11. Reese
O ver the past week, Sydney has made real progress on the mess in my office. She’s organized all the invoices into an easy to follow system. With her help, all of my overdue bills have been paid.
She even hired an accountant in Oak Ridge to figure out how much I owe in back taxes. A dollar amount I’m dreading, but I want my business to be above board and legal, so I’ll shell out the money.
My mate is a fucking miracle worker and I’m forever in her debt.
The potent scent of coffee follows me as I walk down the hall. Keeping my steps slow and steady, the mug of hot liquid nearly spills over with each movement.
Coffee, I’ve learned, is my mate’s life force. I’ve never met a person so addicted to the stuff before; she’s even worse than Kiernan. She’s like a snarling grizzly until she has her first cup each morning.
On several occasions, I’ve watched in amusement as Sydney stumbles downstairs to the kitchen with her eyes barely open. Fumbling for a coffee pod as she grumbles under her breath about my boring mugs; she comes to life as soon as the first drop touches her luscious, pink lips.
Call this a peace offering, since I’ve come across another stack of unpaid invoices in my bedroom this morning. I must have stuffed them in the dresser drawer after a long day.
I may be a tech genius, but organization and people are not my forte. When I was in the business world, Joel always took care of the details, while I was the idea man. Since founding Cypress Valley, I’ve discovered I’m actually more of an outdoorsman than anything. I’d much rather spend my time with a chainsaw in hand, taking trees down in the forest.
My bear grunts his agreement in my head.
“Hey, Syd,” I call as I push the office door open. Leaning my shoulder against the doorframe, my gaze drifts to my stunning mate.
Sydney is perched on the edge of the desk, a paper in her hand. Brows furrowed, her lips mouth the words as she reads. Fuck, she’s adorable.
She’s wearing a red gingham-print sundress. The thin straps cling to her slim shoulders. It would only take a flick of my wrist to push them down, exposing her pale breasts to me. Like most days, I know she’s not wearing a bra. It’s like she’s allergic to them. The outline of her pert nipples pucker the fabric of her dress.
Blood rushes to my cock with just the thought of finally giving in and sucking those beaded rosebuds into my mouth. I bet she’d taste so sweet and moan so beautifully for me.
Shaking my head, my eyes wander lower. The nip of her waist is accentuated by the cut of her dress. The material flares out around her hips, coming to rest on her mid thighs. She swings her legs back and forth as she reads over the paper in her hand.
Her feet are bare, dainty toes painted the same bright red as her gingham dress.
“Angel?” I say, trying to get her attention.
“Hmm,” she hums, eyes still glued to the paper.
Walking across the room, I stand in front of her while holding the coffee mug up. I fan the aromatic smell toward her.
“Coffee!” she squeals. The most adorable grin stretches across her angelic face. Blue eyes gleaming with happiness swing up to my face.
Her eyes dart over my features before settling on my eyes. “You made me coffee?” The question comes out quiet, her voice laced with confusion.
“Yeah,” I rasp, throat suddenly dry, and the only thing that will quench my thirst is my angel’s lips.
I nod, flashing her a reassuring smile. “I did. You’ve been putting in a lot of hard work in here. Figured you could use it.”
She takes the mug from my hand, heat zinging up my arm when her slender fingers brush mine. I still can’t wrap my head around the way her simple touch makes my body light up. Is that how all mates are?
Clearing my throat, I turn and step a few paces away. Her sweet floral scent follows me, clogging up my nose and clouding my judgment. It’s getting harder and harder to resist the urge to touch her. Claim her. Make her mine.
Growling under my breath, I grip the back of my neck. I rub the flesh aggressively, needing to keep my hands occupied.
When I glance over my shoulder, Sydney takes a gulp from the steaming coffee mug. It’s a wonder she doesn’t burn her mouth. She closes her eyes, humming as she savors the first sip.
And now I’m jealous of a damn caffeinated beverage.
Cradling the brown mug in both hands, she holds it to her chest, practically hugging it like a well-loved stuffed animal. “Reese,” she murmurs, drawing my gaze to her twinkling eyes as they flutter open.
“Hmm?”
A mischievous smirk sprouts on her face. Oh, no. First game night, now what?
Holding the mug in one hand, she trails her finger seductively around the rim. She dips her pointer into the dark-brown liquid before bringing it to her mouth and sucking her finger between those plush, pillowy lips. Fuuuuck.
Stifling my groan, I can’t help but imagine those lips wrapped around my cock, which is rapidly hardening in my jeans. “Yes, Sydney,” I grit between clenched teeth, dropping my eyes to the floor, avoiding the pornographic show she’s putting on.
“You really need some better coffee mugs.”
