Chapter 27
Riley
In hindsight, I should have probably prepared myself for seeing Reid dressed up.
As soon as I step outside, my head turns towards him.
It’s like I’ve got ESP where he’s concerned.
My mind and body always seem to know where he’s at.
I take in his tall, incredibly fit body in a dark suit, white button down, and red tie.
As if that weren’t enough, he strides right towards me, looking so confident and in control that I swear I go weak at the knees.
He stops right in front of me, and I’m grateful to see that he’s still taller than me, even with my heels.
He stares down at me, and I watch as his eyes drop and cover the length of my entire body before returning to my face.
I don’t miss the way his eyes linger at the slit in my dress, and I am suddenly thankful for all the time we spent getting ready for tonight.
I would do it again and again for that heated look.
I smile, feeling like a million bucks. “Hey.” My voice is almost breathless, but I don’t mind it.
Not when I get a half-lidded look from him.
“You look gorgeous,” he rumbles, and I can’t keep my distance.
I step close and put my hands on his chest. “You look pretty good yourself. I like this suit.” I run my hand over the lapels on his chest, and I’m rewarded with a low rumble from his chest.
“Riley,” he growls in a low voice.
“Yes, Reid?” I ask, innocently.
He takes one of my hands in his and pulls it to his mouth, turning it over and planting a kiss on my palm. It’s my turn to growl low. He hears it, and his smile turns carnal. “Problem, Riley?”
I pull my hand back. “No, of course not.”
He smiles. “Here, these are for you.” I look down at the gorgeous bouquet of yellow tulips I hadn’t even noticed he was holding.
“Reid, those are gorgeous. Thank you. Let me run them upstairs really quickly.” I drop them off in my room and make my way back downstairs.
Reid takes my hand in his as soon as I’m in front of him again. “Ready?”
I remember Star suddenly, but when I turn around, she’s talking with Cameron. I smile at the sight of the two of them; they look good together. They both seem happy, so that’s good. Reid tugs lightly at my hand. “I think they’re good.”
“I’m just making sure.”
“I’m just glad he worked up the courage to ask her, so I can have you all to myself tonight,” he says, squeezing my hand lightly. “My car’s right over here.” We walk over, and he opens my door for me.
“Thanks.” I slide in and let him close the door for me. He climbs in on his side a moment later and turns to me and takes my hand in his. “You really do look amazing, Ry.”
“Thanks, Reid. So do you.”
“Do we have to go to the banquet? Can I take you somewhere else alone?”
I laugh. “No, you can’t, and yes, we have to go.”
“Well, I tried.” With that, he starts the car and begins the drive to the hotel where the event will take place.
It’s only a few minutes away, and we’re there almost before we’ve had a chance to talk.
We didn’t really get past asking how each other’s day went.
He opens my door for me and helps me out of the car.
Once I’m standing, he takes my arm and puts it in the crook of his.
“Do me a favor and stick close tonight.”
I look up at him. “Why? Are you expecting trouble?”
“Yes, of the male kind.” I frown in confusion, and he looks down at me. “Ry, you have no idea how beautiful you look tonight. Guys won’t stay away; they won’t be able to. I already know I’m going to need you close, so I don’t lose my mind at every guy that checks you out.”
I take in his words. “Okay, but then you’re going to have to do the same.” He scoffs, and I lift a brow. “I’m serious. I don’t want other girls touching what’s mine.”
He stops walking, and his eyes flare with heat. He takes a deep breath and then smiles a devastatingly handsome smile. “I’ve waited a long time to hear you say something like that. It was worth the wait,” he says in a low voice, squeezing my hand gently.
He continues to stare at me, and I feel the heat in his look all the way to my toes.
“We’d better get inside,” I tell him. He finally starts forward again, and I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart.
We stop and check in when we get inside and then continue on to the room where the banquet is being held. “Wow, this is gorgeous.”
“Yeah. Whoever plans these events for us loves to make a splash,” Reid explains. He stops right inside the door, and I finally look up at him.
“Are we going to keep moving?”
“I don’t really want to.”
I laugh and tug him forward. “Come on. Let’s go find some of your basketball buddies.”
“Teammates, Ry. They’re called teammates.”
Before we get too far, Reid’s teammates see him and make their way over to us. Caden gets to us first and slaps Reid on the back. “You made it.” He turns to me next and whistles. “Wow, Riley, you clean up good.”
Reid bristles, but I can see the grin on Caden’s face. He’s totally playing Reid. “Thanks, you too, Caden.”
He glances across the room, and his smile broadens. “I hear you helped my little brother find the courage to ask Star out on a date.”
I look over to where Star and Cameron are talking to a few of the other guys from the practice squad. “He did that all on his own. They're cute together, aren’t they?”
His grin broadens. “They are; though not as cute as you two.”
Reid scowls at him. “Go find somebody else to torment.”
