by Natalie Lux
I gaped at him. I mean, that explained the haircut and the bulging muscles, but Reid had never struck me as much of a military man.
“Did you have to see combat?” I asked.
“Not really, just lots of training,” he said, his eyes on his burger.
“Did your dad make you do it?” I heard myself ask without thinking.
Reid’s jaw hardened as he sipped his beer, a hard look in his beautiful green eyes.
“I’d rather not talk about my dad tonight if that’s okay,” he said slowly, his eyes on his beer.
“Okay, I’m sorry,” I said, knowing I’d crossed some kind of line. I remembered how much he would always talk about hating his father because of things he did to Reid and his mother, but Reid hadn’t wanted to talk about it then, either. It had always frustrated me that even though he’d been my best friend since we were little, he always seemed so guarded about so much of his life. But I didn’t think now was the right time to press him with that.
We ate in silence for the next five minutes or so, the tension dissipating as we began to order more alcohol. Soon we were back to laughing about how Morgan Wexler’s ex-boyfriend was now a gay hustler in Vegas and how Kayla Robinson had become the new lunch lady at our local high school.
“So, what’s the plan for you then? NFL?” I asked, hoping that was a safer question.
He grinned and shrugged.
“Sure. Get into the NFL, win a couple of rings.” His eyes leveled with mine. “Find a beautiful girl.”
I felt another little flutter in my chest I was sure had nothing to do with the third beer I was sipping.
“Oh? And how would you do that?”
His eyes bore into mine; I could tell he wanted to take me right there.
“Very carefully,” he said, reaching underneath the table and putting his hand on my thigh. “But not very gently.”
Just the simple touch alone was enough to make me want to down the beer, run off back to his apartment, and let him do whatever he wanted to me, forever and ever. I knew it couldn’t happen, but the fantasy was stuck in my mind.
I felt the familiar electricity crackle between us, elated that the chemistry was still there. I couldn’t get too close to him, not after what happened. I was determined that this was only going to last for a few days and that was it. But I wanted to enjoy these few days as much as possible. I needed a serious break.
Just as I was about to flirt back, I noticed a familiar, angry face approaching our table.
“What are you doing here?” hissed Sheila, clutching my dad’s arm as the hostess looked at them curiously. Sheila’s eyes darted back and forth between me and Reid, looking completely out of her mind. What the hell was her problem now?
“Hello, honey,” said my dad in a tired voice, smiling. “I didn’t know this was the restaurant you’d picked out for tonight.”
“Hi guys,” I said, trying to ignore Sheila’s accusatory tone and the way she was staring at Reid. “This is my boyfriend, Reid. Reid, this is my dad and his fiancé, Sheila.”
Fuck. I didn’t even mean to call him my boyfriend, but now my dad was smiling and shaking his hand and it was too late to take it back. Oh well, old habits die hard, I guess. Reid gave no inclination that he’d registered what I said and was now politely chatting with my dad while Sheila stared daggers at him.
What the fuck was her problem? Was she jealous I was having dinner with a football player or something?
“Let’s get to the table,” she interrupted, taking my dad by the arm and whisking him away.
“It was nice meeting you, Reid. We’ll have to talk again sometime,” said my dad apologetically, following his bride-to-be to their table.
“Your dad seems like a cool guy. I don’t know about the fiancé though, she didn’t look too happy to see us.”
I rolled my eyes.
“She’s been like that ever since I met her. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve seen her smile once. I don’t know why my dad is getting married to her, to be honest.”
Reid shrugged and downed his beer. “I’m heading to the bathroom and then we can take off.” His eyes glittered. “I’m not done with you—not by a long shot.”
16
Eva
As if on cue, the second Reid left the table, Sheila appeared as if from out of nowhere, breathing fire down my neck.
“He’s not coming to my wedding, is he?” she said, her expression freezing cold. I glared back up at her, determined not to avert my gaze.
“He’s my plus one. Why, what’s the problem? Dad seems to like him.” It was difficult to keep my voice steady and even more difficult to resist smacking the over-caked makeup right off her face.
“I don’t want him there. He’s got too many tattoos and he’ll make your father and I look bad. You don’t want that, do you?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing from this almost complete stranger. Didn’t this type of shit only happen in movies? Where the evil stepmom is a giant bitch to the daughter and is out to ruin everything?
I stood up, balling my hands into fists. I’d never been in a fight before, but I was just about ready to smack her square in the face. If she wasn’t about to get married to my dad, there’s no way I would have been able to keep myself under control.
“Look, I’ll talk to my dad about it tomorrow, okay? He said I could bring anyone I wanted. What’s the problem?”
“The problem,” she said, as though she was talking to a two-year-old with a tenuous grasp on the English language, “is that he doesn’t look presentable. I don’t want some goon biker-looking creep with tattoos running up and down his arms at my wedding!”
“First of all, he’s not a goon. Second of all, it’s not like he’s going to wear a leather jacket and bring a Harley. Thirdly, I don’t even think he owns a bike. And anyway, dad had no problem with him.”
