her bedroom Reid realized that he liked this domestic spin that cooking for company put on their relationship. He’d never even considered what it would feel like to be married.
Until now.
He waited for a shot of fear or apprehension but it failed to come. He smiled as he dried a bowl and put it in a cabinet. Nice . . .
About thirty minutes later Addison walked back into the kitchen, wearing white jeans and a billowy teal blouse belted at the waist. She wore her hair up in a loose bun. The only thing flashy was the diamond tennis bracelet that she’d told him was a gift from her parents for her twenty-first birthday.
“What?” Addison asked, making Reid realize he’d been staring.
“You’re gorgeous, Addison. I can’t take my eyes off of you.”
She came over and smoothed her hands up his chest. “I know the feeling. I can’t keep my eyes or my hands off of you. It’s going to be tough not being all over you when the company arrives.”
Reid groaned and was about to dip his head for a kiss when the doorbell chimed. He felt a slight twinge of nerves, but when the Monroe clan came into the room, full of hugs and laughter and introductions, he felt at ease. Addison took a tray of appetizers from her father.
“I brought artichoke dip and pita chips,” Mia said. “It’s still warm.”
“My favorite,” Addison said.
Mitch handed Reid a bottle of bourbon. He looked at the label. “Pappy Van Winkle’s twenty-three-year-old? Are you kidding me? That’s as smooth as it gets.”
“Oh, he’s been on the bourbon trail twice,” Nicolina said with a shake of her head.
“I love the history behind the distilleries,” Mitch declared, drawing a laugh from Paul.
“Yeah, right. You love the bourbon.”
“What’s not to love?” Mitch asked, but then looked at Reid. “You’re a Kentuckian. You know what I’m talking about.”
Reid nodded. “I sure do. There’s nothing better than a fine bourbon.” He held up the bottle. “This one is one of the finest. Wheat is used rather than rye, giving it a sweeter taste. This twenty-three is really hard to come by.”
Nicolina laughed again. “He loves telling people he’s a Kentuckian now.”
“Makes me feel badass, like on
“Something smells amazing,” Melinda said. “Sweetie, did you cook dinner?”
“A big pot of beef stew. Reid came to my rescue and helped.” Addison nodded. “I thought we could talk easier here than in a noisy restaurant. Is that okay?”
“Perfect,” Melinda answered, making Reid notice the similarities between mother and daughter.
“I hoped Bella might be able to come,” Addison said to Nicolina.
“Mitch couldn’t take another day of seeing her sad face and insisted that she fly out to Iowa to see Logan play. He’s with the Iowa Cubs now, hoping to move up from the farm team to Chicago.”
“Impressive.” Addison peeled back the foil from a veggie tray and put out cocktail plates. “I will forever be a Cubs fan. So, Uncle Mitch, the Cricket Creek Cougars aren’t affiliated with Major League Baseball?”
“No, it’s an independent professional league,” he answered. “Noah Falcon wanted to give players a second shot at making the minor leagues. Logan, for example, was drafted into the minors but came back too soon from an injury, almost ruining his career. Noah and Ty gave him a second chance and it paid off.”
“Cam came with a bad attitude and a chip on his shoulder,” Mia said. “He just needed someone to believe in him.”
“The Cougars scout smaller schools, hoping to find talent that gets passed over,” Mitch continued. “Of course, only a small percentage of them will make it, but the rest get to enjoy playing competitive baseball for a few more years.”
After breaking out the bourbon the men chatted about baseball and the women toured the apartment. Reid knew that Addison’s parents were being polite and casual but he could tell that they were checking him out. He didn’t blame them because he would do the same thing.
After dinner they lingered over cupcakes and coffee. Reid enjoyed talking about finance with Melinda. He found the entire family entertaining, friendly, and fascinating. Other than getting Addison alone, he was actually sorry to see the evening end.
“I wish you were in town longer,” Addison said as the company headed for the door.
“Me too,” Melinda admitted. “We’ll be back as soon as we can. I’m really impressed with your shop, Addison. With the popularity of lavish weddings From This Moment should do quite well. Uncle Mitch and I were chatting earlier and I’m thinking this is just the beginning . . . but we’ll talk about that later.”
Reid frowned, wondering what Melinda was referring to, but the exit turned to tearful hugs and he put his worry aside. As soon as the door closed Reid pulled Addison into his arms. “Don’t get me wrong. I think your parents are amazing people and I enjoyed your family, but I’ve wanted you all evening long.”
Addison wrapped her arms around his neck. “Well, now you get me all night long. Are you up for it?”
Reid pulled her close. “All it will take is one kiss.”
“Are you going to kiss me?”
“Remember, all you ever have to do is ask.” He grinned. “But that ripping-off-my-shirt thing works for me too.”
Addison laughed but then she fell silent and looked up at him with those brown eyes. “Kiss me, Reid.”
Reid dipped his head and met her mouth in a sweet kiss that quickly heated up into something hot and hungry. Groaning, laughing, they pulled, tugged, and shed clothing, leaving a trail all the way to the bedroom. They fell onto the bed in a heap of tangled arms and legs, kissing with a wild, all-consuming passion. Reid had never kissed this way, felt this way, and when he entered the welcoming heat of her body he knew that he never wanted to be with another woman. Nothing could compare to . . . this.
Reid made love to Addison deeply, intensely. He watched the play of emotion on her beautiful face through half-lidded eyes drinking in every detail. And when she slid her arms to the side and fisted her hands in the covers the sight would remain in his memory forever.
25
Against the Wind
“ANGIE, YOU PROBABLY DON’T REMEMBER WHEN THIS WAS done by pulling hair through a rubber cap,” Maggie said, while the cute hairstylist slid a foil beneath a few strands of Maggie’s hair.
Angie dipped a fat brush into a bowl, painting and weaving with quick efficiency. “No, but I’ve actually had clients that ask for it and call it having their hair frosted.”
Maggie chuckled. “Well, I guess I’m dating myself. But, then again, when I was a teenager I used to spray Sun-In onto my hair. Oh, how times have changed. I wonder if they still make that stuff.”
“Products are so much better now. A lot less harsh on your hair, for sure.” Angie gazed at Maggie in the mirror. “Well, I think you’re ready to process, my soon-to-be blond bombshell. Would you like a magazine to read?”
“Please.” Maggie nodded and the foils clinked together, sounding like a whispering wind chime.
Angie handed her a
“Don’t worry. This is fine.” With a dismissive wave Maggie smiled, then started flipping through the pages, looking at the pictures and shaking her head at Lindsay Lohan’s latest blunder and wondering why the public found the Kardashians so fascinating. The photo of shirtless Huge Jackman had her pausing to appreciate his amazing chest.
“Oh, very nice.” Angie looked over Maggie’s shoulder as she unfolded a foil and checked the progress. “I’m kinda into older dudes. Don’t know why.”
“Older dudes are sexy too,” Maggie said.
