“She hates me.” He sighed.
“Nobody hates you.” I dismissed his statement.
“I kissed her.”
I pushed away the need for sleep. He clearly had something to get off his chest. “You kissed her and she rejected you?”
“Well, sort of. After I kissed her, she told me not to kiss her again. Then we got into a really deep discussion about her past. She shared some traumatic shit that I don’t think she’s ever told anyone.” He swallowed hard. “So, she trusts me on some level. But she keeps saying she doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“So, maybe bumping your head was the silver lining you didn’t know you were looking for. It gave you and Eli a chance to spend time together. Give her time. She’ll eventually come around as long as you honor her boundaries.”
Reed rolled over and wound up closer to me. I didn’t have any problems with the lack of distance, but his eyes were locked on mine. I wondered if he needed something more.
“Did you have any interesting calls tonight, King?”
“Always,” I answered, allowing him to change the subject. “Never a boring night out in Autumn Brook. There’s a brand-new pool hall that opened, Brookside Ballers. Anyhow, it had its first official fight. I handed out a lot of ice packs and one guy needed stitches but instead of us transporting him, his buddy brought him to urgent care.”
“Brookside Ballers sounds like a strip club.”
“There’s a male revue in the back room.”
“What?”
“Every room becomes a male revue if I’m dancing. They had great music,” I said chuckling. I had been an exotic dancer while I was studying to become a paramedic. I didn’t need the money. My parents never made me want for anything, but I’d been determined to make my own way. It was something Eloise and I had in common.
Reed had taken the path of least resistance by allowing his parents to send him to whatever college they wanted but it left him unfulfilled. Had he followed his dreams instead of theirs, he might not be overworking. A private financial tech consultant made bank on paper, but it left him isolated. It’s not like he went to an office and networked in person.
“If you start dancing on my bed, King, I won’t be throwing twenties at you.”
“Nah, I’d expect a fifty at least.”
“You’re in some mood.” Reed leaned on one elbow.
“So are you.” I tousled his hair gently. “What’s the matter? Being around Eli all night left you a little pent-up? I can give you a hand job before you go to sleep.”
Reed’s eyebrows hit his hairline. “You haven’t touched me like that in years. Don’t offer unless you’re sincere.”
“I was trying to get you in a better state of mind to go to sleep. But I’m always happy to lend a hand.” I shrugged, trying not to make a big deal out of it. We had fooled around before, but had never been in a relationship. Reed hadn’t been taking time for self-care; I’d be willing to bet self-pleasure wasn’t on his radar either, and suddenly I wanted to be the one to help him with both.
“I know how to get myself off, King,” he snapped defensively.
“But you haven’t been doing that, have you? Nope.” I answered my own question. “You’ve been overworking. Burying yourself in spreadsheets and five-year plans to keep your mind occupied.”
He snorted in reply. We had always been open and honest with each other except lately he’d been bottling himself up and not sharing. I leaned forward wanting to make sure he understood me when he jerked back.
“You’re wound so freaking tight. Do you want a release? Best-friend privilege.”
“Sounds like you’re a little pent-up too if you want to get me off and then have me return the favor,” he whispered.
I hadn’t hinted at a mutual release, but I was open-minded. “Oh yeah? You want to do something about it?”
“Fucking tease,” he said, his eyes narrowing.
“Don’t call me names or I’ll leave you so hard you’ll be begging for me to play with you.” I had half a mind to shut his mouth by kissing him senseless. Though it was late and he’d probably have more questions and become more stressed if I acted on my thoughts.
“You wish.”
I gave him a stern look. “Try me.”