My eyes snap up. “What’s wrong with my mugs?” They hold liquid just fine. What more does a person need?
Shrugging, she sets the object in question gently on the desk. “They’re boring,” she states simply, lacing her delicate fingers in her lap.
Shoving my hands in my pockets, I discreetly adjust my erection and take a step toward the desk. “They work fine.” I place my hands on either side of her hips, caging her in.
My large form looms over her until she’s forced to tip her head back to maintain eye contact, those cerulean eyes still sparkling with mirth. “If you don’t like the mugs,” I murmur, my mouth inches from hers, pulled to her like a damned magnet. “Then get some of your own.”
She sucks in a sharp gasp, eyes flaring with defiance.
“I’m working up the mountain with Kiernan today. Be a good girl and stay here. I’ll be back for dinner.” Something about her earlier snark pulls the command from my mouth.
“Yes, Daddy,” she says with a dramatic roll of those baby blue eyes. Brat .
“Watch the attitude, baby girl, or I’ll have to fuck it out of you.” The words tumble out before I can catch myself.
Her jaw drops open at my blatant flirting, but at least she’s quiet. Flaring my nostrils wide, her damn gardenia scent hits me, and I know I’m screwed. The last thread of my restraint finally snapping.
“Fuck it,” I mutter. Cradling Sydney’s head in my hands, I slam my lips down on hers. Swallowing her squeal of surprise, my mouth moves against her soft lips. And fuck , yes , she kisses me back. Gripping my t-shirt in her small hands, she pulls me closer, between her spread thighs.
I pull back, looking down at my mate as she blinks her eyes open.
“What was that for?” she rasps, still holding me hostage with her hands wrapped in the fabric of my shirt. Her lips glisten, the normally pink flesh now red and slightly swollen. She darts her tongue out and my eyes greedily track the motion.
“I can’t resist you anymore, Angel,” I admit, my thumb stroking over where her pulse flutters on the side of her neck.
“Then don’t.”
Sliding her small fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck, she weaves them through the black strands and yanks . Her mouth is back on mine in an instant.
A groan bubbles up my throat. Her lips taste like heaven, my fallen angel, sweet and succulent. She bites my lower lip, causing me to open with a shocked grunt. Not one to waste an opportunity, Sydney slips her tongue inside, tangling with mine.
Wrapping my hands around her hips, I tug her petite body to the edge of the desk, removing any space between our bodies. Warmth floods my veins. She feels so good against me. So right.
Everything else fades away. My only focus is my mate and the intoxicating sounds she’s making. Her soft moans as my tongue snakes into her mouth. Memorizing every dip and valley, my hands roam from her hips around to her ass. Gripping a cheek in each hand, I squeeze the plump flesh, grinding her soft body against mine.
A whimper travels up her throat, escaping into my mouth as I grind her harder against me. The crisp scent of gardenias wafts through the air, ramping up my hunger for my mate.
With panting breaths, Sydney breaks the kiss. Head tipping back to expose the smooth expanse of her neck. The only sound in the room is her harsh breaths. Taking advantage of her position, I bury my nose against her neck, sucking in lungfuls of her sweet smell.
A purr vibrates in my chest. The sound resonates from my bear’s chest, taking life in mine. Happy now? I think to my grizzly.
B linded by desire, I vaguely register the sound of an animal purring… the sound similar to a motorcycle engine rumbling, but deeper. Richer. More alluring. I want to bathe in this sound and let it seep into my skin.
However, Reese kisses down my neck, distracting me from my new favorite sound. His nose brushes the base of my throat as his lungs expand with a breath. “You smell so fucking good.”
I whimper. “What do I smell like to you?”
“Gardenias.” The word is a feral growl, causing a shiver to rip through my body, and his hands clutch tighter around my hips.
Another puzzle piece clicks into place. The bedframe. “Gardenias. Like the—”
But his mouth is back on mine in an instant. The scorching intensity of his lips effectively shutting me up and obliterating any thoughts beyond him . His rough hands on my skin. His demanding tongue prodding my lips, seeking entrance.
All too soon, Reese returns course to my neck, sucking my heated flesh between his lips, marking me, claiming me. He switches to biting, his teeth squeezing the skin until it hurts. A wanton moan breaks from my throat at the mix of pleasure and pain.
Shoving a thickly muscled thigh between my spread legs, he speaks, lips moving against my throat, tickling the skin. “Ride my leg, Angel. Show me how pretty you look when you come apart.”
His dirty command forces a sensual cry from my parted lips, my breaths spilling out in pants. Has he finally given in to this pull between us?
“Be my good girl, Angel,” he growls, his words vibrating against my skin.
