by SJ McCoy
They took a seat in a quiet booth near the back. He was glad for Owen’s sake that it wasn’t too busy. “I’m not ignoring what you said. I understand, and I’m trying to find a solution. I want to see more of you both.”
“Reid!”
They both looked up as Spider appeared at their table. “I thought that was you, but …” He smiled at Tara.
She smiled back. “But you weren’t expecting to see him with Owen and me?”
Spider grinned. “Yeah. But this is awesome. How are you?” He looked at Owen. “How’s it going, little buddy?”
Owen nodded solemnly. “You’re not scary.”
Reid laughed and gave Spider an inquiring look.
Spider laughed with him. “That’s right. I’m not scary. I’m your friend.”
“Owen thought Spider was very scary the first time we came in here,” explained Tara. “But Spider sat with us for a while, and they became friends.”
“That’s right,” said Spider. “We are friends, aren’t we, Owen?”
Owen nodded happily.
“What can I get you guys?”
Once he’d taken their order, he smiled at them. “I’ll get your drinks, and when it quiets down a bit, I’ll come and catch up with you. You have to tell me how this happened.”
True to his word, Spider came back to join them as they were finishing their sandwiches. “So, come on. Tell me how the two of you met?”
Tara looked at Reid, and he nodded. He was happy for her to explain it—partly because he was interested to hear her take on what had happened between them so far.
“We ran into each other when Reid was checking into his hotel, and I was there for a massage. Owen was upset, and Reid came to the rescue.”
“Music,” Owen told Spider.
Spider chuckled. “Music?”
“He gave Owen his iPod, and the music calmed him down.”
Spider grinned at Reid. “Let me guess, that classical stuff you play all the time?”
Reid nodded. “It works for me. I figured it might work for Owen, too.”
“And you were right.” Tara smiled at him.
“And you’ve been seeing each other ever since? That’s awesome.”
Tara laughed. “It is awesome, but that was only yesterday.”
“Oh!” Spider held up his hands. “Sorry, guys, so this is like a first date, and here I am putting you on the spot. Sorry. I’ll leave you to it.”
“It’s okay,” said Reid. “It’s good to catch up with you.”
“It’s good to see you here again,” said Spider. “Though I swear, I’m going to hold you to your word and come up to visit you one of these days. I’ve always wanted to see the San Juan Islands.”
“I keep telling you. You’re welcome any time. All you need to do is give yourself time off from this place and come.”
“Thanks. I’m going to do it soon. I really am. I was watching videos of the whale watching tours again the other night. I want to do that so bad.”
Reid laughed. “Then do it. Stop talking about it, and just do it.”
“I will. How long are you here for?”
“Just the week.”
“Okay. Well, if I don’t see you before you leave, I’ll call you. Thanks, Reid.” He smiled at Tara and Owen. “It’s good to see you. Come back and see me again soon, okay, little buddy?”
Owen nodded. “See you soon.”
~ ~ ~
Tara enjoyed the feel of the sun on her back as they walked back to her apartment. The weather had cooled off over the last few weeks, and there was a hint of fall in the air.
She smiled as Reid took hold of her hand. She still had that surreal feeling, as if this was all just a dream and she’d wake up soon. “What do you want to do this afternoon?” he asked.
“Park.”
She looked at Owen in surprise. “You want to go to the park?”
“With Reid.”
Reid smiled at her. “Does that work?”
“It works for me, if it works for you.”
“I’d love to.” She was a little wary about it. She knew it’d be busy on a Saturday afternoon, but if Owen wanted to go, then she was hardly going to say no.
It was busy when they got there. Busy and loud. Kids were running around, laughing and playing. Families sat on blankets or played ball games. Owen still clung to Reid’s hand and shrank behind him as a girl ran in front of them laughing.
“What do you want to do?” she asked Owen. She half expected him to say he wanted to go home.
“Rocks.”
She chuckled. Of course, he did. “Okay, then.” She led the way over to the edge of the playground to his favorite spot. He loved to collect pebbles and pieces of quartz and then sit and arrange them by size and color.
“Where are the rocks?” Reid asked him.
He led Reid to the edge of the path and started to pick up an assortment of pebbles.
Tara watched as Reid joined in. She had to wonder what he made of all this. He understood Owen so well, but she was fairly sure that he wasn’t used to hanging out with little kids. Once they each had a handful of pebbles, Owen led Reid to his usual spot and plonked himself down on the ground. Reid sat beside him and watched as he began to sort them.
“Is this your favorite game here?” he asked.
Owen nodded and continued sorting.
Tara sat down beside them, then looked up at the sound of her name being called.
“Hey, Tara!”
It was Deb. She was hurrying toward them with a big grin on her face. This should prove interesting.
“Hi, Deb.”
Deb gave her an exaggerated wink and shot a glance at Reid. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
“Sorry, yes. Deb, this is Reid. Reid, this is my friend and neighbor, Deb.”
Reid got to his feet and shook hands with her. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too. I saw you at the book drive yesterday. You’re Reid Davenport, aren’t you?”
He nodded.
