Surviving Broken(76)

Reed’s gaze caught JC’s and held for a moment, making it perfectly clear he didn’t find it necessary for her to stand up for him.

“Codge and I are friends. He thinks very highly of you and your family.” He looked Tom squarely in the eye, subtleties tossed to the side. “My aunt did too. Speaking of my aunt, we should take a walk. I’ll show you what I’ve done to her place.”

Tom sat back in his seat with narrow-eyed interest.

JC stiffened at the invitation directed to Tom and Tom only. She threw her mom a quick, desperate glance, pleading for a little help.

Tess merely gave a graceful shrug of appreciation at Reed’s boldness.

Tom pushed his chair away from the table. “I’d love to see it.”

JC’s speechless expression seemed to amuse Reed.

He bent, placing a polite kiss of affection to her temple.

“Nothing like grabbing the bull by the horns,” JC mumbled.

“Don’t worry, darlin’, he won’t throw me off. I’ll go the full eight seconds,” he whispered.

As the two men headed out the front door, Tess gathered dishes from the table. Catching a glimpse of his Camaro parked outside, she stopped and rushed after them. “Oh, hey, Reed? When you get back would you mind taking me for ride?” She pointed toward the black muscle car. “That’s my favorite car you’re driving.”

Reed tucked his hand into the slouch of his jean pocket. His defined bicep strained as he pulled out his keys, tossing them to Tess. “Here you go. Take her for a spin, but if JC drives make sure she keeps it under ninety on the freeway.” He flashed JC a wicked grin that made her stomach drop to her toes.

JC thought her knees might give out so she gripped the large iron door handle for support.

“JC drive? Ha! Trust me, she won’t get a chance. And I can’t make you any promises about keeping it under ninety.” Tess jiggled the keys in her hands.

JC watched Reed and Tom round the corner at the end of the drive. For the past several years, every time Tom crossed over that property line, they jokingly hoped he’d come back with no bullet holes. However, now her heart beat in painful throbs hoping Reed would return in one piece.

The mere idea seemed comical because of the sheer size difference between Reed and Tom. Reed could snap him in two without breaking a sweat, however Tom was a very powerful, influential man. He knew all the right people, oozed an absurd amount of charm and possessed a direct confidence everyone loved and admired. But, if someone pissed him off or interfered with his family, career or cause he supported, they’d better be prepared to feel his wrath.

“I can’t stand this.” She grimaced, heading for the gates in a brisk walk. “Maybe I should go with them.”

Tess jogged up beside her and jiggled the keys. “They’ll be fine. Come on. Let’s go for a ride.”

“But, I should—”

“Get in.” Tess led her to the passenger side of the Camaro.

“But—”

“Baby girl, I got news for you, we weren’t invited and your new boyfriend just called your step-daddy out on field to play ball.” Tess affirmed her analogy with a crack of a smile. “Obviously, Reed can handle himself.”

JC gulped down her angst and begrudgingly opened the car door. “Are you sure, Momma? Maybe we should go chec—”

“Will you please just get in?” Tess opened the door, climbed into the car and eased down into the black leather seat, making a loud comfortable sigh. She adjusted the seat and wiggled her eyebrows. “I kind of like Reed already. He has superb taste in cars.”

With the turn of a key, they took off, thundering down the road. It didn’t take long for JC’s smile to mimic her mother’s. Both wore huge grins plastered across their faces. Thirty minutes into the drive JC and Tess were on their third Nickel Back song and singing at the top of their lungs, flying down Highway 1.

An hour later, they returned home to find Reed and Tom drinking coffee on the back balcony. JC took one look at Reed and her heart went into overdrive. She picked up her pace, nearly shoving her mom out of her way. What the heck is wrong with me? Relax. Don’t tackle him to the ground in front of your parents.

She deliberately forced herself to slow down when all she really wanted was to run to him, throw her arms around his neck and nuzzle into his woodsy scent.

By the time she reached his side, her chest heaved up and down. She took a seat right on his heavily muscled thigh, constraining herself for three whole seconds before leaning back into his chest and placing a kiss of affection on his warm cheek heated by rays of sunshine.

Conversation hummed easily between Tom and Reed, but she only picked up a few key words sifting through the smog of lustful thoughts encompassing her brain. Cravings pinged through her body and she tried to focus on their discussion through her haze of desire, but one look into his glacier-blue eyes made her head swim.