Reek walked toward the door, still breathing hard.
“I don’t think we should walk back in there together,” I said, forcing the words out.
He paused, then nodded. “You right.”
And then he walked out first. With no words, reassurance, or anything. It made me feel stupid immediately.
I waited a few minutes, staring at the wall, then started scolding myself in my head. I couldn’t believe I let that happen with Reek of all people. And the fact that we didn’t protect ourselves made it worse. It was reckless and dumb.
I went to the mirror in the room and used the moonlight coming through the window to check my appearance. I pulled my dress into place. I smoothed my hair and fixed my makeup the best I could. I stared at my own face like I was trying to find the part of me that thought this was a good idea.
After about ten minutes, I stepped out into the hallway. I was about to walk back into the party when I saw Reek. He was in Sienna’s face smiling, like he hadn’t just cum in me, like he wasn’t just assaulting pockets of my pussy that no man had ever reached. Sienna was laughing at something he said, hand on his arm, looking very much like they were in the relationship he claimed he didn’t want.
And helooked comfortable too.
My stomach turned because I was embarrassed. Disgusted with myself, I turned and walked the opposite way. I slipped through the kitchen and went out onto the balcony to get air.
The summer air helped me breathe again. I gripped the railing and stared out into the dark.
I had just made a dumb decision, but it didn’t have to mean anything. I got my rocks off. It was good, and that’s it. Nothing good was going to come from being with Reek. He was a player who moved however he wanted, and I was not about to become another woman who got too attached and he laughed about later.
The one thing that made me feel better was remembering I was leaving for Thailand the next day. A few weeks ago, I finally decided to leave for awhile and clear my head. I’d come back right before Zahra was due. I needed space from all of this, and Reek just made that need even more desperate.
I heard the balcony door slide open behind me. I didn’t have to turn around to know it was him. I could smell his cologne as the wind blew.
My eyes darted toward the cameras posted near the balcony corners. I remembered we were never fully alone at the estate. I turned and started walking away, down the steps and further into the yard.
Reek followed me.
I walked toward the pool because I knew there were no cameras aimed at it since the Cartiers got nasty out there sometimes with their significant others.
When I reached the pool deck, I finally turned around. “You need to go back in the house before Sienna starts wondering why you keep disappearing.”
Reek scowled. “I don’t give a fuck what she starts to wonder.” I scoffed like he was lying and he insisted, “You know I don’t want to be with her. But I’m stuck in this situation, and I am who I am, that’s why I tried so hard to stay away from you, Ava. But I can’t help that the only time I feel anything is when I’m looking at you.”
I didn’t soften. I didn’t let that line do what it was designed to do.
He looked away toward the house for half a second, then back at me. “I can’t believe you’re leaving. I’m used to seeing your pretty face. I like seeing your face.”
I scoffed, refusing to fall deeper.
Reek’s jaw worked. “You deserve a man that will commit to you. I know that.”
“So, why did you pull me into that room? Why did you do any of that?”
His eyes stayed on mine. “Because Ihadto feel you.”
I stared at him for a second, and my throat burned because the honesty hurt.
“You don’t want commitment, but you still had unprotected sex with me and came in me,” I snapped. “You move like a nigga that wants commitment.”
Reek held his hands up slightly. “I’m clean. I haven’t felt pussy outside of a condom in years.”
I stared at him, disgust rising again. “Well, I’m on birth control. So don’t worry. You’ll remain commitment free.”
Reek’s eyes narrowed. “Ava—”
“No,” I cut him off, stepping back. Then I turned and walked away.
