Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
Serena
West’s house is…well, there aren’t a lot of words to describe his gorgeous, massive house.
It’s not well decorated but the foundation is beautiful.
Warm, faux wood-style flooring that I suspect is some kind of high-end laminate that’s so popular now.
Large, floor-to-ceiling windows in what I’d call the great room.
And a beautiful winding staircase with wrought iron rails that lead up to a second floor.
I follow behind him as he says, “I purposely didn’t let you see the kitchen because then you’d forget all about the shower.”
I laugh. “That’s not possible but I’m sure the kitchen is wonderful.”
As is his bedroom. Not only is it massive, with soft, light carpet, there are more huge windows, a fireplace against one wall, and the biggest bed I’ve ever seen.
“Holy shit,” I breathe. “How did you ever sleep on my little bed?”
“Well, after one night on the couch your bed was perfect.”
Then we step into the bathroom.
Holy crap.
The white marble makes the room look even bigger than it is, with five huge windows set up overlooking a small lake. There’s a tall, almost floor-to-ceiling, window in the center, and then two sets of two other windows on either side that together are as large as the one in the middle.
His shower is breathtaking, with ceramic tile in shades of gray, blue, and green, and three shower heads. Three sides are tile and then the final side that includes the door, is glass. It’s at least six by ten. Maybe more.
Then there’s the bathtub. A huge freestanding modern claw foot tub that’s deeper than anything I’ve ever bathed in. There’s artwork on the walls, a floor stand with plants in one corner, and a long counter that runs the length of one wall. And I don’t even know where the toilet is yet.
“You like?” he asks quietly. His tone tells me he’s not looking for compliments but rather genuinely wants to know what I think.
“It’s stunning,” I say warmly. “Really beautiful. And I can’t decide if I want to take a shower or a bath.”
“Up to you.” His smile is laced with humor. “But go ahead and unpack your toiletries or whatever. Make yourself at home. I’m going to—”
“Wait—you’re not showering with me?” I ask in confusion.
His expression turns dark as he slowly shakes his head. “There’s zero chance I’ll be able to keep my hands off you if we’re both naked, and while I’m not particularly shy, I don’t think we need Lindy and the others listening to you scream my name.”
My mouth falls open, and then I snap it shut.
“Understood. I still may never come out.”
“Take as long as you like. I’m going to throw in a load of my laundry since I’m traveling tomorrow, and then I’m getting online to see if there’s any information about cars that were abandoned on the highway.”
“Oh. Right. Thanks.” I’d almost forgotten.
He walks out, softly closing the door behind him and I look around for a moment.
This is the bathroom of my dreams. Something I was aspiring to when I was acting. I gave up all those dreams once I got pregnant and now it’s a reminder of just how much I gave up. How much Joey’s dad cost me.
Maybe I should have fought him.
Maybe I should have taken him to court anyway.
But I don’t know what I would have done if he’d followed through with his threat to take full custody.
He could prove I didn’t have reliable employment at the time.
He could point out how I didn’t have much of a support system.
He could show the court that he was the better option, despite his schedule as a professional athlete.
He could afford nannies and the best of everything while I was barely scraping by.
His wealth and success intimidated me and now I’m involved with someone similar. Except West is nothing like Tony.
I’d bet my life on that.
And I’m not the scared, desperate woman I was four years ago. I have a good job and have created a stable, loving home for my son. No one can take that from me.
The water is hot and steamy, and though I brought my own shower gel, I use West’s because it smells dreamy.
Like him. I close my eyes as the water sluices over me.
I don’t want to think about anything except how good this feels.
Five minutes of complete bliss before I have to step back into my role as a single mom living paycheck to paycheck whose car may send her spiraling into more debt.
I don’t know how long I stay under the warm spray but I finally rinse the conditioner out of my hair, scrub my face with the special product I use, and then reluctantly turn off the water.
Someone—probably West—has left two soft, fluffy towels on a small table next to the shower and I grab one with a happy sigh.
My post-shower routine varies. Sometimes I take my time to moisturize and go through a skincare routine that used to be mandatory.
Now I can’t always afford the products and some days I just don’t have the time.
Today, I think I do. So, I allow myself the luxury of pampering myself.
