✿ Reid's POV

I lean against my car, my phone in my hand, scrolling through my Instagram page, when I hear the sound of a door closing. My eyes automatically shift to the source of the sound. I immediately stand up straight.

Oh my...

And for the first time in my entire life, I'm rendered speechless.

God...

I continue to stare at her and feel something inside me detonate, releasing the dizziest, wildest, most intoxicating sexual desire I‘ve ever experienced. My response to her is completely instinctual and I  can't fight it.

Hell, I didn't want to fight it.

She stroked something deep and primitive inside me that, until this very second, had clearly been lying dormant. These feelings were different from the ones I'd had with all the countless people I'd been with over the years before Anika... Anika herself included.

Aileen was soft, sweet, and delicious and I just wanted to devour her. She was wearing a simple pastel pink... dress that had been made for her curves, and as she moved towards me, I saw the ever-so-gentle sway of her wide hips and breasts.

I blink once... twice.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen or held a pair of natural breasts in my hands. All the women I'd been with during my wild years had hard plastic ones. Pretty to look at, but not so great to touch.

But these...?

God!

These would be different.

I swallow, suddenly hungry to buy her something as beautiful as she was. My heart races at the thought.

Reid stop it!

I forcefully pry my eyes away from her body, letting them focus on her face. But then something else entirely happens. The raw lust, the unstoppable desire, and the yearning seemed to all meltaway. Instead, everything was replaced by a need no... an instinct to protect her. To take her in my arms and hold her.

There was something about her that seemed so pure and too innocent, so untainted that I wanted to preserve it... with everything I had.

What the hell was going on with me?!

✯✯✯✯✯✯

✿ Aileen's POV

I step out of the house and nearly trip. I try to grab onto the door for a hundred percent balance but it slips from my hand and clicks shut.

Ugh!

Steading myself, I look forward and see Reid. Instantly, I swallow. Immediately, I know I'm underdressed.

God!

He was wearing a single-breasted black... definitely, an Armani tuxedo which highlighted his muscularity. His broad shoulders stretched his tux to bursting capacity. Reid shifts his weight from one leg to the other and my attention is immediately drawn to that area.

Oh...

A shiny black belt holds up his matching black pants... slightly snug... and I could definitely tell he wasn't lacking in the downstairs department.

Aileen!

The 5 o'clock shadow on his jaw just adds to his appeal and accentuates his angular face. It was rugged and perfectly manicured all at the same time.

Stop!

I quickly lift my gaze, only for it to be captivated by his eyes... his piercing emerald eyes. For the first time, I found them bewitching, and momentarily, I was very involuntarily, swallowed up by them.

Then something deep inside me flutters. At first, it's just a tiny, almost inaudible whisper. But the more I get carried away in his emerald swell, the louder the whisper becomes. Then it turns to a scream. 

The scream reverberates through my entire body with such intensity that it awakens all my senses until it feels like every nerve ending in her body is on fire.

I'd never experienced anything like this before. I'd never felt so in my body and out of my mind as I did at this moment, staring at this man. My brain seemed to reel with the physical feelings that were swirling through me.

Reid catches me staring and eyes me for a moment so I redirect my attention to the interior of his car.

Another one?!

This one was pretty impressive. I mean the two I'd seen were... but this one... wow. The leather seats looked comfortable enough to sleep in for days under an open sky.

Neither one of us says a word and the tension between us keeps rising. Our eyes lock and I feel time stand still as everything around us disappears. The moment is only broken when the front door slams shut again.

“Lee!”

Reid looks behind me and I reluctantly turn.

“Cami?”

“The photos!” she huffs.

I chuckle as the girls come up behind her.

“Is it really necessary?”

“Yes!” they chorus.

Bonnie laughs.

“This is your senior prom all over again, Lee.”

“Err what's... going on?” Reid asks.

“Pictures” I call out to him over my shoulder.

“Come on love birds! Squeeze in” Sophie smiles and holds up the camera.

I'm about to protest that they don't bother Reid and leave him out but a hand immediately snakes possessively around my waist and I'm tugged to his side.

