Reid: Vested Interest #4 Read online

  “Too much, BB?”

  She lifted her face, a lazy smile curving her lips. They were swollen and pink, wet from my tongue. Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes glazed over. I ran my finger over her cheek. “Another spectacular look.”

  She rolled her eyes. “BB?”

  “I think of you as Becca Baby. If I think it too often, it’s going to come out at work. So I shortened it.”

  “I see.”

  “You hate it?”

  “No. I’ve never had a nickname.”

  “Not even when you were little? Your dad didn’t have a nickname for you?”

  “No, my dad was, is, a no-nonsense guy. My name is Rebecca, and that’s what he called me. He still does. He didn’t like it when I shortened my name.”

  I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Why do I have a feeling your dad and I will never get along?”

  She looked thoughtful. “There is that chance. But then again, he might surprise me. He disliked Richard intensely when he met him, and now they get along fine.”

  “Why did he dislike Richard? I mean, he’s your boss.”

  She sighed, laying her head on my shoulder. It fit there as if it was made for her. I leaned my head on hers as she spoke.

  “My dad sees things as black and white. He grew up in a different era, and he forgets things have changed and evolved, I think. At times, he is inflexible. He, ah, accused Richard of having inappropriate thoughts about me.”

  I lifted my head, gaping at her. “What?”

  “I know. It was ridiculous. Anyone who has ever met Richard and has seen him with his wife would know how stupid that sounded. He adores Katy. Worships her, in fact. I spent a lot of time with Richard at work, and I talked about him. My dad assumed there had to be more than a work relationship. In his mind, why else was Richard bothering with me?”

  I felt a ripple of anger flow through me. “That’s rather insulting. To both of you, but especially you. You’re his daughter. Surely, he knows you better than that?”

  She smiled at me. “I love that you immediately jump to my defense.”

  I shrugged. “I know you well enough to know that.”

  “I was embarrassed and upset. It caused a rift between us. Richard was furious and went straight to my father, with Katy in tow, and told him off. They both did. Richard told him he should be proud of me, not casting aspersions on my character—or his. He said my father had insulted him and his wife, and that they were both very fond of me. He said his expectations of me were business-related and nothing else.” She lifted one shoulder. “He told my dad to get his head out of his ass, apologize, and figure out what year it was. He made him apologize to Katy.”

  “What about you?”

  “My dad waited a few days, called me, and I went to see him. He did apologize to me.” She sighed. “He’s a hard man at times, but he is my dad.”

  “What if he hates me and tells you to dump me?”

  She was silent for a moment. “I hope that doesn’t happen, Reid,” she admitted. “But I’m a grown-up. I decide who will be in my life, not my dad.”

  “It would still be difficult.” I ran my fingers through her hair. “I don’t want to complicate your life. But at the same time, I want to be in it.”

  She smiled, cupped my cheek, and pressed her mouth to mine. “We’ll figure that out when it happens, okay? Right now, I’m happy to be here with you.”

  I tugged her closer. “Me too.”

  A while later, she shifted and met my gaze, her expression curious. We hadn’t moved, curled together on the sofa, talking, kissing, and holding hands. I hadn’t gotten any of the things done I had planned, but I refused to move. I liked being near to her.

  “Reid, I need to know . . . why-why are you still a virgin?”

  I lifted one shoulder, trying not to grin at her hesitance in asking. “How I grew up wasn’t exactly conducive to having a girlfriend, Becca. I mean, I kissed a few girls when I was a teenager, and I dated a couple of women when I got out of prison, but somehow, to me, I wanted it to be special. No one ever made me feel as if I wanted to share that part of me. It was one thing I had that was mine.”

  “I’m not a virgin,” she stated, worried.

  “I would hardly expect you to be. I think if I hadn’t gone to prison, I wouldn’t be one right now either. But that’s the way life turned out. I’m not ashamed of it, even though I know it’s highly unusual.”

  She looked toward the counter, tracing her finger around the edge of her coffee mug. A smile played on the corner of her lips as she remembered how I vaulted over it earlier. The thought made me smile as well.

