I let my thoughts settle, then continued. “When I got out, I had to figure out how to live in the real world, what to do, and how to find my place. It took me a while to find a job, and though I hated it, it was honest. I lived in a tiny room again, but at least I was free and I could sleep.” I heaved a sigh. “I never really slept that entire four years. I was always on guard, listening, waiting, tense. The first thing I bought with my first paycheck was two deadbolts, and I installed them on the door. I think that was the first decent night’s sleep I had in years.”
I glanced at her, shocked at the tears coursing down her face. “Hey,” I murmured, brushing at the wetness in wonder. No one had ever cried for me until today. “It’s okay, Becca. It’s all behind me.”
She sniffled and wiped away the tears. More gathered in her eyes. I decided to stop talking about my time in jail and move forward.
“Getting the job with BAM was a game changer. The guys opened up a whole new world to me. I owe them everything. My loyalty, my gratitude, my life. I have a job I love, a place to live, people I call friends and care about like family. Who care about me the same way.” I hesitated, then wrapped my hand around hers. “The only thing missing is someone to share it with. I was really hoping you might be willing to take a chance on me, the way they did.”
“I want to.”
“You’re still concerned about my past?”
She dashed away more tears. “No. I’m amazed at what you’ve overcome. How you pushed yourself and became the person you are.”
I drew my finger under her eye with a frown. “Why are you crying, Becca?”
“It hurts me to hear what you went through, and how lonely you were, Reid. Not only in prison, but your whole life. I-I can’t stand to think about it.”
I turned fully in my seat, edging closer to her. She shifted so our knees pressed together. I ran my hands up and down her arms in a comforting gesture. “I’m not lonely now. I never feel lonely when you’re close.”
“How do you feel?”
I smiled, tracing her cheek. “Hopeful.”
“Hopeful?”
“Hopeful that maybe I finally found someone who can accept me for Reid, mistakes and all.”
“I don’t see mistakes when I look at you.”
“What do you see?”
She tilted her head and studied me. “A strong, caring man, who instead of becoming bitter and twisted, found a different path and is more than his past.”
I slid my knee between hers, pushing closer.
“Could I be more for you, Becca?”
Her breath washed over me. “Is that what you want?”
“Yes. I know I’m terrible at showing it, but I want more with you.”
She lifted her hand, clasped the back of my neck, and played with the ends of my hair. Her touch made me shiver and brought a sense of relief that coursed through my body.
“Why do you say that?”
“Every time I’m around you, I get flustered. I have so much to say, but I forget how to say it. I stumble around a lot and stutter.”
She slid her hand into my hair, caressing my scalp. I wanted to bury my head into her chest and let her keep doing that for the rest of the day. Her touch felt so right.
“You do stare at me a lot.” She cleared her throat, her voice teasing. “Especially at certain areas.”
Guilty, I lifted my gaze. I had been staring at her breasts again. Between her mouth and tits, I was fascinated.
I cleared my throat. “Parts of you are pretty spectacular.”
She raised her eyebrows and laughed. “Parts?”
“W-Well,” I sputtered, “all of you is . . . But some parts, yeah, extra spectacular.”
Her dimple appeared. “I see.”
“You make me stupid. I can’t concentrate.”
“You’re getting better. Practice makes perfect.”
“Can I practice with you?” I grinned.
She closed the distance between us, her mouth touching mine. “Yeah, Reid, you can practice.”
Then she kissed me.
* * *
We moved to the sofa, both of us more at ease. We kissed again, her mouth far too tempting to resist—especially when she seemed to feel the same about mine. Her taste and the way her tongue felt pressed to mine was heaven. I loved the way she tangled her hands in my hair and the light tugs as our mouths moved together. I pulled her onto my lap, the feel of her curves pressed to mine increasing my desire. Not used to being touched, I found it an odd sensation. Becca was the exception to the rule. I was certain she was the exception to every rule for me.
No one had shown me any affection unless Mrs. Reid gave me a fast hug or Rodney punched my arm in one of his offhand gestures. Aiden, Maddox, and Bentley were big into fist bumps and high fives as their displays of acceptance. Sandy knew my boundaries and accepted them, although I didn’t mind her pats on my cheek and motherly hugs on occasion.
But with Becca, I craved her closeness. The way her hands felt on my skin, her body against mine. Whenever she was in the room with me, I wanted to be close.
The way we were now, with my chest touching hers. Mouth to mouth, sharing oxygen. Our tongues sliding, tasting, and exploring. She made a sound, low in her throat—a cross between a whimper and moan—and it cranked me up, making me want to hear it again. Discover what other sounds she made.
She eased back, dropping her head to my chest, breathing hard. I kissed her hair, the silken strands tickling my lips.
“Too much, BB?”
She lifted her face, a lazy smile curving her lips. They were swollen and pink, wet from my tongue. Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes glazed over. I ran my finger over her cheek. “Another spectacular look.”
She rolled her eyes. “BB?”
“I think of you as Becca Baby. If I think it too often, it’s going to come out at work. So I shortened it.”
“I see.”
“You hate it?”
