Bold(14)

Sparing a glance toward Reece, she realized Devon was right. Streaks of dust covered his face and his hair was a mess, spiking up in areas. If she looked the same, then Devon’s concern was warranted.

What was she saying? Devon’s concern was warranted. Only moments ago she was making love to his best friend and her body still tingled from his touch.

But damn, she was happy—so very happy.

She searched for some measure of guilt but couldn’t find an ounce of it. It had taken her a lifetime to get Reece to see that they belonged together and no one, including her brother, would come between them. Timing was the problem. Apparently like her, Reece understood that now was not the time to reveal their mutual attraction to her brother because he remained silent.

“I’ll help you load these things, and then we can get back to Tabby’s admirers. They’ve been asking about you.” Another scowl showed how Devon really felt about her newly acquired friends.

Reece tossed the theater curtains into the back of his truck and her thong peeked from between their folds. She almost laughed as he stealthily pushed the panties deeper into the curtains before Devon saw them as he walked up.

“I’ll see you both back at the site.” Devon climbed into his own vehicle and sped off.

A moment of awkwardness hung between Reece and her before she broke the ice and walked over to him, her arms circling his waist as she laid her cheek against his chest. It felt so good when he cradled her against him.

“Tabby?”

“Huh?”

“You know this was a mistake.”

For a second she wondered if she’d heard him correctly. “What?” She gazed up at him, almost choking on her emotion when she glimpsed his troubled expression.

He stepped out of her arms, placing distance between them. “I’m so sorry. I’ve betrayed my best friend and taken advantage of you.”

This couldn’t be happening. She swallowed hard, hurt and disappointment morphing into anger. “The hell you have.”

“Please. Let’s not make a bad situation worse.”

“Bad situation?” Her eyes widened. “Worse?” she repeated, her voice pitching, as she began to pace. “I can’t believe this.”

“Darlin’, please.”

“Don’t darlin’ me, Reece McGrath. You have taken something beautiful and-and precious, and turned it into something sordid and humiliating.” Sudden fury shook her, or was it embarrassment for the years she’d loved him? “I thought you had finally opened your eyes. That this meant—

“Oh God,” she breathed. Heat spread across her cheeks when she realized what had happened between them had only been lust for him—had meant nothing. He had no intention for them to become a couple.

It hurt to realize she had only herself to blame. Throughout the years she had dogged him. Hell. In the auditorium she nearly begged him to take her. A sudden spasm came out of nowhere, squeezing her chest so hard she couldn’t breathe. Before she made a bigger fool out of herself, Tabby whirled around and headed toward her Jeep.

“Tabby?”

Ignoring him, she yanked open the car door and slid inside, quivering like a leaf caught in a hurricane. How could she have been so wrong? When she saw Reece approaching, she hit the locks.

He tried the door to no avail. “Come on, Tabby. We need to talk.”

No. She needed to go. With trembling hands, she started the vehicle.

“Tabby?”

Jamming the Jeep into gear, she hit the gas pedal. Tires screeched and big rolling tears fell. Blindly she drove down the winding road, for how far and long she had no idea. When she couldn’t see anymore, she pulled over and stopped the car.

She had loved Reece forever. Childhood memories forced her forehead against the steering wheel and made her chest burn with emotion. He’d always been there for her. Protective. Supportive. Caring. There had to be something between them. There just had to be.

Time. He needs more time. The desperate thought whispered in her ear. That’s what she needed—more time.

Patience and fortitude had dogged her throughout the years. She could hold on longer. In time he would grow to love her. All he needed was to see her as a woman—not a child. The words raced through her mind.

Then she raised her head. Staring through a mist of tears, she realized today proved he no longer viewed her as a child. He had made love to her as a man loved a woman. They had shared the sacred act of give and take.

No. A chill shivered up her back as she released a weak, pitiful whimper.

Love and sex were two entirely different things. What they had done was fuck. She had given her heart, while he had taken, sated a physiological and basic male need. Opportunity and her willingness had been her downfall.