Page 55 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

Hayley

I drag Reed into the thick of it, waving a hand at the dancers. “Are you ready for this?”

He releases a breathy laugh, biting back a smirk as he nods. “I am.”

“These routines aren’t easy.” I raise a brow, teasing. “I’ve been practising for half the night.”

“Are you doubting me?” He raises an eyebrow to match my own and I can’t help but giggle, the humor between us almost enough to make me forget that Bria’s back in his life.

“Never.” I shake off my thoughts, smiling. “Let’s go.”

We join a line and it takes a little under thirty seconds for Reed to blow my mind. Not only can that man dance, but he’s freaking phenomenal.

Thumbs in his pockets, he moves his hips in ways that should be illegal, keeping in time with the music, his feet working like magic.

Reed’s not an overly cocky guy, but the way he’s smirking right now has my knees weak and my heart pounding in my chest. He’s in his element.

And I’ve only ever seen him that sure of himself on the field.

A few people recognise him and cheer before joining in on the fun, and I couldn’t keep the smile from my face, even if I tried.

We dance for a few songs, with Reed perfecting every toe tap, every sway, while I do my best just to keep up, laughing through my mistakes.

When I start to slow down, Reed’s eyes lock with mine, his expression full of warmth, and it gut punches me, making me pause.

This might be the most fun I’ve ever had with a guy.

The most comfortable I’ve ever felt. Reed loves my crazy.

Whether he’s watching from the sidelines or blowing me away with a hidden talent, like now, he’s with me .

And I’ve never had that before. No one has ever been that present in my life.

Catching my breath, I glance away for barely a moment, and when I look back, I snort, finding Reed now wearing a cowboy hat. As though it appeared by magic, with the cowboy gods selecting their new line-dancing leader.

I shake my head and he winks back at me, bouncing his eyebrows as he reaches for my hand.

A new song comes on just as our fingers touch, and the mood shifts, the rhythm slowing as the lines dissolve into free flow. Reed pulls me into him, his hands landing on my hips making it easy for me to curl mine around his neck.

And we dance.

Bodies molding as one, hips grinding, eyes locked on one another.

When the music turns sultry, he bends his knees, lowering himself until his face lines up with my stomach, rolling my hips. With his bottom lip trapped between his teeth, he glances up at me and I swear my panties melt.

I stifle a moan as he rises again and just when I think he’s done with his theatrics, he dips me back, lowering me until my hands brush the floor. My heart pounds. I’m losing my mind to the euphoric feelings running through me, completely transfixed by the moment. By him.

We dance for another few minutes, our sweat-covered bodies moving in sync, my pulse pumping, the hypnotic beats coursing through me. And I can honestly say it’s the best night of my life.

Everything’s easy with Reed.

While my heart may be racing a million miles per minute, and I’ve never been more horny in my life, I know there’s no pressure for how this night will end. Whatever I want, it’s mine. Unless I want it all.

When the heat becomes too much, I fan my face and Reed nods, motioning to the edge of the dance floor.

With a lopsided grin, I follow his lead, conceding defeat, and my awe returns.

“I stand corrected,” I rush out, still catching my breath. “You can dance. I am not worthy.” I bow my head and Reed rolls his eyes as he chuckles.

“I can’t believe you doubted me.”

“Honestly, I didn’t. I could tell those hips were made for moving. Only I never knew how well they could move.” I tilt my head to the side, my eyes locked on his waist, imagining his hips moving again. “Trust me when I say, I’ve been giving it a lot of thought.”

“I bet you have.” Reed laughs, bouncing his eyebrows as he thins his lips. His flirtatious grin has my body heating, wishing his mouth was on mine.

“Stop.” I playfully push him away, needing some space.

“I can’t believe I’ve never seen you dance like that before.

Or that you’re a cowboy.” I nod to his hat and he chuckles again, swapping it to my head.

My pulse races as I smile up at him, and when he uses the hat to bring my face closer to his, only stopping when there’s barely a breath between us, I swear my heart stops.

With his hand still curled around the back of my head, his intense stare bores into mine, burning a path to my now pounding heart as he pulls me into a kiss. His warm lips caress mine, sending a spark of electricity straight to my core, and for the first time, I’m not convinced it’s for show.

The kiss is gentle and explorative, but full of so much passion it sends my mind spinning. With a breath caught in my throat, I mewl in contentment. I can’t remember a time I’ve ever been kissed like this.

