“What happened to the smile?” He leaned in and asked as he started walking them toward the front door.
“Listen, Reed, I can’t dance,” she said, panicked, looking back at him.
“Of course you can. We danced the other night,” he said, opening the door with one hand, still guiding her out with the other.
“No. I told you then, too. That was kind of holding each other. I can’t dance like at a club. If that’s what you’re thinking,” she said, stopping right in the entranceway and placing a palm on his chest. She had to get him to hear her words. All he did was give her an indulgent look while taking her hand in his, caressing her palm with his thumb.
“You looked bored as hell in there. I know a place around the corner I go to sometimes. It’s a little livelier,” he said, walking past her and pulling her along behind him. Reed went to the curb and looked around. They were on a packed street in downtown and the car was stuck several spots down, trapped between two parked cars and a wall of traffic. Reed reached for his phone as he shrugged off his suit coat. “We’re going to Screamers. We’ll walk,” he said into the phone. He draped his jacket around her bare shoulders. The thing swallowed her.
“So, wait, are you saying we are or aren’t going dancing?” she asked, not paying attention to anything else going on around her.
“You seem comfortable in those high heels. We have about a block to go. You good with that?” he asked, ignoring her question completely.
“I love my shoes.” That effectively took her mind off the dancing and she looked down at her feet. She’d spent months learning how to walk properly in high-heeled shoes. She loved the way they made her feel. Did he not like them?
“Get that look off your face. I was just making sure your feet didn’t hurt. I was trying to be considerate.” He linked their hands together, guiding her around the building. “Come this way.”
“I like my shoes,” she said again, a little lamely.
“I do too. I don’t have to bend as far to kiss you.” He leaned down, surprising her with a light kiss on the lips. He pacified her in a very manipulative way. She was silent for several long moments until she gave him a sideways glance and he laughed at the smile she hid.
“You’re risking great embarrassment by doing this.” She brought the conversation back to the real issue…dancing.
“We don’t have to dance. I just want you to see I’m not always a stuffed shirt,” he said, taking her around the corner and down another busy street.
“I never thought you were,” she said, moving around an aggressively kissing couple.
“Really? I’ve seen you eat an appetizer, large cheeseburger, all the French fries, then some of mine, and finish off a dessert. I swear I don’t know where you put it. But tonight, you picked at that dessert. You were bored.”
“Not bored, just out of my league,” she said, happy he remembered their first meal together. A loud firetruck chose then to turn down the street, sirens blaring as it raced by.
“What’s that mean?” Reed asked when he could be heard again. She paused a second, trying to decide the best way to answer.
“Is it a hard question?” he asked, chuckling, looking down at her.
“You have to see that I don’t fit well with people. I just don’t like for that to rub off on the friends I have.” She decided on honesty when nothing else came to mind.
“I don’t see that at all.” His brow furrowed until he finally looked at her like she was little crazy.
“Come on, you do too. Kade sees it, but he also causes it. He’s too protective of me,” she said, waiting at a light to cross the street.
“Yeah, I noticed that,” Reed said dryly, and Lara laughed, bumping him in the shoulder.
“No, you didn’t. You barely met him,” she said.
“He came and had a talk with me. Did you tell him we’re dating?” Reed did air quotes over the word talk with his free hand.
“When? What did he say?” Lara asked, surprised. Reed stepped off the curb, pulling her along with him. Her mind was blown Kade had taken things so far. He never got involved in her relationships except to tease her for who she chose to date.
“Can we talk about that later and stay on topic? Who doesn’t like you?” Reed asked, walking a little faster now. After a second or two, she allowed him to steer her from more questions about Kade, even though she really wanted to know about that.
“Pretty much everyone. I don’t make friends easy. I never have.” She had to jog a step or two to keep up as the light turned during their last few steps.
“Like who?” he asked, turning her again. This street was even more crowded than the other. A long line of people were snaked down the side of the building.
“Everyone at the office,” she stated matter-of-factly.
“That’s because they’re jealous,” he said, and she barked out a laugh.
“What in the world are they jealous of?” She stopped right in her tracks, daring him to even continue in that line of thought.
“Really? Are you fishing or serious?” he asked and tried to get her walking again, but she held her ground.
“Definitely not fishing.” She stayed firm. “And if you say it’s because I landed you, I’ll probably hit you. I already had to hear all that.”
“You’re gorgeous, you’re smart, you speak several different languages, you’re composed, sophisticated, funny, and did I say gorgeous?” He waggled his eyebrows and leaned in to kiss her upturned lips. She didn’t participate that time. She just stood there, blinking at him.
“I am not those things,” she finally said defensively. The only truth in his words was the several languages. Okay, and maybe smart. Nothing else described her at all. After a minute of her just staring at him, he did a dramatic eye roll and tugged at her arm.
“You don’t see yourself clearly. I’m pretty sure Kade sees you clearly though. It’s probably why he encouraged you to wear those ugly little clothes.” Reed’s big smile showed her that he knew he’d hit a chord with that comment.
