40. Skyler

I’m realizing I have an unflattering history of skipping the date part of a date so that I can get a girl back to my place.

Call me impatient.

But with Reese, that impatience is at an all-time high.

We’re talking biblical proportions.

From the moment I peeled that jacket off Reese’s shoulders, I was done with the whole party thing. I wanted her naked, and in my arms, as soon as possible. But dancing with her is a close second—only because that smile on her face makes it worthwhile.

The DJ is playing the typical Halloween party fare.

Thriller.

Love Shack.

Even Monster Mash, for Pete’s sake.

Heedless of the goofy-ass music they’re piping through the sound system, Reese and I have been dancing to our own rhythm.

It’s slow and sensual and it’s setting me on fire.

She won’t let me full-on make out with her, too demure for that, but she’s let me trail kisses up her neck.

Whisper dirty promises into her ears. Her hips and her tummy melt into my body, and it’s been a sweet torture to keep my engorged dick from turning into a raging hard-on.

I let her scent fill my head with thoughts of a sunny day at the beach, even though we’re surrounded by pumpkins and skeletons.

She’s my beach bunny and I’m her fallen angel. That dress celebrates her curves. The white fabric stretches underneath my fingers, giving me tempting, teasing access to her soft body.

After our run in with the dumb fuck at the bar the other night, I was afraid her newfound sense of expression would get stamped out as collateral damage.

I’m relieved to see her sticking to her guns, trying new things. But I’m also not going to let her leave my sight.

Except to use the bathroom.

This time, I follow her there, leaning up against the wall just outside the hallway. A cute brunette in an angel costume gives me a flirty smile on her way past.

She looks like she’s thinking about stopping, and I’m grateful she doesn’t, but then I hear her talking to Reese in the hall.

“Oh my gosh, Reese. What are you doing here?”

There’s a slight pause and then Reese’s voice, high and plasticky, rings out. “Leah. It’s been so long. How are you?”

I grin to myself. These girls have a certain way of pitching their voices when they’re pretending to like each other.

“I’m good. I was so sorry to hear about you and Jonah. You two made such a good couple.”

“Yeah, well…”

Reese’s voice drops slightly.

“I thought for sure you’d get married.”

“Me too.”

Reese’s voice is flat now. “But I also believed in Santa at one point, so what do I know?”

Leah’s laugh is tinged with uncertainty. “Long distance relationships can be hard.”

“Long distance?”

“Because of the tour…”

There’s a pause. “What tour?”

“You didn’t hear?”

Leah sounds energized, thrilled to be delivering this important bit of news. “Jonah got a big record deal, and a tour was part of the package. It’s not really a surprise, though, is it? You could always tell he was destined for big things. I guess he outgrew all of us, didn’t he?”

Outgrew Reese?

Oh, hell no. I don’t know much about Jonah, other than the stupid fucker didn’t know a good thing when it was right in front of him. Sweeping into the hall, I catch sight of her and hesitate. She has her back to me, but she looks so beautiful and fragile.

I like to think I know what’s in her heart, but do I? She thought she was going to marry that guy. Maybe she still has feelings for him. Her name slips off my lips, sounding more unsure than I intended. “Reese?”

She turns to look at me and relief floods her face. Taking a few shaky steps towards me, I meet her in the middle and pull her back into my arms.

“Hey, it’s the angel.”

Leah says, curious gaze bouncing between the two of us. “Is this your boyfriend? I’m Leah. Reese and I go way back.”

I glance down at Reese, waiting to see if she’ll correct Leah. When she doesn’t, I gladly play along. “Skyler.”

I could offer to shake her hand, but my own hand is busy gripping Reese’s side, thumb tracing up and down her hip. “What do you think, baby? Ready to get back out there?”

“Actually, I think I’m ready to go to Cody’s.”

She curls into my side, pausing to smile at her friend. “It was good seeing you, Leah.”

I lead her away, liking the way she fits into my side a little too much.

Her fingers trail up my back, tugging at the wings strapped to my shoulders. “I guess guardian angel was pretty à propos.”

“Is that what I’m supposed to be? I’ve been telling people fallen angel all night.”

“Nope.”

She tucks her head into my chest. “A guardian angel. There when I need him.”