“I knew it!” Max pounded the table with his hand.
Jason ignored him and lifted his margarita in our direction. “Jordan, I’m happy to welcome you into our crazy family. Keep Reid away from sugar-free gummy bears, walk in front of him when he sees a grandma, and if he suddenly bursts into tears for no reason, it’s probably because he smells Bengay. ChapStick makes him piss his pants, and if you go anywhere near an old people home, be prepared for lots of rocking back and forth and shouting.”
“Thanks,” Reid croaked. “Great toast, man.”
“Well, I tried.” Jason flashed him a grin.
Colt and Milo both stood together, holding hands. Milo lifted her glass. “To the girl who’s marrying into crazy.”
“So very true.” Becca winked from her seat.
“Reid,” Colt started. “Never thought I’d see the day where you and your eyes settled down, but I think I speak for men everywhere when I say, thank you.”
Reid winked at Milo.
She giggled while Colt shot daggers in our direction.
“Now”—Max stood—“if everyone will please bring their attention to the schedule, I think you’ll be pleased with what I’ve written in.”
“‘Free time,’” I read aloud. “Really?”
“Go wild.” Max laughed. “Though not too wild, maybe like half-wild, not full spring break.” He reached for Becca’s hand, then kissed it. “What say you? Mandalay Bay?”
“YES!” Becca shot to her feet. “It will be like reliving the island together!”
“Yay.” Max pumped his fist lamely. “Fish.”
“You’ll be fine.” Becca grabbed his hand, then waved good-bye to everyone.
“Well,” Jason said with a nod to Colt and Milo, “you guys still wanna see that show?”
“Yup.” They left quickly.
And I was alone.
With Reid and his hypnotic eyes.
I toyed with my straw.
Reid watched me, amusement evident on his face as his mouth curved up into a smirk. “Nervous?”
“Nope.”
“Good.” He pointed to my straw. “Also, can I just say how relieved I am that you got all that biting aggression out on your straw before we made it to the bedroom?”
I glanced at my straw, which looked like it had been through a war zone as teeth marks marred every inch of it.
“That could have been you.” I pointed.
Reid shuddered. “Gentle, let’s practice being gentle.”
“Sex should be savored,” I whispered.
“Ah, so she does remember.”
“I remember that part.” I sighed. “I’m glad I did.”
Reid stood, then offered his hand. “Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
The walk back to our hotel was too fast.
By the time we reached the elevator I was fidgeting with my hair, twirling it around my finger, and I’d developed an inability to carry on a logical, normal conversation. I was just about to ask Reid if he thought the weather was nice, desperate for any sort of conversation starter, when he gripped me by the hips and pushed me up against the wall.
“Stop.” His lips teased mine in a beckoning kiss. “You’re overthinking this, like you overthink everything.”
“Maybe.” My lower lip quivered. “I’m a girl; it’s what we do.”
“I’m a man; want to see what I do?” He chuckled darkly, and then his mouth descended in all its spicy wildness, taking me from a simple elevator ride straight into the most epic kiss I’d ever received.
His body slowly pressed me backward until my butt connected with the wall. His tongue moved slowly in and out of my mouth, drawing out the kiss, making me lean forward, eager for more, anticipating the tingling sensation that would occur when his mouth connected with mine again. Reid’s hands pressed on either side of my head; his hips glided against mine as the elevator hiccupped, causing enough slight friction that I moaned aloud.
One hand moved from the wall and trailed down my hips until he reached around and squeezed my butt, then dug his hand into my thigh as the elevator hiccupped one more time. Reid’s hands had me more hot and bothered than was probably socially acceptable in public, but I couldn’t help it.
He was a master kisser.
Placing kiss after hot, searing kiss against my lips until they buzzed with his taste.
The elevator doors opened to our penthouse suite.
Reid stepped back. “Still nervous?”
“Yes.” I blinked. “No.” Reid’s eyes zeroed in on my face, slowly lowering until his gaze stopped at my lips.
“Don’t be. You’re perfect.”
Nobody had ever called me perfect before.
He made me feel like it was true.
Like I wasn’t invisible.
I shivered uncontrollably as all of my past insecurities surfaced and then, with one sultry look from Reid Emory, dissipated.
Shoulders straightened, I lifted my head and whispered, “I like it when you look at me like that.”