Reckless(64)

A minute later, when the closet door swings open, I jump out with a roar, and my kids scream bloody murder and attack me with hugs and tickles.

With one child under each arm, I stomp into the living room, pretending to be a troll like that show they watch. “Who dares to cross my bridge?”

They giggle and squirm and screech until Logan and Joey run in from the other room and stab me with swords made out of old paper towel tubes and duct tape. Not sure when this game became ‘let’s hop on Ethan and beat the crap outta him,’ but we end up in a body pile on the floor with Cody wrapped around my head like an octopus, Logan giving me a wedgie from hell, and my daughter jamming her finger up my nose.

“I give up!” I’m laughing so hard, my gut hurts.

Suddenly, everyone stops and, like a family of meerkats, turns simultaneously toward the front door, where Tori stands staring at us with amusement.

“Tori!” My children release me and careen across the room, where they smash into her and take her down to the floor. Oh shit.

“Ohhhh, Toh-wee! Meees you,” Cody announces proudly as he sits on her. Aww, my little dude is telling her he missed her.

The woman left yesterday evening, but by their welcome, you’d think she’s been gone a week.

I trot over and help her up, so taken by her when our eyes connect, I almost forget we’re not doing any PDA in front of the kids. When did it become so hard to keep myself from kissing her?

“Guys, be gentle. Tori’s not your personal jungle gym.” She’s my personal jungle gym. Or maybe I’m hers. Doesn’t really matter how you break it down.

Once she’s standing and dusted off, I give her a wink. “How’s your sister?”

“Pregnant and emotional, which makes me not pregnant but emotional.” She leans back down to wipe something sticky off Cody’s face.

Funny how the thought of Tori being pregnant doesn’t shoot terror through my bones. Always thought after Mila and Cody, I wouldn’t want any more, but the idea of having babies with Tori makes me strangely open to the idea. If I can ever afford it, that is.

Tori would make a fantastic mother. She’s patient and kind. Loving and open-minded. Tender but passionate.

The idea of seeing her swollen with my child does something crazy to my heart.

Take it easy. You just started dating.

“Thanks for coming back to help us out. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

My children bounce around us like a pack of wolves raised them, and she gives me that secret smile, the one that promises late-night touches and out-of-this-world sex.

Clearing my throat, I ask Joey and Logan to keep an eye on my tribe while I show Tori how the filing cabinet is organized in our office.

Logan snorts. “Sure, bro. ‘Show her around.’ Show her all the ins and outs back there.”

Joey smacks him in the gut and smiles sweetly at me and Tori. “We got it covered. Take your time.”

As soon as we’re in the office, I pin her up against the closed door. Her hands are in my hair. Mine are on her curvy ass. Our mouths connect, and somewhere in the distance, fireworks go off.

“Missed you.” I fist her hair and taste her neck. The curve of her shoulder. The sweet spot behind her ear. She smells like sunshine and flowers. Sweet and sexy and warm.

“Missed you too. So much.”

I pull back so I can see her expression, and she gives me that breathtaking smile that makes me feel like a goddamn king.

“If my kids weren’t awake in the other room…” I groan, hating that I need to stop.

“I know.” She heaves out a pained sigh as I put her down, but before I can drop my hands, she pushes up on her tiptoes and whispers against my lips, “But I’ll let you tuck me in bed tonight.”

“Promises, promises.” I smack her ass as I move past her. God, she’s fun. With her around, I almost don’t mind having to organize this pigsty.



* * *



“Do you want me to add this to your federal tax folder or do you have a separate place for your property tax bills?”

I look up from my desk and study Tori, who’s tied up her hair on top of her head with a number two pencil. She’s so sexy, I want to fuck her right now on my desk.

After a quick adjustment to my jeans, I motion for the bill.

“There should be a separate folder for this somewhere.” Rubbing my chin, I smile sheepishly. “Not sure where it is, though. Maybe check the second drawer?”

I’ve been feeling stretched so thin lately, the office was the first to fall into disarray. Because it’s not like I can ignore my children, or the horses, or my employees. But having Tori here to help me get this under control has made such a huge difference, I feel a weight lifting off my shoulders.

Logan strolls in, drops onto the couch, and covers his face with his forearm. “Your kids exhaust me.”

I ignore his whiny ass and continue paying bills. We’ve worked through the bulk of the mess. Tori rearranged the filing cabinet so it’s easy to find the business bills versus the house bills.

Eventually, the fatigue of working my butt off all damn week catches up to me, and I close my eyes, wishing I could sleep into next year, but as soon as the sun goes down, I need to get back out to the barn to finish up in there.

“You guys ready for Friday?” Tori asks quietly as she walks behind me, pausing to massage my shoulders.