“Are you sure I was drugged and not just drunk?” I asked. Part of me wished the entire situation were just one cosmic mistake.
“You had all of the classic symptoms of someone high on E. Alcohol doesn’t dilate your pupils.”
I started to choke up again. Tears brimmed in my eyes and then overflowed, cascading down my cheeks. “I’m so lucky you found me. I really can’t thank you enough.”
Reed engulfed me in his strong arms and cradled my head against his chest. “Try to remember last night. For me,” he spoke into my hair.
I breathed in his scent, feeling warm and safe. I focused all of my energy on remembering last night.
Max.
Foam.
Max with a foam bra.
Ugh. Several unwanted memories flooded my brain, along with something useful. “I had three drinks at the lobby bar, and then the bartender at the rave gave me a shot of his “special” tequila. I don’t remember taking any pills or anything else about last night.” Given my current position in Reed’s arms, I decided not to mention Max.
“Good. Let me know if you remember anything else.” Reed ran his fingers through my hair, methodically stroking.
At some point, his touch stopped soothing and became something else. It awakened a primal urge. Heat pooled between my legs as my body came alive with a low tingle.
I wasn’t ready for this.
Not now anyway.
Besides, Reed was probably just being nice. It would be totally awkward to make a pass at him and get turned down. “I should shower and let you go,” I said into his chest. “I’ve probably ruined your plans for the day. I’m sorry for being such a burden,” I murmured.
Reed put his hand on the small of my back and gently pushed me upright. He looked straight into my eyes. I should have felt self conscious under his scrutiny. Instead, the way he looked at me made me feel beautiful.
“Believe me, nothing about you is an inconvenience.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll leave you to shower and get ready. I have some things to take care of. Are you going to be okay if I leave?”
No.
I shook my head up and down. “I think so.”
“No more panic attacks?”
I hoped not. “No,” I said emphatically.
He lifted my chin. “Please don’t worry anymore about last night. You have nothing to be ashamed of.” His fingers gently stroked my cheek. “I need to see you later. I think it means something that we’ve run into each other twice in such a short period of time. Let me take you out to lunch this afternoon. Meet me at 3:00 in the lobby. Bring some extra warm clothes for the evening.”
“Reed, you don’t need to go to the trouble. I’m the one who inconvenienced you, I should be treating you to lunch,” I protested.
“Trust me. It’s my pleasure.” Extracting me from his lap, he got up and headed toward the door. “I’ll see you later okay?”
“Yes.” I gave him a small smile and a wave.
Reed closed the door quietly behind him.
I let out a huge breath and fell back against the bed. My heart galloped away from me, while I tried to make sense of things. What were the odds of getting saved by a handsome stranger twice in only a matter of days? Not just any stranger, but a man that made my body come alive. It was time to move on and put myself out there, hand over some control, and trust somebody other than myself. I couldn’t think of a better person to trust than Reed.
With little time to get ready for my date, I jumped up and ran to the bathroom. Without thinking, I looked at myself in the giant mirror. A squeal escaped my lips, only they weren’t mine, they belonged to a drowned raccoon.
I can’t believe Reed saw me like this and he asked me out on a date! Maybe it was a pity date? Or maybe he actually liked me. The thought made butterflies form in my stomach.
I turned on the shower and froze.
Where the hell was Marlowe?
I hadn’t seen her since last night. If our drinks were drugged at the lobby bar, she could be in serious trouble. Before I panicked and called the police, I decided to check my phone. Marlowe sent a text at 2:00 a.m.
Marlowe: Eva, having fun with Aaron and Will. Don’t expect me home tonight. P.s., Saw you dirty dancing with Max. Glad to see you’re finally following my advice and loosening up. WWMD!
Relief flooded my overworked brain, but only lasted a moment before being pushed away by shame.
Dirty dancing with Max.
Did Reed see?
Did I make a complete fool out of myself?
I could spend hours wondering about my bad behavior. Without another thought, I centered myself in the present and slipped into the shower to wash away the remnants of a night best forgotten.
Chapter 7
Clothes lay haphazardly all over the room. After trying on everything in my suitcase, I finally decided to wear a white eyelet dress with a pair of classic tan leather wedges. My tote was packed with a sexy bikini and a more demure one piece in case Reed had something sporty planned. I also packed two cover-ups, a pair of shorts, a sweater, sunscreen, and some almonds. Being prepared allowed me to feel in control. After last night and my massive fuck-up of an interview, I desperately needed to gain some sense of ownership back over my life. Things didn’t happen to me, I made them happen for me.
I arrived in the lobby ten minute early. Glancing at myself in the mirrors, I decided to touch-up my makeup and what better way than to check out that bathroom Marlowe had told me about?
I opened a mirrored door and walked into a sleek bathroom with slate floors, a giant oval shaped mirror, and stainless steel vanity. The toilet looked normal enough, but the wall next to the toilet was anything but. Three large sliding panels took up the wall, each with a pair of gold eyes emblazoned on them.
What the fuck?
Could people watch me through these?
I opened the middle panel and peeked in. A dark empty room sat on the other side, sparsely furnished with a comfortable leather chair, a side table, and a garbage can full of tissues. Disgusting!
