Page 195 of Skate the Line

Me too.

I snap my attention toward the bedroom door. The small opening gets larger, and I expect to see Rhodes, but instead, it’s a little face with sleepy eyes.

“Good morning.” I smile.

Ellie rubs the grogginess away and walks over to me.

“I gotta go,” I say to Ruby, pulling the blanket up so Ellie can get into bed with me. “Love you.”

“This conversation isn’t over, but I love you too.”

I blow her a kiss before hanging up.

Ellie crawls toward me, and I cover us both up with the blankets.

“What are you doing in my daddy’s bed?” she asks.

Great question.

“I had to make sure she was okay after the wreck.”

My senses heighten when I see Rhodes leaning against the doorway with a mug of coffee in his hand. Damn him for being so attractive in the morning. My body is highly aware of his every move, even down to the faint bob of his throat when he swallows.

Ellie slants her chin to look up at me. “Are you okay?”

I nod through the slight throb in my head.

“Are you?” I poke her belly, and she giggles.

“Yes.” She stands up quickly and gets out of bed to do a cartwheel. “See!”

Rhodes and I both laugh.

“Hey.” Rhodes gets down on her level. “Some of the team is downstairs withdonuts.”

Ellie’s eyes light up. “Is there one with sprinkles?”

He stands and shrugs. “Yeah, but I saw Malaki eyeing it.”

She takes off, shouting Malaki’s name as she goes.

I laugh again, but this time, I don’t hide my wince. My head pounds, and the longer I sit in bed, the worse it gets.

Flinging the covers off my legs, I move to stand.

Rhodes is there within a flash. He sets his mug on the side table. “Does your head hurt?”

I peer at him from his bed. His brow is furrowed as he stares down at me.

“It does.” I shoot him a half smile. “But I’ll be fine, you ol’ softy.”

He grips my chin lightly. His lip twitches with a grin so small it’s easy to miss. “Softy?”

Warmth flows to my chest, and I’m marveled by it.

Rhodes lifts a shoulder. “I guess I am a softy when it comes to you.”

“And Ellie,” I add.

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