Page 37 of Unbidden

At this point, the entire party is watching the interaction. Brother against brother. How it must look with me standing in the middle.

“All over a girl? Seriously, Keat? I thought you learned your lesson with the last one.”

Keaton’s fist connects with Reed’s face before I can even blink.

Tinsley grabs Keaton as I turn and jump into Reed’s arms. It throws him off balance, but his arms come up to catch me, allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck as I bring my lips to his ear.

“Calm down. Don’t do anything you’re going to regret.”

His arms drop me, but I hold myself in place.

“Get off me,” he growls.

“I will. As soon as you take me to your car and take me home. Like you promised.”

I wait, feeling his breath coming in short spurts. When he finally gets a hold of his breathing, his arms come back around me, holding me tighter to him.

“I’m taking Sage home,” he states. “I expect you to get Tinsley home safe.”

I can’t see what’s going on behind me, but I feel the tension leave Reed’s body as Keaton speaks. “Of course. That’s why I’m here, sober. To take care of Tinsley. I can take Sage home too. You deserve a night off, Reed. Take it.”

Keaton’s voice sounds exhausted. Now that I know him a little better, I hear what he doesn’t want others to noticed. He’s damaged. All he wants to do is be the best brother for his siblings.

“Sage is coming with me.”

Reed turns and starts to leave with me still in his arms. I stare into Keaton’s wide eyes as he watches us leave.

“Wait,” I whisper.

Reed stops but doesn’t turn. I pull back and look at him. His eyes are still wild, but they’re calmer now. The fact that he stopped tells me he’ll let me go if I ask.

Instead of asking, I pull Victoria’s keys out of my pocket and throw them to Keaton. “Can you take Victoria home too? Make sure she’s safe? Text me when you leave.”

“I will,” Keaton promises as Tinsley comes up to stand next to him, looking confused.

Reed continues walking, holding me all the way to the car.

∞∞∞

Once we get to the car, Reed drops me before pushing me into the passenger seat. He then slams the door before getting into the driver side and taking off like there’s a fire.

He drives fast and wild the entire way, taking corners at high speeds that scare me. After one particularly close one, I let a small whimper out as I close my eyes. He slows down after that, taking the corners at a much safer rate.

Once we pull through the gates of his estate, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I climb out of the car, turning to head back down the driveway.

“Where are you going?” Reed barks from behind me.

“Home. Thanks for the ride.”

Before I realize what’s happening, he wraps his arms around me from behind, jerking me into his chest.

His lips rake across my neck, causing goose bumps to form on my skin. Once he reaches my ear, he whispers, “I thought you wanted to go home with me. Now that we’re here, you’re going to leave? Cocktease.”

I stiffen and attempt to break out of his hold. When that doesn’t work, a well-placed elbow to his ribs loosens his arms, and he freely lets me step out of his grasp.

“Don’t you ever put your hands on me again. Do you understand me?” I seethe.

He chuckles. “You have some power behind you, that’s for sure.”

---