Fighting for Keeps (Rocky River Fighters 2)

“Actually, it was Ian’s idea. You shouldn’t look so surprised. He did it to me with Alex, too. But I thought it was a good idea. You were trying to ignore her, and your cat’s claim that she’s your mate. I thought if you spent some time together, you’d bend on that a little. Did you?”

Shaking his head, he grabbed some Tupperware and started scooping gravy into it. “That could have backfired, you know. And I would have been really pissed if she puked in my car.”

“I’d have cleaned it if she had. But could have backfired means it didn’t. It worked, didn’t it?”

“Okay, yes, it worked,” he admitted, exhaling. “I don’t see this working out, though. Did you know she’s a scientist?”

“No, I didn’t know that. What’s it got to do with anything?”

“She’s super smart. I’m not—”

“Don’t put yourself down—”

“I didn’t even graduate high school, Cam. I’m not putting myself down, I’m just stating facts. And I’m not saying I’m dumb, but how much stimulating conversation can I give a woman who works in a lab, matching people with donor organs?”

“Plenty, I’m sure. Besides, I told you our animals pick the best person for us. Your leopard wouldn’t have chosen her if you two weren’t right for each other, and that includes on an intellectual level.”

“Okay, say that’s true. Has it completely slipped your mind that she’s planning on going back to England soon?”

“She’s going to be here for a while. That leaves you plenty of time to make her want to stay. And I know you. You can do it.”

“Let’s hope you’re right,” he said, filling a thermos with coffee. “I’m gonna head over there now, bring her some breakfast.”

“Awww, that’s so sweet. I’ll put the leftovers away for you.”

“Thanks, Cam. I appreciate it. Not just that, but bringing her along last night,” he said, putting his own share of breakfast in some Tupperware and placing it in the fridge.

“Any time, Seth. Now go start wooing your woman!”

Rolling his eyes with a grin, he gave her a wave and grabbed the bowls and coffee, quickly walking to his car. The Anderson ranch was about ten minutes away, and he wanted the food to be hot when he got there. While he drove, he thought about how he was going to approach everything, but he didn’t have any winning ideas. Guess he’d wing it.

Approaching the front door, his boots loud on the porch in the quiet of the morning, he rang the doorbell, hoping he wasn’t waking her. It was half past nine, but the late night, and the alcohol in her system, might mean she slept in.

The door opened, and there she was, looking soft and sleep rumpled in plaid pajama bottoms and a tank top, her hair a tangled mess around her head.

“I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“Seth! No, no, I was awake. Come on in,” she said, standing back and gesturing him inside, her wide eyes dropping to everything he was carrying.

He walked inside and turned to face her, watching as she shut the door behind him. “How are you feeling this morning? Did you take my advice last night? Drink a glass of water and take some aspirin?”

“I did,” she replied with a nod. “I feel okay. I was a little queasy this morning, but it’s passed already. Just have a bit of a headache. Where are my manners? Have a seat.”

“I can’t stay long,” he said, loving the flash of disappointment in her hazel eyes. “I have to get back to Rocky River soon. I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay, and I realized I don’t know your phone number. And I brought you breakfast, in case you didn’t feel well enough to cook this morning.”

“You cook?” she asked in surprise, smiling as she accepted the Tupperware.

“Don’t sound so shocked,” he said with a soft laugh as he set the thermos on the table. “I can cook a few things. And that’s just biscuits and gravy, nothing special or hard to make.”

“Thank you so much,” she replied, hugging the bowls to her stomach. “Are you working on the barn today?”

“The other guys will be here a little later, but I’m going to take the day off and train for the fight tomorrow. Don’t worry, they know what they’re doing. We won’t start on the roof until Monday, and they can easily finish replacing the rotted boards without me there.”

“Oh, right, the fight,” she said, biting her lip and causing him to almost groan out loud as he had a vision of biting that lip himself. “Are you sure you should fight him?”

The desire left him in a heartbeat, and he frowned. “Do you not think I’m good enough to take him on?”

“Oh, no, that’s not what I think at all. Of course you are. I’ve seen you fight before. But no matter how good you are, you could still get hurt, and it would be my fault.”