Chapter Thirteen

Tatum

"If you have fun and want to stay late, we can. Or if you want to dip out early, we can do that too," Reed says, his palm pressing against my lower back.

He guides me around the cars parked in the field overlooking the beach. It takes me a minute in the dark to recognize the surroundings, but when I spot the pavilion, I realize it's near the trail I've been taking during my morning runs.

It took me a hot minute to get into running again after the move. I tend to stick to trails during my run. Something about being alone with nature is like a balm to my tattered soul.

"Sounds good," I murmur. "I mean, the house is empty, considering our roommates are all here, so…"

Reed growls, halting me in my tracks. He pins me against the side of a large truck, blocking us from anyone who could see.

"It took every ounce of strength in my body to leave, and it's only because we'd raise some eyebrows if we mysteriously didn't show up."

I inhale a deep breath and nod. Reed's gaze flicks down to my chest, to where the V-neck of my shirt dips low enough to reveal a hint of my cleavage.

My mind filters back to earlier today in the school parking lot, when he pinned me against the side of his car and ordered me to lift my shirt so he could see my breasts.

"The fact I know what you're thinking about right now isn't helping either." His voice drops low.

I tilt my head to the side, a smirk curling the edge of my lips. "Oh, you think you know me so well? What am I thinking about then?"

"Don't tempt me, Tate. Or the next time, I'll tell you to get on your knees, and I'll come on your tits instead."

I gasp as he pulls away from me, a sinful smirk playing on his lips. He drags his hand thoughtfully over the stubble on his jaw.

"C'mon," he says in his stern tone. The same one he used on me earlier too. "Let's get this over with so we can get home before everyone else does."

As we approach the crowd, their voices grow louder. I catch sight of the guys huddled in a circle near one of the bonfire barrels.

My gaze scans the crowd for the girls, knowing they're likely nearby. One thing I've come to understand about the guys in my house is they're fiercely protective.

I spot Everly first. She's perched sideways on an oversized lawn chair, her legs draped over the armrest as she stares into the fire.

"Is this spot taken?" I ask, interrupting her thoughts.

"Oh, thank God. I was hoping you'd come out tonight. I needed a partner in crime because… well, this isn't really my jam, but with you here, it's more manageable."

She rights herself in her chair and pats the seat next to her. I turn to search out Reed at first, and he eyes the two of us. Once he sees I'm with Everly, he heads over toward the keg of beer.

He had mentioned earlier that he'd only have one. I trusted him and knew he wouldn't do anything reckless. Not to mention, there's no way he'd risk getting in trouble, not with the season getting underway.

"Look at him, already fretting over you like the rest of them." Everly giggles, holding her hand up and motioning toward Reed. "She's fine. I got her, I got her."

She turns to me and smirks.

"You decide if you're coming to the game tomorrow?" Everly asks, taking a sip of her drink. "I still got that ticket if you want to join me."

My phone vibrates in the pocket of my jacket. I pull it out enough to reveal Reed's name with a text notification on the screen.

I flick my gaze over to him. He tries to hide his smirk and nods, silently urging me to open it.

Reed: Do you know how hard it is now to get the image out of my mind of you kneeling in front of me with my cum on your tits?

I inhale a deep breath and quickly lock my phone, setting it in my lap as I turn my attention back to Everly.

"I think I'll take you up on it." My voice comes out higher than usual as I clear my throat, wishing for a drink of water or something. My phone vibrates again, pulling my attention back to the screen.

Reed: Damn, even the thought of your lips around my dick…

Me: Be careful, don't want you to make a mess of yourself in front of everyone.

I press my thighs together and try to cover my mouth. He knows what he's doing by teasing me with a crowd of people around us.

Reed: Oh sweetheart, I'm going to punish you for that one.

"Earth to Tate, are you listening to me?" Everly laughs.

"Huh?" I lock my phone, realizing I've been lost in my own world, missing every word she's said.

"I was saying, I could pick you up if you want. Hayes said I could take his truck to the game since Willow has to leave early to arrive at the stadium early to get social content. He's gonna ride with his brother."

"Oh yeah, that would be perfect. Thank you!" I rattle off as my phone vibrates again. "Sorry, my brother keeps texting me." I lie.

"Mm-hmm." She giggles.

Reed: I'm going to tease you relentlessly until you're squirming beneath me, begging me to put you out of your misery.

Me: We'll see about that one…

"How are things going with you and Hayes anyway?" I changed the subject, needing to hear her talk so I can distract myself from Reed.

"Good." She smiles. "Honestly, great. Our one-year anniversary of when we first started talking is coming up. He has something up his sleeve but won't tell me yet. I hate surprises." She huffs, and I smile.

"Well, you know what you have to do?"

She shakes her head, turning toward me. "No, tell me because I'm not good at this stuff. He's all sweet and thoughtful, and I feel like I don't deserve him because I don't know what to do in return."

When my phone vibrates again, I ignore it and continue our conversation.

"Let's be honest, he'll love whatever you do or get him. All he wants is you, and I have to say, seeing him like this after watching him avoid relationships growing up is so sweet."

