Reed's Reckoning

by Ahren Sanders

  While Reed gives Davis his bath, I finally allow a few tears to fall. Emotions wash over me and I hang my head trying to calm down.

  “Hey, now, what’s wrong?” Reed whispers and pulls me into him. The smell of his cologne engulfs me and I inhale deeply. It is another reminder of all the times I spent in his arms. Even though I’m emotional, my body reacts to his and I feel my nipples tightening against my tank top. I try to form words.

  “I-I-I’m s-s-so sorry. I know that’s not how we talked about telling him but my mind went blank.” The look on his face still fresh in my head. Davis has never questioned who his father is even though he sees other children with their dads. I feel a sense of relief and at the same time guilt. Will he remember this and hold it against me one day?

  “Baby, it’s okay. The end result is the same. Now he knows. No more hiding.”

  His arms are still around my waist and when I look up our faces are inches apart. He’s leaning down into me and his eyes have turned a crystal blue. Everything in my mind is telling me to move back but my body is betraying me.

  “Ari, you are so beautiful.” He lowers his gaze to my mouth and licks his lower lip.

  Without thinking, I lift up and press my lips to his. As soon as they touch, there’s an explosion of familiarity. He cups the back of my head with one hand and grabs my ass with the other, pulling me as close as possible. When his tongue slips into my mouth, I whimper. At first we are both gentle, but then our mouths attack each other. Our tongues swirl together and I hold onto his biceps for balance. I’m dizzy from lack of oxygen, but can’t break away. My free hand massages his scalp lightly, remembering he loves it.

  “Daddy! I’m weady to get out.” Davis calls from the bathroom and we both go still.

  I try to stop but he holds onto me slowing us down. When he leans back, he showers my face with small kisses. I’m breathless and turned on everywhere.

  “Over four years. That’s how long I’ve gone without your perfect kisses. Four fucking years.”

  “Shh, Reed. That shouldn’t have happened.”

  “Yes, it should have.”

  “No, it was an emotional reaction.”

  “Tell yourself whatever the hell you want. But it’s going to happen again, soon.”

  I want to argue, but he steps back and places a quick kiss to my forehead then goes to Davis. I run to my bathroom and shut the door. My reflection shocks me. My face is flushed and my lips swollen. My whole body is strumming with need. What the hell did I do?

  Reed

  Her smell is everywhere. Just rubbing up against me for a few minutes coated my body with her scent and my dick approves. I have to adjust myself several times while trying to snap Legos and build the boat in the diagram. Davis doesn’t notice, but does continuously instructs me on the right way to do this.

  Several times, I laugh out loud at his bossiness and word choices. He definitely gets his attitude from his mom. We only have thirty minutes until his bedtime. I negotiated two books tonight since tomorrow is such a big day.

  Then I plan on cornering Ari right back into the same position we were in before we were interrupted. Preferably, this time, I’ll have her on her back. I felt her nipples poking through her thin shirt into my chest. If I had a few more minutes, I could have seen how wet she was. Her tiny shorts were begging me to slip my fingers inside and test her.

  After Ari and I broke up, I was never into kissing. Shit, most of the time I could fuck and duck without ever touching the woman’s lips. It was just too painful because Ari’s taste is addictive and I didn’t want anyone else. But when our lips connected, it was like I was born to kiss this woman. I was serious; it is going to happen again, and again, and again.

  There’s no denying the chemistry we have together. Even though she made me wait for sex in college, everything we did was explosive. Our bodies knew exactly what to do with each other. When she finally let me make love to her, I could swear there were fireworks in the room. She was meant for me. The way her body accepted mine was magnetic.

  “Daddy? Did you hear me?”

  His little voice draws me out of my memories and back to the room. Realizing my little boy just called me daddy makes my heart race. “Whatcha got?”

  “Nuthin, I asked where mommy is?”

  “Shower, buddy. Let’s get this mess cleaned up and get you to bed.”

  I want everything to be done when Ari finishes. She thinks she is clever trying to avoid me, but I’m on to her. She did everything to stay out of the living room tonight, even starting her laundry, which she doesn’t do until Sundays.

  Once I get him into bed, he only lasts for one book before he is sound asleep. I kiss his temple and turn off the light. Then I go on a mission.

  I find Ari on the front porch with a glass of wine reading. She smiles at me lazily.

  “He’s out huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You want another beer or do you have to leave?”

  “I’d love a beer but do you mind getting it? My knee is killing me.”

  The way she jumps up almost makes me feel guilty, but I needed her to go inside in order to put my plan in place. When she disappears into the kitchen, I settle back on the swing with one leg propped up. Then I move her wine right next to me and wait for her.

  Her eyes slant slightly when she gets back and notices I took her seat. She hands me my beer and goes to get her wine when I tug her down between my legs, eventually trapping her by wrapping my other leg around her small body.

  “I thought your knee hurt? This is a lot of moving around for a man in pain.”

  “What can I say? It was a miraculous recovery.”

  “Humpt! You did that on purpose.”

  “I did. I see you putting your walls back up and I won’t tolerate it. You’ve been avoiding me all night.”