“They are business professional!” She almost yelled those words. She was so tired of defending her clothing choices. “I’m pretty sure just about every employee in every place but this particular town wears those clothes to work. Dallas is just a catwalk everywhere you go.”
“Ugly professional. You looked like a rectangle inside them. But Kade’s a good friend to you. I have a set of them back home that always have my back. Candace is related to one of them. I respect that,” he said. They came to the Screamers entrance and Lara realized all those people in line were waiting to get in. Reed kept going, walking toward the front doors.
As they took the steps up, Reed moved into the lead, leaving Lara trailing behind him. He nodded at the bouncer who watched the front door. Reed’s demeanor changed. He lost that easygoing guy he’d been just seconds before. He was back to the formal, no-nonsense man he’d been at dinner. The handhold tightened. He bypassed the payment counter and walked inside the crowded nightclub. The music blared, beating to the flash of the lights. She couldn’t hear a thing, but watched as several people patted Reed on the back or shoulder as they passed. Reed knew his way. He skirted the dance floor and never stopped until they hit the back stairwell. They walked up two flights of stairs to a darker area of the club. The attendants at the roped off areas never stopped him. He was allowed access all the way up. It shouldn’t have surprised her. That was how he was treated everywhere he went, but this was a little over the top.
The volume of the music lessened as the higher they went. He wound his way through the crowd on that floor, not stopping until he reached the far back corner. A coffee table had a reserved tent card placed on the top. Of course it did.
“You own this place?” she asked, now that she didn’t have to yell over the noise.
“Just like I said, you’re pretty smart,” he answered, moving aside as he ushered her in the leather booth style seating first. She took his coat off and handed it t
o him as she passed by.
“Yeah, that wasn’t hard to guess,” she said, sitting in the farthest back corner.
“Hi, Reed, your normal?” a young woman asked. The girl’s shorts were so short, there was no way they covered her butt.
“Yes. What would you like?” he asked Lara.
“Water’s good,” she called out, and Reed just looked at her, cocking an eyebrow.
“I know she likes champagne. But I bet she likes something sweet. Bring her a Gypsy Girl,” Reed said loudly to the waitress, but kept his eyes on Lara.
“Sure thing.” She was gone as quickly as she came. He tossed the jacket over the back of the booth and loosened his tie, unbuttoning the top buttons of his dress shirt before working the silk tie off.
“You didn’t really just say water, did you?” Reed asked, placing an arm around the back of the booth. He sat to the side of her, staying all in her personal space.
“It’s late,” she explained.
“It’s Friday night,” he reasoned. Reed reached up to remove his cufflinks and dropped them in his slacks pocket before he rolled each sleeve up.
“Here you go.” The waitress placed napkins on the table with a water for Lara on one and a martini glass on the other. Reed took his glass before she could set it down and handed the martini glass to Lara before he took a drink. His eyes stayed on her through it all.
“It feels good to be here with you. Do you like your drink?” he asked, taking a big swallow of his. His gaze never left her face so he knew she hadn’t had a drink yet. She brought the glass to her lips, taking only a sip, and tried not to cough. The drink was strong, but sweet like he said and he just grinned. He repositioned, moving the glass of water to the side. Reed took a seat right in the middle of the coffee table, directly in front of her. He positioned his legs around hers, caging her in. His knees bumped the booth seat. He took another long drink as he rested his free hand on her thigh. His eyes were back on her.
“You’re too smooth,” she said, taking another tentative drink. His hand on her leg began a slow, steady caress moving from her knee to the hem of her dress. His gaze was directed straight at her, the intensity had her fighting the need to squirm. He was such a nice-looking man and now all that was focused just on her. It was a lot to take in. “Are you sure you wouldn’t be more comfortable over here?” She patted the seat next to her.
“Positive. I like looking at you.” She could feel the blush forming from his scrutiny, and she lifted the cold glass, taking a much bigger drink this time.
“Your blush? That’s sexy as hell to me.”
“You’re embarrassing me,” she said and purposefully looked away.
“Why? Because I’m appreciating a beautiful woman that’s chosen to spend time with me?” She laughed at that one and took a smaller drink this time, already feeling its effects.
“You’re so charming,” she finally said, looking back at him, rolling her eyes a little.
“I’m glad you think so.” He skimmed his fingertips up and down her thigh until he boldly reached under the hem of her skirt.
“Not here. Anyone could see,” she scolded, removing his hand, but he linked their fingers together instead.
“No one can see.” He drew her forward as he brought her knuckles to his lips for a kiss.
“Everyone can see,” she countered. Reed moved his upper body to one side so she could see the entire floor had emptied. They were the only two there. “You just move mountains without even saying words. That’s incredible. Is this like routine? How do they know to do that?”
“You ask too many questions.” Reed placed his drink on the table and used his brute strength to move her closer. She was forced to sit across his lap.
