Page 8 of Summer Heat
Maya giggled, and my face heated as he lifted the shirt over his head. "I guess I'll have to go without a shirt."
I was distracted by the site of his hard chest, ridged abs, and tapered waist. There was a smattering of hair between his pecs that drifted lower, teasing at what was beneath his basketball shorts. It would be so easy to tug them down.
My throat was suddenly dry, so I grabbed my glass of water, chugging it down until I choked. I coughed, my face heating.
Shep raised a brow. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, swallowing. "I will be."
Maya looked up at him. "Can we play a game?"
He grinned at her. "I'd love to play a game." He took her hand and led her into the family room. "My grandmother loved playing games with us. What's your favorite?"
There was no way I was going to survive this living arrangement.
Chapter Three
Shep
I went for a run in the morning, amped up about everything that had happened the day before. I'd been attracted to Kinsley as soon as I met her. The fact that she didn't like me didn't deter me in the slightest. When I discovered she had a daughter, I realized that nothing could ever come of it.
I knew enough not to mess with a single mom. I was known as the guy you went out with to have a good time. I wasn't reliable. My family had made enough comments over the years for me to hold that as a core belief.
By inviting her to live with me, I'd done exactly what my family expected of me. It was impulsive, irrational, and a little crazy. But I wanted to take care of Kinsley and Maya. Where else would they have gone?
The hotels were designed for tourists, not locals whose houses were flooded. It would have been expensive and difficult to find anything suitable for her and Maya when I had a perfectly good house with empty bedrooms.
When I returned, I found Maya curled up on the couch in a blanket, her hair mussed and her cheeks red from sleep.
"Can I have pancakes?"
She had no idea that she could literally ask me for anything and I'd give it to her. Pancakes were quick and easy, and I was hungry. The best part was that Maya loved them as long as I added tons of chocolate chips and whipped cream.
By the time she was done eating, she had chocolate smeared across her cheeks and a dollop of whipped cream on the tip of her nose.
Kinsley appeared in the doorway, looking a little bewildered. "You weren't in your room."
"I was eating pancakes," Maya said with an eye roll as if it should have been obvious.
"I can see that." Kinsley's gaze shifted from Maya to me.
I shrugged. "She asked for pancakes, and I was hungry."
"I'm sorry that I wasn't down here to take care of her."
I tipped my head slightly. "I get up early to go for a run anyway."
"You were up early too," Kinsley said to Maya.
Maya shrugged. "I wanted to see Mr. Shep."
I leaned toward Maya. "There's no mister anywhere in my name."
Maya giggled, and I wished I could always hear that sound in my kitchen. Normally, I went for a run by myself and returned to an empty house where I made a breakfast for one. This was much more enjoyable.
"We should probably take a look at some apartments today. I'll call Ivy after breakfast."
I waved a hand. "First, you need clothes and toiletries. I'll take you shopping."
