Page 19 of Reed

He growls but goes to talk to the boys. I continue what I’m doing, ignoring everything else. I give the boys more when they are done eating the ones they have. I also plate up some for Reed and place it in his hands. I watch him pick one up and take a bite of it. His eyes close, and a smile forms on his lips. I smile because I know what he’s tasting. They are fucking good.

“Shit Ali. These are amazing.” He pops a donut hole in his mouth.

“I know.” The boys are finally full, so I let them down. They take off into the living room to play. Reed has made himself another plate and is digging in. I put the rest in a bag and stick them in the fridge.

When I turn around, Reed looks at me with his eyes narrowed. “What the fuck was that?”

“What was what?” I ask, grabbing all the dirty dishes and carrying them to the sink. I fill the sink with water and add a little dish soap, noticing I’m going to have to pick up another bottle.

“You put the food away without eating anything,” he says on what basically is a growl. I keep myself from tensing up. I hoped he wouldn't notice.

“I ate before I started making the boys’ food,” I say hoping he can’t tell I’m lying.

“Right. Turn around and say that to my face,” Reed demands. I don’t want to listen to him, but it’s like he has some fucking control over my body. I turn around, place my hands on my hips, and hope he can’t read me.

“I already ate,” I state working very hard to keep my voice even and calm.

Before I can think, Reed places his plate on the counter, reaches out, turns me around, and then pushes my back until I’m flat against the sink. My boobs are touching the water because I’m not wearing a bra. My shirt rises up, and I feel the cool air kiss the bottom of my ass cheeks and bare pussy. I’m about to tell him to let me go before the boys come in when his hand comes down on my ass, and I gasp at the sting.

“Don’t.” Smack. “You.” Smack. “Lie.” Smack. “Again.” Smack. My ass stings by the time he is done, and the front of my shirt is soaking wet, but so is my pussy. His hand starts to rub the sting away, and I bite my lips to keep from moaning. Reed lets me up and spins me around. His lips come down on mine, and I waste no time pulling him closer. A knock on the door interrupts us, and we break apart. Reed looks down at my shirt and smiles. “Go get changed, Little One.”

I step around him, but he stops me by grabbing my hand. I look over my shoulder to see that he is holding his plate out. I take it and head to my room. I hurriedly stuff a whole donut in my mouth and moan as the powdered sugar melts on my tongue. I quickly pull on a bra, shirt, underwear, and pants. Then, I realize that my scars have been on display all morning. Fuck that means that Reed saw them.

“Little One, are you dressed?” Reed calls from the living room. I breathe through my nose and out my mouth to help myself calm down. I have a cover story about how I got the scars, but if he can tell that I was lying about eating, there is no way that he will believe me.

“Coming,” I say, putting another donut in my mouth. The first thing I notice when I step into the hallway is Grandmama standing in my living room, looking around the space with her eyes narrowed. “Oh shit.”

“Oh shit is right. You lied to me. You told me that this place was good and that you had everything you needed,” Grandmama says, putting her hands on her hips.

“I know,” I say, looking down.

“Hey, you will not speak to—” Reed starts, but Grandmama walks straight up to him and points her finger at his face.

“Reed Black, I will bend you over my knee and spank your ass like I did when you were younger. Now you be a good little boy and take my grandbabies to get changed. I have plans with them today. I need to talk to my granddaughter. Alone,” she says, seemingly not scared of him. I’m shocked and speechless when he drops his head, walks over to the boys, picks them up, and walks away.

I turn back to her after they disappear into the bedroom. “Okay. What was that?”

“That was nothing,” Grandmama says, waving her hand at me to follow her into the dining room. “I’ve known that man since he was in diapers. He ran around with my grandson Gabe. He might have grown up into a burly, grumpy man, but I will still take a switch to his behind, and he knows it. Now explain why he is here and why you lied to me.”

I focus on the table instead of looking at her. “He’s my professor. Wait, how old is Reed?” How the fuck have I not thought to find this out.

Grandmama laughs. “Thirty-two. Although that is something you should know if you allow a man in your home.”

My face heats because she’s right. “I know. After the incident with my Jeep, Reed took us to his house,” I say, picking at my nails.

“I know. Why did you lie?”

Of course she would know since she has known him her whole life. “I don’t know. This is all so new, and he is my teacher.” I shrug.

“It’s not like you are in high school. I’m sure that whole stigmatization only counts there. You are both adults and as long as you both want whatever is going on. Who fucking cares,” Grandmama says nonchalant.

“I guess,” I say as the boys come running back into the room. I’m shocked that they actually look good. Caleb is in his favorite blue SpongeBob shirt with a pair of jeans. Jacob is wearing a red button-down shirt, normally reserved for special occasions, with black jeans. When Reed walks in behind him, I can’t help but smile in awe. Jacob is dressed just like Reed. “Are you boys ready to spend the day with Grandmama?” I ask them.

“Yes,” they both shout. I stand up and lower myself to their level for hugs, along with some sloppy kisses.

Grandmama comes up behind me. “Ali, we will talk about this apartment later when I drop the boys off.” She pulls me into a hug and does the same with Reed. Once they leave, I turn to Reed.

“So, while this has been great. I have an early shift at the diner, then a late shift at the bar,” I say, grabbing my purse and putting the strap on my shoulder.

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