Page 12 of Dare to Love

She was mine and I was going to be hers. Not just for an act but in everything.

CHAPTER 7

Lilian

I staredat my nearly full basket of plump red berries as they glistened in the afternoon sun and chuckled under my breath at the way my fingers were stained crimson, matching the subtle blush I couldn’t seem to shake whenever Reid glanced my way. The raspberry picking challenge was supposed to be fun and lighthearted, but the moment we stepped into the lush fields, something shifted between us.

“You’re falling behind, Lil,” Reid called from two rows over, holding up his basket with a triumphant smile. “Better pick up the pace unless you want to treat me to that Big Bob’s Barbecue next week.”

I scoffed, but couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “In your dreams, Belgrave. I’m just being selective with my berries.” I plucked another plump raspberry and popped it into my mouth instead of my basket, the sweet-tart flavor bursting across my tongue. “Got to go quality over quantity any day.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” he laughed, disappearing behind a particularly dense raspberry bush.

I drifted off into a mindless daydream. I’d spent half the night drenched in thoughts of Reid—filthy, relentless thoughts that wouldn’t let up no matter how many times I shifted under the covers, desperate for relief. That kiss… it wasn’t just something I could replay in my head. It was seared into me, a living thing crawling under my skin. I could still taste him; still feel the press of his body and the way he growled against my lips like he was seconds from snapping and fucking me right there. I wanted him to snap but he remained ever the gentleman even though I was desperate to see what he’d do if he let himself go—if he stopped being careful, stopped holding back. My mind spiraled into every possible version of him. The Reid who would shove me up against a wall and tear my panties off. The Reid who’d drop to his knees in the hallway and eat me out until I was shaking. The Reid who’d fuck me so hard I’d forget my own name. The guy who’d let down all those barriers finally to give me the pleasure I deserved. I kept thinking about his hands—big and rough, the kind that would leave bruises, marks I’d wear like a secret only we knew about. I wanted them gripping my thighs, pinning me down, spreading me open while he slid his cock deep inside me. I wanted him to ruin me—slow and filthy, or fast and brutal—I didn’t care. I just wanted it to be him.

It didn’t matter that I was exhausted, all I cared about was how quickly I could get my fingers between my legs. I was already soaked, so turned on by the vivid images that it hurt. I imagined him standing at the edge of the bed, watching me touch myself, his jaw tight, fists clenched, trying not to lose control. I imagined him telling me to keep going; to show him how badly I needed him, and fuck—I did. I needed him like air. I needed to come and I fucking did hard. He had caused that all from one kiss. What the fuck was it going to be like when we actually were naked together? I could see fireworks flying…

“Well, well, look who it is!” I whirled around to find Paisley standing at the end of my row, her knowing smile wider than I’d ever seen it. My best friend had a talent for showing up at the most inconvenient moments.

“Pais! What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to sound casual despite the heat rising to my cheeks.

“Same as everyone else on this beautiful day—picking berries.” She announced lifting her own half-filled basket. “Though I see you’re combining berry-picking with... other activities.” She uttered wiggling her eyebrows suggestively as I rolled my eyes knowing that this girl was definitely up to no good. I’d only just finally got my part-time apprentice, Cal, in the chocolate shop up to a level I was comfortable to leave him to venture out this far for the day but that had been with the idea of Paisley being close by in an emergency. A shiver shot straight down my spine as fear coiled tight in my chest. Panic rose fast, suffocating me as the image of Cal standing there alone—unprepared and overwhelmed—flashed through my mind. Would he think I had abandoned him as I spent my time here enjoying myself? The guilt instantly slammed into me like a wave. What if he couldn’t handle it.

“Sorry,” my mind instantly tried to focus on my surroundings and hoped she didn’t pick up on my fears or Reid for that matter. “It’s not what you think,” I said automatically, then wondered why I was even denying it. Everyone in town thought we were dating anyway. “We’re just having a little competition.”

“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” Paisley’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

Before I could respond, Reid emerged from behind the bushes, his face lighting up when he spotted my friend. “Paisley! Good to see you. We need to catch up at some point. I’ve a few things I’d like to discuss.” He glanced between the two of us as I furrowed my brow wondering what I’d missed. “Lilian’s nottrying to recruit help, is she? Because that would definitely be cheating.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I protested.

“I was just passing through,” Paisley said, “but since we’re on the subject of competitions, I did run into Evander and Miri by the entrance. They seemed rather... interested in your little contest. They mentioned they hadn’t seen you in the shop for a while and?—”

“Oh?” Reid raised an eyebrow as I shuddered and instantly felt the tears gathering behind my eyes.

“Miri said, and I quote, ‘Tell Reid and Lilian they’re so competitive that they’d probably not even notice that they’re picking blackberries instead of raspberries.’” Paisley delivered this with a perfect Miri-like sass. ‘Anything to escape our eager eyes.’ Paisley continued before placing her hands on her hips. I quickly examined my basket, then shot Paisley an unimpressed look when I confirmed they were indeed all raspberries and shook my head.

“And Evander?” Reid asked, leaning his foot against a wooden post.

“He just gave me this enormous smile and said something about how berry picking is the perfect cover for a romantic date and you deserve happiness and not to be constantly watched.” Paisley uttered with a huge grin upon her face.

I groaned internally.

“Well, they’re not wrong about the competition part,” Reid said, holding up his nearly full basket with a smug smile that made my heart do an unwelcome flip.

“I should leave you two lovebirds to it,” Paisley said with a wink. As she turned to go, she leaned close to my ear and whispered. “Call me later. I wantallthe details.”

I rolled my eyes instinctively but couldn’t suppress my smile. “Bye, Pais.”

As she walked away, I caught her giving me a thumbs-up behind Reid’s back. I shook my head, turning my attention back to the raspberry bushes before Reid could see my reddening cheeks.

“Now Lil, you know Cal has your number and would call if he was struggling, don’t you?” Reid uttered as I turned on my heel and tilted my head to the side wondering how he had known. “He’s intuitive and bright. A quick learner.”

“And you can read me so well…”

We drifted through the rows of berries like it was the most natural thing in the world, the late afternoon sun wrapping everything in a soft golden haze. Every time our fingers brushed against each other while reaching with the same ripe raspberry a quiet tremor ran through me— gentle but impossible to ignore. I know we said this day was over but it seemed we hadn’t defined the lines of relationship yet or how this was going to go down in the town. I wish we had never even started this and acted on instinct but then we may never have reached this place? It all seemed like a lot of unanswerable questions, ones that I wish were simple enough to answer.

“You’re distracted,” Reid uttered observantly as he came to stand beside me. My breath as his shoulder brushed against mine and I fought the urge to lean into him. “Penny for your thoughts?”

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