CHAPTER 12- SKYLER
THE LIGHT FOOTSTEPSentering the kitchen draw my attention away from the beeping microwave. Reed gives an almost apologetic smile as he scratches the back of his head. The morning light catches his tight body in the best way. Even with bed head and in wrinkled pajamas, the man is so sexy.
“You’re awake!” I say in a chipper tone.
“And you’re still here.” Reed yawns and rubs under his shirt, exposing a tantalizing sliver of lower belly.
After clearing my throat, I turn back to the microwave. “I hope you don’t mind. I helped myself to some breakfast. I haven’t had Blob Tarts in ages. The little sugary things aren’t healthy, but man, do they hit the spot.”
I take out the frosted pastries and place them on paper towels to cool. A chill goes up my spine when I feel Reed’s body get closer.
“Do I mind?” he asks with a grin. I turn to see him inches from me, and my breath hitches. Last night, he was all sorrow, and now he’s friendly and…flirty?
And possibly horny. But maybe I’m reading it all wrong.
“Dude, I’m the one who begged you to stay the night. I basically kidnapped you.” He touches my bare elbow, and sparks go up my skin. “No, I don’t mind you eating my food.”
Swoon. His voice is so deep and sexy that my morning wood might make a reappearance.
Against my instincts, I force myself to look away. “Right. Well, thank you for the pajamas. I folded them and placed them at the foot of your bed.” I bite into a pastry. “And the food.”
“Anytime.” Reed stares at me with such shining fondness, it’s like the morning sun itself is standing here in his kitchen.
“But I should get going.”
“Wait, what? Why?” He moves in close, his chest nearly touching mine. I resist the urge to melt in his arms. Reed smells so good, no morning breath or anything.
“I’ve taken up too much of your time.”
“That’s not true,” he says, putting his hand on my back. “I invited you. I kidnapped you. I slept with you.” His smile falls. “Snoozed, that is. Like a log all night.”
I giggle. “Right. Well, you probably have lots to do.”
“Not really.” He moves to turn on an electric kettle. “Usually on the weekends, I end up working or I try to spend quality time with Aisen. But today I’m off and…”
I frown; this is a difficult time for him, and I promised I’d be there for him. “You’ll be okay.”
“You’re the one who’s probably super busy,” he says.
“I, uh…” His brown eyes shine at me, like a hypnotic puppy. I already let him tease me all night; might as well add more pathetic actions to the list. “No, actually.”
“I’m not so good with free time,” Reed says. He leans on the counter and stares at the ceiling. “I don’t really know how to…bond with friends. Or spend time just for me.”
“How do you relax?”
“I drink wine in my bathtub and try to avoid work calls.”
We both crack up. “Sounds like a plan.”
I turn to walk away, but freeze when I hear Reed’s next few words. “Do you wanna hang out?”
After a beat, I turn back around. “What?”
“Hang out. Me and you. Do something fun. Maybe outdoorsy.”
“Like a…date?” My heart threatens to fly from my throat.
At that point, the electric kettle whistles, shattering our weirdly tense moment.
