Chapter 28 #2
Second, I was stepping into something far bigger than me. More intense than first, second, or third dates, and “when will he call?” My dating history was finite, and getting into something with Reed—who was I kidding, I was already way in—was so much more.
This was scary territory, the kind that turned your life upside down.
But it clicked as I reflected on each tender moment, look, and touch today.
I couldn’t pretend it was headed in any other direction.
Maybe to the rest of the world, but not to him.
Not to myself. There was only one path to take, and I was already farther down the trail than I’d even realized.
An odd longing tugged at me, wanting to be curled up with the two of them, but at the same time, I didn’t want to impose. It didn’t feel right to leave without saying goodbye, though, and I figured Reed might have a nasty neck ache in the morning if he slept in that position all night.
I tiptoed into the room and gently rubbed up and down his arm. He woke abruptly, eyes still entranced with sleep as he looked back at me. “I’m going to go. You should go to bed.”
He shot up and latched on to my arm, pulling me into him.
The movement startled me, and through the minimal light shining through the doorway, I peered up at him, barely making out his features, but I could feel his heartbeat, hear his swallow.
He leaned his head down and whispered, “Please don’t go,” his breathy words a burst of warmth.
I rested my head against his chest, letting out an exhale as I conceded once again. “Okay.”
A smile colored his groggy voice as he begged, “Just pizza. Okay? Just stay and have pizza.”
When I tipped my head in agreement, he kissed my temple.
With gentle hands on my shoulders, he turned me around and guided me to the living room, not losing contact with me for a second as he steered me to the couch.
“Sit here. I’ll be right back. What do you like on pizza?
” As soon as he said the words, his eyes crinkled and he snorted out a laugh while shaking his head. “Fucking pineapple.”
A loud giggle escaped me before I covered my mouth, fearful I’d wake up Abigail.
Reed knelt in front of me and cupped my cheek.
His gorgeous emeralds bounced with mirth, but there was also a hint of desire reflected in them.
“If pineapple on pizza is what it takes to make you stay, then I will order extra pineapple. I will order only pineapple, and I will ask them to bake it in the shape of a pineapple.”
I turned my head and kissed his hand, then playfully nibbled at it. He pulled it back with a yelp, then covered his own mouth, realizing how loud he was. The giddiness and relief ricocheted between us, barely contained.
As Reed stepped away to order the pizza and gather us drinks, I snuggled into pillows and flipped through movie options, settling on Moana. Being in a house with a five-year-old was a great excuse for watching children’s movies, not that I ever needed to justify “research” as a teacher.
“Moana is the princess of choice tonight, I see,” Reed said as he returned, handing me a juice pouch and bottle of water, then settled on the couch at my feet, resting his hands on them.
I nodded and wiggled my feet happily. He turned my way and gave me the most pathetic attempt at a pouty face. “You’re way over there.” He reached for my arm. “Come here.”
There wasn’t much convincing needed on my part as I sat up and let him pull me over. My head fell in his lap, a surprisingly cozy exchange for the pillows I’d just left behind.
I curled my hands into my chest and turned to face the TV.
We watched in silence as Reed stroked my hair, giving me butterflies with each sweet pull.
I felt tucked in his nest once more, like back in the cabana on the beach.
Except this time, there was more than just smoldering anticipation between us. Our connection felt safe, secure.
It was a battle to keep my eyes open, between the warmth of him and the familiar sounds from one of my favorite movies. Moving a hand under my cheek, I sighed happily. “This is my favorite part.”
Goose bumps rose along my skin as he caressed from my temple to my neck. “Why?” The genuine curiosity in his voice was like a sprinkling of comfort.
“I love Moana’s grandmother. She is my favorite movie character. She believes in Moana and pushes her, and Moana honors her by fighting toward her goal. Plus, she owns her quirks and has a rad tattoo.”
Reed shifted under me. “Hmm.” His contemplation vibrated through him.
After a moment, he touched my cheek, guiding me to face him.
I lay back and peered up at him, a bit of green flashing down at me each time the screen lit up brighter.
“I remember you telling me how special your grandma was to you. I wish I could have met her.”
