Page 55 of Call it Reckless

Em pulled back and rolled her eyes. “Language, mister. And you’re just jealous.”

“Of you? You bet. It’s been my secret desire to have Zach kiss me.”

Zach made kissy lips and moved toward me with open arms. Laughingly, I shoved him back, making everyone else laugh with me. I slapped Zane on the back and shook hands with the rest of the guys as they took care of their tabs, then headed toward the girls’ table.

“Hey, Reid. Whatcha doing here?” Cam asked as all eyes swung toward me.

“I’m here to make sure all of you get home safely, then I’ll drive Bristol and Paige home.”

“See,” Teagan said, “I told you he was a genelman, I mean generalman.” Her brows drew together. “Wait. That’s not right.”

That sounded as if they’d been talking about me.I wondered if it had been good or bad. Or more importantly,whywere they talking about me?

“I think you mean gentleman,” Bristol told her with a laugh. “And I guess this qualifies.” Her speech sounded normal, but then she hiccupped and giggled. It was kind of cute.

Paige let out a none too ladylike burp. “We can call an Uber.”

“We don’t have them here. I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with me.”

Paige shot Bristol a glance. “He can’t drive us. You said you’d like to ride him like the bull, but you can’t.”

She glared at her friend. “That’s not what I said.” She turned her hazel eyes on me. “That’s not what I said.”

Too late. My dick had liked what he heard. I moved to stand behind a chair near Bristol and attempted to casually rearrange my junk to be more comfortable, but that wasn’t going to be easy. This close, I could once again smell her perfume, reminding me of an exotic flower that was both sweet and spicy, like her.

She kept those pretty eyes on me. Her expression was clear, but she seemed more relaxed than I was used to seeing. “I’m sorry. I never drink too much, but we were celebrating, and I guess maybe I had a little more than usual. I can drink some water and wait it out, or I can call Chase. You don’t need to take us.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m here. I’m offering. It’s no trouble.”

She chewed on her lip. “If you’re sure. Chase is probably already asleep, and I hate to wake him up.”

I grabbed the purse hanging over the chair and handed it to her. “Let’s go. We’ll walk the other girls home, and then I’ll drive you back.”

I knew Teagan and Megan lived in town, both in apartments over shops. We made sure they got home, then I walked the girls to my truck. Paige automatically climbed in the back and stretched out, already half-asleep. I waited until Bristol settled into the front, giving me a nice view of her denim-clad ass before I shut the door and climbed in on my side.

Everyone was quiet as I drove the dark country road toward Bristol’s house. When I pulled into the driveway, Paige was asleep, and no amount of prodding woke her. While Bristol opened her door, I swept Paige into my arms and carried her inside, depositing her on her bed. I waited outside while Bristol tried to make her friend comfortable.

“I’m sorry,” she said, closing the front door and checking to make sure it was locked. “She’s not normally like that. She’s a bit of a lightweight to start with, then after working so hard this week, and meeting new friends and celebrating, well…”

“It’s fine. I get it. Really.”

“Well, thanks for the ride.”

“Let me see you to your door.”

“No, I’m fine, really,” she protested. She waved and took a couple of steps, then stumbled over an uneven patch in the sidewalk.

I caught her before she could fall, my arm going around her waist and instinctively pulling her toward me. Her breath hitched, but she didn’t pull away. Her hand that had landed on my chest stayed in place.

Could she feel how fast my heart was beating?

“Are you okay?”

“Mmhmm.”

My arm tightened around her, and I felt the softness of her breasts against my chest, sparking every one of my nerve endings. If she moved any closer, she was going to feel something push into her in return, something nowhere close to soft.

Silence fell between us, but neither of us moved. Her soft skin was illuminated under the moonlight. Unable to resist, I brushed a stray curl behind her ear, then allowed the tips of my fingers to follow along her jawline. Her lips parted slightly as her breath hitched, but no rebuke passed from them.

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