“You were supposed to bring that singer you’ve been dating, not some country hick from the middle of nowhere!” she hissed.
There it was. So, she wanted paparazzi and photographers and journalists at her wedding. Of course. Was that why she hated me so much? Because it got out that I’d broken up with Colton and the famous pop star singer wouldn’t be coming to her wedding anymore? Things were starting to make sense.
“Look, I’ll bring who I want,” I said flatly. “If you have a problem with it, go talk to my dad. Right now, just leave me the fuck alone.”
She opened her mouth as if to say something, seemed to think better of it, and stalked back off to her table. I watched her go, my hands still shaking in rage. Who the fuck did she think she was? My dad was the only reason I was even going to the stupid wedding in the first place.
Did she even care about what he might want for the wedding? Was she only getting married so that she could get some paparazzi there? It was all so fucked up I wanted to toss that expensive glass of Merlot she was sipping all over her pretty white dress.
“She looked pissed,” said Reid as he walked up, drying his hands on his shirt.
“Don’t worry about it,” I muttered. “I don’t think she approves of you.”
He laughed and took me by the hand, glancing back.
“Nah, I kind of figured that when she came to our table and couldn’t stop glaring at me. Oh well, can’t please everyone.” He squeezed my hand and leaned down to my ear. “Besides, there’s only one person I’m interested in pleasing tonight.”
It wasn’t until later, after we fucked again, that I realized I might have been wrong.
I couldn’t resist him, and he knew that. We barely made it into the house before he had my clothes off, pressed against the bed while he worked his magic with his tongue. I quickly turned into a puddle as his hands explored my body, his hot mouth making my body shake with pleasure as his tongue traced lines up and down my body.
I groaned as he slid his powerful fingers inside me, parting my folds as he began to taste my juices. I could tell he wasn’t in the mood for teasing and t
hat made me want him even more. My groans turned into gasps of pleasure as he began to finger me, eating me out at the same time.
My body buzzed with the high of pleasure as I came, my body pulsing as my pussy exploded in his mouth. I ground against his face while I moaned, my legs shaking as I gripped the pillow behind my head.
“Fuck, Reid…” I managed breathlessly, my eyes on his massive erection.
Reid didn’t even give me time to recover. He was on me in an instant, his tight, muscular body molding into mine. My nails dug into his back as he positioned himself in front of my entrance, his cock pulsing as he prepared to enter me. I closed my eyes in ecstasy as I felt his heat slide inside me, my pussy tightening against him as he sheathed all nine inches.
Every thrust of pleasure seemed to bring me closer and closer to him. I gazed up at him while we made love, never wanting this to end. We came at the same time once again, his low groans of pleasure tipping me over the edge while his cock pulsed inside my pussy, filling me up completely.
An hour later, we found ourselves curled up on the couch watching some shitty 80s B-movie and eating popcorn. It was only until then that I realized that this is what I wanted. I glanced up to look at his face and he grinned and kissed me lightly on the mouth, his eyes shining.
I wanted Reid Mannix. I could never forget what he’d done to me, but maybe that was in the past. Maybe I could give him another chance. I was finding it harder and harder not to say “I love you” the more times he touched me.
What had started as a way to get away from Colton, quickly turned into something much more. I never thought in a million years I’d want to get back with Reid Mannix, the bastard who broke my heart and left me all those years ago.
“So, my dad is having his rehearsal tomorrow,” I said, sitting up, trying to be as casual as possible.
He cocked an eyebrow.
“Oh? For what?”
I gave him a light shove and rolled my eyes, smirking.
“Oh, come on, it’s not like you don’t know he’s getting married. I’m sure the entire town knew I was coming weeks before I did.”
He smirked right back. God, that look alone was enough to wrap me around his little finger.
“Yeah, I might have heard something about it.”
“Well I was supposed to bring my ex, but obviously that’s not happening anymore.”
“So I’m the backup option, huh?” he chuckled.
I grinned.
“Something like that. If you’re interested.”
“Are you sure your stepmom won’t mind? I don’t think she was too impressed with me.”
He stood up and grabbed his shirt. I wished he could be shirtless all the time. That body of his was something else. I still couldn’t believe how much he’d grown since the last time I’d seen him.
“Don’t worry about her. You’ll be fine with me,” I said, smiling at him. “Besides, I’m pretty sure my dad liked you and that’s all that matters.”
He shrugged. “As long as we don’t attract any unwanted attention, I’m in.”
I smiled and kissed him on the lips. Even with Sheila in the picture, we could still have a good time.
17
Eva
“Dad, please let me bring him,” I pleaded with my father the next morning. Sheila had gone out to pick out a few things for the rehearsal tonight leaving me and my dad to hang out at the house. Sheila had made it very clear to my dad that she did not want Reid at the rehearsal.
“Honey, Sheila doesn’t feel comfortable with him there. Look, I have no problem with the guy, but I don’t want her to be unhappy at our wedding. You can understand that, can’t you?”
I loved my father, but he had turned into a bit of a pushover during the last few years. It was clear that Sheila had him completely wrapped around her finger.
