Dirty Summer 5

“Oh,” Blair whispered. “Yeah, I do see.”

“So, don’t argue with this next part,” Justyn instructed.

“What part?”

Justyn grabbed Blair around the waist and balanced her over his shoulder. “Sorry, y’all. We’ve got an injury on our team. We need to forfeit. Rain check?” he announced while jogging through the chain-link fence and toward his truck before either Maggie or Reid could question what was going on.

“Smart. You don’t think Reid’s going to know what you’re up to?” Blair questioned as she fastened her seat belt. Justyn already had the truck in reverse, and he was peeling out of the school parking lot.

“Darlin’, I don’t care. I need Reid out of his shit mood, and I need some time with you. And now I have both.” He flashed her a smile. “I think it’s time I introduce you to Shell Point.”

Five

Reid

“Maybe I should go check on Blair and see if she’s really hurt.” Maggie watched as Justyn’s taillights faded on Island Drive. “Can you give me a ride?”

Reid chuckled. “I think we are the victims of one of Justyn’s many pranks, but sure, I’ll take you.” He picked up the bat and collected the handful of balls Justyn had brought to the field.

He had to give it to his cousin. The sour mood that he hadn’t been able to crawl out of was gone. Even better, he was alone with Maggie. Spreadsheets and data projections were the last thing he wanted to think about.

He led Maggie to his Jeep, making sure she was inside before closing the door behind her. He shook his head. Justyn had schemed this one just right.

A rabbit scampered out of the way as Reid turned into the gravel drive of the Buttons house. He watched the furry creature bound out of sight. The house looked dark and Justyn’s truck wasn’t in the driveway.

“Well, thanks for the ride.” Maggie unbuckled the clasp, hopped out of the Jeep, and made her way up the wooden s

teps. He couldn’t tell if she was upset or just nervous.

“Maggie, wait.” Reid cut the engine and slammed the door behind him. She was almost in the house before he caught her on the porch.

“Yes?” She pivoted on her heel.

“I know I owe you an apology. I’ve been slammed at work, and tonight is the first time I’ve been anywhere. You must think I’m a jerk. I swear I didn’t forget about making plans for us getting together. I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.”

“Don’t worry about it. I know you’re busy.”

“Really, I am sorry.” He cut the distance between them. He couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and playing with her hair. “Work really sucks right now.”

“It’s ok.” She smiled.

Reid leaned down and brushed his lips across hers, waiting just a second. He wanted to give her a chance to accept his apology, but being this close to her was too tempting not to kiss her. She leaned into him, relaxing her body in his embrace. It had been a few days since he had touched her like that, but his skin instantly fired up, as if it was the first time. More, he wanted more.

Reid felt the urge to pick her up and take her upstairs. After all, they had had the friends with benefits talk. Right now, everything she was doing was giving him the green light—the way her hands pulled on his neck, the little moans coming from her throat. He knew she wanted him. Then he remembered the look on her face when he knocked on the door to pick her up tonight for the baseball game. She had been upset with him, and it was completely his fault. He was responsible for the disappointment in her eyes.

Slowly, she stepped back and smiled at him. “Want to come in?”

“Uh, I better not.” There was that look he didn’t want to see again. “Big day tomorrow. But, how about I call you when I wrap up tomorrow? Maybe we could see a movie or something.”

The last thing he wanted to do was leave her like this, but he knew the way this kiss was going it could only lead to one thing. Try as she might, she hadn’t completely convinced him she was the kind of girl who could carry on a no attachments relationship. She was a good girl.

She wrapped her arms around his neck again, and pecked him on the lips. “Yes, I would love to.” Before retreating to the house, she turned around. “You’re going to follow through this time, right?”

He laughed. “Of course. I told you. I’m not a jerk. Good night, pretty girl.”

“Good night.”

Six