“Yeah,” I hear him murmur as I push it open and keep on walking toward my car. I need to get home and get Lucas. During the day he stays with Mary, who lives across the hall from me.
I unlock my car and put the invitation on the passenger seat. When I turn around I once again run right into Reed. It’s dark in the back alley at night and we’re alone. I should probably be scared since Reed is three times my size, but my body is anything but.
“Jenna.”
“What are you doing?”
“When it comes to you I never know what I’m doing.” He lifts his hand and his thumb traces my bottom lip. I’m so shocked by the contact I don’t say anything. “Drive home safe.”
He looks pained as he takes his hand away from me and takes a step back.
“Good night,” I mumble as I get in the front seat and start up my car.
Reed stands there watching me the whole time as I pull out. My heart doesn't stop racing until I’m almost home, but it’s not from fear.
I guess we’re more alike than I realized, because when it comes to Reed I never know what I’m doing either.
Chapter Two
Reed
I check my watch again and then close the laptop. It’s almost time to go. Stretching my arms above my head, I walk into my closet and try to decide what to wear. My boxer briefs are tight even after getting off twice. I readjust but it’s no use.
It’s hot out today, which is probably why Jenna wanted to wear her threadbare tank top. Not to drive me wild, I’m sure. But after watching her on the security cameras, I could only jerk off and think she did it for me.
Six months ago I was in town on business and stopped for a coffee. One look and I was done for. Jenna was behind the counter and the place was packed. Someone else got my coffee order and I don’t even know if she looked my way. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and I ended up ordering food. I sat in the corner out of her sight and watched her for hours. I was late for my meeting, but I didn’t care. I watched how she moved, how she smiled at people. It was like seeing sunlight for the first time in my life.
After I snuck out, I found out who owned the place and made them an offer five times over asking price. They agreed and even though it took far too long for my liking, I got the deed in hand with the strict instructions that the staff had to remain.
Joke’s on me because even now, Jenna doesn’t see me. I’ve been big since I was young and there isn’t a day that people don’t stop and stare when I walk down the street. My tattoos don’t necessarily offer much to be desired, but I’ve never tried to attract someone’s attention before.
I walk down one side of my closet and see suits. I bought this house right after I bought the coffee shop and relocated my security business here. There’s still almost nothing here, but I had hoped over time that a certain brunette might help me make it a home.
Yesterday I had a meeting so I dressed for work. When Jenna sees me in a suit her eyes always go to my neck and chest. When she sees me in a T-shirt she keeps them on my arms. I can’t decide if she likes what she sees, but today I want her to see my arms.
I grab a pair of faded jeans and a white V-neck T-shirt. It’s a nice day, so I decide on taking the bike, and images of her behind me, holding on tight, make me hard again.
“Fuck.” I curse myself as I get ready, unable to stay away from her any longer.
Last night I almost lost control. Where is she going? Why is she suddenly taking time away? I was so worked up I touched her, and I’ve never done that before.
I don’t know shit about running a coffee shop, but I don't need to. Jenna makes that place twice as profitable as the older couple before her, and I don’t even think she knows it. I’m a numbers guy at heart, and seeing the first month of business after I made her manager was shocking. The one thing I hate is trying to keep good staff in there with her. She works too fucking hard and doesn’t share the burden with anyone around her.
It probably has to do with her son, and why she thinks I don’t know about him. Of course I’d looked into her and found everything I could. I knew that she had a little boy and worked every second of the day she could.
So why all of a sudden take five days off? Is he okay?
Once I’m on the bike I drive across town to the shop. It’s close to quitting time and I like to be here even if she’s not alone. But once again she’s by herself and anger rises up the back of my neck.
I park the bike in the alley and go in the back door. When it slams behind me she turns around and grabs her chest.
“You scared the life out of me.” She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
“You’re alone again,” I accuse, and she rolls her eyes. I want to bend her over my knee and I clench my fists at the thought of it.
“For exactly ten minutes. Sheila had to run and pick up her kids before daycare closed.”
“That’s not your responsibility.”
She sighs as she walks away from me, and I watch her round ass bounce. Fuck, why does she have to be so damn thick? I want to sink my fingers in her hips and hold on to her while… I let those thoughts trail away as she goes into the office and turns around to glare at me.
“Why did you cross my days off?” She points to the calendar, and I shrug as I stuff my hands in my jeans. “I need those days off, Reed. You can’t stop me.”
I did it in a fit of anger last night after she’d left. I regret it just a little now that she’s here and I see the hurt in her eyes.
“Tell me why you need them.”
“That’s none of your business.” She crosses her arms over her chest and it pushes her big tits up
My eyes stay on them and I see her fidget as she uncrosses her arms, revealing her beaded nipples behind the thin material. She glances down as if noticing them too and turns away from me.
I move in closer because I can’t help myself. She’s like gravity and I can’t stand back. I fist my hands in my pockets because I ache to touch her.
“Tell me everything's okay,” I say softly, and she turns around to face me.
She misjudges how close we are and her body is an inch away from mine. I can feel heat coming off of her and it has nothing to do with the hot day.
“Why do you care?” She looks at me like it’s a challenge.
I think of all the things I could say to her in that moment. Because I feel protective of you, because I want you more than my next breath, because I’ve fallen in love with a woman who won’t look at me.
Instead I simply say, “Because.”
She lets out a long sigh and looks at my arms. “It’s for a wedding. My best friend is getting married and it’s out of town.”
So many thoughts roll through my mind, but the one I hate the most is, what if she meets someone there? I can’t take that chance.
“No.” Now it’s my turn to cross my arms over my chest.
“No? You can’t be serious.” Color rises in her cheeks as she takes a step closer to me. She looks like she’s been holding in her anger for a long time, and I’ve just opened the door for her to let it loose. “No? Do you have any idea what I do for this place? I wake up at four in the morning every day to get here for the early coffee crowd. I’m on my feet for hours, busting my ass for an owner who only comes in at closing to criticize my way of doing things. I’ve worked my fingers to the bone trying to get this place to where I know it can be, and instead of praising me for the profit I’ve managed to turn on this shop, you scowl at me and tell me I can’t have time off.” She huffs like she’s out of breath.