My night with Reed was like someone had hit pause on reality; it was so perfect.
We showered together, washing each other's backs and hair, and then dried off in the bathroom, just like a regular couple would. The conversation between us flowed just like it used to as we chatted about numerous subjects.
Reed gave me one of his Patriots jerseys to wear as he went to answer the door. The room service he had ordered was brought in on a trolley. There was a large sandwich platter with meatball subs (Reed’s favorite), ham on rye, and a fresh chicken Caesar salad. As he tipped the bellhop, I saw Reed had also ordered two bottles of Bollinger Champagne on ice and a portion of strawberries.
After we had polished off our sandwiches, we sat up in bed together under the covers with a glass of champagne and watched the best part of a Marvel movie. We spoke about our families. Reed explained that his mother, Ma, was seeing someone, and we both spoke about our opinions on Hudson and Molly moving in together. The subject of my father stepping down as mayor came up, and I explained about the business he now ran with Theodore Remmington (keeping Jasper’s name out of those discussions). My relationship with Phoenix came up a couple of times, and how he and my father had gelled over the years. I confessed to Reed that it hadn’t taken Nix and me long to cement our relationship as brother and sister. I also explained that I had regular sessions with Nix’s half-brother (from his mother’s side), Alex, who was now a student at our old high school, Harbor Heights. I didn’t give too much away for confidentiality reasons, but Alex was going through a difficult time at school.
Reed told me all about the Super Bowl, his climb to the top of the NFL, and how his brother had fared in New York. Micah was doing well for himself and had recently bought an apartment in the city.
In between a pause of the movie for a toilet break, I asked Reed if he’d decided about going to the cops about the Palmers. We spoke about it for a few minutes before he changed the subject. I knew that meant he hadn’t made up his mind.
We discussed recent TV series we’d watched and how our favorite movies had changed over the years. And then we discussed food. Reed’s favorite subject. From his animated expression, it was clear that there were some fantastic restaurants to check out in New Jersey.
During the night, Reed and I naturally gravitated towards one another, and we had sex again. The second time was so loving and tender that I couldn’t stop the tears that fell from my eyes. Reed gently kissed every single one. By morning, my entire body was aching, but in a good, sated way.
A buzzing sound forced my eyes open, and I woke up with one of my legs trapped beneath Reed’s large, muscled thigh.
And then reality shot through my system like a dose of crack cocaine.
Turning my head on the pillow, Reed was still sleeping, one arm thrown over his head in surrender. I toyed with the idea of not waking him, but I couldn’t do it. That would have been so cold after what we had shared the night before.
It had felt like old times, but even more special, like that broken bond between us was back in place. Reed had mentioned in passing that he had trouble sleeping. That clearly was not the case the previous night. I ignored the fact that I, too, had slept the most I had in years. Was it great sex that tired us out or being together again? Neither answer was one I could allow to register.
And now I had to get up and go back home to Jasper. The thought of leaving Reed was breaking my heart, my throat was tightening, and my eyes were burning.
After sliding my leg out from under his, I peeled the covers back and sat up, grabbing my phone from the nightstand. That was the noise that woke me. Someonewas calling my cell, and although I’d put it on silent the night before, the vibration made it rattle across the bedside table.
Seeing Jasper's name flashing on the screen forced another wave of dread into the pit of my stomach. Swinging my legs from the bed to the carpeted floor, I sent the call to voicemail.
I had cheated on my fiancé.
Fuck, I thought as I took in the messy room. Where the hell were my jeans, my top, my fucking sanity? I tried to drown out that part of my brain that was telling me I was going to hell.
Dragging a hand through my mussed locks, I felt the bed shift as Reed turned over, the sheet just covering his waist, leaving way too much black-inked muscle on display. Shuffling forward, I spied my jeans and grabbed them off the floor, starting to tug them on with jerky, fast movements.
“Morning,” I said with a shy backward glance, placing my still ringing cell into the pocket of my jeans.
He didn’t respond to my greeting. “Is that him?” Reed questioned, his voice thick with sleep.
I released a breath of frustration, scanning the floor for my tee, hooking it towards me with my foot, suddenly shy at the thought of Reed seeing me half-naked.
“Storm?” he questioned as he propped himself up on one elbow.
Pulling on my top, I straightened it and forced my eyes to meet his. “Yes, it’s him.”
My cell stopped briefly and then started up again: for fucks sake, Jasper. Now was not the time.
“Ignore it and come back to bed,” Reed replied, tapping the mattress close to him.
“I thought you had a meeting with management this morning?” I said, my voice full of nerves. I knew Reed couldn’t attend our usual Monday morning session, and so I’d arranged to have breakfast with Jasper instead.
Reed frowned as he glanced at his watch. “It’s six thirty in the morning. I’m not expected until ten.” I felt like saying, well, that’s a luxury not all of us have.
“Come on, Teacup. We could have another shower together?” his tone took on that suggestive element.
Fuck that was tempting.
Wrinkling my nose, I shook my head, casting him another look over my shoulder. “I can’t, Reed. I should go.”
