Surviving Broken(53)

Wavering from one foot to the other, she shirked away from him. “I didn’t smooth over anything, Reed. My ears went a little fuzzy when you said Italy. No, I’m not going back. My sister lives there, but she’ll probably have to come visit me.” The blood rushing though her veins turned to ice at the mere idea of being within a thirty-mile radius of Luca. “For your information, I’ve had a shitty year myself.”

After a brief weighted silence, he frowned ruefully, drawing her into his arms.

JC stood rigid against his chest.

“Oh hell. I’m sorry. Don’t be upset.” He brushed his lips over her hair and kissed the top of her head. “I thought you were ignoring me.”

JC remained silent. Though her lip quivered, her chest felt warm and tight. All of her fears unraveling a heartbeat at a time, caught in his strong embrace. “How the hell do you expect me to ignore you? I can’t get you out of my head for two minutes. You’re not a game to me. That’s not my style. I wouldn’t hurt you on purpose.”

“What is your style?” he asked earnestly, tilting her chin.

Feeling the warmth of his gentle fingers cradling her chin aroused her. She raised higher on her toes, taking in his fresh minty breath. Teetering on her toes, JC shifted against him. Making a conscious effort to answer and not ignore him again, she panted shamefully, feeling the length of his muscled body against hers. “I don’t have a style. I’ve never been in love, Reed. If it doesn’t feel right after a week or two, I usually move on.”

Reed tucked his arm behind her, forcing an arch in the small of her back. He nuzzled the sensitive spot behind her ear, inhaling as if smelling the scent of her skin. His lips wandered over her jaw. Brushing her hair aside, he kissed her neck. “Do I feel right to you?”

Reaching her hands over his shoulders, she twisted her neck, searching to find his lips. Her eyes drifted closed and she parted her—

“JC Mathews? Is that you? What are you doing here?” a woman’s voice called out from across the parking lot.

“Sweet Jesus,” JC panted, keeping her eyes closed in frustration.

He loosened his hold and stroked down her back affectionately.

“Reed, please tell me she’s not a tall skinny blonde.”

Peeking over her shoulder, he said, “Bingo, darlin’. And two more just like her.”

“Of all the people I have to run into,” she groaned.

JC turned to face the on-coming train wreck headed straight for her, scanning the near vicinity for paparazzi.

“I thought that was you,” the tall paper-thin blonde whined, casually scrutinizing JC and Reed from head to toe. Two leggy women, one blonde the other a red head sauntered right beside her.

Reed snorted.

JC poked him in the ribs, causing him to let out a whoof. He whispered in JC’s ear as the woman approached, “Kodak moment?”

“Hello, Tanya,” JC grumbled with social pleasantness, laced with a shot of distain.

Tanya held her arms out, offering JC a phony show of friendship.

JC held her palm out, stiff-arm fashion, passing on the embracement.

Tanya rolled her eyes with a spurious smile. “You’re not still mad at me, are you?”

“No. That would be a total waste of energy, Tanya,” JC chimed.

“I thought you moved to Italy?” Tanya smirked, giving Reed the once over like he was a lollipop on a stick. “You don’t look Italian.” She smiled flirtatiously, extending her hand out to Reed. “Hi. I’m Tanya.”

Even though Reed didn’t move to take hold of Tanya’s hand, JC positioned herself in front of him. Shifting into a stance of possessiveness, JC thought she might chew Tanya’s hand off if she so much as tried to touch Reed. “I didn’t move to Italy.” She fumbled, dropping Reed’s car keys on the ground.

Reed bent over to pick up the keys and Tanya blatantly examined his ass. “What brand of jeans are you wearing?” She scoffed, taking a closer look. “Are those Levi’s? I didn’t know they still made those.”

A new sort of claim seared her skin like a branding iron. JC inched toward her defensively. “They sell Levi’s way in the back of the store next to manners and tact. I’m sure you wouldn’t know where to look.” The reassurance of Reed’s warm hand settled on the small of her back. “I don’t have much to say to you. So if you’ll excuse us.”

Tanya’s mouth dropped open at JC’s blunt shun. She huffed out a snide chortle, walking straight up to Reed and flipping her hair like a grade-schooler. “I didn’t get your name, but I’m having a party tonight. I was going to invite JC, but since she’s so…cranky, you’re more than welcome to come without her.”