“And then she said, does he ever let you go on top? And I don’t know… it bothered me. Because she’s right. He never does. I’ve tried, and he moves me.”
“Maybe he’s just overcome in the throes of passion and just wants to be the one controlling it. Can’t help himself but fling you around and fuck you ten ways until Sunday. It’s probably a compliment. Sex with him must be—”
“Incredible,” I finish for Suze, heat blossoming in my cheeks. “Reallyincredible.”
“Maybe it was just a one-off,” Maria suggests. “He probably doesn’t realize he did it. Why don’t you try telling him it would turn you on to set the pace?”
“Tell him you want to ride him like a prize bull at rodeo,” Suze practically shouts as the front door opens.
We turn to it guiltily as Griffin steps into the apartment.
“I heard nothing,” he says as he walks over and kisses Maria on the cheek, before saying hello to me and Suze.
We catch each other’s eyes and bite back our laughs as he wisely excuses himself and disappears off toward their bedroom.
“How’s he feeling about the impending fatherhood?” I ask Maria.
“Um, pass.” Maria laughs, looking at the egg incubator sitting further along the kitchen counter.
“What are you going to do with it when it hatches?” Suze questions.
“I’m not sure. I’ve been looking for a sanctuary. But because he’s a pigeon, no one is interested.”
“Could you put him in the nesting box? Maybe one of the pigeons will adopt him as their own and take care of him?” I suggest.
“I don’t know. I’m not sure whether they can smell us on him and then not accept him. I’m researching it at the moment and calling around for advice. It’ll all work out.”
I smile at Maria’s calm confidence. She’s never easily fazed.
“Oh God,” Suze whines. “It’s late. I have to get back for the sitter. As always, ladies, it was lovely.” She jumps up and begins tidying up bowls and glasses, but Maria shoos her away.
We say goodnight and I go down to the street with Suze and see her into a cab before heading back up in the elevator. She told me again on the way down that I should just pounce on Reed, pin him down and have my way with him because he would probably love relinquishing control for once.
By the time I walk through our apartment door, I’m more determined to set my unease over Bea’s words to rest once and for all. There’s nothing Reed isn’t telling me. Maybe he couldn’t get close to lovers in the past and didn’t kiss them or use their name, and preferred to fuck from behind, like she implied. But I know that isn’t true anymore. He’s passionate, and he’s present when we have sex. He’s not avoiding eye contact with me, or only fucking me hard. Reed kisses. Reed does gentle. Reed does slow.
A soft melody is drifting through into the hallway as I take my shoes off and close the front door behind me. I recognize the song, “She’s the one.” I didn’t realize Reed knew it. It’s an old one, but I’ve loved it ever since we went on a family holiday to London as kids and it played on the radio the entire trip.
I walk into the living room and lean against the doorframe, watching him. He’s sitting on the sofa in just his cotton pajama pants and his reading glasses, guitar across his lap as he plays the chords and sings the words softly.
My heart thuds heavily in my chest; its rhythmic beat pulsing in my ears, perfectly matching the tempo of the music. Reed’s eyes are closed and he’s in his own world. His deep voice rolling out each word with such emotion that my eyes prick with tears, and a lump lodges itself in my throat.
Everyday Reed Walker is beautiful.
But like this? He’sdevastating.
As if he can hear me thinking about him, his smoky eyes open and rise to meet mine as he sings the last note. Then he smiles at me and places the guitar down, propping it against the sofa.
“Don’t stop,” I beg.
He stands, opening out his arms, and I run straight into them, relishing their warm strength as they wrap around me. I dream of staying like this forever, with his softly sung words in my ears and his protective arms holding my heart against his.
“You were playing. You weresinging.” I beam up at him and he looks embarrassed, dropping his eyes to the floor with a shy smile.
“It’s been a long time. I’m pretty rusty.”
“You were perfect.” I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his lips down onto mine. “Completely dreamy. You could sing me into your bed, no problem at all with a voice like that.”
He grins against my lips. “Or I could entice you there with the promise of what else my mouth can do.” He grabs my ass in both hands and squeezes, pulling me tighter to the erection, straining against the fabric of his pants as he sucks on my bottom lip.