“I need to get it cut,” I say as Reed plays with my hair.
I’d gone too long without affection and I’m on overload. I’m enjoying every moment of this and the simplicity of lying in bed and being together. I could get lost in this for days and never know how much time has passed.
“I like it long, but if you want to…”
I smirk, knowing he was going to say that before he opened his mouth. “Just a trim. I like you playing with it too much, and your mom would freak.” This time he chuckles.
Kathy always loved playing with my hair, too. Every time I braided it I always thought of her. God, seeing everyone had been more wonderful than I imagined and it was like five years of our lives hadn’t passed. But things have changed.
Reed’s a man now and the sweet throb between my legs reminds me of that more than anything. I guess I’m a woman now, too. He made sure of that last night, but it wasn't only the sex. As silly as it sounds I can feel it in the way he carries himself. There’s a dominant force within him. My body craves it and I want him all over again. We should have gotten out of bed a while ago, but neither of us have tried to move.
“I still don’t know much about your life while I was gone,” I say as I rest my chin on his chest.
“I didn't have a life while you were gone. I went to school and worked.” He repeats pretty much the same thing he said before, and his parents said as much, too.
“What was college like?” This time his eyebrows furrow together.
“If you want to go to college we can. I’ll tell them to burn my degree and I’ll do it all over again.”
“Let’s not get carried away.” I smack his chest playfully. It never gets old to see how much he cares. I never had that growing up, at least not until him. “College isn't on my mind right now. I want to know about you. What did you do at night? Who did you hang out with?”
“At school I kept my head down. I was busy developing software that could stop people from going missing before it even happened.” He says it as if it’s easy. Though for Reed it might be. “I came up with some brilliant ideas and they worked, but still I couldn't find you.” He brings his hand up and brushes his thumb against my bottom lip. “Everything was about you. I never connected with anyone on any level. I worked with people and I went to school with people. Sometimes I have to do projects with people, but they all kind of blend together.” I can see him search his own mind, realizing he hadn’t really known any of the people he met over the years.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, feeling guilty. “I just wondered if anyone ever tried to take you from me.”
Reed starts laughing so hard his giant body shakes mine. “Remember Sarah Jane?” he asks through a laugh, and I sit up and stare down at him. I give him the look of death and he only laughs harder.
“What’s so funny, Reed Sanders?” I snip, but he keeps laughing. “Why don’t you go see what she’s doing and maybe she’ll have a nice laugh with you.” I turn to hop off the bed, but he grabs me and pulls me back onto the bed before I can go anywhere. His big body covers mine and pins me to the bed. Desire shoots through me when I see the possessive glint in his eyes.
“It’s cute you think I’ll let you get away from me.” He nuzzles my neck and his facial hair tickles me. I have to fight hard not to smile.
When he pulls back to look down at me, I narrow my eyes again.
“She died,” he says, and I gasp.
“Oh my god. I didn't really hate her, she was just always looking at you and she, she—” I can’t think of what else to say because, well, I didn’t really like her, but now she’s dead and I feel bad.
“I’m messing with you, Dimples.” His somber expression turns to a smile and he starts laughing all over again.
“You jerk!” I huff, but this time I can’t fight the laugh as I join in with him.
Sarah Jane was always looking at Reed. She even made stupid posters with Reed’s name on them for the football games. Then she told everyone she gave Reed a blow job in the locker room.
I saw red and it didn't help matters that when I went stomping off to find Reed to tell him about the ridiculous rumor, I found him with Sarah Jane right when she has handing him a note. I figured it was her number and I might have overreacted.
I stomped over to where they were standing in front of Reed’s locker. It was decorated on the outside for spirit week. The cheerleaders did them for every player on the football team, but by this point I’d given up cheerleading. I didn’t like Sarah Jane and I only did it to get Reed’s attention. It wasn’t my thing and I wasn’t going to listen to her talk about him all the time, so I quit.
When I saw Reed’s locker was decorated, I reached over and grabbed the edge of the paper and ripped everything off. I balled it up and threw it at Reed, which, of course he caught all while watching me with amusement in his eyes. You’d think I was putting on some cute show for him or something.
By the time I’d stopped yelling and ripping paper, everyone in the school was staring at us. Reed had no idea what I was talking about and even asked if the girl standing next to him was the one I was talking about. It was clear to me when I really looked at Sarah Jane that she’d been caught in her lie.