  “Is it wrong I find that kind of hot?” she asked under her breath. Her gaze flew to mine. “The virgin thing—not that you’ve been in prison.”

  I chuckled. “I figured that. But, seriously, Becca, will you be able to move past the prison thing? And the fact that I have no family, no clue who I am, really?”

  She frowned. “I’m sorry you were in prison. I hate what you went through your entire life. But you do know who you are. You chose that person. You’re Reid Matthews.”

  “And Reid Matthews is . . .” I left the sentence hanging, wanting her to finish.

  She smiled. “Reid is someone I want to spend a lot of time with. I want to know him—all of him.”

  “I’m rather new to the whole dating thing. I’ll probably screw it up.”

  “I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. We’ll take our time and learn together.”

  “Does time include more kissing?”

  “Definitely.”

  “And, ah, other things?”

  “When you’re ready. You’ve waited so long, Reid. Don’t rush.” Before I could reply, she said the words I was desperate to hear.

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  We spent the entire day together. I worked on the system, with Becca acting as my assistant. More than once, she rose up on her toes for a kiss. More than once, I had her pressed to the wall, devouring her mouth. It was the best install I had ever done.

  “You are such a good kisser,” she murmured against my mouth. “How can a virgin be so good at kissing?”

  Pleased she was enjoying my caresses, I grinned. “I have kissed girls and women, but, as I said, I haven’t gone beyond that.” I cupped her face, dragging my lips across her cheek to her sensitive earlobe. “I was waiting for the right person.”

  “And I’m that person?”

  “Yes,” I stated with conviction, dropping another kiss to her mouth. “You are.” I ran my fingers over my lips, then grabbed my drill.

  “Why do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “You press your fingers on your mouth every time we kiss.”

  “Oh, ah . . .” I stalled, looking over her shoulder. I felt heat prickle my neck.

  “Tell me,” she insisted. “I want to know.”

  “I like how it feels when you kiss me. I guess I’m sort of sealing you into me. Keeping your taste locked into my mouth.”

  She stared at me, blinking and silent.

  “Is that weird? It’s weird. I’m sorry.”

  I wasn’t prepared when she launched herself at me. The drill flew one way; we hit the wall behind me, a mass of entangled arms and legs, her mouth on mine, hard and passionate. I slid down the wall to the floor, taking her with me. She was ferocious in her intensity, her kisses deep and possessive.

  “You say the most erotic words,” she groaned. “Sealing my taste into you?”

  “So, not weird?” I moaned as she kissed her way down my neck.

  “No, not weird.” She hovered over me, her dark hair falling like a waterfall around us. “You turn me on like no man has ever done, Reid. Ever.” She kissed me again.

  I was good with that.

  Eventually, we got off the floor, finished the install, and I explained how everything worked. Since her apartment was smaller and older, she had no use for many of the features, but I liked know
ing her place was more secure. She loved the little camera so she could see who was at the door and the fact that she didn’t have to have keys since she admitted to losing them a lot.

  I pushed her laptop toward her. “Okay, you need to input your password. Make it something you can remember, but it needs a capital letter, a number and a special character.”

  She frowned in concentration.

  “I can always override it, if you forget,” I offered.

  She tapped the keys with a grin.

  “Enter it again.”

  She did, her grin getting wider. I looked at my screen. “Okay. You’re done.”

  “You want to know what it is?”

  “Um, you want me to know? I can unlock your door, then.”

  She sidled close, sliding her arm around my waist. Tucked in tight to my side, she grinned at me.

  “Reidskiss#1”

  I chuckled. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  I wondered if she knew how her words made me feel. She liked my kisses. She liked me. I mattered to her. I felt ten feet tall.

  “Can I take you out to dinner?”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I want to take you on a date.” I looked down at my casual jeans and shirt. “I guess not a proper date, but I’ll make up for it next time.”

