You’re with him, aren’t you?
Who?I replied.
Do I really have to say his name?
I debated whether to tell her or not. Reid had told me not to, but I didn’t see the harm in it. I’d told Max about him years ago and she’d always encouraged me to reach out to him, but I didn’t see the point. There was too much time and distance between us and a mountain of pain.
Yes, I’m with him.
I knew it! Thanks for telling me, asshole. At least now I know you’re safe. Have you jumped his bones yet?
That’s none of your business.
You’re my best friend. Of course it’s my business. Now spill, damn it. You won’t tell me what the hell is going on. Tell me this!
No, I haven’t. And I don’t plan on it. If he wants me, he’ll have to make the first move.
Nope. That’s not gonna work for me. You need to initiate it. He’ll never do it on his own.
Why do you say that?
Because you’re his best friend’s baby sister. Everyone knows that’s dangerous territory.
She was right. Reid would never cross that line. Even with Bodie being gone, he’d never do it on his own. I was going to have to be the one to push. I’d told Max about Reid a long time ago and she’d always encouraged me to reach out to him, but I was too afraid.
However, now that I was here with him, it didn’t seem so hopeless.
I’ll think about it.
Don’t think, sister. Do.
I heard the water shut off so I quickly shot her another email.
I gotta go. I’ll be in touch soon.
I didn’t wait for a reply before I quickly closed out the window and set about my first round of edits. I submerged myself in my work, but I found myself reading several sentences over and over again. Then any hope of getting anything done evaporated when he finally emerged from the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.
My mouth went completely dry as he walked across the room to his small black duffle bag, lifting it up to the foot of the bed before unzipping it to snag a pair of boxer briefs and athletic shorts.
I stared shamelessly beneath the hood of my long lashes, doing my best to remain inconspicuous but his gaze captured mine. And like a stupid moth being drawn to a burning flame, my eyes remained locked on his, allowing them to draw me in.
The rivulets of water glistening on his shoulders and chest stole my attention, robbing me of oxygen. Then he straightened his spine, a large bead trickling, rolling across the hard planes of his abs before disappearing beneath his towel.
I swallowed hard, my throat becoming extremely dry.
Then with a muttered curse, Reid went back into the bathroom and slammed the door, leaving me a panting mess on the bed. I closed my laptop and put it on the bedside table, knowing there was no way I would be able to concentrate now. I killed the light and snuggled beneath the covers, begging for sleep to find me soon.
***
Darkness surrounded me as I crouched down in the closet behind Bodie’s old boards. My body trembled with fear as I listened to my brother plead with the man on the other side of the door. My curiosity was beginning to get the better of me. I knew whatever it was they were arguing about, it was bad.
Really bad.
My brother had not been himself lately, and I think this man had something to do with it.
I inched closer to the door, curling my sweaty hand around the knob and twisting it slowly to crack it open. I couldn’t see my brother but I could see two men with their backs facing me, but only one man spoke.
“You know what happens when you fuck with his money.”
