Chapter 12- Skyler
THE LIGHT FOOTSTEPS entering the kitchen draw my attention away from the beeping microwave. Reed gives an almost apologetic smile as he scratches the back of his head. The morning light catches his tight body in the best way. Even with bed head and in wrinkled pajamas, the man is so sexy.
“You’re awake!” I say in a chipper tone.
“And you’re still here.” Reed yawns and rubs under his shirt, exposing a tantalizing sliver of lower belly.
After clearing my throat, I turn back to the microwave. “I hope you don’t mind. I helped myself to some breakfast. I haven’t had Blob Tarts in ages. The little sugary things aren’t healthy, but man, do they hit the spot.”
I take out the frosted pastries and place them on paper towels to cool. A chill goes up my spine when I feel Reed’s body get closer.
“Do I mind?” he asks with a grin. I turn to see him inches from me, and my breath hitches. Last night, he was all sorrow, and now he’s friendly and…flirty?
And possibly horny. But maybe I’m reading it all wrong.
“Dude, I’m the one who begged you to stay the night. I basically kidnapped you.” He touches my bare elbow, and sparks go up my skin. “No, I don’t mind you eating my food.”
Swoon. His voice is so deep and sexy that my morning wood might make a reappearance.
Against my instincts, I force myself to look away. “Right. Well, thank you for the pajamas. I folded them and placed them at the foot of your bed.” I bite into a pastry. “And the food.”
“Anytime.” Reed stares at me with such shining fondness, it’s like the morning sun itself is standing here in his kitchen.
“But I should get going.”
“Wait, what? Why?” He moves in close, his chest nearly touching mine. I resist the urge to melt in his arms. Reed smells so good, no morning breath or anything.
“I’ve taken up too much of your time.”
“That’s not true,” he says, putting his hand on my back. “I invited you. I kidnapped you. I slept with you.” His smile falls. “Snoozed, that is. Like a log all night.”
I giggle. “Right. Well, you probably have lots to do.”
“Not really.” He moves to turn on an electric kettle. “Usually on the weekends, I end up working or I try to spend quality time with Aisen. But today I’m off and…”
I frown; this is a difficult time for him, and I promised I’d be there for him. “You’ll be okay.”
“You’re the one who’s probably super busy,” he says.
“I, uh…” His brown eyes shine at me, like a hypnotic puppy. I already let him tease me all night; might as well add more pathetic actions to the list. “No, actually.”
“I’m not so good with free time,” Reed says. He leans on the counter and stares at the ceiling. “I don’t really know how to…bond with friends. Or spend time just for me.”
“How do you relax?”
“I drink wine in my bathtub and try to avoid work calls.”
We both crack up. “Sounds like a plan.”
I turn to walk away, but freeze when I hear Reed’s next few words. “Do you wanna hang out?”
After a beat, I turn back around. “What?”
“Hang out. Me and you. Do something fun. Maybe outdoorsy.”
“Like a…date?” My heart threatens to fly from my throat.
At that point, the electric kettle whistles, shattering our weirdly tense moment.
“Ah, sorry.” He pours water out into two mugs. “I’m being pushy. You probably want to do something else other than hang out with a workaholic loser like me. I’ll just, um…”
There’s no fighting this pull. After walking back to him, I touch Reed’s arm, and that shuts him up. He looks at me with an adorably confused stare when I say, “I think I’d like to keep hanging out with you.”
Bruun Park overlooks the ocean a few miles south of Mareflow.
The green hills nearly shimmer in the November sun.
It’s not too hot, not too cold, and several patrons are power-walking up and down the lanes on this perfect weekend morning.
It’s a place I’ve been to many times, and I’m honored to get to share it with Reed.
After Reed drives us there, I rent two bikes at the front desk.
We put on our helmets and ride up and up to the summit.
I teasingly jeer at him to keep up, since apparently he hasn’t biked in years.
Burning all these calories biking uphill might not be the sexiest part of our not-a-date-but-maybe-a-date, but it is fun.
And Reed genuinely seems to be having a good time. I’d like to think I’ve successfully taken his mind off of his nephew.
“Wow,” he says after we stop at the park’s summit.
He takes off his helmet, and I do the same.
The ocean is gorgeous in front of us, a big blue expanse that never seems to end.
We can see it all under the Japanese-inspired pavilion.
The shade is cool, in contrast with the sweat we’ve worked up, biking in the sun for thirty minutes.
“Didn’t I tell you this was the best view in the county?”
“You were so not kidding,” he replies. It’s humbling seeing this expanse of water. We’re two souls in a huge universe; two friends, gazing out at the sea.
