I see them both doing mental math. Yes, Reid’s seven years older than me. But that hasn’t seemed like a barrier between us.
Maybe because I don’t feel like most twenty-one year olds.
“Well, you’ll have to show me some of your favorite spots,” Jane offers. “There’s still so many places in the city I have to see.”
“Yeah, uh, I love the beach. Maybe when it’s a nice day we could go.”
Her face is kind as she says, “That’d be great.”
Reid’s fingers mindlessly twirl in the ends of my hair. “Do you guys want something to drink?”
He ends up opening a bottle of wine for everyone to share, which then turns into a second as we move into the living room. Nikolai and Reid share touring stories, and for once, Reid doesn’t look sad as he reminisces about his career. Jane tells me how she and Nikolai actually dated back in high school but broke up when he moved to LA with the band. Then how they reconnected when she helped him look over his solo contract.
She’s easy to talk to, and the way she and Nikolai play off of each other is just as entertaining as it is sweet. Reid seems relaxed, sunken back into the couch, foot thrown across his other leg. One of his hands lays on my thigh, while the other holds his wine glass.
We could sit here for hours, but the darkening sky catches my attention. I check the time. We’re supposed to be meeting my friends out in just over an hour. I glance at Reid, who flicks his eyes to the clock. Noting the time, he turns to his friends. “We’re headed out with Aspen’s friends tonight, so we should start getting ready.”
“Of course! We should get on to dinner. We probably missed our reservation.” Jane stands immediately and waits for Nikolai to do the same.
“They’ll hold it for me, don’t you worry, LJ.”
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever you say, pretty boy. Thanks for letting us drop by and for the drinks.”
I walk with them to the door, Reid and Nikolai murmuring to each other. When we get to the foyer, a few guitars are propped against the wall in cases.
Nikolai grabs one encased in white leather. “Thanks for bringing this out. Don’t know if we’ll get any use out of it next week, but it’s worth a shot to bring it anyway.”
“We’ll see,” Reid says. He unlocks the door and gives Nikolai a brief hug. “See you next week.”
“Have a good night.”
Jane pulls me in for a quick hug. I return it, slightly surprised by the connection. But Jane smiles warmly at me and says, “As soon as the weather’s nice, I want to see your favorite beach spot, okay?”
I nod. “Let’s do it.”
We finish saying our goodbyes before the two of them walk hand in hand to Nikolai’s car. Reid shuts the door, engulfing the house in silence. His eyes take on a predatory glint and I know exactly where his mind is headed.
I push his chest, smirking at him. “Oh no, no time for that. We need to get ready.”
“I’m good at multitasking,” he says, voice full of heat. It goes straight to my core. My nipples tighten as he prowls toward me, step for step as I walk backwards toward the stairs. As soon as I feel the edge of the first one against the back of my heel, I turn around and book it. Laughter spills from my throat as Reid chases me up the stairs, through his bedroom, and corners me in the shower.
He makes me come twice in there before he finishes on my back. Even though I’m on birth control and we stopped using condoms after the first night we were together, he still pulls out sometimes. I know he does it for my own peace of mind.
His hands make quick work of washing away the evidence of his release. I kiss him quickly, the taste of wine still on his tongue.
He stays in the shower while I hop out and make quick work of drying my hair as best as I can. I start on my makeup just as he shuts off the water.
“I was wondering how long you were going to spend in there,” I tease, the bathroom now quiet without the water running.
His voice echos off the tile walls. “After years of being told not to waste water, and then living on a tour bus sharing a shower with so many other people, long showers have become my favorite luxury.”
“They’d be mine too if mine didn’t suck so bad.”
“Just another reason for you to spend more time here.” He comes up behind me, arms wrapping around my waist. I’m just in my bra and underwear, the bathroom too steamy for clothes just yet.
I meet his eyes in the mirror. “I’d be over more if Macaroni were here.”
“So bring him with you.”
