Chapter Ten
Less than a week after shaking hands with Russell Walker, Reese was back at Heritage. She, Wiley and Russell Walker had gone over the agreement he'd had drawn up and agreed on everything but one point.
"I should have thought to mention it earlier, and I apologize," Reese looked around the table at everyone.
"Is this a deal-breaker?" Russell asked.
"I'm afraid so, sir."
"Explain why."
"It's simple. Naomie is who actually constructed the prototype."
"I thought it was your invention."
"Yes sir, it is, but she created the physical model based on the design I gave her. And she made improvements, so it's her design as well."
"And you don't think there are others just as competent to take on the job of overseeing mass production?"
"No, sir, I don't."
He nodded and looked at Wiley. "What's your take on this?"
"I support Reese. She's the brains, and if she says we need Naomie, then I back her."
"All right." Russell turned his attention back to Reese. "I'll agree, providing I'm granted the opportunity to meet with her first. How soon can you get her here?"
"A couple of days. I asked if she'd be interested in helping me with my insect farm and she said when I got serious to hit her up. Right now, she's trying to get a grant to do another wolf study."
"Wolf study?"
"Yes, sir, she can tell you all about it. The point is until the grant comes through she's not involved in a project, so I think I can convince her to come aboard."
"Then get her here and let's talk."
"Yes, sir. When?"
"As soon as possible. Call when she's here, and I'll free my schedule."
"And until then?"
"We have a provisional agreement."
"That works for me. Wiley?"
"I agree." Wiley stood and offered Russell his hand. "We'll be in touch."
"Excellent. Have a good day."
"And you."
Russell looked at Reese, and she smiled. "Thank you, sir. You'll be hearing from us soon."
"I look forward to it."
Reese and Wiley went outside and got into his SUV. He started it up and then looked over at her. "You really think she's that essential?"
"I wouldn't have pushed for it otherwise."
"That's enough for me. So, how are things working out with you and Mathias?"
"Fine, why?"
"Just asking. You know Mercy's friend Netta offered up her guest room until you can find a permanent place."
"Thanks, but I'm fine where I am."
"Are you?" The look he gave her told her this was not a casual conversation.
"I am. I care for him, Wiley. No, that's a lie. I love him."
"Are you sure?"
"I am."
"And does he know that?"
"Maybe. I haven't said it, but Matty's one of those people who picks up on things, so maybe I don't have to say it."
"Everyone wants to hear the words, Reese."
"Do they?"
"Don't you?"
"I don't know. I think so, but then maybe not because it's such a big thing once the words are spoken."
"How so?"
"Once someone tells you that then you become responsible."
"Responsible?"
"Yes. Your actions and responses and words have an impact on the other's life."
"And you don't think the same holds true if you don't say the words?"
"You never stop do you?"
He cut a look at her. "Trying to get you to admit you have emotions and be honest about them? No, I don't."
"That's mean, Wiley. And unfair. Just because I don't wear my feelings on my sleeve doesn't mean I don't have them and you know it."
"And yet, you're still not honest. That statement you made that telling someone you love them makes you responsible. You know what I hear behind those words?"
"I don't guess I can stop you from telling me."
"Not likely, smartass. I love you, and you know that and it sure as heck doesn't make you responsible to me for anything. You said what you did because you're scared, and I get it."
"I'm not scared. Of anything."
Wiley reached over to take her hand and give it a brief squeeze. "You're the most scared person I've ever known, honey."
"What an awful thing to say."
"But true and even though you cover it, I know. I see it and dear God, you're entitled, so I'm not insulting or condemning. I don't know many people who've had a life as plagued with danger and loss. It's enough to scare the strongest person and make someone afraid to love."
"I'm not scared, Wiley." She didn't raise her voice, nor did she take offense. She knew he spoke with love and she wanted him to know she spoke true. "Seriously. Have a look." Reese offered her hand.
This time when he clasped it, he hung on. A minute passed before he released her hand and looked at her again. "Tell him, honey."
"I will. When the time is right."
