Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Bella
He is even better looking than I remember, and I remember him being ridiculously handsome.
Everyone hangs off his every word, myself included, as he commands the conference room. While his gaze is elsewhere, I take the time to really look at him.
He’s tall — well over six feet of solid muscle with dark hair that is long enough to have a slight wave to it but not long enough to make him look messy, it’s perfect.
His warm brown eyes make me think of nights spent drinking hot chocolate by the fire, wrapped up naked together under a blanket.
His skin has a healthy tan, showing me that he still likes to surf — now, that is something I’d like to see; Reed, dressed in board shorts, riding the waves. Yes, please.
I’m glad I have a full understanding of what this meeting is about, as I haven’t taken many notes, being far too distracted by the hunk of male at the front of the room.
How is anyone supposed to concentrate on what he’s saying when he looks and sounds like a wet dream?
I look around the room, taking in the other attendees, all completely riveted by him, even the men.
“Does everyone have everything they need?” His question draws my attention back to the meeting. Everyone nods their agreement, the meeting ends and people begin filing out of the conference room.
Reed’s eyes meet mine and his gaze pauses on my face. What does he see when he looks at me? Am I still the little girl of his best friend? Or does he see the woman I’ve become? His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat.
“Do you have any questions for me?” I shake my head, not trusting my voice right now. “Let’s get going, then. We have a few fires we need to put out.”
***
I’ve spent the day following Reed around like a little lapdog, but I have to say I’ve enjoyed myself a lot more than I thought I would.
I’ve even made some suggestions a couple of times that Reed didn’t shoot down.
In fact, he even went as far as to use one of them, which made me smile like a giddy school girl.
We’re walking off a set in The Arts District and heading back to Reed’s car. It’s nearing dinner time and I’m hoping we’ll be done soon or my stomach is going to start embarrassing me.
As we exit the building they’d been using for filming, Reed’s hand settles on the small of my back. My whole body heats at that single touch.
“Thank you for today, Bella.”
I glance up at him, but his gaze is focused forward on where we’re going. “I’m not really sure you’ve got anything to thank me for, I pretty much just followed you around.”
His eyes flick to mine. “Then you’re not giving yourself enough credit.
I’ll be honest, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but I wasn’t overly looking forward to today.
My days are always crazy busy and the thought of having to teach you, answer questions constantly and have you follow me around?
I was ready for the day to end before it had even begun.
” He pauses and my heart sinks. That answers my question from earlier then — he still sees me as his best friend’s little girl.
“But you’ve surprised me. You know so much already, which I should have expected with you practically growing up here.
Plus, you’ve already made some suggestions today that are well thought-out and helpful, and you’ve been here to assist. You’ve been a constant presence, but not in my way.
So, I’ll say it again, Bella. Thank you.
” We’ve reached his car now, and his hand is still on my back.
He applies a light pressure, turning me towards him.
“I’m looking forward to working with you. ”
“Me, too.” My voice is huskier than usual, the closeness of his body doing things to my own; it feels like I’ve got electrical currents running under my skin and butterflies dancing in my stomach.
His eyes don’t leave my face and his pupils are blown, the brown almost drowned out by black.
It’s at times like this that I wish I had more experience with guys, because right now it feels like he’s flirting with me, or at least attracted to me. But that has to be my wishful thinking. My crush is one sided, always has been, always will be, right?
A door slamming down the street startles us out of our trance and his hand drops from my back. He opens the passenger door for me and ushers me in.
“Do you need me to drop you home?” he asks once he’s seated behind the steering wheel and pulling away from the sidewalk.
“No, the office is fine. I’m sure Dad will still be there and home is out of the way for you.”
“Okay, but just so we’re clear. I don’t have a problem driving you home, whether it’s out of my way or not. I’ll gladly drive the extra miles to know you’re safe.”
I wish his words meant something else — that he wanted me safe because I was his.
Reed
I lie in bed looking at the text message on my phone, willing myself to send a response, to accept her invitation.
Cass: I’m in town. My usual room, get here ASAP and you can have all of me
My hand hovers over the reply button but I can’t bring myself to press it. I can’t get my mind off of a certain green-eyed, dark-haired beauty. Someone completely off limits, the ultimate forbidden fruit.
With a disgusted sigh, I throw my phone down on the covers.
What is wrong with me? I never say no to Cass.
She’s fun, she’s uncomplicated, we know the score with each other.
Get in, get off, get out. Yet, here I am, unable to fall asleep and also unable to accept a simple hook-up, because I can’t stop thinking about someone who is so beyond complicated, she could ruin my life.
Is that what this fascination is? That she’s forbidden?