I’m so caught up in the moment that when someone bumps me from behind, I jolt forward, falling into Reed’s arms, snapping me out of whatever spell I was under. Snapping us both out of our stupor until we’re laughing out loud.

“I need a drink.” I fan my face again as Brooklyn waves at me from the other side of the dance floor, bouncing around to get my attention.

Reed squeezes my hips. “I’ll get the drinks. You go and see what she wants.”

He turns toward the bar, but I grab his arm, pulling him to a stop. “Your hat?” I grab the brim, ready to give it back until he shakes his head. “I mean, whoever’s hat this is.” I grimace but he waves me off, smiling.

“Keep it for now. It looks good on you and it matches your boots.” He points down at the cowboy boots I borrowed from the costume department. I was waiting to see if he’d comment on them. “We’ll give it back in a bit.” He winks again and I’m so freaking giddy I’m embarrassed for myself.

He disappears to get me another water—with me still keeping up my America’s sweetheart charade—and my mind races as I smile after him.

It’s official—I am crazy about that man.

Shaking off my thoughts, I turn to search for Brooklyn just as Cameron waltzes over, his lips pulled into a goofy grin, his body swaying uncontrollably.

He shakes his hips and I almost grin until a thought hits me…

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this drunk.

Hell, with the way he’s struggling to make eye contact, he may even be on something.

“Cam, are you—”

“He doesn’t like me, does he?” Cam cuts me off, nodding toward the bar where Reed’s staring our way.

“He’s my boyfriend, Cam. And you kissed me. Do you blame him?”

Cam grabs my waist and I casually laugh it off, pushing him away until his grip tightens. “I know you liked it,” he whispers, the heat of his breath making me squirm. “I felt the way your body melted into mine.”

“I love Reed,” I snap, saying the three little words just to shut him up. Only, as they leave my lips, my heart swells. “He’s my—”

“Tell me something,” Cam cuts me off, releasing his hold. “Did he send you flowers for your premiere?”

“What?” My eyes flash to his as my mind drifts back to that night.

“What about chocolate?” he adds, smirking. “Does he know your favorite type? Does he send you letters?”

Letters?

Oh, God.

I fake another laugh, grabbing his arm, flirting to buy myself time.

Cam sent me flowers. Cam wrote me letters. Cam put my favorite chocolates in my trailer. It’s been Cam, the whole time.

“You can do better than him, Hayls,” he continues, unaware of my internal freakout. “I’ve always been here for you.”

“You’re drunk, Cam.” I fake a coy smile, brushing off his comments. “You don’t want me.”

My gaze flits to Brooklyn and she smiles back at me until I flash her a hint of my panic and her face drops.

“I’ve wanted you for over a year, Hayley,” Cam continues. “We’d be—”

“Hayley, where have you been?” Brooklyn interrupts, curling her arm through mine. “I’ve been looking for you.”

I smile, holding back a relieved sigh. “I’ve been lighting it up on the dance floor, line dancing with my man.”

“Oh, I saw him and damn .”

“Right?” I smile again but a nervous energy still runs through me. The last thing I want to do is piss Cameron off. I told Reed he was harmless and I thought I meant it, but now I don’t know what he’s capable of.

He’s been following me. Stalking me. And all this time I thought we were friends.

“Speaking of, here he comes now.” Brooklyn’s eyes bounce to somewhere behind me and I turn to greet Reed, unsure how to play this.

I’m about to say something flirty when his jaw clenches, his assessing gaze roaming my face. For all the times I’ve teased him about being a bad liar, truth be known, I can never get anything past him.

I subtly shake my head and he schools his features, handing me my water as he leans in, whispering in my ear. “Are you okay?”

I shake my head again, squeezing his waist as I step back. “Reed wants to introduce me to someone,” I lie to Cam, my eyes flashing to Brooklyn. “We’ll be back.” I don’t want to leave them alone, but there are plenty of people around. I don’t think he’ll do anything here.

And it’s me he wants.

God, I don’t even know if he’s dangerous. He’s never hurt me before, but I obviously don’t know him as well as I thought.

Reed squeezes my hand as we walk away, and the second we’re out of earshot, he spins my way, concern clear in his features. “What’s wrong, Hayley? You’re scaring me.”