“And I’ll bet that was your limo outside the building last night, wasn’t it?”
He nodded again.
Tara felt bad for him. She didn’t know him well yet, but she imagined this was more than a little uncomfortable for him. To her relief, Deb didn’t stick around.
“Well, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to say hi.” She grinned at Tara. “You call me when you get a minute. You know why.”
“Will do.” Of course, she knew why. Deb would want to know the whole story—and every detail.
“It was nice to meet you,” said Reid. “I’ll see you again.”
Both Tara and Deb looked at him when he said that. He smiled at her. Apparently, he’d wanted to make a point, and he’d made it well.
“Don’t like her,” said Owen once Deb had gone.
“Owen!” Tara had to hide a smile. Deb had a good heart, but she wasn’t really her kind of person, let alone Owen’s.
Reid chuckled, and she just knew that he felt the same way as Owen.
“Go home now?”
“Okay, let’s go.” He wasn’t upset. Apparently, he’d just wanted to share one of his favorite pastimes with Reid.
“Was that embarrassing for you?” Reid asked as they walked home.
“No. Not at all. I know she’ll grill me when I see her again. But …” What the hell, she might as well say it. “It’s hardly embarrassing for me to be seen with you. I know she’s wondering how I managed it. I was thinking it was more embarrassing for you.”
He chuckled. “I’m the one who wants to show off about being seen with you.”
She looked up into his eyes.
He nodded. “It’s true. You’re right that Deb made me a little uncomfortable, but just because people mostly do. I’m happy for your friends to see us together. I’d like my friends to see us together, too.”
“You would?”
�
�Yes. If you want to.”
She nodded. She’d been trying not to think too far ahead. They barely knew each other yet, and she still wasn’t convinced that they’d know each other at all after this week. She didn’t want to set Owen up for disappointment, and she didn’t want to set herself up either. “Maybe next time you’re in town?”
He cocked his head to one side. “Not yet?”
“No.”
“You think I’m not coming back?”
She nodded. “It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just that …” She shrugged, hoping that he wouldn’t be offended—or worse, tell her she was right.
“It’s okay. I understand. You’re right to be cautious—it’s only logical. But for once in my life, I’m being the illogical one.” He shook his head, looking slightly puzzled. “There’s something much bigger than logic going on here.”
Wow. She didn’t know what to say to that. She didn’t know what to make of what was going on between them. She liked the idea that it was something big and special—maybe something real and lasting, but that seemed too good to be true. She’d rather hold back and see what happened.
When they reached her building, Owen let go of Reid’s hand and ran to the elevators. He pressed the button and watched the light above the doors as the elevator made its way down from the twelfth floor.
They rode up in silence. She was wondering if he’d leave now, or how long he planned to stay. She hoped he’d stick around while Owen took his nap. A shiver ran down her spine. She’d love to spend an hour alone with him. She kept remembering the way he’d kissed her last night. Her whole body tingled when she thought about it. It wasn’t as though they could do anything—at least, nothing more than kissing again, but even that would be wonderful.
When she let them in, Owen went straight to the bathroom. She’d wondered whether he’d interrupt his routine because Reid was here, but apparently not. He came out ten minutes later in his pajamas. His hands and face were washed, and his hair combed. “Naptime,” he announced.
“Sleep tight, little buddy,” said Reid.
Owen smiled at him. “See you in one hour. No less.” He repeated what Tara always told him when he went for his nap. He usually stayed down for an hour and a half these days, but he used to get up after ten minutes sometimes and then be cranky all evening. She’d taught him that this was his quiet time for at least an hour, and today she was grateful that it had become an integral part of his routine. It meant she was almost guaranteed a whole hour alone with Reid. She shivered again.
Once she’d settled Owen into bed, she came back out and closed his door behind her. When Reid smiled at her, it was different. The lust was back in his eyes. Apparently, he was thinking the same way she was.
She smiled back. “He wasn’t joking when he said see you in an hour and no less.”
“I believed him.” He ran his gaze over her, and the heat started to build between her legs. “He’s a great little guy. I’m enjoying spending time with him, but I’ll be honest, I’m looking forward to having his mom to myself for an hour.”
“What do you want to do?” She was turned on just by the way he was looking at her. If he said he wanted to take her to bed, she’d go willingly—despite her better judgment.
He smiled. “I can’t tell you what I want to do—though I’m sure you could guess.”
She nodded sadly. He was going to be the voice of reason for her, and she was grateful for it—though a little disappointed, too.
“It’s too soon anyway.” He sounded more like he was trying to convince himself.
“You’re right, but I have to tell you. I wouldn’t say no.”
“That’s good to know.”
She laughed. “I’m sure it’s obvious?”
“I was hoping I was reading you right.”
“You were.”
He patted the space on the sofa beside him. “Want to sit?”
She went and sat down, and he slung his arm around her shoulders.
“I don’t know why you’re wasting time with me. You could be with a child-free woman right now. I’m sure there are plenty of them who’d happily jump into bed with you this afternoon.”
