Unexpected Bond (Unexpected Arrivals 4)

Prologue

Seth

* * *

Sitting in the grass in the backyard of Ridge and Kendall’s house, I’m watching Knox show me his new ninja skills. This kid, he’s a trip.

“Sef, see?” Knox asks.

“I see. You’re the best ninja ever,” I praise him.

“That’s whats my mom tells me.” He grins and kicks the air again, making me laugh.

“Finley!” I hear a female voice call out.

Looking up, I see a little girl with dark curls racing toward the pond. A woman, I assume is her mother, is chasing after her, but she’s got a pretty good head start. There’s a fence around the pond to help protect the kids, but I still jump to my feet and cut her off at the path. Bending, I lift her into my arms, and big green eyes stare at me. She’s frozen in my arms. “The water is dangerous,” I tell her. She’s not very old. She’s about Everly’s size, so I’m guessing around two.

“Thank you,” the woman says, reaching us. She holds her hands out for the little girl, but she makes no effort to move. Instead, the girl points her finger and touches the scruff on my face, making me laugh. “I’m so sorry. She’s not really been around many men. I’m Mara.” The woman introduces herself. “This is Finley, my daughter.”

“Hi, Finley,” I say, keeping my eyes on the little girl, not wanting to scare her, especially since I’m a stranger who just scooped her into his arms. “My name’s Seth. Can you say Seth?” Green eyes just watch me.

Tearing my eyes away from the little girl, I look toward her mother and my breath knocks out of my chest. From a distance, I could tell she had the same dark curly hair as her daughter. What I wasn’t prepared for were her matching big green eyes. Finley’s are beautiful. Her mother’s… they’re striking. Like a force of lightning straight to my gut. “I—” I clear my throat and try again. “I’m Seth.”

“Thank you for your help.” She gives me a kind smile.

“No worries.” I force myself to look away from her before I reach creeper status. Or worse, her husband comes around the house and beats my ass for the thoughts racing through my mind. Although, Mara said she’s not been around many men. A quick glance at her finger shows no ring. “The water is dangerous, sweetheart,” I say to Finley again.

“You don’t go near the water without Mommy,” Mara adds. “Let’s go grab some juice.” Mara holds her hands out for her daughter, but she doesn’t reach back. Instead, she lays her head on my shoulder. Wide-eyed, Mara’s gaze flicks between her daughter and me. “I-I’ve never seen her like this. Not with a stranger or a man.” She stares at me as if me holding her daughter is a miracle or something. However, the way she bites down on her bottom lip and shifts from foot to foot, tells me she’s nervous.

“You want some juice?” I ask Mara’s daughter. She nods her little head. I look up at Mara. “Let’s go get some juice.” I turn back to Knox. “Knox, buddy. I think the ninja needs some juice. Gotta stay hydrated,” I tell him.

“Yeah, juice,” he agrees, and takes off running for the deck.

“I can take her,” Mara says when I follow him at a much slower pace.

“It’s okay. You’re my new buddy, huh?” I ask Finley. She doesn’t answer. She’s perfectly content to just rest against my shoulder. Leisurely, I take my time heading to the deck.

“Amelia and I went to college together. We were roommates,” Mara offers after a beat of quiet.

“We all grew up together,” I explain.

“Yeah, that’s what she said. She’s trying to get me to move here. That’s actually why I’m here. For a job interview.”

“What field?” I ask.

“Human resources.”

“Lots of drama.” I laugh.

“You could say that. What about you?”

“I work with Ridge, so does Tyler, Mark, and Kent.”

“Beckett Construction?”

“Are you a mind reader?” I ask her playfully.

Reaching out, she points to the logo on my T-shirt. Her eyes rake over my arms in my cut-off sleeves before bouncing back to my face. “The shirt gives it away.” She smiles and her green eyes sparkle.

Once we reach the steps of the deck, Mara says, “Thanks for your help.” This time she doesn’t give Finley a choice. She reaches out and takes her from my arms. I wave at her, and she gives me a smile over her mom’s shoulder.

