Page 12 of Reckless (Adventures in Love 3)
“That’s a good dream.” I clear my throat to get rid of the itch of pain there, and he lifts his chin ever so slightly.
“It will be good when it’s done.” He walks off toward the snowmobile. “But there is a lot of red tape to go through, so it’s taking longer than I thought it would.”
“Some of the best things in life take time,” I tell him as we stop, and he helps me put my helmet back on.
“You’re right.” He meets my gaze for a long moment, and my stomach flutters in response to the look in his eyes. A look I know I’m imagining, because it feels warm and good, like the kind of look you’d get right before a kiss. Taking a step back from him, I turn to get on the snowmobile. “But just so you know, I still think it would be better if you at least had a hot tub.”
“Right.” He laughs, putting his helmet on before he gets on the machine in front of me and pulls my arms around his waist. As we drive away from the place his house will one day sit, I let out a long breath and close my eyes and think that even without a hot tub or a tub, his place is going to be spectacular.
Chapter 5
JADE
With Maverick driving and Pebbles asleep on my lap, I watch out the window as we head up to Cybil and Tanner’s house, which is just outside town. Thankfully the freeze that was supposed to happen didn’t, and the sun came out just enough to melt some of the snow and ice off the roads, making it safe enough to drive. As we get closer, I can admit that I’m a little bummed that I won’t be able to spend more time with the guy at my side, because even if he doesn’t say much, he is good company. When we pull onto the familiar road that leads to Tanner and Cybil’s house, giddiness fills the pit of my stomach, the same emotion I get every single time I’m about to see my best friend.
“Are you more excited to see Cybil or Claire?” Maverick asks, dropping his gaze to my bouncing leg for a moment before focusing on the road once more.
“Both of them.” I laugh, and he smiles as the house comes into view.
“Just wait until I put the truck in park before you jump out. I don’t need you getting run over.”
“I would never jump out of a moving vehicle, but if I did, I know that you have to tuck and roll.” I smile when he laughs and start to unhook my belt when I see Cybil step out onto the porch with my adorable niece in her arms and Tanner at her side.
“Hand me your dog.” He reaches over, and I quickly pass him Pebbles.
“I think I might cry.”
“Please don’t,” he mutters, putting his truck in park right before I push the door open and jump down out of the cab. As I head toward the steps, Cybil passes Claire off to Tanner, then rushes down the stairs to meet me. We crash into each other like we haven’t seen each other in years, when in all honesty it’s only been a couple of months.
“You’re here.” I hear the tears in her voice as she rocks me back and forth.
“I missed you so much.” I hug her tight, then lean back to look at her. “You’re still glowing.”
“It’s probably just the vomit I cleaned off my face with a diaper wipe earlier.” She laughs, and I laugh along with her, then look at Tanner, who is watching us with a soft smile on his face.
“Hey.” I walk over and greet him with a quick hug, then reach out to touch Claire’s soft cheek. “Do you remember me?”
“Of course she remembers you; we FaceTime every day,” Cybil assures me while taking Pebbles from Maverick.
“Ta ma ka da baba,” Claire babbles as she lunges for me. I take her slight weight into my arms with ease and hold her against my chest, rocking her back and forth as I hug and kiss her chubby cheeks.
“She’s gotten so big.” I meet Cybil’s gaze over the top of Claire’s hat-covered head. “Didn’t you tell her that she needs to stop growing?”
“We’ve had that conversation a few dozen times, but she never listens to us.” She smiles, then leans into Tanner when he wraps his arm around her shoulders. I pull my attention off them when Claire starts to babble some more and reach over my shoulder. Turning around, I find Maverick a few feet away with his hands tucked into the front pockets of his jacket.
“You don’t like him,” I tell her, and she pounds her fist into my shoulder while kicking her legs.
