Page 100 of Call it Reckless

The guys climbed into Griff’s personal truck and drove off. Buddy immediately stopped barking. “Crazy dog,” I mumbled.

* * *

Lexi answeredmy knock on their door with a big smile. “Bristol!”

“Hey, sweet pea!”

“I’ve got a movie already picked out. Can we make popcorn?”

“Try to stop me,” I answered with a grin as I swept Lexi into my arms for a big hug. This kid was the best. I completely adored her. “But first, don’t you think we should have dinner?”

She rolled her eyes. “That sounds like something my dad would say.”

I winked at her. “Well, he is right aboutsomethings.”

“Hey, I heard that.” Reid stood a few feet away, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. But I knew by his smile that he wasn’t perturbed. Instead, I saw his eyes glow with warmth as he watched Lex and me together.

He straightened and held out his arms. “What am I? Mud?”

“It’s a girls’ night. You don’t get first dibs tonight,” I teased, keeping one arm around Lexi’s shoulders.

He smirked as he drew close. “We’ll see if you’re still saying that tonight in my bed,” he whispered in my ear before skimming his lips down my neck.

I shivered at his touch and promise of things to come. His smirk was knowing as he returned his mouth to mine, offering me a sweet kiss.

Lex tugged on my hand. “Come on, Bristol.”

“Hold up,” her dad said. “I want to talk to Bristol for a few minutes first. You go on ahead.”

“What’s up?’ I asked after she skipped to the living room.

“You sure you don’t mind staying here with her?”

“Mind? Are you kidding? I love spending time with her.”

“I promise I won’t be too late. The emergency numbers are on the fridge, there’s children’s pain reliever in my bathroom, and—”

“Reid. Relax. Nothing is going to happen other than we’re going to eat dinner, and I promise to even have a vegetable. Then we’ll watch a couple of movies until I fall asleep while she stays up and drinks the beer in the fridge until you come home.”

“I know, but…wait. What?”

I burst out laughing. “Geez, Reid. You worry too much. I swear we’ll be fine. Go. Have fun.”

He looked toward the living room where Lexi was, his expression growing soft. “I think I might rather be home with my girls.”

My girls.I loved that he thought of me in that category. That he trusted me enough to be part of his daughter’s life. A part ofhislife.

“How about we do something, just the three of us, this weekend? Maybe camping or something.”

His face lit up. “Yeah? I’d like that.”

“Okay. Go so that you can get home sooner.” I grinned and swatted him on the butt.

His response was to hook an arm around my waist and pull me close. “If you don’t keep your hands to yourself, it’s only going to delay my leaving.”

I couldn’t help myself. I slid my hands around to his back pockets and slipped my fingers into them, relishing the feel of the tight muscles beneath the denim. “I’m not a clingy woman, Reid. But you won’t find me arguing about spending time together. Me and you. Me and Lexi. Me, you, and Lexi. I love it all. I don’t want you to think I mind if you want to spend time with your friends. I need that for myself, as well. So go, but know that you always have someone waiting and wanting you to come home, too.”

He shook his head. “My god, you’re amazing. If you thought that was going to get me out the door sooner, you’re mistaken. Maybe I can just cancel tonight.”

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