Reckless(53)

And I’m pretty sure if I’d known a young Tori, I’d have been smitten from the get-go. “I love a woman who doesn’t mind getting dirty.” I give her my most charming smile with an innocent bat of my eyelashes.

“Lord, look at you.” She presses her hand against my whole face and laughs. “You’re too pretty to do that to a girl, Ethan.”

Snatching her off the counter, I pretend to gobble her neck. It’s the kind of thing I do with my kids. Tori’s laughing and flailing, except this time it’s because she’s having fun.

Her towel and robe are sliding off, but I don’t care. I’m not gonna steal a peek. Just want her to forget the bad stuff that happened when she was young.

“Baby, we gotta rinse you off.”

In the mirror behind us, glops of shampoo and bubbles glisten in her dark strands.

“No, no, I’m fine.” Her whole body stiffens as she shakes her head vehemently. “I can’t… I can’t get back in there tonight.”

I set her back down on the counter. “Hey.” I tilt her chin up and wait for her to look into my eyes. “First off, I’m not gonna make you do anything you don’t want. Ever.”

I caress her soft cheek with the pad of my thumb, and she relaxes in my arms and nods.

“Secondly, you have shampoo dripping down your hair, and you feel like a block of ice. While I’m more than happy to rinse out your hair in the sink, I think a hot shower would do you a world of good right now.”

She gives me an owlish blink before her eyes slide over to glare suspiciously at the stall as though an army of spiders might come marching out.

“Do you want to use my shower? I can make sure the coast is clear before you jump in, and tomorrow I’ll call an exterminator to inspect the house, just to be on the safe side.”

I’d normally think that’s a crazy length to go for one spider, but if it gives her peace of mind, I’ll do it. After hearing that story, I’d do anything to help her feel safe.

With another groan, she presses her damp forehead to my chest. “Gah! I feel like such a freak right now.” Her words get muffled by my t-shirt.

“If it makes you feel any better, Logan once dated this girl who got so hammered, as she leaned out of his car to puke, she peed in his passenger seat. Now, have you ever peed in someone’s car while hurling chunks all over the sidewalk?”

A snort of laughter makes her shoulders shake, and she peers up at me with a huge smile.

“See. I thought not. So in the big scheme of things, I’d much rather deal with my gorgeous, naked woman leaping into my arms, than the aftermath of Logan’s date.”

Her smile turns shy, the vulnerability in those golden-honey eyes piercing something inside me. “Ethan?” She nibbles her bottom lip. “Am I your woman?”

I hadn’t meant to convey so much just now, except it feels wrong to hide my feelings from her.

Suddenly, all that resolve to take things slow, to figure out what the hell is going on with my life before committing to this pull between me and Tori, seems foolish. Because have I ever wanted anyone more than I want her? As a friend or a lover? Never. How she’s engrained herself in my life in such a short time is a mystery to me, but I’m grateful nonetheless. I’m a dumbass for not seizing this chance with her sooner.

“Darlin’.” I press my mouth gently to hers, tasting her minty warm breath. “I’d love nothing more.”





30





Ethan





Her fingers shift through my hair before she arches up, and I kiss her earnestly. My lips slide across hers, and I yank her closer so I can breathe her in. Breathe in her sweet, warm scent that’s uniquely her.

With the last thread of restraint I possess, I pause. Because I should take care of her first before I get too inspired.

Worry clouds her expression when I pull back, but I dip down to kiss her again.

“Come on.”

I fold her arms through her robe and toss the towel on the floor to sop up some of the water. I’ll deal with that tomorrow.

Tonight, Tori’s my priority.

Threading my fingers through hers, I whisk her back to my bedroom, grateful the kids haven’t budged a muscle since I tucked them in earlier.

With a flick of my wrist, the recessed lights above the walk-in shower cast a warm glow into the dim bathroom.

Turning, I reach for Tori. “Want me to wash your hair?” I run my hand over her damp locks, barely keeping back a shiver when I think of how it looks draped over her body.

Another vulnerable smile tilts her lips, but the look she gives me from beneath her lashes quickens my pulse. “Would you? Wash my hair?”

“Of course,” I say, a prickle of awareness dawning in me that we’re not just un-pausing our relationship tonight. We’re barreling forward at full speed.

But this feels right.

With her eyes locked on mine, that shy smile fades until all I see is want.

She wants me.

And goddamn, I want her.

Everything slows down as she tugs on the thin fabric wrapped around her.

The pink robe slips down her shoulders. Over her full, pert breasts. Across the curves of her hips.

Until it’s resting at her bare feet.

Her wild, dark hair marks a damp path along her olive skin. In another lifetime, she could’ve perched herself on a rock, sung a siren’s song, and men would’ve gladly dashed themselves upon the craggy surface to be near her.