Shelter (Heroes of Big Sky 2)

So, I stand and let the hot water just pour over me. I wash my hair three times, and then while the conditioner sits, I shave my legs and wash my face and then stand under the hot spray some more.

This is just Heaven.

I briefly wonder if Seth would think I’m weird if I take another shower before leaving for the night, then shake my head at my ridiculousness.

When I finally emerge from the steamy bathroom, I’m wearing leggings and a T-shirt, my wet hair pulled back in a ponytail.

“If you’ll show me where the laundry is, I’ll put this towel in—”

I stop short at the scene before me in the kitchen.

A short, dark-haired woman has her arms wrapped around Seth’s middle, and he’s hugging her tightly.

“Uh, sorry.”

The woman pulls back and smiles over at me.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt anything. Obviously, you’re busy. I’ll just grab my stuff and go.”

“Whoa,” the woman says with a laugh. “I’m Seth’s mama. I came over because he asked me to grab some garlic bread when I went to the store, and I forgot to drop it by earlier.”

Embarrassment quickly replaces the anger and indignation, and I feel my cheeks flush when Seth laughs out loud.

But he quickly hurries over to me and kisses my cheek.

“Remi, I’d like you to meet my mom, Jillian King. She likely forgot to drop by earlier on purpose.”

“Is it a crime to want to see the woman my son was trapped with last night?” she demands and crosses to me to shake my hand. Upon closer inspection, I see that she has a little gray threaded through her dark hair and a couple of lines around her eyes, but she does not look old enough to have a son Seth’s age. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad that you are safe and sound. Now, I’ll see myself out.”

“Uh, it’s nice to meet you, too.”

“Go report back to Dad,” Seth says as his mom walks to the door. “And thanks for keeping Cap.”

“Anytime. See you later.” Jillian waves, and then the door is closed, and Seth turns to me.

“Did you really think that I’d be a big enough jerk to have another woman show up here while you’re using my shower?”

“I mean, maybe she showed up unannounced. How was I supposed to know?”

“Mom’s nosy. But, she brought the bread, and that’s all that matters.”

“Do I smell lasagna?”

“You do.” He closes in on me and leans in to smell me. “Your shampoo smells damn good.”

“Thanks.”

“Before we eat, let’s get something out of the way, okay?”

“Sure.” I pucker up, but rather than kiss me, he keeps talking.

“I’m telling you, here and now, that I’m not seeing anyone else, Remi. I don’t have any ties to anyone. And as long as we’re seeing each other, that’ll be the case. I’m not one to sleep around, and I’m way too busy to try to juggle women. Besides, only assholes do that crap.”

“Agreed, on all counts.”

He nods once and then leans in to press his lips to mine in a sweet kiss that’s way too short for my liking.

The man can kiss. It’s as if someone pulled him aside in high school and gave him an in-depth tutorial or something.

But then he pulls away and marches into the kitchen, where he uncovers a glass dish on the stove and pulls some bread out of the oven.

“I hope you’re hungry.”

“I am. Also, we have lemon meringue pie for dessert.”

“I saw that. Little Deli is one of my favorites.”

“Me, too. And I know I’m new to town, but I love it. Speaking of Little Deli, I’m working there now. I start next week.”

His head whips up, and he stares at me in surprise. “You got a job?”

“Yeah.” I tell him how it happened and then shrug. “I really like it there. And I like Annie, so I thought…what the hell?”

“Annie’s great,” Seth agrees. “Her mom started the deli about forty years ago. When Mrs. Blakely decided to retire, Annie took over.”

“It’s not a ton of hours, so I’ll still have plenty of time for exploring. I don’t know, I hadn’t really thought about staying long term, but I like the idea of winter in Montana.”

“I like the idea of you being here in the winter,” Seth agrees with a grin.

“Yeah?”

“Oh, yeah. But what about the holidays? Will you go spend those with your family?”

“No.” I take the offered plate, and we walk to the small kitchen table. Cap sits nearby, watching us closely in case we drop a morsel of food. “No, I don’t go see anyone for the holidays.”

“And you probably don’t want to talk about it.”

I grin and take a bite of garlic bread. “I’d rather not.”

Chapter 5

~Seth~

She looks so sweet sitting all curled up at the end of my couch, satisfied after her shower and devouring two helpings of lasagna, half a loaf of bread, and a piece of pie.