  “I have not; I’ve been taking advantage of having someone to keep Davis busy.”

  “Angel, don’t lie. You’re terrible at it.”

  I sweep her hair over her other shoulder so I can rub circles on the skin below her ear. Her lips part slightly and her breathing hitches. Instead of relaxing, her back goes straight. I try to pull her back to me but she resists.

  “Okay, you’re right. I was avoiding you. What happened in the kitchen can’t happen again. It was a mistake.”

  “What exactly was a mistake? Because I recall us sharing a soul-searing kiss that was hot as fucking hell.” I move my hand over and massage the base of her scalp.

  “Reed, we can’t do things like that. What if Davis would have walked in? I know he’s young but I don’t want to confuse him.”

  “Why would he be confused by his mom and dad kissing?”

  “How are we going to explain when he sees you with other women? Or hell, if I ever meet a man?”

  Ice shoots through my veins. Any hard-on I had just touching her is now gone. The thought of her with another man makes me see red. And why in the world would she think I’d be with other women? She’s all I want.

  “Arianna, I am going to ask you a question and don’t even attempt to lie to me. Have you brought men around Davis before?”

  She looks shocked but then angry. I squeeze my legs in case she tries to get away from me. My voice sounded harsh but she’s lucky I can even form sentences.

  “Absolutely not! He’s only been around a few men outside of Luke and most of them are related to school or my work. I would never parade a man in front of him.”

  “Then why would you assume he’s going to see me with other women?”

  “Because I know your lifestyle.”

  “No, you know my old lifestyle. The one I left behind when I found out I had a son. Also the one I left behind when I came face to face with the woman of my dreams again.”

  “Please don’t say things like that,” she barely whispers and two tears fall down her cheeks.

  “Ari, I can’t change what I did in the past and I am not proud. But I can promise you my focus is differen
t. The past three weeks with you and Davis has been amazing, and I hurt every night when I think that someone took all these years away from us. But I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.”

  “How can you be sure? How—”

  I don’t let her even finish her sentence before I lean up and pull her to me, crashing my mouth on hers. I pour all my energy into kissing her and trying to make her forget any objections she has in her head. She resists me at first but turns around to give me easier access. I run my hands up her arms and feel the goose bumps trailing my touch. Our tongues move in sync and she moans against my mouth. My dick jumps to full attention in my shorts and strains against my zipper. I know she feels it against her hip because she stops kissing me for a brief second.

  Shaking my head, I suck her tongue the way she used to like. Then I slow down and nibble on her bottom lip. We’re both breathing heavy and when my eyes open, she is staring at me.

  “Angel, let this be a new beginning for us. I’m going to find out what happened all those years ago, but I’m also going to prove to you that we can be good together again.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Reed, I was destroyed. Now I have a life and people that depend on me. I can’t be selfish and make poor decisions.”

  “Are you saying I would be a poor decision?”

  “No, I’m saying this is a huge risk.”

  “No, it’s not. I’ll try my best to go slow, but promise me you’ll give me a chance.”

  “Can you give me a little more time? I’m not saying no. I’m saying your version of slow may give me whiplash.”

  I grin knowing she is referring to the night in the park I claimed her. Even though she held out on sex for months, I never cared. She was mine.

  “Yeah, I can give you a little more time. But since we’re here and I’m comfortable, why don’t you lie back against me and fill in the gaps on you the last four years? We’ve spent so much time talking about Davis, I haven’t heard much about you.”

  She looks at me a few minutes and then situates herself on her side. She leans her body weight into me and starts talking. I lose myself in the sounds of her voice and try to picture every detail she says. When she tells me she will know in the next week about her promotion, my mind goes back to the night I heard her on the phone with Luke. I listened to her run through the slides and marketing plans several times until she nailed it. She deserves the job.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asks me, breaking my thoughts.

  “Don’t be mad.”

  “Not a good sign when you start a sentence out like that.”

  “Well, I sort of heard you on the phone that night with Luke practicing your proposal. I had come to talk to you but when I heard you mention the big meeting, I couldn’t interrupt. I sat around the corner and listened to you.”

  She doesn’t say anything but studies my face for a second before grinning. I kiss the tip of her nose and squeeze her. Her body feels so good pressed against mine and I wish I could stay this way all night. But I need to get home and soak my knee before my run tomorrow morning.

  “I hate to do this, but I do need to get going. I have some rehab to do.”

  A flash of disappointment crosses her face, but she lifts off me and stands so I can get up. She turns to walk me out but I grab her elbow, lifting her slightly so I can kiss her again. This time there is no hesitation on her part. She throws her arms around my neck and holds me tight. I intentionally rub my hands up her sides touching the underside of her breasts. She moans slightly and I swear she grinds on me. Shit! If I don’t’ stop this now, I will fuck her against the front door with our son asleep on the other side.

  “Baby,” I whisper against her lips.

  “Hmmm?” she groans back.

  “You want me to carry you inside to your bedroom and finish this? Because that’s what’s going to happen if we don’t stop.”

  My words register quickly because she pulls away so fast, she almost falls. Her face heats with embarrassment.

