Reid: Vested Interest #4 Read online

  I gaped at him, and his smile fell.

  “Shit. I shouldn’t have said that part about the porn, should I?”

  I began to giggle, trying to hold them in, but I failed. The giggles grew into chuckles, which turned into laughter. He tried to keep a straight face, then gave in and joined me. He turned his head, pressing a kiss to my thigh.

  “I say the stupidest things sometimes.”

  “No,” I insisted. “I love your honesty and how you say what you’re thinking. It catches me off guard at times, though.”

  “I don’t really look at a lot of porn.”

  I lifted one eyebrow. “Right. You figured out all your moves on your own.”

  A sly grin lit his face. “My moves? Are you saying I got it going on, Becca?”

  “I’ll say your mattress dancing is a lot smoother than your floor dancing.”

  It was his turn to gape. Then he laughed. He huffed out a long sigh, reaching for my hand and threading our fingers together. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this way, Becca. In fact, I never have.”

  “How do you feel?”

  “Easier, happier.” He shrugged. “It’s hard to explain.”

  “Losing about ten pounds of sperm in one night will do that for you.” I grinned. “I, myself, am feeling a bit . . . full.”

  Instantly, he was on me, his hands pinning down my arms, his eyes wild.

  “I’ll show you full.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  He leaned down, skimming his lips over my collarbone, licking his way up my neck to my ear.

  “I want you full of me. So full, you feel me every time you move tomorrow. Every time you shift in your chair, you feel a bit of me between your legs.”

  I stared at him, his words catching me off guard.

  He frowned. “Did I freak you out?”

  “No,” I responded. “You surprised me a little. You’re, ah, a bit of a dirty boy when you get going, Reid Matthews.”

  “Want me to show you how dirty?”

  “Yes.”

  And he did. Boy, how he did.

  Reid

  I looked around, fascinated at the scope of the building site. Bentley had returned from his honeymoon, relaxed and happy. Richard was once again in town, and we were on-site at the Ridge Towers property. I had seen pictures, the concept model, but I never had visited the site until now. As Bentley talked, and the architect described the position of the buildings and the amenities, I was impressed by the extent and depth of the vision. The place was going to rock.

  I turned and stared at the water. The land was a rare find here, and Bentley and the vision he had were going to take full advantage of it.

  Maddox stood beside me, taking it all in. “This is going to be an amazing venture.”

  “It is. Are you still thinking of buying one?”

  He chuckled. “Past the point of thinking. I’m buying a place here. The penthouse unit—four bedrooms with the terrace. The biggest one. Bentley blocked it off the list, along with a few others we know people want.”

  “Wow. That’s three thousand square feet. A lot of space for one person.”

  He faced me, his expression one of happiness. “I won’t be alone. We’re keeping it private, but since I already told Bent and Aiden, this seems the right time to share. I asked Dee to marry me, and she said yes.”

  I grasped his hand, shaking it hard. “Congrats, Mad Dog. That’s awesome!”

  His smile was wide. “Yeah, it is. We know it’s fast, but when you know, you know. Dee is it for me, and we want to start our life together.”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “We’re getting married in a few weeks, once the campaign starts and we can step back and relax. A small wedding, friends only. You and Becca are, of course, invited.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “I’m flying everyone to the Bahamas. I’ve rented two villas, and Jen is arranging the wedding for us. No gifts, no pressure. A weekend away with our friends, and our vows on the beach, followed by a late dinner and dancing.” He clapped my shoulder. “You can put those dance lessons to good use again.”

  I swallowed heavily. “The Bahamas?”

  “Yep. That’s what we want. It’s all on me, Reid. Our wedding, our way. No worries on your part.”

  “Um . . . I don’t know if I can go.”

  Aiden joined us, hearing the last part of the conversation.

  “Why the hell not? It’s going to be awesome!”

  I huffed out an embarrassed sigh. “I don’t have a passport.”

  “There’s time. We can put a rush on it.”

