Chapter 28 #3
Reed bit and sucked at my lower lip, shooting warmth right to that place low in my belly, and my hips ground into him, demanding more.
He groaned and entwined his hands in my hair as he devoured me, our kiss becoming a sloppy mash.
His teeth knocked into mine, and he pulled back and let out a puff of air.
“I’ll kiss you with more finesse when I can stop worrying that it’ll be the last time I get your lips. ”
I giggled just as a knock pounded on the door.
Reed rose from the couch to answer it, then strutted back with the pizza box in hand, wearing a mischievous grin.
He set the box on the coffee table and rubbed his hands together.
The smell teased my senses as I watched him continue to draw out its grand reveal.
“Ta-da!” His arms opened wide, presenting the masterpiece.
Half of the pizza was boring—pepperoni and olives—but the other half was a dream.
Bell pepper, caramelized onion, artichoke hearts, and spinach, with nearly every inch covered in pineapple.
A “yum” sounded from my throat before I licked my lips in anticipation.
The cheese was gooey and perfect and dripped as he brought it to his mouth. “Crap,” he said through a mouthful of pizza, then ran to the kitchen, returning with plates and a handful of napkins.
Wiggling my fingers in delight, I looked over the pizza for the best, most pineappley slice. An Oscar-worthy moan slipped from my lips as I bit into my slice of heaven before setting it on my plate. When I turned to him, Reed was watching me. “What?” I asked, covering my mouthful as I spoke.
“You’re just so fucking—” He sighed, and his eyes traveled up, down, and across my face.
“You’re just you.” It was one thing to flirt and kiss, but it was a whole other to feel adored.
He stared at my mouth, those irresistible lips twitching at the corners.
“Now that I feel like it’s okay to kiss you, it’s all I want to do. ”
“Why did you give me pineapple pizza if you want my mouth to engage in something else?”
“Lesson learned.” He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss before grabbing another slice.
We sat for a moment, enjoying our pizza, then my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I froze, as if this precious day would end if I answered it.
Reed gave me a curious look as I dug my phone out.
Darcy was calling. Not wanting to talk to her in front of Reed, I sent her to voicemail.
Immediately, my phone pinged with a text.
Darcy: You better have a really good (and naked) reason for sending me to voicemail, Cienna May Vilotta.
Oh shit, full name. I typed in my lap, trying to be discreet so Reed couldn’t see the screen.
Cici: Sorry, I spent the day with Reed and Abi. And… I’m still here.
Darcy: Naked?
Cici: No, hornball.
Darcy: A little naked?
Cici: Jesus, no, Darcy. Sorry I didn’t text you. I got caught up. Is everything okay?
Darcy: Caught up in his greedy hands and luscious lips?
Cici: We were with a five-year-old all day. Calm down. Can I fill you in later? I’ll be going home soon.
Darcy: Okay, I’ll be here.
Cici: Wait, are you still at my house?
Darcy: Yeah, I binged Gilmore Girls. Oh, and I ate all your hummus. And found your chocolate stash. Maybe grab some snacks on the way back home.
Huffing, I plopped my phone back in my lap. Reed’s brows lifted, and he glanced at my phone, then back to me.
“Darcy,” I said blankly.
He nodded. “Did she put a search warrant out?”
“No, but she asked several times if I was naked.”
His face instantly brightened with a devious eyebrow waggle. I blushed as he tugged my chin with his index finger, bringing me in for another kiss, this one a little longer, not wild, but sweet. The melting kind.
When I pulled back, my lips left his with a pout. “I should go. She is still at my house and probably drank all my wine, so she’ll need me to tuck her in or drive her home.”
He snickered and patted my knee before he stood and picked up the pizza box. “Want to take some home? Leftovers? Breakfast? Best-friend hangover cure?”
I wouldn’t need leftovers in my fridge to remind me of Reed any longer. But I couldn’t resist pizza. Especially one covered in pineapple. So I stood and nodded. “Yes. That deliciousness isn’t gonna eat itself.”
“It sure is not,” he muttered with a playful grin.
He handed me the box and guided me to the door, his hand grazing my lower back. I wanted to stop and lean into that touch, then lean even further into him. I didn’t want to leave, but it was getting late. And now we had time.
In the doorway, Reed’s touch turned to a tug on my shirt, stopping me. He wrapped an arm around me and set his chin on my shoulder, his beard grazing against my cheek. “Thank you for today,” he said in a low voice, spreading goose bumps across my skin.
Thankful for the extra snuggle, I burrowed into him.
He smiled against my face, then turned his cheek and nibbled my earlobe. His breathy chuckle tickled my ear and along my neck. Then he kissed the side of my neck and along my jaw, and I purred. Eventually, he pressed one last kiss to my cheek. “Goodnight.”
I wasn’t sure how my jelly legs were able to move after that.
In a daze, I made it to my car, put the pizza in the back, and let out a shaky breath.
The engine roared to life as I turned the key and then took one last look at the door.
Reed was leaning against the doorframe, watching me.
I gave him a smile that I wasn’t sure he could see from where he stood, but then he smiled back, and it was all I saw in my mind the entire drive home.