Chapter Four

Reed Fletcher was asleep in her bed.

Mia stood in the doorway between the bedroom and the bathroom in her master suite, with a secret smile turning up the corners of her swollen mouth. A glance in the mirror earlier confirmed what she’d already guessed—the evidence of her amazing night with Reed wasn’t just in the soreness between her legs, but the pink, tender skin of her lips, chin, and neck. And the hickey on her left breast.

Of course, the gorgeous man curled around her pillow, his big, tanned shoulders a stark contrast to her white bedding, was all the proof she needed that she’d not only come, but she’d done it five glorious, toe-curling times.

When she’d invited Reed in, getting naked hadn’t crossed her mind. He was her old friend and confidant. A guy she still trusted, though the logical part of her brain knew that was crazy. So much time had passed since they were those goofy, fool-hearted kids hunched over the diner sink.

They’d talked a lot in between exploring each other last night. He’d told her about his job as the Cameron County building inspector, his almost career in the NFL, and how he curbed his craving for football by coaching the local high school team. He’d also confessed that he was entertaining a run in River Bend’s mayoral election in the near future,, hence his presence at the gala. More importantly, he was single. No girlfriend or wife back home, though something told her he was never really alone.

“If you’re thinking about how to get me out of your bed, I suggest making me breakfast.”

She stuck out her tongue as he rolled over and flashed a sleepy grin. His blond hair was ruffled and possibly even sexier than it had been styled. The light brown stubble on his jaw definitely looked hotter than yesterday. “No way, sunshine. I stopped making eggs when I left the diner.”

“I’m okay with a big plate of bacon. Maybe some o.j.”

“There’s a great restaurant a couple blocks down. I’m sure they’d be happy to help you.”

He gave her another grin and crooked his finger. “Come here, princess. I want to say good morning properly.”

Her girly parts reacted immediately, totally up for another round of the naughtiness he’d served up the night before...and into the morning hours. Still, her feet remained planted firmly on the hardwood floor.

“What are we doing?” she asked quietly.

“I was hoping we’d fuck again. I really like it when we do that.”

Such a man. “I’m serious. I’ve never done this before. And I certainly didn’t expect it to happen with you.”

“Sometimes the unexpected is exactly what we need, M. Now are you going to come back to bed or do I have to come and get you? Be warned that I’m hard as hell and I’m liable to take you where you stand, so if that’s not how you want it, you’d best get over here on your own.”

Just like that, her panties were soaked.. “I don’t know if I like this demanding side of you. You used to be such a nice boy.”

“Oh, I’m real nice, babe. Didn’t I prove that last night?” He shifted to his side and flung off the comforter, showing her his thick cock standing proud against his rippled stomach.

Her mouth watered.

“I need you, Mia.” His brown eyes went soft, and she gave a mental sigh. She was such a goner. And so was her tank top as she moved toward the bed without another thought. “Hell, yes, I love those tits.”

She shimmied out of her panties and crawled over to him. No sense in arguing when she wanted him just as badly as he wanted her. She pushed him to his back and climbed on, reaching for a condom on the nightstand. Her breasts fell toward his mouth and he took advantage, sucking a nipple between his lips.

A moment later, he was sheathed by not only the latex, but her, too. “Happy now?” she asked as she twined their fingers and used his arms to lever herself up and down on his cock.

“Very.” His dark eyes glazed over and his breath hitched a little. “Best morning workout ever.”

She grinned, closed her eyes, and rode them both into oblivion. Afterward, he pulled her close and she gladly curled into his chest, savoring the comfort of his arms. Their time together wouldn’t last much longer and she wasn’t in any hurry to forget.

“Talk to me about next month. When I’m in town again,” he said against her temple. “I want to see you. Have dinner. Maybe grab a movie.”

“You want to take me on a date?”

“Yeah. You okay with that? Maybe we can even swap phone numbers and, you know, talk to each other. Like old times.”

A strange pressure began to build in her chest and she nodded, unsure how she’d sound if she spoke. A few days ago, she’d found out her fiancé was messing around and now she was making plans with a guy she’d spent most of her childhood secretly loving.

“I could maybe do that,” she whispered.

“Yeah?” He stroked his hand down her back, and she shivered. What did she have to lose?

“Yeah.”

* * *

It was almost noon before Reed worked up the balls to say goodbye to Mia. He was due back in River Bend in an hour, but something had transpired during his time with her that made it impossible to walk away.

It wasn’t the sex, because he’d loved a lot of women and hadn’t had a problem leaving any of them. Something about Mia was different. Something that made him anxious to see her again before he’d even left.

“I’ll call you later this week.” Standing next to his car in her driveway, he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “Maybe I can talk you into phone sex.” 

She laughed against his chest and gave him a gentle shove. “What kind of girl do you take me for?”

“You really want me to answer that?” He squeezed her ass and she gave a little yelp.

“No. Please don’t.”

“Thank you, Mia Carderas, for an incredible night.”

“And morning.”

He grinned. “And morning.”

She tiptoed up and pressed her lips against his. He smoothed his hands back over her hair, pouring everything he had into what was supposed to be a final kiss before setting her away—then he pulled her back in for another round. She touched her fingers to her lips, drawing his attention once again to the redness around her mouth. He knew similar marks covered her body and he felt an internal triumph at having loved her so thoroughly.

With a quick wave and another promise to call, he climbed behind the wheel and backed out, grinning like a fool.

Such a sucker. Who knew little Mia Carderas would end up twisting him into so many knots?

Honking the horn as he pulled away, he pounded a fist twice against the steering wheel. Him and Mia. Damn.

He slowed to a stop at the end of the street and waited as a sleek black BMW rounded the corner. His too happy, just-got-laid attitude had him raising his hand in a friendly gesture to the driver. The guy lifted his hand in return, but too fucking late Reed realized who he’d been cordial to.

Ben Montgomery. And in the rearview mirror, Reed watched him pull into Mia’s driveway.