“I… Shit. Please don’t overreact.”

“Hayls,” he growls and I grimace. What a shitty thing to say.

“Sorry. I—”

“Did he touch you again?”

I jerk my head in disagreement, and before I can think it through, I blurt, “I think he’s my stalker.”

“What?”

“I think—”

Reed slams his glass down on the table beside us and storms across the room, his hands curling into fists. Fuck .

“Reed, wait.” I drop my glass beside his, ignoring the water that sloshes to the table, chasing after him as I swerve through the foray.

I manage to catch up as he reaches Cam, grabbing his shoulder to still him. “Reed—”

Without a word, Reed snakes his arm behind him, securing me out of harm's way. Then he rears his free hand back, ready to strike. “Stay the fuck away from her.”

“Reed.” I grab his elbow this time, using both hands to hold him back. “I might be wrong and—”

“ Hayls .” He turns to face me, his wild gaze pleading with mine, but I can’t let him do this. I can’t let him fight over me.

“He’s not worth it. He—”

“What’s the matter, Golden Boy?” Cameron taunts just when I think I’ve got him. “Scared I’m going to steal your girl?”

Dammit .

Reed shakes out of my grasp, spinning to face Cam with his fist still clenched, but before he’s had a chance to swing, Cam’s jamming a left hook into his stomach.

And there’s no going back after that.

Reed slams his fist into Cam’s face, over and over, connecting with his jaw, his cheek, his nose while taking every hit Cam delivers.

I panic, begging them to stop, but when neither of them hear me, I try another approach.

“Reed,” I scream, putting myself in his line of sight. “Stop, please.”

He stills, his expression stoic as his eyes flash to mine, the brief distraction allowing Cameron to deliver another blow. This time to the ribs.

Without flinching, Reed lowers his fists just as Brooklyn rushes over with a guy from our film crew, both of them jumping in to break up the fight. The bouncers arrive next and Reed’s pulled in one direction with Cameron dragged toward the exit, his drunken ass yelling abuse as he leaves.

“Fuck.” Reed tugs against the bouncer’s grip, though it’s obvious he’s not really trying. He could easily break free if he wanted to. “You can’t let him go.”

“Come on.” The bouncer spins, pointing Reed in the opposite direction. “You’re coming with me. You can wait in the back office until your friend’s gone.” He drags Reed toward a discreet door behind the bar, and Reed doesn’t bother fighting as I rush to keep up.

“I—”

“I know who you are, Coombs,” the bouncer says when we reach the door, his eyes darting between Reed’s and my own.

“I know who both of you are. And I have no doubt that guy must have deserved what he got, because that’s not you.

At least it’s not the guy the media claims you to be.

Cool off in here, and we’ll let you go.”

“Thanks, man.” Reed forces a smile as they both walk inside, his eyes drifting back to mine. “I appreciate it. Can my girlfriend come in?” He points to where I’m hovering, but I don’t bother listening to the response, pushing my way inside, grabbing his hand to check for bleeding.

“I’m fine,” he growls, and I roll my eyes.

“You’re not fine. You—”

“Mr. Coombs?” Reed and I glance up to find another bouncer standing with an officer on duty, his apologetic gaze boring into ours. “The police were on-site for another issue and—”

“I’ll take over,” the officer says, stepping closer as my grip on Reed tightens. “Are you Reed Coombs?”

“I am.”

“We’re going to have to ask you to come down to the station.”

“I—”

“What the hell?” I cut in before Reed can speak. “Did that asshole report him? He threw the first punch. Did he tell you that?”

“We’ll be speaking with both parties, ma’am. But we need Mr. Coombs at the station.”

I shake my head but Reed squeezes my hand in reassurance. “It’s okay, Hayls. I’ll go. We have to speak to them anyway. To tell them what we know.”

He presses a kiss to my temple as my body trembles. “I’m coming with you.” I glance up at the officer, standing tall. “I need to give evidence. I’m the reason they’re fighting.”

With a defiant gaze, I stare into his eyes and refuse to back down, my body tense, willing to plead my case if I have to.

He holds my gaze for a beat before shaking his head, seemingly giving in. “Come on, then,” he snaps, and… Thank God.

Sighing in relief, I curl my fingers through Reed’s as we exit, ignoring the stares aimed our way—aimed Reed’s way—as guilt takes over me.

What the hell did I do?