Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sophie

If I’d had any lingering questions about my sexuality, they had been put to rest last night. Watching Reid come? Sexiest fucking thing I’d ever seen. She let herself go and it was unreal . I couldn’t stop thinking about it the next day while I sat at the library desk and then watched my lecture and tried to work on an assignment that was due next week, but it was no use.

All I could think about was Reid. And when we could do that again. Immediately, I was hoping.

You’re still coming with me to that party tomorrow, right? She asked the next afternoon. I knew she had work tonight and that was annoying because I wouldn’t get to see her. I also didn’t want to be too clingy and desperate, even though she’d told me I couldn’t come again until she’d given her permission. Was she serious? Or was that just a thing from last night?

I was so new to this. I didn’t know what the rules were.

Yeah, definitely. It sounds like fun. It would be fun if she was with me. I knew that if I told her I was uncomfortable and wanted to leave, she’d get me out of there.

I trusted Reid. I trusted her in a way that scared me. These feelings were big and new and terrifying and I had to process them with my best friend.

I did something last night I sent to Larison.

Good or bad? She asked. I was surprised when she got back to me immediately.

Both I sent and she video called me right away.

“You can’t just drop a bomb like that,” she said, her face filling the screen. She was in her car.

“I assumed you were busy with Juni’s dance class,” I said.

“Your timing was perfect because I dropped her off and came out to my car to grab something and talking to you is giving me the excuse to not sit with the other moms.” She made a face. I’d assumed all those stories about dance moms were just exaggerated for TV, but then Larison filled me in that they were all pretty much true, even when the kids were really young.

That was what Reid went through with her mom. It made sense that she’d go no-contact. That she would want to quit ballet. That she’d want to have her own life. Yes, she’d had talent, but what about the cost?

Reid . I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Thinking about last night. She’d been so careful with me. So gentle. I’d been supported and cherished the whole time and all I wanted was more of that. More of all of it with her.

“Sophie? Earth to Sophie,” she said, pretending to tap the screen to get my attention.

“Sorry. Drifted off there for a second.”

“Mmmhmmm, and did you drift anywhere in particular?” She smirked.

“So, Reid and I had a little situation last night. I’m not going to give you all the details, because they’re private, but we kind of fooled around, I guess?” That was what you’d call it, right? Mutual masturbation to be specific, but I wasn’t going to get into all of that with Larison.

“Oh my god, you didn’t!” she squealed, and I told her how it had gone down and how absolutely amazing it was.

“Wow, so she changed her tune, huh?”

I nodded. “Yeah, pretty much. It was like she flipped a switch and she was all over me. It was… It was incredible, Larison.” I couldn’t let myself get going or else I’d spill all the most salacious parts of the night.

“Okay, so what does this mean now? Are you together?”

Wasn’t that the question? I didn’t have an answer for her.

“I don’t know. We’re going together to her friend’s parent’s party tomorrow, but I don’t think it’s like a date or anything.” I should have asked. Since we were meeting all her friends, I should at least know what to tell them about us.

“It kind of sounds like a date, though. You’re going as her plus one.”

“I mean, technically? But I’d originally agreed to go as friends. And it’s not a wedding, there aren’t plus ones, Larison.” I rolled my eyes.

“Sure, love, whatever you say.” She chuckled and shook her head, absolutely amused by this whole thing.

“You’re supposed to be supporting me, not mocking me!” I said, but I was laughing.

“I’m sorry. Well. I’m not that sorry, but I am thrilled for you. I know I haven’t gotten to meet her, but from what you’ve told me, I think she has good taste. I’ll have to give my true opinion when I come to visit.”

“And when will that be?” I asked. I knew it was hard for her to coordinate everything with school and Juniper.

“End of the summer? I’ll have a short window before fall semester starts and the moms were planning to come to me to make it easier, but I think I’d like to come up with Juniper instead. Stay at the house and let them spoil and cook for us and just rest where I’m comfortable. Which means I would definitely have to have some Sophie time.” That sounded perfect.

“Listen, I should go in so I can make sure my daughter isn’t biting anyone, but I’ll let you know about coming up. And you let me know all about the party and any and all updates with Reid. I’m living vicariously!”

She blew me a kiss and we hung up as I flopped back on the couch.

Reid had work in a few hours, but I hoped that I’d see her today. Just as I was considering getting up and knocking on her door, there was a knock at mine.

Grinning, I bounded over and checked to make sure it was Reid through the peephole.

“Hi,” I said, trying not to throw myself at her. She already had her work clothes on, and she looked amazing.

“Hey,” she said, smiling slowly. “I thought we should have some space but then I guess I couldn’t stay away from you.” Her cheeks were pink as she admitted it.