The air whooshed out of me with his simple, unexpected declaration. “She would have really liked you.” Blinking rapidly, I fought back the tears threatening to escape.
Reed pinched my side, grinning playfully. “Well, I sure hope so. Otherwise, I have a feeling I’d be screwed.”
I held his cheek, smiling up at him, trying hard to hold back the rush of emotion. “She would have loved you and your bold PTA man vibes.”
He huffed a laugh, but I continued, “And if all else failed, she’d love Abigail and would tolerate you by default.” My own giggle was what finally uncorked me, and tears pooled in my eyes.
Reed glided his thumb along my cheek. “Her bio and photo are in the hallway by the administration office at the school.”
I nodded, a tear slipping past my lashes.
“She sounded like an amazing woman and a brilliant educator. Devoted.”
I sniffled with a short nod as he wiped at my tears.
“She looked like you too. Same nose.” Then, in perfect Reed fashion, he booped mine. I smiled, blinking away the puddles in my eyes.
“I understand now,” he said with a visible swallow. “Why you are so good at what you do. You’re so dedicated to your students. She inspired you and your love for teaching.”
His acknowledgment of this part of me that I valued and took pride in stirred something inside me.
“That’s why you’re meant to be the next principal. And that’s why it’s so important for you to follow in her footsteps.” Then he sighed heavily, shoulders drooping. “With everything on your plate right now, Abi and I, we’d be too much to take on.” It wasn’t a question.
Alarmed that his mind would take him there, I sat up immediately. He rubbed the hair away from my shoulders as I spun to face him, my knees on the couch and my feet tucked under me.
“It’s okay, Cici. I get it. This”—he motioned at himself and around the house—“is a lot. It’s heavy.”
Grabbing his hands, I hugged them between mine, pulling them down to his lap. He glanced down at them, then back up to me, and his features softened a fraction.
“No, Reed. If anything, you, this—” I repeated his gesturing of himself and the house around us.
“This lifts me up. My days are brighter with you in them, and Abi is a spark of joy in my world each and every day. I see her red curls flopped over her sparkly green eyes, and I see you every time. And then I miss you, and I long for one of your mischievous smirks and crave… other things.” I crawled onto his lap and stared blatantly at his lips as I placed my hands on his chest. “I want you.”
His mouth moved to speak, but I placed a chaste kiss on them before he could get any words out. A kiss that was quickly followed by a shush. “Listen to me.”
He squeezed his lips shut obediently.
“Ordinarily, it’s frowned upon to be involved with a parent, especially when I’m in a PTA role.”
His brows pulled together, but I continued, “And I’m being closely observed in every sense of my professional life, because I am the primary candidate for principal when Karen retires after this year.”
His lips pinched as his lashes fluttered closed, and then he nodded with an “Ah.” He dropped his chin with an exhale. “I’m sorry, Cici.”
I glided my hands up his chest, over his shoulders, and caressed the back of his neck. Resting my forehead on the crown of his bowed head, I whispered, “I’m not.”
His chest heaved in, then out with another sigh. “I was pushing so much, I didn’t realize. I’d never want to put your promotion at risk.”
I leaned my head down, letting my lips graze the conch of his ear, so tempted to nibble on the softness of the lobe to perk up the mood.
But this was a conversation we both needed to have. “You didn’t push me, Reed. You can’t push things that move on their own.” And it was the truth. Every moment I spent with him pushed me closer and closer to the edge, and now I was falling.
“I don’t think there is any chance of stopping this. And I don’t think I want to anymore. Do you?” I sat up and cupped his chin.
The vivid green that had me paralyzed when we first met still shone bright behind dark circles of exhaustion.
He leaned in and touched my lips with his.
The lightest, most featherlight kiss. Then he breathed the word “No,” and it traveled from my mouth through my body, creating the brightest zing of hope, relief, and the need for release.
I sunk my lips into his, finally letting nothing but lust vibrate through us, and he reached around the nape of my neck and pulled me in deeper.
I dipped, giving him the room to maneuver my mouth however he wanted.
I was putty, my mind was a haze, and my hand fisted and twisted his T-shirt, looking for any leverage I could find to keep me connected to him, as close as possible.