Page 35 of Reckless

He gives me a sexy smirk. “I forget you’re still ababy.”

I roll my eyes, but I’m laughing. “Whatever. You can’t help that you’reold.”

It’s weird how natural it feels to give him a hard time. It’s even weirder to figure out we were both at the same Ryan Hunter concert all those yearsago.

With us shooting the shit, I can’t help but let down my defenses because, after a week of hanging out, this vibe between us seemsnatural.

Despite my better judgment, I find myself liking Ethan more than I should. But if the only way I’m going tonotlike him is to avoid him altogether, then I’ll just have to deal with this puppy crush. Because disappearing in the evenings only hurt his feelings, which I won’t doagain.

I’ve also learned that the beautiful redhead I saw last week is a client, and judging from the comments I’ve overheard from Logan, she’s not someone whose attention Ethanwelcomes.

Still.

I need to treadcarefully.

I figure it’s only two months, and then I’ll go back to Austin. The thought saddens me, but it’s not like I’m a permanent member of this family. Even though I sort of wish I was. Unlike when I was dating Jamie, however, I don’t let myselffantasize.

It would be so easy to daydream. To wonder what it would be like if Ethan and I were together. Like right now? I’d sit closer to him and lean into his broad chest. He’d band one of his big arms around me and kiss the top of my head, and I’d sigh happily and let my hand meander over his stomach and appreciate every one of those ridges. Maybe I’d nuzzle against him. Smell his sexy scent. Lick and nibble my way up his neck until I straddled his lap and felt his thick, hard length through hisjeans.

Yes,please.

The benefit to living with this man is seeing him in all manner of dress. My favorite happens to be those thin nylon sweatpants that show exactly how much he’spacking.

More than amouthful.

The sound of baseball fills the room, snapping my attention to theTV.

“You didn’t check the MLB app, did you?” heasks.

His voice is so sexy.Deep and masculine.Commanding.

“No.” I shake my head to get out of whatever loony place it had gone a moment ago.Is it hot in here?“I would never cheat and see who won.” Squeezing my thighs together, I realize I might need averrrrrycold showerlater.

“Goodgirl.”

“But Imight’veseen that someone hit a grand slam.” I cringe playfully and wait for him to freak out. The goofball DVRed the Astros game since they played earlier today. He’s very serious about not seeing spoilers before he canwatch.

His eyebrows furrow, and he holds his chest. “You’re breaking my heart, Victoria. No ice cream for you thisweek.”

“What? That’s not fair, you big bully.” I push him, and he yanks me closer and tickles me. Popcorn goesflying.

I yelp, and instantly, his giant paw covers my mouth, and he laughs in my ear. “Shh. Don’t wake up thekids.”

Wiggling as hard as I can, I try to tickle him back, but he’s so big, I’m like a rag doll in his arms. I’m cackling and squealing and kicking my legs. And Jesus Christ, I’m turned on. The harder I fight against him, the stronger that throb between my legspulses.

He shifts, leans sideways, and the next thing I know, we’re horizontal on the couch. I’m huffing and puffing into his palm and laughing so fucking hard when his amused eyes meetmine.

“Say, ‘Ethan is the tickle master of the universe,’ and I’ll let yougo.”

I squint but nod slowly. When he removes his hand, I smirk. “Ethan fights like a littlegirl!”

Those taunting words are barely out when he covers my mouth with his palm and starts tickling meagain.

“Okay!” I scream into his hand. It comes out muffled. “Okay, okay!” I’m practicallyhyperventilating.

He props himself up, straddling my legs, and hauls my arms over my head. “I’m sorry. What were you saying? Something about how I’m the strongest man you know? How my muscles are so big andimpressive?”

I shake my head, smiling, gasping and trying to catch my breath when his gaze travels over my chest. I look down and realize my nipples are rock hard and happily pointing straight at him, my sheer bra and white tank top doing little to mask how turned on I am rightnow.

---