He kissed me again, first on the lips, before moving to my earlobes, my neck, my stomach, and he continued his trail down. I thought I couldn’t take anymore. “Reed, please. I want you,” I pleaded. I tried to keep my expectations to a normal level as he moved over me. I closed my eyes—waiting. He thrust inside me, and I knew it was going to be different. We moved together perfectly. I opened my eyes, and he watched me intently. I didn’t worry about being quiet. I didn’t care who heard. He brought me over the edge, and I could barely breathe as he reached his own climax. We lay there panting, neither of us saying a word.
He moved off me, keeping an arm around my waist.
“Oh my god. Have I really been missing that this whole time?”
“I’m afraid so.” He grinned. “If it makes you feel any better, I was thinking the same thing.”
“Please tell me we’re going to do that again.” I ran a hand down his chest.
“Trust me, we will. Many, many times. We have months to make up for.”
“That sounds so good.”
He laughed. “My little sex addict.”
I swatted at him. “I am not—maybe a Reed addict.”
“Reed addict? I like that.” He ran his hand down my stomach again.
“That feels good.” I closed my eyes.
“Yeah? How does this feel?” He moved his hand lower.
“And you talk about being lucky…” I gasped.
His lips brushed against my earlobe. “Am I better than that study group?”
“So much better.”
“Good. Let me know if that changes.”
“Oh, I will.”
***
I woke up snuggled in Reed’s arms. Early sun poured into the room, spilling across us.
Reed mumbled something, pulling me close. It didn’t take me long to realize that even though he was sleeping, he was definitely ready for action. I decided that if there was ever a time to wake him up, it was the present. I moved out of his arms, grabbed the package of condoms he’d left on the night stand, and climbed on top of him. I let out a deep breath. This was definitely a first. I adjusted us, and his eyes flew open. “Juliet.”
I didn’t wait for him to fully wake up, but it didn’t take long. He reached up and fondled my breasts. “I thought you weren’t a morning person.”
“I’m not—but if I get to do this in the morning, I don’t mind so much.”
He moved his hands to my hips. “You can do this any morning—every morning.”
We moved faster, and I was nearly out of breath when I collapsed on top of him.
“I think we should stay in bed all day.” He ran his hands down my back.
“That sounds good, but we’ll need food. All of this has me hungry.”
“I’ll keep you fed.” He smiled.
I rolled off him, glad when he wrapped his arms around me.
“You are even more amazing than I’d imagined.” He kissed my forehead.
“The same goes for you.” And that was putting it mildly.
“It’s good to know you imagined it.”
“Of course I did…” If I was honest with myself, I’d been imagining it since I’d met him. I’d pushed my feelings away because of Dylan, but my attraction to Reed had been there from the beginning.
He laughed. “You had me fooled.”
“I can see that.”
We spent another hour in bed before deciding to find breakfast. He held my hand as we walked to the elevator, and pushed me back against the wall when the door closed. “Just so you know, I’m no longer keeping my hands off you.”
“I don’t want you to.”
“Good.”
I was so distracted I didn’t realize the elevator had stopped on another floor.
“Ahem.” I peered around Reed to find an older couple giving us a look.
“Sorry,” I said quickly before looking down.
We got off in the lobby and went outside. “Are you in the mood for anything in particular?”
“Something sweet. Maybe a pastry.”
He smiled. “Sweet, huh? The only problem is that won’t really keep you full. You need protein.”
“Reed?”
“Yeah?”
“I want something sweet.”
He laughed. “Fine. I think there’s a café around the corner.”
“Good. I can have protein for lunch.”
He took my hand. “This feels so good.”
“Holding my hand?”
“Yes, but I mean everything. Being together. I’ve wanted this for so long.”
“How long?”
“Since laser tag.” He squeezed my hand.
“Really? You liked me all decked out?”
“You look hot in everything, but it was your attitude that got me. Most girls would have hid from me instead of taking me out.”
“I did shoot you in the back.”
“True… I need to remember that.”
I used my other hand to swat at him. “It was a game.”
“I know. I take it from your reaction that you didn’t like me then?”
“I obviously noticed you were attractive.”
“Obviously? That’s good to know.”
“But you were wearing a hat backwards.” I didn’t actually want to admit it, but I decided to anyway.
“That was enough to write me off?”
“Not write you off… but I kind of assumed you were a jerk.”
“You do realize how superficial that sounds, right?”
“Yeah, just a little.”
“What changed? What made up for the backwards hat?”
“Getting to know you.”
“All right. So when did you figure out you liked me?”
“I don’t know. It kind of snuck up on me. The first time I really knew it was when you wouldn’t go to my Halloween date party with me.”
“I already had plans.”
“I know, but I figured out that I wasn’t just disappointed about not having a date—I was disappointed you didn’t want to be my date.”
