CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The warmth coursing through me was something I never wanted to end. My pulse quickened, my heart drumming softly as I tried to savor every fleeting second of this moment.

Reid's lips brushed against mine—again and again—the sweet taste lingering like an unspoken promise. His hands tangled in my hair as he guided me back against the wall, his mouth never leaving mine.

For a moment, it felt endless. Heck, I even dared to hope the kiss might lead to something more. But just as I was melting into the warmth of his body, the gentleness of his hands, the mingling of our breaths—he pulled away. His forehead rested against mine as I opened my eyes, the ghost of his kiss still tingling on my lips.

Disappointment threatened to creep in, but his thumb brushed over my bottom lip, silencing any protest.

“I've been wanting to do that since after our first training session,” he murmured.

My gaze searched his, lingering on the way his eyes softened as he spoke. His own drifted to my lips before meeting mine again. One hand braced over my head, and with the other, he gently intertwined his fingers with mine.

“When they brought you to me after the ambush—unconscious—it was the first time in a long while I felt real fear. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you.”

A soft hum escaped me as I fought to process the reality of being pinned against the wall by Reid Windsor. It felt surreal, and the urge to pinch myself was almost unbearable. But I held his gaze, letting him speak, the vulnerability in his voice anchoring me in the moment.

“What do you remember about the ambush?” he asked, his fingers brushing away a stray strand of hair from my face.

My eyes dropped to his chest. “Not much. Everything goes blank after the first gunshot shattered the evening.”

He didn't respond, his gaze fixed on me as though he could will the memories to surface. I sighed and continued. “I remember already making you switch cars, but…. a part of me feels like I saw you there. During the chaos.” 

His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

I stepped past him, pulling my hand free as I turned away. “It's all fragmented. Pieces coming back out of order, and nothing's clear yet. But I keep having flashes—of you. In what feels like a gunfight.”

I rubbed my temples, turning back to face him.

He stepped closer and pulled me into his arms, his warmth enveloping me. “It's okay. You got me out of there, and I'm grateful you didn't get hurt. It's probably just your mind playing tricks on you. The rest will come back in time.”

I nodded against his chest, the steady beat of his heart soothing me. “I'm just glad you're safe,” I whispered.

“Me too. If anything had happened to you, I'd never forgive myself.”

It felt too good to be true. His words were so earnest, so genuine, that the cynical part of me—the part that didn't trust easily—began to surface. Could he really feel this deeply for me after such little time?

I pulled away, narrowing my eyes at him. “How did you know it was me?”

“When they brought you to me, your wig had fallen off. I recognized your face instantly, but I put it back before my dad could see you. I knew it’d get you in trouble if he figured out he'd been double crossed.”

“Oh,” I murmured, rubbing my arms at the sudden thought of Klaus finding out. “Thanks.”

“Yeah,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “So…I guess you're done being my bodyguard, huh?” he chuckled, running a hand through his hair.

“Not exactly. Because of the ambush, your dad offered me another month on the job.”

“Hmm,” he nodded. “Are you planning on accepting it?”

“Do you want me to?” 

“If I kiss you again, would that answer your question?” He smirked.

I smiled, then quickly replaced it with a serious expression. “Reid, I—”

“Hey, I know,” he cut in, taking my hand. “It feels too soon—almost like a dream—I get it. I'm not asking you out right now or anything. I know it's too early for that. But… you're the first girl I've felt a real connection with, someone who isn't just after my money. If you want to take things slow, let us grow, I'm ready to wait.”

The sting I'd felt when he said he wasn't asking me out melted into butterflies. He wasn't rejecting me—he understood, and I loved that.

“Thanks for understanding,” I said softly.

He let go of my hand, giving me a small, tight smile. “I'll leave now, but tomorrow—dinner at 6:00pm. I'll pick you up. What do you say?”

Oh my God. My first date in forever. 

“Cool. Sure,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant even though my heart was practically leaping out of my chest.

He nodded, turning to open the door. But before he stepped out, he paused and leaned back in, giving me a quick peck on the cheek.

“Should've been a proper kiss, but taking things slow. Got it.” 

I laughed softly and nodded, waving at him as he walked toward the stairs. Closing the door behind me, I pressed my back against it, my hands flying up to touch my cheek. My chest felt like it was going to burst from excitement.

Needing someone to share this with, I rushed to grab my phone from the bed. Dialing in a familiar number, I waited impatiently for the person on the other end to answer.

“Hey, girl!”

“You busy?”

“Hmmm,” Kira’s voice went quiet for a moment before she spoke again. “Not anymore. What's up?”

“What do you think about lunch at Macy's? I've got some unbelievable, ‘oh my gosh’ kind of gist to share,” I said, smiling like she could see me through the phone.

I heard the jingling of keys in the background, then her voice came back, brimming with excitement. “I'm on my way.”