He checked his watch—fifteen minutes before he was supposed to pick her up at the office. She’d insisted on working late again to squeeze in any last overtime hours she could get. Too bad he couldn’t tell her he already had the apartment she’d been saving up for taken care of. He’d put the deposit down on hers and the one across the hall from it a week ago.
He tucked the box with the key to that apartment and the ring into his jacket pocket and headed out of the house to his car, feeling lighter than he had in days. But as soon as he rounded the corner, the little zip in his step died. Vanessa Thomas was sitting on his hood, a big smile lighting her face. “Ooh, you look nice. But that may be kind of dressy for an outdoor party.”r: Roni Loren
His voice soothed as his finger slowly moved back and forth. “Mmm, so tight. Can’t imagine how good this would feel around my cock.”
Her orgasm came hard and fast, but the panic was right on its tail. Her voice scraped against her throat as she called Reid’s name over and over again. Reid, oblivious to the inner battle warring within her, thrust harder and faster, chasing his own release. Her lungs strained for air, but she couldn’t seem to catch a breath. Blackness edged her vision.
A sharp ringing began in her ears, and the hands on her suddenly weren’t Reid’s or Jace’s; they were coarse and unrelenting. Unwanted. The scent of sweat and her own fear filled her nostrils, and she was dragged back to a darkened storage room. A stranger invading her.
No. No. No. Oh, God. Dizziness overwhelmed her, and she struggled for just one tiny breath, but there was no air to be found.
Jace’s worried voice cut through the end of Reid’s orgasm. “Shit, man. Stop. Something’s wrong.”
Reid lids snapped open as he pulled out of Brynn. Her body collapsed in a limp heap on the bed. What the hell?
“Brynn, sugar, you okay?” She didn’t respond, and fear squeezed his chest. “Jesus, check her breathing.”
Jace put a hand near her lips. “She’s breathing. I think—I think she passed out.”
Reid closed his eyes and blew out a breath. Thank God, she’s okay. He climbed to his feet and laid a hand against her clammy cheek. “Watch her. I’ll go grab a cool rag and some water.”
Reid returned from the bathroom with the supplies and a robe wrapped around him. He tossed another robe at Jace. “Here, let me get next to her. And get these bindings off her arms.”
Jace moved out of the way and went to work while Reid gently turned Brynn over and pressed the moist towel against her forehead. “Come on, sugar. Wake up for me.”
He’d sensed a shift in her when he’d touched her ass, but when she didn’t use her safe word, he’d thought she was just reacting to a new sensation. Maybe he’d hurt her… or scared her. Fuck. Why hadn’t he stopped and checked on her?
He cradled her head in his lap, and she mumbled something incoherent. An urge to curl her into his arms and kick Jace out rolled through him. He tamped down the ridiculous thought and put the cool cloth to her cheek. “That’s right. Come on.”
Her eyes flew open on a sharp intake of breath, and terror crossed her features. She jolted upward but he put a hand on her shoulder and eased her back down. “Shh, it’s okay, it’s just me. You’re okay.”
She blinked, her pupils readjusting to the light. “Reid?”
He brushed her damp hair from her face. Her skin had taken on the pallor of the white bedsheets. “Yeah, babe. I’ve got you. I think you passed out on us.”
She winced and pressed the heel of her hand to her brow bone.
Jace sank onto the other side of the bed and tossed a quilt over her. “What happened, doll? You all right?”
Reid helped her sit up a bit and offered her a glass of water. She took a small sip and then shook her head. “I think I may have hyperventilated or something.”
Jace squeezed Brynn’s hand, an odd expression passing over his face. “Did something trigger that?”
“No.” She shot Jace a look of… warning. “I guess you guys are just a lot to handle.”
Reid’s jaw tightened and the wan smile she offered the both of them did nothing to alleviate the bitter taste crossing his tongue. “What the fuck are you two not telling me?”
Jace’s eyes shifted away, and Brynn stiffened. “What do you mean?”
Reid rose from the bed and glared down at the two of them. “You’ve always been a terrible liar, Brynn. Tell me what’s going on. Obviously, your best bud Jace knows.”
Jace slid off the bed, his frown deep. “I think I’m going to head out and let you two chat.” He leaned over and kissed Brynn’s forehead. “Thanks for tonight, gorgeous.”
Reid stepped out of the way to let Jace exit, but his gaze never left Brynn, who’d gone even paler. She tucked her knees to her chest and wrapped the blanket around herself, vulnerability rolling off her. He walked over to the bed and perched on the corner, then took a deep breath to make sure his bubbling frustration didn’t come out in his voice. “What’s going on?”
Her shoulders rose and fell with a deep sigh of resignation. “I had a panic attack and hyperventilated.”
His brows knitted. He didn’t know what he’d expected her to say, but that wasn’t it. “A panic attack over what?”