He shows me a few different self-defence moves, and how to throw a punch. My heart races, and not just from the physical exertion.
“With all of us around you’re gonna be safe, but I guess it’s good to know, right?” Reid says after he takes a sip from his water bottle. I stupidly didn’t think to bring one, so he offers me his.
“Thanks.” I take the bottle from him, our hands touching briefly in the exchange. I lift the bottle to my lips and drink, our eyes still connected. I hand him back the bottle and sit down on the mat.
“How old are you?” I ask him.
“Twenty-three.”
I nod, he looks about that age. “Who’s older?” I ask him.
“I am,” he says, then drinks more water. I thought he would be older, even if it’s just by minutes. Something about the way he can be so serious, whereas Ryan is carefree and easygoing.
“Thanks for staying with me, and for not being a dick,” I say honestly, my eyes riveted on the smile that curves his lips.
“I have my moments.”
I can't help smirking. “I’m glad.”
“You liking it here?” he asks.
“I am.”
“Anyone asked you out yet?”
“Nope.”
“Probably don’t know what to do with such beauty,” he says softly.
I open my mouth, and then snap it shut. “What?” I whisper.
He shakes his head, as if clearing it. “You have to know how stunning you are.”
I know I’m not completely unfortunate looking. I’ve been called pretty, and been noticed by men before. But no one has ever complimented me with such passion and intensity.
“You confuse me,” I reply, averting my gaze.
He laughs humourlessly, sitting down next to me. “I can’t even explain it. There’s something about you.”
We watch each other in silence for a few moments.
Reid clears his throat. “I should get you home.”
“Okay,” I say. But we don’t move.
“Summer…” he trails off, staring at my lips. I move a little closer to him, and he moves the rest of the way so there is no space left between us.
“Are you going to kiss me?” I whisper, arrested in his blue gaze.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he whispers back, his eyes dropping to my mouth.
“Good ideas are overrated,” I say breathily. I lick my lips, and his breath hitches.
He emits a low curse before capturing my lips with his, his hands in my hair. He licks at my mouth until I open for him, and then groans as he tastes me. When he starts to suck on my bottom lip, I shudder with pleasure. His hands move to my hips, but instead of pulling me closer, he pushes me away. He stands, turning his back to me and locking his fingers behind his neck. When he faces me again, his expression is once again shuttered. I puff out a sigh, and stand up, getting off the mat and walking towards the exit, picking up my jacket and phone on the way. I know exactly what he's going to say and I don’t want to hear it.
He catches up to me and touches my elbow, steering me in the right direction. We walk in silence to his Jeep, and he opens the door for me to get in. Reid turns the music on, but it doesn’t dispel the tension surrounding us. Rihanna comes on, and I sing the lyrics to her song in my head as I stare out the window. My phone beeps with a text, and I giggle when I read it. It’s from my friend back home about her new boyfriend.
Talk about TMI.
“Who’s that?” Reid asks, being nosey.
“A friend,” I reply, quickly texting her back saying that I really didn’t need to know that.
“Who is he?” he asks, his voice tight.
“How’s that any of your business? Just cos you don’t want me doesn’t mean others don’t,” I snap.
Reid curses, opening his mouth as if to say something, but then he closes it and stays quiet.
When we pull up to my house, I’m desperate to leave his presence.
Being rejected by him hurts.
“Do you have a key?” he asks in his deep sexy voice.
I nod. “Thanks for the ride,” I say as I jump out, and walk swiftly to the house.
I don’t look back, no matter how much I want to.
Chapter Four
I hop off Xander’s motorcycle, adrenaline still pumping through my body. I’ve never ridden on a bike before, but wow, I'm definitely going to want to do that again. I take off my helmet and hand it over to Xander, along with his battered leather jacket and pull down at the hem of my red top which has ridden up past my belly button. I decided on this top with my favourite pair of skinny jeans, and my black knee high boots.
“You sure you don’t wanna keep the jacket on?” Xander asks, not for the first time.
“You act like an old man, you know that?”
“I just got my sister, so I can’t help it if I wanna protect you.” He sticks his hands in his pockets.
“I get that, but I should be looking after you, baby bro,” I tease.
He looks me over from head to toe. “You’re what 5’4? I’m 6’2, I don’t think anyone’s gonna believe you’re older than me, Sum,” he says, looking amused. “You're short and have a baby face.”
“I’m 5’5,” I huff.
Xander just laughs. “Besides, I don’t wanna get into a fight when some ass**le hits on you.”
“Hey, I have needs, too,” I joke, laughing when I see the look on his face.