Page 54 of Beyond the Spotlight Discreet Version

It’s now almost ten at night and he’s still passed out. I’d long fed Addy leftover salad and chicken from dinner last night. We watched a Disney movie, and she fell asleep in my lap. I carried her to her bed, and she woke up long enough for me to read her a book about a family of bears moving from the woods to the big city.

I’m exhausted, but before heading to bed, I stop by the library to pick out a new book to read. I flip the light switch and take in the room’s beauty. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve been in here; I always find it magical. It reminds me of a study in a Victorian home. Floor to ceiling cases of old books fill two long walls. I scan the spines from afar, pausing at the spot where Reynold backed me against the shelves.

Heavy red velvet curtains cover the windows lining another wall. A small antique desk sits in a corner with a short bookcase behind it. Pictures of Reynold and Adeline and a few of his parents and sister clutter the top shelf.

There’s another acoustic guitar in here, different from the one in his office. It’s part of a tiny band corner with a bass guitar and a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar (which I know is an expensive brand). Can he play all these? I am dying to hear him.

I scope out the top of his desk, which is littered with movie scripts (just like the desk in his office), then walk over to the floor to ceiling bookcases. After readingPride and Prejudice, I figured I could give the other classics a try. Except, this time, I see Reynold’s added some new books.

Spicy romance books.

Books by authors with the filthiest smut. I’ve already read a handful of these, but the rest are new to me or on my ‘to be read’ list. How did he know?

“Did he seriously buy these for me?”

“I did.”

I jump at Reynold’s scratchy voice filling the silent air of the room.

“Goddamn it, Rey! Stop scaring me!”

He’s standing, arms crossed, leaning on the doorframe with a mischievous look on his tired face. I know he’s tired because he didn’t react to me calling him Rey.

“How did you know what books I wanted?”

He starts coughing and that sexy book boyfriend pose disappears. He latches a hand on the frame to hold himself up.

“Reynold,” I scold, and he frowns at me. I close the distance between us and palm his forehead once he’s done coughing. Yep. Still burning up. “Why are you awake? You should have called or texted me, and I would have helped you with anything you needed.”

“Anything?”

“Yes, you stubborn fool.”

That damn smirk returns. “I had to use the loo. Would you have held my cock while I took a piss?”

I push at his chest, and he stumbles back slightly. I grab his arms to anchor him.

“Come on. Let’s get you back to bed.”

He doesn’t argue and allows me to lead him to his room. I leave him sitting on the bed to grab more medicine and a glass of water.

He’s curled up in the fetal position when I return.

“Am I going to die?”

I huff out a laugh and sit next to him.

“It’s just a cold, Reynold. Haven’t you had a cold before?”

“Not one this bad,” he mumbles into his pillow.

“Maybe it’s the flu. You’re around people more now that you're back at work. Your body was mostly isolated for five years, right?”

He nods.

“And with Addy at preschool, kids are a cesspool of germs. I’m surprised you didn’t get sick sooner than this.”

He slowly flips onto his back and rubs his palm over my thigh.