Page 50 of This Reckless Home

“Yep you are, Princess,” I reply, dipping my head to kiss her quickly on those bruised lips. “Now, normally I’d suggest a bath with some Epsom salts in to help ease the soreness, but it’s late and we both could do with a wash. Shower now, and I’ll run you a bath in the morning if you’re still sore.”

Her lips twitch. “You’re kind of bossy, you know that?”

“Oh, Princess. You’ve no idea how bossy I’m going to be now.”

“UNCONDITIONAL (LIVE AT ST PANCRAS OLD CHURCH)” BY FREYA RIDINGS

BLOSSOM

Sunlight filters into my room, and I blink my eyes open to feel it brushing across my face like a warm caress. Hot skin is under my cheek and I’m encased in strong arms covered in bronze skin and decorated with the most exquisite artwork.

“How's my Princess feeling this morning?” Nox’s delicious rumble flows over me leaving tingles in his wake, the muscles of his arms flexing around me.

I tilt my head upwards, hoping to god I didn’t dribble over the hot man in my sleep, and look up to find Nox’s bright green gaze staring down at me. There’s a softness to his features that wasn’t there when he first arrived, and a glow kindles in my chest at the sight of him so relaxed and unguarded.

My hand reaches out, unable to help myself as I glide it over his curls, which are still so bloody soft. “Will you teach me how you look after and do your hair? So I can help Noah do his? I’ve tried to research but nothing seems to work quite right and I can never get the braids tight enough.” My brows dip. “Although, I suppose it’s more like a mix between yours and Steeles and maybe you look after them differently? Sally’s is more like yours, so many curls it’s like a beautiful cloud.”

I focus back on his face, realising that I’d lost myself in the look and feel of his hair to find him staring at me, an intense look on his face. I freeze, my stomach dropping. “Did I say something wrong? I didn’t mean⁠—”

I don’t get to finish my sentence or even thought process because in the next moment his lips are on mine and he’s kissing me like I am the very air he needs to breathe. I respond in kind, and not just because he’s so dominating that it leaves me with little choice. It’s because it feels like he is my oxygen too, and for years I’d only been getting a small amount only now to finally be flooded with it.

We’re both panting heavily when he pulls back, his green gaze locked on my face.

“Feels good. Having someone actually want to learn it, not just hand it off to someone else to deal with,” he whispers as his hand comes up and cups the side of my cheek.

“I’m not sure what I did just then to earn that kiss,” I tell him quietly, and his lush lips pull up in a small smile that I feel is just for me.

“You asked when no one else has ever given a shit, not for kids like us,” he tells me, his green gaze dulling slightly as if clouds have just passed over them.

“Like us?”

He sighs. “Kids who are black or biracial, Petal. I’m not saying that Ant and Jus had it any easier, but they never had to worry about simple things like the right haircare because the shampoo that was available was made for their hair.” My stomach clenches at his words. I’d never considered that. “And here you are, doing research and asking me for help to make those kids’ lives — which are fucking fantastic by the way — that little bit better.” A flush steals over my cheeks as his compliments make me blush. “And to answer your question, myself, and I’m sure Steele, will be happy to teach and show you and the kids anything they need to know.”

“Thank you, Nox.” I suck my lower lip in, wincing when a flash of pain flows from the bite Nox gave me last night. “You know, I'm really glad you're here.”

Nox glances at me, a smug smile on his face and I roll my eyes. “Yeah?”

“Not just for your huge dick and pretty face,” I sass, and he huffs a laugh. “But seriously, Noah and Mitchel…and Anna…” I pause, choosing my words carefully because this is serious. “They watch you and Steele differently than anyone else who's come through here," I say. "Less guarded. I've noticed it since the first week.”

His jaw works, a flash of the Nox from when he arrived showing in the way his body tenses underneath mine. “And?”

“And I wondered what that's like. Being that, for them.” I hesitate, unsure if I'm overstepping. “Did anyone do that for you? When you were in the system?”

Something flickers across his face, there and gone. “No.” The word comes out flat, worn smooth from however many times he's turned it over alone. “Wanted it so bad I used to make guys up. Whole backstories. Some dude who'd have taught me to drive, taught me to shave, whatever bullshit I thought I was missing.” His throat works. “Didn't clock it as a hole 'til I was older. Just knew something was missing and filled it with somebody who didn't exist.”

I don't say anything. Just let him get there in his own time.

“Never really put it together before,” he says slowly, “that maybe I turned into him. The guy I used to invent.” His lips press thin, something raw moving under the surface. “That's what Noah's doing, isn't it? Watching me the way I used to watch nobody.”

“I can give them safety and love, but I can't give them that. Someone who was actually in the system like them.” I kiss his shoulder gently. “You're important to them, Nox. More than you know.”

He scoffs, but there's something underneath it that doesn't quite land as dismissal.

“You know the numbers?” His voice has gone flat again, worn smooth. “Twenty-five percent of us end up in jail within four years of aging out. Another twenty-five homeless. Half can't find work. Asshole caseworker made sure I knew all that before I ever left the group home. Like a warning.” His jaw tics. “Three percent make it to a degree. I'm not in that.”

“You built a home. You've got income. You never went to jail. You're helping raise the next generation.” I just say what I see, willing him to see it too. “What you’ve done is astounding, Nox.”

His throat bobs, jaw working. “It's fucking bullshit the world is like that. That the system sets us up to fail and then acts surprised when we do.”