“Wait up.” Reed holds up a hand. “I’m just going to say good night to Tess and then I’ll join you. I’m beat too.” He kisses my nose. “Brance?” he calls over his shoulder. “Why don’t you help Claire to her room.”
I almost start laughing. We’re so completely obvious. Thank God they’re drunk.REEDDimitri and Anna eventually take the hint and say their goodbyes. I give a quick nod to creepy Lexi, who is back to staring at her feet. “Nice to meet you,” is all I can think to say.
“Yes,” she whispers. Not having time for her kind of crazy, I move on, a man on a mission. After kissing my mom, I give my dad a bro hug and stride into the kitchen, looking for Letty or Maria.
I find Maria, putting the mountain of leftovers into the refrigerator. Trying not to startle her, as she has earbuds in and is humming away, I tap her shoulder. She whirls around, hand on her chest.
“Mr. Reed! You scared me.”
“Sorry, Maria. Listen, I’m going to see everyone out. Can you do me a favor and not lock the side door?” I give her my puppy eyes—they always get the job done. She hesitates then smiles and pats my cheek.
“Thanks, Maria. I owe you one.”
“Yeah, yeah, go be a good boy and let me finish. I’m tired.”
“I will be on my best behavior.”
I make a big show of saying good night to Tess. I’m not an actor and if all the adults in the room were not drunk, it would be painfully obvious that we are up to something.
Jax and I take the elevator down. My pulse is racing. In ten minutes or less, I am going to be with Tess. I can’t decide what I want to do first—go down on her or finger her. I’ll do both…
“Reed! Hello.” Jax is waving his stupid hand in my face.
“Knock it off,” I snarl, pushing it away.
“Dude, have you heard anything I said?” I must give him a blank look because he sighs dramatically.
“Do not take her virginity tonight! She’s not ready.”
“You’re drunk, Jax.” My eyes meet his and I speak tersely. “I have no intention of doing that.”
“I’m serious, Reed. You should wait a little longer. It’s my job as her future brother to take care of her,” he says, pushing himself off the elevator wall as it opens to the parking garage.
“I’m a little insulted you think I would ever do anything to hurt Tess.”
“Just don’t, Reed.” He points at me and weaves slightly as he moves forward.
“What the hell happened to him?” Jay yells, helping him into the car.
“The Russians.” As if that explains it all. Stepping back into the elevator, I hear Jax plead with Jay to take him to one of his buddies’ strip clubs while the doors are closing.
Leaning my head back, I’m way too excited. My dick is already hard as a rock. Entering through the side, I hear my mom and dad. They are still talking with Dimitri and Anna. Thankfully, Claire’s obnoxious voice is absent. Brance must have been successful in putting her to bed. Avoiding that side of the apartment, I head straight to Tess’s room, enter, and lock it.
Tess is sitting on a black-and-white-striped ottoman at the end of her bed, talking on her cell, still in her dress and heels.
“Brance, you just left here…” At my entrance, her face lights up with relief.
“Absolutely, I’ll support you one hundred percent.” Her sapphire eyes take in my appearance as she eyes me up and down. She mouths Brance, like I don’t know who she’s talking to.
Rolling my eyes, I drop to my knees. My hands start at her ankles and travel upward. Her breathing changes as she watches.
I grab the back of her knees and pull her forward. She squeals.
“Maybe, you should say good night to Brance now, Kitten.” Glancing up, I take in the tiny little lights that she has strung up all over the wall.
She bites her lip, then bolts up. “Shit, Brance! Sorry.” She almost drops the phone. “Look, Ree… I mean Brance, God… I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Hanging up, she turns toward me. “Reed!” She pushes against my chest.
“What? I’m here now, and when I’m with you, it’s only you and me.” My hands explore her long legs. “I love how soft you are.”
Leaning forward, I grab her right leg and lift it over my shoulder.
“I’m nervous,” she whispers.
That stops me. Placing her leg down, I crawl over her so that I can look at her. “It’s just us, Kitten.” I reach for her neck and trace my thumb over her racing pulse. I love being Tess’s everything. Yes, I know I sound like an ass, but it turns me on. “We’re doing this together.” My hand gently caresses her breasts. Long dark chocolatey hair spills over the end of the ottoman. My cock jumps with excitement. “Tess…” A small groan escapes me. All I can focus on is her. Her scent, her lips.