  “You don’t have to be in a suit for it to be a proper date, Reid. I like casual. I have to be dressed up all week for work, so it’s nice to relax on the weekends.”

  “What’s your favorite food?”

  “Hmm. Chinese or Italian. I love them both.”

  “There is a great place a couple of blocks from here. Awesome Chinese. Small and casual. After, we could take a walk and get ice cream. For some reason, I always want ice cream after Chinese food.”

  Her eyes glowed. “Me too!”

  I held out my hand. “Okay, BB. Let’s go.”

  Becca studied the menu on the wall, her nose scrunched in thought. She looked adorable, and I kissed the end of her nose. “Make up your mind.”

  “I never know what to get, so I get the usual, then I wish I had tried something different.” She nibbled on her lip in frustration.

  “Get a triple scoop.”

  “I can’t eat that much ice cream!”

  “I can. I’ll get a triple, you get a double, and we’ll share. Five flavors.” I nudged her forward. “Now pick.”

  Ten minutes later, we were strolling down the street, hands clasped, eating ice cream. My huge cone contained chocolate peanut butter, marshmallow fudge, and moose tracks. Becca had banana fudge and black cherry. All of them were awesome. I ate faster than Becca, and she kept slapping my hand away from grabbing her cone. Laughing, I yanked her into my arms and kissed her in the middle of the street, not caring who might be watching. She tasted of ice cream, happiness, and life. Simply being with her made me happy. I had never known a feeling like it in my life. She clung to me as if she felt it too. When I lifted my head, I gazed down at her, mischievousness making her eyes dance with delight. Ice cream dripped down my hand, and with a sexy smirk, she licked it off my skin, her tongue lingering on my fingers. I groaned and shook my head.

  “Tease.”

  She shook her head slowly. “No, it’s a promise.”

  I rested my forehead on hers. “You can’t say things like that to me.”

  “I think I just did.”

  “I want you so much,” I pleaded to her skin.

  “I told you there’s no rush. I’m not going anywhere.”

  I laughed and stood back, trading cones with her. “Unless I explode.”

  She giggled, the sound teasing but still seductive. “I won’t let you explode”—she slid her hand into my back pocket and squeezed my ass—“unless it’s in the very best way. I promise.”

  As we walked, I licked the cone, needing to stop the ice cream from cascading down the sides. She watched me intently.

  “I can hardly wait to see what you do with that tongue on me.”

  I almost swallowed said tongue. Choking, I mock-glared at her. “What did I say about not saying stuff like that to me?”

  She snickered, trading cones once more. “I love seeing your reactions, but I’ll stop if you want.”

  I studied her. She was happy and laughing. I felt lighter, more at home with myself than I had my entire life. I liked how her hand felt resting against my ass. I enjoyed how she felt nestled into my side. I loved tasting the ice cream her tongue had licked.

  I caressed her hip. “Nope. Keep it up, BB. I’ll pay you back one day.”

  She winked. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  We stopped to listen to a street musician playing his violin on the corner. His bow flashed as he wrung out notes I didn’t know a violin could play—he was wickedly talented. I finished the last of my ice cream, then polished off Becca’s. As the music continued, I stood behind her, linking my arms around her waist, tugging her close. I rested my chin on her head, letting the spirited music drift over me. Becca’s fingers tapped out the beat on my arm, and I tightened my grip. It felt right standing with her, and I enjoyed the feel of her warmth. After the music faded, I reached into my pocket and tossed a couple of bills into his open violin case.

  “Awesome, man.”

  He grinned. “Thanks.”

  We strolled away, getting closer to Becca’s place. At the corner where the coffee shop and corner store were located, the old woman was outside, fussing with her buckets, lifting them to carry inside for the night. I hurried forward, lifted the last two buckets, and followed her inside.

  She beamed at me, her face a crisscross of wrinkles, like that of a well-worn map, a lifetime of smiles etched into her skin.

  “Your girl?” she asked, tilting her head to the door.

  I glanced at Becca who was watching, curious. She had a small smile on her face, observing me talking to the flower lady.

