Page 59 of Reckless
Theo:Dinner at the ranch. We can drive together.
Winter:Don’t you think that’s kind of obvious?
Theo:We’re going there to tell everyone that I’m her dad. I think things are going to be obvious pretty quickly.
Winter:Fine.
Theo:What are you wearing?
Winter:I don’t know. Probably a sundress or something. Why? You planning on choosing an outfit that matches like we’re going to prom?
Theo:No. I mean, what are you wearing RIGHT NOW? ;)
Winter:Seriously?
Theo:Send pics.
Theo:Okay. It’s fine. I’ll just continue to use my imagination.
* * *
“It’s annoying how good you are at all things dad-ing.”
Vivi babbles in the back seat as she beats on a fabric book that makes loud crinkling noises. We’re heading out to the ranch to let the cat out of the bag. Or, rather, let the dad out of the bag.
“Dad-ing?” I arch a brow at Winter from the driver’s side of my truck. She looks like an angry Barbie doll, arms tucked tight over her ribs, which does nothing but push her tits up. I’m already distracted by them, so this isn’t helping.
“Yeah. Like just now. Doing the car seat? Simple. Feeding her? No problem. Changing a diaper? Immediately faster than me. Bathing her? Like you’ve done it a million times. Getting her into a carrier? Not a single cuss word while you struggle with a strap. It’sannoying.”
“Gosh, Winter. I didn’t know we were competing. Do you have a special trophy for me?” I don’t bother hiding the humor in my voice. In the past week, I’ve come to her house every morning, hot coffee in hand. Despite how badly this whole thing has fucked with my head, I keep a smile on my face and put my best foot forward to learn everything.
I glance at her, waiting for whatever barb she’ll fire next. She’s fidgeting to cover for her nervousness. But all I see is how the navy dress with a tiny floral print slides over her skin, making the slit on the skirt gape open, giving me a peek of smooth thigh.
My gaze snags there, remembering how her skin felt beneath my hands. I absently wonder if she thinks about that night. Shemust. I did good work that night. I know I did.
“Cindy seems nice.”
Ah. There it is. She’s stressed. And this is how she copes, by reverting to the ice-queen version of herself.
“She is,” I deadpan as I back out of her driveway.
It’s time to head to Wishing Well Ranch for a family dinner.
The tip of her nose wiggles as she glances away. “You should have gone out with her.”
My lips twitch. “Is that so?”
“Yeah. You two make a cute couple. She’s pretty.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
She scoffs at me. Loudly. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’ve probably already slept with her, which means you noticed.”
“Yeah, years ago. She used to stay out on the circuit and travel with us.”
When I glance over, Winter’s skin has gone all pink and splotchy. She looks ready to blow a gasket.
“Don’t tell me things like that,” is her hushed reply.
