I rolled my eyes and didn’t answer. For all the things I was, a liar wasn’t one of them. My hesitation was another defense mechanism. I was attracted to him, way more than I let on. Despite the warning bells sounding in my head, I wanted to know what he tasted like.
Seeming satisfied that I hadn’t said no, Reed kissed me. His mouth molded to mine with an unbridled passion took my breath away.
So much for setting any boundaries! I wanted to push him away to stop what I was feeling. Something real. Like the start of a relationship. But then he cupped the back of my head, pulling me closer. My hands hit his muscled pecs while I fought to keep some semblance of composure. Failing brilliantly, I pulled him closer. We kissed each other like it was the start of a brand-new beginning. Despite all that, I pulled away first.
“Keep your mouth away from mine.”
“Your words don’t match the reaction your body is giving, Eli. But I would never do anything to make you uncomfortable.”
“Do not put your lips anywhere near my face again. Got it?”
“I hear you loud and clear,” he said. “I really am trying to get you to shut your brain off for a little while, but if I’m making you more upset, then I’ll back off.”
His words made me feel awful. I hadn’t told him no. And truth was, that kiss would play on repeat for a long time to come. “You’re not making me upset, Reed.” I sighed.
“Are you sure?”
“I should bring you to the hospital,” I said, trying to sound sarcastic. “Your injury must be clouding your judgment.”
“Keep denying yourself the release you so desperately crave.”
“Oh!” I clapped, feigning excitement. “A cookies-and-cream hot-fudge sundae?Thatwould give me a release.”
“I wish I knew you a little better,” he said in a deep husky tone.
“Why?” I laughed, feeling like I had the upper hand.
“Then I’d bend you over my knee and turn your bratty ass pink. It’s not just that you didn’t want to go to the doctor today, but all your needs have slipped onto the back burner. Haven’t they?”
Shit! Was Reed a Dom? I stared at him, trying to figure out if I’d missed some obvious signs. Sure, he talked about brats but that didn’t mean anything. That he hung out in our friend groups with dominant and submissive people didn’t necessarily mean anything either.
Have I ever seen him at Creekside Lounge?
Probably. Well, that wouldn’t be a guarantee either. Damn it all to hell. If he was into some of the kinkier things in life, he just might be the sort of man I was looking for. I’d been dying for someone else to step in and align my priorities. Adjust my attitude whenever I let things overwhelm me instead of takinga break. I knew I needed that, but slowing down enough to find it and relaxing enough to let someone in to be that for me was the problem. I took several deep breaths, realizing that I’d been staring at him without a word for far longer than was polite.
“Don’t make threats,” I said as if he didn’t turn me on.
“Would you like a spanking, lemondrop? I can do that for you.”
Instead of answering him, I stripped my jeans off, flashing my barely there pink panties. I’d get dressed and stop tossing sassy comments at him. I maintained eye contact as I yanked on his sweatpants and tied the drawstring. Undoing the buttons on my blouse, I slid it off my shoulders, giving him an eyeful then pulled his t-shirt over my head before I realized how much my hand hurt.Nope. There was no easy way to unhook my bra and pull it through the shirt. Not wanting to give Reed another show, I resigned to ask for his help.
“Will you please undo my bra?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Reed didn’t do as I expected. Or maybe he did exactly what I’d been hoping for. He carefully removed the shirt, looking at the intricate lace patterns on my sexy bra. It was an expensive name brand, one of the only materialistic things I splurged on. Reaching around behind me, he undid each hook, slowly sliding the straps down my arms and off. It should be a sin to have someone as handsome as Reed looking at me like that without following through. He carefully, almost reverently, pulled the t-shirt over my head, moving my hair out of the way. Warmth from his fingers seeped through the thin materials, teasing my senses. I wanted to know what they would feel like on every inch of my skin. Smoothing the shirt over my body without touching my chest made my heart race.
“Give me a chance, Eloise.”
“A chance to spank me?”
He shot me a dazzling smile, one that could light up a room. “Would you like me to?”
I continued playing off the notion that his head injury was making him act different. “You don’t want to exert yourself if your head is as messed up as it appears to be.”
“Your eyes are as wide as I’ve ever seen them. Tell me you need that release, and I’ll happily do that for you.”
“I’d never allow someone like you to spank me.”
