I could feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest. I was surprised at how easily those words had come. I knew I meant them. I could try to ignore what was happening between us, but what was the use? I was falling, and fast for this man.

I wanted nothing more than to get lost in him. I felt safe wrapped up in his muscular arms. I could feel a sense of vulnerability in him as he held me. I wasn't sure what was the cause, but I hoped that I could ease his mind.

We stood at my front door kissing each other for several minutes before I led him by the hand into the house.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink? Do you want to sit on the couch?"

Reed grabbed both of my hands looked down at me.

"They only thing I want right now is you."

Without saying another word I turned still holding one of his hands and led him to my bedroom.

Once we reached my bedroom, I turned to Reed. He cupped my face with his hands and kissed my lips in a slow, hypnotic fashion. His tongue traced across my lips before dipping inside and exploring my mouth.

Without breaking the kiss Reed led me backward until the back of my legs were touching the bed. Reed broke the kiss. He placed his hands on my ass and lifted me up and onto the bed. I felt my nipples begin to harden from the kisses and being manhandled. My breaths were coming out quickly as my body started to ache for more.

Reed crawled over my body and held our hands over my head.

“Penny, I want to savor every inch of your beautiful body. I need to make sure that this is what you want too.”

He placed kisses along my neck and collarbone. My eyes kept fluttering shut while I savored the feel of his full lips on my skin.

"Reed, I want this. Hell, I need this." It came out as more of a moan.

Reed released my hands and made his way down my body. He placed his fingers in the waistband of my shorts and slowly pulled them down my thighs.

"No panties, I like that."

"I don't see the point of them when I sleep in boy shorts."

"As far as I'm concerned you could never wear them again."

When I was fully naked Reed stared down at me.

"You are an absolute dream, Penelope. The one I hope to never wake up from."

Reed started to kiss my inner thighs. I could feel the wetness forming in my most sensitive place. He continued to kiss up my thigh until he reached my sex. Then he flicked his tongue on my sensitive nub. A loud moan escaped my lips.

My legs began to shake as he continued to lick and kiss me. Within minutes I felt a rush. I screamed his name around pants for air.

Reed placed one last kiss between my thighs after my release.

"You taste even better than I imagined." He placed a kiss on my lips and I could taste myself on him.

"Do you have a condom, baby?"

"Y-yes, in the top draw or the bedside table."

He leaned over me and opened the drawer pulling out a golden square. He pulled his shirt over his head exposing his beautiful body. I ran my hands across his hard chest loving the feel of his skin.

He made a move to remove his pants, but I pushed his hands away.

"Allow me."

I sat and ran kisses across his abs. I slowly unbuttoned his jeans and pulled them down his body. He was wearing a pair of black boxer briefs that were doing nothing concealing the bulge trying to poke free.

I cupped him through the thin maternal and he hissed in pleasure.

"Penny, sweetheart, I will not last with you touching me like that."

"Then don't make me wait, Reed."

In what seemed like record speed he tore the wrapper open and covered himself with the condom. He hovered over me placing himself between my legs. I gripped his behind and pulled him toward me.

"Eager are we? I have to admit I am too." He bent down and stole another kiss.

When he pulled back, he gently pushed himself into my body. His head fell back, and he tightened his hands tightened on my hips. Then he was moving slowly in and out. I felt a sensation building in my core. I thought my body was going to explode from the pure pleasure.

Reed's hands roamed up my rib cage and over my breasts. His eyes bore into mine. I couldn't look away. His movements began to speed up, and I knew that he was close. I bucked my hips in time with his. His movements became frantic. I heard a high pitch scream and realized it was my own voice. I was so overtaken with the pleasure of my release.

Reaching his release Reed let out a long, low groan of his own. He lowered his body down and placed kisses all along my face and neck before laying beside me and wrapping me up in his arms.

Once Reed disposed of the protection, he made his way back to the bed. I was in a state of bliss. He pulled the covers back and slid under them with me. We laid face to face, our noses almost touching. His arm laid across my hip and his fingers drew lazy circles on my lower back.

"That was incredible," he said.

"I agree. I don't think I've ever felt anything that good."

"I don't think I have either." He leaned over and placed a light kiss on my nose and then my lips.

"I could get used to this," I said as my eyes drifted closed.

"I hope that you do. I want more of this, more of you."

I smiled at him. I felt like a teenage that had just spoke to her crush for the first time. I couldn't help it though. I was so happy.

"I went to see my uncle today."

"Oh really? How's he doing?"

"Fine, just lonely even though he would never admit it. I actually told him about you.” Reed paused and cleared his throat. “He wants to meet you. He invited you over for dinner."

