Page 44 of Hot Blooded
“Goodnight,” she says, blinking up at me drowsily. Her words are sweet. Much too sweet for a man like me.
“Sleep well,” I murmur.
There’s a constant ache in my groin, but that’s fine—it matches the constant ache in my chest.
With Tressa safely tucked away in her bedroom, I all but stagger back to my own room. The throbbing below my belt is almost unbearable. And the surprising desire to take myself in hand nearly overwhelms me. I haven’t wanked off in decades, yet, here we are.
I unfasten my belt and take myself in hand, leaning against my bedroom door. My fist moves over my hard flesh and a groan pours out of me.
Hell, that feels good. Not as good as Tressa’s own hand—or mouth—would feel, but it’s something…
I lose myself to the sensations and the pleasure builds…
There’s a sudden knock on my bedroom door.
“Reign?”
It’s Mrs. Potts—with the worst timing ever.
Bloody hell.
“Just a minute,” I call through the closed door, unceremoniously stuffing myself back inside my pants. I grit my teeth at the rather uncomfortable state of my manhood being shoved sharply against my zipper, and release a slow, strained breath.
“Yes?” I say, opening the door.
She looks flustered—like she hurried all the way up the stairs upon realizing our date had ended up here.
Her gaze darts around me to the bed. “Oh. You’re alone. Has Tressa gone off to bed for the night?”
I lift one dark eyebrow. “She has. Why?”
Mrs. Potts practically sags with relief. “Very well then.”
I stiffen. She’s checking on us. And based on her worried expression, she doesn’t trust me.Interesting. That knowledge doesn’t sit well with me. “The date went well, in case you were wondering.”
Her expression changes, and she nods, attempting a weak smile. “Good. Yes, of course. I wanted to check.”
“Goodnight, Mrs. Potts.” I shut the door, trying to decide if I’m more annoyed by the fact that she’s interrupted my pending release, or that she doesn’t trust me with Tressa. Then again, do I really trust myself? It would be all too easy to get carried away.
Tressa is beautiful and mouthwateringly distracting… and despite the interruption, my erection swells again and I shove my pants down my hips, fisting myself once again. It doesn’t take long for thoughts of Tressa’s milky skin, and thrumming heartbeat and full breasts to replace all the other thoughts in my brain. And before I know it, I’m erupting all over my knuckles in a sticky mess.
Chapter 24
Tressa
I never expected to leave Reign’s mansion in the first month of my six-month assignment here, but I’ve been summoned back home by an unexpected source—the tax collector. I’d considered not even going, considered blowing off my responsibilities back home, but after learning that my mother had skipped town and left her house in disrepair, with a pile of unpaid bills and assessments, I felt my hands were tied. No one could reach my mother and if her bills to the county weren’t paid, they would issue a bench warrant for her arrest. It was the last thing I wanted—more drama in my life, or my sister’s. Especially when things were going so well otherwise.
I spoke with Reign and he agreed that it was a good idea for me to go—to take care of these matters once and for all and be done with it. That was exactly what I planned to do. And then I would wash my hands of my rocky past and move forward.
I packed my suitcase and hugged Mrs. Potts. Reign gave me a contemplative look. Part of me sensed he wondered if I was coming back. As if I could stay away… Little did he know.
I flew back to Ohio and got straight to the dreary business of cleaning up my mother’s unraveling affairs. As much as I wished I didn’t have to do this, part of me was proud. I was acting like an adult, and sometimes that meant handling unpleasant tasks.
While I was away, I met with a local realtor, I had repairs made to the house where my mother had lived—fresh paint and carpet, which was very much needed. Based on the smell and condition of the home, she’d put little time or care into upkeep.Once that was complete, then we’d listed the house for sale at a reasonable price, the realtor assuring me it would sell quickly, and then I could pay the tax bill. I planned to put the rest of the money in an account in my sister’s name, making a cushion for her if she needed it. It was a very old house and the funds were to be meager, but it was something, I supposed.
After six nights away from the mountainside mansion, I was ready to return. I hated the way the realtor had looked down on me with sad, pained eyes when I told her I no longer had a relationship with my mother. I hauled my suitcase behind me and boarded a plane, yet again, for Colorado.
A big part of me missed Reign’s presence—as alarming as I knew that was. I hadn’t known him all that long. I should have been more comforted by the familiarity of my small home townin Ohio. The sight of the leaves changing into fall colors and the local diner where I’d once spent a great deal of time. Instead, I couldn’t wait to leave. Being here only reminded me of how dull my life would be if I stayed. I’d probably have a job, a boss who didn’t appreciate me, an underwhelming apartment. Frozen meals packaged for one, and a drab little existence without any real excitement. Certainly none of the glitz and excitement being with Reign Tryst afforded me. Already I was fantasizing about leaving Ohio.