“Yeah, this is better. You’re so little.” He wrapped her in his arms, his palm running up and down her thigh to her hip. “Drink that so I can hold your hands.” She mindlessly downed the rest of the potent drink. He took the glass, setting it next to him. He didn’t take her hands like he said, but ran his palm up and down her arm until he reached her neck and drew her forward as he leaned in. His eyes were on her lips. “I’m gonna tell you something I haven’t ever said to anyone before.”
“Okay,” she whispered back, her voice a little husky with her breath caught in her throat. He held this magical power over her. One minute she felt on solid ground, the next she teetered on an edge, ready to fall.
“I think about you too much… You’re making it difficult for me to get my work done. I missed you today. I couldn’t stay away tonight. I needed to see you,” he confessed and drew her in, pressing his lips against hers. She opened, but he didn’t immediately take the invitation. He just held her tightly in place. Lara reached forward to drape an arm around his neck as she caressed his face with the pad of her thumb. She turned her head slightly, opening a little farther. She was crushed against him.
The passion conveyed in that one kiss was as heady as the alcohol she’d just drank. She took as much as she gave. No man had ever said words like that to her before. She was putty in his hands. He broke away first, breathing heavily, his gaze pinned on her face, and she trailed kisses along his face, neck, and ear. It took many long seconds to discover he was denying her his mouth. “I wanted to show you a good time, then invite you back to my place, but I’m failing because I need to be inside you, Lara.”
Only then did she realize his hand was underneath her skirt, skimming the outside of her panties. He had to feel the confirmation of her desire as he stroked her through the thin fabric. She hadn’t even noticed he’d gone there. He was so daring and that drink he’d just served her was too much. She couldn’t afford to lose herself to him because he had no limits. No boundary was strong enough to hold him back. She clasped a hand around his arm, feeling the muscle flex as she tried to remove his hand, but he fought the move as he whispered in her ear, “Just a touch. I love to feel how much you want me.”
“No, Reed. Not here. No.” She let out a gasp as he pushed his fingers against her covered core.
“Yeah, I know you want me. If you’d touch me, you’d see how much I want you,” he whispered on a ragged breath, but allowed her to shove his hand out from under her skirt. She started to move, but he locked his arms around her and positioned her better to where she sat across both his legs. He wasn’t letting her go. They eyed one another until he reached down and drew her arms up, draping them across his shoulders. “Can we go back to my place?”
“I think I’m too easy for you,” she countered.
He chuckled slightly and shook his head. “You’re anything but easy. Say yes.”
She stared into his eyes. She saw emotion that didn’t make sense. She should say no and go home tonight. She didn’t have to have sex with him every time they went out. She should keep him guessing, truly not be quite so easy.
“Am I the only one you’re having sex with right now?” She felt him tense at the question. Even to her, it had been an unexpected question, pulled out of nowhere.
“We’ve already talked about dating exclusively.” Which didn’t answer her question at all. Actually it came out a little defensive, like when she’d told him she dated the men she slept with. She started to speak, but paused, her breath hitching in her throat. There was silence between them as they stared at one another. Disappointment filled her heart.
“You didn’t answer my question,” she finally said in that same defensive tone.
“That’s what you want, right? No one else, just us?” he asked her in a completely different tone of voice. He was hard, his body tensed, his hold tightened.
“I don’t know. I thought… Well, I didn’t think actually of this until right now.” She bit her lip and again tried to shift off his lap. He wouldn’t let her move.
“I haven’t had a girlfriend before, so saying I’m dating you exclusively isn’t a stretch, but you’re right, sex is a different matter.”
“Not to me.” He hurt her with those words.
“I k
now. I told you I’m willing to play by your rules, but that means I want you available to me. I swear something’s wrong with me. I think about you all of the time. I want to make love to you right now so bad it hurts.” He took her palm and guided it down to his cock, grinding his stiff length against her hand. “This is the way I am all the time since you fell into my life.”
She stared at him. The words he said made no sense. “Why me?”
“Stop asking me that,” he said, aggravated.
“Then promise me when you’re through with me, you’ll just say the words and not string me along.” That had been her needling concern all day long. She hadn’t let herself overthink things, she’d gone with the flow, but those words needed to be said and she watched him closely for his response. She’d go along with being called his girlfriend, and she’d be there whenever he wanted her around, but he had to be upfront with her when he was done. That was all she wanted in return.
“I can’t promise you long-term if that’s what you’re getting at. We’ll date and have exclusive sex, but I can’t go to any more of a commitment than that. I’m not ready for that.”
“Of course not. Just tell me when you’re done. Promise me that,” she pushed again when he hadn’t answered her question.
“All right, I give you my word. Now come home with me. Text Kade and tell him you won’t be home tonight. Stay with me all night. I like waking up with you there,” he said, reaching for a small kiss. She denied him, turning away before he made contact. She had to finish this, and he was making it so hard.
“We need to use condoms until I’m on the pill.” The last word came out a sensual moan as he latched on to her neck and his hand slid back under her skirt. It was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, but she broke from his tender assault and started to rise. If she stayed there, he’d have her straddled across his lap in no time. He was brazen enough to think he had the right to do her right there in his private area.
Chasing Happy (Texas Desires #1) Page 21