  “Don’t get shy. I was trying to incorporate my new way of going slow.”

  She nods her head but stays quiet. Then I get an idea.

  “Do you think Katy would mind watching Davis for a few hours for me to take you to dinner tomorrow night?”

  “I could ask her. But if not her, I could ask Sophie.”

  “Do it. Try and arrange it and let me know in the morning. I’m driving us to the park so be ready by nine.”

  “I can meet you there. Some of the mothers mentioned letting the boys play afterwards.”

  “Then I guess I’ll be hanging with the moms.”

  Before she can argue, I kiss her quickly and walk to my truck. She gives me a slight wave when I drive away.

  When I get home, I grab a beer and change into my swim trunks. As I slide into the warmth of the hot tub, I pick up my phone and make the call I’ve wanted to make the last month.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Mama, we need to talk.”

  Chapter 8

  Ari

  “Shit, Soph, I don’t know! What am I supposed to think?” I pack the cooler in the kitchen while Davis watches cartoons.

  I spent the last thirty minutes telling Sophie about my entire night with Reed. She squealed, panted, and cried through it.

  “You’re supposed to think this is a second chance for y’all.”

  “For what? A few weeks? His job and home are not here and mine are. How could we possibly have a relationship?”

  “Are you shitting me? A commute is hardly a reason to put the brakes on a chance at reconnecting with your first and only true love. I saw the way he looked at you on the beach that day. He still cares for you deeply. I’ve tried to stay away and give him time with Davis, but I knew in my heart you needed that time too.”

  “What if it goes bad again and he decides to leave me on his own terms this time?”

  “You’re an idiot. I don’t think that’s going to happen, but if it does, you’re a grown woman now. You are more mature, you have a support system, and you have a JOB! Don’t be such a pansy ass bitch and give him a chance.”

  “Wow, really nice words from my supposed best friend.”

  “You know I’m right.”

  “Okay, so if you’re so on-board, will you babysit tonight? He wants to take me to dinner.”

  “Only if you let me dress you.”

  “I can dress myself!”

  “Sure you can if you’re going to a bankers luncheon or an insurance conference. This is Reed fucking Matthews. Your first love, the father of your child, and the man women dream about. You need to look like the twenty-five year old vixen you are; not the mom you think you look like. I’m all in favor of this, and you should play the game a little. Make him desperate to have the woman you’ve become.”

  I hate to agree but she makes sense. “Okay, fine, but remember I can’t walk in anything over three inch heels.”

  “Perfect! I’ll see you at the fields. Muah!”

  She hangs up before I can say goodbye and I hear Davis squealing. If Reed brought him another present, I’m going to kill him.

  I’ve already piled the chairs and our bag by the front door but I pull the heavy cooler behind me. When Reed sees me, he puts Davis down and stalks over. Taking the handle out of my hand, he wraps one arm around my waist and kisses me briefly.

  “What are you doing?” I hiss and see Davis watched the whole thing.

  “Kissing you good morning, taking the cooler to the car, loading up—what do you think?”

  “I told you I don’t want Davis to be confused.”

  “And I told you I wouldn’t give him reason to be. Now I hate to admit it, but I need your help.” He walks away and drags the cooler with him outside.

  I make Davis go to the bathroom one more time and we meet at Reed’s truck where he has a new top of the line car seat sitting in the driveway. His face is twisted as he reads the instructions. I laugh at his confusion.

&nbs
p; “You bought a car seat?”

  “Yep, but didn’t know the motherfu—I mean beast was going to be such a pain to put in. Do you know what to do?”

  I look at him and back to his huge double cab truck and burst out laughing. Davis joins me jumping around and swinging his arms. He even says “Daddy is silly” over and over until Reed’s face turns red. I control my laughing to a giggle and nod my head.

  “You know we could have taken my car and you wouldn’t have to buy this thing.” I say lifting it into the backseat. He comes up behind me and grabs my ass with both hands.

  “How long does Davis need to be in one of these things?” he asks shielding us from view.

  “Depends on weight and age, but probably another year.” I try to act unaffected.

  “Don’t you think I needed one then?”

  It hits me hard. The ignorance I’ve been living in the last few weeks crumbles. Davis and his dad are going to do things together and I’m not the only parent anymore. The thought rocks me to my core and I freeze. He realizes it and pulls my back to his front.

  “I see you finally understand, Angel. Get used to it.” He kisses my neck and goes to the other side of the car to learn how to install a car seat.

  Once I teach him how it goes and we get the back latch tightened, I explain how to buckle Davis in. His face contorts and it takes three tries, but he finally gets it right.

  We ride to the fields listening to Davis tell us all about how he plans to play and help everyone score. Reed sighs several times before giving up and just agreeing with him. Sophie and Luke are waiting by the gates and when I get Davis out, he makes a beeline for Luke. Jumping in his arms, he raves on about his game and his new daddy.

  Luke freezes and he looks at me. Reed stops beside me, noticing the tension in my body. He looks back and forth between us and puts his hand on the small of my back. I jerk away.

  “What the fuck?” he says a little too loudly.