Wiley nodded. "Good enough. Now, about this Naomie. Get on the phone and see what you can do about getting her here."
Reese smiled, glad to be on a topic besides her love life. "On it, boss." Hoping that Naomie wouldn't let her down, she placed the call. It went straight to voicemail, and she left a message.
There was nothing left to do but wait.
*****
Mathias entered the house through the back door, toed off his boots and set them on the boot rack before continuing to the laundry room where he peeled down to his boxer briefs and tossed his clothing into the hamper.
It'd been a long couple of days. Reese had crashed at Wiley's next-door neighbor's, Netta Bloom for a few nights so she could go over finalizing plans for the venture with Wiley and trying to arrange for someone she was keen to work with to come and meet with them and Russell Walker.
He'd been surprised just how much he missed her. When she came back, he wanted to have a talk with her about that and about where they were going in their relationship.
When light filtered down the hall from the kitchen, he headed that way. Reese must have gotten back just a minute after him. He walked into the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks.
Reese had her ass propped against the countertop with both hands on the granite surface. Rather than the tight jeans or loose cargo pants she favored, she was dressed in a strapless dress of near transparent material. It fit snuggly across her breasts and down her torso to flow out over her hips in an array of irregular lengths of fabric that reached not quite to mid-thigh.
She was barefoot, and her long tumble of blond curls was worn loose, framing her face and shoulders like a golden halo. Mathias had thought she was beautiful the first time he saw her. Now she was spectacular. Not to mention sexy. He couldn't think of anything but touching and tasting, taking her quick and hard then long and slow.
Almost as soon as the thoughts took control, something intruded to taint his passion. Was she feeling the same? She was definitely dressed to seduce, but her expression was one that was uncommon. She looked uncertain.
Damn, the feelings he had for her were screwing with his head. So much so, that it dimmed his ardor, but not his appreciation for her appearance.
"That's some outfit."
Reese wasn't psychic, but she was skilled in the art of observation, and she'd seen the change in his expression and body language. What was going on? One moment he was obviously turned on, and now he seemed to be cooling right off. Maybe it was just as well. She needed a clear head, and it was difficult enough with him standing there near naked.
"We need to talk."
"Okay, as in you're getting ready to tell me something I don't want to hear?"
"No. I mean, I don't know. I hope not."
"Well, that's as clear as mud." Mathias walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a longneck beer. He popped the top, took a swallow and leaned back against the counter beside the fridge.
She pushed away from the countertop and crossed the room to him. "I want you to know how much I appreciate you letting me stay here. It's been-"
Reese saw anger flash in his eyes a split second before he spoke. "If you got all dolled up to dump me, you could've saved yourself the bother."
Damn. Reese mentally kicked herself. She was handling this all wrong. "That's not at all where I was headed."
He stared at her for a long time before speaking. "Then what?"
"That you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever seen and not only that, you're probably one of the best people I've ever known. Not many people are genuinely good, but you are. I want you ̶ honestly more than is probably wise and not because the sex is so addictive—although it is, but because with you it's not just sex. I told you that I don't get involved—not emotionally, but you blew down all my defenses with a single breath, and I don't have any left, and it scares the hell out of me because you could annihilate me."
Mathias set his bottle on the counter and straightened. The movement brought them closer, so close she could feel the heat from his body. He put a hand behind her head, letting his fingers tighten a bit in her hair. "I’d never hurt you. It’s a given that I want you, but not just for a quick roll in the hay. I want more, too, and I think I can be more—that we can be more. I’d like you to give us a chance."
"Well, here I am." She kept her eyes on his as she stepped back, peeled her dress down her body and let it drop to the floor around her feet.
There wasn't a force on the planet strong enough to stop his eyes from following the path of that bit of material as she worked it down her body. Breasts that were firm and graced with the loveliest nipples he’d ever seen made his fingers tingle to touch. But he held firm and allowed only his eyes to touch her flesh, continuing the trek down her body.
When he reached the junction of her thighs, his knees damn near went weak. Smooth and completely hairless, her sex drew him like the proverbial bee to honey.