I stand still, frozen in time as I watch them walk away. I’ve never felt an attraction like this. Not ever. She’s a single mom from what I gather, and I know that’s a big deal. Hell, I like kids, love them actually. My friends are collecting them lately. I’m not sure if I’m ready to plunge into late-night feeds and stepping on LEGOs. No, as much as I’m attracted to her, and her beauty, I have to sit this one out.

Chapter One

Seth 1

* * *

My head is pounding. I know that opening my eyes is just going to make it worse. Not to mention, the room is spinning. Sliding one leg off the bed to stabilize the spin, it doesn’t fall far. And that’s when I remember I’m on an air mattress at Mark’s. Keeping my eyes closed, I run through last night again.

Mara.

I can’t stop thinking about her. I stole her number from Amelia’s phone the same day we met and texted her back in June. I blew it off as asking if she needed help moving. I was really trying to be nice, but at the same time, I

couldn’t stop thinking about her. Lucky for me, or maybe unlucky for me, she had not heard anything from her interview yet, so my offer to help her move was unnecessary. I have to admit I was a little disappointed. Her moving closer would mean getting to see her again. I was using the offer to help her move as an excuse. It was my way of finding out if she was moving here without asking Amelia or the wives. Hell, even asking the guys if they’d heard would open a can of worms I’m not really ready to open. At least I don’t think I am.

Although, I about spilled them all over the floor when I spoke to Mark a couple of months ago about being with a single mom. I wasn’t projecting. Okay, maybe a little, but it’s a big fucking deal. It’s something that has been on my mind since Memorial Day. Since the day I laid eyes on Mara for the first time.

We’ve started this… texting thing that we do. It’s casual conversation, but it’s the most riveting I’ve had with a woman. Ever. For example, I’ll text her song lyrics and she tries to guess which song and the artist. In turn, she sends me quotes from movies, and I have to try and guess the movie. They’re mostly romantic comedies. She’d be kicking my ass if we were keeping score.

I tried to get her to come up this weekend, but she said she and Finley had plans for a girls’ night slumber party. I came close to asking if I could crash, but I stopped myself. That little girl needs stability, and I don’t know if I’m the man to give it to her. Not only that, but no one knows we’ve been talking. At least, not that I’m aware of. Not that we need to tell them. We’re just two people who talk frequently, text even more so. I’m just some random guy who texts her instead of going out and finding a warm body to fill my bed. Funny, since meeting her, just any old warm body doesn’t appeal to me.

“Make it stop,” a female voice whines.

Forcing my eyes open, I slowly turn to see Amelia in bed beside me. She’s lying on her side facing me, looking about how I feel. “We’re too old to drink like that,” I tell her.

“We’re not even thirty,” she says, louder than she intended from the wince that follows.

“It’s been a long damn time since I consumed that much alcohol,” I admit.

“Yeah.”

I know why I was drinking. To forget about Mara and those big green eyes. To forget about that long dark curly hair that I would love nothing more than to have splayed out on my pillow. That’s why I was drinking. Amelia, on the other hand, I’m not so sure.

“You good?” I ask her.

“No,” she says, deadpan, and even though it hurts like hell, I laugh.

“You’re going to be fine.”

“I need to pee.” I watch her as she rolls over and slowly sits up. Her elbows rest on her knees as her hands rub at her eyes. “Ew,” she says, standing and immediately lifting her foot. “What the?” She stares down at the floor.

“What is it?” I ask.

She turns to look at me, her face pale. That’s when I notice she’s wearing my shirt. The same one I had on last night. Why is she wearing my shirt? I think back and nothing comes to me. “What is it?” I ask again.

“Seth…,” she says, shaking her head.

“What?” I sit up and the cover pools around my hips. The cold air hits my dick, and that’s when the pieces start coming together. She’s in my shirt. I’m naked. That could only mean… “Did we?”

She looks down at the floor then back up at me. “Yep. I’m guessing this used condom I just stepped on can confirm that.”

“A—” I start, but she stops me.

