Chapter 22
Naomi sat at her house, watching Reid pace. She wanted to cradle him to her, the way she had after his mother had passed. But not now. He seemed seriously freaked out.
“I’m telling you. Something’s not right about all this. My mother lived in the damn clouds for most of her life. Now suddenly she’s organized enough to divvy up her assets? Shit. I mean, shoot. It’s not like I want her money. But Naomi, she left me out of everything.” He blinked, swore, and kept pacing.
“That makes no sense. I’m so sorry, Reid.” She felt for him. From everything he’d told her before, his mother had loved him. She’d all but ignored Cash. “You know she loved you. Maybe this is her way of righting the wrong she did your brother.”
“Maybe.” He abruptly sat next to her on the couch. “Why do I even care? Why does she have the power to hurt me? She’s dead. There’s nothing of hers I want.” He paused. “Well, maybe a few pictures of me and Cash as kids. But her and my dad? It’s hard to love them. Even now.”
Yet he did. And that was why she loved him so much.
God, she had to keep repressing that emotion. Loving a man she’d met just a few weeks ago wasn’t smart.
If she could live off sex alone, she’d keep him. But there had to be more than a physical attraction between them. She liked Reid. A lot. He appealed to her on every level. And his sense of humor and intelligence met her on an equal playing field. But they had their differences. They’d fought on occasion. And they both loved making up.
This relationship felt too soon because she felt too much. Did he feel it too? Had he really been joking when he’d told her sister he loved her?
Reid reached for her hand. He liked touching her, and that need for connection warmed her.
“I’m sorry. I hate unloading on you. You’re just so easy to talk to.” He leaned his head back. “Why don’t you tell me about your day?”
“God, stop being so sensitive listening to me. Quit being nice.” Great, now she sounded like a shrew. “I mean, you can have a bad day. You can be angry at your mom. It’s okay, Reid.”
“I know it’s okay.” He took the “quit being nice” to heart. “I was trying to not be so selfish with our time.”
“Oh?”
He scowled. “I haven’t seen you much this week. I guess that doesn’t bother you.”
“Oh, now we’re bitchy. Okay. Run with that.” She knew she was pulling a tiger’s tail, but she liked this side of Reid.
“I’m being bitchy?” He yanked her to him and kissed the breath out of her. “Maybe you’re being bratty.”
“So what? You won’t do anything about it.” She nipped his lower lip.
Reid’s breathing grew shallow. “Is there something you want me to do about it?” He squeezed her breast, then dropped his hand to her leg, sliding it up under her skirt and over her panties, stopping right where she wanted him.
“Oh, I see. You’re wet for me. Why didn’t you say so?” He unzipped his pants and pulled himself out, stroking his hardening cock. He returned his fingers to her panties, nudging them aside. “You hungry, baby?”
She widened her legs, and his nostrils flared. He knew exactly what she wanted. He shoved first one finger then a second into her, pumping in and out. She ground against him, needy.
It wasn’t enough.
Abruptly, he withdrew his hand.
“Suck me off and I might give you what you want.” He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her over him.
The forcefulness turned her on, this little game they played.
She did what he wanted, opening her mouth wide to take him in.
“Fuck yeah.” Reid guided her head, using her hair like reins. “That’s it. Take me deeper.” He moaned as she cupped his balls, then snaked her tongue around him.
He tensed, gasping, and she knew he was close.
“Put yourself over me. Now, Naomi.”
She pulled away, ripped off her skirt and panties, and sat on him.
Reid moaned and sank into her, riding his bliss as he fingered her to her own climax.
Coming with Reid inside her felt like perfection. Naomi owned him like this, and they both knew it. She could watch him take his pleasure, knowing she’d given it to him. And she took him inside her body, accepting all of him.
She shifted over him, and he groaned.
“No, baby. Don’t move.” He arched up into her. “God, you feel good. I swear, if I could bottle you and keep you close all the time, I would.”
