it gives me easy access.” His fingers loop around my panties and slide them down. I rise up on my knees and lift my legs as he pulls them off and tosses them onto the passenger seat.

  I unfasten his jeans and tug them down over his hips.

  The rain pounds the windows, blurring the outside world. Nothing else exists except for Reed and me in the confines of this car. The two of us and this primal need.

  His hand slips between my legs and circles in small sweeps. I gasp as his fingers slide inside me, and he presses the palm of his hand into my mound and begins to move as his mouth takes my breast again.

  I moan with frustration and need.

  He lifts his head, and his free hand pulls my head down as he reaches up to kiss me. His kiss is wild and frenzied as I press myself into his hand. He leans his head back to look into my eyes. “I want you ready for me.”

  His words and the need in his eyes almost push me over the edge. “I’m ready for you now.”

  Reed reaches into his pocket and pulls out a condom, quickly putting it on. He looks into my eyes as he enters me, grabbing my hips and pulling me down on top of him. I lean my head back and gasp.

  Reed sets the pace, starting slow so the pressure builds and builds until he’s not keeping up with my body’s demands. I lean over him and press my hands onto his shoulders, taking control. His head tilts back and stares into my face, a sheen of sweat covering his forehead. I grab his cheeks between my hands and kiss him, mimicking with my tongue what he’s doing with his pelvis.

  I’m close, sooner than I thought possible. I quicken my movements, a moan building low in my chest. Reed matches my pace, pushing me over the edge. I cry out, pressing hard against him, desperate to have him deeper.

  He’s close behind me, lifting my hips and pulling me against him at a frantic pace until he groans and pushes deeper one last time.

  I lean my forehead against his. His eyes are closed as he recovers,
then he lifts his lips to mine, kissing me gently.

  We’re still in our own sanctuary, the rain so heavy against the windows that there’s no way anyone can see in.

  He lifts me off and turns me so my legs drape over the console. My back is against the driver’s door. My skirt is pulled up, my blouse spread wide. I’m exposed to him again, but the awe on his face abates any embarrassment I might feel.

  His mouth lowers to mine and he turns my head toward him. His kiss is soft and gentle, but I feel my need for him growing again. I pull his head down, exploring his mouth with my tongue.

  Reed groans into my mouth, his hand reaching between my legs. He has me writhing in his arms within minutes. His mouth leaves mine, finding the sensitive spot on my neck.

  My breath is fast and shallow. “Reed.” I plead. I’m not sure how long I’ll last.

  “Come for me, Caroline.” His voice is husky against my neck, and his words tip me over the edge. I arch up into his hand and cry out as wave after wave washes over me until I’m limp in his arms.

  I lie against him for several moments. The rain has let up and I can see the blurred outline of the trees around us. I look up into his face, surprised at the intensity of his gaze.

  “What is this, Reed? What are we doing?”

  His mouth lifts into a lopsided smile. “I can’t believe no one’s explained the birds and the bees to you.”

  I smirk and sit up, turning to face him. “We have this hot physical relationship, but what about the rest?”

  His smile falters. “You’ve made your position on my career path clear.” The Reed I first met is slipping back into place.

  I close my eyes. Me and my stupid mouth. “Reed….”

  “I don’t expect you to settle for me and my paycheck. So I have a proposition.”

  I look up at him, skeptical. “What kind of proposition?”

  “I take it you’re not going out with Brandon again?”

  I want to ask if he thought I’d be here if I was. But my behavior last Friday night stops me. “No.”

  He places his fingers between my breasts and brushes tender strokes between my cleavage. “We’ve admitted we’re both attracted to one another, and we both find it difficult to control ourselves around each other.”

  I nod, unable to be as direct as Reed is.

  “So what if we keep doing this until you find someone else?”

  I stiffen and sit up. “You want me to be your booty call?”

  His eyes widen. “No. No, that’s not what I meant.” He closes his eyes and groans.

  “Then what did you mean?” I try to slide over to the passenger seat, but Reed holds me in place.

  “Caroline, will you listen to me?” he asks in frustration.

  I purse my lips.

  His gaze softens. “I mean see each other, and of course this too. This is why we can’t stay away from each other.” His voice lowers. “But the next time we do this, I want it to be in a bed.”

  A thrill races through me at the thought of what we could do in bed.

  “We’re both consenting adults. We’re both between partners. We’re both incredibly attracted to one another. Why not?”

  Maybe because I’ve never been a casual-sex kind of person. I still can’t believe I did this. “I don’t know.”

  “But it can be more than just sex. I’m looking for more than a booty call. We can try to be friends too.”

  It sounds so wrong the way he says it. Try to be friends? Shouldn’t we already be friends? But he’s right. This thing between us is carnal and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Can I really just walk away now that I’ve had a taste of it?

  Reed fondles my breast, and I suck in my breath in surprise. He grins at my reaction. “The only drawback I can see is that we might not get much else done.”

  My eyes narrow in concern. “You’re right, but I need to work on my collection. It’s not even about the grade anymore. I’m doing it for the kids.”

  “Like Desiree?”

