“I love it.” Addison ran her hand over the smooth surface of the wood. “Wow. You do nice work.”
“After crunching numbers behind a desk, working with my hands is like therapy for me. Braden and I extended the upper back deck for Mom and Dad’s anniversary a few years ago. I added the hot tub when Dad started having health issues. He needed to relax. I took a week’s vacation, but Braden had to actually do the finish work.”
“I think it’s commendable that you took vacation time to do something nice for your parents.” Actually, it was also kind of sexy.
“I should have come home more often but I buried myself in work.”
“If you don’t stop beating yourself up I’m seriously going to smack you.”
Reid grinned and he passed through the door she was holding open for him. “After fixing the place up for my parents, I showed up and moved in.” He flicked on a light. “Go figure.”
“Reid, I’m sure they don’t mind at all.”
Reid chuckled. “My mom might. This is where Dad would come to escape, especially after Sara got engaged and all they talked about was the wedding.”
“Ohmigosh, this is so pretty.” She looked up to view the open, beamed ceiling. The walls were constructed of knotty pine paneling. Floor-to-ceiling windows flanked a fireplace. “Wow. Does the fireplace see through to the back deck?”
“Sure does. My dad built this cabin over thirty years ago. It’s a basic A-frame design but he added some pretty cool details. We added another tier to the deck for grilling just last summer.” He walked over to a galley kitchen to the left and put the canvas bag down on a breakfast bar. After putting two bottles of the champagne into the fridge he turned to her. “I’ll put some chicken in the oven to warm up. I’ve got some of Mom’s potato salad and some fresh-cut strawberries. Sound good?”
“Perfect. In fact, don’t bother warming up the chicken. Cold is fine with me. I’m starving and anxious to get out there on the back deck and watch the sunset.”
“Head on out there. I’ll bring the food.”
“No, let me help!” Addison insisted, and gave him a playful shove when he tried to block the entrance to the kitchen.
“If you insist.” He grabbed her around the waist, lifted her up, and plunked her down onto the counter.
“Now, how is this helping?”
Reid handed her a bottle of wine and a corkscrew. “You can uncork this. The champagne needs to chill.”
After doing her small task Reid poured the wine. She sipped the pinot grigio. “Oh, this is nice.”
“Light melon and pear with a smoky finish.”
She arched an eyebrow. “I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be. That’s what it said on the back of the label. I’m mostly a beer or bourbon kind of guy but I’ll enjoy an occasional glass of wine.” He grinned. “Or champagne, if the occasion warrants.”
Addison raised her glass. “So, you bought this just for me?”
“Yep, sure did,” Reid said in a breezy tone, but the look he gave her was anything but casual. When it appeared as if he were going to elaborate he turned back to the fridge and opened the door. He pulled out a plate of chicken, followed by a plastic tub of potato salad. After opening the lid he dipped a fork in and offered her a bite. Addison leaned her face forward and accepted.
“Oh, mmm, good stuff.” She pointed to the tub. “Another bite, please, and I want a piece of the hard-boiled egg.”
Grinning, he fed her. “My favorite part too. I always have to fight Jeff for the eggs.” He unwrapped the plastic wrap from the chicken. “Sure you don’t want it heated up?”
“No, I can’t wait.”
“I know the feeling.” He flicked Addison a glance that made her blush and then reached inside the cabinet for plates. The food might be cold, the conversation might be casual, but the air between them sizzled.
Addison picked up a plump strawberry and took a bite. “I love strawberries. And they’re so good for you.”
Reid turned and looked at her. “Oh, I forgot something,” he said, and then pulled a little glass dish out of the fridge. He popped it into the microwave.
“What is it?” She sniffed the air. “Wait. Do I smell chocolate?”
“Dip for the strawberries.” After the beep he pulled the dish from the microwave and dunked a berry.
“Hey, aren’t you going to share?”
“Of course.” Holding the strawberry, he closed the distance between them. “Open up,” he requested in a husky voice.
Addison complied, moaning when the silky, warm chocolate rolled onto her tongue. She bit into the cold, sweet strawberry, giggling when Reid swiped a bit of dip onto her bottom lip.
“Let me get that for you.” He leaned in and licked her bottom lip back and forth, nibbling, teasing, until Addison reached up and pushed his head closer. She kissed him back deeply, savoring the feel of him, the
Pulling her head back, he found her neck with his mouth, kissing, nuzzling, sending a warm, delicious tingle of desire coursing through her veins. When he leaned back and tugged at her shirt Addison helped by pulling it over her head. She tossed it to the floor.
“Lean back and brace yourself with your hands.”
Nodding, she did as he requested.
“God . . . Addison.” Reid stood without touching her, looking at her as if drinking in the sight of her in her deep pink demi-bra.
While he looked at her with such longing and male admiration, emotion washed over her. Having lived in a society hell-bent on unattainable physical perfection, she’d felt below the LA standard. But Reid made her feel beautiful . . . sexy, desirable in a way she’d never experienced before. Here, in this town full of hardworking, wonderful people, she felt a sense of belonging.
And it felt amazing.
Shyness left the building, replaced by a feeling of feminine power. While Reid watched hungrily, Addison unhooked the front clasp of her bra, allowing her breasts to tumble free. She shrugged out of the straps and let him look his fill. She longed for his touch, his mouth, and as if reading her thoughts, he dipped his head and captured an eager nipple in his warm mouth. She gasped at the hot jolt of pleasure, leaning back farther, giving him full access.
And Reid took it.
Placing his hands on either side of her, he licked, sucked, and then added a light nibble for good measure. Addison closed her eyes, enjoying every little sensation, sighing at the soft brush of Reid’s hair against her cheek and the light tickle of his stubble against her skin. The subtle, masculine scent of his cologne filled her head, teased her senses. Opening her eyes, she longed to see his body, to touch his skin . . . and to taste him everywhere.
But Reid had other ideas.
He deftly unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans and then tugged. Addison lifted her hips to help while he pulled the denim off and onto the floor, leaving her in nothing but a pink thong. “Wow . . .” he said.
“Somehow I think you’re overdressed for the occasion.” Addison reached up and pulled the snaps open on his shirt, revealing his chest.
“You’re getting better at that.”
“Practice . . . I need lots and lots of practice.”
“I have tons of these shirts. I’ll wear them all the time for you.”
With a low chuckle she reached out and ran her hands over him, loving the feel of warm skin over firm muscle. He sucked in a breath and then dipped his head and kissed her with an eager hunger. When Reid slid his hands beneath her ass Addison wrapped her legs around him.
