Chapter 5
ELENA
At first, I half convinced myself the change in Reeve’s behavior after my shifts at Hellbound Studio was just a coincidence.
But he’d waited near the door for me all week, then fallen into step beside me as I headed home like it was the most natural thing in the world.
He even positioned himself just slightly between me and anyone else when the sidewalk narrowed, or a group passed too close.
He never told me why he suddenly decided to walk me home every night.
The lack of explanation was almost more disconcerting than the attention itself. I was hyperaware of his presence, but I tried to tell myself it was nothing. Maybe this was just how things worked here. Looking out for each other, making sure everyone got home safely.
Reeve managed the place. It made sense that he’d be protective and take that responsibility seriously.
I might have been reading too much into it because I wanted to.
The realization startled me because I’d never thought of myself as someone who craved attention. But from that first day, my reaction to Reeve had been anything but normal for me. And impossible to ignore.
As the evening wore on, I counted down the minutes. Clients filtered out one by one, the front door chiming softly each time it opened. Chairs were wiped down. Machines powered off. And I wondered if Reeve would wait for me again tonight. The thought made my pulse quicken.
Ink finished locking up and glanced my way. “I’m heading out. You good?”
“Yeah,” I replied, a little too quickly.
His gaze flicked briefly between Reeve and me. The corner of his mouth tipped up. Shrugging on his jacket as he headed toward the back exit, he added, “Don’t stay too late.”
Reeve shifted beside me. “You want to help me check stock before we head out?”
“Sure,” I answered, acutely aware that we were the only ones left at the studio.
He nodded and led the way toward the supply room. Shelves lined the walls, neatly organized, the space just wide enough for two people to work without getting in each other’s way. Or so I told myself.
His hand hovered near mine as he reached for a bottle of ink. Our fingers brushed, and a jolt of awareness ran down my arm.
I caught my breath, and silence stretched between us. I could hear his breathing now, slow and steady, and I became acutely aware of my own. Every small movement felt amplified.
I glanced up, only to find him already watching me. His gaze held mine longer than necessary, then flicked away again.
I wanted him to close the distance. Instead, he shifted back just enough to break the spell, though the air between us stayed charged. I remained where I was, my heart racing.
The anticipation lingered long after the moment passed. And I hoped it was only a matter of time before one of us crossed whatever line we were circling.
We finished the inventory in silence, our shoulders nearly brushing as we checked off the last items on the list. The tension hadn’t faded. It had only grown stronger.
“That should do it.” Reeve set the clipboard aside. “Thanks for staying to help.”
I shrugged and forced myself to sound casual. “It was no problem.”
We turned to leave the supply room together, the narrow doorway forcing me to trail just behind him. My foot caught on the edge of the mat, and I stumbled forward before I could catch myself. I ran straight into his back, my face pressing against the hard planes.
Reeve swore under his breath as he turned, his hands coming up instantly to steady me. One wrapped around my arm, the other braced my waist. His touch was meant to keep me from falling, but it made me weak in the knees.
“Shit,” he muttered, more to himself than to me.
Our faces were so close I could feel his breath against my cheek and smell the faint scent of soap on his skin. His grip tightened for half a second, just long enough to tell me he felt the magnetic pull between us, too.
I probably should’ve tossed out some smart remark to shatter the electric tension that had been crackling between us for days. But I was frozen by the need I saw in his dark eyes to move.
He dipped his head slow enough that I could’ve stopped him, but I didn’t even try.
Then his mouth was on mine, and it wasn’t gentle. The kiss was hot, hungry, and devastating to my senses. A low sound escaped me as his tongue pushed past my lips, stroking deep and tasting like everything I’d been trying not to want.
My fingers curled into his leather vest, my nails digging in as I went up on my toes, kissing him back just as hard.
His hand at my waist slid up my spine, fisting in my hair to tilt my head exactly where he wanted it.
The other dropped from my arm to palm my butt, pressing me against the hard ridge straining behind his zipper.
Heat roared through me, unlike anything I had ever experienced. I rocked against him shamelessly, drowning in the way he growled into my mouth like he was feeling just as desperate as I was.
Then he ripped his lips from mine, and I whimpered in protest. His hands flexed on me like letting go physically hurt him.
We were both breathing like we’d run miles—although I doubted he’d actually be this winded, considering he was clearly in amazing shape. His forehead dropped to mine, his eyes so dark they looked black. “Elena, I want you. But this isn’t the right time or place.”
That was the last thing I wanted to hear after my first real kiss, but I resisted the urge to protest and let go of his vest. Reeve stepped back, putting space between us and leaving me shaken in a way I didn’t expect.
All I knew was that there was no going back to how things had been between us before.
I nodded, because it felt like the only thing I could do. “Okay.”
I didn’t understand why now wasn’t the right time, and he didn’t explain. Before I could figure out what else to say, he grabbed his jacket and motioned toward the door. “I’ll walk you.”
The routine should have reassured me, but all I felt was cold from the loss of his touch.
We locked up and stepped into the cool night air. He fell into step beside me, close enough that I could feel him there without touching. For a block or two, we walked in silence.
“What time is your first class tomorrow?” he finally asked.
I blinked up at him. “Nine. Why?”
He didn’t answer my question and asked another of his own instead. “And you’re going to Marks’s studio when you’re done?”
“Yeah.”
“Then back to your apartment before walking here after?”
I nodded again. “Like usual.”
He slowed as we turned onto my street. “If you’re running late, let me know.”
The request was simple, but I liked that he was concerned about me. We walked another block in silence, my thoughts spiraling.
“I hope I didn’t make things weird,” I finally murmured. “Bumping into you like that and with the…um…kiss.”
His jaw tightened. “You didn’t.”
“Then why does it feel like I did?”
“That’s on me.” He exhaled slowly through his nose. “I should’ve handled it better.”
That surprised me. I glanced up at him. “Handled what?”
“Stopping.”
His gaze dropped to my mouth, and my breath caught. For a split second, I was certain he was going to kiss me again. My body leaned toward him before I could stop it, anticipation building in my chest. But he didn't dip his head like before. Jerking his head away, he guided me forward again.
Slowing as we reached my building, he finally turned to face me again. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nodded and stepped inside, the door closing behind me with a soft click. I stood there longer than necessary, my fingers brushing my lips.
Reeve wanted me. I might be inexperienced, but I felt that much in my bones.
I just didn’t understand why wanting me meant holding himself back. Or why it made me want him even more.