Oh God!

“Smile, Lee” Natalie giggles.

I glance up at Reid.

“Say 'Meeting the parents!'” they chorus.

I chuckle and Reid laughs, his chest vibrations sending waves through me.

“Meeting the parents,” Reid and I say at the same time.

The flash goes off. Ten minutes later we're still taking pictures and if I didn't stop them, they would have never let us leave.

“I'm not sleeping till you come back, Lee” Camari tells me when I hug her goodbye for the umpteenth time.

“It's a school night. Go to bed” I tell her.

She eyes Reid behind me.

“Not until you come back,” she says, and whispers, “I don't trust him” loud enough for Reid to hear.

I chuckle.

“Okay.”

She lets me go and gives Reid the stink eye before running back into the house. I smile and make sure she's inside before turning around.

“So...” Reid begins, “You look... very pretty.”

“Thank you. And you look Armani as always” I comment.

He chuckles and fakes a frown.

“I can't let you predict me like this, Lee.”

I smile.

“You should buy the brand... or have it renamed after you.”

“Don't tempt me” he whispers.

I laugh. His eyes move down my dress.

“So... pink huh?” he arches a brow.

I shrug.

“The only appropriate chain store clothing I could find.”

“Ohh... Target?” he asks playfully.

“Nordstrom” I pump my eyebrows at him playfully.

“Ouuuuu...” he drags like a teenage girl. “Fancyyy.”

I laugh.

“Shut up Armani.”

He chuckles.

“You went with pink because of me? I'm touched.”

I fake a frown.

“I've had this dress for forever okay? So it's purely coincidence. Let's not get carried away.”

He smiles.

“Still touched.”

His phone rings.

“Anndd that's our cue to go” he announces and holds the door open for me.

“Thank you,” I say and get in.

He hurries and gets behind the wheel.

“So, who's going to be there? Just your parents?” I ask.

“And Ellen” he adds.

I pump my brows nervously as I fasten my seat belt.

“There's nothing to be worried about, okay?” I hear him say with a chuckle.

I shake my head.

“I'm not worried. It's just dinner with Portia and Eros Dalton... not the King and Queen” I say. “Unless you're royalty... then I'm out.”

He smiles.

“Trust me, if I were, I'd be cockier.”

I roll my eyes, still smiling, and watch Reid shift the car into drive and pull onto the road. I was again impressed at how smooth the movement was. The street around my house wasn't in the best shape, but I didn't feel any of the bumps I was used to.

“I like your car, Armani,” I tell him.

A charming smile crosses his face.

“Thank you, Lee. Just say the word and I'll give it to you in a heartbeat.”

My heart skips.

“Your Jeep could use a break.”

I frown and wack his arm with my purse.

“Ow!” he chuckles. “Again... you don't hit the person driving you.”

“Again... when he's being a jerk, exceptions must be made,” I say in the same tone.

He smiles at me and I nudge his chin away.

“Eyes on the road,” I say, trying hard not to smile.

He chuckles.

“How much was it?” I ask and immediately regret it.

I furiously shake my head.

“Forget it. Don't answer that” I quickly add.

He looks back at me.

“Don't give me that look,” I say, “And eyes on the road. I'm not dying in your fancy car.”

He chuckles.

“Is there a better way to die?”

“Yes. In your sleep... peacefully... without any pain or discomfort or struggle,” I say.

He smirks.

“This is a modest car, Lee. There are fancier cars than this. I just happen to pick this one for tonight because I like it.”

I sink comfortably into my seat a little bit.

“Makes two of us, Armani” I sigh happily.

Reid gives me a sidelong glance.

“Road” I scold.

He chuckles again. I close my eyes and just breathe.

“Hey listen... Lee...” Reid speaks up, clearing his throat.

I open my eyes and roll my head to the side to look at him

“About the other day... in your office...” he clears his throat again.

What is he doing?

“Err I'd like to apologize...” his voice becomes quieter, “It wasn't my intention to...”

“Huh?”

I watch him grip the steering wheel.

