Breaking Elle (31 page)

“Blackjack!” Reed laughs before looking up at me. His mouth lifts in a seductive half grin that renders me breathless. I hate that he can do that to me without being aware of how he makes my body sensitive to any simple look, touch, or sound. I glance over at Tyler and smile as he rakes his hand anxiously through his hair.

“You’re a welcome distraction. I was getting tired of staring at this guy across the table from me,” Nick says as he grabs his beer and takes a pull.

“Hey, hey.” Reed frowns. “She’s with me.” He grins, wrapping his arm around my waist. I could have sworn that I saw Tyler twitch. I decide against looking at him, and stare at the cards scattered on the table.

“Sorry, guys. I just needed to know where the bathroom is,” I say as I glance down at Reed.

“Sorry for being a bad host, babe,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “It’s down the hall, first door on the left, right across from my bedroom.” His locks eyes with mine, flicks his focus to my lips, and reluctantly returns his attention to his cards while Tyler pins his intense brown eyes on me.

“Thanks. I’ll be right back.” I turn and walk out of the room, sensing both of their eyes on my back.

I walk down the dimly lit hallway. I stop in front of his bedroom door that’s slightly ajar. Tempted, I place my hand on the knob, curious to see where he sleeps but turn the other way before I change my mind. Entering the bathroom and closing the door, I press my back up against the door and close my eyes, thinking about where I am. Since our first kiss, I’ve been falling hard for him. I am not prepared for the exhausting sensation, the constant ache I feel when I see him. It’s overwhelming sometimes, so unbearably euphoric that I can’t think straight. It’s different and reckless.

I quietly open the bathroom door listening to their voices in the other room. As I step across the hall, I softly push the door open to his bedroom and step inside. I can’t believe I’m doing this. I know this is wrong. All types of temptation surround me. His room is meticulous and faintly lit by a small lamp on a small dresser. The bed is definitely the focal point of the room and a plain white comforter and matching throw pillows cover it. Four dark chocolate wooden posts almost touch the ceiling and the thick wooden canopy is lustrous and glossy. The hardwood floors are a shade lighter and shine like gold, and a brown shaggy rug rests at the foot of the bed. It looks so warm and inviting. I imagine him lying underneath the sheets. I fight the urge to lie down; just looking at it makes me tingle all over.

A soft shade of blue covers the walls, and dark blue curtains drape from the windows where two-inch wooden blinds allow the last of daylight to stream through. A Dallas Cowboys jersey hangs on the wall with Reed’s name stitched on it and an acoustic guitar sits in the corner. There’s one picture on his dresser of him and what looks to be his mother and his sister because the resemblance is uncanny. His scent is everywhere. Overpowering and intoxicating
.

I look around his room trying to piece together whatever I can about him before I leave. I want to know what he’s all about.
So, why don’t you ask him?
It is so unlike me to do something like this and I decide to return to the party. As I turn to leave, my worst fear is leaning against the doorframe, his face slightly illuminated by the light in the hallway. I feel my face flush, my ears burn from embarrassment.

“Hey, doll.” A smile tugs at the corner of his lips.

“Sorry.” I cast my eyes away to conceal my guilt. “My curiosity got the best of me.”

“No, it’s okay. I have nothing to hide
in here
.” His eyes glisten in the growing darkness as he steps toward me and picks up the picture. I can smell him so completely now that I shiver, trying to contain my urges.

“Is that your mom and sister?” I ask, hoping that maybe he will open up and talk.

“Yeah.” He sets the picture back down and looks at me. “I miss them.” He grins, the smile touching his eyes. “I plan to go back soon.”

“I’ve never been to Texas. How is it?” I ask, eager to hear more about his life back home.

“You’d love it there.” He smiles. “Especially since you’re a Cowboys fan.”

“Someday.”

“You never know. It could happen sooner than you think,” he says.

“Aren’t you missing your card game?” I ask, stepping towards the door. I don’t want to appear as if I’m pulling away because God knows my body doesn’t want to leave this space that we’re sharing.

“We’re good.” He cracks a smile.

