him shiver, loving that I have as much of an effect on him as he does me, even if we never take it further than the strange relationship we have with each other now.
I circle him slowly, my breathing speeding up along with his as I end up back in front of him, looking up at his too handsome face.
“You’ll live this time but take it easy for a little while, and if you start having issues breathing, get your ass to the hospital. You have someone who can stay with you tonight?”
He looks away for a second before shaking his head. “No, but if you’re offering…”
I open my mouth to shoot him down, but his next words stop me.
“Please,” he whispers, with nothing but sincerity on his face.
“Fine, but you owe me and no funny business. I’m so tired I could fall asleep standing up.”
“Scouts honor.” He lifts his fingers in the Vulcan sign, making me laugh.
“You were never a boy scout.” I chuckle moving to the top drawer of my desk and finding the painkillers I keep there to stave off migraines.
“Maybe not, but you should see how good I am at tying knots.” He winks.
Ignoring him, I toss him the painkillers, which he catches one-handed before I shove my laptop in my bag and slip my heels back on. Snagging my black peacoat from the hook near the window, I beckon him over.
“Come on, the sooner we leave, the sooner I can get some shut-eye.”
Grabbing his T-shirt from the sofa where I tossed it, he slips it back on before following me to the door.
I say goodnight to Thomas, who protests at leaving me unguarded, but he relents when he realizes I won’t give in. We make our way outside and over to Reid’s car, which is parked at the end of the street.
“You okay to drive?” I ask over my shoulder, looking up at him. He nods, which is just as well as I don’t have a license yet.
I wait for him to beep the locks before opening the passenger side door and climb in as he gets in beside me with a groan.
“So how’s business over on the other side of the city?” I ask casually.
“Same as usual. Nothing worth mentioning. Same shit different day.” He shrugs, driving through the dark city toward his apartment.
“We could just go to your place, it’s closer,” he offers, changing the subject, but I shake my head.
“It doesn’t feel like home yet. I like your place better.” It’s not a complete lie; it’s just not the whole truth. I’m not ready to show Reid my actual home, and I don’t want to take him to the penthouse now I know it’s fitted with Zodiac’s cameras. I can only assume that Reid’s place is camera free. If it wasn’t, his little secret wouldn’t be a secret anymore.
I wait for him to climb out and walk around to open my door, holding out his hand for me to grasp. I reach for it and sling my bag over my shoulder.
Like usual, his hand doesn’t let go. He holds on tight as he maneuvers me up to his apartment, flicking the lights on once we are safely locked inside.
“I’m surprised you didn’t bring security with you tonight,” he says, breaking the silence between us.
“There is no point when I’m here with you. I know you’ll protect me.” I shrug, moving through the living area to the room I used when I was here last. Before I can open the door, Reid’s hand on my hip stops me.
“Stay in my room with me tonight? I won’t try anything. I just want to hold you for a little while.” I turn to look up at him and see something lurking in his eyes that I can’t quite put my finger on, and at this point, I’m too tired to analyze.
“Okay, Reid, if that’s what you want, you got it.” I move to his room and head straight for the bathroom, wanting to wash the grime from the day away.
I turn on the shower before twisting to find Reid in the doorway.
“Can I borrow a T-shirt and some boxers?” I ask softly.
He nods and disappears, reappearing moments later with a plain white T-shirt and black boxers in his hand.
“Here.” He places them on the counter before moving back to his spot in the doorway.
I stand there and cross my arms, waiting for him to leave, but he isn’t taking the hint.