Reed’s cell phone rings, and he glances at me with a grin. “Lexi.”
Reed puts her on speakerphone, and she gives him a similar report, as well as a report on the show overall, only with much more detail and excitement.
“We’ve come back for the night, so we’ll see you at home,” he says before he hangs up.
When we get to Reed’s apartment, I take a shower then climb into bed with him, grateful I haven’t lost him. Grateful this hotheaded, overprotective, loyal, and incredibly sexy, self-proclaimed math nerd is mine.
I kiss him gently on the lips. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“Thank you for not giving up on me.”
I’m about to fall asleep when my phone rings, and I roll away to reach for it.
Reed pulls me back down. “Let it go, Caroline.”
“What if it’s my dad?”
He releases his hold, and I sit up, checking the caller ID, surprised to see it’s my advisor.
“Hi, Ms. Carter. Thanks again for understanding about the show.”
“Caroline, I’m so sorry about your mother. Of course, your place was with her.”
“Thank you.”
“I know this isn’t an ideal time, but my friend from New York was very impressed with your collection. I wanted to give you a heads-up that she’s going to call you sometime next week to offer you the job.”
The job in New York. It was my initial goal, but it was never my dream. I’d only decided to go after it for lack of a better purpose. But designing the clothes for these children, and making them happy, has given me more joy than I imagined. It’s helped me find my real purpose.
“I’m very honored and flattered. Please tell her thank you, but I’m not interested in moving to New York.”
Reed sits upright.
“Are you sure you want to make such a big decision without thinking about it?” Ms. Carter asks. “Your mother just died and you’re under stress. I know that Mimi will wait a week or so for your answer.”
“I don’t need another week to decide. I’ve been offered another job, and honestly, it’s a much better fit.”
I hang up. Reed watches me with a wary expression. “Caroline, don’t turn that job down for me. We’ll make it work. I promise.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want the job in New York, Reed. I never really did. I’ve decided to take the job as a liaison between the Middle Tennessee Children’s Charity and the Monroe Foundation, even if it feels skeevy taking a job you set up. The good I can do outweighs the guilt.”
His eyes narrow. “What job as a liaison?”
“The day Evelyn talked to me alone, she told me that the Monroe Foundation was impressed with my work and wanted to create a position to provide new clothing to the children.” I lower my gaze. “Are you telling me you didn’t set it up?”
He looks perplexed. “I didn’t have anything to do with that.”
“You’re kidding?”
“No, I swear. And I didn’t tell anyone that we were dating either.”
“Maybe Lexi?” I ask.
“I don’t think so. They weren’t very happy with her so they sure wouldn’t have listened to her suggestion.” He pulls me back down into his arms. “I think you got this one all on your own. Evelyn must have gushed about you. I know she sang your praises to me.”
“Will that be too weird if I work for the foundation? I know you don’t want your parents’ money.”
“Caroline, there’s a difference between a handout and a paycheck. You’ll be perfect for it.”
“Thanks.”
I settle into him, and he’s soon asleep, the rise and fall of his chest soothing my raw nerves. When I met Reed, I had no idea my life would change in every conceivable way. Reed instigated a redesign of every expectation I ever had.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue
I wake to Reed’s kisses. They cover my face then move down to my neck as I drift from the haze of sleep to consciousness. I pull his mouth to mine and kiss him leisurely, sighing my contentment into his mouth.
His hands are under the covers, finding the hem of the T-shirt I’m wearing and lifting it up and over my head. Now I’m completely naked since Reed dispatched with my panties last night before we even made it into bed. The only reason I’m wearing a shirt now was because he gave me his as I drifted off to sleep.
He has no clothes to remove. He likes to sleep naked next to me, not that I ever complain.
We’ve been together a little over two months and it’s as though we’ve always been together, yet every day is new and full of possibilities.
His mouth resumes its descent, his head disappearing under the covers and finding my breast. I arch up to him, the familiar heat spreading throughout my body, and I tangle my hands in his hair. His hands skim my body, down my waist to my thighs, before one hand finds the aching spot between my legs. He soon has me breathless and needing more.
I’ll never have my fill of this man.
We make love without words this morning. We’ve become so attuned to one another that we read our signs—the little sighs and grunts that signal what we want and need.
Reed knows I’m more than ready, but tortures me a little longer. He chuckles as his mouth finds mine again, his tongue joining with mine. And finally, he gives me what I want—every part of him, body and soul.
Afterward, we lie together in each other’s arms. We still haven’t spoken a word. Sometimes we make love like this, slow and gentle as though we have all the time in the world. Other times it’s hot and passionate and full of dirty talk. Like last night.
Reed kisses my temple and whispers, “Merry Christmas.”
