Page 5 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Reed

I can’t take my eyes off Hayley as she dances with my teammates. Hell , no one can. Everywhere you look, she’s the center of the room, keeping everyone on their toes while they worship the ground she walks on.

As they should.

I’m not blind. I can see she’s a goddess and one that demands attention everywhere she goes.

She has a presence that makes you want to be close to her, and yet, from what Luke says, no one but Amelia is close to her at all. And I feel like we have that in common. I’m friends with a lot of people, but it’s only Bria that knows the real me.

A new song comes on and Hayley relaxes into it, throwing her head back with her eyes closed, swaying her hips, the music taking her over. She smiles to herself, eyes drifting open to meet mine across the room, her gaze questioning until she winks.

My phone buzzes in my hand as I smile, and I don’t have to look to know who it is. Bria .

I’ve been expecting this message.

Bria: Are you still out? I have a question for you

I check the time and laugh. It’s almost midnight. I’d usually be home by now and would have likely texted her on my way. She’s checking in. Making sure I’m safe without actually asking me. Refusing to let me know how much she cares.

Reed: I’m currently deciding whether this crowd is ready for my moves

Bria: (Laughing Emoji) No one will ever be ready for that. They’re not worthy

Reed: Ha. You’re too good to me. But I appreciate it. What did you want to ask?

Bria: The square root of 12,457,590

An obnoxious snort escapes me and the woman beside me huffs before walking away, seemingly offended by my sudden outburst. My bad . But her message deserved that reaction.

Reed: That’s too easy. Switch off the light and close your eyes. It works wonders

Bria and I have a running joke when one of us can’t sleep—to talk about math.

When we first met, she told me she’d get insomnia sometimes, and I had the brilliant idea to think of something boring, like a math equation.

Turns out, she was studying finance and loved numbers, launching our friendship off to a great start.

Ever since, when she can’t sleep, she lets me know by asking a math-related question, and if I’m free, I call her and we talk until she’s sleepy. But if I’m not, she gets the short and sweet response. Like tonight. I call it tough love.

Bria’s typing a reply when a presence invades my personal space. Someone pinches my ass, and my gaze snaps around in time to see Hayley push past a young redhead who I assume is the culprit. Unless it was Hayley.

“Did you…”

“Nope.” She shakes her head. “Miss Forward over there did it seconds before I got to you. Didn’t you see her hovering?”

“No, I—”

“Of course you didn’t,” she cuts me off. “You’re oblivious. The hottest guy in the room has no idea how attractive he is.”

A laugh sticks in the back of my throat. “That’s a pretty big compliment.”

“It’s the truth.” She lifts a shoulder in a half shrug. “Why would I lie?”

“I have no idea.” Taking a sip of my drink, I subtly glance around the room, checking out my competition.

Being the hottest in the room is only as good as the people I share it with.

Wyatt waves from the dance floor and I smirk to myself, taking another sip.

I’ve been nursing the same whiskey for the better part of an hour, but I’m suddenly really thirsty.

Feeling Hayley’s eyes boring into the side of my face, I turn to catch her wicked grin before she blurts, “Are you a virgin, Reed?”

I choke on my drink, covering my mouth as the dark liquid attempts to burst free. “What?” I manage to respond, my voice croaky as I swallow.

“Simple question. Are. You. A. Virgin?”

“Okay.” I clear my throat when it’s still a little hoarse. “The simple answer is no. But where the hell did that come from?”

“Curiosity.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal. Just a conversation between friends, right?

“Are you a virgin?” I counter, but the second the words leave my mouth, guilt settles in my stomach. “Sorry, don’t answer that. It’s none of my business.”

Hayley laughs overtly before her palm lands on my chest and she sighs. “Why are you here, Reed? Are you looking to hook up?”

Am I what? I frown, confused. “I’m here for you . To help celebrate your success.”

“Despite barely knowing me.”

“Apparently.” My brows furrow because she’s right, and yet, here I am, out celebrating someone I barely know.

“If it helps,”—she pats my chest—“I’m also not a virgin.” She bounces on her toes. “Now we can say we know each other a little more intimately.”

“That we do.” I slowly nod in agreement. “And I feel so much closer to you because of it.” I stare at her deadpan and she gasps.

“Reed Coombs, are you sassing me?”

“Sassing? No. Joking, yes.”

“Either way, I like it.” She smiles and I’m instantly sucked in, watching as the smile reaches her eyes, her happiness making it impossible not to grin back.