“No. I’ve never had a nickname.”
“Not even when you were little? Your dad didn’t have a nickname for you?”
“No, my dad was, is, a no-nonsense guy. My name is Rebecca, and that’s what he called me. He still does. He didn’t like it when I shortened my name.”
I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Why do I have a feeling your dad and I will never get along?”
She looked thoughtful. “There is that chance. But then again, he might surprise me. He disliked Richard intensely when he met him, and now they get along fine.”
“Why did he dislike Richard? I mean, he’s your boss.”
She sighed, laying her head on my shoulder. It fit there as if it was made for her. I leaned my head on hers as she spoke.
“My dad sees things as black and white. He grew up in a different era, and he forgets things have changed and evolved, I think. At times, he is inflexible. He, ah, accused Richard of having inappropriate thoughts about me.”
I lifted my head, gaping at her. “What?”
“I know. It was ridiculous. Anyone who has ever met Richard and has seen him with his wife would know how stupid that sounded. He adores Katy. Worships her, in fact. I spent a lot of time with Richard at work, and I talked about him. My dad assumed there had to be more than a work relationship. In his mind, why else was Richard bothering with me?”
I felt a ripple of anger flow through me. “That’s rather insulting. To both of you, but especially you. You’re his daughter. Surely, he knows you better than that?”
She smiled at me. “I love that you immediately jump to my defense.”
I shrugged. “I know you well enough to know that.”
“I was embarrassed and upset. It caused a rift between us. Richard was furious and went straight to my father, with Katy in tow, and told him off. They both did. Richard told him he should be proud of me, not casting aspersions on my character—or his. He said my father had insulted him and his wife, and that they were both very fond of me. He said his expectations
of me were business-related and nothing else.” She lifted one shoulder. “He told my dad to get his head out of his ass, apologize, and figure out what year it was. He made him apologize to Katy.”
“What about you?”
“My dad waited a few days, called me, and I went to see him. He did apologize to me.” She sighed. “He’s a hard man at times, but he is my dad.”
“What if he hates me and tells you to dump me?”
She was silent for a moment. “I hope that doesn’t happen, Reid,” she admitted. “But I’m a grown-up. I decide who will be in my life, not my dad.”
“It would still be difficult.” I ran my fingers through her hair. “I don’t want to complicate your life. But at the same time, I want to be in it.”
She smiled, cupped my cheek, and pressed her mouth to mine. “We’ll figure that out when it happens, okay? Right now, I’m happy to be here with you.”
I tugged her closer. “Me too.”
A while later, she shifted and met my gaze, her expression curious. We hadn’t moved, curled together on the sofa, talking, kissing, and holding hands. I hadn’t gotten any of the things done I had planned, but I refused to move. I liked being near to her.
“Reid, I need to know . . . why-why are you still a virgin?”
I lifted one shoulder, trying not to grin at her hesitance in asking. “How I grew up wasn’t exactly conducive to having a girlfriend, Becca. I mean, I kissed a few girls when I was a teenager, and I dated a couple of women when I got out of prison, but somehow, to me, I wanted it to be special. No one ever made me feel as if I wanted to share that part of me. It was one thing I had that was mine.”
“I’m not a virgin,” she stated, worried.
“I would hardly expect you to be. I think if I hadn’t gone to prison, I wouldn’t be one right now either. But that’s the way life turned out. I’m not ashamed of it, even though I know it’s highly unusual.”
She looked toward the counter, tracing her finger around the edge of her coffee mug. A smile played on the corner of her lips as she remembered how I vaulted over it earlier. The thought made me smile as well.
“Is it wrong I find that kind of hot?” she asked under her breath. Her gaze flew to mine. “The virgin thing—not that you’ve been in prison.”
I chuckled. “I figured that. But, seriously, Becca, will you be able to move past the prison thing? And the fact that I have no family, no clue who I am, really?”
She frowned. “I’m sorry you were in prison. I hate what you went through your entire life. But you do know who you are. You chose that person. You’re Reid Matthews.”
“And Reid Matthews is . . .” I left the sentence hanging, wanting her to finish.
She smiled. “Reid is someone I want to spend a lot of time with. I want to know him—all of him.”
“I’m rather new to the whole dating thing. I’ll probably screw it up.”
“I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. We’ll take our time and learn together.”
“Does time include more kissing?”
“Definitely.”
“And, ah, other things?”
“When you’re ready. You’ve waited so long, Reid. Don’t rush.” Before I could reply, she said the words I was desperate to hear.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
* * *
We spent the entire day together. I worked on the system, with Becca acting as my assistant. More than once, she rose up on her toes for a kiss. More than once, I had her pressed to the wall, devouring her mouth. It was the best install I had ever done.
“You are such a good kisser,” she murmured against my mouth. “How can a virgin be so good at kissing?”
Pleased she was enjoying my caresses, I grinned. “I have kissed girls and women, but, as I said, I haven’t gone beyond that.” I cupped her face, dragging my lips across her cheek to her sensitive earlobe. “I was waiting for the right person.”
“And I’m that person?”
