“Fucking knock, dude. It’s the middle of the night and we’re in a weird field.”
Realization crosses his face, and I soften. “I didn’t know if you were coming back. I thought you were a murderer.”
His lips turn downward. “Addie. When have I ever not come back? We’ve talked about this.”
I shrug like it doesn’t matter, but unfortunately the moisture in my eyes gives me away. He pulls me into him and out into the chilly summer air. Tears are flowing before I can even attempt to stop them. They’re soaking through his shirt but he doesn’t seem to care…he just holds me closer, and I never want it to end.
Once I start to breathe again, he pushes my shoulders back so I can look at him. He’s inspecting me for something as he tilts my chin. “I didn’t expect you to get high tonight.”
My shoulders cave in again in a shrug. Apparently that’s my signature move tonight. I can’t believe he even noticed me smoking. A flash of something crosses his eyes before I can name it.
“So, where’s your boyfriend?”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
His eyebrow raises high, urging me to continue. “Nothing happened.”
My fingers graze my lips and he catches my hand before I bring it back down. He’s accusatory. “Did he kiss you?”
I don’t know why he sounds mad, but it pisses me off. “Why does it matter?”
He faces away from me. “It just does.” There’s a vein pulsing in his throat.
“No, Reid. Tell me why it matters toyouwho I kiss.”
“Because I care about you, Addie. I don’t want you to get hurt.” He adds that last part as an after thought.
My eyes are rolling, and I feel my heart rate rising. Does he fucking expect me to never kiss anyone?
“I’m a grown woman, Reid. I can kiss whoever I want.”
His Adam’s apple bobs. “I know you are.” He shifts back and forth. “So, did he kiss you?”
I sneer at him, “Did you kiss the girl with the blue hair?”
“No. I wasn’t interested in her at all.” His brows are furrowed together.
“It sure looked like it. With her in your fucking lap like that,” I say with a scowl.
“Oh you’re one to talk, innocent Adelaide. You were letting that East Coast loser feel you up in there.” He almost sounds hurt.
“I can do whatever I want.” My arms cross under my breasts in defiance.
His hands are reaching out for my shoulders—holding me in position to stare at him while he talks. “Addie.” He’s imploring me with his eyes. “Did. He. Kiss. You?”
Each word is punctuated with a long pause. It gets harder to breathe each time he starts again.
I nod, and that glimmer of emotion is back in his eyes. It almost looks like jealousy.
Reid’s voice is strained. “So, where is he then?”
“At his hotel. I ended things. It didn’t feel right.”
He steps back and looks me up and down. I’m suddenly self conscious of my Pj’s, and I step backwards as I bring my arms up to hug my torso. Before I can register what’s happening, he’s sweeping me up into his arms, and my legs wrap around his hips. It’s instinctual.
My back presses into the cold metal of the van, and it buckles under the pressure. His green eyes are stormy, full of something primal. It makes my breath catch, and I try to look away, but he grabs my chin, gently forcing me to gaze directly at him. His touch is so tender it almost hurts.
“Addie.”