He frowned at her. “For this.” He just stared, then brushed a hand over her hair, a finger over her cheek. The kiss that came gentled, drawing her closer. He was hugging her, still inside her as he softened. She felt his sigh against her neck, heard him inhale her.
“You smell like spring.” He smiled against her. “My favorite season.”
“I love spring too,” she said back, stroking his hair. I love you. But could she really love him so soon after meeting him? Her mother seemed to think so, but then Kim Starr wanted Naomi settled down. And she liked Reid.
“Reid?”
“Whatever you want,” he muttered.
She grinned, loving how sated they made each other.
“I want you to always be honest with me.” Unlike Tanner, Reid needed to put her first.
He opened his eyes. “Always? What if that dress really does make you look fat? You want me to say that?”
“What? No.” She huffed. “I meant about important things.”
“Okay.”
She studied him. “Just okay?”
“Sure. What do you want to know? Give me a test.”
Do you love me? “Do you like me?”
He scowled. “What the hell do you think? I’m making love to you.”
“You know, you only curse when you get really angry or really turned on.”
“Stop.” He flushed.
She found him adorable. “You are so cute when you’re embarrassed.”
“Cut it out.” He tried to hide a grin by shoving his face in her neck.
“Why do you do that?”
“I get your scent that way. And you really do smell amazing. You’re sweet, and you make me smile.”
“Reid.” He thought her sweet?
“It’s true.” He lifted his head to look at her, then cupped her cheeks. “Naomi, I see you, and I see everything I’ve ever wanted. You’re so smart, so quick and funny. And you get me hard, no question.”
She blushed. “I know. You’re still inside me.”
“Yeah.” He gave a low, satisfied moan. “But it’s not just because you’re gorgeous; it’s the whole package.” The way he watched her gave her tingles. He seemed on the verge of saying something more.
Then his phone chimed.
“Hell.” He sighed, glanced at the number, and set the phone back down. “It’s Cash. I gotta go.”
“Okay.” They moved apart and cleaned up, and she walked him to her door.
“I don’t want to go,” he confessed. “Is that being too needy? I know chicks hate guys who are clingy.”
“Yeah? Well, this chick wants to cling to you.” She stroked his cheek, besotted. “Tell Cash I said hi.”
“I will.”
He was halfway out the door when he stopped suddenly. “Listen, this is probably stupid, but we fired Mannie today.” She’d met him briefly. “He was stealing from a customer, but we caught him. He threatened Jordan, but she told him to stick it.” Reid watched Naomi, his expression serious. “I doubt he’d do anything to you. But just in case. If anything ever happened to you, I don’t know what I’d do.”
Touched, she kissed him. And this kiss felt different. It felt like the prelude to more.
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Yeah.” He stood in her doorway, then he sighed and turned to go.
“Reid?”
He stopped a few paces down the walkway.
“I, ah…” No way she could tell him she loved him first. Not if he didn’t feel the same, because then the dynamic would change.
Bah. She hated second-guessing herself. But after Tanner, she didn’t trust her judgment when it came to men.
“You okay?”
“I’m good. I’ll miss you is all.”
His joy lifted her with him. “Me too, Naomi. I think about you all the time.”
That had to be love, right? So why didn’t he say it?
“Me too.” Lame but honest.
He smiled. Then quietly, as if waving goodbye, he said it. “I love you.” He smiled and walked away.
Boom. Bomb dropped!
* * *
Naomi spent a restless night convincing herself he’d really said it, half hoping he hadn’t. Love was serious. A big four-letter word that meant commitment.
It was what she’d wanted—or was it?
She needed to talk to him. But during the day, she was too chicken to call him and discuss their relationship over the phone. And the following night at the party, things didn’t go as she’d hoped. She didn’t get a chance to talk to Reid beforehand. Discussing this at the party didn’t make sense. Naomi would not have a personal conversation of such magnitude at Chris Jennings’s house. Plus this way, she could put off the discussion she had no idea how to have. She loved him, didn’t she? But then, what did that mean? Would things change or stay the same?
Then Tanner and his girlfriend came into view, and it was creepy.
