“That’s because you’re a stiff.”

He pokes my ribs. “Keep going. What’s number two?”

“I’ve never had a boyfriend.”

He makes a strangled sound. “Are you serious?”

“Yep. I’ve fucked, but I’ve never had a serious boyfriend.”

“This should concern me.”

I huff. “Whatever. None of them have been up to scratch.”

“Let me guess: they didn’t love hamsters?”

I sigh and nod sadly. “You’ve hit the nail on the head.”

“Number three?”

I think about it for a minute. “I get angry at people who pick their skin. You know, like if they have a piece of skin that is hanging in a random spot? And they pick it off and throw it on the ground? It makes me violently angry. I mean, I actually feel the urge to punch them.”

He chokes on a laugh. “Mental condition.”

“Shut up, it’s annoying! Do that shit in private, people.”

“Okay, number four.” He chuckles.

“I own four pairs of granny panties.”

“No.” He gasps.

I hang my head. “Yes, I can’t deny it. They’re so comfortable.”

“My relationship with Mrs. Mufflepuff just got strained. We’ll need to speak about this in private.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh ha-ha, it’s probably why she’s so nice. She’s always warm and protected.”

“She’s probably trying to hang herself with shame,” he teases.

“You’re getting a big list of paybacks, Reign Braxton.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll pay, I get it. Now, number five; make it good.”

I think long and hard. There are so many things I could say right now that would be funny and witty, but there’s only one thing I really want to tell him, regardless of how it might end.

“You, Reign Braxton, are the first and only man I’ve cared deeply about.”

I can’t say the L word. It wouldn’t be right for this moment.

I’m not sure how Reign will react. A big part of me is absolutely sure he will pull away like he always does. So when he leans over, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck and pulling me closer, it’s definitely not what I expect. His lips crush over mine and with a whimper, I find myself sliding down onto the bed, his body over mine.

That is the first night Reign Braxton makes love to me.

CHAPTER TWENTY

“Ohhh, God,” I groan, rolling onto my side and clutching either side of my head.

I open my eyes, blinking rapidly. Ugh, gross, one of them is caked shut with that horrible after-alcohol green stuff. I put my finger in and wipe it all off, clearing my vision. The bed is empty beside me. Narrowing my eyes, I slowly sit up, taking great care not to jerk my head in the process.

“Feeling the pain?”

I turn and see Reign at the window, wearing only a pair of sweats. He grins at me, holding up a coffee. “You want?”

I nod. “How much did I drink?”

He stares at the empty bottles on the floor. We managed to get through three.

I groan.

“Break it to me now, what did I say? How did I embarrass myself? Tell me I didn’t talk about Mrs. Mufflepuff. God, did I insult her? Don’t listen to me, it’s all lies.”

His grin widens. “If I tell you, how am I supposed to have leverage? Mrs. Mufflepuff and I have some seriously good secrets between us.”

I drop back, pressing my hand to my head. “You’re lucky I’m dying right now.”

“Here,” he says, walking over with his hand stretched out.

I lift my head and stare: Aspirin. Thank God. I take it and reach over for the glass of water he hands me. I swallow it quickly and force myself back up again. “I think I need to shower.”

“Got a business breakfast. You want to meet me there?”

I’m sure my face turns green. “Breakfast?”

He grins. “Yeah, breakfast. You want to give it a miss?”

“Do you mind?”

He shakes his head, walking over and pressing a kiss to my lips. I don’t dare open my mouth to share my morning breath. I probably smell as bad as I no-doubt look.

“Not at all. Go and sit by the pool. Water always helps hangovers.”

“Thank you.”

He winks at me, and then turns and leaves.

I drop back into the bed and die a little more.

~*~*~*~

He was right; the pool is gorgeous and makes me feel somewhat human again. After a swim, I order myself an orange juice and a sandwich, then chill out on the sun lounge. My eyes are drooping, desperate for me to get some more sleep. I’m keeping them forced open by staring at the gorgeous beach ahead of me. That’s when I catch sight of Reign and Selena walking on the golden sand. I sit up, lifting my shades and watching them.

Is he...holding her hand?

My heart clenches, and yet I can’t seem to make myself angry at him for it. He made it very clear how he feels about Selena and I; who am I to judge him for that? He could have been a lying bastard. Instead he’s given me the whole truth, and it’s now up to me if I put up with it. I turn away, feeling my cheeks burn with emotion. It still hurts.

Maybe I need a break. Perhaps I should go and spend some time with Autumn.

If I could get hold of her, that is.

I’ve tried four times today alone—nothing. She’s not answering messages or texts, and I’m trying very hard to push my panic aside. If something has happened to her, or she’s in trouble and I can’t help her it’s going to destroy me. But I just don’t know how to track her down. If she doesn’t want to be found, she won’t.