Surviving Broken(45)
“Sure ‘nuff. I’m officially the last of the Riders,” he said candidly.
“That’s a lot of flowers. Do these represent all your family?”
“Most of them. I lost a couple buddies in Iraq too.”
“Don’t you want to have kids someday to carry on your family name?”
“Maybe.” Reed turned to face her. “I’m still on the fence.”
“My daddy died when I was a senior in high school. It was terrible.” She sniffed back a tear, rubbing her hand affectionately over his shoulder. “I can’t imagine having that many flowers on my back, Reed. One was hard enough.”
“You like kids, JC?”
She beamed. “I love my nephews. They’re hysterical. Have you met them? They were here in Malibu over last Halloween.”
“Nope. I’ve never seen anyone at your place.”
“Are you ready to head back?”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
JC tugged gently on a lock of his hair. “I don’t have a chance in hell of breaking you of your yes, ma’am, do I?”
“Fraid not, darlin.”
Returning home from their hike, JC dropped Reed off at his driveway. “Do you want to run with me in the morning? Or hike or bike or swim or whatever your little heart desires?” he suggested with a smile sexy enough to send her heart into overdrive.
What her little heart desired had nothing to do with running, swimming or biking, but it definitely entailed some heavy breathing. “I’m up for anything, Reed. Are you going to call me or just hop the fence at seven in the morning?”
He tapped the hood of her car. “I like the fence. See you in the mornin’.”
JC spent the rest of the day being bored to death. John called and left a message, but he didn’t pick up when she returned the call. She opened up a book to read. However, she kept re-reading the same pages over and over because all she could think about was Reed.
After dinner and a movie, she wandered outside on the balcony with a glass of wine, staring up at the night sky. The faint sound of music from next door resonated in the night’s cool breeze. She tried forcing herself to ignore it, but soon found herself moseying down the driveway. Standing on top a boulder inside the flower garden planted beside the drive, JC peered over the wall. Butterflies filled her stomach. Should I go say hi? Jumping down from the rock, she headed back toward the balcony.
Coming to an abrupt halt in the middle of the drive, she said to herself, Screw it! What’s the worst thing that could happen? He’s not interested in me? So what, I could use a good friend and Reed Rider is one hell of a nice guy. Before she finished convincing herself, JC had already marched to the large set of wrought iron gates at the end of her driveway. Entering the code, the gate opened and she headed to Reed’s house.
She strolled down the long gravel driveway. The sound of her footsteps crushing the gravel beneath her feet filled the quiet darkness. Approaching the old mission style home, JC heard the music again. The lights were on and the front door was wide open. JC’s heart pounded in her chest and she paced back and forth outside. What the hell is wrong with me? Just go say hi.
Wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans, she raised her hand to knock on the open door. She paused, listening to Reed sing along with Van Morrison’s, Brown Eyed Girl. Containing her laughter, she stepped inside the open front door and peeked around the corner into the unfurnished living room.
Reed held a sledgehammer in his hand and the wall in front of him stood half demolished. Jeans hung low on his waist and his heavily muscled bare back was covered in sweat and dust. He sang along to the song, only changed the words You my brown-eyed girl to You my green-eyed girl. JC grinned and nearly laughed out loud when he grooved to the music, popping his hip to the beat.
Unable to restrain herself any longer, she sauntered up next to him. When he caught sight of her in his peripheral view, she mimicked his groove, holding two fingers in a peace sign and dragging them over her eyes.
Reed turned crimson red. “Woman, don’t you know how to knock?”
“I was going to, but you look way too hot doing your dance moves.” She smiled and mimicked his groove again. “But I like your singing even better.”
He closed his eyes and lifted his chin, belting out another verse.
Her heart soared as the lyrics came out of his mouth. “Did your last girlfriend have green eyes?”
The smile widened across his flush cheeks. “Nope. I haven’t had a girlfriend in a long time.” Reed paused, bending his face lower, he shot her a piercing blue stare penetrating straight into her soul. “But I’m hoping my next girlfriend does.”