Page 205 of Dirty Rival
“What if I talk to him?”
“No.”
“Reid.”
I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder, and start walking toward the bedroom, my hand settling on her naked ass that clearly needs my hand. Of course, in pleasure, but this stubborn woman is going to be the death of me. “Reid, damn it,” she says. “Blood is running to my head.”
“And to your ass,” I assure her, plopping her down on the bed and leaning over her. “I’ll handle Elijah. We’ll assess how in the morning, you, me, and Blake, but I’ll handle him. You find us a dog and a place to get married.”
“But—”
I kiss her and make sure she’s too occupied with my tongue to argue the rest of the night.
Chapter one hundred five
Carrie
Iwake with Kesha curled in front of me and Reid wrapped around my back, deciding I like this new normal. I can’t even remember the last time I thought of my old apartment, but then life has been a complete whirlwind since that day. Reid nuzzles my neck and as if someone is watching, the minute his hand cups my breast, my cellphone rings. He groans and I laugh, grabbing it to frown at the caller ID.
“My father.” I set the kitty aside and sit up, hoping he might have something to offer on the Elijah situation that is helpful. “Hey, dad,” I say, answering the line while Reid shifts behind me and I glance over my shoulder to find him pulling on a pair of pajama bottoms.
“Hello, daughter,” he says. “Elijah. The buzz is that he’s posturing up to go at Reid but that he can’t seem to get any real leverage. Reid’s too damn good at protecting himself, which I know and know well.”
“You found a way around that.”
“I got at his father, not him. He didn’t fuck up. He better not fuck up now. He has you to think about. Put him on the phone.”
“Put him on the phone?” I ask. “No. I don’t need you starting a fight with Reid today. I have enough to contend with. He has enough to contend with.”
Reid sits down next to me. “Put him on speaker, baby. It’s fine. I’m not going to fight with your father. I made you that promise.”
My heart softens and my father breathes out. “I heard that.”
“You promised, too,” I say. “Remember, dad?”
“I remember. Put him on.”
I inhale and hit the speaker button, praying for the best. “You’re on speaker and don’t blow this, either of you.”
“If I could leverage you,” my father says, “he can leverage you, Reid. If you lose your company, that’s my daughter’s life. She fought to keep what I let go. I don’t want her to lose it now. What are you doing to ensure he doesn’t take you down?”
“The same thing I did to make sure you didn’t. Step wide and wisely which means without rash, emotional behavior.”
Our doorbell rings. My eyes go wide. “Is that Blake already?” I ask, standing up, still completely naked at this point.
“It must be,” Reid says catching my hip and kissing my stomach. “Get dressed, baby. Your father and I will play nice.”
I give him a stern look and then hand him my phone. “I’ll be back, dad.”
“I’m hanging up,” he says. “Reid, I got damning information on you. Wisely can’t mean slow or you’ll end up fucked.” On that note, he hangs up.
The doorbell rings again and I head for the bathroom. Reid catches my hand. “Don’t let his drama get to you. He’s being a father, protecting you, and I’m damn glad to see him get back to that place.”
“He’s worried like you, which is why you need to get the door and find out what’s happening.”
He kisses me. “I got this, baby.” And with that promise, he heads out of the room. I rush around, pulling on sweats and a tee, brushing my teeth and hair, and then I’m heading downstairs, all in about five minutes. I reach the living area to find Reid and Blake at the kitchen island.
“Any news?” I ask even as I cross to stand with them.