“Tomorrow morning,” he corrected. “I’ll stop by around nine to look at your cheek.”
Darcy grumbled. “My cheek is just fine. I doubt there’ll even be a bruise. You really don’t have to—”
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” He leaned in to brush his lips over hers in a brief kiss, then marched off before she could argue again.
Chapter Twelve
Darcy opened the front door the next morning and found Reed standing behind it, one hand poised to knock.
“Hey,” she squeaked, startled to see him. “What are you doing here?”
His expression was half amused, half smug. “I told you I’d come by to check on you.” He glanced at his watch. “Huh, nine o’clock on the dot. I’m not usually so punctual.”
She stifled a sigh. “I didn’t think you were serious. And you didn’t even call beforehand.”
“Of course I didn’t. Because we had prearranged plans.” He flashed an arrogant look, then stepped forward and cupped her face with his hands.
She decided to humor him, allowing him to gently sweep his thumb over her skin as he examined her cheek. That crazy bouncer’s elbow hadn’t even left a mark, just like she’d known it wouldn’t. But the way Reed’s eyes clouded over, you’d think she’d been sporting a huge purple bruise.
“Does it hurt?”
“Not in the slightest,” she answered cheerfully. “Hence the complete lack of bruising, Reedford.”
“Don’t hence me,” he chided. “I’m not the one who took a hit to the face last night.”
“You did take a hit to the face! And you almost got strangled to death. I’m the one who should be putting my hands all over you to make sure you’re okay.”
He let his arms dangle at his sides, his expression epitomizing innocence. “Oh, I have no complaints about that. Please, put your hands all over me.”
Jeez, the man was incorrigible. Darcy wondered if he purposely transmitted all that sexual energy, or if it just happened naturally. Either way, the end result remained the same—every time she saw him, she wanted to jump his bones.
When she didn’t take the bait, Reed gestured to the empty canvas bags tucked over her purse. “Where are you headed?”
“The farmers market. I’m in desperate need of some fruits and veggies, and I don’t like to get them at the grocery store. They’re never as fresh or as tasty.” She shifted her purse to her other shoulder so she could lock the apartment door. “Oh, and one of the vendors there sells the best homemade jams and jellies. I swear, they’re to die for. Especially the strawberry jam.”
“You had me at strawberry jam.”
“That was the last thing I said!”
“Was it?” His tone was breezy. “Anyway, should we take my car or yours?”
Darcy blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“How would you like to get to the market?” He spoke slowly, as if she were a non-English-speaking immigrant who’d just stepped onto American soil. “In my vehicle or yours?”
He wanted to come with her?
Reluctance seized her chest. No, he definitely couldn’t do that. She’d specifically told him that she only wanted sex. So unless they showed up at the market naked and fucked on a pile of tomatoes, letting him come along compromised her entire stance. Farmers markets were notoriously known for being relationship places. If she and Reed visited one together, they’d be taking the first step toward coupledom.
Which meant she had to put her foot down and lay down the law again.
Except she’d underestimated his tenacity.
“My car,” he decided. “It’s faster than yours. We don’t want to get there too late and find out that all the jam is sold out. Here, want me to carry your bags?” Without letting her answer, he swiped the empty sacks and tucked them under his arm, then took off walking.
Darcy gaped at his retreating back. And then her gaze lowered to his perfect ass, hugged by faded blue jeans, and for a moment there she forgot where she was. All she could think about was how good it felt to squeeze those firm buttocks when Reed was plunging his cock inside her.
It took a second to snap out of her dirty trance, and by then, Reed was already at the elevator, tossing her an expectant look over his shoulder.
Well. Clearly the man wasn’t taking no for an answer, so why not let him tag along? Besides, she planned on buying a ton of stuff, so she might as well put all those glorious muscles of his to good use and force him to carry her bags.
“So what happened to Jeff?” she asked as they stepped into the elevator.
Reed instantly tensed. “He was arrested after you left.”
“Good. Another dealer off the streets, right?”
The dark cloud on his face didn’t dissipate. “Yup. And now I get to spend the rest of my life apologizing to Gage and AJ for bringing that scumbag into the club.”
“Reed, it’s not your—”