Reid - Maddie Wade Page 0,34

image she had of the man himself.

They parked outside, close to a modern block of apartments overlooking the river. Reid walked around the hood, opening the car door for her, his body a shield to the outside world the entire time. He used a key to access the door and then the elevator as they rode it in silence. Nervous anticipation of what was to come circled in her belly, dipping low in her abdomen when she caught the sexy scent of his aftershave or the slight graze of his hand as he placed it lightly on her back as he led her towards his door.

Awareness seemed to hover between them, building and growing with every step closer to his personal space. Callie struggled to maintain her calm, using the sleek beauty of her surroundings to ground herself. Reid opened the door and ushered her inside, and Callie was no longer fighting to stay in the moment. The apartment was spectacular with an open plan living space just off a short hallway.

She could see a large kitchen with gloss black cabinets and stainless-steel appliances, including a massive American fridge to the left of the space. Directly in front were two cream leather couches spaced in an L shape with a polished oak coffee table in the centre. A large television was on the wall to her right, but it was the view from the windows that faced the river that took her breath away.

Callie moved towards the glass doors that led to a balcony but stopped when Reid placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I’d rather you didn’t go out there right now.”

His words filled her with disappointment, but she understood the logic. A balcony was open space, and she had learned from her brother that free space was the ideal spot for an attack. Callie shivered, her excitement dying a little as she thought of Tina and the life that had been snuffed out as if it meant nothing.

Callie turned and saw Reid watching her as he plated up the food she no longer wanted. She almost broke down at the sympathy and understanding in his eyes, but she’d shed enough tears the last few days to last a lifetime, and she wouldn’t cry again now.

Now she just wanted to be with this man who made her body feel alive, who made her feel safe and cherished, allowing her to be herself in every sense.

Reid placed the food on the island that separated the kitchen and living space. “We should eat these before they get cold.”

Callie forced a smile and slid onto the high stool beside him. The food looked amazing, and as she bit into the burger and felt the grease and juice slide down her chin, she moaned in appreciation. “Oh wow, this is so good.” She snagged a fry covered in baconaise and groaned again at the taste. Her agent would flip out if she saw her eating like this, but she didn’t care.

Reid chuckled. “Yeah, they are good.”

They ate in silence for a few minutes, Callie staying in the moment and enjoying having Reid with her even in the silence. His presence was calming, reassuring, and yet she was aware of his every movement. As if they were connected by an invisible wire.

“Do you want to call Clay now or get settled in your room?”

His question caught her off guard. She’d been hoping to stay in his room with him, but maybe she’d had it wrong. “Umm, I guess get settled then call Clay?”

Reid moved from his stool and walked toward the hallway as she followed. He pointed out the large bathroom with a walk-in shower and jacuzzi bathtub, and then he showed her into a room beside the toilet. Like the living room, it faced the river, but unlike it, there was only a window, with no balcony.

“You can use this room as your own.”

Reid cupped her elbow as she went to pass him and swung her into his arms. Her hands hit the wall of muscle on his chest, her mouth opening on a gasp as his body plastered against hers. Reid’s hands on her hips burned through the material of her pants, his thumb moved in a slow circle on the skin between her hip and belly. It took everything she had not to squirm and rub her thighs together, it was so seductive and had a profound impact on her body.

“Let me make one thing clear, Callie.” His eyes were bright and