  “Yes,” I confirmed. “My girl.”

  She bent and searched the buckets with fingers knotted with arthritis, pulling out a rose in a deep red. The petals were full and lush, a perfect specimen of the flower.

  “You give. One is romantic.”

  “She will love it.”

  In an odd gesture, she reached up and patted my face. “I think you good boy. You deserve.”

  “Can I help you with anything else?”

  “No. Flowers are inside. I close now.”

  I stepped outside, hearing the door lock in place behind me. I handed Becca the rose. Delight spread across her face, and she burrowed her nose in the blossom, inhaling deeply.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She stepped closer, gazing up at me. “For someone who claims he has little experience, you are very good at this dating thing.”

  “Yeah?”

  She slid her arm around my waist, tipping up her head. “Yeah.”

  “I think it might have something to do with the person I’m with,” I replied. “You make it easy, Becca.” I ran my fingers down her cheek. “It’s all you, BB.”

  She pressed her mouth to mine.

  “I’m good with that.”

  I was as well.

  Reid

  IT WAS DIFFICULT to leave Becca. But I knew if I stayed, things were going to progress and fast. She was right when she said there was no rush, but still, being alone in her apartment and close to her was too much of a temptation.

  “What are you doing tomorrow?” I asked and picked up my bag, stalling for a few more minutes of her company.

  “Laundry, some grocery shopping. Then I’m meeting Cami and Emmy for coffee in the afternoon. They’re going to show me a couple of places to shop.” She smiled. “You?”

  “A few errands and I’ll probably go into the office.” I lifted the bag to my shoulder with a shrug. “I have lots of stuff I can work on, and I wasn’t there today. In fact, I’ll probably do some work when I go home. I like to work at night.”

  “You work a lot. Do y
ou go in every weekend?”

  “Typically. I’m a night owl. I don’t need much sleep.”

  “Usually, I go to bed early. I need a good eight hours. I always have.” She chuckled. “I think I was the most boring student at university. Everyone was partying or up late watching TV, and I was asleep.”

  “I don’t think you could ever be boring.”

  “I’ll remind you of that when you’re playing video games to keep yourself entertained while I nap.”

  I didn’t know how to tell her that idea pleased me. With her curled up next to me as I played games or worked on code. I liked the idea, a lot.

  “Sounds good.” I flashed her a grin.

  “I don’t want to keep you from your work, Reid.”

  “Don’t worry about it. One reason I worked so much was that I had nothing else to occupy my time. I’m sort of hoping that’s changed.”

  “It has, but I don’t want you to fall behind.”

  I laughed. “That won’t happen. Plus, Aiden and Maddox will be thrilled. They’ve been telling me to get out and live.”

  Her brow furrowed. “What, ah, what are we going to do about the office?”

  “Whatever you’re comfortable with. I know you’re a private person, Becca. I won’t embarrass you at work.”

  She captured my hand. “You could never embarrass me. But I think we need to keep our relationship between us. At least for a while.”

  “So, you don’t want me to say anything to the guys?” I asked, brushing my hair off my forehead. “They know me pretty well and have been sort of helping to push me in your direction. I don’t think I can lie that well.”

  “No, I know they’re your friends and you confide in them. I meant no PDA in the office or preferential treatment.”

  “Too late. They already told me they know you’re my priority at work. They tease me about it all the time.”

  She chuckled. “Okay, then. Maybe watch you don’t go overboard.” She bit her lip. “Maybe no, ah, really personal stories?”

  I had to laugh at her request. “I won’t say or do anything to humiliate you or us.” I lifted one eyebrow, teasing. “At least, I’ll try. Aiden says I am the king of overshare.” At her look of worry, I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “My relationship with them isn’t conventional, Becca. They’re my bosses, but also my friends. The closest thing to family I have. I do promise anything I tell them is between us, and I can be discreet when it comes to you.” I sighed heavily, my breath moving the tendrils of hair that fell over her brow. “You mean too much for me to be flippant or careless with our relationship. Trust me when I say that.”