“I didn't mean to offend you the other day.”

Remembering multiple times that he offended me unconsciously; I didn't exactly know which one he was referring to.

“About what?” I ask.

He gives me an impatient look.

“Don't make me repeat it. I don't want you getting mad at me and showing up at the restaurant in a sour mood.”

I chuckle.

“I literally have no idea what you're talking about, Armani.”

He straightens his back.

“I apologize for commenting on your breasts the other day,” he says quickly, then immediately looks relieved.

I make a face, suddenly becoming self-conscious of my bust.

Did he have to bring that up now? While we were stuck together in a car?!

“I was only trying to state the obvious—”

“Let's listen to some music!” I cut him off and sit up, reaching over to turn on the radio.

“Lee I'm trying to apolo—”

“Ouu Bruno Mars!” I exclaim excitedly and turn the volume up so loud that I wouldn't be able to hear him if he spoke again.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

The sign in front of a set of closed doors at Acon simply read, Closed For A Private Event.

I peer around at the fancy cars, wondering if the private event was the dinner.

They rented out an entire restaurant?!

Reid's phone rings and he asks me to go on ahead inside before excusing himself. I step up to the door, but before I reach for the door handle, two men wearing suits and earpieces appear out of nowhere, blocking my way.

“Sorry, ma‘am. This room is closed. Private event.”

I'm about to back away and wait for Reid when a warm hand finds the small of my back... sending me a comfortable, reassuring feeling. I know it's him but I still turn around to find him towering behind me... a sweet smile pressing into his lips.

“You okay?”

I try to make myself speak, but for some reason, I can't. I just nod mutely. Reid turns his attention to the two guards in front of us and they greet him.

“Your family's already here, sir.”

Reid nods, then his emerald eyes meet mine; holding onto my gaze like he was searching my face for an answer to a question I hadn't been asked.

“You ready?”

Somehow, I'm able to bob my head up and down. My vocal cords were still rendered useless.

“Okay then” he smiles.

The doors are open for us and we walk in. It's warm and beautiful and I just smile at the setup.

“Okay, Lee. Just be yourself. Don't let anyone get to you, don't let them scare you, don't let them intimidate you.”

I nod and look up at Reid who is directly in front of me.

“Especially my—”.

Suddenly a scream pierces the air and startles me. Reid turns around and I see the soon-to-be bride from the other day, running towards us.

“Uncle Reid!”

Reid embraces the young lady in a joyful hug. They hold onto each other for the longest time, until Reid spins around quickly and finally lets her go. The girl stumbles around in a dizzy stupor.

“I'm not five years old anymore, Uncle Reid” she giggles, playfully hitting him on his arm.

“But you still hit like one” Reid teases and throws a few air punches.

“Because you still treat me like a five-year-old” She threads her finger through her hair.

I chuckle and the girl looks around Reid's side.

“Uncle Reid, aren't you going to introduce me to—”

“Reid!” a voice calls out from behind us.

We turn and I see an older woman approaching us. She was wearing a modern pantsuit, her blonde hair elegantly styled, with a displeased look on her face. Behind her were Ellen, Mr. Madden and Anika?!

Oh boy...

I watch Reid flex his jaw in annoyance.

“Mom” Reid greets and plants a quick kiss on both her cheeks.

He leans away from her and looks at his ex.

“What are you doing here, Anika?”

“I invited her” his mother answers.

“Why? This is strictly a private event... a family dinner. Meaning family members only” Reid says.

His tone had changed.

“Don't preach to me about family, young man! When you got engaged behind your family's backs” his mother snaps. “And if we're counting family, that girl you're engaged to isn't going to count!”

I'm right here.

“She counts, Mom,” Reid says and moves away from his mother.

And in three, two, one... it's time to act!

Reid moves up to my side and snakes a hand around my waist. I hold his waist too and steal a glance at Reid. And as if perfectly choreographed, he meets my eyes and gives me a reassuring smile.

“Everyone, meet my fiancée—”

“Lee?!” Reid's goddaughter gasps, grabbing her mother by the arm. “Sweets by Lee's Lee?” she asks.

