Page 51 of Reckless Love

Saying that to anyone—especially someone like me—seems slanderous if Owen’s concerned about his company’s reputation. However, giving Stephen a stake in said company makes him even less likely to say a peep. They win or lose together.

“You play like Stephen used to as a kid,” Walter says with a chuckle.

“Stephen taught Mom and then Mom taught me,” Landon says.

“Speak of the devil,” Walter says as the tablet beside him lights up. “Barely nightfall and he’s already home. A bit unusual.”

My heart starts to race, and suddenly, I’m not so sure that coming here was a good idea. While I wanted to see Stephen, I’m almost positive he won’t be pleased to see me here.

“Landon, we should go,” I say, rising from the couch. “We don’t need to take up any more of Lorraine and Walter’s time.”

The sound of the front door opening causes a sweat to break out across my palms. Coming here was a mistake.

“But Mom, I’m winning. Can’t I finish the game?”

Stephen appears, his shoulders filling the doorway, and a shiver of awareness runs down my spine. I shouldn’t want him with such a ferocious need, but I do, as though my body has finally remembered what it’s like to need someone again.

He’s in a well-fitted suit, and the furrow in his brow confirms that he’s not pleased I’m here.

“Are you okay?” he asks me, scanning my appearance. Then his gaze flicks to Landon. “Your son is okay?”

“We’re okay,” Landon pipes up before moving another checker. “Your dad says I play just like you, and I’m winning!”

He grimaces and shoves his hands into his suit pants’ pockets. “Can I speak to you outside?”

“Can I finish my game?” Landon asks.

“We were just leaving,” I say, drawing my purse close to my side.

“You can finish your game,” Stephen says to Landon. “I need to speak to your mom for a minute. Dad, send him out when you’re done.”

“Will do,” Walter says, his gaze flicking between the two of us with a curious, concerned edge.

“Stephen, I—”

“Outside,” he says, stepping away from the doorway to let me slip past into the main hallway.

I shove my feet back into my high heels, and I open the door to escape. He doesn’t put his shoes on, just steps out behind me in his socked feet, and then he draws the heavy door closed. Maybe he’s going to yell at me. That rarely used to happen, but it feels like something he might do now. Barely leashed tension vibrates off him.

“You’re really okay?” he asks me, scanning me from head to toe again.

“Yes, I just…”

“I don’t understand what you’re doing here.”

“Landon wanted to see you.”

Stephen swallows and then runs a hand down his face. “You can’t just stop by to see me or my parents or anyone in my family.”

“I didn’t mean any harm. Your parents seemed… They were happy to see us.”

“Come on, you’re not this naïve.” His frustration is clear. “You’ve never been this naïve.”

“Landon doesn’t have a lot of positive male—”

“Don’t. Don’t do that.” He shakes his head. “Logan fucking Bishop is his uncle—the best player in the World Hockey League who adores your sister. Brice Summerset, a literal prince who does a lot of philanthropic work, is his uncle. Nathaniel, who volunteers his time for countless charities, is also his uncle. Gage, for all his problems when he was younger, also seems to have a pretty stable life now. He has positive role models in abundance outside your home. What you just tried to say is bullshit, and we both know it.”

“Okay,” I say, and my throat is tight with tears. “Okay. Maybe I need you in my life.”