My sex life has always been uncomplicated. I’ve never been a relationship guy. I like simple, easy, fun.
Has that become boring now? Am I having a midlife crisis? And if I am, did it have to be Bella-fucking-Knight? My best friend and business partner’s daughter.
Shaking my head, knowing I’m not going to get any sleep before I take care of my raging erection, I fling my legs off the bed, get up and make my way into my bathroom. I tell myself I won’t picture Bella when I get myself off.
***
I lied.
Sitting next to me during a meeting I am paying very little attention to, is the woman whose name I called when I spilled my cum down the shower drain last night.
We’re sitting so close I can feel the heat from her thighs under the table. It’s day two of working together, and my restraint is hanging on by a thread.
When she walked into my office this morning, I nearly fell to my knees. If I thought yesterday’s outfit was hot, it has nothing on today’s; the black, skinny pants paired with a tight black top tucked in, showcase every detail of her exquisite figure.
I need to touch her, feel her skin on mine. I lean my head down to her level so I can speak into her ear.
“Can you pass me a pen?” She startles at my voice, turning her face to mine and bringing our lips millimetres apart.
Her eyes travel to the pen already in my hand.
“It’s not working properly.” Her eyes meet mine again and hold for a beat, almost like she detects my lie.
Turning, she reaches to the side of her and grabs a pen from the collection on the table.
“Here.” She passes it to me. As I take it from her, I make sure my fingers skim her palm, dragging along the incredibly smooth, soft skin. She gasps and her eyes fly to mine, her pupils dilating, her pulse thundering at the base of her throat.
Jesus, baby, don’t do that. Don’t give me any reason to act on this.
Bella
I’m going mad. My body is strung so tight, I’m constantly flushed and so fucking wet.
Reed hasn’t stopped touching me. All day there have been little moments; a brush of his fingers against mine, his hand at the small of my back guiding me where we need to go, a press of his thigh against mine during a meeting.
Each touch is small, almost accidental, but they don’t feel that way.
They feel deliberate, and that’s what’s sending me insane.
We’re currently in his office finishing off for the day and going over some notes I’d made at the meetings we attended when there’s a knock at the door and my father walks in.
“How’s my girl doing, Reed?” My father is a big man. I’ve always seen him as larger than life, my giant teddy bear. But he has nothing on Reed and that’s not something I’ve noticed before. Reed completely overshadows him when they’re in a room together.
“Bella is great, George. It’s getting to the point where I don’t know what I’d do without her.” I glance over to Reed at his choice of words to find him staring at me.
Why did he sound like he meant something else? His eyes are still fixed on me, a slight tilt to his lips. Christ, I’m so gone for this guy, I’m imagining things. I’m in a room with my father and his best friend and I’m trying to find hidden meaning in simple words.
What is wrong with me?
“Told you she’d be an asset.”
“That you did,” he murmurs.
“Right, well, I’m heading home. Is it okay if I take her now, Reed?”
“I drove today, Dad, remember? I’m out with the girls tonight.” I need to see them, I need to get a second opinion on the thoughts going through my head.
“It’s a Tuesday night, Bella.”
“And?” He is going to have to realize I’m not a little girl anymore.
I’m gradually pushing back on things and claiming my independence.
I’ll hold off on telling him I’ve started looking for an apartment to rent, he is definitely not ready for that yet — not if going out on a Tuesday night is something he’s questioning.
“Well, it’s just not really a night for going out, is it?”
“Dad, I’m an adult. I can go out if I want, and tonight I’m out with the girls. It’s just a bite to eat and a couple of drinks, nothing heavy.”
“Well, don’t be late home, I want to be out early tomorrow.” He always has to have the last word.
“That’s okay, I’ll drive myself in. I’m actually planning on doing that now on anyway.”
“Don’t be silly. There’s no point in using two cars when we’re going to the same place,” he grumbles.
“There is when we’re going to different places.
I won’t always be coming straight into the office.
I might have an errand to run, or like tonight, we could be leaving at different times.
I’ll drive myself from now on, Dad. But I appreciate you wanting to drive me.
” I add the last part to soften the blow.
“Well,” he huffs, “I don’t think it makes sense, but it seems you’ve made your mind up.
I’ll say goodnight now, then. Have a good night, Bella.
” He leans in to give my cheek a kiss. “Reed,” he nods towards him before turning and heading out the door.
The room is silent, the only sounds our gentle breaths.
“Good for you.” His words are gentle yet reassuring.
“I’m not a little girl anymore, Reed. It’s time people start to realize that.”
“Trust me, I’m aware,” he mumbles under his breath. The words are so quiet I’m not sure he meant for me to hear them.