I nod and smile.

“Guilty as charged” my voice finally begins to work.

She lets out a laugh.

“Oh my gosh! Now those sprinkles all over my Uncle at my birthday party make so much sense now!”

I see Anika flinch uncomfortably.

“Are we ever going to hear that sprinkles story?” she asks, looking directly at Reid.

“Someday, Nikki” he smirks at her.

“Lee?” Reid's mother questions. “That's her name?”

“It's Aileen, Mom” Reid answers.

“Aileen huh? You do have a thing for A's” Ellen teases.

Reid's goddaughter's face lights up and she moves up to me and throws her arms around the two of us.

Okayy.

“It's so nice to meet you, Aileen” she grins. “When we saw the news everyone was freaking out. We didn't know my Uncle was dating anyone. We thought it was made up. But now you're here and we're so excited!”

She lets us go.

“Yeahhh” I drag with a nervous laugh.

“I'm Maeve by the way” She chuckles and grabs my hand. “Oh wow,” she gasps and runs her fingertips over the stone of my ring.

I smile as everyone's eyes fall on my hand.

“This is beautiful” she smiles up at me.

Maeve looks at her Uncle.

“I'm truly happy for you, Uncle Reid.”

“Thank you, Maeve.”

“I always knew that when he met the right woman, he'd want to settle down immediately” Mr. Madden chuckles.

Portia Dalton shoots him a look.

“Anika is the right woman for him. Yet he goes and gets engaged to this... woman.”

“Mom, stop it,” Reid says firmly. “You're not going to disrespect Lee. Okay?”

She scoffs and turns away. Anika gives me a one-over before trailing after Portia. Reid sighs.

“Come on you two. Dinner isn't going to have itself” Ellen says to us, looping her arm through her husband's before walking away.

“Uncle Reid?”

“Go on Maeve. We'll be right there” he whispers to her.

She smiles at him and gives me a little nod before walking away too. I watch her till she disappears.

“I can not believe Camari is going to be that old in seven more years” I chuckle softly.

Reid looks down at me.

“Lee...”

I quickly shake my head, stopping him.

“It's okay, Reid. Don't let them get to me, right?” I ask. “So they won't. And I'm not going to bite. I promise.”

He chuckles.

“You don't have to...”

“Let's just go before your mother thinks I've done something horrible to you” I chuckle again.

He just nods and leads me behind his family.

“Where's Dad?” I hear Reid ask.

“Not sure” his cousin replies.

“But I told him I'd be bringing Lee. He should be here.”

Portia scoffs.

“Well honestly, I don't blame him for not wanting to show up” she goes.

Can this night get worse?

“Mom...”

She rolls her eyes at her son and they land on me. Then her eyes widen a bit as they stayed fixed on me. I glance around a bit.

What is happening?

“Grandma, are you okay?” Maeve asks.

Portia stands up and slowly moves towards me.

“Mom? What are you doing?” Reid asks.

Portia's emerald eyes burn into mine as she stops in front of me. She lifts a hand towards me and I try to close my eyes but they don't respond.

Is she going to hit me?

I hold my breath and watch her hold out one finger. Then she sweeps it across my cheek and rubs her thumb against that finger. Her frown deepens.

“What is the meaning of this?”

I look at Reid.

“What are you talking about Mom?” he questions.

She looks at her son.

“What. is. the. meaning of this nonsense you're trying to pull on me, Benjamin?!”

Everyone gives her a confused look.

“Aunt Portia...” Ellen begins, “... what's wrong?”

“Her!” she snaps, startling me a little.

Me?

“She can't marry my son! Look at her!”

“What's wrong with her?” Mr. Madden asks.

Portia shoots him an annoyed look.

“I don't expect you to notice, Otis” she scoffs and turns back to glare at me.

“Mom...”

“Look at her skin, Reid!” she cuts him off.

I make a face.

“I can't marry your son because I'm not wearing makeup?” I ask.

Her eyes snap to my face.