  I drop my gaze. “Yeah.”

  “I’ll make sure you work on your project. You know how bossy I can be.”

  I laugh. “So if I agree to this, you think this gives you permission to boss me around?”

  “You’ll like it when I boss you around in a bed.”

  Electricity runs straight through my body to my pelvis.

  He pulls my mouth to his. “Say yes, Caroline. One word. Yes.”

  His mouth works to convince me, and my body responds, wishing we were closer to a bed.

  I’m not sure I have the power to resist this man. “Yes.”

  His grin turns playfully wicked. “You won’t regret it.”

  But I’m already worried I will. I’m not sure my heart will survive this.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The rain has all but stopped. I grab my panties and put them back on as I crawl back to my seat.

  “I’ll never be able to sit in this car again without thinking of you,” he teases while cleaning himself up.

  The first sign of embarrassment strikes. I look down and adjust my bra and begin to button my blouse.

  “Caroline.”

  I turn toward him.

  He lifts my chin. “We haven’t done anything wrong. There’s no reason to be embarrassed.”

  In the afterglow of our passion, uncertainty is slipping in.

  “What are you doing tonight?” Reed asks.

  “Working on my project.”

  “You have to eat. Let’s get dinner and then I’ll take you back to campus and jump your car. Lexi said your battery died.”

  Somehow I’ve forgotten about my car. This man messes with my head.

  But I’m not ready to leave him yet and I want to try the other part of this arrangement. “Okay. But I hate Indian food.”

  His eyes widen. “How can you hate Indian food?”

  I scrunch my nose. “Curry is disgusting.”

  He shakes his head in amazement. “Okay. How about Chinese? Then the continent of Asia won’t feel slighted.”

  I laugh. Who knew Reed had a funny side? “Deal.”

  Reed starts the car then leans over and kisses me senseless. “To prove to you that this can be more than sex, I’m going to take you to dinner, walk you to your classroom, and then leave you. I can assure you that will probably be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I’ll do it. For you.”

  I kiss him and smile against his lips.

  He drives to the restaurant, and we have trouble finding something to talk about. I give evasive answers when he asks about my past.

  I grew up with both parents. I had an older brother. I lived in Shelbyville. It’s the most he gets from me, but he’s just as evasive.

  “You grew up in Boston?”

  “Yes.” His answer is short and terse.

  In my flustered state of trying to fill the silence with conversation, I don’t even think when I say, “I’ve never been to Boston. I’ve only left the state once. My sixth-grade class took a field trip to the Atlanta zoo.” Why in the hell did I say that?

  He looks at me like I’ve just grown gills. “How is it possible you’ve never left Tennessee?”

  The way he asks makes me defensive. “I just told you that I have left the state. The last time I checked, Atlanta was in Georgia.”

  He shakes his head. “I mean, other than that.”

  The last thing I plan to tell him is that I couldn’t afford to drive out of Shelbyville, let alone the state. I decide to play up my state pride. “Everything I could ever want is in Tennessee. Why would I want to leave it?”

  “Then why are you trying to win a trip to New York with this fashion show?”

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  “I thought I was asking you questions, not the other way around.”

  His scowl returns.

  “I know your sister, Lexi. Do you have any other brothers and sisters?”

  “No.”

  How are we supposed to have a conversation with o
ne-word answers?

  “So why did you major in math?”

  This is the first time he’s relaxed since I started questioning him. “I love the complexity of it. The need to pay attention to detail. One missed step, one misplaced decimal point, and the entire problem is wrong. Then you either start over again or backtrack and figure out what went wrong.”

  I cringe. “Oh, my God. That’s exactly why I hate it.”

  His eyebrows rise. “You hate math? You could have fooled me when you helped Desiree with her homework.”

  “That was different. I can handle addition and subtraction. And even multiplication and simple division, but throw an algebra formula at me and I’ll run screaming.” I shift in my seat. “You said you were focusing on analysis of algorithms.”

  His eyes widen. “I’m impressed you remembered.”

  I smirk. “I’m not just a pretty face.”

  His gaze sweeps over me and ends at my eyes. He grins. “No, you’re not.”

  “So why that focus?”

  “When most boys were falling for girls in middle school, I fell for computers. I started teaching myself computer programming, and then I discovered Donald Knuth, the father of analysis of algorithms. He’s been my idol ever since. That’s why I wanted to go to Stanford.” He stops talking, as though he’s said something wrong.

  “So why didn’t you go to Stanford?”

  He gives me a tight smile. “Because I came to Southern instead.” The tone of his voice tells me this isn’t up for further discussion.

  When we get to the restaurant and order, I rest my arms on the table. “What are we going to tell people … about us?”

  His face is serious. “How about we tell them something completely crazy? Like we’re going out.” Then he winks.

  “I’m serious, Reed. This was your idea.”

  He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I’m serious too, Caroline.”

  Holding his hand makes me feel more connected to him than anything we’ve done up to this point. He’s seen me in the most intimate moments of my life, but that was lust and sex. This is tenderness.

  “So if we tell people we’re going out, what makes this different than every other relationship in the world?”