  I couldn’t meet Maddox’s eyes. “I don’t know if I can get one with my prison record, or if their travel restrictions allow me to go to that country.”

  Maddox was quiet for a moment. “Then we’ll go somewhere that does allow it so you can be with us.”

  I shook my head. “No, you have your plans set. You can’t change them. I’ll Skype myself in or something. Becca can hold up a laptop for me,” I joked, trying to lighten the serious tone the conversation had taken. “I’ll wear a Hawaiian shirt, and it’ll be as if I’m there.”

  Maddox frowned but didn’t push the subject, for which I was grateful. Instead, he changed topic.

  He jerked his chin toward the area the building would occupy. “What about you? You ready to leave your shoebox for something bigger, Reid? Great chance to get in before it goes through the roof, plus you get to choose your layout.”

  He was right. Their concept was unique. Aside from the placement of the kitchen and bathrooms, you could tweak the floorplan of every unit to suit your taste. All with a price, of course, but still a huge selling feature. Richard was confident when the marketing campaign kicked off in a few days, it would sell out before they broke ground. Given his brilliant strategy, and the uniqueness of the concept, everyone was certain he was correct.

  But once again, my past loomed over me.

  I met Maddox’s curious gaze with a shrug. “I have been thinking about it. But I don’t know if I can afford it.”

  Aiden and Maddox exchanged a look.

  “We pay you well, Reid,” Maddox pointed out. “You can amortize over a longer period and afford the payments. I can help you figure that out.”

  I shuffled my feet as I looked at the ground. “I’m not disputing my salary.”

  “What are you saying?” Aiden asked.

  I tugged my hand through my hair in vexation. “God, the two of you are hitting all my weaknesses today, aren’t you? I’m not sure I would qualify for a mortgage, Aiden. My credit history has been difficult to build since I got out of prison. It took me two years to get a no-frills credit card, and even now, my limit is low. Given the price tags here, even if I had the minimum deposit saved, I’m not sure a bank would give me the money.” I shook my head. “Can we stop busting my chops now?”

  Aiden held up his hands. “We’re only having a conversation, Reid. We aren’t trying to stir up anything, only understand your hesitancy.”

  My anger deflated at his words. “I know that.” I groaned. “It’s-it’s difficult at times. I know this might be hard to understand, but I still have trouble believing or hoping for things. Sometimes, it’s easier not to even admit to wanting them. That way the letdown isn’t as hurtful, you know?”

  “I get that,” Aiden said quietly. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe when things go well.”

  “Yeah.”

  Maddox was silent, tapping his cheek the way he did when in deep thought. Another glance passed between the two men.

  “If you think you’re interested, let me give it some thought—numbers are sort of my thing,” Maddox offered. “I might have an idea or two we could look at.”

  I glanced behind me, imagining the building in place and thinking about living there. “Yeah,” I confessed. “I would be really interested.”

  I pushed my glasses onto my head and rubbed my eyes, suddenly exhausted. I glanced toward Becca
, who was talking to Richard and Bentley, her expression excited as she gestured and spoke. Seeing her made me smile. Right now, it was the only thing that could.

  Maddox cleared his throat. “Which is your favorite unit?”

  “The two-bedroom one Liv showed us the sketches for. With the corner den? I loved that.”

  He nodded. “Nice size.”

  “Nice price, even if I went standard. That’s my dream one, but I would be happy with a one-bedroom, I suppose.”

  He clapped my shoulder. “Dreams are always a good thing to have, Reid. Sometimes you have to reach out and try.”

  Richard and Becca joined us. She stood beside me, not touching, but close. Every minute apart from her seemed forever. Leaving her on Sunday was one of the hardest things I could remember having to do. I wanted to stay with her in her bed for days—to have my fill of making love to her—if that were possible. To discover every intimate detail of her body and mind. Walking away felt as if I had left something important behind me. I hated it. I had no experience with those sorts of emotions, so I didn’t know if it was normal or if I was simply needy. I gave up trying to hide it, and most of the remainder of the day was spent either texting or talking to her. Luckily, she seemed to want the connection as much as I did.