“Because that's the only thing missing from my skin, ma'am.”

“Lee...” Reid mutters as he slips beside me to tug me backward a little bit.

“You can't marry her, Reid. And that's final” Portia says.

“Because of makeup?” he scoffs.

“Because she's too brown!”

My eyes widen and shock spreads on everyone's face.

“Mom!”

“Look at her! Makeup... the brightest makeup won't even hide her skin tone completely.”

“Grandma, don't...” Maeve stops her.

“That's an unnecessary racist comment, Mom,” Reid frowns. “What has gotten into you?”

She nears him and glares.

“You better start finding a way to get that Aussie away from Anika so you can get back together with her. As for this Lee, over my dead body, Benjamin!” she hisses so only the two of us hear.

I chuckle and she shoots me a look.

“It's funny?”

“No, ma'am, no” I laugh. “I just didn't think someone would bring up this conversation.”

She arches a brow at me.

“I mean your son doesn't think I'm a woman of color so...” I eye her a little.

Portia narrows her eyes at me.

“People like you don't belong with someone like my son. If it's the money you want, name your price. But this...” she gestures between Reid and me, “... is never going to happen.”

“Mom” Reid calls out to her firmly.

She steps away from me and Anika moves over to her to whisper God knows what.

“Lee...”

“She's going to have to try harder, Armani” I chuckle softly at him.

He gives me a look.

“I'm serious. I'm in no way offended.”

And I truly wasn't.

Reid sighs.

“C'mon.”

Reid pulls out a chair for me and as I sit, I feel the press of his emerald eyes on my back. Tracing my curves and panels of my exposed skin. Heat fills places that make me weak, and finding a steady breath becomes increasingly difficult.

It'll be over soon.

Everyone else sits down except Portia who's standing in one corner of the room with Anika.

“Aileen?”

I smile at Ellen.

“Ignore my aunt, okay. She's a bit...”

We all turn to look at Portia.

“Yeah...” I drag.

Portia frowns.

“What? Now she's trying to turn my family against me?!”

“You're doing that fine all on your own, Mom” Reid frowns at her.

Her eyes snap at me but she stops glaring and immediately makes a move across the room. I turn just in time to see a man come in.

“Oh thank God. Maybe you can speak some sense into that boy!” Portia says, rushing up to him.

I recognize him immediately from the photos I'd seen on the internet. Google hadn't done him any justice, though, because in person he looked much more intimidating and serious. I feel my chest tighten a little as a small knot forms in my stomach.

“Apologies for the lateness” his voice is deep and commanding, the kind of voice you would imagine someone with his wealth and status having.

Reid gets up and moves to him.

“Dad!”

He chuckles and hugs his son.

“Well, you're a sight for sore eyes, Ben.”

Reid smiles.

“Before Mom starts, I'd like you to meet Aileen Wilmore, my fiancée,” Reid says, guiding his figure in her direction.

Up!

I immediately rise from my seat, and step away from the table... but with had no clue what to do.

Do I shake his hand... curtsey maybe?

But before I can decide what to do, Eros Dalton quickly and curtly kisses me on both cheeks.

“Aileen huh? Lovely name for a lovely young woman” he smiles.

I smile back.

“Thank you Mr. Dalton. It's nice to finally meet you.”

“Pleasure's all mine” he smiles at me. “Sit, sit.”

Reid smiles at me and guides me back to my chair.

I might have just won over his father.

Everyone else sits and a round of champagne and finger foods is served. Eros reaches out for the tray of deviled eggs in front of me and I quickly pass it to him.

He smiles at me.

“Thank you, Aileen.”

“Please... just call me Lee, Mr. Dalton.”

He nods.

“It's always nice to meet one of my son's friends.”

Everyone immediately pauses.

Did he just say, friends?

“Dad, she's more than a friend. She's my fiancée” Reid tells him.

He chuckles at me, his intense gaze causing the mood to shift drastically.

“We'll see.”

Reid and I exchange glances.

Spoke too soon.

Thank you for reading!
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Ciao
~the_atticwriter