Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Kinsley
Shep's house was gorgeous. I couldn't believe I was calling it my home for the foreseeable future. There were ornate vases perched on decades-old furniture, and I was more than a little scared that Maya would knock something over, breaking a valuable heirloom.
I'd need to find a new place to rent as soon as possible. I didn't want to be a burden to Shep. He had a whole social life which would be derailed by the presence of a five-year-old and her mother.
But I was dependent on my landlord doing his job, and he didn't have a good track record. I felt stuck and upset that I'd chosen a place to live where the landlord hadn't taken care of the repairs.
It was hard being a single mother. There weren't many places to rent in my budget, so I'd settled for a cheaper option that came with a lazy landlord. Not that I knew that going in, but I still blamed myself for the predicament we found ourselves in.
Maya was happily swimming in the pool with a waterfall which provided lovely background noise and soothed some of my worries.
"Get in," Maya demanded.
I let my feet dangle in the water, fairly sure this pool was heated, because of course it was.
This house could only be described as a mansion, one that the Kingston family had lived in for generations.
Captiva was full of houses like this and families with old money.
I hadn't spent much time here because I didn't have a reason to.
Luckily, Shep had grabbed both of our swimsuits that we'd changed into at Maya's insistence soon after he left. I felt guilty that he was the one handling the situation at my house, but it was nice to have help for once.
I couldn't remember the last time I had someone to fix a toilet or carry a heavy piece of furniture. It was satisfying to provide for yourself, but when it all came crashing down, you questioned your ability to handle anything.
I slipped into the pool as Maya swam toward me. She was excited and happy to be here, because she didn't understand that most of our things were damaged beyond repair. She probably thought her books and stuffed animals would dry out and be good to go. But I knew better.
Everything I'd provided for her and built for our life together was ruined. The most we could salvage was the clothes and the photo album I'd thought to grab when we'd returned to find the flooding.
Reality hadn't set in for Maya. I was the adult in this situation, and it was all too clear that I'd failed as a mother. I couldn't even provide her with a safe home.
My ex, Derek, saw Maya every other weekend, but he wasn't involved in our day-to-day. I made the decisions regarding Maya's education and her medical care. Anything she needed, I provided.
He wasn't someone I could go to and ask for help. I enjoyed being independent, but times like this, I wished I had a safety net. Someone to ask for help.
When I arrived home to find the house flooded, Shep was the first person who came to mind. At first, I was thinking he could fix it since he was a contractor. His other brothers all had significant others, so he was the only one who'd be free.
As much as he annoyed me, I sensed that he was a good guy. Someone I could rely on if something went bad.
Over the years, he spent a lot of time at my desk, talking to me. At first, I thought it was to flirt like he did with everyone, but lately, our conversations had been more about his family and work.
I didn't think of him as a friend. But I knew he'd come when I called. I didn't want to think too closely about what that meant.
We swam until our skin was wrinkled. Then I insisted Maya get out. We were just drying off when Shep opened the door to the patio.
I wrapped the towel around me. "I hope it's okay that we took a dip in your pool."
His brow furrowed. "My house is yours. You're free to use anything you want."
"Your pool is so fun," Maya's voice shook as she sat on a deck chair, wrapped in a towel, shivering.
Shep turned on the heater closest to Maya. "This will help you warm up."
It never failed to make my heart squeeze when he did something like that for my daughter. I had been dating Derek when I got pregnant unexpectantly, but it was clear when I brought Maya home from the hospital that he was uncomfortable around her
He spent more time at work, never volunteering to help me with Maya. I didn't stick around to see if he'd be more comfortable with a toddler or a school-aged child. It was easier for me to go out on my own, rather than hope that Derek would ever change.
Shep squatted down to Maya's level. "I'm going to get started on those drumsticks."
"You got drummies?" Maya asked, her eyes wide as if she couldn't believe he'd listened to her.
He raised a brow. "You asked for them, didn't you?"
Maya flopped back on the chair and stretched her legs out. "Yes, and I'm starving."
Shep chuckled as he stood. "I'd better get started on dinner then. Why don't you jump in the shower?"
"You don't have to cook for us."
Shep shook his head. "It's no fun cooking for one, and I've been dying for drummies ever since Maya mentioned them."
Maya grinned at him, and I wondered what it would be like if her father was like this, eager to please her. Derek saw her during his visitation weekends, but it always felt like it was more of an obligation.
I don't think he knew her favorite foods or her quirks. Those were all for me. But sometimes, I wondered what it would be like to share her with someone else who loved her as much as I did. Shep wasn't the guy for that position.
He was known for flirting with the women on the island, locals and tourists alike. He was the last of the Kingston brothers to be single. The lone, hottest bachelor on the island, and I was living with him.
I'd have to talk to him about bringing women home. As much as I appreciated him taking us in, I didn't want Maya to see that. If I was being honest with myself, I was the one who didn't want to see Shep with another woman.
I'd harbored a silly crush on him since the first time he met Maya in the office and talked to her about her coloring book.
Then there was the time we came here to tour his house.
He'd bought coloring books and placed them in a kitchen drawer.
He claimed they were his, but I had a feeling he brought them for Maya.
