Wonder With Me (With Me in Seattle 12.5)

“I’m going to drop you if you don’t stop that,” he warns, but I just smile and carry on, too lost in the scent of him, in the feel of his warm skin against my lips to stop now. He climbs the stairs, and finally, finally, he lowers me to his bed. “I had half a mind to take you in my car. I should have. But I want the first time to be sweeter, so I held back.”

“I don’t want you to ever hold back with me.” I can’t believe the words coming out of my mouth are so bold, brazen. Why am I so comfortable with this man? So at ease that being wanton in front of him comes so easily?

My skirt is still bunched up around my waist, and he wastes no time settling between my legs, nudging them apart with his broad shoulders as he stares down at me. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you’re beautiful, Noel.”

And with that, he leans in to take his first taste. He laps at me, skimming over my lips and my clit. Touching me so gently, I feel as if I might explode from it.

The lights on the Christmas tree are the only illumination in the room as he works me over, holding my hands hostage at my waist. He’s strong, so much stronger than I am, but I feel totally safe with him.

And when I arch my back and succumb to the strongest orgasm of my life, it’s Reed that catches me when I fall back to Earth.

“I need you.” His voice is a rasp as he tears at his clothes, then mine, leaving us bare. “I wanted to take my time, to go slow, but—”

“We have time,” I assure him. “We’re making time, remember?”

His lips tip into a smile as he links his fingers with mine, and with his gaze intense, he slowly eases inside of me, leaving me speechless.

“Fucking hell,” he whispers and tips his forehead to mine. “Like a damn glove.”

My hips move of their own accord, needing to feel the push and pull of him, the sweet slide of pleasure as it works its way from my core and through all of my extremities until the pressure builds again and, with a cry of delight, we both fall over the edge together.

Some minutes later, after we’ve caught our breath and I can finally see again, I look into Reed’s eyes and see not just affection there, but love.

And if that won’t make a girl’s heart catch, I don’t know what will. It’s scary, and not a little overwhelming.

But it’s also incredible.

He doesn’t have to say the words, I can see them.

“Do you feel like we’re moving too fast?” I ask him.

“No.” He frowns and tugs me closer, kisses my nose. “Do you?”

“It doesn’t feel too fast,” I admit. “It just is fast, and I know that people will say—”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass what they say,” he replies calmly. “Why does love have to work on any certain timeline? Why can’t it just be? I took one look at Piper, and I knew that I loved her, that I’d never be the same after meeting her.”

“That’s sweet.”

“Why should it be okay with her, my daughter, and not okay regarding a woman that I care about very much? We’re not hurting anyone, including my daughter.”

“No, you’re right.”

“So I’m going to say don’t worry about the timeline. We’re going at our pace, Noel, and no one else’s.”

“You’re right about that, too.” I sigh and lean in to him, enjoying him.

“Spend the weekend with us,” Reed says, kissing my head. “Piper and I would enjoy that. And I’ll talk to her, answer any questions she might have. I don’t want any awkwardness to happen for anyone.”

“I’ll stay tomorrow, but I can’t on Sunday. I have a family dinner to go to.” I frown and look up at him. “Actually, why don’t you and Piper come with me? It’ll just be my sister, Joy, her husband, and my dad.”

“Do you think it’ll be okay with everyone?” he asks.

“I mean, I think they’ll be surprised since I haven’t told them that I’m dating anyone. But, yes, they’ll be happy to meet you. My dad might ask some tough questions, though.”

“He’s a dad. That’s his job.” Reed smiles at me. “If you’re okay with it, we are, too.”

“Cool. I’ll text them in the morning.”

“In the meantime,” Reed says as he rolls me onto my tummy and covers my back with kisses, “I still have nine hours alone with you, and I plan to make use of every single one of them.”

“We’ll be tired tomorrow,” I warn him.

“I’ve been tired before, and never for such a good reason.” He bites my ass, and it makes me squeal. “Did you know you have a birthmark, right here?”