Suddenly, the space brightened as the door opened. I jumped to the side of the panel, but didn’t close it. Inside, I heard rustling and a man’s chuckle.
“Anyone in there?” His deep voice filled the small confines of the bathroom, startling me.
He chuckled again. The leather chair creaked and groaned under his weight.
I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to open the door. I was just checking it out.” I stayed hidden and hoped he would get the drift and leave.
I stood quietly, listening to his breathing.
“First time?” He asked, breaking the silence.
“Yeah, I mean no. I didn’t even know what the panel was for and now I’m going to close it.”
“At least let me see the face that matches that sensuous voice.”
“I don’t think so!” I laughed and whipped the door shut. Taking a deep breath, I fled the bathroom without applying any lip gloss or taking a second look back.
Outside, I scurried away from the bathroom and busied myself counting the number of cameras positioned around the room. One or two cameras would make sense for security purposes, but fifteen? My spine tingled as I imagined a perverted man sitting in front of a wall of televisions next to a mountain of tissues on the floor.
Forcing the unpleasant thought down in the gutter where it belonged, I let my mind wander to Reed. I wondered what he had planned for lunch? And if he would share any more details about last night?
The sound of approaching footfalls had me whirling. I couldn’t help but grin as Reed approached with a self-assured stride. My eyes scanned his figure like a metal detector, appreciating every glorious inch of his unrivaled masculinity. His dark espresso eyes performed their own search of my body. Despite watching over me all night, he looked fresh and well rested in khaki pants and a fitted black polo.
Reed embraced me, his scent enveloping me almost as strongly as his arms. His lips brushed across
my cheekbone until they found my ear. “You look beautiful.” His hot breath made my back arch.
Dizzy in his orbit, I took a little too long to respond. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“Shall we?” He grinned and offered his arm.
My fingers wrapped around his large bicep, skin on skin, electricity sparking between us.
Did he feel it too?
Reed led us outside to a midnight black sports car parked in the circular drive. As sexy as Reed was, the car held its own in his presence. Letting go of Reed’s arm, I whistled appreciatively and let the car’s magnetism pull me forward. My fingers skated along the sleek metal. Reed’s reflection in the passenger window gave a sultry grin from behind. “I guess we’re going to lunch in style!” I turned around, a toothy smile spreading across my face.
“Only the finest for my date.” Reed’s grin widened, mirroring my own. “It’s a brand new Tesla. The owner of the hotel is letting me borrow it while I’m here.”
“He must really trust you. This car is easily worth more than most people’s annual incomes.”
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Ronnie and I go way back. I’ll try to introduce you two sometime this week.” Reed opened the passenger door. “Watch your head, it is kind of low.” He kept a guiding hand on back, until I found a comfortable home on the charcoal leather.
I sunk into my seat and gazed up at white puffy clouds and clear blue sky through the glass roof. “Now this is a luxury car!” Met with silence, I turned my attention to Reed. Totally oblivious to being caught, he continued staring at my legs.
To my immediate surprise, being ogled by Reed filled me with more satisfaction than winning Top Selling Agent last quarter. During my teenage years, my Mother taught me to define my self worth according to my accomplishments and charitable actions, not by the way I looked or the attention I received from the opposite sex. But Reed’s adoration negated all of her feminist training.
Could I blame him for looking? At only five-three, my legs were long for my height and very tone thanks to almost daily runs and jujitsu training. I considered them to be my second best feature, only preceded by my tits.
I breathed in the new car smell and mused, “I think I’m in love.”
“Me too,” Reed muttered under his breath and closed my door.
I giggled and watched his sexy ass while he walked around the front of the car. He slid inside with the grace of a predatory cat and grinned at me before turning on the engine.
As he drove out of Club Voyeur, I couldn’t resist giving the car a more detailed interior inspection. My fingers roamed along every smooth curve, exploring the juncture between hard and soft on the dashboard. “I’ve wanted to ride in one of these since I first heard about the company,” I admitted, pulling down the visor to see the futuristic looking vanity mirror.
“I’m glad I can fulfill your wish.” Reed kept his attention on the road, which had two lanes but barely seemed wide enough for one car.
“This is the sexiest eco-car ever made,” I purred. “I could live in this car.” I touched the giant computer screen on the console, bringing it to life. The front page of the New York Times came up. “Wow,” I whispered. “Does this have an auto read feature?”
Reed’s laughter pulled my attention away from at least a dozen other gizmos just begging to be touched. “You’re like a little girl in a candy shop. I can’t wait to see your reaction to the rest of our date.”
I chuckled. “Neither can I!”
***
After half an hour of small talk about work, we turned down a rough dirt road surrounded by thick jungle on both sides. Palm fronds slapped the windows of the car. In some parts, the dense greenery blotted out the sun, plunging us into full darkness.
I couldn’t help but feel a little trepidation. Nobody knew where I was or whom I was with. In my quest to look like a human being, I forgot to leave Marlowe a note. If she even noticed that I was missing, and that was a strong if, she would probably just think I had gone to the conference. So, if things went south, my body could decay for days before the search even began.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Reed glanced at me. His boyish grin made him appear instantly younger.