  Since we had become intimate, I found it difficult to stay away from her, and the office was a challenge. I had to fight the urge to seek her out a dozen times a day. To restrain myself from kissing her when we passed in the hall or bumped into each other while getting coffee. But we had agreed to keep it professional at the office. It didn’t stop me from stealing a kiss on occasion, wrapping her in my arms behind my closed office door, or taking advantage of private corners if we went out to lunch. The fact that she informed me she also found it difficult at times made me feel somewhat better. It didn’t make it any easier, but it was something.

  Aiden and Maddox knew that Becca and I had slept together. There had been fist bumps, and Aiden had wiped his cheeks in an overdramatic fashion when I shared the information.

  “My boy is all grown-up now,” he pretended to sob. “He doesn’t need me anymore.”

  I flipped him the bird, joining in Maddox’s laughter.

  Maddox eyed me steadily, always the more serious one. “Was it what you expected?”

  I shook my head. “No, it was more.”

  “More than three seconds?” Aiden quipped.

  I sat straighter and met his eyes. “Way more. Becca had no complaints, although her neighbor might not have been pleased with all the moaning. She certainly knew who Becca was with, though, since she yelled my name a lot.”

  He grinned and slapped my shoulder. “That’s what I want to hear.”

  I was certain they had shared with Bentley, but he would never comment on anything that personal.

  At least, not directly to me.

  Maddox glanced past me. “What about you, Becca? Could you see yourself living here?”

  Fuck.

  I held my breath waiting for her to answer. I had never thought to ask her that question.

  “It’s a great spot, and I think it’ll be amazing once it’s complete. If I were looking, it would be on the top of my list.”

  Richard crossed his arms. “I loved my condo. If I lived here, a place like this would appeal to me.”

  “Any chance of that, Richard?” Aiden asked. “You moving here?”

  He chuckled with a shake of his head. “No. I’m happy in BC. I love my job and the city. Katy’s settled and content. It’s a great place for my girls to grow up. That’s all that matters to me. Besides,” he drawled, “I enjoy my trips to see you guys. If I lived here, you’d be sick of me. And you’d have to fire poor Becca since I would ruthlessly snatch up her job in a heartbeat.”

  Everyone laughed, including Becca. Aiden leaned forward, shaking his head. “Sorry, dude. She bakes cookies. You can’t top that.”

  “Damn it, foiled by baked goods.”

  “She’s way cuter than you are, and she smells good,” I said without thinking.

  Richard laughed even as Maddox and Aiden shook their heads. “Is that your professional or personal opinion, Reid?”

  I shut my eyes with a groan. When I looked toward Becca, expecting anger, she met my eyes with her warm blue ones filled with amusement. I relaxed and grinned.

  “Both.”

  “Maybe I can add that to my resume.”

  Bentley joined us with a frown. “Resume? You aren’t going to need one of those, Becca. You say the word, and you’re part of BAM. Forget The Gavin Group.”

  Richard grabbed at his chest. “I loaned her to you. And now you’re stealing her? Where is the loyalty?”

  Bentley chuckled. “All is fair in love and war . . . and business. You trained her too well, Richard. She is already invaluable to us.”

  Becca threw up her hands. “She is right here, gentlemen. I think I have a say in the matter.”

  Maddox threw a wink in my direction, tilting his head. “What say you, Becca? Here with us, or back to BC with them?”

  I expected her to roll her eyes and refuse to answer. Her reply made my day.

  “Toronto has some unexpected, added benefits,” she murmured. “So, at this point, I’d have to stay.” She met my eyes, quirking her eyebrows and making me grin.

  I was the added benefit.

  Richard groaned. “I give up. I can’t compete with love.”

  Everyone laughed and looked at me.

  I froze to the spot, locked in shock.

  Love?

