Page 49 of Retribution

“So pretty girl, what brings you to this dainty little coffee shop on a fine Thursday afternoon?” He looks at me inquisitively, entertainment playing in his eyes.

For some wild reason, I actually respond.

“I’m actually waiting for someone thank you, Harrison.” I emphasize his name, hinting that he’s just as obnoxious as his name sounds.

The sun beams down from above, heating up the top of my hair. I reach into my bag and grab a pair of sunglasses, expecting the man to leave.

He relaxes in the chair and adjusts the sparkling cuff links on his suit.

Reed is going to be here any minute, and I haven’t even gotten around to order myself an iced coffee yet to chill my rising temperature. I can’t tell if it’s the weather that’s rising my body temperature, the unwarranted company from a stranger, or the fact I’m coming face to face for the first time with Reed since… that night.

“So you sit down with a complete stranger, who is meeting somebody, by the way, and you don’t even offer to buy the girl a drink? Very poor manners, Mr. Harrison,” I tut and rise from my seat.

The smell of spice and sandalwood envelops my senses and almost on instinct, I turn around at the source.

Reed freaking Breckenridge.

Despite me staring at him, he looks completely past me and to the stranger in the chair across from me.

“What are you doing here?” Reed practically snarls at the man.

I bat a hand against his chest and gesture to Harrison.

“I didn’t bring anyone, this guy just invaded my personal space, didn’t bother to buy me a drink either.” I smirk at Harrison, whose gaze also looks straight through me at Reed.

“Just checking out the girl that’s got you so worked up,” he responds snarkily.

Reed strides past me and grabs Harrison by his elbow, ushering him to stand up. Harrison raises his hands in defense and begins to laugh.

To his amusement, Reed does not.

I stand completely baffled at the interactions before me, trying to make sense of anything that is going on.

“Get out of here, Harrison before I kick your ass again for getting involved in my personal life.” Reed shoves him away, throwing Harrison off balance and having him nearly fall flat on the sidewalk.

A few heads have turned from passers-by to zone in on the altercation, but I can tell it’s not serious.

“Fine, fine. Well, it was divine to meet you, Indie. Hopefully next time will be better conceived.” He turns away, throwing me a small wave.

I… Wait. Indie? I didn’t even tell him my name.

Reed turns to me, shaking his head and huffing out a sigh before directing his attention to me.

“Are you okay? What did he want, did he say anything?” His tone desperate and panicked.

“No – I mean yes. I’m fine. I don’t know, and no,” I stutter, barely making sense.

Reed gestures to the seat that I was originally sat in, and I make my way to sit back down, him coming up behind me. He grips the arms of the chair from behind to tuck me further in.

I inhale deeply at his heavenly scent, filling my lungs with all things Reed. He leans down from behind me, almost in the crook of my neck. The hot fan of his breath causes a river of goosebumps to spread across my body, despite the warm weather. I feel all of the blood inside of me split between north and south, the blush growing evident and I clench my thighs together, trying to avoid my obvious bodily responses.

His finger traces my bare shoulder, the touch so small and delicate producing a shudder. I let out a bashful laugh, turning ever so slightly to glance up at his face. His eyes remain closed whilst a soft smile has overtakes his usually serious face. I lift my hand to hold onto his finger that is causing a wild tsunami of emotions to surface. His eyes flick open and I lose my breath.

It reminds me that I’ve never actually seen Reed in the daylight, only ever in the dark. His eyes pour into mine, the never-ending blanket of blue, puts oceans collectively to shame.

He retreats and asks me if I would like a coffee, to which I respond with an order of pistachio cream-filled croissants and a vanilla foam iced coffee. He nods and disappears through the entrance of the store.

I take this time to gather my thoughts.

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