“I’ve taken many photos here for my personal collection. The sun catches the blue of the ocean in the best way at all hours. It’s such a gorgeous view of what could be the edge of the world.”
“Indeed,” he replies.
Now that we’re not biking, I’m acutely aware of how close I am to my crush. Sure, we spooned last night, but this is broad daylight―somehow, it’s more intimate.
The world can see us, and Reed still wants to be by my side. But does he want more?
Gazing around, I notice we’re all alone up here in the summit pavilion.
“I’ve never known about this park,” Reed remarks.
“It’s one of the best places to get horizon photos. Stick with me, Sung.” I smirk and shrug. “I’ll show you all sorts of things.”
He laughs. “Like how to have fun.”
“Exactly.”
“And how to capture memories.”
“You could say that.”
“Photography is amazing in that way.” He looks at me. “Little moments in the palm of your hand.”
I nod, and the tension between us once again grows. As I study him, my heart rate picks up. His smile falls, and I have no clue what might happen next.
“I like hanging out with you, Skyler. You…make my life better.”
Oh my stars. “I like hanging out with you, too, Reed.”
The sounds of the distant waves fill my ears while he fidgets with his helmet. He parks his bike and places the helmet on the handle. Then, in a swift maneuver, he’s in my space.
Reed’s hands gently land on my face and neck. He pulls me in, and one heartbeat later, his mouth is on mine.
After the initial shock, I lean into his lips, and my very soul melts. I close my eyes and hold him closer by his hips.
Reed Sung is finally kissing me. Weeks of pining have led to this, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. He tastes so sweet, and when he opens his mouth, I explore him further with my tongue.
No one else on Earth exists. On this big blue rock rotating in space, we’re the only ones here, sharing this perfect moment. We’re simply two men, languidly enjoying the other person’s kiss. Monster god is looking out for me today.
All good things have to come to an end, so I pull back for air.
“Wow,” I say breathlessly.
“Was that…was that okay?” he asks, his mouth glistening in the daylight. “Was it wrong that I did that?”
That trademark Reed self-consciousness reappears, so, in answer, I pull him in again by his shirt collar. We kiss and kiss as the gentle sea breeze bathes both of us. I finally have my mouth on my crush, and I intend to make the most of this glorious moment.
The rest of the afternoon is equal parts enjoyable and peaceful.
Reed and I go grocery shopping and decide to cook that evening.
It’s utterly domestic when we’re in the kitchen, meal-prepping for the week, and I can hardly stand it.
He gives me little touches on the waist and elbow the entire time.
We keep giggling and smiling at each other, content in not discussing our kisses at the park, but that attraction is there, simmering in the meaningful looks we keep sharing with one another.
As afternoon turns to evening, he agrees with my suggestion to watch some animal documentaries.
He lets me yap on and on about my favorite docuseries, and he asks me questions with genuine interest. We cuddle on the couch as we watch, and the warmth of his arm around my shoulder is a feeling I never want to take for granted. Curling up with Reed feels so right.
Past boyfriends have said I’m too dramatic, too garrulous, and too nerdy when it comes to wildlife cinematography. But Reed keeps wanting to know more about me. I can feel myself getting serious with him.
That night, when he offers me another change of clothes if I stay over, how can I refuse?
We’re both showered and lying in bed, the sexual tension thrumming between us. Even if he doesn’t want to be intimate, I love being wrapped up in his sheets with his heartbeat near mine. He smells so right.
But judging by his stare filled with longing, I think we’re both ready to do more.
“Today was truly special.”
“It was,” I reply with a smile. We’re both on separate pillows, and mere inches separate us.
“This was like the most fun I’ve had in…possibly ever.”
“I’m flattered.”
“I kinda don’t want it to end. But alas, work happens.”
“Exactly. Can’t have a weekend without Monday right around the corner.”
He bites his lip pensively. Then, a flirty, almost dangerous smile grows on his lips. “So let’s make the most of the night.”
“Why, Mr. Sung,” I purr. “What did you have in mind?”
He leans over me. “Let me show you, Mr. Dillinger.”
In a blur, we’re on each other, kissing and rolling in the sheets. My tongue wrestles with his while his body covers mine. We’re a tangled mass of limbs, clawing at the other person’s clothes. No need for pajamas tonight.
“Mm…what do you…want to…?” I try to say around his mouth. The dude is starving, and I’m his last meal.
“Mm…whatever you want.” He barely pulls back from me to pry off his shirt. A moment later, I gently ease him off my mouth to get a look at him.