Page 92 of Reckless Love

As we move into the line to see Santa, I get a little nervous. If anyone recognizes us, it will be here. Rhodes is impossible to miss. Whether he’s a hot football player or a surfer movie star making poor clothing choices, his height and muscular build demand to be noticed…especially when we are inching forward slowly.

But we make it to the front of the line without anyone saying anything and as we walk up to Santa, I relax. It’s a different Santa this year. It’s usually Mr. Salvador, but I don’t recognize this Santa, and that’s probably for the best.

When we walk up, Santa calls out, “Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas! What a beautiful family!”

Levi isn’t sure what he thinks of Santa. He doesn’t want to sit in his lap, but he doesn’t mind smiling next to Santa while Rhodes holds him.

We pose and then move around to see how we like the pictures. We end up buying a big package and then go shop for a few presents at the Pixie Pop-Up Market. I can't believe Christmas is not even a week away. It hasn’t felt like it this year, but today has definitely helped.

Levi starts getting sleepy, ready for his nap, so we start walking back to the truck. I wouldn’t mind a nap myself, before I have to get ready for tonight. But I pause and clutch Rhodes’ chest. Lisa Harper is walking toward us with her niece.

“Lisa,” I whisper.

“Where?” He shifts us so we’re turned away from the sidewalk and we wait until she’s passed us.

I can only hope that she didn't recognize us, but it would serve me right if she did.

The red gownI’m wearing to the Winter Ball is classy, but it’s what all of the cheerleaders are wearing tonight, so it’s also showing some skin. I’ve never been to this event before, but I’ve heard great things about it. Each year a different charity is selected to receive all the proceeds.

Rhodes is just waking up as I step out of the bathroom. He sits up, sliding his hand over his face.

“You look like a dream,” he says, his voice raspy. “Come here, let me see you.” He takes my hand and I turn around, while he checks me out. “So beautiful.” He looks down at my shoes and whistles. “We can have some fun with those.” His eyes are light when he meets my eyes again.

“Not right now, we can’t.” I laugh, skirting out of his reach.

We came home and put Levi to bed and then crawled into bed ourselves. He gave me two orgasms before we fell asleep, driving into me and saying, “Who looks like Pop Pop now?” And then, “Wait, don’t answer that. That was weird.”

I love that it’s as playful with us in bed as it’s always been…and I love everything else about us in bed too. My body has never felt so worshipped.

“Are you sure I can’t change your mind about driving you into the city?”

“You’re sweet for offering. It’s too risky though. Enjoy your night with Levi. I’d much rather be spending my night with you guys instead of cheesing it all night with a bunch of strangers.”

I lean down and kiss him and back away before his hands convince me to stay a little longer.

I tryto stay out of Lisa’s way at the event and am relieved when she doesn’t single me out at any point in the evening. After we do our performance, the other cheerleaders working the event with me spread out and take pictures with anyone who wants to. Security steps in any time people try to touch us, and it’s good because some of these old men are handsy. By the time I’ve taken my last picture, I’m exhausted.

My friends and I huddle together, wishing each other Merry Christmas, and I tell them I’ll see them at practice on Monday. Since there’s a home game a week from Sunday, we don’t have the full week off, just Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will be back at it the day after Christmas and the rest of the week.

The weather is gross so it takes me a while to get home. When I walk in the door, there are candles going in the living room and a roaring fire in the fireplace. Rhodes is there, waiting up for me.

He strips me down to nothing but the red heels, and I ride him on the rug in front of the fire.

CHAPTER THIRTY

MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE GAME

RHODES

Now

It's sohard to leave Elle on Saturday.

After I dropped Levi off at Carrie’s, I came back to spend a little more time with Elle. I tried my best to engrain myself in her, make it impossible for her to end thiswith me.

But I still have all the insecurities I’ve always had with wondering if she'll really believe I’m meant for her.

I think she's in?