“I’m sure there are. But I’m not interested in a woman who’d do that. I’m not interested in a child-free woman. I’m interested in you.” He brushed his thumb over her cheek and then tucked it under her chin, tilting her head back, so she was looking up into his eyes. “I wish I could jump into bed with you this afternoon.”
She nodded. She couldn’t look away from his deep green eyes that were searching hers.
“But I’m happy to wait for that.”
She chuckled. “I can’t say I’m happy.”
“Maybe happy is pushing it. But I’d rather wait until the time is right. There’s no rush. You said I’m wasting time with you. I don’t see it that way. I feel like I’m investing time—in us.”
Her breath came out in a big sigh as he tangled his fingers in her hair and drew her closer. She’d love for them to become an us. She’d love for this to be a beginning. She was starting to think it could be.
He brushed his lips over hers. They were warm and soft. It started out as just a sweet kiss, but she wanted so much more. She looped her arms up around his neck and drew him closer, wanting to feel his hard body pressed against hers.
The kiss intensified. He held her tighter as his lips crushed against hers and she sank her fingers into his hair. He moaned, just as he had last night when she did that. It turned her on so much. She lay back on the sofa, taking him with her so that he was awkwardly lying on top of her. He buried his face in her neck, nibbling and sucking. It was too much. She spread her legs, desperately wanting to feel him between them. She let out a needy little moan as the bulge in his pants pressed into the heat between her legs. He felt so good, but she wanted so much more. She rocked her hips wildly, realizing, but not caring that she was desperately dry humping him.
His hand had found its way under her top, and his fingers teased her nipple through her bra. She nipped his lower lip and wrapped her legs around his, needing to feel him against her.
“I want you, Reid,” she breathed.
He lifted his head and looked down into her eyes. “I want you, Tara, but we can’t.”
She knew he was right, but she didn’t want him to be. “We have an hour.”
He closed his eyes in what looked like pain. “Don’t tempt me. Please.”
“He won’t wake up. We can go in the bedroom and close the door.” She slid her hand between them and stroked him through his jeans, knowing that would help her case.
“We can’t,” he said again.
She nodded sadly. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“God! Don’t be sorry. You have no idea …”
He got to his feet, and for a moment she wondered if he was disgusted with her for being so desperate. She should be disgusted with herself, but she was too turned on. It had been too long, and he was just so damned sexy. “Reid, I …”
He shook his head. “I still don’t think we should, but even just to make out, we should take it to your room and close the door.”
She got to her feet, and he took her hand and led her to her room. Once they were inside, he closed the door behind them. “Do you lock it?”
“I probably should.”
Once she’d locked it, she turned to see him sitting on the bed. He patted the space beside him with a smile, and she went to him.
Within a matter of seconds, he was on top of her again. She struggled with his zipper, just wanting to feel his hot hard cock pressing between her legs. Her skirt was up around her waist, so once she got him unfastened, there was only the thin layer of their underwear between them. She pushed his jeans down to his knees and spread her legs wider, needing to feel his hardness push into her soaking panties. He thrust his hips, and she moaned and began to move with him.
He rolled to the side, ma
king her sigh with frustration. He was right, of course. Before she had a chance to speak, his lips came down on hers, and his hand stroked its way down over her belly. She clung to his shoulders and kissed him back as his fingers slid inside her panties. She tensed as he stroked her and circled her clit with his thumb. Then she bit down on his shoulder as he thrust two fingers inside her. His thumb worked its magic as he drove his fingers in and out. Her hips moved with him, bucking wildly, trying to draw him deeper. She didn’t even last a minute. All her muscles tightened around him, and a white-hot ball of pleasure exploded, sending waves of pleasure crashing through her. His lips found hers, and he kissed her deeply as she came hard. There was something about that kiss—it was so intimate. He’d made her come, and now he was claiming her at her most vulnerable while her orgasm shook her.
When she was spent, she clung to him, still breathing hard.
“I could deny myself, but I couldn’t deny you,” he breathed.
She buried her face in his neck. “I’m sorry. I was all over you … I couldn’t. I shouldn’t …”
He titled her chin to make her look up at him. “Don’t ever apologize for wanting me.”
She smiled. “Okay then, I won’t. But I owe you one.”
He chuckled. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Chapter Nine
Reid made his way back to his room after breakfast on Sunday morning. He’d stayed at Tara’s until late last night. It had taken every ounce of willpower he had to leave. They’d made out like horny teenagers again after Owen had gone to bed, and he’d been so tempted to make love to her. He blew out a sigh as he rode the elevator back up to his room. He was glad they’d waited, but he didn’t know how much longer he’d be able to hold back. He stepped out of the elevator and walked down the corridor to his room. He always took a room as far away from the elevator as he could get. He disliked the noise it made—and the noise people made while they waited for it. An elderly couple emerged from their room and smiled politely as he passed. He smiled back. He wondered what their story was, why they were here. He imagined they’d been married fifty years or more. That made him smile. It made him wonder what that would be like. How would it be to share all those years of your life with someone? As he opened his door, he realized that he wasn’t just wondering about someone; he was wondering about Tara. What would it be like to spend fifty years with her?