Self-care is something I don’t indulge in often.
I can’t, not with Joey demanding my attention, working long hours, and all my other responsibilities.
By the time I make myself feel human again, get dressed, and dry my hair, I realize it’s been an hour. I hurry downstairs to check on Joey and find him in the kitchen with Jayne and Lindy.
“Hey.” Jayne looks up with a smile. “Hope you don’t mind but I gave them a snack. All that running around made him hungry.”
“I don’t mind at all, thank you so much. I didn’t realize how much time had passed. I got a little carried away in that shower… it’s incredible.”
Jayne grins, pushing her glasses up on her nose. “Yeah, the tankless water heater is awesome too—we never, ever run out of hot water, no matter how many showers we take.”
“That sounds like heaven,” I murmur.
“Serena.” West comes in from the garage. “Bodi, Vik, and I are going to go look for your car. There’s no reason for you to go. It’s not like you can help push it or whatever. We’re hoping maybe we can tow it if I can’t get it started.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“Yeah, stay here and relax.”
“Thank you,” I say softly, giving him what I hope is an appreciative smile.
“Did you bring the keys?”
I chuckle. “Yes. I even have them with me because I thought we’d be going to try to find the car after my shower.”
“I’ll keep you posted,” he says, taking the keys from me. Then he winks and heads out.
I turn back to Jayne and find her smirking. I barely know her but there’s no doubt what she’s thinking.
“We’re just friends,” I say quickly.
She throws her head back and laughs. “Okay.”
“What? We literally met on the side of the road when I spun out and couldn’t get my car started. He was a good Samaritan. By the time we got to the daycare center to pick up Joey and then he drove us home, the streets were just too dangerous. So he stayed. We got to know each other.”
“Of course.” She nods solemnly but I see the humor in her eyes.
“I don’t date hockey players,” I say, trying not to laugh at how absurd that sounds.
“Really?” She cocks her head. “How come?”
I glance down at Joey and give a little shake of my head. “Bad experience,” I say.
“Fair enough. But West is…” She pauses thoughtfully.
“Well, all I can say is, West is a very special man. He’s big and burly on the outside, but the inside is…
incredible. Kind, gentle, generous—Bodi and I are living here while we build our new house and then after a series of events, we wound up with custody of my little sister.
West didn’t even hesitate to offer up his den for her as a bedroom. He’s an incredible human being.”
“He’s a good guy,” I agree, “but neither of us are looking for serious, you know?”
“Why not?”
“I have to put my son first,” I say carefully. “He’s already had one father walk away before he was even born. And now he’s getting old enough to get attached. Unless and until I find someone who’s all in, to become his dad, then I can’t risk it.”
“And West isn’t interested?”
“I don’t think so. Not from the conversations we’ve had.”
“That’s sad. Because I think he’ll be a great father.”
“You’re probably right.”
“But in the meantime, you don’t think you two could have fun together?”
“Oh, we could definitely have fun together.” It’s easy to talk to Jayne, and this is girl talk. Besides, I’m not saying anything bad about West. I never would, so there’s no reason not to be forthcoming. “We spent hours talking during the storm. He’s not what I expected.”
“And you think he’s hot, right?” Her eyes glitter with amusement.
A laugh bubbles out of me. “Uh, yeah. I’d have to be dead not to find West McGregor hot.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I’m not sure I understand the question.”
“You think he’s hot. You know he’s a good guy. And you just said you found tons of stuff to talk about. What more do you need?”
Why does it sound so simple when she says it like that?
“Like I said, I have to be careful because of Joey. And he’s already been burned by a single mom so he’s wary too.”
“Then why can’t you be friends? With benefits? And I’m not just talking about sex. Companionship. Friendship. Someone to hang out with.”
“I’m being cautious. Besides, I think you’re just excited to have another woman in the house,” I tease, trying to deflect because I’m not sure what else to say.
“I am,” she replies, “but that doesn’t negate what I see.”
“I think the jury’s still out on whether or not we can be more than friends.”
“I don’t care what you say or how you frame it, you guys are definitely more than friends,” Jayne says with an impish smile.
Are we?
I’m not sure.
But I intend to find out.