Reed's Reckoning

The very small wall I had remaining crumbles. He has done the impossible. Reed Matthews owns my heart again. One tear escapes and he puts his lips to my cheek to stop its fall. Gently, he rocks back and forth in me with his forehead against mine.

The water ripples around us and the lights change from red to blue hues. It may seem a bit shady to reconnect with my first and only love in the pool, in the middle of the night, out in the open where anyone can see; but to me, it’s the most romantic thing in my life. I move to kiss him as he speeds up his movements.

With our mouths connected and our bodies joined, he turns us around so he is against the concrete wall holding me completely.

“Ari, lie back. I want to make love to you floating in front of me. I want to see your entire body.”

Following his command, I feel every inch of him in me. The sensations are erotic and the familiar tingling starts. I clench around him and he moans loudly. His speed increases and I shoot out of the water screaming my release when he touches my clit. He groans my name loudly and then clamps his mouth against my neck as he lets go and comes with me.

We remain holding each other, catching our breaths until he notices goose bumps on my skin. I get nervous at his silence as he carries me to the cabana and reaches for towels under the bar. He wipes me down and wraps us both up as I continue to hold onto him. When he’s done, he walks us to a lounge chair.

“There are no words right now to tell you how I feel. If I say I love you, it doesn’t seem like enough.” He lays me down and holds my stare as he undoes the buckle on the sandals still on my feet and places them on the ground next to us. “Tonight starts our future, Ari. No more questioning my intentions, no more hiding behind our pasts. There is no more separation. You are the only woman in the world for me—you always have been. Please tell me you understand what I’m saying.”

My heart races and tears spill over on my cheeks. Nodding my head slowly, I try to form words. His confession has sparked so many emotions inside my once hollow chest that I can’t think of what to say. He pulls me to him, rubbing his hands down my back trying to calm me.

“Reed, I hate to sound dense or presumptuous, but did you just say you love me?”

“I didn’t just say it, baby, I declared it. I cherish you. I’m enraptured by you. You are it for me. So yes, I love you.”

“Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Believe it. Now, it’s time for me to take you upstairs and show you how much.”

I can’t help the giggle that escapes and he raises an eyebrow at me. I pull the towel close and rub his cheek lightly. “Honey, even big, strong football players need some downtime.”

“Says who?”

I really don’t have much to compare it to so I shrug and make a move to get up. He stops me by picking me up and carrying me inside.

“I’m going to show you downtime isn’t necessary when it comes to us.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Angel, you don’t need to look forward to it because it’s happening right now.”

I didn’t realize we were already in his bedroom. He throws me on the bed and rips the towels away from both our bodies. I squeal but he holds me down and proves to me that he is indeed ready to make love to me all night.

I stir when the bed dips down and I smell coffee. The sheets surround me and I stretch feeling the ache everywhere on my body.

“Morning, beautiful, did you sleep well?” Reed says softly against my neck.

“Yeah, your bed is so comfortable. I’ve never felt anything so soft.”

“I’m glad, I didn’t know what to expect.”

“How do you not know if your bed is comfortable?”

“I’ve never slept on it before. It’s brand new. Had it delivered yesterday. My housekeeper met the delivery guys here.”

“Why?” I ask confused.

His face pales a bit and then it hits me. He must see the hurt in my eyes because he caresses my neck and holds it so I can’t look away.

“This was for us. I didn’t like the old one anyway and I wanted nothing but us in this room when I make love to you. I can’t change my past, but I sure as shit can erase anything that would make you question it.”

I feel sick thinking about him in this house with the barrage of women he’s had over the years. “It’s nice,” is all I can get out.