I look into his loving eyes. “Merry Christmas. Thank you for the best Christmas ever.”
“And I haven’t even given you your present yet,” he teases.
“You’re all I ever wanted, Reed. You’re my present.”
He pushes up on an elbow and gives me an ornery look. “Well, if you don’t want what I got you....”
I bolt upright. “Oh, no you don’t.”
He sits up and pulls me into his arms as I giggle. “Why don’t you put something on and I’ll give you an early present?”
I lift an eyebrow. “Usually those kinds of presents involve the removal of clothing.”
“This isn’t one of those kinds of presents, although I’m very fond of those kind.”
I grab Reed’s T-shirt and slip it on, then pull a pair of panties out of the drawer.
Reed steps into a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. His eyes linger on my bare legs.
“Focus,” I say, pointing two fingers at my eyes.
“Your legs are very distracting.”
“I can put on some pants if you like.”
He grabs my wrist and drags me out the bedroom door. “I’m focusing.”
The living room has been transported into a Christmas Wonderland. Reed’s intention was to give me the Christmas I always wanted but never had. The result looks like someone threw up every kind of Christmas decoration imaginable.
I love it.
He leads me next to the tree, a seven-foot, Douglas fir with a star on top that nearly touches the ceiling. The branches are full of so many clear Christmas lights that I’m sure it can be seen from space.
Reed sits in front of the tree, pulling me down next to him.
“Are you sorry you’re not with your parents?” I ask.
He frowns. “No. I want to be home for Christmas, that’s with you and Lexi. Not in a ski lodge in Aspen. Plus, Scarlett and Tucker are coming over later.”
“And don’t forget, Brandon is coming for New Year’s.”
Reed scowls. “I don’t know why he can’t stay in Nashville for all of winter break.”
“Because he and Lexi are crazy about each other. And you agreed to try to be nice.”
“Hmm.” He still worries over Lexi, and I think he always will. Even when she’s the grandmother o
f half a dozen kids. It makes me love him even more.
I lift my fingertips to his face, smoothing his worry lines. “I want to give you your present first.”
A smile fills his eyes. “Okay.”
I pull a rectangular box out from under the tree and hand it to him, suddenly anxious. What if he doesn’t like it?
He takes it and grins, carefully slips off the bow, then rips the paper. When he opens the box, he stares at the book inside, expressionless.
Oh, God. He hates it. “I know how much you admire Donald Knuth….” He’s still not reacting and now I’m talking non-stop in my nervousness. “It’s a first edition copy of Surreal Numbers. I wrote Dr. Knuth, practically begging him to sign it, but first I had to track down his address—”
Reed lifts the book out of the box.
“—I was pretty persistent, which I think explains his signature—”
Reed looks up, incredulous. “He signed it?”
I nod.
He reads out loud, his voice tight, “Reed, With Caroline behind you, nothing will stand in your way, Donald Knuth.”
“Do you like it?”
His mouth drops open, and he looks up at me. “Do you know who this is?”
“Well, yeah … I tracked him down….”
His eyes bug out and he leans forward. “Do you know what this is?”
“Does that mean you like it?”
“Oh, my God, Caroline! This is the best present I’ve ever gotten in my life. Ever.” He wraps his arm around my back and pulls me to him, kissing me senseless. Then he drops his hold and examines his book.
“I’m glad you like it.”
He shakes his head. “Not like. Love.” His smile falls. “My present for you pales in comparison.”
“Reed, I don’t care. You’re what I want.” And I really mean it. It makes me happy that I came up with something he loves so much.
He puts his book back in the box and closes the lid, before reaching behind the tree and pulling out a ring box with a bow.
My heart slams into my ribcage.
Reed takes a deep breath. “Caroline.” He smiles and caresses my cheek. “I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tears fill my eyes as he opens the box and shows me a solitaire princess-cut diamond ring.
“Caroline, will you marry me?”
I start crying, big ugly tears flowing down my face.
“You’re freaking me out. Is that a yes?”
I jerk my head into a nod.
Reed grabs my hand and slips the ring on my finger, as though he’s worried I’ll change my mind.
I hold my hand closer to my face. “It’s beautiful, but it has to be at least three-quarter carats, Reed. We can’t afford this.”
“It was my grandmother’s. And it’s a little over one carat.”
I throw my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
“I had this amazing speech prepared, and I forgot every bit of it after you gave me that book.”
Lexi comes down the hall, rubbing her eyes. “What’s all the commotion about?” She stops at the end of the hall and she jolts awake, her eyes focused on the ring. “Is that what I think it is?”
I wave my hand at her.
She runs to us and squats on the floor, squealing with excitement as she hugs us both. “When are you getting married?”
“I … uh….” I look at Reed.
