Reckless(28)
“Please, take a bath. I never do, and the guilt is killing me for spending that kind of money on something no one uses.”
Her eyes are huge as she takes in the bathroom.
Reaching for the cabinet, I present the wide array of bath products my ex left behind. Bottles and bottles of crap Allison never bothered to use herself. Of course, I threw out the shit that smelled like her when I realized she wasn’t coming back. I have enough reminders of her in this house without smelling her lotions. “Go to town. Use everything. I don’t care.”
Before Tori can say anything, I resume the tour. Past the kids’ bedrooms, past the kids’ bathroom and Tori’s bedroom. I stop in front of the last room. Flipping on the lights, I motion for her to step inside.
“I don’t know if you like crafts or sewing, but my mom has a ton of stuff stored here, and I know she’d love for you to use whatever you want. For yourself or for the kids.”
Tori takes a small step forward and lightly touches the bolts of fabrics that are arranged along the wall. “This is amazing.” She frowns and retracts her hand. “Are you sure she’d be okay with me messing with her things?”
“I promise. Go for it.” Sighing, I run my hand over my chin. “Sorry I never gave you the grand tour. I realize now that I kinda threw you into our lives, and maybe you haven’t felt a hundred percent welcome, but I want you to know you are. My kids love you, and for all of my bitching at you the first time we met, I have to admit I’m pretty fond of you too.” Her eyes shoot up to mine, and I give her a stupid smile. “Even when you are a little feisty, but if I’m being honest, I like that side of you the best.”
She laughs that sexy, raspy laugh, and my blood heats with the playfulness in her eyes. “Why, Ethan Carter, are you saying you want the uncensored version of me?” She tsks. “I’m not entirely sure you can handle that.”
I take a step closer and tug on a strand of her hair. “Try me.”
15
Tori
Tiny hands tangle in my hair, and I smile down at Mila. This girl loves playing with my hair almost as much as Cody does.
“Once upon a time…”
In the soft light of her bedroom, I read as quietly as I can to lull her to sleep. Page after page, I watch her snuggle deeper into her cozy bed. Even though I hate these stories, the kind where the woman is beholden to the man for rescuing her, a teeny part of me loves the romance.
“And the prince saved the princess from the dangerous dragon, and they lived happily ever after. The end.”
Her eyes are closed, and she’s breathing so deeply, I’m thinking I can sneak out of here when she crinkles her nose and whispers, “Why couldn’t the princess climb outta the castle by herself? Why’d the prince hafta climb in to save her?”
I smile, loving her inquisitive mind. “Because if the prince had stayed outside of the castle any longer, the dragon would’ve gotten him. This way, the princess is really saving him.”
My crazy answer seems to satisfy her, and she nods into her pillow with a deep sigh.
When I close her bedroom door, Ethan is tiptoeing out of Cody’s room too.
“Sorry you needed to do double duty today,” he says softly as we head toward the living room.
“No worries. I’m glad Cody settled down.”
Usually, Ethan manages to get both kids to bed on his own, but for some reason, Cody was restless tonight and wanted extra snuggle time with his dad. I was happy to help and read to Mila.
Ethan hands me a bag of popcorn when we get settled in front of the TV. He makes a quick call to his mom, and I stifle a laugh when he makes a face at me and says, “Yes, Ma, your pot roast is better,” while he’s shaking his head no.
When he hangs up, I ask how Beverly’s doing.
“She misses the kids, but she’s long overdue for this trip to see her sister.” He reaches across my lap for some popcorn. “She wanted to know how you like your room. If you have everything you need.”
I nod, feeling oddly pleased his mom asked about me. “Tell her the amenities are lovely and that I am so delighted someone introduced me to the washer and dryer.”
“Smartass.” He chuckles and adjusts the volume on the remote.
Even though the couch is enormous, he’s sitting right next to me, so close I can feel the heat from his body.
I shove a huge bite of popcorn into my mouth to distract me from the clean, masculine scent of his body wash. Being around Ethan fresh out of the shower every evening after work is the hardest part of my day. Seeing him barefoot around his house in jeans and old t-shirts suggests a certain intimacy I don’t really have with him.
“Mmm. I love kettle corn,” I say around a mouthful. Despite how nervous he makes me sometimes, I force myself to act like I would around my friends in Austin, which means my inner tomboy is at full throttle. Thus, I’m stuffing my face.
He dips his hand into the bag. “Me too. Between our desserts and your dinners, I’m gonna weigh two tons by the end of the summer.”
“As if. You must burn four thousand calories a day.” It’s true. Ethan works like a dog, slaving from sun-up until sun-down in the sweltering barn. Sometimes after the kids are in bed, he ties the long-range baby monitor to his belt and toils some more. The man has a remarkable work ethic.