Page 56 of Reckless
Vivi stirs, drawing our attention, and for a few beats we both just...baby gaze.
“We’re going to have to tell people soon.”
“Yeah,” he says in a rough voice. “I already told my mom. I hope that’s okay.”
“What did she say?” Panic seeps in. God, what must this woman think of me?
“That I’ve got some catching up to do. And that she can’t wait to see you.”
“Vivi, you mean? Yeah, that will be nice.”
He peers up at me. “No, Winter. You. She can’t wait to meetyou.” He’s being serious again, and I want to squirm under the intensity of his stare.
“That should be interesting.” I laugh. “Hope she’s not too disappointed.”
But Theo doesn’t follow suit. Instead, he scowls at me. “I could fucking bury whoever made you believe you’re as unlovable as you seem to think.”
I stand and swipe at the front of my jeans, smoothing invisible wrinkles. “Yes, well, I’ve had years to bask in this feeling, so I don’t think burying anyone will help.”
“We’ll see,” he grumbles, the vibration in his chest enough to make Vivi’s eyes flutter open.
“Good nap, Vivi?” I ask, my voice swapping to a softer one.
She yawns, body tensing as she stretches out like a happy cat in a sunbeam. Theo has a way of making a girl feel like that when he turns his attention to her.
I know. I remember.
Her head tilts, and she looks up at Theo.
“Hi, baby girl.”
That “baby girl” thing in his deep voice will be my undoing. I just know it.
She smiles, almost bashfully, and reaches for me. And to his credit, Theo doesn’t hesitate. He hands her over, and I sigh when I hold her against my chest.
The break was nice, but the relief at having her back in my arms is inexplicable.
Theo pushes to sit, and our knees bump against each other as he moves around, putting his shirt back straight.
“You should still wear the sling.”
His eyes roll playfully before landing back on us. “I know, but it sucks. I’d rather hold Vivi. Send me that picture, okay?”
“Okay. Write down your number before you go.”
“Oh yeah. I’ll just text you first.”
He pushes to stand, which puts his crotch right at my face height. My cheeks heat, because I know what’s on the other side of that zipper. And Iknowwhat he can do with it.
I turned porn on in the bathroom, but truthfully, nothing compares to that night. It’s the fantasy I go back to every time.
“Why did you take my number?” I peek up at him while Vivi grabs at the neckline of my shirt in the most unsubtle way possible.
Theo smiles down at me. “Told you I was going to come back for another shot, and I meant it.”
A thought hits me and steals all the air from my lungs. It’s irrational. And it’s jealous. And I’m just insecure enough to blurt it straight out. “Oh my god. Do you have other children with other women? You’re on the road so much. You’re already so good with her. You could have baby mamas all over the place.”
His big brown eyes go wide, and then he barks out a disbelieving laugh before he tips my face up to his. Exactly how he did in the elevator that night. He bends down and whispers against my skin, “No, Winter. You’re my only baby mama.”
