When I Fall

I take in a deep breath, exhaling it slowly. My eyes fall closed as I drop my head. “We had sex all night and Reed doesn’t remember any of it.”

Silence. Dead silence, as if both of them have ceased breathing.

I peek up and see two sets of eyes, waiting for further explanation. Groaning, I plant my elbows on the table and let my face fall into my hands.

Just get it over with. Like a band-aid. Rip this shit right off.

“Reed freaked out a little at the party when he saw Molly’s fiancé. It’s like everything came to a head and he couldn’t handle it anymore. I pulled him into the farmhouse and things . . . happened. Just like touching and stuff. He wanted to drink after that so we went to the bar. I knew he was feeling the alcohol, but I didn’t think he was completely wasted. When I drove him home, he asked me to stay, and I did. I asked him if he was drunk, he said no.” I look at them between my fingers.

“And . . .” Tessa urges.

I pinch my eyes closed. “I’ve never had sex like that. He was everywhere, all over me, touching me, saying the dirtiest stuff while he held me down. He tied me up and fucked me for what felt like hours. We did it in every room, every position . . .” I swallow hard. “Everywhere. He was so turned on and I was so turned on, and it was like we were racing each other to see who could come the most. I think we tied, maybe, I don’t know. Honestly, I lost count. It was filthy and perfect and I can’t stop thinking about it. I don’t know what I was expecting the next morning, but him not remembering what we did wasn’t it. It was so, so embarrassing. I got out of there while he was puking in the bathroom and I haven’t talked to him since.”

My breath against my face becomes too much, too thick, too suffocating. I lower my hands to allow the cool air to hit me.

Mia’s eyes are brimming with questions, her mouth hanging open in shock. I look at Tessa, and immediately wish I hadn’t.

She’s grinning like I’ve just told her I shoved Molly in front of a freight train.

“I knew Reed was a freak!” she squeals, slapping the table. “Damn. I feel like I need a cigarette after hearing that. He tied you up? Like with rope?”

I nod.

“You did it everywhere?” she probes, lifting an eyebrow.

I nod, again. No reason to verbalize this humiliation.

Her smile grows even more. “Hot.”

Mia begins fanning her face, and then downs the rest of her iced tea. “Wow. I had no idea Reed was so creative in the bedroom.”

“He was really creative in the kitchen,” I softly add.

Mia’s eyebrows hit her hairline. Tessa nods appreciatively.

I take a bite out of my pickle, chew it up, and then elaborate when their eyes encourage me.

“There was a lot of honey involved.”

Mia stands with her empty glass in her hand. “I need a refill. I’m having a major hot flash.” She heads for the refrigerator, leaving me alone with a very pleased looking Tessa. It’s as if she’s the one who had the sex of her life two days ago.

She crosses her arms over her chest and settles back in the chair. “No wonder Reed’s ducking us. He’s probably losing his mind knowing he’s been with you and can’t remember any of it. I bet he’s going crazy.”

I lower my eyes. “He regrets it.”

“Says who?”

Looking up at Tessa, I see the harsh frown she’s giving me. I wait for her to explain. She waits for me to inquire. We both open our mouths at the same time, but our words are halted by the sound of the front door opening.

Several deep voices follow. I look to my left as three men step into the kitchen. Three large men. Three very, very attractive men. All in police uniforms.

Good Lord. If I wasn’t already having a difficult time with shit lately, now I get handed the task of not staring at men who look like they could easily be cast in Magic Mike 2? Did I murder a litter of puppies in another life or something?

“Angel.” The biggest out of the three makes a direct line for Mia. “Give me that mouth.”

Mia blushes instantly. “Hey, babe.” She sets her glass on the counter and throws her arms around his neck. They share a brief, but hotter than hell kiss. “Come here. I want you to meet Beth.”

I realize then that I’m the only one left at the table. Tessa is shoving one of the other men against the wall by the refrigerator and assaulting him with her body. The other guy is standing in the middle of the floor, hands in his pockets, unsure of where to look with all the affection surrounding him. He settles his eyes on me and smiles.

I smile back.

He smiles bigger.

I quickly blink away before I give him my Reed smile.

Oh, great. Really? My Reed smile?

Mia walks up to the table with the big cop glued to her back. She drops her head back against his chest, then her eyes notice the man standing in the middle of the kitchen.

“Guys, this is Beth. She just moved here from Kentucky. Beth, this is CJ.” She tips her head in the direction of the man who was smiling at me, is still smiling at me, then wraps her hand around the bicep nearly crushing her. “And this is Ben, my husband, and Tessa’s brother. The one she’s got pinned down is Luke.”

CJ reaches across the table and takes my hand. He squeezes it gently. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

His deep auburn hair is cut short, resembling the hairstyle of the other two men. I assume that’s a job requirement. He has strong features, a square jaw, wide forehead, and sharp, angular cheekbones. His lips are thin, framing perfect teeth. His eyes are a beautiful shade of blue. He’s handsome. Very, very handsome.