“Fuck,” I murmur. My body temperature spikes at his words of praise. I want to be his good girl more than I want air in my lungs at this moment.
Sliding one hand into the back of his hair, I grip until he releases a grunt. My other hand falls to the desk behind me, supporting my weight as my hips begin to move against his leg. If he’s finally willing to provide me with this pleasure, then I’ll be damned if I’m not taking every second of it.
The seam of my light-pink boyshorts presses perfectly on my clit with each pass on his denim-clad thigh.
“That’s it, Syd. Are your panties soaked for me? Is your pretty pussy dripping? ”
“Aw, fuck,” I cry. The friction on my clit is too much combined with his dirty words. Tension coils in my muscles like a spring. I’m going to come soon.
A warm hand slides the thin strap of my sundress down my shoulder. The triangular piece of fabric falls away, leaving my breast exposed to the cool air. My nipple puckers, a moan spilling into the air.
“Don’t stop working those hips, baby,” Reese instructs, fingers toying with my beaded nipple. His tongue licks a path over my collarbone, before his teeth sink into the delicate flesh. I jolt at the sudden pain, but it turns to pleasure as his tongue soothes the bite.
It’s like he’s inside my brain, figuring out the perfect combination of touches to get me to fall apart.
“These fucking dresses, Angel. Mmm. Driving me out of my mind. The way your perky tits bounce when you walk.” His rough voice drips with lust.
“Please, Reese,” I beg, not recognizing my own breathless voice. My hips rock faster against his thigh. “Don’t stop. Make me come.”
“You strut around my house in shorts so short I can see your ass cheeks. How’s a man supposed to resist?”
“You’re not,” I breathe, clutching his hair harder as pleasure blooms at the base of my spine. Squeezing my eyes shut, flashes of light dance behind my lids. “Reese. I’m gonna come.”
“Yes, Angel.” His deep rumbling voice is pure gravel. The vibrations of his lips against my skin pinging right to my overstimulated clit .
His hot mouth latches onto my nipple, sucking the bud until a pleasure-filled wail leaves my mouth. With a firm grip on my hips, he grinds my pulsing pussy harder on his thigh.
“There gonna be a wet spot on my jeans, Angel? I want your come on me.”
His filthy statement tips me over the edge. And then I’m free falling, unbelievable pleasure coursing through my veins.
Resting my head against his shoulder, my harsh breathing fills the silence.
“Open your eyes, Angel,” Reese whispers sweetly. Blinking several times, I tip my head back, meeting his obsidian gaze. Black as night, not a star in sight.
Biting the corner of my lip, I drop my gaze to where his thigh is clenched between my legs. He pulls back slowly, revealing a damp spot on his jeans.
“Fuck,” he groans, the sound broken and animalistic. His pupils blow wide at the sight of my arousal soaking the denim.
Reaching for his belt, I pull him closer.
“Your turn.” I lean back, flashing him my best seductive smile, palming the thick erection straining against his zipper. Oh, he’s definitely well endowed.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s the least I can do after you gave me my first orgasm. Well, first one that wasn’t self-induced,” I trail off on an awkward laugh, only to realize Reese has gone completely still, wide eyes locked on me.
It’s almost comical, until the silence stretches between us. A pit fills my stomach .
“What do you mean?” he grits out, jaw clenching so tight the muscle pops under his tan skin.
“I’m a virgin,” I say with a shrug. “It’s really not a big deal.”
His Adam’s apple bobs with a swallow, and he steps back from me, hands held up in surrender.
“Not a big deal?” he questions, brows shooting to the ceiling. “Fuck, Syd. I shouldn’t have touched you.”
“What? Why? Reese.” I slip off the desk and slowly walk to where he’s pacing, wearing a trail in the carpet. Both hands are gripped in his hair, tugging the strands.
Hesitantly, I reach a shaking hand toward him. He’s freaking out and I don’t know what to do. How did everything get fucked up so fast? I grip his bicep, the muscle tensing under my touch, only to have him spin out of my grasp at the last second.
“Fuck!” he roars, causing me to flinch. His black gaze, filled with regret, meets mine as his next words cut me deep. “This was a mistake.”
Pain lances through my chest, a fist squeezing my heart until I think I might pass out. “What?” The word is barely audible over the whooshing in my ears.
Reese turns on his heels, bolting from the room like it’s on fire. Clutching my chest, I collapse into the chair in front of his desk. A single tear rolls down my cheek. Swiping the salty drop away, my hurt quickly morphs into anger.
Anger at myself for thinking Reese was attracted to me. Anger at Reese for making me feel wanted and desirable one minute, only to drop me like a hot sack of shit the next.