Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
F or the first time in her life, Sunny was speechless.
Sensible, responsible Reid Mitchell wanted to get into trouble . . . with her? It made no sense. No sense at all.
“W-W-Why?” she sputtered.
His calloused fingers slid along her jaw and lifted her chin until their gazes met. There was definite desire in his amber eyes. And something else. Something that made her heart beat faster as he spoke in a low raspy voice.
“Maybe I’m finally seeing the person behind the smile—the person you really are.”
“The failing artist who is a liar, a vandal, and a horrible influence on innocent young girls?”
He shook his head. “No. The talented artist who struggles to believe in herself and puts everyone else’s happiness above her own—even an innocent young girl’s.”
“I haven’t made people very happy lately.”
His eyes grew intense as he studied her. “It’s not your responsibility to make everyone happy all the time, Sunshine. Sometimes, you just need to make yourself happy.”
“That’s the trouble. I don’t know what will make me happy.”
“Then I guess you’ll just need to figure it out. Until then, hold your breath.”
She stared at him. “What?”
“Hold your breath.”
Before she had a chance to figure out what he was talking about, he scooped her into his arms and tossed her in the springs. The water was freezing and filled her nose when she sucked in from the shock of it. She surfaced, choking and trying to catch her breath as a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her against a muscled chest.
“You okay? I told you to hold your breath.”
She scraped her hair back and glared at the man grinning at her. “No one holds their breath when people tell them to. They’re too busy thinking ‘Why does he want me to hold my breath?’ And the answer to that question, as far as you’re concerned, wouldn’t have been because you planned to toss me into the springs.”
“And why not? You don’t think I know how to have fun?”
“Actually, no.”
He laughed. Since she was held tightly in his arms, she felt the husky rumble all the way down to her toes that were brushing against his hard calves.
“Okay,” he said. “Fair enough. I haven’t exactly been fun luvin’.”
“Haven’t exactly been?”
“Alright I haven’t been. But I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf.”
“And why is that?”
He studied her. “Maybe I’m taking a page from the Sunshine book and looking for the joy in life, instead of looking for the sorrow.” He grinned a lecherous grin and easily lifted her high above his head.
“Don’t you?—”
That was all she got out before she went sailing through the air and landed in the water again. But this time she was more prepared. Instead of resurfacing, she stayed underwater and swam toward him. Since the bottom of the springs was lined with slippery moss and rock, it only took a tug to get his feet to slip out from under him. She tried to hold him under, but he was too strong. He pulled her to the surface in a tangle of arms and legs. He was laughing like crazy. She shoved her hair out of her face and scowled.
“I think I like the grumpy Gus better than the joking prankster.”
“Says the woman who sent the mayor’s underwear up the flagpole.”
“I was a clueless teenager.”
“So you’re telling me you aren’t interested in any more daredevil thrills?”
“That depends on what the thrill is.”
His gaze lowered and his smile faded. She glanced down and realized that the ties on one side of her dress had come undone and her breast was almost completely bared.
She quickly went to cover it, but Reid encircled her wrist with his calloused fingers and stopped her. His amber gaze was intense and he looked hot, so hot, with his dark hair slicked back from his angular face like some kind of sexy magazine model. When he spoke, his voice was rough and tummy tingling.
“How about a thrill that doesn’t involve anyone . . . but you and me.”
He moved her hand away from her breast and lowered his water-spiked eyelashes. His gaze felt like a hot brand and her nipples hardened against the wet material of her dress.
“Damn,” he whispered. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about your sweet nipples since the first night you showed them to me.” His gaze lifted, his eyes reflecting the sliver of moon that had risen over the springs, turning them into two heated swirls of silver-gold. “Show them to me again, Sunshine.” He released her wrist. “Please.”
It was like his words were a struck match and she was a February Christmas tree. Her entire body went up in flames. There was no way she could not follow his command.
Keeping her gaze locked with his, she reached up and lowered the bodice of her dress, allowing both breasts to spring free. His breath sucked in, and she waited with trembling anticipation for him to touch her.
He didn’t.
Instead, he just looked, his chest rising and falling with each uneven breath he took. It was the most sensual thing Sunny had ever experienced, standing there in the moonlight with Reid’s hot gaze pinned to her. When she didn’t think she could stand the anticipation a second more, he lifted his hand. His first touch was a mere brush along the side swell of her right breast.
“Jesus, you’re beautiful.” He wet his lips as he swept a finger over the top and around to the other side. “Do you know how many nights I’ve dreamed about holding these . . . worshiping them like they deserved to be worshipped?” He lightly caressed the other breast. “They just beg for attention . . . for stroking . . . for hugging.” He took one in hand and gently squeezed. He growled low in his throat as his fingers tightened. “So soft . . . so damn fuckin’ soft.” He strummed the nipple with his thumb, causing her to moan and sway toward him. “Do you like that, baby?”
“Yes,” she gasped.
“What about this?” He rolled her nipple between his calloused fingers before pinching hard. Desire zinged through her body and she had to grab on to his shoulders as her knees buckled.
