Page 27 of Overdue

I stomp out of the stacks, leaving the books I dropped on the floor scattered about.

“Hey.” I’m spun around, almost knocking into him.

“It was your fault!” I poke at his chest. “You’re supposed to be the obnoxious, lanky kid with the bad attitude. Instead, you come back all muscled up with ripples. Ripples!” I make a maniacal wave of my hands over his abdominals.

“And those stupid blue eyes that make me want to do bad things. And…and, how do you even get teeth that white?” Reed looks at me with an expression caught somewhere between amusement and confusion. “Just go.”

“I don’t know why you’re so mad,” he argues. “You. Kissed. Me.” He enunciates each word.

“Out!” I pushed at him with both hands. He lets me shove him to the front door. With one final push, he’s outside. Flipping the lock, I quickly return inside the building where he can’t see me. God, I’m insane.

“Austen!” He bangs on the door.

This is my chance to change things. I should open the door back up and have a conversation with him until it’s worked out. Instead, I’m silent. Finally, I hear the sound of his truck leaving. With a sigh, I lean against one of the walls.

I kissed Reed Campbell. Years have been spent dreaming about that in my room as a girl. It finally happened, and I completely freaked out. It’s fine. I’ll just avoid him for the rest of my life.

“Son of a bitch.” His backpack is still sitting on the back table. Great. That plan lasted all of five minutes.

I walk to the table and scoop up the surprisingly heavy bag. I turn off the lights, lock the doors, and head to his house.

I park in front and look up at the two-story house. It looks very similar to mine. I know exactly which bedroom is his. Not that I’ve cased it or anything. Not that I haven’t considered climbing the trellis on the side and offering myself up to him more than once. How can I want someone so much when he annoys me so badly?

Might as well get this over quickly. I climb out of the car and walk up the steps to the front door. Rapping three times, I wait for the next round.

“Austen,” comes the deep voice at the screen door. Just the sound of that rasp raises goosebumps on my arms. Not in a bad, creepy way. More in an overly hormonal, turned on way. This is bad.

“Hey. You forgot your backpack.”

He holds the door open for me to step inside. Clinging to his bag, I lock eyes with him just inside the front entrance. Then, my lips are pressed to his again.

I can admit it now. I have no self-control. My hands slide up his rippled abs, and he pushes me against the wall as the kiss deepens. My heart is racing, my legs tremble, and I’m positive I’m going to suffer from hypoxia. I don’t care. I’m floating.

“Reed? Who’s at the door?” His Gran’s voice breaks us apart. He looks at me like we’ve been caught making out behind the bleachers. I’m achy and needy with want. Judging by the impressive bulge in his jeans, he feels the same.

“Just Austen,” he calls. “I forgot something at the library. She’s returning it.” His eyes haven't moved from where they’ve settled on me. My body grows even warmer from the lust radiating from his gaze.

“Austen. Would you like to stay for dinner?” Jennie calls from the kitchen.

“No. Thank you. I have to be somewhere.” I yell back. “I should go,” I add quieter to Reed.

“Yeah,” he answers. Picking up the bag, I hand it to him. His hand brushes mine when he takes it, sending sparks along my arm. Quickly, I push back through the door and start down the steps.

“Hey, brat?” I stop on the bottom step waiting for him to continue. “Do I need to be prepared for a full-body attack next time? I need to know if I should brace or not.” I feel a smile twitch at the corner of my mouth.

“You’re such a jerk.”

“You. Kissed. Me.”

With an indignant snort, I stomp to my car. I chance one last look at his smiling face before pulling away. He’s never going to let me live this down.

Why can’t I keep my mouth off his? I need someone to run damage control, and I know just the person. Crossing town, I pull up in front of my sister’s house.

Her house is an adorable starter with a bright red door. It either says she’s spicy and quirky or turning tricks. No idea. I slam my car into park and all but run to the front door.

I push the doorbell. No one rushes to the door, so I ring it again. And again. Then I just hold the button-down until Eliot finally jerks open the door.

This calls for wine. A lot of it. I push past Eliot and beeline for her kitchen. Searching through the refrigerator, I find what I’m after. A half bottle of some non-descript red wine. It’s at least a start.

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