Page 13 of This Reckless Home

His blue eyes, which could be so cold, are full of warmth as he stares at me.

“Thank you. For everything. For not treating Jus, treating us, like we’re worthless.”

The sincerity in his tone has my throat closing a little, and before I can question it, I lean up, placing my lips against his slightly stubbled cheek. His chest rises with a sharp breath, his fingers squeezing my hand when my lips make contact.

“You are worth so much, Anatole. All of you,” I whisper, treating myself to a deep inhale of his addictive scent before pulling away. “Enjoy your morning. See you in a bit?”

“I’ll be here,” he assures me, his hand tightening on mine for a fraction of a second before he releases me.

The trip to the market passes by in a chaotic blur, not only just because of the children all laughing and talking, but the memory of Anatole and the looks of both Steele and Nox has me worked up into knots. It’s the first time I’ve had to deal with this issue before. Of not only being attracted to three different men at the same time, but also with one of them being the older brother of one of my charges, it makes things so much more complicated.

Before I know it, we’re at the market, the kids rushing to get out of the van all at once.

“Hang on!” I yell, and they all stop until I’m out. “Right, Jus, Sally, Noah with Steele. Anna and Mitchel with Nox and Rachel and Peggy with me. Do not lose sight of your adult, okay?”

They all agree, then I look at Nox and Steele. “Is that okay? It makes it a little easier for me if I’m not having to keep track of all of them but if you’d rather⁠—”

“It’s fine, Flower,” Steele assures me, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

“At your command, Princess,” Nox teases, that damn smirk playing around his lips. Of course I blush.

The kids scatter, but not so much that I can’t walk along with Nox and Steele for a little bit. We pass by our favourite produce stalls, and I stop to talk to the owners, introducing the guys and buying up all our favourite treats, as well as fresh fruit and veg. Steele and Nox won’t let me carry a thing, and soon they’re loaded with bags like mules.

“Here, Miss. Blossom,” Rachel says quietly from beside me, and I look to find her with one of the small posies of flowers that I love. She always gets one for me when we come here.

“Oh, Rachel, love. They’re beautiful. Thank you, darling.” I take them from her, pressing a small kiss to her cheek before she goes off with Sally and they look at a candy stall which seems to have attracted all of the children.

Smiling, I spot Steele looking at a mechanics shop that’s just beyond the market. “Do you know how to fix cars, Steele?” I realise that I know nothing about these guys.

“Yeah, I’ve picked up some bits and pieces over the years,” he replies, looking back at me.

“Want me to introduce you to Chuck? He’s the owner and he’s often looking for a hand?” I ask, knowing that he also likes to give guys like Steele a chance, having had one of my older kids, John, do an apprenticeship with him a couple of years back.

“Yeah? That would be great.” He flashes me a smile that melts my insides for a second, and I shake my head trying to remember what it was I was about to do.

“Nox? Could you watch the children while I quickly pop over with Steele, please?”

“Sure, Princess,” he replies, the nickname softer than yesterday and sending goosebumps over my skin.

I take Steele’s huge hand in mine, starting in the direction of the mechanics when I’m pulled up short. Looking back, I find Steele, glancing down at our joined hands. His hand completely engulfs mine, the contrast of his deep mahogany skin against my own pale fingers something I find myself staring at for a moment too long.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t think—” I go to pull my hand from his but he growls softly—which does inappropriate things to me—and tightens his grip.

“I like your hand in mine, Flower,” he states, his dark eyes coming to meet mine. “Let’s go.”

Butterflies swirl in my stomach as he leads me over to Chuck’s shop, the clang of tools on metal and scent of petrol filling the air as we get closer. I spot Chuck straight away, in his stained overalls wiping his grease covered hands on an equally dirty rag.

“Hello, Chuck!” I call, and he looks up at me, his thick moustache twitching into an almost smile.

“Miss. Blossom.” And a head dip is all he gives me, but that’s Chuck for you.

“How’s Rita?” I question, earning a second moustache twitch.

“Always on my ass about something. Got me drinking this decaf shit because apparently normal coffee is bad for me,” he grumbles and I chuckle.

“It comes from a place of love,” I say, and his blue eyes warm, that almost smile appearing again.

“Yeah.” He looks at Steele, who is still holding my hand but glancing around the shop like a kid in a candy store. “You know engines, son?”