“Even better,” he says. “On my way.”
I admit, I run to the bathroom and spritz perfume in my cleavage and put on some lip gloss. Then I pinch my cheeks and look at myself sideways in the mirror.
When Reid knocks softly on the door, my lungs are only half operational and my palms are sweaty. Attractive, right?
Then he says hi and I’m fine. He walks in and shakes off his puffy coat, switching what I’m sure is an expensive bottle of red wine between his hands. He’s in a T-shirt and joggers, and I’m sure my tongue is hanging out at the sight.
“Hi,” I say back, instead of jumping his bones.
“You’re a sight for weary eyes.” He pulls me close and touches his lips to mine.
Then he places the wine on the table and backs me into the door, and I go willingly. With my spine pressed against the wood, his hardness leaning into my softness, I melt. My feelings for him go from one to a million in only two seconds. His eyes are gentle, his beard scratchy, his hands warm on my hips.
We kiss harder, his tongue breaking the barrier of my lips. I don’t put up much of an argument. Our tongues tangling, we seek friction down below until he pulls away.
“How about that drink? I don’t want this to be a booty call.”
“I was kidding,” I say, panting and on the verge of begging.
“I know.” His hand caresses my cheek, his thumb taking extra care smoothing its way over my face. “I want to have a drink and hear what’s happening with you.”
Tell him.
With my hand in his, we walk to the kitchen. Somewhere along the way, he snatched the wine. He’s comfortable in my kitchen, releasing my hand and easily locating the wine opener. As he moves directly to the cabinet with the wineglasses, I realize Reid is a fixture in my house.
He fills two glasses and clinks his with mine. “Cheers.”
We take a sip and walk to the sofa. He sits in the corner and I lean into him, my back against his chest.
“How’s Greg?” I ask, not harboring any ill will.
“He went to his sister’s place and quarantined himself to her spare room. I’m hoping his friend Reilly, who’s a semester behind him, will help me.”
“That’s good. And you’re out of town this weekend?” I play nonchalant, but I’m anything but calm when it comes to this subject.
He nods. “I wish I wasn’t.”
“It’s okay. Gabby has a lot going on with the holiday weekend.”
“Tell me about you. You good?” His lips press against the top of my head, grazing my hair, and he twists and puts his wine on the side table.
“I’m good. Busy like always, and missing you.” It’s the truth. “Gabby missed you too. She’s become attached, like I worried she would. I don’t know what to say and what not to say.”
“Say the truth. I mean, what do I know? But I like that girl ... a lot ... and I missed her too.”
The great divide cracks in my chest. I sit up and say, “Reid ...” I have every intention of telling him, but he interrupts me.
“I know. Let’s go to your room. We’ll be quiet,” he says, and that’s what we do. Our tiptoes carry us to where our bodies and hearts want to go. My head screamsnobut loses out to physical need.
Hidden behind my locked door, Reid takes his time undressing me, licking, kissing, sucking his way up and down my entire body as he strips me of my clothes. He lays me out on the bed in front of him and drops to his knees, fully clothed, his mouth meeting my core. His mouth is gentle, almost too gentle, and then he adds welcome pressure.
I crack under his spell and come apart in a million pieces. It doesn’t take long. In fact, it’s embarrassingly fast.
“Reid, God ...” I struggle for words, looking for an excuse, trying to explain away my lightning-fast finish.
“You’re so beautiful and perfect,” he says with ease, like he means it.
“You may be the only person who feels that way,” I say as he divests himself of his shirt and jeans.