“So, you’re not a virgin,” she muses, snapping me out of my thoughts. “But you’re not here for women.”

She’s not asking. She's just confirming what she’s already figured out.

“Correct. I’m not here for women . Just one. You .”

“God, if only that were true.” Her eyes flit closed and she’s seemingly lost in thought until she bites her lip and smirks.

“Uh, why wouldn’t it be?” I ask, a little taken aback. “I’ve actually been told numerous times that I suck at lying.”

Hayley’s eyes flutter open. “Is that so?”

“Apparently.”

“Try me. Two truths and a lie. Let’s see if I can guess.” She steps closer, staring up at me, her gaze alight with anticipation.

“Oh-kay.” I humor her. “Let me think.” Two truths and a lie. Two truths and a lie.

“Want me to go first?” She pops her hip as she leans against the table, her patience wearing thin.

“Nope, I’ve got this.” I think. Although it’s harder than I would have thought, and… actually… “One, I grew up in a small town. Two, I have three cats. And three, I’m an incredible dancer but this isn’t my style.”

Hayley lets out an adorable giggle. “We’re gonna circle back to the dancing tidbit.

” She waves a finger around in a circular motion as she continues.

“There’s no way that’s the lie, and now you’ve got me picturing it.

I’m wondering if it’s hip-hop or jazz.” She purses her lips before continuing.

“But first, you…” She trails off, squinting as though trying to read my mind.

“Do not have three cats. In fact, I'll bet my next drink that you don’t even have one . You’re a dog person.

And I’m in the mood for an espresso martini. With good vodka. Top shelf.”

I’d laugh if I wasn’t shocked. I delivered my truths and a lie evenly; I made sure of that. How the… Doesn’t matter. She proved my point.

“Your nose scrunched,” Hayley answers my unspoken question. “The thought of owning cats didn’t sit well with you.”

“Damn.” I shake my head with a groan. “Fine. I owe you an espresso martini. Unless I guess yours.”

“You’re on.”

I smile, expecting her to take a moment to think about it, but she throws out her response so quickly I startle. “One, my hair is naturally wavy. Two, I know how to surf. And three, I’d love to screw your brains out.”

“Jesus Christ.” My balls tighten but I ignore it.

This isn’t the first time someone’s said something similar to me, and despite what Hayley insinuated earlier, I’m not oblivious to the attention I receive.

But something about the words coming from Hayley’s mouth has my cock hardening in my pants.

And that’s not a good thing for either of us.

Especially when I’m certain it’s her lie.

“The third one,” I state plainly, unable to repeat her words back to her in case my voice wavers.

“Dammit. I was sure you wouldn’t guess.”

“Why?”

“Because everyone wants that.”

“Except you apparently.” I huff out a laugh and relax until she speaks.

“Kind of.” She leans in, her lips pressed together, almost coyly, as she lifts to her toes. “If we were fucking,” she whispers against my ear, her voice full of want, “I’d much rather I was the one losing my mind.”

Holy hell. I grip the back of my neck awkwardly. What do I even say to that? “I…er…ah—”

“Relax.” She grins, stepping back while I fight to hide my frown. “I have no plans to jump you, Reed. But I’m only human. A girl can fantasize.”

I pause, finding her honesty refreshing, my mind clearing enough to hold my own in this bizarre conversation.

“What if I were to say yes?” I ask, turning to give her my full attention. “Are you prepared to hand over control? Would you allow me to blow your mind ?”

Hayley giggles this time, and it’s both adorable and a little insulting.

“Something tells me you won’t.” She points at my chest, her eyes falling to where her finger pokes at my abs. “So I’m willing to say yes.”

She glances up again, raising a single brow, and the meaning behind her words hits me. “Fucking Luke,” I grumble, getting the impression he told Hayley about my feelings for Bria. And when she bites back a grin, she confirms it.

“The one and only. But there’s nothing wrong with knowing what or who you want. I think it’s sweet.”

“I—”

“You’re sweet. Don’t try and fight it. I happen to like sweet. Come on, you owe me a drink.”

She spins on her toes so fast I have to reach out to stop her from walking away. “I thought you owed me one?”

“To-may-to, to-mah-to.” She shrugs. “Let’s go.”

“Actually, it’s nothing like that.” I scrunch my nose, making her smile. “But lucky for you, I’m a gentleman. One espresso martini coming right up.”

H ayley downs more than a few more martinis before the venue calls for last drinks, and I find myself watching her every move, worried about some asshole taking advantage of her inebriated state.

