Drive(43)

“You’re quiet,” Paige remarked on the way home as she turned in her seat to look back at me. I hid my disappointment at the fact that Reid was still in the club surrounded by any number of women, who started buying him beers before his set was over. We’d briefly caught the band after their second set. Paige hugged Reid like a proud mother while I stood back silently as she went on and on. He only glanced my way once, his playful eyes lit with adrenaline as I stayed back and waited for a second alone with him, a word, a whisper, and got nothing. Ben gripped me in a bear hug from behind and carried me to the bar for a celebratory shot, which I sucked down without hesitation.

“Where’s my girl, Stella?”

I wrinkled my nose. “She just can’t get away. She’s moving here in a few weeks, but I have a feeling you know that.”

“I do,” he yelled over the new music that filtered throughout the club.

“Then be patient,” I said as he glanced at a girl over my shoulder. He smiled at her then shared the same one with me. “Lexi’s worth it.”

“And what about you?” he asked with a knowing smirk.

“I’m in love with the Sergeants. Jesus, Ben!”

He gave me a knowing grin. “That good?”

“So much better than that.”

“Doesn’t hurt we have our man back,” he said, nodding toward Reid, who was only feet away. I could feel him behind me, the rattle becoming an ache. I was acting like an amateur and repeating old habits. I felt the brush of fingertips slide along the hem of my T-shirt across my back as he passed me. He looked over his shoulder and our eyes connected before he pointed to the bartender. I was about to go to him, a hungry moth, when Paige grabbed Ben’s T-shirt and pulled him in for a brief hug.

“You. Were. Fucking. Awesome!” Paige gave him a mother hug as she turned to me with a sigh. “God, it’s hot in here. You ready to go?”

With a regretful look in Reid’s direction, I shrugged. “Yeah.”

Paige gripped my hand and whisper-yelled to Reid, who nodded then clasped hands with Neil before I was dragged outside, my gaze lingering on him before I was rushed through the door.

Back in the car, I answered my sister and did my best to hide my resentment. “I’m fine. Tired.”

“Yeah, but, God, they just keep getting better. I want to go next week,” she told Neil.

“’K, babe.”

Paige moved in her seat with energy as I lay back, painfully aroused and restless.

At home, I stood under the showerhead and wiped away a night of sweat and a tear of frustration. Why did this have to be so fucking complicated?

I wanted him.

He wanted me.

I think.

Screw the consequences.

Fire brewed in my belly as Neil and I placated my sister by watching her favorite movie, Clueless. I yawned double-time as I looked at the clock.

11:00 p.m. Go to bed, Paige.

11:11 p.m. Make a wish, Stella. I wished for Reid Crowne.

12:13 a.m. Is he even home?

1:00 a.m. I stared a hole through my sister’s head.

1:16 a.m. It was a stupid idea anyway.

1:32 a.m. “Goodnight,” Paige said with a smile as Neil grabbed her hand and led her into their bedroom.

“’Night,” I whispered low, as if I were about to fade off to sleep. I rolled my blanket out, fluffed my pillow, brushed my teeth, and twenty minutes later, I snuck out the front door.

Every step I took in the direction of his apartment was filled with uncertainty. Every single minute, the ache got stronger. I raced toward him, a woman on fire, rushing to the heat of his lips, the flame in his kiss.

“Please be home,” I whispered as I took his stairs two at a time. I knocked softly and waited.

Go back, you fucking groupie!

The door opened a second after I turned my back to it.

I looked over my shoulder and began to stutter like an idiot to a shirtless and sweating Reid.

Furious with myself, I glared at him and his beautiful torso. “I just didn’t get a chance to tell you that the show was good.”

“Good?” he said with an arched brow. “Are these the adjectives you’ll use when you write for Speak?”

I gave him upturned lips and the bird. On the verge of exploding with feelings I had no idea I was capable of, I backed away. “So, I guess you’re busy in there.” I motioned past his shoulder. “See you at work.”

“Stella.”

I stopped my feet and braved a glance his way. He lifted his arm on the frame enough for me to squeeze past.

“You’re alone?”

He smirked at the smile on my face as I passed beneath his arm. There was no use hiding my relief. Before I knew what was happening, I was nailed to the back of his closed front door.

He raised my hands above my head and threaded his fingers through mine.

“Why the hell didn’t you come last night?”

He captured my mouth—my answer—and overruled any excuse I might have had. And in that kiss, I felt the freedom I so desperately needed. Our hands still clasped, he twisted them behind my back, pressing his body into me while teasing me with his wicked mouth. I writhed in his hold as I met the deep exploration of his tongue and damn near buckled when he pulled back and bit my bottom lip before he let it go.