Page 23 of Reckless Love
I laugh. “Okay, little man. I’m all about that hug.”
Rhodes sets him down and Levi takes off toward the front door. When he gets there, he looks back. “You coming, Elle?”
“Right behind you,” I call.
I move past Rhodes, and I can feel his gaze on me like a match being set off in a forest. I am quickly burning up. I turn and look at him over my shoulder and catch his eyes on my ass. His expression is pained when he finally meets my eyes.
It’s like we upset the balance of our world the night we kissed, and now everything we know, everything we are, is crumbling and trying to find a newplace to land.
It should not quicken my pulse to see his attraction. It should only terrify me.
“This is a nice surprise,” he says. “Did you change your mind about going with me?”
My mouth drops. “Your mom didn’t tell you I was stopping by?”
His eyebrows quirk and when he shakes his head, I sigh.
“I just came over to hug your parents really quick.”
The door flings open and Amara and Troy stand there, looking like the incredible power couple that they are. Their arms open wide, but Levi doesn’t wait around for me to reach them before he rushes over. He wraps his arms around my legs and grins up at me.
“I washed my hands,” he says happily.
“God, I love you,” I tell him. “You’re the best hugger ever.”
“Bettah than booty!” he cries.
“Better than booty,” I agree, laughing.
“Are you gonna let Gigi hug Elle too?” Amara asks, beaming at me as she puts her hand on my back and air kisses each cheek.
“Gigi and Pop Pop hug Elle too,” Levi says. “And Daddy. Evewybody hug Elle!” He runs around all of us, clapping when we hug and zipping around to hug me again when we walk inside.
“He ispumpedthat you’re here,” Rhodes says, chuckling.
“And so am I,” Amara says. She holds my arm out and purses her lips as she looks me over. “My goodness, you are a vision. That dress is perfection on you.”
“I’ve never been to a wedding where they asked the guests to wear certain colors. We had a choice between black and red.” My hands slide down the silky material ofmy dress and when I glance up, Rhodes is tracking the movement.
“You look so striking in red,” Amara says.
“Absolutely beautiful,” Troy adds, hugging me. “It’s wonderful to see you. We’ve been missing you.”
“I’ve been missing all of you too,” I tell him.
Levi runs over and holds up a big red flower. “I picked foh you,” he says.
“Such a charmer,” Troy says proudly.
“Just like his Pop Pop,” Rhodes says, winking at me.
Again with the stomach catapulting to the ground.
“Here, let’s make sure we don’t get water on Elle’s pretty dress.” Rhodes carefully dries the stem and I spot the vase where Levi swiped the gorgeous red flower.
Once it’s dry, I take the flower and lean down to kiss Levi’s cheek. “Thank you, my love.”
Levi beams up at me. “You stay and play?”