“I did want to be your date, but it was too late to cancel.” He dropped my hand to put his arm around my waist. “I didn’t know you even cared until Aaron called me.”
“So he did call you. I figured…”
“He pretty much called me an idiot and told me to get over there before you hooked up with some bartender.”
“What?! I wasn’t going to hook up with the bartender. And why would he tell you that?”
“He knew how into you I was…”
“Oh. I didn’t think you’d told anyone.”
“I think it was pretty obvious. Well, and I threatened to beat the crap out of Dylan on a daily basis.”
I laughed. “I’m glad you showed up, and I’m also glad you’re going to my semi-formal with me.”
“Too bad yours doesn’t involve a hotel.”
“We can still go back to your place after…”
“Of course. You can do that any night.”
“Good to know I have an open invitation to the messiest room in the world.” I assumed it hadn’t gotten any cleaner since I’d last seen it. I wondered how different it would be to see it the next time.
“It’s not that bad.” He pushed open the door to the café. It was a small space, but cozy, decorated in all sorts of French décor—from signs to paintings.
“No, it could be worse. As long as you change your sheets, we’re okay.”
“I do my laundry. You’re the one who forgot my stuff in the washer.”
“Maybe, but at least I know how to sort my clothes.”
He laughed as he led me to the counter. I checked out the display case, eventually settling on a chocolate croissant. Reed got one too. He also ordered us coffees. I loved how he didn’t have to ask how I liked mine. He knew to put in exactly one and a half packets of sweetener.
We took a seat at a small table, and I dove right in to my croissant. “Mmm, this is so good.”
/> “So, you make that sound other times?”
My face heated when a couple at the next table looked at us. I kicked Reed under the table.
“Hey!”
“You deserved that. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“You can’t blame me.”
“I was there too, and I’m thinking about normal things.”
“I didn’t moan.”
I shook my head. “What’s the plan for today?”
“Anything you want to do, darling.” He leaned over and wiped chocolate off my lip. It was such an intimate gesture, and he seemed to do it without thinking.
“Good. Let’s explore.”
We ended up in Forsyth Park. As someone who loves Southern foliage, I was in heaven. Yeah, I know I talk about trees a lot, but they make me happy. Large, mossy oaks lined the park. I had a feeling they’d be nice when it was hot. It wasn’t the trees putting me in such a good mood that day though, it was Reed.
“You aren’t too cold, are you?” He squeezed my gloved hand. The temperature had dropped into the forties. Thankfully, the sun helped a lot.
“I’m fine.” I smiled.
“You seem happy.”
“I am. Beautiful day, beautiful park, and good company.”
“I’m not beautiful?” he teased.
“Of course you are.” I took my hand from his long enough to pat him on the back.
He took my hand in his again. “Part of me doesn’t want to go back.”
“I know what you mean. I don’t want this to end.”
“It won’t end. It will just have to fit into the real world.”
“Good thing my boss won’t mind me flirting with you on the job.”
He laughed. “I think he’s going to insist on it.” He leaned in to give me a quick kiss. “This park is really nice in the spring. We’ll have to come back.”
“Did you come to Savannah a lot growing up?”
“I didn’t move to Charleston until my last two years of high school.”
“Oh… I thought you were from there.”
“No. I moved down from Philadelphia after Shannon died.” He looked away.
I squeezed his hand. “You just wanted to get away?”
“From my parents. I can’t even look at them. I make it my business to stay away when they visit Al.”
“You mean when they visit you…” I said it softly, but I wanted him to hear.
He responded just as quietly. “Yes.”
“Do you blame them? For not believing her?”
“For not believing either of us. For caring more about reputation than their daughter.”
“It’s been five years…don’t you think it’s time you gave them a chance?”
“You’ve been my girlfriend for less than twenty-four hours, and you’re already nagging me?”
“Girlfriend?”
“That wasn’t a random hook up, and this isn’t a casual date.” He said it so confidently, like there was no other way to view it.
“Girlfriend. I’m Reed’s girlfriend.”
He laughed. “Trying it out?”
“I think it fits.”
“I know it does.” He put his arm around my waist, pulling me against his side, and I knew I’d found my favorite spot.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Reed kissed me goodbye when he dropped me off in front of my dorm. Other than that, it could have been like any night after work. That was one of the best parts of our relationship: how seamlessly we’d moved from friends to more than friends. It didn’t stop there either.
We fell into an easy routine during the last few weeks of classes and exams. We already worked together three nights a week, and I usually ended up spending those nights at his place. One side benefit was that I saw Cara tons more. She spent almost every night with Aaron. Mallory joked that we needed to find her another Kappa, but I think she enjoyed the single life.
I’d managed to avoid Dylan so far, but he still left me weekly voicemails to “check in.” I told Reed about them, just to keep everything in the open. He offered to talk to Dylan for me, but I was afraid talking might involve a fist, and the calls weren’t that bad. I assured him it wasn’t that big of a deal.
