Page 137 of Unspoken Hearts
His familiar husky laugh fills my room, and my toes curl from the sound. He still has this effect on me, and I hope it’ll never stop. That is if Grayson lets me.
The mattress dips. I blink at Reid and groan. “How are you already dressed?” My voice is thick with sleep, eyes skimming over his flannel shirt and jeans.
Sky blue eyes peer down at me, a gentle smile gleaning his face. “I told you, years of routine.”
I shake my head, clamping down on the covers tighter, afraid he might try to rip them off me and expose my skin to the cold air.
“It’s raining,” I state the obvious, hoping he might—
“And the chickens are hungry. Let’s go, cowgirl.”
Whimpering, I shove my head under the covers. His hands are on either side of me, pressing down on the mattress. Pulling the covers down, Reid’s face hovers an inch above mine, making my pulse flutter as his warm breath hits my skin.
“Maybe you should come in here with me. It’s warmer and then we can just hide from everyone else.”
The corner of his mouth ticks. “As inviting as that is, we have work to do,” he utters so low, it makes my thighs tingle.
Lowering his face, warm lips brush mine, and I feel my muscles loosen, lashes fluttering shut as he kisses me softly before pulling away.
Pouting, I hear him chuckle as I push the covers off me. “Fine.” I quickly grab my trackpants from the bedside table.
Reid turns around as I slip them on, sighing. Frowning, he approaches, wrapping me up in another tight hug. I allow myself to melt against him, soaking up his warmth and familiarity, listening to his heart beating loudly against my ear.
I know that Reid loves me and won’t let me go. But it’s more the fact that I’m becoming increasingly terrified that Grayson will never forgive me. That he’ll never give us his blessing.
“Do we have to go outside?” I ask, not wanting to let this moment slip away again with my overpowering thoughts.
I feel his lips on my hair before letting me go reluctantly. “Yeah, we do. Dad’s waiting downstairs already.”
He grabs a jumper for me from the pile of folded laundry Hazel left on top of my drawers and hands it to me. Slipping it on, Reid can’t help himself and starts putting my things away.
I sigh again. “You don’t need to do that,” I remind him as he puts my shirts away.
He looks at me. “If I don’t, then they’ll just sit here.”
“It’s not like they’ll fall off.”
I give him a sympathetic look, and he keeps going until all my things are away—including my knickers that he took extra long to tuck inside the top drawer.
Turning around, he clears his throat, clearly still picturing them. I smile widely, not caring that they’re bright yellow and lacy.
“Be downstairs in two minutes.” Reid’s gaze drags up and down my body.
I chuckle. “Fine, bossy boots.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
My eyes lock with his. Reid swallows and bumps against the door before slipping out.
The chickens thankfully aren’t too annoying this morning. Maybe they hate the rain as well? I toss some feed out for them and take the few eggs laid overnight before heading over to the ducks and veggie patch.
Aspen wanted to come out with me, but Hazel told her to stay inside. Kids have a tendency to catch colds too easily, and I can also see her slipping over in the thick coat of mud caking the ground.
Squelching back inside, I quickly shower and change for the cafe. I check my phone. A flare of hope rushes through me but dies instantly when I see that I’ve been left on read once again by Grayson. Groaning, I pull my hair up into a ponytail before heading downstairs.
“Are any of the boys back from their duties?” I ask warily.
Hazel eyes me, stirring Aspen’s hot chocolate and shakes her head. “Still outside, dear. Why’s that?”