“Yes,” I stated with conviction, dropping another kiss to her mouth. “You are.” I ran my fingers over my lips, then grabbed my drill.
“Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“You press your fingers on your mouth every time we kiss.”
“Oh, ah . . .” I stalled, looking over her shoulder. I felt heat prickle my neck.
“Tell me,” she insisted. “I want to know.”
“I like how it feels when you kiss me. I guess I’m sort of sealing you into me. Keeping your taste locked into my mouth.”
She stared at me, blinking and silent.
“Is that weird? It’s weird. I’m sorry.”
I wasn’t prepared when she launched herself at me. The drill flew one way; we hit the wall behind me, a mass of entangled arms and legs, her mouth on mine, hard and passionate. I slid down the wall to the floor, taking her with me. She was ferocious in her intensity, her kisses deep and possessive.
“You say the most erotic words,” she groaned. “Sealing my taste into you?”
“So, not weird?” I moaned as she kissed her way down my neck.
“No, not weird.” She hovered over me, her dark hair falling like a waterfall around us. “You turn me on like no man has ever done, Reid. Ever.” She kissed me again.
I was good with that.
Eventually, we got off the floor, finished the install, and I explained how everything worked. Since her apartment was smaller and older, she had no use for many of the features, but I liked knowing her place was more secure. She loved the little camera so she could see who was at the door and the fact that she didn’t have to have keys since she admitted to losing them a lot.
I pushed her laptop toward her. “Okay, you need to input your password. Make it something you can remember, but it needs a capital letter, a number and a special character.”
She frowned in concentration.
“I can always override it, if you forget,” I offered.
She tapped the keys with a grin.
“Enter it again.”
She did, her grin getting wider. I looked at my screen. “Okay. You’re done.”
“You want to know what it is?”
“Um, you want me to know? I can unlock your door, then.”
She sidled close, sliding her arm around my waist. Tucked in tight to my side, she grinned at me.
“Reidskiss#1”
I chuckled. “Really?”
“Yes.”
I wondered if she knew how her words made me feel. She liked my kisses. She liked me. I mattered to her. I felt ten feet tall.
“Can I take you out to dinner?”
“Really?”
“Yes. I want to take you on a date.” I looked down at my casual jeans and shirt. “I guess not a proper date, but I’ll make up for it next time.”
“You don’t have to be in a suit for it to be a proper date, Reid. I like casual. I have to be dressed up all week for work, so it’s nice to relax on the weekends.”
“What’s your favorite food?”
“Hmm. Chinese or Italian. I love them both.”
“There is a great place a couple of blocks from here. Awesome Chinese. Small and casual. After, we could take a walk and get ice cream. For some reason, I always want ice cream after Chinese food.”
Her eyes glowed. “Me too!”
I held out my hand. “Okay, BB. Let’s go.”
* * *
Becca studied the menu on the wall, her nose scrunched in thought. She looked adorable, and I kissed the end of her nose. “Make up your mind.”
“I never know what to get, so I get the usual, then I wish I had tried something different.” She nibbled on her lip in frustration.
“Get a triple scoop.”
“I can’t eat that much ice cream!”
“I can. I’ll get a triple, you get a double, and we’ll share. Five flavors.” I nudged her forward. “Now pick.”
Ten minutes later, we were strolling down the street, ha
nds clasped, eating ice cream. My huge cone contained chocolate peanut butter, marshmallow fudge, and moose tracks. Becca had banana fudge and black cherry. All of them were awesome. I ate faster than Becca, and she kept slapping my hand away from grabbing her cone. Laughing, I yanked her into my arms and kissed her in the middle of the street, not caring who might be watching. She tasted of ice cream, happiness, and life. Simply being with her made me happy. I had never known a feeling like it in my life. She clung to me as if she felt it too. When I lifted my head, I gazed down at her, mischievousness making her eyes dance with delight. Ice cream dripped down my hand, and with a sexy smirk, she licked it off my skin, her tongue lingering on my fingers. I groaned and shook my head.
“Tease.”
She shook her head slowly. “No, it’s a promise.”
I rested my forehead on hers. “You can’t say things like that to me.”
“I think I just did.”
“I want you so much,” I pleaded to her skin.
“I told you there’s no rush. I’m not going anywhere.”
I laughed and stood back, trading cones with her. “Unless I explode.”
She giggled, the sound teasing but still seductive. “I won’t let you explode”—she slid her hand into my back pocket and squeezed my ass—“unless it’s in the very best way. I promise.”
As we walked, I licked the cone, needing to stop the ice cream from cascading down the sides. She watched me intently.
“I can hardly wait to see what you do with that tongue on me.”
I almost swallowed said tongue. Choking, I mock-glared at her. “What did I say about not saying stuff like that to me?”
She snickered, trading cones once more. “I love seeing your reactions, but I’ll stop if you want.”
I studied her. She was happy and laughing. I felt lighter, more at home with myself than I had my entire life. I liked how her hand felt resting against my ass. I enjoyed how she felt nestled into my side. I loved tasting the ice cream her tongue had licked.
Vested Interest Box Set Books 4-7 Page 9
