We went to say goodbye to April and Jonathon, and both my daughter and her fiancé looked as happy to see us leaving together as Jack had. I wondered idly if everyone here was trying to get me and Reed together.
We headed outside, walking slowly as we made our way across the grounds towards the lake area. It was a warm evening, and we didn’t pass too many people on the way there despite the fact that the lodge was completely filled for the holiday.
The sky was already turning orange above the trees, signaling that the sun would set soon. The lake was clear and beautiful. It was fed by a freshwater spring, keeping it cold year round, and no motorized vehicles were allowed on the pristine water. We stopped on the shore, sitting on a short dock they used for the paddleboats.
Reed moved behind me, pulling me between his legs and wrapping his arms around my waist. I allowed myself to lean back against his strong chest. We were both lost in thought as we stared out at the water. I replayed my conversation with my ex-husband. Maybe Jack was right. Maybe I could do something for myself – as long as it didn’t distract me from my daughter.
I turned to look at Reed as the orange sky turned to red, and the sun dropped past the horizon, making everything instantly darker.
“It’s so beautiful.”
His expression was serious. “You’re so beautiful.”
Our eyes met and held.
“I want to kiss you more than I want my next breath,” Reed whispered.
“We seem to have bad luck with kissing,” I reminded him. “Somehow I always wind up flying through the air when you kiss me. I really don’t want to end up in the lake. This is a new outfit, and I heard the water is cold.”
“Maybe we need to try kissing in a controlled environment,” he teased. “Like my bed.”
I made a decision.
“Maybe we do.”
His eyes widened. “What are you saying?”
“Take me back to your cabin, Reed. I can’t promise you anything beyond tonight, but I want you too.”
He surged to his feet and grabbed my hand, pulling me up to standing.
“Let’s go.”
Reed
Iresisted the temptationto throw Erika over my shoulder and carry her back to my cabin. She was thin, maybe thinner than she should be, but we’d had too many near misses. I didn’t want to injure her again before we got to the good stuff. Instead, I just got a good grip on her hand and pulled her behind me.
We half jogged back through the dim light towards my cabin. Rushing up the stairs, I slapped the key card against the lock impatiently as I waited for the green light. I was scared to death that Erika would change her mind. The minute the door unlocked I pushed through, spinning Erika around. The door slammed behind us, and I backed her up against it.
“It opens in, don’t worry,” I joked.
I stepped closer, crowding her, laying gentle kisses along the tops of her shoulders, bared by the design of her shirt. Erika reached up and pulled my head up, meeting my gaze.
“Reed, I haven’t had sex in eight years,” she said impatiently. “Let’s not fuck around.”