Page 23 of Complete Me
“Need something?”
Shit. Caught again.
“Just admiring the book you’re reading,” I say as I toy with my fingers in front of my stomach.
He sets the book down on his lap, the spine widening and making me cringe. It takes all my self-control not to reach over and keep him from cracking the spine so hard. His lips turn up in a sexy-as-hell grin as he reads my face.
“How far in are you?” I ask.
“They just got to the graveyard.”
“Mmm. Things are about to get exciting. I didn’t know you read.”
Reid’s eyebrow arches as if he took offense to what I just said, and I immediately blush in embarrassment. “Shit! I didn’t mean it that way. It’s not that I didn’t picture you reading, Jesus, or picture you at all, I just mean I wouldn’t have guessed that you were a romance reader.” I nervously play with my hair, tucking it behind my ear and trying to keep my hands busy while Reid’s intense eyes look at me.
“Kins, relax, it’s okay. I read a bit of everything, but I’m a romantic at heart, I suppose. Can’t guys read these smutty things, too? Or are they just for women?”
“No. Uhm, yes. Of course men can read them. You’re reading it right now. I’m surprised by it, but it’s a good surprise. Been reading this genre for long?” I take a seat, pulling my legs onto the big loveseat, making myself at home in his office even though I was invited in. When I look back at his face, he seems quite dejected, almost like he’s struggling to answer the question. I think back to exactly what I asked, and there wasn’t any room for misunderstanding, so I find myself slightly confused. Maybe he didn’t want me to sit? He could have plans or places to be, people to see.Or do.
“I can go, if you’re busy. I’m sorry for barging right in.” I drop my bare feet onto the cold ground and move to stand, but Reid’s large hand reaches out and puts pressure on my knee, stopping me. The touch sends shockwaves through my body, just as it did the other day at the gym. Heat rushes to flame my cheeks pink, my heart skipping sporadically in my chest.
“Stay. Please?” His voice is deep and gruff, but so tender and genuine.
I relax into the seat, pulling my legs back up under me, hishand dropping from my knee. I immediately miss the warmth of it.
“Okay. If I’m ever bothering you, just tell me. My apartment is . . .” I don’t finish my sentence, unsure about yapping to him and only slightly worried that whatever I say could somehow make it back to Sawyer.
“It’s what, sweetheart?”
Sweetheart. God, why does he have to call me that? Is that any better thanlittle fighter,though?
“It’s quieter than I expected it to be.”
“Isn’t that the point of living on your own? I thought that’s what you wanted.”
He’s not wrong, and the irony is not lost on me. My life has always been chaotic, living with my big family, living in a dorm room, of course the quiet was what I craved. Now, I don’t know why I wanted it so desperately to begin with.
“It was. Is. I’ve just always been surrounded by noise or other people. I guess I’m not really used to being on my own. It’s not bad, but my best friend is on the other side of the country, the boys all have lives of their own now, I’m no longer talking to Harlow after all the crap she pulled, and I’m just not tight with anyone here. I’m kind of floundering now that I’m not teaching for the summer. I don’t want to bother you, though, by sneaking down here looking for some company.”
“You’re never bothering me, Kinsey. I’m used to the quiet, and having you here has been a nice change. I can see how that would be an adjustment for you. I imagine you’ve never really known peace and quiet before. You’re strong, though, making changes is hard, and you’re doing it.”
My cheeks flame brighter at his praise. He’s such an enigma. This giant of a man, so heavily tattooed, with long hair, sitting there looking intimidating to anyone who doesn’t know him, is so soft spoken, so sweet and tender. I’m sure there’sanother side to him, though, the one I can see hiding behind his eyes.
“Whelp, now that that’s out of the way, how was your day?” I ask.
“How about you tell me about yours?”
“It was okay, I guess. Yesterday I went to lunch with Finn, and his best friend crashed it. Which was fine, but he spent the entire time hitting on me.” Reid’s spine suddenly stiffens, and I wonder if I should even bother talking to him if he’s going to act all protective and crazy.
“How’d that make you feel?” Not quite the response I was expecting, to be honest. Since when do people care about how I’m feeling?
“Honestly?”
“Always.”
“Flattered. But annoyed. He works at the distillery now, and I knew what would happen before it did. After lunch, he asked if he could take me to dinner. I was surprised because I’m sure he got the same spiel every other guy has received from those meatheads. He noticed my shock and insisted that he could handle my brothers. I mistakenly believed him enough that I agreed to a date.”
Reid leans forward, his tree trunk legs spread wide as he rests his forearms on his thighs, listening intently like he truly has nothing better to do. I bat away a rogue tear, feeling stupid for crying over this. “It’s not even like I was interested in him, Reid. He’s cute and suave, but I knew exactly what would happen.”