“This never happened.” She shivers. “Oh my God, I had sex with a guy I think of as a brother. That’s like incest or something. I think I’m going to be sick.” She rushes from the room.

I flop back on the air mattress and let the truth sink in. I slept with Amelia. One of my best friends growing up. How could I have let that happen?

“Kent’s still sleeping,” she says a few minutes later when she returns, looking just as pale. I watch as she picks up her discarded clothes and tosses me mine. “Close your eyes so I can change.”

“Really? I was just in—” She holds up her hand to stop me.

“Nope. We are not going there. Never talking about this ever. Not. Ever.”

“A, we have t—”

“No.” Her voice is firm. “I’m sorry, but we’re friends. That’s all we’re ever going to be.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah. What did you think I would say?”

“I don’t know. You want to talk and we don’t need to talk. It was a mistake. The alcohol. We just need to pretend it never happened.”

“And if Kent heard us?” I question. Even my foggy brain can work out the fact that it’s a good possibility.

“We swear him to secrecy. Or we can deny it.”

“Right. Deny, deny, deny.”

“Fuck,” she murmurs.

“This never happened. Got it.” I feel the same way, but I thought she’d want to talk about it. That’s what women want to do, right? Talk shit out?

“You’re a great guy, Seth, really. But this—” She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “You’re too much like family. We would never work, and frankly, I’m just not interested.”

“Wow.” I hold my hands up in defense. “Who said I was?”

She points at me. “You were all ‘let’s talk about this,’ so I just assumed.”

“You assumed wrong. It was a mistake.”

“Agreed. Now. I’m going to go change and head upstairs to start breakfast. This never happened.” She gives me a pointed look. I nod and she shuts the door. Not two seconds later, the door opens back up. “You might want to handle that.” She points to the floor and the used condom I assume.

“I’ll handle it,” I tell her. At least we were not too far gone that we thought to use protection. What’s a miracle is I had protection on me in the first place. I haven’t had the need over the last six months. My phone vibrates and I grab it from the floor. Seeing Mara’s name, I unlock the screen..

I feel sick.

I didn’t cheat on her, but I feel as though I did. She’s not mine, no matter how much I wish that were not the case.

* * *

Mara: Happy New Year

* * *

It’s accompanied by a picture. A selfie she must have taken with Finley. Finley is sleeping in her arms, her head resting on her chest while Mara holds up a silly hat with fireworks on it.

* * *

Me: Happy New Year. Looks like you brought it in alone.

* * *

Mara: She was out at eight thirty.

* * *

Me: Crazy party.

* * *

Mara: Us Reyes girls know how to do it. LOL

* * *

Me: LOL

* * *

Mara: Oh, I forgot to ask you. Is that offer to help me move still on the table? I know you offered months ago, but I was hoping you might still be available?

* * *

I stand up and pace the room. I couldn’t give a fuck that I’m buck naked and anyone could walk in on me. I’m nervous. Is she moving here? Further away? Only one way to find out.

* * *

Me: Of course.

* * *

Mara: Thank you. I got the job. Can you believe that? Over six months later and they finally call and offer it.

* * *

I can’t believe it, but I have the sudden urge to call them and thank them. She’s coming here. Moving here… that complicates things. Texting her is one thing. Knowing I can see her anytime I want is an entirely different ball game.

* * *

Me: They finally called? Today?

* * *

Mara: No, they called two days ago. I’ve been trying to get things in order here. I keep forgetting to ask you.

* * *

Me: Tell me when and where and I’m your guy.

* * *

Mara: Thank you, Seth.

* * *

>   Me: Where are you staying?

* * *

Mara: I was lucky to find a cute little house. Just big enough for me and Finley.

* * *

Me: Renting?

* * *

Mara: Yes, for now anyway.

* * *

This is a small town, so chances are I know the owners. I don’t want the two of them staying at some shit hole.

* * *

Me: Do you remember the owner’s name?

* * *

Mara: Yeah. M. Adams. I can’t remember what the M stands for.

* * *

Mark?

* * *

Me: Mark Adams?

* * *

Mara: Yes! Do you know him?

* * *