Page 37 of Reckless

My cock stirred as I admired her curves, her peach-shaped ass, those long legs…she’d always been gorgeous, but she’d transformed into a goddess. It took everything I had not to chase her into the shower to claim her there too. I was still amazed she’d given me her virginity.

What had she said last night?

It had always been for me.

My heart constricted, and I had to blink rapidly to fight the burn in the back of my eyes.

How had I let this happen?

I rubbed a hand over my face.

You asked her out, you doofus.

I’d gotten in deep by taking one step forward, it was the way it’d always been with us. Inevitable. But now, inevitably I’d go back on tour, and she’d stay here until after…

I wasn’t ready to think about that.

What I was ready to think about was how I would’ve trespassed on her shower, pressed her up against the tile as droplets of water streamed all over her, bouncing off her nipples, urging my mouth toward them. I would kiss her everywhere, licking her dry, tasting every damn inch that I could reach. The more I thought about her naked flesh, absolutely dripping wet, covered in bubbling shower gel that slipped all the way down to where I desperately wanted to bury myself, the harder I became.

“Shit.”

There wasn’t anything I could do about my steel rod right now, so I needed to focus on something else. Such as trying to make Mrs. Cavendish not hate me. I wanted her to know that I didn’t just abandon her daughter.

I couldn’t say that though, not without blaming Kelly.

I’d just have to make Mrs. Cavendish see that I wasn’t the worst person ever. I’d have to show her that I wasn’t the guy portrayed in the media, and I did have a heart.

Unfortunately, I only had my suit from last night to make an impression with, which not only seemed a little try-hard, but had by now also become crumpled.

Damn. I didn’t have a choice.

I rode with Kelly since we were both going to the hospital after her mom’s. My spine increasingly stiffened the closer we got to the house Kelly grew up in. Panic began to coil through my torso like an ice-cold snake, twisting itself up in my guts.

“Do you really think this is a good idea?” I checked my too-long hair in the mirror. “Your mom might not want to see me.”

“Why wouldn’t she?”

“Because she probably thinks I’m a total asswipe?”

Kelly flashed a million-watt smile, trying her hardest to negate my feelings, but it didn’t shoot my fears down. Nothing would until I knew where I stood.

“We’re here.” She turned to me, her pretty blue eyes assessing my face. “You don’t have to do this if you—”

“No, I’m fine. Let’s do this.”

“You sound like you’re going to war.”

I snorted, then blew out a lungful of air. “That’s too close to the truth for comfort. Do you have a ponytail holder?”

She laughed. “You really are nervous.”

She dug for an elastic band, and I pulled my hair back tight, which almost made me look respectable in the suit, minus the wrinkles.

Kelly leaned in for a quick peck on the lips. “You look sexy. If I had time, I’d take you in the back seat.”

I laughed, feeling better at the reference to our old Saturday night pastime—not the taking part, but definitely the back seat part. Smiling, I followed her to the house.

On the front porch, Kelly slid her key into the lock and pushed open the door. I was hit by a familiar smell from my childhood—baked apples and Mr. Clean and flowers all mixed together. I breathed deep, nostalgia warming me before turning into cold loss.