Fighting for Keeps (Rocky River Fighters 2)

Seth was carrying an armload of lumber when he suddenly felt his leopard perk up. Looking around for the cause of his cat’s interest, he stumbled to a halt as he took in the vision coming toward him, hips swaying gently as she carried a plate. Something about her seemed familiar, and he squinted as he tried to figure out what it was.

He dropped the stack of two-by-fours when he realized it was the woman from the fight, cursing as one of the boards struck his toe. Pain shot through his foot, but he couldn’t bring himself to care as he watched her. She looked completely different than she had the other night. The biggest change was the lack of glasses, and he felt disappointment flow through him at their absence. She was beautiful either way, but the black square frames were sexy on her.

She was also wearing snug jeans and a t-shirt that hugged her curves just right. Maybe the other night had been a special occasion, or she’d gone straight to the fights from work or something. It really changed nothing, though. She was still too good for him. Anyone with eyes could see that.

Dropping his gaze for a moment to run them up and down her tall frame again, he realized she was holding a plate of cookies. He frowned, wondering for the first time what she was doing out here on Anderson property, with a plate of cookies, of all things. Glancing at her face as she came closer, he froze, cocking his head. Her eyeshadow was bright pink, done with a heavy hand, and her lashes were clumped together with too much mascara. He realized then she hadn’t been wearing makeup Saturday night, and he found himself wishing she wasn’t now either. And not because it was done poorly. While it was, he would have felt the same even if it were done with an expert hand. He much preferred her natural.

“Hi. I brought you lads some cookies. I thought you might be hungry, working so hard out here,” she said with a soft, musical accent.

Fuuuuuuuck, that English accent was sexy as hell, and he swore he felt the sound like a touch to his skin, sliding down his body and raising hairs in its wake. Repressing a full body shudder at the sensation, he cleared his throat while he scrambled to find his wits.

“You probably shouldn’t be out here in a construction zone. Besides, I’m not sure the Anderson’s would take kindly to you showing up unexpectedly on their property.”

She froze for a moment, blinking her hazel eyes wildly at him. “You must not know who I am. I’m Amelia Anderson. I own this property now.”

Well, shit. Even when he wasn’t trying to be an idiot, he still managed to stick his foot in his mouth like one. “Sorry, I didn’t know. I’m Seth Birmingham,” he said, offering his hand.

Still blinking, she handed him the plate instead of shaking his hand. He glanced down in surprise, mouth instantly watering when he saw they were chocolate chip, his favorite.

“I don’t bake, but I picked those up at the bake shop in town this morning,” she said.

He glanced up at her, arching an eyebrow in surprise. Most women in his experience would have pretended they made the cookies themselves, and he found her honesty refreshing. “Thanks. These will go over well with everyone. Did I see you at the fights Saturday? You were dressed differently, and you had glasses on.”

She froze for a moment, blinking owlishly at him. “Oh, yes, I was there. I like to change it up with my clothing every now and then.”

Nodding, his brow furrowed as she continued to blink, her eyes starting to water. “Do you have something in your eye?”

A flush stained her cheeks, and she hastily nodded. “You know, I think I do. I better go see if I can get it out. Enjoy the cookies!”

He watched in bemusement as she threw a hand up in a wave, walking away. That whole conversation had been a little strange. Shrugging, he plucked a cookie from the plate, biting down on it and nearly moaning in bliss. They were from Mansfield’s, he knew right away. Mansfield’s had the best chocolate chip cookies in a hundred miles, hands down.

Starting to turn away as he munched, eyes still lingering on Amelia as she walked away, he nearly choked on his mouthful of cookie as his leopard spoke up inside him.

She’s our mate.

Well, fuck.

“Please, Mom. Please talk to me.”

Seth watched as his mom glanced at him for a split second, her eyes full of anguish before they turned vacant and she looked away. He watched, heart hurting, as she walked in the other direction.

It had been two years since he was shunned, and he knew his family wouldn’t change their minds. But he couldn’t stop himself from trying anyway. Shoulders drooping and stomach cramping with hunger, he walked to his little pallet of old, ragged blankets in the field, watching his filthy feet as he walked.

Maybe Trey would bring him something to eat. His friend had to publicly shun him like the rest of the clan, or he would be in the same position Seth was in. But sometimes, he snuck out and brought Seth food. Otherwise, Seth was going to have to shift and let his leopard hunt. He hated eating like that, but sometimes he had no other choice.

Flopping down on his blankets, recoiling from their stench as he always did whenever he was away from them for long, he stacked his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. If only his shifter gift was turning back time. He’d go back two years and never be in the field where he was kidnapped.

Yep. Time travel would be a handy gift to have right now.

Cursing as the knife he was holding nicked his thumb, Seth took a deep breath and unclenched his hand from aroun

d the blade. Fucking memories, popping out and surprising him. He never thought of that time in his life, but he was doing it a lot lately. Blowing out a breath, he pushed it from his mind and refocused on what he’d been doing when the memory struck.

“Okay, spill.”

Seth glanced up from the dragon he was whittling. “I don’t know what you’re wanting me to spill, Cammie.”

“Bullshit,” she replied, sitting beside him on the porch step. “You’ve been acting weird for months, and even more so since you got back from Anderson’s ranch tonight. Talk.”