"This is your one chance to say no because if you don’t run in the next two seconds, I’m going to put my hands and mouth all over you."
"Seeing is believing."
That’s all the encouragement it took for him to reach out, grab her behind the neck and pull her to meet his lips. His free hand moved to her breast, thumb tracking over her nipple and feeling it harden.
There was no shyness or hesitation on her part. Her tongue warred with his as she ran her hands over his chest and then lower. Reese broke free of the kiss and lowered her head to trace her tongue down the center of his chest, all the while working his underwear down.
When she took him in her hand, fire swept through his mind, obliterating every other thought but wanting her. He grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up, cupping her firm rear as she wound those mile-long legs around him. Her fingers dug at the top of his shoulders as her lips sought dominance over his.
Long and slow could come later. Right now, he couldn’t fight it. Her sex was wet against his belly, her lips hot on his and small sounds came from her throat. Mathias turned, backed her up against the refrigerator and reached beneath her to guide himself in. Reese threw her head back, banged it against the refrigerator and screamed. "God yes!" as he slid inside her.
After that, there was no room or time for thought. It was just them, locked in a primitive dance of mating, all at once wholly physically and entirely emotional. He’d never felt anything like it. It was overwhelming and irresistible.
"Oh god, yes" The volume of her voice increased with each word, meeting him stroke for stroke, her body vibrating with the onset of orgasm. "Yes. Yes. Yes."
One final "Yes" turned into a full-blown scream of pleasure.
And in almost the same instant came another sound.
"For god’s sake, Reese. I could hear you halfway to Cotton Creek!"
Mathias went stone-cold still and looked over his shoulder at the door. There stood a woman he'd never seen before with a grin on her face.
"Ever hear of knocking?" Reese growled, and when Mathias tried to disengage, she swatted at him. "No, don’t you dare move. Naomie, wait for me in the living room please."
"Sure thing." The woman gave them a smirk, turned on her heel and disappeared around the corner.
"Naomie?" Mathias asked.
"Remember that woman I've been trying to get here for the project?"
"Oh, so what's she doing here? At my house, I mean?"
"I told her that's where I'd be and gave her directions. She was supposed to call when she landed to let me know she was on the way."
"I can hear you, you know." Naomie's voice came from the other room. "And I did call. Maybe you were ... occupied, because you didn't answer."
Reese looked at Mathias. "It's possible. As soon as I got here, I took a shower and started getting ready. I never even thought about checking my phone."
"Well, she's here now, so maybe we should get dressed, and you can introduce me."
Reese smiled. "I'd be happy to."
"You think this is funny, don't you?"
"Honestly, yes, a little and seriously, a man like you can't be embarrassed about a woman seeing you naked?"
"Oh, why's that?"
"Because you're next level hot, big guy." Naomie's voice had him looking at Reese in surprise and her bursting into laughter. He shook his head and tried not to laugh but lost the battle.
"Come on." Reese slid down his body and grabbed his hand to lead him to the bedroom. Ten minutes later, they headed for the living room.
Mathias wasn't sure what to expect and still was a little uncomfortable about what Reese's friend had walked in on. She was sitting on the rug in front of the fireplace with her legs crossed beneath her, fiddling with her phone. She stood as they entered, walked over to Reese and kissed her. Right on the mouth. Reese didn't seem at all taken aback by it. She just hugged Naomie after the kiss ended.
Reese's friend looked nothing like the super brain Reese claimed she was. About five, eight, he'd guess, slim but busty, she dressed like something out of the seventies or what some called bohemian. She wore a flowing gauzy skirt that fluttered around her legs and a thin strapped top that hit her mid-torso and was topped with an off the shoulder, almost transparent shirt tied at the waist.
Her hair was long, halfway down her back, sleek and black. He couldn't figure out her ethnicity. Her skin tone was dark like maybe she had Indian blood, but her eyes were a pale green. Whatever her ancestry, she was exotic and gorgeous.
"Wow, you look great, Reese," Naomie said and cut a look at Mathias. "I'm guessing that's due in part to you. Hi, I'm Naomie."