  Reid

  GETTING MARRIED. PASSPORT. Mortgage. Added benefit. Love.

  Added Benefit.

  Love.

  The words kept swirling around in my head. I couldn’t dislodge them.

  I stood, locked in place, until Aiden turned and called to me. “Quit staring at the view, kid! We got plans to make!”

  Shaking my head, I joined them and acted as natural as I could. Becca knew something was wrong. She kept looking at me, trying to get close, but it was impossible. Bentley had a list he wanted made. Maddox kept throwing out numbers. Aiden was talking about protocols. Richard was all over the place, making notes about the campaign, instructing Becca on items he wanted covered. It was all either of us could do to keep up with them.

  In the SUV, Aiden sat beside me in the back, his questions endless. I heard the constant murmur of Richard’s and Becca’s voices as they talked. Bentley was paying close attention to something Maddox was telling him, both of them serious.

  We separated when we got to the office, everyone dispersing to handle the tasks they needed to do.

  I sat at my desk, making my way through my list. My phone buzzed with a message from Becca.

  Are you okay?

  I replied quickly.

  I’m fine.

  My phone rang and I picked it up, seeing her extension on the display panel.

  “Hey.”

  “Fine usually means not fine.” Becca’s worried voice hummed in my ear.

  “I have a shit-ton of stuff to get done. I’m okay, really.”

  “You looked as if you’d been hit by a Mack truck. When I came over, what were you discussing that was so serious?”

  I wasn’t sure whether it was okay to say anything about Maddox and Dee, and I decided to check before I told her the news. As for the rest, I wasn’t in the mood to share all the snags my former life was currently throwing in my direction. I had no one to blame but myself. Whining about it would do me no good and would only remind Becca I wasn’t good enough for her.

  “Ah, just a bunch of things they want done. Don’t worry.”

  She sighed. “I know you’re stressing over things, and what Richard said—about love? He likes to tease, and it was a general statement.” She dropped her voice. “Please don’t think any more about it.”

  The question was out of my mouth before I could stop it. “Am I the added benefit?”

  My office door shut, and I looked toward the soun
d. Becca stood there, her phone to her ear. She lowered it, then spoke directly to me.

  “You’re the best benefit I have ever had. You’re my favorite part of this job and this city.” She looked at me beseechingly. “I don’t expect anything more than you want to give, Reid.”

  Tossing my phone onto my desk, I was out of my chair in a second and crossing the room. She moved, meeting me partway, both of us reaching for the other. I yanked her close, covering her mouth with mine, needing her on so many levels. The taste of her mouth. The feel of her body pressed close. The silk of her hair under my fingers. It didn’t matter that we were at work or that we were crossing a line we had drawn. I needed her. I needed all of her to ground me.

  I pulled back, leaning my forehead to hers. “BB, you’re my favorite everything. Don’t doubt that.”

  “Don’t be upset with me.”

  “Oh God, I’m not. I promise. His words just hit me.” I cupped her face, looking down at her. “I don’t know how to love, Becca. No one has ever shown me.”

  She started to speak, but I shook my head to silence her.

  “I feel something for you, more than only physical, and I want to see where it goes. But I can’t put a name to it.”

  “You don’t have to,” she whispered, laying her hands over mine. “We’re just starting, Reid. And this is new for me too. We have so much to discover about each other. About being us.”

  I brushed my mouth over hers. “I like being part of an us.”

  “I like being part of your us.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes.”

  I kissed her again and stepped back. “Tonight, Becca. I need to be with you tonight. I know we have dinner and more plans, but when we’re done, I need you and me alone.”

  “Me too.”

  “Okay.” Wanting to lighten the air, I winked. “Now out of my office before I call HR and report you.”

  “For?” she asked, raising her eyebrow.

  Shocking her, I grabbed her and pulled her close. I kissed her hard, long, and deep.

  “For making me ridiculously happy.” I spun her around and urged her to the door. “Please go before I show you exactly how happy and really give Richard something to talk about.”