He chuckled. “So my Sunshine likes it a little rough.” He pinched her again before he lowered his head and took her into his hot, wet mouth with a strong suck that had her coming up to her toes and sliding her fingers through his hair.
“R-R-Reid.”
He lightened the suck, his breath cooling her nipple as he spoke. “I’m right here, baby. Like I said before, I’m not going anywhere.” He licked her nipple lushly before drawing it back into his mouth. While he worked his magic with his tongue and mouth, he palmed her other breast and tugged and pinched until her nipple was as hard as the pebbles beneath her feet.
But there was another part of her that badly needed attention.
Fisting his hair in her hands, she arched her back and tried to brush that needy part against his hard body. But it was impossible with him bent and worshipping her breasts. She groaned loudly in frustration and tugged on his hair.
He drew back and arched a brow. “Is there a problem, Sunshine? Is what I’m doing not thrilling enough?”
“Don’t be a smart-ass. You know exactly what I need.”
His eyes darkened. “And I intend to give it to you, baby. Come here.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her—a hungry kiss like he’d given her against his truck. But this time, his hands found her butt under the skirt of her dress. And since she wasn’t wearing any panties, he had full access.
He growled as he tugged her against him, his fingertips brushing the crease between her butt cheeks as he palmed her in his large hands. Pressed to him, she could feel all his impressive muscles . . . including the long, hard length hidden beneath his wet trunks.
“I want to come,” she said breathily as she rubbed against him.
“And I want you to come, baby. I want you to come bad.” He released her butt and turned her so her back pressed against his hard chest.
“What are you—” She cut off when his lips pressed to her ear and blew softly, sending a cascade of tingles through her.
“Shh . . .” He nibbled on her lobe and those tingles tightened into a throbbing knot between her legs as he stepped back until their shoulders were submerged in the water. “Rest your head on my shoulder and just relax. I got you.”
She did what he asked and her legs started to float up. His arm came around her waist and he pulled her back, anchoring her against him as his hand dipped below the skirt of her dress that floated around them.
Like with her breasts, he took his time, caressing her stomach and brushing her thighs, before he dipped between her legs and unerringly found the aching spot. As soon as his warm fingers begin their rhythmic stroke, she was lost. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t do anything but stay in Reid’s tight grip as he unraveled her.
That’s how she felt. Like a sweater with a loose string of yarn that no one but Reid had ever found. With one tug, all the pretenses she had knitted together to hide her true feelings came undone. It was freeing and terrifying all at the same time. All she could do was dig her chewed-off nails into his arm and ride it out as he whispered encouragement in her ear.
“That’s it, baby. Just let go.”
She did. She let go. She let got and tumbled into the best orgasm of her life. When her body stopped quaking with aftershocks, he drew her close and just held her. Since she had never been one to cuddle after sex, she waited for the antsy feeling that always prompted her to pull out of a man’s arms and leave. But it never showed up. As she watched the sliver of moon rise over the trees and listened to the strong beat of Reid’s heart, she had no desire to be anywhere but right where she was.
He kissed her shoulder. “Thrilling enough?”
She shrugged. “Not as thrilling as pulling pranks on the townsfolk, but close.”
He chuckled. “I tell you what. I’ll let you paint a t on my butt anytime you want.” He turned her around and kissed her leisurely, his hard erection pressing into her stomach. “You want to come back to my trailer?”
“I’d love to go back to your trailer.”
He continued kissing her as he scooped her into his arms and walked out of the water. Unfortunately, as soon as they reached the shore, his cellphone started ringing. It turned out to be Sophie needing a ride home. Once he hung up, he looked at Sunny with disappointment in his champagne eyes.
“I’m sorry, but I have to cut our evening short.”
She pinned on a smile. “No worries.”
He walked over and tipped her chin up. “Oh, no. You’re not going to hide behind that smile with me anymore, Sunshine. Say what you feel.”
She looked into his eyes and let her smile slip. “I wish this night would never end.”
“Ahh, baby.” He lowered his head and kissed her with enough sexy suction to pull a moan from her. When he had her drooping against him like a piece of overcooked pasta, he drew back. “There will be other nights. I’m going to make sure of it.” He gave her another quick kiss before he turned her in the direction of her car and gave her a swat on the butt. “Text me when you get home.”
She drove back to the bed-and-breakfast in a daze. A month ago, she’d wanted nothing more than to climb Reid Mitchell like the Alps. But now that it looked like she was going to get to, she was having second thoughts. Not because she didn’t desire him. She desired him more than she had ever desired a man in her life. If he had been any other man, she would take what she wanted and go on about her business.
But Reid wasn’t just any other man.
Somewhere along the way, he’d become her friend.
A friend she had shared more with than even Cory or her Secret Sisters. She’d never cried in front of anyone, and yet, she’d sobbed her heart out with Reid. And he hadn’t become upset or tried to fix it like she knew Corbin and Jesse would have. He had just held her close and let her cry. After he had given her that, how could she take what she wanted and just walk away?
And she knew that’s exactly what she’d do if she started something up with Reid. She was her parents’ daughter, after all. An emotional wreck who had trouble making commitments. Which was why she steered clear of them.
She needed to steer clear of Reid until she left town.