Her expression is the physical embodiment of doubt. From the purse of her lips to the creases on her forehead. My chest aches, a heavy weight pressing down on my ribs.
Part of me hates that I caused her to doubt me, souring the mood and her thoughts of me. Unfortunately, another part of me doesn’t give a fuck if she doubts me. Because if she truly cared about me, she wouldn’t have lied to me in the first fucking place.
However, since the job comes first, I play the role I’m supposed to. Shifting my glare to a smolder, I approach her deliberately and kiss her forehead. I fight the urge to let my lips linger and refrain from inhaling deeply.
Her breath hitches, and we catch eyes as I pull away.
Rather than saying anything else that will only prolong this torturous moment, I turn on my heel. When I get to the doorway, I glance behind me to find her still frozen in place. “Take your time getting ready, Lila. No need to rush.”
She flashes a crooked smile, still distrustful of my motives.
I want to see her whole fucking smile. The real one. I want it to light up her face and banish all the dark spots of our past.
“I’d gladly wait all night for you.”
Shaking her head, she rolls her eyes and starts, “Reed, my goodness. Your mood is all like...” Without warning, she crouches slightly and splays her palms out to the sides at waist level. “Parkour!”
And I laugh, because how could I not?
Even when our treacherous past rears its head, Lila somehow makes me want to forget all the heartache. With only a few words or a simple look, it’s as if she never destroyed what we could have been. The only thing left is the memory of how it felt to hold everything in my arms for one night. When the future didn’t seem as bleak as the past. And when I foolishly thought I’d finally gotten the girl. The one who made me feel like I wasn’t a broken shell of a man.
No clue how she does it. She’s more powerful than any drug known to man.
Perhaps not to all men, but she is to me.
Which is precisely what makes her so dangerous.
EIGHTEEN
Thick thighs save lives
LILA
When Reed closesmy bedroom door, I expel air from my lungs with enough force to blast a circus clown from a cannon. Once I’m sufficiently deflated, I grab my phone and text Kenzie.
Me:
Don’t come home. Reed is here, and you’ll kill the vibe.
Sorry. That sounded harsher than I meant. I’m frazzled.
Allow me to rephrase. *ahem* Reed showed up for an impromptu date. Given your complicated history, he’ll be more relaxed if it’s just the two of us. Thus, he’ll be more apt to let his guard down. That’s what I would have said if I only had a brain.
We’ll be leaving shortly. You don’t need to stay away long.
Kenzie:
Slow down, silly pants. I knew what you meant. Plus, I never need an excuse to avoid Reed. I can stay out all night if it helps.
Nah. Just an hour tops.
Make me proud. You got this.
I don’t share your optimism.
Are you kidding? You’re a certified badass. Unleash your pheromones, and he’ll be spilling his secrets in no time.