Next to her, Liz shuddered. “Oh my God, Naomi. She looks just like you. Naomi 2.0. Is she a clone?”
“Shh. He’ll hear you.”
“Come on. Even Jennings noticed. I heard him say something to Jon about it.”
Naomi fought a blush. “Have you seen Reid and the others yet?”
“No, but I’ve been keeping my eye on Heather and Leo. Is it me, or does my daughter keep trying to get him into a dark corner? Well, well. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“Liz.”
Liz laughed, and so did Naomi as she watched Leo and Heather reemerge from the shadows of Chris Jennings’s outdoor patio. The man lived in a mansion in Denny-Blaine, one of the most affluent areas in Seattle. The patio had trees and shrubs and patches of color everywhere as his flowers overwhelmed rock walls and strategically placed pots.
“When are we interviewing that marketing specialist again?” Liz asked, nibbling from a plate of appetizers.
“Wednesday. He did well on the phone call, and you liked his résumé best, right?”
“Yeah.” She and Liz continued to chat, Naomi keeping her distance from Tanner.
“You can’t put him off forever. Might as well get it over with,” Liz said.
“I know.” Naomi sighed. “I just wanted to say hi to Reid first.”
“I’ll keep a look out.”
“Okay.” She waved at Tanner, who took that as a sign and made straight for her.
“Wish me luck,” she muttered.
“Amen.”
“Naomi, you look terrific.” Tanner appreciated her spring dress, a lavender floral piece that hit her knees and flowed as if made specifically for her. The dress had cap sleeves and a square neckline, hinting at her bosom without accentuating it, making her look both modest and daring at the same time.
Leaving his date with Liz, Tanner guided them to an unoccupied area by an outdoor heater. The venue looked lovely, white lights strung over the trees, tall tables scattered around the paved patio, with heaters providing warmth and a bit of light.
The full moon overhead glowed, and light jazz music played over hidden outdoor speakers. The soft rush of running water from Chris’s garden added to the serenity outside despite the many people in attendance. Everyone spoke in quiet tones, as if in reverence for Jennings’s ability to harness the beauty in nature.
“I’m so glad you came tonight. I’ve been thinking about you.” Tanner kissed her hand.
She pulled it back, confused. “Tanner, why are you doing this?”
He looked pained. “I miss what we had.”
“You threw us away, remember?” She nodded to Liz and Naomi 2.0. “Does your girlfriend realize you’re over here flirting? That’s not cool, Tanner. Or respectful.”
He flushed. “I can’t help it. I still love you.”
I love you, Reid had said, his voice quiet, honest, brimming with emotion.
“You love what we had. I miss that too, sometimes. Someone to work with, the way we worked together. But Tanner, it’ll never be that way again.”
He frowned. A spark of something came into his eyes.
They were distanced enough from the party to keep the conversation uninterrupted yet in view of some of the guests. A glance over her shoulder showed her that Liz and Tanner’s date had disappeared, but she could still see Heather and Leo hanging out by the outdoor waterfall.
“Do you love Reid Griffith? Is that what this is about?”
“I…” Did she owe Tanner the truth? “My feelings for him aren’t your business.”
“Ah, so you don’t love him. I didn’t think so.”
“You’re one to talk about love.” She snorted. “I gave you everything. I loved you, and I supported you.”
“Loved, Naomi? Or still love?” Tanner moved closer. “Can you really turn it off so easily?”
Looking into his bright-blue eyes, staring over those familiar features, she felt…something. But it wasn’t love.
Her hesitation betrayed her, however. Tanner’s satisfaction put her nerves on alert because he seemed focused, not on her, but on something behind her. Don’t be there, Reid, Please not now.
She turned to see Reid watching her, his expression closed. He stood close enough to hear their conversation, but she had no idea how long he’d been standing behind her.
“I was looking for you and ran into a woman who looks just like you. Weird.” Reid shook his head. When he looked at Tanner, he frowned. “Seriously? You break up with Naomi, then date a woman who could be her twin?”