"Oh, I've heard all about it." She laughs. "Willow was trying to convince me to go shopping with her and suggested I pick out some lingerie for him." She presses her lips together, turning back toward the fire, and shakes her head. "I don't know, though. What do you think?"

"I think he'd be so damn happy, he wouldn't know what to do with himself."

I finally look toward where the guys are gathered and catch Reed's gaze. His expression is stern, as if he knows I've been ignoring his texts. My phone vibrates again, and Reed gives me a subtle nod, signaling me to check it.

Reed: I'm going to use my fingers and tongue, bring you right to the brink of coming…

Reed: and then I'll stop.

Reed: I'll keep doing it over and over until you aren't able to take it anymore.

Reed: I can still taste you on my lips.

When our eyes meet again over the fire, Reed subtly runs his tongue over his lips and tugs the bottom one between his teeth. I clench my legs together, wishing we were alone and not surrounded by the crowd.

"Are there bathrooms out here?" I ask, and Everly nods.

"That way, on the other side of the building." She points toward the pavilion I've passed by several times.

"I'll be right back," I say, pushing myself to stand and head in that direction.

The farther I get from the crowd, the quieter it is, making it easier to hear Reed's heavy footsteps behind me, the sound of grass crunching beneath his feet.

"Nuh-uh," he orders. "This way."

Reed grips my elbow, guiding me across the street where we parked when we first arrived. I don't need to ask where we're going to figure it out.

He's on a mission, and he's trying to get us away from any prying eyes.

The closer we get to his car, the more my stomach flutters. The desire I've been denying myself is rolling through me like a wave, and I'm unable to resist it any longer.

I stop abruptly and turn to face Reed, unable to hold back any longer.

"What's wrong?" he asks, concern etching his features.

I shake my head, and he takes a step toward me.

"You okay?" His hands find my hips, pulling me toward him until I'm damn near molded against him.

He brushes my hair away from my ear and leans in, his breath warm against my chilled skin.

"I'm ready to go home now," I mutter. He studies my face, almost as if he's making sure he heard me correctly.

I nod. "Take me home."

"Tell me why." His voice is low but firm.

I narrow my gaze and tilt my head. Why is he going to make me say it? He should already know what his texts have done to me. I sway on my feet, anxiously rubbing my thighs together.

"Are you turned on, sweetheart? Is that why?"

"Don't act like you're surprised. Did you read the text messages you sent me?"

He smirks. "If I were to unzip your jeans right here and slip my hand into your panties again, would you still be wet for me?"

"Reed, please."

"Mmm, I do like the sound of you begging me, but that doesn't answer my question."

"You know I am. The longer you make me wait…"

He shakes his head. "You gonna finish that sentence?"

"Take me home, please. Or at least give me the keys to your car."

"You think I'm gonna let you take my car and leave me here?" He chuckles.

"No, but if you want to keep teasing me, I'll get in your car and finish the job myself."

I cross my arms over my chest in defiance. Reed tilts his head down, his gaze unwavering and intense. It's dark outside, so his features are shadowed, but his piercing eyes are unmistakable.

He grips my forearm, guiding me through the cars until we reach his Mustang, parked near the trees I remember from earlier. He steers me around to the passenger side. Before I can reach for the door handle, he presses me against the side of his car, his chest close to my back.

When he grinds his dick against my ass, I arch my back and rock against him, releasing a low moan.

"Maybe I want to unbutton your jeans and tear them down your legs and fuck you over the hood of my car until neither of us can stand."

"Please," I mutter, grinding against him once more. "Do it, please."

I don't know who I've become or what's gotten into me, but it's like he's melting my mind and has me under some form of hypnosis.

"You want me to fuck you out here where someone could walk by at any minute and see us?"

I press my lips together and squeeze my eyes shut. His comment pulls me out of the moment, dragging me back to a time when I was humiliated and painted as a slut in front of a crowd of people. People who I thought were my friends.

"Take me home," I say, my voice dropping.

Reed must notice the change in my tone. He pulls away and grips my arm, turning me until I face him again.

"Hey, hey." He lifts my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. "Are you okay?"

I press my lips together and nod. "Ye-yeah." I flick my eyes away, not wanting him to see the pain and hurt I've worked so hard to bury. "I'm fine. I'm just ready to get out of here is all."

"Look at me, please," he says, and I give in. "Where'd you go?"

A shiver ripples through me, and he runs his hands over my arms, trying to bring warmth back to my skin. "C'mon, let's go."

He opens the door for me, and I climb inside. A moment later, he slips into the seat beside me. Without hesitation, he reaches into the back seat, pulls out a hoodie, and hands it to me.

"Here, you can have this."

I recognize the Braysen U football hoodie as the one he wore a few days ago before school. Turning it over, I see his name printed on the back. When I pull it over my head, I inhale deeply, engulfed by his scent. Something about it calms me, like a warm hug.

He remains still, studying me intently from where he's seated beside me.

"You good?" he asks, and I nod again.

"All right, let's get home."

He slides his hand across the center console, resting it on my thigh. I should probably stop him—this gesture feels oddly possessive for two people who are just friends with benefits—but I choose to ignore it.

The truth is, I need the reminder he's here with me.