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24
I rub perfumed oil on my skin, making it glisten. Then I check myself in the mirror once more and head out.
As I descend the stairs, Reid looks up from his phone, and it’s like time slows down as he takes in my curls, off-the-shoulders mid-thigh dress, and my legs. We’ve been weird since that moment at the secluded cove the other day, dodging eye contact and hardly talking. So it surprised me when he mentioned going to Mark’s party tonight.
He clears his throat and sticks the phone in his pocket. “Isn’t that too short?”
I scoff. “No. It’s fine. Who are you, my dad?”
“Look, I don’t want any—” He stops and turns away, jaw hardening.
“Where are you two off to?” Aunt Helena calls out from the living room. She’s having a glass of wine and looking through papers on the coffee table.
“Party at Mark’s,” Reid tells her.
“Ah. Well, have fun. Nothing wild, though.”
We wave to her before turning away.
I’m about to veer into the kitchen, but Reid stops me with a light touch on my arm.
“Let’s walk since it’s just two houses up the street.”
“Oh, okay.”
I draw a deep breath to settle from the brief yet intense contact, then follow him out the front door and towards the gates.
We continue down the long entrance, turning right at the end.
“You look nice,” Reid compliments, disrupting the prolonged quiet. “I meant to say that before.”
“Thanks.”
He keeps looking over at me. “You smell good. Sweet, like flowers.”
Holy shit.
My skin’s on fire. It’s a warm night, but he’s stimulating my body with his flattering words.
“It’s nice of you to notice,” is all I can say. At least my voice doesn’t give away the emotions. “Oh, and you also smell good.”
Incredibly good.
I want to trail over his body and…
My god.
Reid smirks and tells me, “Thanks.” He nods to the house ahead, where several cars are parked out front, and music is booming from the property.
We continue to the villa-like house. It’s smaller compared to the Radcliff mansion but still as lavish.
Reid enters first through the opened doors, and I stop beside him.
“Wow,” I gasp at the crowded living area. “I thought Mark said only a few people were coming to his party.”
He chuckles as if my statement amused him. “This is small to him. You should have seen the last one for graduation.”
“Hey, guys!” Mark cheers, coming over. “What’s up?” He smacks Reid’s hand and nods to me. “How’s it going, Cassie?”
