“Yeah, why?” I tilt my head wondering what he’s talking about. Did something happen and I was finally on such a roll with work that I missed it?
“You weren’t playing your music,” he blurts, and my eyes go wide as I realize he can hear it.
“Oh no,” I whisper as my face heats up. “You can hear when I play music?”
“Camila.”
“Oh god!” Even my ears feel red hot with mortification. “That means you heard me singing!?” I squeak. His bark of laughter does something to me. It warms me from the inside out, much like the drink we shared the night before, and relaxes me a little.
“Sunshine,” Reed says, like that’s supposed to be an answer. I wince.
“I am so sorry! I will keep it down.” Or probably stop completely. I am so embarrassed. I know exactly what a terrible singer I am.
“You didn’t sing for me today,” he says, stepping in closer. I take a step back, and he follows. Closing the door behind him, he has an almost predatory look in his blue eyes.
“You can’t be serious?” I ask, not trying to hide the sudden wave of nervousness I feel. I’m not scared of him being in my space.
Not like that.
I worry about what I feel when it comes to the big guy. What he wants and what I want might not be the same thing. Being around one another, spending more time together, might leave me more confused than I already am.
“Put something on,” he orders, pointing toward my old stereo. I chew on my bottom lip and walk over to it. I can feel his eyes on me with every step I take, and I swear sticky heat feels like it radiates from between my legs.
This is different from last night. He’s here because, well, I’m not positive as to why, but he wants me to play music. I take my time looking through old file folder holding all the CDs Mom and I collected, until I find one and pop it into the CD player.
Angel Babystarts to play. For some reason, oldies sound good. The music makes me smile as I turn to meet his gaze head on. His lips twitch in that almost smile I am slowly falling in love with.Who am I kidding?There is no slow about it.
I’m in love with my surly, hermit-like mountain man neighbor.
“Rosie and the Originals.” Reed’s deep voice feels like it vibrates off my skin, despite the fact he’s across the living room. I nod shyly. “Dance with me.” It’s not a question but more of a demand. With anyone else, I would have sassed off, but that’s the last thing I want to do with .
He extends his hand, and I find myself walking over to him. Our eyes never moving off one another as he takes me in his arms, and my breath hitches.
We’re close.
Really close.
Chest to chest.
I can feeleveryhard plane of his body against my softer ones. My hands rest on his broad shoulders, and he feels like heated stones. Warm to the touch. Firm. Steady. He’s so tall this way I really have to look up, and a thought pops into my head.
One that I can’t wave away.
What would it be like to be in bed with Reedurtis? His height and my lack of it. Would we work? Fit? I shake my head trying to brush away the naughty images of just how good we would fit. By the way he’s looking at me, he knows something’s up. His head tilts slightly.
“What?” he asks, his curiosity obviously getting the best of him.
“Nothing,” I breathe out, noting how soft my voice suddenly sounds. How dry my mouth feels.
“Did I step on your feet?” he asks, and we both look down at my bare feet. I glance upward and realize his face is a lot closer than it just was.
“No,” I whisper and watch his Adam’s apple bobs up and down.
“Sunshine,” his voice rumbles with a warning I don’t want to hear.
I know what I want.
And it is the mountain man standing in front of me.