“I was just hoping you weren’t a serial killer.” I sad deadpan, hoping that he would simultaneously take it as a joke and say something to alleviate my irrational fear.
He smirked. “Do I look like a serial killer?”
“Hmmm.” I looked him over. “Many of the successful serial killers have been very attractive…so yes.”
“So you find me attractive?” He gave a side-glance, his dark eyes smoldering.
“Come on.” I snorted. “Everyone finds you attractive.”
“How did you come by this information?” He teased as he maneuvered the car with ease through the jungle.
I have eyes.
I ran my fingers through the entire length of my hair. “Well…I took a poll and the results were pretty conclusive.”
“Maybe you’re a serial killer then.” He winked.
I laughed and took the bait. “Does that mean you find me attractive?”
“I find you irresistible.”
The deep tenor of his voice had my stomach fluttering with excitement. Sexual energy crackled between us, making me acutely aware of his lips, his hands, and his very large feet.
Should I make a move?
Touch him?
WWMD?
Marlowe wouldn’t spend time guessing about the size of a man’s dick, she would reach out and touch it. Could I do that?
Before I could find out the limits of my daring, light flooded the car as we entered the clearing. Reed kept glancing at me as he drove forward and parked the car by a wooden post.
“Wow, this is beautiful!” I jumped out of the car and spun around, gaping at the natural beauty of our surroundings. We were on a small overlook above a secluded area of beach with cliffs on both sides. The turquoise ocean lapped calmly against bright white sand. A blue and white-stripped canopy and two smaller indigo tents occupied the beach. The smell of fresh barbecue carried on the wind, making my stomach growl.
“Do you like it?” Reed appeared by my side, casually wrapping an arm around my waist, which gave us the look of an old married couple rather than two people on their first date.
“This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been!” I mused.
“I’m glad you like it.” He tugged me closer to his side. “This part of the beach is a little wild. Let me guide you down to our table so you don’t fall.”
As much as I enjoyed Reed’s arms around me, the independent woman in me wanted to walk down the slope by herself. “I can manage.” I stepped out of his reach and took the lead, heading straight to the edge of the overlook.
Reed caught up in two strides. “Trust me. I’ve been here before. It’s very easy to fall.”
I grinned and kept walking. “Trust me. I can do this.”
“Eva.” My name came out a growl, stopping me in my tracks. “If you don’t let me guide you down to the beach, I’m going to throw you over my shoulders and carry you.”
His words sparked a memory from last night. OMG, he’s carried me over his shoulders before. “Fine, you can help me across the sand, just please don’t throw me over your shoulders again.” I bit my bottom lip in a playful grin.
“Oh, so she remembers.” His arms swooped around me again, pulling me close enough for our noses to touch.
“Nope. I don’t remember anything…Reedy.” I giggled and rubbed my nose playfully into his.
Our lips were mere centimeters apart. I held my breath waiting for Reed to bridge the tiny gap and kiss me. Disappointment flooded me as he pulled back. With one hand around my waist, Reed guided me down the slope and through a rough patch of beach. The submerged stones and branches made walking tricky. I almost went down twice, but Reed caught me both times. The self-satisfaction was evident in his grin.
“Just say it.” I
looked up at him and waited for the gloating to begin.
“And what should I be saying?” He played coy.
“You know what.” I laughed. He had a way of getting under my skin and making me feel carefree.
“I’m not the type of guy that says, I told you so.” He winked and led us into the blue and white canopy, which held a beautifully set table with plates that looked like sea glass, a full set of ocean themed flatware, and various sized wine glasses. “Madame.” Reed pulled out my chair.
“I don’t think any date has ever pulled out my chair for me before.”
“That’s because you’ve been dating the wrong type of men.” Reed took the seat opposite me. With a quick wave of his hand, a waiter appeared seemingly out of nowhere, bearing the first course: mesclun with grilled shrimp and watermelon.
I took a sip of water. From across the small table, Reed held me in his watchful glare. I stared back until we were both smiling like idiots. Something about his look could cut through my walls and all of my bullshit. It felt good to let loose and have fun with him.
“You should eat,” Reed suggested. “It’s fabulous.” He sat back in his chair waiting for me to take the first bite. The wind blew his jet-black hair, reminding me of an old fashioned movie star.
I skewered a piece of grilled shrimp and took a small bite, letting the flavors fill my mouth. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever had shrimp that tasted this good.” Trying to remember my manners, I dabbed the corners of my mouth and took a sip of white wine that tasted so good I imagined taking a bath in it. “Reed, I can’t thank you enough for taking me here for lunch. The food is amazing and this place is bucket list worthy.”
With a grin that started at his eyes, Reed reached across the table and grabbed my hand. His thumb caressed my palm, sending little shocks of energy through my body. “Eva, it’s really my pleasure. Trust me, a woman like you should only be treated to dates like this.”
His comment had my cheeks burning. After my interview debacle I had been feeling insecure. I normally didn’t go fishing for complements, but I had to ask. “And what type of woman am I?”
Coming Undone (Club Voyeur Book 1) Page 8
