Chapter Twelve
Kayson
I did a turn about the place with my hands on my hips, assessing the damage. Celeste had gone all out for the wedding, but the poor girl didn’t have much of a choice in terms of restaurant picks, and it showed. My flowers in this place was like spraying air freshener on crap.
It covered it, but not quite.
“I’ve done what I can.”
After picking up the last of my mess, I let the hostess know I was leaving before heading out the door. I’d finished up earlier than I thought I would.
I wondered what Reid was up to—probably making trouble in this town.
Wasn’t really a hard thing to do.
“Maria ordered for us. I had no idea what to get you.”
In my path stood the object of my daydreams come to life and holding a bag from The Diner that made my stomach rumble. He was dressed in a navy-blue corduroy dress shirt and camel-colored pants. The blue color of his shirt made his eyes dance. He looked like the cover of GQ, but less pretentious.
“I’ve known Maria since she was a cheerleader in high school. She would know.”
A curt smile formed on his lips.
“What?” I asked. “What’s that smile for?”
“Everyone already knows you, and I’m just getting started. I’m a little green. Sue me.”
I took the bag from his hand and laced the fingers of my other hand with his, trying to ease him the best I could.
“We have time. Well, we can make time. I don’t know anything about you, either.”
“Is there a place we can go to talk?”
It only took a second to figure out a place to dazzle and get to know Reid.
I could give him the universe right here in Mapleville.
“Come on. I know just the place.”
We got in my car and drove right out of town to the newest addition to our modest hometown.
“Huh. Who knew this was out here? And a community college?”
I nodded. “Not a lot of degree options, but more than most folks get. Maria is getting her paralegal certificate here. And I took some business classes.”
I started to get out, but Reid stopped me with his hand on mine. “Will they let us eat in there?”
Concern fit Reid to a T—cute as all hell when he was worried.
“I know a guy.”
He rolled his eyes before reaching for the handle to let himself out. “Small-town politics. I see how you are. Breaking the rules because you ‘know a guy.’” He spoke in jest, of course.
“It will be worth it. Come on.”
I led him around to the side door and banged on it three times. A few minutes later, Brent opened the door. “K-Man! What’s up? Oh, I see. Secret date. Best kind.”
“K-Man?” Reid whispered as he scooted past me and inside.
“Hush.”
“Let me guess. High school friend, too?” Reid directed his question at Brent, who whistled as he led us to the main viewing room.
“Nope. Cousins.”
Reid smiled and threw his hands up. “Cousins. Of course. Oh, wow.”
The auditorium was small, but nonetheless impressive. Velvet-covered reclining theater chairs, maybe two dozen of them were set up in the center for viewing. Advertisements for what shows the planetarium offered played on the ceiling above us.
He wowed about the stars that Brent already had going from the last showing. But, as Brent left, he turned and winked at me. Yeah, Reid was going to get the Valentine’s Day special.
“Okay. What did Maria order us?” Reid asked.
I opened the bag. “She didn’t tell you? That sounds like her. It’s just burgers and fries. Did she hold the onions?”
He nodded, taking a burger from my hand and let his touch linger just long enough to make my everything throb.
“There you go. Something about me. I hate onions. All onions. All ways.”
“Then, this is where it ends.” He folded his arms and squinted. “I’m an onion aficionado.”
And then he burst out laughing. The goober.
“That was terrible! Eat your food.”
After a few bites and my absolutely melting at the moaning sounds coming from his mouth, Brent finally got his act together.
“Is a new show starting?” Reid looked around.
“This one is just for you.”
The stars in the sky above us turned one by one to hearts. His food already forgotten, Reid leaned back in the chair. “Here, love.” I reached across his lap to pull the lever that reclined his chair even farther, until he was lying almost all the way back. He still hadn’t spoken.
I’d made a good choice.
Comets blazed through the galaxy above and burst into hearts and tiny pink diamonds. There were speakers built into the seats so each blast and crescendo was both visible and audible.
My heart jackhammered in my chest.
I took the wrappers from his hands, put them into the paper bag on the floor, and clunked his drink into the holder, trying to be as quiet as possible. Satisfied my omega was enjoying himself, I, too, leaned back and enjoyed the show.
The sky shifted above us to glimpses of the planets and Milky Way, the entire panoply Valentine’s decorated for all the couples.
Reid didn’t make a single sound. Maybe he’d fallen asleep.
My lungs failed me as I caught him looking at me. There was something in his eyes that I’d never seen in another man’s—a depth, a heated depth I wanted to dive right into.
“You wanna go?” I asked, almost breathless.
Reid simply shook his head.
“You wanna stay?” I bit my lip, expecting what came next, but trying not to hope too hard.
Reid had me heart and soul. I thought I might die if he didn’t lean over and kiss me.
I didn’t have to wait long. Our mouths melded together. Reid’s lips, full and hot, took over, plunging his tongue into my mouth and demanding more. I grabbed the front of his shirt, needing him closer. His hands were on either side of my face, holding me in place.
“I’ve been waiting for that all day,” he said, breaking away but only by an inch. His sweet breath fanned over my face.
“Me, too. I couldn’t even concentrate on those stupid flowers.”
He chuckled. “Oh yeah, well, I let a cup of coffee go cold, reliving last night in my mind.”
A goofy grin took over my face. “You’ve got it bad, Reid.”
He pecked me once on the lips. “So do you.”