Tanner’s face turned red. “Mandy is none of your business.”
“I guess not. And Naomi’s and my relationship is none of yours.” He nodded to Naomi, but the set of his jaw didn’t bode well for their next conversation.
Before they could have one, Cash joined them and whispered something into Reid’s ear, then the pair took off.
“That was rude.” Tanner swallowed the last of his beer. “I’m not kidding, Naomi. I’m not using you for anything either. Hell, I already have the Jennings bid. PP&R is in no danger of going under. I’m being straight with you. I love you.”
“You said that already.” And now she was annoyed. “You deliberately baited me with Reid.”
“So what? If he can’t handle a little competition, do you want him in your life? We’ll be working together in the near future. Can you handle being with someone who’s so insecure, he can’t handle your job?” Tanner gave a self-deprecating grin. “I made that mistake. Trust me, I know. A man who can’t deal with his girlfriend’s or wife’s job isn’t long for the relationship.”
Naomi took what he said into account. “I have to go.”
“I’m here, and I’m waiting.”
“Don’t hold your breath.” She left, seeking out Liz, and ran into Jennings and his fiancée. “Hi. Great party.”
They made small talk until Chris pulled her aside. “Hey, Naomi, is everything all right with Tanner? That lunch the other day was odd.”
“It’s fine. Tanner and I dated a long time ago. But we’re just business acquaintances now. Reid and I are dating though.” Feeling bad that they hadn’t arrived together, Naomi wanted others to know he belonged to her. She felt guilty for having denied their connection.
Chris blinked. “Reid?” Then he smiled. “You traded up, Naomi. Not that I said that out loud.” He cleared his throat. “I’d better—Oh, there’s Cash. Let me say hi.”
He left her. Cash and Chris shook hands. Near them, she saw a few familiar faces: Jordan and some huge guy with her and one of the Jacksons. Of Reid, she saw no sign.
She drifted closer and heard Jordan and the big guy arguing about something.
Once Chris left, Cash motioned Naomi over. “What’s up?” she asked.
“We have a problem,” he said in a low voice. “One of our ex-employees crashed the party. We think he’s planning to steal from Jennings.”
“No.” She saw disaster written all over this. “That sure won’t help Vets on the Go! look reputable.”
“Uh, yeah, that’s why we’re here.” Jordan shook her head. “Cash, we don’t have time for this. Let’s split up.”
“Good idea. Naomi, want to help?”
“I insist.”
“Who’s she?” the big guy with Jordan asked.
Cash frowned. “Why did you bring him?”
“You said bring a date.” Jordan shrugged. “I’m helping train him.”
“And her car broke down. She needed a ride.”
Cash glared. “You should have asked me. I’d have picked you up.”
“Yeah,” the guy said. “That’s why she called me.”
“Asshole.”
“Prick.”
“Boys,” Naomi hissed. “Focus. Now who the hell is this?” she asked Jordan.
“Hey.” Smith gave her a thorough once-over. “Nice dress.”
She sighed. “Okay, so how do you know one of your guys—”
“Ex-guys,” Cash was quick to correct her.
“—is going to steal something tonight?”
“Because I saw him sneaking in with a group,” Jordan said. “I would have said something, but he was too far away, and I didn’t want to make a scene. He wore a Vets on the Go! T-shirt to get in, and the security guards let him in because they were expecting us. Mannie’s mad because I turned him in for stealing.”
“Way to go, narc,” Smith muttered.
“Shut the hell up,” Cash snarled. “She’s loyal.”
“Easy, dude. I’m kidding.” Smith didn’t seem very afraid of Cash. He didn’t seem all that intelligent either.
Jordan described Mannie’s appearance.
Naomi nodded. “Okay. We should split up. I’ll take—”
“No.” Cash shook his head. “You keep an eye on Chris and let us know if he or his people come inside. Reid’s already hunting down Mannie. We have to catch him first.”
“You’re damn right you do. Talk about a PR nightmare.” Naomi crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her fingers. “Well? What are you waiting for? Go.”