I started to turn red from embarrassment, so Reed did what he always does when it comes to me and he tried to make it better. This time it was drawing the attention off me and onto him. He picked me up and threw me over his shoulder and smacked my ass in front of everyone.
I’d been both mortified and smug when I saw Sarah Jane the next day. I wanted to smack Reed and kiss him at the same time. We ended up making out in his truck for over an hour before we went home. I found out later it wasn't a note at all but my own note that I’d left in his locker that fell on the floor. He was about to pick it up when Sarah Jane swooped in and snagged it up.
“Do I need to spank you again?” he asks, and he smiles at me. “It seemed to work last time.”
He leans down and kisses me, and I want to say something smartass back, but my body and mind aren't agreeing. Instead I wrap myself around him and deepen the kiss. I moan into his mouth as I thrust my hips up, making him groan.
“We should stop. You have to be sore,” he says when he pulls his mouth from mine, but he only starts kissing my neck. “You’ll never have a reason to be jealous, Cami,” he says, nipping at my neck. “You’re my first everything and my only everything.”
His words warm my skin as much as his touch. “That feels so good,” I sigh.
“Reed. Cami? Are you ready?” We both freeze at the sound of Kathy’s voice.
“Kathy, don’t go back there.” Mike calls out. My eyes widen as Reed mutters a curse. I glance over to see a hand opening the bedroom door but hear a small squeal of surprise as the hand disappears from sight and the door closes.
“Mike! Put me down!” Kathy yells, and Reed shakes his head. I can’t tell if he’s fighting a laugh or he’s in pain. I’m guessing a little of both.
“She just wants to see us. We have stayed hidden most of the day. We need to get this over with,” I sigh, and he drops his forehead to mine. “Don’t we have a plane to catch?” I add.
“We own the plane. It’s always ready.” My face must show how shocked I am, because he smiles.
“I’m not going to lie. I’m on edge about going out in public with you. I don’t want to be somewhere I can’t control.” I see the uncertainty in his eyes.
“I’ll stay by your side,” I try to reassure him.
“What if this need I have to keep you close to me never goes away? Will you start to resent me?” He pauses for a moment, and I know he has more to say and I can see he’s trying to figure out how to word it. “Wouldn't I only be making you a prisoner again? I think I would build a town in the middle of fucking nowhere with walls all the way around it to keep you with me.”
“Sounds like a waste of money, Reed. You don’t need the walls. You’d have to pry me from your side. I was worried you might get sick of me clinging to you. I keep thinking about what’s going to happen when you have to go to work or something. I might have a meltdown.” I lay out everything I’m feeling. I want him to see he’s not alone in this. “Actually hearing you say that makes me feel a million times better.” He thought his words were going to scare me, but it does the opposite.
“Look at us. We’re scared we’re going to scare the other off because we can’t stand the thought of not being next to each other. It’s silly and of course we want to be next to each other all the time. We hated it all those years ago whenever we had to be apart,” he says, and I agree. I hated going back to my dad’s each night. “Now nothing can stop us.”
“Nothing,” I agree, and his hold on me is possessive.
“How about we get dressed and get the shit with the cops over with. I’m ready to take you home.”
“I am home.” I have been since the moment he burst through the door to rescue me.
“Yeah, but let's start making our life together and doing whatever we want.” He leans down. “And maybe not give my parents a key to wherever that is.” I laugh at the same time I hear Kathy calling our names again.
“Good luck with that. She’ll just hire a locksmith to make her a key or get one from me.” I’m a sucker when it comes to her. She’s too sweet to say no to.
“You’re probably right. She’ll want to come and go especially when her first grandchild gets here.” He kisses me quickly before putting me on my feet.
I’ve lost enough time as it is, so I’m ready to start our family. I want to do what needs to be done and be free of this whole mess. Getting far away from this place is the first part of moving on.
When I’m dressed I stop to look at myself in the mirror to make sure I look okay. I pause when Reed comes up behind me.
“Do I look different now?” I tuck my hair behind my ear.
“Are you asking me if you look like we fucked?” He raises an eyebrow at me and smirks, and I giggle.
“I feel a little different,” I admit.
