“What does that even mean?”
“Exactly,” he said. “You shouldn’t have to wonder what ‘more than alright’ means. You should just know. You should be living it every day.”
“You know what’s funny?” I asked.
“What?”
“My grandma passing, this whole catnapping nightmare, I should be the worst I’ve ever been. In a lot of ways, I’m not doing great.” He frowned, but I continued. “But anytime I’m with you, or even just knowing you’re around…makes me feel…more than alright.”
He sucked in a breath and continued to stare at me.
“I love being around you, Hazel. I’m not like you, I’m hardly ever lonely. In fact, I’ve always wantedmoretime alone. Between my overbearing family, a nosy best friend, and an ex-wife who hated my hobbies, I’ve hardly had any room to breathe.”
“So much love you could drown in it,” I joked softly.
“Exactly,” he said. “And yet…yet you being in my space feels so fucking right. It kind of freaks me out, if I’m being honest. I want to help you solve your problems more than anything, but a little part of me isn’t looking forward to it. Because that means you’ll be gone.”
My heart was now full-on pounding out of my chest.
“No more kitchen disasters,” I said. “And you’ll be able to take down my hideous paintings.”
“Those hideous paintings aren’t going anywhere. I might bolt them to the wall.”
I laughed, shaking my head. I caught myself leaning in subconsciously. His stare completely trapped me. I couldn’t look away if I wanted to. Was I losing it? Was he getting closer? Did he want to kiss me? Before I could wonder anymore, I didn’t have to. Because Reid leaned in and closed the distance between us.
Soft. Careful. Gentle. Exactly what I’d expect from a kiss with Reid.
Except it was also somehow so much better.
He wrapped his free hand around my neck, brushing my jaw with his thumb as his lips pressed against mine, exploring. My hands fell to his waist, clutching the soft fabric of his t-shirt.
Ugh, he smelled good.
Was I seriously making out with Reid right now? On his couch? This is absolutely not where I’d thought the night would lead me.
I never thought I’d share the most vulnerable parts of me and have him willingly dive in for more.
A low rumble came from his throat as he pressed into me, our chests now touching. Heat pooled in my stomach. I wanted this, I wanted him. Without thinking, I moved my legs, which had been curled up underneath me, and shifted them onto his lap, setting one on either side of him. I nearly gasped as his hard length pressed into me through our layers of clothes. He wanted me.Actuallywanted me. I mean, I thought the kiss and the way he was gripping the sides of my face to hold me in placewere good indicators, but I could still hardly believe my luck.
I rocked into him, a nearly inaudible moan passing between our mouths.
“Hazel,” he whispered against my lips, before letting his tongue slip past my defenses. Damn. Reid could really kiss. I meanreallykiss. I could do this for hours.
My back arched and my hips pressed against him, but almost as soon as it started, he broke away from me.
“Is something wrong?” My words were shaky. I started to climb off him, but his grip tightened ever so slightly, silently asking me not to move yet.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to jump all over you like that,” he said, adjusting his glasses, which had been pushed up.
I shot him a shy smile. “I didn’t exactly mind.”
He let out a breath of a laugh and shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut before opening them again. “No, I know that. I just…you were just being so vulnerable, I wanted to be there for you. Not take advantage of the situation.”
“You didn’t,” I insisted.
His arms wrapped around me, and he pulled me in for the most all-encompassing hug I’d had in ages.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he whispered into my ear. “I don’t want to scare you off.”