“What do you mean?” I squint my eyes while puckering my lips.

“I wasn’t being a proper host to my invited guest, so I wrapped up early. It’s just you and me now.” I shoot my eyebrows up in surprise and look at the door. He laughs softly at my reaction. “Don’t worry, I handled Tyler,” he says, sliding his hand in his pocket.

“You noticed?” I laugh softly, my eyes focused on his perfect crimson lips. It’s hard to focus on anything else when he is in such close proximity.

“Yeah, he needs to take it down a notch.” He smiles, glancing around his room, shrugging his shoulders. “So, what do you think of my room? Anything surprise you?” Still smiling, he charmingly rocks back on his heels.

“Yes, I’m shocked.” I turn away and face the bed. “It’s
neat
. I mean really clean for a guy,” I reply, scanning the room, blushing when he catches me looking at his large bed. “So, you’re really a diehard Cowboys fan.” I divert my focus to the jersey that hangs on the wall, not expecting the hard expression in his eyes when I turn back to him.

“Yep,” he answers. He tilts his head looking at me solicitously as some of the tension leaves his shoulders. “Did I tell you how amazing you look tonight?”

“A couple times. You have a bad short-term memory.” I laugh and twist back to face him.

“That or I just like to tell you that you look amazing all the time.” When he bites his lip, it sends a strong current of heat through my body. I can’t control my impulses; I’m needing something from him. I’ve been fighting my urges since I walked through the door tonight. It’s pure and organic, plain and simple—it’s lust. I can almost taste it now, and when I finally do, I’ll only want more. It’s guaranteed. He must feel it, too.

It happens so quickly. He closes the gap between us and examines me slowly from head to toe, making me feel naked. His fingers brush against my cheek, and he studies my face with his eyes. He steps behind me and wraps one arm around my waist. Lifting my chin, he places his lips on mine, and slides his hand down my neck. His tongue coaxes my bottom lip. “I want you so bad,” he whispers, his sweet breath floats down my neck. He keeps touching me as though feeling my skin is the most natural thing in the world to him and I let him. My perseverance is disappearing.

His hands hungrily travel under my dress and up my thigh, pulling me up against his hard body. He turns me to face him, trailing kisses along my collarbone and neck. I slide my arms under his shirt and slowly peel it off, admiring his rippled abs before throwing my arms around his neck.

He lifts me up, lacing my legs around his waist and pressing his body to mine, slowly grinding as I rake my fingers through his hair. My breath hitches, need for him simmers as he walks us to the bed and lays me down. He settles next to me, staring at me with those fiery blue eyes. “Doll,” he says with a husky voice, “I need to stop.”

“No,” I say breathlessly, desperately hoping he doesn’t.
I want more.

“Do you want more?” He breathes, as if he read my mind. I don’t say anything. My eyes express everything as he takes my hand and kisses my palm. “I want you. I do. God, if you only knew how much.” His smoldering eyes burn into me.

“I think I do,” I murmur as I reach behind his neck and pull his lips to mine. He doesn’t resist; his mouth covers mine, parting my lips with his tongue. His kiss is deep and hungry. I feel his warm hand sliding up and between my thighs, my body tensing with each touch. He groans aggressively when I pull him on top of me, wrapping my legs around his waist.

“Doll
,”
he growls moving with my body. I slide my hands down his back to the front of his waist, searching for the button of his pants. He mumbles over my mouth and smiles, placing his hand over mine.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, aching for more.

“Oh, man
.
I
need
to stop.” He groans, as he lies down next to me. “You taste and feel so good. But I want to wait. Don’t ask me how I’m going to do it, but I will.”

“Why?” I reply, sounding like a spoiled child.

He laughs lightly. “You’re sexy when you pout.” He softly runs the ball of his thumb over my bottom lip gently tugging it before he kisses me.

“You’re killing me.” I pout, playfully pushing him away. He grabs my hand, kissing the inside of my wrist and sending a tingle coursing through my body.

“No, I won’t do that.” He smirks. “I just want to spend time with you. Not at work, not at the track. Just you and me. I want to know you, Elle, in every way. There’s something about you.” He breathes, raising my hand to kiss it again. “I want to take my time with you.”

