Reed is in the serving line, standing next to Riley. Getting incessantly bombarded with questions from Riley. I know this because every time Reed leans in and gives her a response, she turns around and gives me this look.
The, he’s not giving me enough details, I’ll be asking you the same questions later, look.
The, I seriously can’t believe you got him to volunteer, look.
And my personal favorite, the, I’m really, really happy for you two, look.
Reed bends down, reaching for something on the shelf below the serving table. Bubbles lather against my skin as I move my hand in slower circles, as the bottom of Reed’s T-shirt lifts on his back, revealing those two perfect dents at the base of his spine. His faded jeans pull taut against his ass. I begin breathing in and out through my mouth, doing more than admiring my amazing view. I’m staring. Blatantly, not paying attention to anything else. I wet my lips. The skin at the base of my neck grows hot. He straightens just as a warm burst of water spills down the front of my jeans.
I gasp, my stomach tensing. “Oh, great.”
My hand wrenches the handle, turning off the tap. Stepping back, I grab a towel off the counter and press it against my jeans, absorbing some of the water.
“Everything okay?”
I look up at Reed, who’s now standing a foot away.
Arms crossed over his chest, his light blonde hair tickling his forehead, he smiles down at me as if he knows exactly why I overflowed the sink. It wouldn’t surprise me. He catches me staring ninety percent of the time.
I fold the towel and press it against the bottom of my shirt. “Yes. Fine. I was just thinking about the text I got from my aunt. I kind of spaced out a little.”
Good cover. That is what I should be thinking about. Not what Reed would look like serving the homeless naked. For sanitary reasons alone, I shouldn’t go there.
He reaches into the sink and pulls the stopper out, draining the water. “What did it say again?”
“That they had something really exciting to talk to me about.” I set the towel down after absorbing as much of the water as I can.
Reed picks up another towel and dries his arm off.
I lean my hip against the counter. “I have no idea what it could be. I mean, my idea of exciting is getting an Amazon gift card and buying a whole bunch of books. Something tells me that’s not what they want to talk to me about.”
Reed laughs softly, tossing the towel on the counter. “Are they home now?”
“They should be by the time I get back.”
He nods, lowering his eyes to the front of me. A smirk tugs at his mouth.
“What?” I ask.
“You’re still wet.”
I drop my head, flattening a hand to my cheek. “Yeah, it’s a perpetual problem.”
We laugh together as I roll my eyes and step back up to the sink.
“Want some help?” Reed rounds the counter and comes to stand next to me. “We’re finished serving, and I need a fucking break from Riley. If she asks me one more damn time how I asked you out . . .”
I tilt my head to look at him. “What did you tell her?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” I stab his side with my finger, glaring. “What do you mean, nothing?”
He snorts. “What was I supposed to say?” His voice drops to a hushed whisper as he ducks his head closer to me. “That you sucked my dick while fingering that sweet pussy? That you came all over my face, chantin’ my name, makin’ me so goddamn hard again I had to jack off while you did it?”
My neck warms with embarrassment. “Well, no, you’d obviously just skip to the part where you said you wanted this.”
He grins, leaning back. “I’m all about the lead-up, though. It really adds to the story.”
I slap his arm. “You’re so dirty.”
“You love it.”
I do. God, I really, really do.
Laughing, he grabs the scrub brush and starts cleaning the pot. “I’ll wash, you dry. I’d hate for you to get any wetter.”
I grab a clean towel and hold it against my face, groaning. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
My heart swells in my chest.
No, I definitely don’t.
“AUNT HATTIE?” I CALL OUT, stepping inside the house with Reed close behind me. Their car is parked in the driveway, so I know they’re home.
“In here, darlin.’”
I follow her voice down the hallway and into the kitchen. Her and Danny are standing at the island, both of them looking up and smiling at me as I step into the room. I run around the island and hug Danny first.
“I’m so, so sorry about your loss, Uncle Danny.”
He squeezes me tight. “Oh, thank you, sweetheart. It’s okay, though. My cousin has been sick for a long time. We’ve been ready for it.” He releases me and looks across the room. His chest heaves with an inhale. “Reed, do I need to ask what you’re doing in my house?”
He doesn’t sound angry, which is a relief. Reed told me he knew Danny really well, but I’m sure seeing him walk in with me has to be a bit of a shock. I haven’t mentioned anything about Reed to him. Something about him pacing outside with a shotgun kept my mouth shut.