Page 62 of Teach Me How
“Because of the tour…”
There’s a pause. “What tour?”
“You didn’t hear?” Leah sounds energized, thrilled to be delivering this important bit of news. “Jonah got a big record deal, and a tour was part of the package. It’s not really a surprise, though, is it? You could always tell he was destined for big things. I guess he outgrew all of us, didn’t he?”
Outgrew Reese?
Oh, hell no. I don’t know much about Jonah, other than the stupid fucker didn’t know a good thing when it was right in front of him. Sweeping into the hall, I catch sight of her and hesitate. She has her back to me, but she looks so beautiful and fragile. I like to think I know what’s in her heart, but do I? She thought she was going to marry that guy. Maybe she still has feelings for him. Her name slips off my lips, sounding more unsure than I intended. “Reese?”
She turns to look at me and relief floods her face. Taking a few shaky steps towards me, I meet her in the middle and pull her back into my arms.
“Hey, it’s the angel.” Leah says, curious gaze bouncing between the two of us. “Is this your boyfriend? I’m Leah. Reese and I go way back.”
I glance down at Reese, waiting to see if she’ll correct Leah. When she doesn’t, I gladly play along. “Skyler.” I could offer to shake her hand, but my own hand is busy gripping Reese’s side, thumb tracing up and down her hip. “What do you think, baby? Ready to get back out there?”
“Actually, I think I’m ready to go to Cody’s.” She curls into my side, pausing to smile at her friend. “It was good seeing you, Leah.”
I lead her away, liking the way she fits into my side a little too much.
Her fingers trail up my back, tugging at the wings strapped to my shoulders. “I guess guardian angel was pretty à propos.”
“Is that what I’m supposed to be? I’ve been telling people fallen angel all night.”
“Nope.” She tucks her head into my chest. “A guardian angel. There when I need him.”
41.
Reese
Sunlight warms my closed eyelids. I squint against the brightness, noticing the little dust motes floating around in the light before taking in the rest of the room.
We came in last night in a tangle of lips and limbs. I barely looked around.
Cody’s guest room is simple, but comfortable.
Especially considering the fact that I have a very large, very warm body curved around mine. I don’t think I’ve ever woken up feeling so relaxed, so content, in my entire life. Stretching, my back curves against his chest and he stirs awake. His lips and soft scruffy jaw brush my shoulder. Twisting back, I angle my head and he leans in so that he can kiss my lips.
It’s a soft kiss, sweet and lingering—a big contrast from last night. Everything about that was fierce and desperate. My lips are still a little puffy, probably somewhat bruised. There’s a slight ache between my legs, but it’s all so, so good.
He gently pushes my shoulder so that I’m lying flat on my back. His forearms cage my body and his kiss is so tender. I can’t believe this man never gets a second date. If he kisses everyone else the way he kisses me, I’m amazed there isn’t a rabid fanbase trying to pound his door down.
But then I’m thinking about his first dates, so many first dates.
He pulls back, peering down at me. “Where’d you go?”
Oops. Let my wandering thoughts give me away. “You don’t want to know.”
He smiles softly, bending down to nibble at my neck. My fingers trail down his chest, nails gently scratching along his hips, before finding what I’m after. I curl my fingers around his heavy shaft, marveling at the way it stiffens under my touch.
Skyler nips at my shoulder. “Fair warning, I only brought that one condom.”
“Skyler!” I groan. “You’ve got to set higher goals.”
He chuckles, grunting when my grip tightens. “I need a fatter wallet.”
I let my fist slide up and down his length. “Think Cody has spares floating around?”
“I know he does, but they’re the wrong size. Too snug.”