Page 30 of Unbearable Player
Reid leaned in closer, his breath warm on her cheek. “I... am absolutely terrible at Duck Hunt. Like, embarrassingly bad. My sister used to beat me every time.”
The tension broke as Brianne burst into laughter. “Oh no, how will I ever respect you now? My illusions are shattered.”
Reid grinned, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I guess I’ll just have to find other ways to impress you.”
The air between them thickened with possibility. Brianne found herself leaning into his touch, her eyes dropping to his lips. “Any ideas?” she murmured.
Instead of answering, Reid closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a kiss that made her toes curl. Unlike their earlier kiss in the gamer lair, this one was slow, deep, and full of promise. Brianne melted into it, her hands coming up to tangle in Reid’s hair.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily. Reid rested his forehead against hers, his eyes dark with desire. “Was that impressive enough?” he asked, a hint of his usual cockiness in his tone.
Brianne pretended to consider it. “Hmm, I don’t know. I might need another demonstration to be sure.”
Reid’s answering growl sent shivers down her spine. He pulled her close, his strong arms wrapping around her waist. “Challenge accepted.”
As they lost themselves in each other, the dangers of their mission faded into the background. For now, there was only this moment, this connection that had sparked between them against all odds. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and new dangers to face. But tonight, Brianne allowed herself to revel in the warmth of Reid’s embrace and the safety she found in his arms.
In the back of her mind, a small voice whispered that this was more than just physical attraction or the adrenaline of their shared adventure. This feeling, this connection – it was something deeper, something that both thrilled and terrified her.
But as Reid’s lips found hers again, Brianne pushed those thoughts aside. There would be time for analysis later. For now, she would live in this moment, savoring every second of this unexpected joy she’d found in the midst of chaos.
The night stretched on, filled with laughter, tender moments, and heated exchanges. They talked for hours, sharing hopes, dreams, and fears. Brianne found herself opening up in ways she never had, feeling safe and cherished in Reid’s presence.
As the first light of dawn began to creep through the windows, Brianne snuggled closer to Reid on the couch, her head resting on his chest. His heartbeat was steady and strong beneath her ear, a comforting rhythm.
“Reid?” she murmured, her voice thick with contentment.
“Hmm?” He stroked her hair gently, the gesture so natural it made her heart ache.
“Thank you. For everything. I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”
Reid pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re stronger and more capable than you give yourself credit for. But I’m glad I could help.”
Brianne tilted her head up to look at him, struck by the tenderness in his gaze. “It’s more than that, though. You make me feel... safe. Understood. Like I can be myself without any pretenses.”
Reid’s arms tightened around her. “That’s because you can.”
She glanced around the room and sighed. “You’re gonna have to give me a tour of this place. It’s amazing.”
“Come on, beautiful.”
“Really?”
“I want to share my space with you.”
Her heart tripped over itself. Why did he have to make her want him even more?
FOURTEEN
Reid led Brianne through his penthouse, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. The tour had started casually enough, but with each room, Brianne felt the tension between them ratchet up a notch. It was as if her body started a countdown until she could get him naked.
“And this,” Reid said, pushing open a heavy wooden door, “is my office.”
Brianne stepped inside and let out a low whistle. The room was stunning - wall-to-wall bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, a cozy seating area with plush armchairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline. But what truly caught her eye was the massive desk dominating the center of the room.
“Wow,” she breathed, running her hand along the smooth, polished surface. “This desk is amazing. I bet you could fit an entire gaming setup on here with room to spare.”
Reid chuckled, moving to stand beside her. “I’m more of a paperwork guy, but I’m sure it could handle whatever gaming rig you threw at it.”