Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(15)

Reid Knox, shirtless.

I swoon.

His arms instantly come around me to stop me from falling over, and my face rests against his chest, his scent engulfing me.

“Morning,” I mumble into his chest. His body shakes with silent laughter.

“Morning,” he says huskily, as he steps back so our bodies are no longer touching.

“You slept in my bed,” I point out.

“I did,” he says, suddenly frowning.

“What is it?” I ask, curious at the flash of confusion I see in his eyes.

He clears his throat and shrugs his shoulders a little. “It’s nothing.”

“Yeah, I’m gonna need a little more than that.” I cross my arms over my chest, staring him down.

Reid scowls. “Can I go to the bathroom without being asked a million questions? Fucking Spanish inquisition.”

“Okaaaay, then,” I drawl, stepping around him and storming to my room. I lock the door behind me, letting my robe fall to the floor. I put on a pair of red panties and a matching bra, followed by some distressed light denim jeans and a white V neck top. Shoving my feet into my fluffy pink Ugg boots, I open my door and walk into the kitchen. I’m in the middle of frying some eggs and bacon when Xander walks in, gracing me with a huge smile when he sees I’m making breakfast.

“What? Your woman doesn’t feed you?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. Xander sits down at the breakfast bar and eyes the frying pan.

“Why would she have to? I knew I had my own little chef at home,” he teases, pulling off his shirt and throwing it on the counter.

“How was your night?” I ask, making a face when I realize what I asked. Xander laughs, looking amused. Reid walks out, freshly showered and wearing nothing but his jeans, which aren’t even buttoned. They're riding so low on his hips that I can see he’s going commando from here, and the thin trail of blonde hair from below his navel, disappearing into his jeans is enticing enough to lick.

“What are you doing here?” Xander asks, standing up and eyeing Reid.

“Who do you think kept an eye on your sis when you bailed last night?” Reid says, his narrowed eyes showing his unhappiness.

“Sit down, both of you,” I command, serving three plates. I take my own to the couch and turn on the TV. Moments later they both join me. We all eat in silence, and I watch as the boys both polish their entire plates in minutes.

“There's more in the pan,” I tell them, laughing when they both instantly get up to load their plates with second servings. The tension now broken, we all chat as we watch music videos.

“Ryan told me to come into work today, I think,” I tell Reid. I was a little drunk, but I’m pretty sure he told me to.

“I’ll take you in, I gotta drop by anyway,” he offers, which I think is sweet.

“What the f*ck is going on between you two?” Xander blurts out, looking curious rather than angry.

“Nothing,” I say incredulously, turning to look at Reid, who remains quiet.

“What’s your issue, Xander?” Reid asks him, the atmosphere thickening.

“Reid, let’s go,” I say, grabbing my bag and heading towards the door. I walk out the front, and leave them to say whatever they need to. I feel like this whole thing has nothing to do with me. I lean against Reid’s Jeep, waiting for him. He walks out about ten minutes later, and opens the door for me. He rounds the car and slides into the driver’s seat and slams the door shut. He doesn’t say anything for the entirety of the journey, but I can feel his mind at work as he mulls over his thoughts. I choose to stay blissfully ignorant, looking out the window and pretending I can’t feel the tension in the car.

“Ry’s not here yet,” Reid says as he pulls into the car park.

“Who’s here, then?” I ask, seeing that the bar is open.

“Tag.”

“Tag?” I repeat, my eyes widening when I see a sexy guy walk out of the bar, lighting up a smoke. He has a shaved head, and a hot body, dressed in a wife beater, dark denim jeans and black motorcycle boots.

Reid stares at me and scowls. “He has a different bitch every night, don’t even think about it.”

“That’s Tag?” I ask, wide eyed. And I’m working with this man?

Perhaps I should pay them.

I didn’t realize I had said this out loud until Reid curses and gets out of the car, slamming the door shut. I get out of my side and storm over to him.

“And don’t call me a bitch,” I snap.

“When did I f*cking call you a bitch?” he asks, looking confounded.

“You called women bitches, and if you haven’t noticed, I’m a woman, and I don’t f*cking appreciate being called a bitch!” I sneer at him.

“Oh, trust me, I know you’re all woman,” he says in a smooth tone, staring at my breasts and then my hips.

“That was a seedy look,” I lie. Really, it was hot and smouldering. Reid chuckles, like he knows what I’m thinking.

“The way your body reacts to me, beauty, I’m pretty sure that’s not what you think. You’re gonna be so responsive, I can hardly wait for a taste,” he says softly so only I can hear.

“Yeah, trust me, that’s not gonna happen, especially after last night,” I snap, crossing the road without him. Tag's brows furrow as he watches me.