“Have you figured out your winter break plans yet?” Reed moved behind me on his bed, giving me a shoulder rub. I needed it. Putting off my biology studying was turning out to be a huge mistake.
“My brother, Brandon, is supposed to pick me up after my last exam, and my dad is going to bring me back.”
“Any chance you’d come back early for New Year’s?”
“Won’t the dorms be closed?”
He pulled me back against him. “This house won’t be.”
“My dad would have a heart attack.”
“Can’t he drop you off at the Delta Mu house?”
“Reed Bryce, are you suggesting I lie to my father about my sleeping arrangements?”
He took one of my hands in his. “You’re already doing it. I doubt they know how often you stay here.”
“True.” I definitely hadn’t mentioned that to my parents when I’d told them about my new boyfriend. “All right. I’ll come back early.”
“Good. I want to spend New Year’s together.”
“Me too.” I turned around and got in his lap.
“Before I get too distracted, I have another idea.”
“Yeah?” I asked impatiently. I really wanted him to kiss me.
“I can drive you home and save your brother the trip.”
“But then you’d have to drive back.”
“So? I have nothing planned.” He stretched out his legs. We’d been sitting for way too long. I was so sick of studying for finals it wasn’t funny.
“You really don’t mind?”
“Nope. The question is, are you ready to introduce me to your family?”
“My parents are going to be in Vermont visiting my dad’s sister, so it will just be my brothers.”
“Should I worry about meeting them?”
“Probably a little. They’re kind of protective.”
He leaned his head closer to mine. “I bet I can handle them.”
“I bet you can, but let’s stop talking about my brothers.”
“I like that idea.” He pulled my face to his and helped me forget about studying biology.
***
“Are you ready for the ultimate road trip?” Reed stowed the last of my bags.
“We have snacks and music. I think we can handle it.” I got into the passenger side, still not sure how I felt about going home for break.
“It’s only eight hours.” Reed must have mapped out our trip up to Maryland.
“I can’t believe you plan to turn around and head back in two days.”
“What’s the problem? You don’t think that’s enough time to show me around?”
“It’s a lot of driving.”
“I appreciate your concern for my well-being.” He pulled onto the interstate, and I felt a mix of emotions. I missed my family, but I wasn’t looking forward to spending even a few days without Reed.
We spent the trip singing along to bad pop songs and trying to come up with New Year’s plans. An eight-hour drive had never gone by so fast. We only stopped twice for gas and food, and before I knew it, we were at my house.
“Nick? Brandon?” I knew my brothers were both around because their cars were in the driveway.
“Up here,” Nick called down. It sounded like he was in the attic.
I walked up to the second floor and called up the attic stairs. “What are you guys doing?”
Reed followed me up the attic stairs.
“Looking for Dad’s old records.”
“Because that’s not weird.”
“You’re weird. They’re for a friend.” Brandon finally noticed Reed. “Oh, hi.”
“Hey, I’m Reed.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Brandon, and this is Nick.” He pointed at his twin. They weren’t identical, but peo
ple usually thought they were.
“Great to finally meet you. I’ve heard all about you.” Reed seemed so comfortable. I’d have been nervous if I was him.
“Only good things, I hope.” Nick nudged me in the side. He always did that.
“Of course. Would you really think otherwise?”
“Yes,” both my brothers said at once.
I sneezed from the dust. “Can we please get out of the attic?”
“Yes, Princess,” Nick mocked.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I headed downstairs, pulling Reed with me. I didn’t stop till we were in the den.
We sat on the couch, and my brothers each took chairs.
“We’re probably supposed to grill you or something, but anyone willing to put up with our sister can’t be that bad.”
I stuck my tongue out at Nick.
“But seriously, it’s cool you drove Juliet up.” Brandon was probably glad he didn’t have to make the trip.
“Not a problem. I don’t have much going on, and I wanted to meet some of her family.”
“Our parents wanted to meet you. You’ll have to come back some other time.” It was weird hearing Brandon talk like Reed and I were going to be together long-term. I guessed that was the assumption when I brought someone home.
***
“Was that Al?” I waited for Reed to hang up his phone. I’d just come back down after taking a shower.
“Yeah. He says my parents are coming for New Year’s instead of Christmas this year.”
“Oh. Are you going to see them?”
“You really want me to, don’t you?”
“You already know that answer. They’re your parents, Reed.”
“I’m only going to do it if you’re with me. I can’t trust myself to not go off on them otherwise.”
“I’ll be there.” I sat down next to him on the pull-out couch he was sleeping on. I’d offered him my room, but he’d refused.
“I don’t want to leave tomorrow.” Two days had moved far too quickly. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet.
“You don’t have to.”
“Yeah, I do. I have to work Wednesday.” Reed didn’t get a week and a half off the way I did.
“Fine. At least I’ll see you next week.”
The Hazards of Skinny Dipping Page 16
