Page 68 of Reckless Love
“Love you,” she says.
“Love you too,” he says. “Bye, Mommy.”
She shoots me a hateful look and stands straight, walking stiffly toward the door.
“It’s looking real cozy in here,” she says over her shoulder.
“I’ll call before I bring him in a couple of days,” Rhodes tells Carrie.
When she leaves, I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. This is not going to go well. None of it is.
Rhodes looks at me and says under his breath, “Please don't freak out.”
I don't say anything and when Levi comes over with a book, I take it and sit with him on the couch and read. Rhodes sits by us and Levi happily brings over more books and toys. I read him a few more stories before it's time for bed. When Rhodes picks him up and leans Levi over me to get kisses, I kiss all over his face and we laugh at the way Levi cackles.
When they walk out, I go to my room and shut the door.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
DREAMING
RHODES
Now
After I putLevi to bed, I’m on a mission to get to Elle. Disappointment slaps me in the face when I realize she went to her room. I stare at her closed door and walk toward my room, then stop and turn back toward hers…more times than I want to admit.
I respect a closed door…but Iknowher. I know she’s in there worrying about what happened between us. I know she’s never quite right after seeing Carrie, no matter how many times it’s been now.
I know that she kissed me back and that her body isbeggingto be worshipped, begging forme.
I know that she wanted me as much as I wanted her.
Without overthinking it another second, I knock lightly on her door.
“Yes?” she calls.
“Can I come in?”
There’s only the briefest pause before she says, “Come in.”
I open the door and chuckle when I find her room dark. “You didn’t waste any time getting into bed.”
“I didn’t know how long it would take Levi to settle down…”
“Mm-hmm.” I walk toward her bed so I can see her a little better. “Once I told him you’d be here tomorrow too, he took Pretzel and laid right down.”
“That teddy bear is the best investment I ever made.”
I hear the smile in her voice and it warms me from the inside out.
“I wanted to make sure you’re okay after…earlier,” I say.
She looks up at me, her hair splayed out on the pillow, the moonlight and nightlight shining from the open door of her bathroom casting an ethereal glow over her.
“I’m okay…besides the lingering embarrassment that I’m a complete hussy.”
I choke back a laugh. “Tell me how you can possibly define yourself as a complete hussy.”