"That would be lovely. I would love to meet your uncle."

"I can call him tomorrow and see what day works for him. We can get something set up. I have to admit. I'm kinda nervous because you will be the first girl I've ever taken home."

"Really?" I couldn't hide the surprise in my expression or voice. "You didn't even bring home girls in high school?"

“Nope, I was pretty reserved back then. I didn't have many friends. I kept to myself mostly and Abby.”

"Well, I'll be honored to be the first girl that you take home."

"I'm so glad that you are."

With his words, I fell into a peaceful sleep wrapped in his arms.

The next morning we woke up to my alarm. It was Monday morning, and I had to be at the office by nine. Reed's first client wasn't until nine-thirty so we were able to have breakfast and morning coffee together. I got a glimpse of what it would be like to spend every night and wake up every morning with Reed. It would be so easy to share those moments with him day in and day out.

After breakfast, I walked Reed to the door. We stood there kissing and holding each other not wanting to let go. When we finally pulled away, he jogged to his car. I waved as he pulled off. I’d be seeing him later at the gym, but that wouldn't be alone time.

I arrived at work just before nine. I had several meetings, and in between meetings I was working on several projects that were coming close to the deadline. Before I knew it, it was time for lunch. Thankfully I’d brought my lunch, so I was able to relax at my desk eating and reading through emails.

I was nibbling on a bite of yogurt when my cell phone began to buzz. I pulled the device from my purse hoping that it would be Reed. When I read the screen, my heart dropped.

Mom popped up as the name ID. I fought the urge to throw my phone back in my bag or better yet against the wall. I wasn't ready to talk to her. I didn't need her Debbie downer ways bringing me down from my good mood

Begrudgingly I clicked the green button to answer.

"Mother."

"Penelope."

Oh brother, why did she even call if we were going to play this game? She wanted me to make the first move, but I wasn't in the mood to placate her today. She called me. She had something she wanted to say or something she felt like I should say to her. Rude awakening for her, she wasn't getting an apology from me if that’s what she was looking for.

I sat in silence waiting for her to speak. After several seconds she did.

"Are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here."

"Well, why didn't you say anything?"

"You called me mother. I assumed you would be the one to start the conversation."

I heard her let out a loud huff on the other end.

"You always were difficult."

A laugh escaped me before I could even stop myself. I tried to cover it with the old cough trick, but I wasn't sure how successful I was. Her saying I was difficult was a prime example of the pot and the kettle. I knew she didn't see herself that way though.

"Did you need something?"

"I haven't heard from you since the dinner and I thought you may have something to say for yourself."

Oh, I had plenty to say, but she wouldn't like any of it. Of that I was sure.

"Nope, I think Reed said everything I would have. I want to say I can't believe you invited Alec, but sadly I can."

"Penelope, he is a family friend. You were incredibly rude to him. It was also very rude of you to allow that man you were with talk to me in that manner and leave my party. All my guest kept asking where my daughter was and I had to make excuses for you."

I was done. So very, very done with my mother and her bull crap. I had been having a great day until she called. She had a way of always ruining everything.

"Mother, I love you because you gave me life, but you were the one that was rude. You invited my cheating ex to a get together when you know what he did to me and how we ended. Nothing I ever do is good enough for you. You constantly judge my job, my clothes, my body. You are the only person to blame for your friends wondering where your daughter was because you drove me away. As for Reed, he only said what I should have a long time ago. Now if you'll excuse me I have work to do."

I hung up the phone not waiting for her response. My mind was exhausted. My chest was heaving up and down like I’d just gotten done with an intense workout. I couldn't wait to get through the rest of the day and just go home.

When I finally left for the day, I headed to the gym. I was supposed to be meeting Noel for one of the classes Reed taught. After changing into my gym clothes in the locker room I headed to the classroom. There were several women waiting for the class to start. A few were talking to Reed, more like trying to flirt and passing it off as asking for fitness advice.

As soon as he saw me he smiled. I gave him a weak smile and wave back. His eyebrows furrowed, and he said something to the women before he broke from the group and walked toward me.

"Hey," He said when he reached me, "Everything ok?"

I typically was not one for PDA, especially in his workplace, but I really needed his support. I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my head into his chest breathing in his scent. He wrapped his arms around me and ran his hands up and down my back.

"I just had a really long day. This helps though."

He placed a soft kiss on the top of my head.

"Anytime," was all he replied.

I pulled back from him. When I looked up, I saw all eyes were on us. I saw some looks of envy, some disgusted, and some that looked dreamy. I felt a little embarrassed by the attention, but Reed was smiling down at me like he wasn't even fazed. They may have been looking at him, but he was only looking at me.