“Point taken.”
He then undressed me with his eyes; it was as blatant as fuck.
“You look good, Storm, even after all these years. But I knew you would. And the buttoned-up style suits you.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
“Although you do look like you haven’t been fucked in years.”
As usual, Reed was full of surprises. I ignored his insult as my eyes scanned over his large frame. “You don’t look so bad yourself. I guess that’s your car out in the lot, the Bugatti Chiron. Very impressive.”
I poised myself for the inevitable, my body going into overdrive. Reed in the flesh was still overwhelming as he stood there looking all brooding and tortured. His face was twisted as he closed the space between us and stopped in front of me. Casting a bored glance out the window to where his wheels were, he provoked. “It’s amazing what money can buy, isn’t it?” His tone hinted at nastiness.
My defenses dipped. “I didn’t mean it like that, Reed.” My stomach suddenly felt like an over-shaken Coke bottle.
Folding his arms over his chest, he quirked me a look. “Shouldn’t that be Mr. Prescott?
I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Touche.” Reed had always been so good at turning the tables and knocking the confidence right out of me.
A silence fell between us as we embroiled ourselves in a staring contest. I would not be the first to look away.
Finally, Reed dropped his arms and pushed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “So how do you want to do this?” he asked with a glance around the room. The office was being painted, and so I was using that space temporarily. They called it the film room, as there was a large TV mounted on the wall next to a whiteboard. It was the place where the team and their coaches would watch game footage and discuss techniques. “Do we dance around our history like it never fucking happened?”
My shoulders stiffened at the harshness in his tone. “Maybe, we shouldn’t do this?”
Reed cut me an exasperated look. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“Do I really have to dumb it down for you?”
“Still a little bitch, I see.”
“I’m saying maybe you should transfer?” I suggested walking around the desk.
Reed’s nose crinkled as his gaze followed me, and he frowned. “Again? I just got here.” He was acting stupid on purpose: same old Reed.
Lingering over my chair but not sitting down, I explained. “I know what you’re doing. I don’t mean teams, I mean counselors. I’m a professional, and I’m usually good at separating my personal life from my business life. But I can’t do that if you intend to be difficult.”
Pulling his hands out of his pockets, Reed strolled to stand at the other side of the table, next to the large leather chair I used for clients. “Difficult?”
“Yes, due to our past.” I placed my palms on the desk to stop myself from fidgeting.
Reed rubbed his jaw with one hand, replying. “Surely that’s a good thing, that we have a past? It means you know me better. That should only strengthen our relationship.”
I smirked at that one. “Relationship? I had no place in your life beyond the bedroom door.” I knew that wasn’t true; if anything, I was the one who treated Reed like he was sexual merchandise.
He didn’t like that and raised an eyebrow. “I meant our professional relationship. Hey, don’t look so disappointed. Say the word, and you can have me any way you want me, baby. Just like old times.” That wicked look he sent me brought back a flurry of sinful memories. I had missed having that closeness, the feel of Reed’s strong arms as he told me everything would be OK. And it usually was, until the news of Jasper coming back from Connecticut came out.
Thinking of my fiancé, I cut Reed a look. “I’m getting married, remember?”
My words didn’t have the intended effect as he smirked. “Yeah, you said that four years ago. I still don’t see a ring on your finger.” His eyes flicked towards my hand, and I lifted my palms off the table and fisted them by my sides. “Where’s the diamond you flashed at me the day you broke my heart?”
Ouch, that was below the belt!
Raising my chin, I glared across the table at him. “I don’t wear it to work in case it gets lost. It cost a small fortune.”
Reed gave me a bright smile then, and my tummy flipped. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, princess.” Rocking back on his heels, he then added. “So how is he? The fiancé? Clearly shit in the sack if your level of uptight is anything to go by. What's the matter, Loverboy, waiting until after you exchange vows to dick you?” A dark edge surrounded those words. Anxiety ballooned in my chest.
Reed had always been made up of a goodness that I would never understand, but the man who stood before me was different. The guy was all sharp edges and brought something entirely different to the table, and only time would reveal what that was.