“I just asked her, Lexi. We haven’t had a chance to figure that out yet.”
“What about this summer? After Caroline graduates?”
Reed grins at me, his eyebrows rising. “Well…what do you think?”
I’m so full of happiness I can hardly think straight. “Yeah.”
Lexi squeals again. “I want to help plan it! Are you going to make your dress? What colors do you think you want? What’s your favorite flower? ”
I laugh and glance at Reed. “I think you’re going to have your hands full for the next six months or so.”
He leans over and gives me a kiss. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
***
Look for BUSINESS AS USUAL (Off the Subject #3) in the Fall of 2013
If you enjoyed REDESIGNED, please consider leaving a review and recommending it to your friends. And if you do leave a review, please email me at [email protected] so I can thank you! I love to hear from my readers and try to answer all my emails. (Occasionally, one or two slip through the cracks.)
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Acknowledgments
They say that writing is a lonely profession, but I seem to find myself surrounded by people. There’s no way I could write and publish a book on my own.
Thank you to Trisha Leigh, my critique partner and biggest supporter. I couldn’t do this without her support.
Thank you to my beta readers: Rhonda Cowsert, Anne Childon, and Becky Podjenski—you’re insight and support was invaluable.
Thank you to two readers who won a contest and named characters: Lysa Lessieur who named Lexi, and Claire Taylor who named Brandon. I love when I have readers name characters, dork that I am.
A huge, huge thanks to the real mathematician Dr. Donald Knuth, who not only gave me permission to use his name in conjunction with Caroline’s gift to Reed, but also conversed with me via mail. I am not a math person (understatement of the year) but became a total Donald Knuth fangirl.
And as always, thank you to my children for loving and supporting me with this crazy life. I’ve never been happier.
About the Author
Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.
You can find out more about Denise and her other books at:
www.denisegroverswank.com
or email her at [email protected]
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
By
Alessandra Thomas
Copyright © 2013 by Alessandra Thomas
All Rights Reserved.
Chapter One
Before I even put pencil to paper to start my homework, I dug out the tiny container of replacement leads and set them beside me on the desk. I’d be needing a new lead — and a huge eraser — soon enough.
An empty space stared up at me from my homework sheet, and I tapped my pencil anxiously on the desk as soon as I started reading the question. At what pH could histidine best be precipitated and filtered from a solution of amino acids? I sighed, letting the breath puff out my cheeks before it escaped my lips. I understood the words in the problem, but how to actually solve it? No frickin’ clue.
I massaged my temples with one hand while flipping through my notebook with another, trying to replay what the professor had said about this type of problem and match it up with my notes. Unfortunately, the answer only came to me in bits and pieces. I’d have to go back to the textbook to try to fill in the blanks.
It probably didn’t help that I was more in love with the idea of being a doctor than the classes it took to actually get me there. I freely admit that my daydreams were centered around all the medical drama TV shows I’d devoured. I’d be able to help people — really help them. Maybe, once I was a resident,
I would avert some medical crisis that only I would see because I had a fresh, open mind. Maybe I’d figure out a mystery disease haunting some little kid, and his mom would cry tears of happiness. Maybe I would finally meet that hot doctor, and he’d kiss me in the supply closet or in the on-call room between shifts. That was part of the med-show drama, too, so why not? There were certainly no decent guys here at Temple. They were all cocky douchebags who didn’t know how to use their tongues for anything worthwhile.
I put down my pencil; quickly scanned the symbols, letters, numbers, and exponents I’d scrawled there; and then flipped to the back of my textbook.
Yep. Wrong in almost every way.
I let my forehead fall on my open book and tried to stifle a groan. I’d made it through the first semester of Orgo with a B, but Orgo II was a famous weed-out class, picking off wannabe med school students like the flies we were. If I couldn’t get a decent grade, I would suck at the MCAT. If I sucked at the MCAT, I wouldn’t get into med school. And if I couldn’t get into med school… Well, I had to get into med school. I just had to.
I was in year three of one of the most rigorous pre-med programs in the country and — despite hours and hours of studying — still only scraping by on straight Bs and the occasional devastating C. I freaking hated every second I spent with the numbers and the formulas, but I got through by telling myself it would translate to hands-on time with patients soon enough.
Which is why, when I saw a girl across the library working from the same text, her pencil flying over her notebook, I wanted to both stalk her and strangle her at the same time. I desperately needed friends who were in my classes to help me have some kind of a life even while I was constantly studying. But I just couldn’t swallow the idea of having a friendship framed by endless digits and parentheses and equal signs.
That hot doctor and steamy night wouldn’t be so unwelcome, though.
Heat Up the Fall: New Adult Boxed Set (6 Book Bundle) Page 111