When I grin, Reed’s head drops back as he laughs. “It’s the signs, right? You don’t like being told you can’t do something.”
Yes. Ugh. This man gets me. “Why have a garden if people can’t explore it? That’s just crazy.”
“And how do you suppose we get down there?”
Ooh, he’s not saying no. I knew I liked him.“Easy. We jump the railing.” I shrug and Reed laughs even louder.
“Easy for me, maybe. But in that dress.” He motions to my outfit. “I can’t see it happening.”
I glance down at my skintight number.Oh, Reed, you have no idea. Hitching the silk up to my waist, I spin before he can look down, knowing his long jacket will hide my ass, then I climb. I’mtwo rails up when strong palms wrap around my waist, pulling me down before I’m pressed into the woodwork.
“Whatcha—”
“Act like you’re watching the stars,” Reed’s deep voice rasps in my ear and I shiver at the sound.
“Why?” I ask, swallowing a lump in my throat, distracting myself so I don’t picture him whispering sweet nothings instead.
“If you don’t, you’re about to get busted.”
I giggle but do as he asked, pointing to a random constellation. “And there you have the flying running back next to the wildcat.”
Reed chuckles, giving my waist a squeeze. “That’s a new one but I can totally see it.”
“Right? I’m impressed with the way the stars highlight his generous muscles. He’s hot.”
“Are you sure you’re not looking in a mirror? That’s definitely me.”
Leaning back against his chest, I stare up at him with fake confusion. “You’re a running back? I had no idea.”
“Sure you didn’t.” He smirks. “I’m the running back and you’re the wildcat,” he muses. “You can’t fool me.”
“What?” My confusion turns real. I hadn’t actually meant for that to be me, but it’s not far off base. “You’re—”
“We’re closing the balcony in ten minutes,” a voice echoes through the night, halting the comeback that was about to fly out of my mouth. “If you need fresh air, there’s a porch at the front of the building.”
“What?” I whisper. “No fair.”
“To think, if we’d jumped the railing we may have been locked out here.”
Spinning around, my eyes widen at the prospect. “That would have made it so much more exciting. She’s going back inside. Let’s—” I reach for the railing but Reed grabs me again, securing me tightly in his arms.
“I think it’s time we went inside.”
My lips form a pout of their own accord even though he’s right. “Okay, fine.” I move around him to walk toward the door, but he grabs my wrist and spins me to face him, making my heart jolt in excitement. I never pictured Reed as the wrist-grabbing type.
“Lower the dress, Hayls.” His voice strains as he closes his eyes, and I don’t miss the demand in his tone.
“Oops.” My skin heats. I’d definitely forgotten my panties were on show. Reed releases his grip, and I fix my dress before removing his jacket from my shoulders.
“You can look now. I’m decent.”
“Thank you.”
“Here’s your jacket.”
“Keep it. It’s—”
“Secret friends, remember?” Tossing it over his shoulder, I push him back slightly, grinning when his brows rise, ignoring the sharp pang I get from his protectiveness. “Wait five minutes before you come inside. I’m heading back to the dance floor.”