I sit up on my elbows, gazing into his perfect blue eyes, and push out my bottom lip in frustration. “Okay. But we need to set some ground rules.”

“Okay. Anything for you.” His eyes sparkle with amusement.

“One,” I whisper, tilting my head flirtatiously, “don’t start something you can’t finish.” I lean down and kiss him chastely. “Case and point.”

“Hmm,” he moans softly. “Agreed. One hundred percent. This will be the first and last time I do this. Cross my heart,” he replies, crossing his finger over his chest, smiling with those blue eyes.

“You’re still a mystery to me.” I trace the line of his jaw with my finger. “I want to know Reed Austin. What he’s all about.” He sits up against the headboard pulling me up with him.

“Ask me anything. I don’t want to keep anything from you,” he says just above a whisper.

I gaze into his soothing eyes not knowing where to start. “All right, I’m gonna be easy on you because I really like you.” I smile tracing the tattoo that travels from his chest down to his slim waist.

“Thanks for that.” He grins. “I happen to like you, too.” He tightens his hold on me, kissing my forehead.

“Does this tattoo mean something to you?” I ask still tracing it with my finger. He gazes down at me and smiles.

“Ivy.” He sighs, studying me with tender eyes while gently stroking my hair. “That’s my mom’s name. Ivy Rose. She’s my heart. This is the way I keep her close to me.” He whispers, placing his warm hand over my heart. He kisses me softly and parts his lips in a smile. The connection I feel with him is indescribable. I already feel like I’m losing myself with him.

“So, tell me why you left Texas?” I ask resting my chin on his chest.

“It was really hard, but I needed to get away. There were so many things that I had to figure out and being home complicated those things for me a little bit. This is sort of a fresh start for me.” He looks down at me, and the look that passes between us is both intense and uncertain.

“I can understand that. I feel that way sometimes.” I sigh letting my fingers gravitate to the tattoo on his shoulder. I asked about it when we first met, and it seemed to hold some kind of painful connection to his past. It’s not only his zodiac sign; it means more. I look up at him through my lashes and from the look in his eyes, he knows what I’m going to ask.

“I thought you were going to be easy on me?” He smiles, his face showing signs that he wants to tell me but that he has a hard time talking about it.

“I’m sorry. You can tell me whenever you’re ready.” I exhale softly.

“No, a deal is a deal.” He swallows hard, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I got this tattoo when my mom was diagnosed with cancer.” He pauses, running his fingers through his hair. “That was a really tough time for me, but thankfully, she beat it.”

“I’m sorry your mom had to go through that, babe. I know how it feels to see someone you care about suffer.” I reply, my voice faltering as I clutch his hand. “Tyler lost his mom to cancer. I was very close to her.” I smile at the memory of her and fight the urge to cry.

“I’m sorry for your friend and for you,” he whispers, pulling me closer. “I can’t imagine that kind of pain. I hope I never have to see someone I love pass away.”

“It must be so tough for you to be away from her,” I say, lacing my fingers with his.

“Yes, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I was home with her. I will leave in a heartbeat if she needs me.” He swallows noisily. “So, you and Tyler have been through a lot together. I can see why you’re so close.”

“Yes, we have.” I smile thinking about him. “We’ve been friends for a long time.”

“Does that mean I have competition?” He turns to look at me, a small smile touching the corner of his lips.

“Tyler and I will always be friends,” I respond quietly. “It’s how it’s always been and how it should be. I’ve never had those kinds of feelings for Tyler.”

“You can never have enough friends,” he whispers as his fingers travel down my neck, his lips following close behind, and interrupting my inner musings. As he pulls his body closer, mine tightens as I recall what could have happened a few minutes ago. “So, what do you want to do now?” He whispers as his lips brush over my ear.

“No more questions tonight,” I murmur, sensing his breath on my cheek. I reach for his mouth, wanting to taste him again. He brushes his lips over mine as he cups my cheek in his hand. “No more questions. Just you and me.” I move in closer. Right now, the warmth of his strong arms around me is all I need.