Barely a minute passes before the dim mood lighting brightens and I curse myself for staying out so late. My teammates are long gone and yet, I couldn’t bring myself to leave any earlier.

Hayley’s right. I barely know her, but Luke asked us to come because Hayley doesn’t have many friends here in the US, and I felt it my duty to stay.

Several guys flock to her side now that the night is over, hoping to shoot their shot. But to my surprise, she pushes past them all, making her way over to me, her confident smile locked in place.

“You stayed.” She sits down beside me and leans back in the chair, crossing her leg over her knee, the hem of her dress lifting dangerously high on her thigh. “I’m impressed.” She closes her eyes and lets out a slow, drawn-out breath, drawing attention to her chest as it rises and falls.

“What can I say.” I lift my eyes to hers, smiling when she catches me checking her out. “I was having a blast.” I shrug, owning it.

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s it.” Straightening up, she glances back to the dance floor, her eyes briefly stopping on the men that still hover there.

“Do you think they’re waiting for me?” she asks, and I cough to hide my snicker.

“I know they are. Without a doubt.”

“Should I go home with one?”

My gaze shoots to hers, but I can’t tell if she’s serious or not. “That’s not a question I can answer.”

“Would it bother you if I did?”

“Yes,” I say honestly because we’ve already established I can’t lie. “But it’s not for the reason you’re thinking.” It would bother me because I’d fucking worry.

“Trust me, I know.” She shakes her head, her lips pulled in a soft smile. “I see you, Reed. And I appreciate it. I love sex as much as the next person, but I don’t need it every night.”

“Good to know.” I stand and offer her my hand, pulling her up next to me when she takes it. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

I turn to walk but she fakes a gasp, drawing my attention before she giggles. “I take back what I said. I’m always up for sex. Your place or mine?”

Suppressing a grin, I shake my head until she laughs out loud and my smile breaks through.

“I don’t mind getting an Uber,” she adds with a quick glance toward the exit. “It’s probably out of your way.”

“Do you know where I live?”

“Nope. But I can guarantee it’s a better area than mine.”

“All the more reason for me to go with you. Come on. We can share a taxi.”

She stares at me for a beat, undoubtedly thinking up another excuse. Because despite telling me she doesn’t need sex every night, the wanton look in her eyes says otherwise. Too bad I don’t mind being a cockblock to her in her drunken stupor. She can fuck whoever she wants when she’s of sound mind.

Raising an eyebrow in challenge, I gesture to the bar that leads to the exit, and Hayley releases an exaggerated sigh. “Fine, I’ll come.” She surprises me, linking her arm through mine, guiding us toward the door, using me as a support more than I think she realizes.

There’s a taxi waiting when we step into the fresh night air, and I open the door to let her inside before sliding in beside her, letting the driver know there will be two stops.

After giving the driver her address, Hayley lays her head against the backrest, closing her eyes, and it occurs to me that she may not be feeling so good now that she’s stopped dancing.

“Shit. I never asked if you were okay. We should stop for water.”

She smiles without opening her eyes. “You really are the trifecta, aren’t you,” she whispers, her brows furrowing as though her words confuse her.

God knows, they confuse me. “The trifecta?”

“Yeah.” She straightens up to face me. “Hot body, pretty face, and one of the most genuine guys I think I’ve ever met.”

“You barely know me.” I chuckle, giving her shoulder a nudge.

“That may be so, but you wear your heart on your sleeve. The whole world can see it.”

Her words sting as they bite into me but I don’t let her see it. “Maybe that’s the Reed I want the world to see,” I say honestly, keeping my voice light and a smile on my face. “Maybe if you got to know me better, you’d see a different side of me.”

Hayley frowns as she stares into my eyes, seemingly looking for the truth to my words, and after a beat, she must find something because a bright smile lights up her features. “I guess that’s what I’ll have to do.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah.” She yawns and a smile tugs at my lips.

“In fact,” she continues, sliding her ass closer to mine, “I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other moving forward.

I’m too intrigued to walk away.” She rests her head on my shoulder and grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze.

Then, in a moment of vulnerability, she sighs.

“You’ll make sure I get home safe, right?

” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I wasn’t wrong… You’re one of the good ones? ”

“Yeah, I’ll get you home.” My heart jolts and I squeeze her hand back. “Always.”

She whispers, “Thank you,” but it’s so soft it’s possible I imagined it. Either way, I respond. “Anytime.”

There’s something about her that’s drawn me in, and now, I’m too invested to walk away.