“No. Quite apart from the fact that I still have a job to do, I’d like to be friends.”
The whole idea left a sour taste in his mouth. But it wasn’t like he wanted to hurt her by saying no.
“Sure.” He rose, letting the blanket slide off his lap. “It’s late. I should be getting on home.”
Cecily unfolded and dug out her key. “See you on Monday?”
“Yeah. You know where to find me.” Reed waited until she’d unlocked the
door, then took a step back, lifting a hand in a completely lame wave before shoving both hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her. “Night.”
He could feel Cecily’s gaze on him as he walked to his car and wondered what she was thinking. Was she second guessing her decision? No, that was probably wishful thinking.
One foot in front of the other. Do not open your mouth and embarrass yourself any further.
His phone buzzed with an incoming text as he slid into the driver’s seat. Pulling it out, he found a message from Selina.
You’re quiet tonight.
Because I’ve been spending time with a real girl, not a figment of technology and imagination. For all the good it’s done me.
Reed: Just watching something I want slip out of my reach.
Selina: So go after it. You still might not get it, but at least you’ll have tried.
A light went on in the house and Cecily shut the door. He cranked the car, staring at the phone until the screen went dark. He didn’t want this. Didn’t want a fake girlfriend. Didn’t want the lie. He wanted the woman he’d just walked away from. And how was she to know that if he didn’t man up and show her?
Reed turned off the engine and sprinted across the yard.
Cecily opened the door before he could knock. “Reed? Did you forget something?”
“Yeah.” He stepped inside, spearing his hands into her hair and claiming her mouth before she could say another word.
Her body gave one quick jolt, her hands coming up to his shoulders. Reed braced to be pushed away, maybe slapped. Then she shuddered and opened to him on a sexy little moan, moving in and wrapping her arms around his neck. Reed kicked the door shut and backed her up against it, caging her with his body, while he devoured her mouth. This wasn’t the slow, languid exploration at the lake. It was pure, unadulterated wanting. He had just enough control to keep his hands in her hair, rather than sprinting over the body she pressed against his.
When he felt even that thread begin to fray, he gentled the kiss and forced himself to ease back, pressing his brow to hers as his breath heaved, fast and unsteady. “I don’t wanna be friends. I’d rather have this time with you now and be torn up when you go than have nothing at all.”
“Sweetie, if you don’t say yes to him after that display, I’m checking you into the nearest mental hospital.”
Reed cranked his head around to see Christoff smirking with approval from the hall. Well, too late for embarrassment. “That’d be Whitfield. Just so you know.”
“Noted,” he said cheerfully.
Cecily tipped Reed’s face back toward hers, rubbing a thumb along the scruff of his jaw. “Not necessary. I may be crazy, but it won’t be for saying no. Now, go away, Christoff,” she said, and tugged Reed’s mouth down to hers.
Chapter 7
“Thank you so much for having me.” Cecily had on her best Sunday company smile, but nerves jittered underneath as she stepped into Grammy Campbell’s house, Reed on her heels.
“Of course, sugar. You come right on in. Oh here, let me take those.” Grammy tugged the covered basket from Cecily’s hands before she could protest. “Everybody’s in the living room. Anita brought cookies to tide everybody over until dinner’s ready.”
Reed brightened. “Snickerdoodles?”
“What else would I make my favorite son?” his mother said, coming into the foyer and pulling him into a hug.
Was that supposed to be some kind of warning?
“I’m your only son,” Reed pointed out.