Ringing in the New Year (15)

“We’ve got lots of time to make up for,” she whispers, and I nod.

“Five years’ worth,” I agree, standing up from the tub and carrying her to the bed.





Chapter 10





Cami





“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.