Page 55 of Reckless Love
“I should take my car.”
“Okay.”
He walks out with me and I nod before he opens the garage door. I don't even look to see if Brock is around.
“He's not out here,” Rhodes says softly. “I checked before I came in and I don’t see him now either.”
I feel his eyes on me, but he doesn’t say anything as he helps me into my car. Then he gets in his and I follow him to his house. When he pulls up to the gate, he motions for both guards to come to his window.
It’s too hard to hear him clearly, but I make out his last sentences.
“It's important that you don't let anyone know she’s here. No one. Do you understand?”
They both nod.
“Yes, sir,” they echo each other.
As I drive down his driveway, the stress levels out. I've always loved Rhodes’ house. I helped him pick it out. His realtor showed us four houses that day, and this is the one I immediately loved. It's way too big for Rhodes and Levi, but he’s made good use of this space. We’ve spent a lot of time here, thrown some great parties with his family and the guysfrom the team, and before I joined the Mustangs cheerleaders, it wasn’t uncommon for me to spend the night occasionally.
It feels different tonight.
The place is massive, but it's cozy, with oversized furniture and plush faux-fur blankets thrown on every sitting area. In the summer, he swaps out the faux furs for soft linen throws. We’ve watched a lot of home decorating shows together over the years and I’ve happily taken credit for some of the choices he's made—the furniture in the bedroom he’s always calledmyroom, for one. While Rhodes’ bed is a massive black wooden frame with beautiful detailing and a cream comforter, the furniture in my room is cream and has cream and black linens. The color comes from a huge floral painting that I absolutely love, and the view outside the windows is spectacular. His home is striking, yet everything is comfortable.
I feel better just being here.
“Thank you,” I say, as he sets my bag down in the room.
“If you think of anything you’re missing, I can go back to get it or…we can buy it online and have it delivered.”
I smile. “I’ll be fine. I know for a fact I have a toothbrush and deodorant in this bathroom. And Iwillbe soaking in that tub later.”
He looks so pleased, so like the Rhodes I first met, that I laugh.
“Not that I’m complaining, but what are you laughing about?”
“You. You just look so excited.”
He moves until he’s standing in front of me and puts his hands on my waist. “I hate that you were scared tonight, but having you here…I’m not gonna lie…it’s exactly what I’ve wanted.” He makes a face. “That’s not coming out right. I mean, Idowant you here, that’s clearly true. But when I heard your voice on the phone tonight, it scared me so bad, Elle…”
I put my hands on his chest and then wind them around his neck. He’s so tall that when we’re this close, I have to look up, despite being tall myself.
“Thank you for coming to my rescue. I’ve always known that anytime I need you, you’re there. I was…” I pause and press my lips together, my nerves ticking up. “I’d already been thinking that staying here maybe…sounded like…a good option. I don’t know that I would’ve done it tonight or right at Christmastime, but?—”
I lean in and hug him and his arms wrap around me tight. I close my eyes, inhaling him. Rhodes smells like cedar and citrus and cinnamon. I want to dip myself in his bodywash and bury my nose in his neck, but I settle on just inhaling deeply.
“I’m glad I’m here,” I finish.
His voice is husky when he says, “Right where you belong.”
We stand there for a few beats longer than is probably healthy for either one of us, and I pull away first.
“I called my lawyer on the way back, and he said we could try filing a temporary restraining order, but they’ll want proof of what he’s done.”
I nod. “I thought it might be difficult to prove how creepy he’s been. I’d rather just stay out of his way.”
“I think you should at least tell the sheriff what’s happened. He can go have a word with Brock if you don’t want me to.”
“Okay, I’ll make a call.”