Page 52 of A Little Too Late
Reed climbs in on the other side. He’s shirtless, that rascal. If I ask him why, he’ll claim he runs hot. But I think it’s a tactic.
Or maybe I’m giving myself too much credit. After all, I’m the one who couldn’t stop grinding on his lap in the hot tub earlier tonight, kissing his face off until I actually…
Eep. I can’t believe that happened. In fact, I’m going to pretend it didn’t.
I shut off the light and flop onto my back, my head smack in the center of the pillow, my arms carefully down at my sides.
There is a moment of silence from the other side of the bed. And then two hands slide underneath my body like a forklift androll me toward Reed. I land on my side, with my head tucked onto his bare shoulder.
This is how we used to sleep in the too-small college dormitory beds. Exactly like this. He smells good, too. Like warmth, with top notes of chlorine and bad decisions.
Reed follows this maneuver by gently rubbing my back and smoothing my hair away from my face. “Goodnight, Ava.”
“Goodnight,” I whisper.
I close my eyes. My body is exhausted, but my mind is still racing. This is the second night in a row I’m sharing a bed with Reed. This is really stupid, right? I should roll over and pretend he’s not here.
Yet, I can’t make myself do it. Drowning myself in memories like this can’t be healthy. But here I am, listening to his steady breathing. I’vemissedthis, damn it.
I suppose it’s healthy to finally realize how lonely I am.
Eventually, my eyelids get so heavy that I nod off. That’s when the dreams begin. Reed in his Middlebury sweatshirt. Reed in his racing suit. Reed smiling at me in the pottery studio.
Reed in bed, holding my heated body.
In my dream, we’re making out in a dormitory bed, our clothes magically gone. His hands are everywhere. He groans my name, and I lean in and lick the column of his neck, feeling stubble against my cheek…
My eyes fly open in the dark, and I find myself pressed hotly up against him, my face buried in his strong neck, his skin wet from my kisses.
I roll quickly off him, hoping he won’t wake up.
“Ava,” he mumbles from a foot away. “Were you just licking my neck?”
“Maybe,” I say as my heart gallops. I’m trying to decide whether or not to admit it. Licking his neck in my sleep is awfully weird. But if I say no, he’ll think I was drooling on him.
That’s worse. Isn’t it?
Reed turns toward me, his hand squeezing my hip under the sheets. And that simple touch is enough to make my body flare with heat. “Well, fuck. Don’t stop. Is it tomorrow already?”
“Close enough,” I say as my nipples harden against my nightgown.
With a chuckle, Reed rolls onto my body, settling his arousal between my legs. Suddenly, I’m twenty-one again and letting out a shameless moan.
Reed Madigan is going to wreck me all over again. And I’m going to let him.
Propped up on muscular forearms, he looks down at me. Moonlight shows off his strong body, as well as the gleam in his eye. “It’s always been you for me,” he whispers.
“Reed.” That’s dangerous talk. So dangerous.
“I know,” he says, as if he can read my thoughts. “I know.”
CHAPTER 20
I’VE GOT BIGGER PLANS
REED
Ava doesn’t want me to make any promises I can’t keep. And she’s right—this is a dicey game we’re playing.