“Ohhh, I see. You couldn’t get enough of me.” I reached out to snag her T-shirt and used it to reel her into my apartment and then closer until her mouth was on mine.

“Mmmm,” I said. She tasted delicious, like she’d just brushed her teeth.

Reid kissed me in that unhurried way of hers that made my mind completely blank out. God, she was good at that. I almost wished she would give me kissing lessons.

“Fuck,” she groaned, pulling back, but keeping her forehead connected to mine as she held me. “You’re dangerous. If I keep kissing you, I’ll never go to work.”

“I could always come with you. I’ll sit at the end of the bar and every time you needed a kiss I’d be right there.” It was an appealing idea, even if it was impractical. There was no way I could handle being at Sapph for that many hours.

“While that is a very sweet idea, you’d be too much of a distraction and I’d be dropping glasses right and left and that would be dangerous not only for me, but for everyone else behind the bar.”

She kissed my forehead and leaned back but didn’t let go of me. Little bubbles of happiness fizzed in my stomach at having her here and so close.

“Are you sure you’re okay coming with me tomorrow?” she asked again.

“Yup. I also wanted to ask you what I should say to your friends. I mean, what do they know about me?” Did they know about me?

“Oh,” Reid said, blowing out a noisy breath. “I hadn’t really thought about that. Been too busy reliving other moments. Um, what did you want to tell them?”

“We can tell them that we’re friends. Because we are. Or we could tell them something else, but that’s a decision we need to make together, don’t you think?” I wasn’t going to assume anything.

“I mean, this doesn’t just feel like friendship, Soph. It feels like something else.” Her eyes fluttered closed as we breathed each other in.

“Yeah, it does.” My voice was soft. “If you had to put a definition or a label on it, what would you call it?”

She made a face. “Normally I am not a fan of labels. But I think we can say we’re seeing each other, yeah?”

I leaned back just a little bit to study her face.

“So, dating, right? That’s what we’re talking about?”

Reid nodded. “Yeah. Dating. Seeing each other. Same thing.” Were they? I wasn’t sure.

“Okay, so we’re dating.”

Reid inhaled a deep breath.

“You okay with that?” I asked, raising one eyebrow.

“Surprisingly? Yes. I thought it was going to make me want to panic and run away, but hearing you say it just makes sense. Of course we’re dating. Why wouldn’t we be?”

I grinned. “I completely agree. Can you just promise me one thing, though?”

“Sure, anything,” she said.

“Can you promise me that if it gets to be too much, or if you’re having second thoughts, or you want to bail, that you’ll talk to me first? Don’t disappear on me, please. Don’t shut the door in my face.” If things were going to end between us, I wanted us to be mature about it.

She licked her lips. “Yeah. Yeah, I can do that. I promise. I won’t… I wouldn’t treat you like that, Soph. I respect you.” I knew she did, but I had to get that out there.

“Good. Is there anything you need from me?” I asked her.

“Just to be patient with me, if you can? And talk to me. I don’t want you to be afraid to talk to me about anything. I know you’re new to all of this. We’ll go however slow you need to go. I won’t be disappointed.” Her smile was warm, and it wrapped around me like a hug.

We swayed side to side a little together, as if we were dancing. “Does that mean we can do more things like last night? Because last night was one of the best nights of my life with no exaggeration.” It was probably the best night of my life, but she didn’t need to know that.

Reid gave me one of her full smiles. I wanted to fold it up and put it in my pocket for safekeeping.

“Me too. You really did like it?”

“Yes,” I said, kissing her. “I did. I liked it too much.”

It had been so hot, having her give me commands and following them, even when I didn’t like what she told me to do. At any moment, I could have told her to fuck off and done whatever I wanted, but letting her have the control? It was so much better. Hearing her voice change and seeing her face while she’d given me those commands had taken the experience over the top to something I never expected.

I wanted more. I needed more.

“So you want to do it again?” she asked.

“And again and again and again—” She cut me off with more kisses as she laughed into my mouth.

“I wish we could do that tonight, but I have to work. But tomorrow night, I’m free. If you are.”

If I hadn’t been free, I would have told her I was and canceled anything for her.

“Yeah, I can be free,” I said, going for nonchalance.

Reid dove forward and gave me another kiss. “Good. I’ll come grab you tomorrow for the party.”

“Have a good night at work. I wish you lots of tips and polite customers,” I said.

She snorted. “I’m not going to hold my breath, but I hope you’re right.”

With one last deep kiss, she left and went to Sapph.

I sighed and grabbed my ereader. If I couldn’t spend time with her, I could at least spend time with her writing.