"I'm sorry. Matty, this is Naomie Roma Taylor – Doctor Taylor, three or four times over. Naomie, Mathias Gray Horse, SEAL and seriously talented metal artist."
"Not to mention seriously hot and handsome," Naomie added and stuck out her hand to Mathias. "It's an honor, sir, and thank you for your service."
"Thank you, ma'am. It's an honor to serve and a pleasure to meet you."
"If in less than a desirable manner. Sorry about that. I didn't know –
"That's my fault," Reese interrupted. "I didn't tell Naomie I'm staying with you."
"But now I know, so congrats and oh, hey, I brought liquor." She knelt and fished out a sealed bottle of top-shelf tequila from one of her bags.
"Uh, we haven't eaten yet," Reese said.
"Then we're on even footing. Neither have I. Where are your glasses?"
"Kitchen," Mathias answered.
"I know the way." Naomie headed for the kitchen and once there, set to work breaking the seal on the bottle.
"Trash?"
Reese pointed, and Naomie disposed of the plastic, then set the bottle on the table. Mathias brought three shot glasses and put them on the table as well. "Ready?" Naomie asked.
"As I'll get," Reese replied. "Matty?"
"Have at it."
Naomie poured three shots and raised her glass. "To Reese who has not only achieved her life's work but found what she always dreamed of and would never admit."
"What's that?" Mathias asked.
"You, big guy. Love. So, raise your glass."
They did and then drank the shot. Naomie blew out a breath and poured another round. "Okay, so what's the scoop, girl? Do I have to pass an interview or interrogation or what?"
"No. You just have to impress the partner with your brilliance."
Naomie made a face and tossed back her shot. "So, I need to put on the act, eh?"
"Act?" Mathias asked.
"Use big words and impress them with my list of degrees and accomplishments."
"Are there a lot of those?"
"More than some, less than others, I suppose."
"She's being modest," Reese said. "Naomie graduated high school at the ripe old age of thirteen and undergraduate at fifteen. She had four doctorates by the time she was twenty-five."
"Wow," Mathias didn't have to pretend to be impressed. "That's amazing, but why four?"
"Because I had no clue what I wanted to do and still don't for the most part. I guess my heritage comes out in my need to move intellectually rather than physically although moving from place to place does have its appeal."
"I don't get it."
Naomie poured them another shot. "My mother, Lavina was the product of a Gypsy mother and an Indian—dot not feather—father. She was working in London when she met my father, Steven Roland Taylor, a man from a good Kentucky family who raised thoroughbreds, on holiday after graduating college. They were married before his holiday ended.
"Mom always teased that I had more Gypsy blood than she because I was never still as a child and went on my first walk-about at five. I left before they got out of bed and was found two days later almost at the county line.
"After that, they kept close tabs on me and steered me toward intellectual travels so to speak. It stuck I guess, so when I finished one subject, I traveled to another."
"How did you and Reese meet?"
"I was a lab instructor working on my last degree when she was at MIT. We met when she was in her junior year and were close for several years until I left and went back to Kentucky."
"What did you do there?"
"Take care of my mother until she died. Then I hung around another couple of years to help my father with his breeding program."
"I'm sorry. Is your father still alive?"
"He is. Remarried and with two more kids who are pretty amazing people."
"And you built the prototype?"
"I did."
"So, you believe in what Reese wants to do?"
"Absolutely. But," she looked at Reese. "Are you sure you can go through this whole discrediting thing?"
"Yes. It's why I pressed you so hard. Coming from you, I know everyone will believe I failed."
"If you're sure that's what you want, I'll professionally eviscerate you."
Reese raised her glass. "Make it real, girl. My life depends on it."
"Literally?" Naomie looked from Reese to Mathias.
He nodded, and after a moment she did as well. "So be it. Here's to professional suicide and happily ever after, my love."
Reese clicked her glass to Naomie's and then to Mathias'. "Amen."
Mathias didn't comment but made a mental note to ask Reese later why Naomie would refer to her as my love.