“Reid.” I elbow him in his side, but Caden just laughs it off.
“I’ll catch you two later; we’re seated at the same table.” With a wink, he’s off to bother somebody else.
“Are you sure we can’t leave?” Reid asks.
“Yes, I’m sure. Come on. Let's find our seats and then check out the appetizers I see everybody eating. I’m starving.”
He glances down at me with a frown. “Did you not eat again?”
“I got busy, and the time got away from me.”
That’s enough to get him moving right over to the food table, which is perfect for me.
With my hand in his, we navigate around other players and coaching staff.
We're almost to the table when somebody steps in front of us, blocking us. I force a smile when I see it’s my coach.
“Coach Parella,” I say by way of greeting.
“Riley,” she says with a nod, which actually surprises me. I didn’t think she knew my first name. She gives Reid a weighted look.
“Oh, this is Reid. Reid Marshall.”
She looks down at our entwined hands and then back at me. “Yes, I know who he is. You’re dating a senior?”
I don’t actually know how to answer that. Reid slips an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close to him. “Actually, Riley’s been my girl for a long time,” he says smoothly with his effortless Reid charm.
She continues to stare at the two of us with that intensity she’s known for. “I don’t care for my players dating.”
I feel my body stiffen, even as I tell myself to stay calm.
I panic for a moment, wondering if she’ll tell me I can’t date Reid while I’m playing.
How strict would she make that? Would I not be able to go over to his house?
Not be able to eat meals together? Not be able to see him?
Each thought makes my panic rise. Reid must feel my panic because he pulls me closer.
“Like I said, Riley and I go way back. We’re used to being together and handling all of our responsibilities; it won’t be a problem for either of us. ”
I suck in a small breath because she’d be a fool not to hear the threat beneath his words.
He may sound casual, but there’s anger beneath his words he’s trying to control.
I feel that same anger. I’m not sure who she thinks she is to keep my mate and me away from each other because that’s not going to happen.
I keep my face passive, but I look her right in the eye.
“He’s right. We both know how to keep our priorities in check.
I’ll give you a hundred percent when it comes to basketball. ”
She looks between the two of us. “See that you do.” She takes a step back.
“Don’t let me down, Blackwood.” She turns and walks away, and I feel my entire body deflate.
I blow out a breath and try to calm my racing heart.
Reid takes my hand in his and leads me away from the food table.
I'm not sure where it is he’s leading me until he stops in a small alcove that’s hidden from most of the crowd.
He steps close and tips my head up with his finger.
“Nobody is going to separate us, okay? Even if she told you that you couldn’t date, we’d just figure a way around it.
Okay? I’m not going anywhere. I won’t let anybody separate us for any reason.
” There’s steel to his voice, and it helps calm my nerves.
I look up at him. “The bond is getting stronger, isn’t it?”
He nods. “It will only continue to grow as we spend more and more time together.” He studies my face. “Are you handling it okay? Is it bothering you, causing you any pain?”
“No, I’m fine. I just can tell it’s getting stronger. I have this desire, I need to be near you like all the time. Honestly, sometimes it scares me.”
He reaches his thumb out and runs it down my cheek. “I feel the same way. Don’t ever be afraid to tell me what you’re feeling. I want to know. Always. And if I had my way, you’d never be out of my sight.”
I smile at that. “We’re a mess.”
“We’re mates,” he corrects gently. “We’re not human,” he says in a voice so soft, I wouldn’t hear him without my wolf hearing. “Others don’t understand, but it’s different for us.”
I nod. “Sometimes, I forget that.” Somebody starts speaking through the sound system, and he gives me a reluctant look. “I think that’s our cue to find our seats.” I look up at him again. “Thanks.”
We walk back to the table that has our namecards on it, and I really am regretting not getting a plate of appetizers.
As we approach the table, I take in who’s seated there and realize it's Reid’s teammates and their plus ones.
Caden sits at our table, just like he said.
Next to him is a pretty girl that he’s talking to.
Then there are two more of his teammates and their dates.
Reid pulls out my seat for me, and I sit.
Thankfully, the speaking part goes quickly, and we’re dismissed by table to get food.
I try making small talk with the girl next to me, while we wait to be dismissed.
But she can’t stop talking to her date for longer than thirty seconds to talk to me.
Reid has been pulled into conversation by a teammate who’s sitting on his other side; so he’s busy.
I use the time to look around the room. I spot most of my teammates.
Most of them are at two tables towards the middle.
There are a few exceptions. Star, of course, is seated with Cameron at what looks like a table full of the practice squad.
Brene appears to be with one of Reid’s teammates; that makes me smile.
They look cute together. The host finally tells us we can go get food, and I’m pretty sure I’m the first one on my feet.
Reid stands up next to me. “Hungry?” he asks with a smirk.
“Starved! I hope it’s not teeny, tiny food,” I whisper under my breath. His warm chuckle follows me as we walk towards the food table.