“But the only reason she doesn’t want him there is because she wanted me to take that pop singer I was dating,” I protested, the bowl of cereal in front of me forgotten.
“What was wrong with him? Why’d you two break up anyway?” he asked, setting his newspaper down and peering at me over his reading glasses.
I bit my lip. My dad and I were as close as any father and daughter were, but he was never really the one I went to about relationship stuff. That was part of the reason he’d never met Reid. I just never thought he’d be interested in that type of stuff. It was always mom who was interested in gossip and girl talk and boys.
“I walked in on him cheating on me, dad. I had to break it off because the guy was cheating on me with some girl he’d met at a show.” I managed, looking down at the table. I’d gone successfully without thinking about how Colton cheated on me for a whole three days before it got brought up again. I had to force myself not to cry in front of my dad as the image of him balls-deep inside the groupie flashed into my mind.
“I’m so sorry honey,” he said, putting a sympathetic hand over mine. “I didn’t know.”
“Yeah, well, anyway, I really want to bring Reid tonight. I already invited him, and he wants to come. He wants to get to know you guys.”
My father sighed.
“Look, I’ll talk to Sheila about it. I’m sure she’ll come around.”
“So, can I bring him?” I asked. I felt like such a kid again, but I needed my dad on my side.
“I guess you can bring him. If he makes you happy, that’s the important thing,” said my dad after a moment.
I threw my hands around him and hugged him tightly, nearly knocking his glasses off.
“Thanks, dad!”
18
Reid
I knew there’d be a risk going to this thing even before I’d agreed to go to a wedding party in an unfamiliar part of town. I was pretty sure that side was for all the rich people and I sure as hell wasn’t rich. And who was that lady her dad was marrying, and why was she such a bitch to me? It was clear she didn’t like me for some reason.
There was something else about her that seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Maybe she looked like some chick me or Dom brought home from the bar. She looked as basic and generic as every other bleach-blonde haired sorority girl, just a little bit older.
To be honest, I didn’t want to go. I was fine with missing the retreat to be with her, but I had practice and we had a big game coming up. But how could I say no to Eva?
When I heard Eva was coming for the wedding, I’d only planned on seeing her for a few days, fucking her brains out, and then somehow convincing her to stay. I’d completely forgotten she was going to her dad’s wedding and everyone going to a wedding needs a plus one.
I made sure to put on my best suit and tie, hoping I looked presentable enough. At least that was one thing the bastard was good for. In addition to some money, he’d left me everything he owned, including all the nice suits he liked to collect.
I had never been to a wedding before, much less a rehearsal, so I had no idea what to expect from tonight other than some glares from her dad’s fiancé. Do people drink a lot? Was Eva supposed to make a speech? Did I have to dance? I hadn’t danced since I was five years old at a friend’s birthday party.
But when Eva showed up, all my reservations seemed to melt away. She somehow looked even more beautiful than last night and that was saying something. Her blue-green dress brought out her stunningly beautiful eyes and made me want to take her in the house and have a quick fuck before we went.
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a suit before,” she said, giggling at me as she looked me up and down.
“It’s only for special occasions. With special people,” I added, getting the desired effect as she grinned. The car ride to the venue was much more animated as Eva chatted all about how much her dad liked me and how excited she was to see all her old friends.
I’d never really kept in touch with any of my old friends around here since I joined the football team and I was completely fine with that. I wasn’t close with many people besi
des Dom and a few other guys on the team anyway.
I continued to push out the thought that Eva might leave after the wedding was over and that I’d never see her again. Every now and then after we’d fuck, those thoughts seemed to creep into my head, and it took all my effort not to think about the fact that this might be temporary, and I could lose her again.
But I’d enjoy it for what it was now. I knew deep down it wasn’t likely we could work out. She was a famous actress, I was some farmer she’d grown up with. We lived in different worlds and she was only visiting. I just wanted to make sure her stay here was as comfortable as possible. I owed her that much.
Before I knew it, my thoughts were interrupted as we pulled up to the venue. Apparently, Sheila had rented out a massive club for her rehearsal dinner. Bouncers were guarding the doors and I could hear the loud thumping of music coming from inside.
“Um, I guess this is it,” said Eva, apparently as surprised as I was. “You sure you want to do this?” she asked me. I shrugged. In truth, I really didn’t want to show up to this, and not only because of her stepmom. The only thing I wanted to do right now involved bringing Eva back home and fucking her brains out.
“It’s fine. I’ll survive.” I forced a smile. “How bad can it be?”
My question seemed to have been answered as soon as we stepped out of the car. Instantly, the bouncer recognized Eva and ushered her in. As expected, being in another part of town, I wasn’t recognized. I was a little bigger than the bouncer and he didn’t seem to appreciate that either.
“Um, I’m with her,” I muttered.
“Your name isn’t on the list, kid,” said the bouncer, not even looking at me. I could have taken him if I wanted to, but that probably wouldn’t be the best thing to do at an event I probably wasn’t welcomed at in the first place.