“I thought we were close before, but now…” He doesn’t finish his sentence and he doesn't have to. I feel it, too.
“Yeah. That must be it.” I wrap my arms around him and steal another kiss before we leave to go out and meet his parents. It’s not as emotional as the day before, but it’s close.
“Should we stop to get something to eat first?” Kathy asks as she hits the button on the elevator.
Until yesterday I hadn’t been on one in over five years. It weird how distant but familiar things can be. Going out to lunch would be the same. You can forget about all the small things in life until they are no longer there.
Reed tenses a little next to me and I lean into him, trying to comfort him. “She should eat,” he agrees, though I know he’s worried. I wonder if it’s in general or because the man I’m pressing kidnapping charges against is free and nowhere to be found.
We got a phone call early this morning and learned a lot about what’s happened. The compound was raided after I gave my statement and they were able to get a warrant. Eugene Mass was nowhere to be found and I’m not shocked. The man is a coward and I never understood how so many people could follow him. Nor did I understand his fascination with me. Maybe it was the fact that I hadn't swooned all over him. In fact, I did my very best to never be around him. He wanted to prove his power over me, though I didn’t tell Reed that. He thinks me breathing is enough for someone to fall in love with me and he would have gone out and hunted Eugene down.
“Are you hungry?” Kathy looks to me.
“She could be eating for two,” Reed answers for me, and my mouth falls open.
Kathy gasps louder than I thought was possible, and I smack Reed on the chest.
“You did not just say that,” I say, and he shrugs.
“You could be,” he says, not helping matters.
“Calm down, honey,” Mike says to Kathy, which does nothing to calm her. She’s practically dancing on her tiptoes with excitement.
“Look what you did. She can’t talk now,” I say and point.
“She’s excited. Don’t make a liar out of me, Dimples.” I stand there shocked and Mike laughs. Reed winks at me and I fight my smile but fail.
I’m excited at the idea myself and I look down at my stomach, wondering what it will be like to be pregnant. I place my hand there as I hear the elevator doors chime.
We step off the elevator together and walk out the front door. I glance outside to see the same three SUVs from the day before already waiting for us. I’m confused as a shout from one of the men in a black suit has me turning to see what he’s looking at. I freeze when I see Eugene running right towards me.
He’s crazed and there’s a wild look in his eyes. He screams my name over and over again. His normally wavy brown hair is matted and his eyes are bloodshot. He’s dressed in pure white like he always is but now his clothes are stained and he’s filthy. He was meticulous about his appearance while on the compound, but now he looks like he’s been living under a bridge.
Two of the bodyguards go for him, but Reed barks for them to stop. They hesitate but do as he commands. Reed doesn't stop, though, and faster than a man his size should be able to move, he’s on Eugene.
Reed grabs him by the throat, and as if he weighs nothing more than a rag doll, Reed slams Eugene down onto the concrete. I hear a loud crack of something breaking and I have to look away. A few more grunts and I peek back to see Reed going to town on Eugene. I know I have to stop him or he’s going to kill him with his bare hands.
I walk over and place my hand on his back. At my touch he stops. Eugene makes a choking sound, but I don’t look at him. I keep my eyes on Reed as he leans down close to Eugene so he can hear him. When he speaks it’s low but deadly and for only Eugene and me to hear.
“They think I’m not killing you because I’m a better man than that. That I’m showing you mercy,” Reed says as he looks back at me. “There is a fate worse than death and I know it because I’ve lived it. It’s knowing she’s out there but not with you.” He turns back to Eugene and squeezes his hand around his neck. “You’ll know she’s out there and she belongs to me. She always has and always will. You’ll sit in your cell and pray for death.” His dark words are scary, but they also mean so much to me.
Reed stands up and steps over Eugene. His breathing is slowing as police cars pull up. I hadn't heard the sirens until now.
“You scared of me?” Reed asks.
“Scared of the boy who can’t even beat me at dodgeball?” I challenge. He wouldn’t ever throw the ball at me, but that was his problem not mine.
“You got me there,” he says and grabs me by the waist and lifts me up.
“It’s time to go home,” he tells me.
“Does this mean no lunch?” Kathy asks. “She should really be eating extra for the baby.”
I laugh as Reed kisses me and carries me away from everything I want to leave behind.