His breath tickles my lips. “I missed this. I missed you.”
Then he’s kissing me again. Everywhere. His mouth grazes my cheeks and my throat and even my closed eyelids. It’s a sweet, leisurely exploration, and I drink it up. One of his thighs slides between my legs to press against the unbearable ache.
“Reed,” I whisper, but I don’t know what I’m asking for.
He does. “Not tonight.”
I squeeze my thighs together around his leg. His body vibrates against mine as he releases a groan. Then he moves over and lies beside me, pulling my head against his chest.
It feels good to be in his arms again. I missed this, too. But I’m afraid this moment of happiness won’t last, because there are still so many obstacles in our lives.
“Reed?”
“Mmmm?”
“What are we going to do about Brooke?”
“I don’t know.”
“What if I give her my inheritance?”
His breath hitches. “Dad would never let you do that.”
“I know.” My shoulders slump into the mattress. “I tried to give it to him. Brooke told me Callum expected Steve’s share to go to the Royals.”
Reed peers down at me. “Please tell me he said no.”
“He said no.”
“Good. We don’t need that money. It’s yours. We have plenty.”
“Brooke says you can never have enough.”
“Brooke’s a money-sucking bitch.”
Frustration bubbles up inside me. “Why did he take her back? Just because she’s pregnant? It’s not like we’re living a hundred years ago. Even Callum knows he doesn’t have to marry someone just because he knocked her up.”
Reed tenses.
I instantly lift my head. “What did you do?” I demand.
“I made a deal with her,” he admits. “She’d shut up about saying the baby was mine—which is a lie—and in exchange I’d put in a good word with my dad.”
“Oh my God. That was a terrible idea.”
“I know. I’m a dumbass, but I was desperate. I would’ve agreed to anything at that point.”
“Obviously,” I say darkly.
The two of us go quiet for a second.
“We need to find a way to get rid of her.” His voice is low and ominous. “I can’t have that woman living in my house. I don’t want her anywhere near you.”
I bite my lip, because I’m worried that if the truth gets out, things won’t go well for Reed. Callum already thinks he’s been too lenient with the boys, and if he finds out about Reed and Brooke, it’ll be just another sign that he needs to pull the reins tighter. I don’t know if I disagree with Callum’s line of thinking. The Royal boys could handle a little discipline in their lives. The problem is, I don’t know what path Callum would take. Military school?
I can’t imagine living in this giant museum without the guys here. I guess I’m a little selfish, too.
“Don’t do anything you’ll regret later,” I warn.
His arm tightens around me. “I’m not making promises I can’t keep. You know I’d do anything for you. For us.”
I wriggle closer to Reed. I just got him back, and I don’t want to fight. Not tonight. I twine my fingers through his. “Are you sure everyone was okay with me getting Steve’s half of the company?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Because Gideon doesn’t like me.”
“Actually, babe, you’ve got that all wrong. Gid doesn’t think I’m good for you.”
Is that Gideon’s problem? He’s never been mean to me, but he’s definitely kept his distance.
“Why does he think that?” I ask uneasily.
“Gid’s life isn’t great right now. He’s got…issues.”
Issues? Like screwing my dad’s widow? I wonder if Reed knows about that.
“What issues?”
“He’s not in a good place.”
Yeah, this isn’t making me happy. I blow a lock of hair out of my face. “I think we need to be done with the secrets between us.”
Reed raises his free hand. “I swear if I could tell you the details, I would. But they’re Gideon’s issues, not mine.”
I sit up. “No more secrets,” I repeat, firmer this time. “You want me to start? Fine, I’ll start.”
“Start with what—”
“Easton and I caught Gideon and Dinah having sex,” I interrupt.
He sits up, too. “You serious? And you’re just telling me this now?”
I study his face. “You don’t look surprised.” My tone sharpens. “Why aren’t you surprised, Reed? Did you know?”
He hesitates.
“You knew,” I accuse.
Reed shrugs.
I angrily shove my hair out of my eyes. “Why is he with Dinah?” I demand. “And why does he care if you and I are together? The night I caught you with Brooke, Gideon asked to meet me—did he tell you that? That’s why I was coming to your room that night, to talk to you about it.”
“No, he didn’t tell me,” Reed says with a frown. “What did he say to you?”
“He told me to stay away from you. He said you would hurt me, and that too many people have already gotten hurt. What did he mean by that?”