Page 33 of Reckless

Joey wiggles her way out of my brother’s choke hold and strokes Tori’s hair gently, taking a moment to study the ends. “I’d do it for free. You know, the friends and familydiscount.”

“No way. My hair is a pain in the ass. Your arm will fall off by the time you’re done. I have to pay yousomething.”

“Um.” Joey tilts her head. “How about we trade? You show me how to make this recipe”—she points to her half-eaten plate of dinner—“and I’ll cut yourhair.”

Tori leans over to see which leftovers we ate. “You want to learn how to makecarne guisada? Sure. It’s supereasy.”

“Dinner was dope, Tor,” my brother says, not looking up from his phone. “I can’t believe you made enough leftovers for the weekend. I think I loveyou.”

Tori laughs and stoops down to look at a painting Mila made for her. A few minutes later, Tori starts to lug her bag from thehall.

Logan stops her to pick it up. “You pack more than Joey does for twodays.”

“I needed to do some laundry, but I didn’t get a chance. That’s okay. I’ll do it nextweekend.”

What is she talking about? I get up and take the bag from my brother, whose eyebrows lift. I motion toward the kids, and he smirks again, offering to get them ready for bed. I watch as he and Joey take them down the hall before I return my attention toTori.

I stand right in front of her until she looks at me. “Tori, why would you need to wait until you go to your sister’s to do your laundry? Are you too good for my washer and dryertoo?”

She laughs and shakes her head. I like her laugh. I want to hear itagain.

“No? Then why are you saving it for yoursister’s?”

Her lips twist as she tries to contain thatsmile.

“That’s what I thought. C’mon.” I take her hand and drag her down the hall. “I didn’t think you needed a personal invitation to use all the amenities in this house, but apparently youdo.”

Stopping in the laundry room, I hoist her enormous duffle bag onto the counter. “Here’s the washer and dryer. Now, it might not be as nice as your sister’s, but you should useit.”

She opens her mouth to respond, but I pull her into the adjacent office. “This place is a mess because I only have two hands and twenty-four hours a day, but this is my office.” I don’t think she’s been in here. “If you ever need to print anything or use my laptop, feel free. Or if you want to watch TV and we’re hogging the one in the living room, you can watch inhere.”

“Thanks, but Idon’t—”

Ignoring whatever she’s saying, I maneuver her back out and across the house. When I open my bedroom door, she falters. I turn around. “It’s okay. I’m not abducting you. Just wanna show you my tub. It has these fancy jets and all kinds of functions I haven’t even figured out yet. I thought you might want to use it after a long day watching my rugrats. You know, when you’re busy avoiding me atdinner.”

She looks embarrassed. “Ethan,I—”

I don’t wait for her to finish. Taking her hand, I tug her into my huge bathroom and flip on the lights. It’s beautiful. All custom marble and shit I don’t care about but my ex-wifedid.

“Please, take a bath. I never do, and the guilt is killing me for spending that kind of money on something no oneuses.”

Her eyes are huge as she takes in thebathroom.

Reaching for the cabinet, I present the wide array of bath products my ex left behind. Bottles and bottles of crap Allison never bothered to use herself. Of course, I threw out the shit that smelled like her when I realized she wasn’t coming back. I have enough reminders of her in this house without smelling her lotions. “Go to town. Use everything. I don’tcare.”

Before Tori can say anything, I resume the tour. Past the kids’ bedrooms, past the kids’ bathroom and Tori’s bedroom. I stop in front of the last room. Flipping on the lights, I motion for her to stepinside.

“I don’t know if you like crafts or sewing, but my mom has a ton of stuff stored here, and I know she’d love for you to use whatever you want. For yourself or for thekids.”

Tori takes a small step forward and lightly touches the bolts of fabrics that are arranged along the wall. “This is amazing.” She frowns and retracts her hand. “Are you sure she’d be okay with me messing with herthings?”

“I promise. Go for it.” Sighing, I run my hand over my chin. “Sorry I never gave you the grand tour. I realize now that I kinda threw you into our lives, and maybe you haven’t felt a hundred percent welcome, but I want you to know you are. My kids love you, and for all of my bitching at you the first time we met, I have to admit I’m pretty fond of you too.” Her eyes shoot up to mine, and I give her a stupid smile. “Even when you are a little feisty, but if I’m being honest, I like that side of you thebest.”

She laughs that sexy, raspy laugh, and my blood heats with the playfulness in her eyes. “Why, Ethan Carter, are you saying you want the uncensored version of me?” She tsks. “I’m not entirely sure you can handlethat.”

I take a step closer and tug on a strand of her hair. “Tryme.”

15

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