He was good with her. But that didn't mean he was the man for me. He liked kids. I had to remember that.
We gathered our things and walked into the house to go upstairs when Shep said, "You can use my bathroom for now. I turned the water off in yours." Before I could formulate a response to that, he said to Maya, "And if you want a big tub, go ahead and use my soaker. It's amazing."
"Have you used the tub before?" I asked him.
Shep grinned and winked at me. "I love baths."
That was interesting. I turned away before that wink could have an effect on my nervous system, but I thought I was too late. Everything he did, whether it was take care of us or smile and wink, sent a zing of awareness through me.
I hadn't dated in a long time, but he made me remember that I was a woman who had needs.
When I first met him, I steered clear because of his reputation. But the more time he spent at my desk, the better I got to know him. I suspected there was more depth to him than the island flirt.
Upstairs, we went into Shep's cavernous bathroom where there was a huge soaking tub. I tried not to pay attention to the heavy bedroom furniture that screamed a man lived here. Over the tub, there was a large window that showcased the ocean framed by palm trees.
The bathroom itself was outdated, but Maya was dancing around, anxious to get in the tub. I ran the water until it was warm, throwing in the lavender bubbles I found on the ledge.
Shep must not have been lying when he said he used the tub, unless he meant with other women. That made me pause, but I shook my head to clear it. I would not think about Shep being with another woman.
I grabbed my things from my room and changed quickly, returning when the water was just starting to reach Maya's stomach. I sat on a white quilted ottoman that was meant for the makeup counter so I could watch her.
When the smell of dinner drifted up the stairs and into the bathroom, Maya asked to get out. I helped her dry off and brush her hair. Then she ran into her room to get dressed. I'd have to talk to her about running around naked in someone else's house. But I didn't have the energy for that tonight.
When I closed her door, Shep stood at the top of the stairs with a dazed expression on his face.
"Was that a streak of—" Shep broke off.
I held up my hands. "It was exactly what you thought it was. Don't worry. I'll talk to her."
He shrugged. "It's fine. I'll just stay downstairs during bath time. Did you want me to watch her while you jump in the shower?"
I was about to say no when his gaze lingered over my still-damp hair. "That would actually be nice."
I never had someone around to lend a hand at my place. I could easily get used to Shep stepping in.
The door opened, and Maya asked, "Is dinner ready?"
"Almost. But I need a taste tester. Do you know anyone who could be that for me?"
"I can be your taste tester," Maya said eagerly.
Shep winked at me over her head and ushered her down the stairs. For the first time since I came home and discovered the house flooded, I took a deep breath. I'd done everything I could do for the moment. It was okay to relax.
I grabbed my things and turned on the water in the shower. There were several shower heads. It was the perfect shower for a couple. I quickly soaped up using his sandalwood-scented shower gel, not wanting to think too closely about that scenario.
I'd need to go to the store tomorrow and buy toiletries. But for now, it wasn't a hardship to smell like him.
I quickly washed my hair with Shep’s shampoo, not wanting to leave Maya with him for too long. If you weren't used to kids, they could use a lot of energy. I was used to it now, but Shep probably wasn't.
I brushed my hair, lamenting the loss of my hair dryer, and went downstairs in a T-shirt and shorts. In the kitchen, Shep was sitting at the counter with Maya, both of them holding a large drumstick in their hands.
I couldn't help but laugh at how comical they looked. "You didn't have to buy the big ones."
Shep raised a brow. "If we're going to eat drummies, we're going to do it right. Isn't that right, Maya?"
She nodded seriously. "Yep."
I had my doubts that Maya would be able to eat a full one, but it made for a nice picture. I took a photo of the two of them. In the picture, Shep was taking a huge bite of the chicken, and Maya's face was blocked by the drumstick.
Shep inclined his head toward my phone. "Who are you sending that too?"
I shrugged. "It's just for me."
"You should print that, and we can put it on the fridge."
His fridge was devoid of any magnets or announcements, but there was one coloring sheet. I moved closer to inspect it. "Is this Maya's?"
He nodded. "She colored that when she was here."
"That's nice." I wasn't sure if Derek kept any of the pictures that Maya drew for him when she was with me. But I hoped he did. There was something about this man creating space for Maya in his life that was making my blood simmer.
Shep nudged Maya. "You know I need a new picture for my fridge. It's been a while since you've been over."
I filled a glass with water, then sat at the counter in front of my plate that held a drumstick, mashed potatoes, and even green beans.
"I can draw a picture after dinner."
Shep covered his chest with a hand, smearing barbeque sauce on his shirt. "That would be amazing. Thank you."
Maya pointed at the stain. "You got sauce on your shirt."
Shep looked down sheepishly. "I'm so messy."
"I'm messy too."
"All the good things in life are messy," Shep said.
It was a serious thing to say from someone I'd always pegged as being easygoing. Weren't his brothers always complaining that he didn't take the business seriously enough? He only cared about having a good time outside of work?
How much of that was even true? He lived here in his grandmother's house, wanting to renovate it in his spare time. And he took a single mother and her daughter in when they were desperate for a place to live. How bad could he be?
The voice in the back of my head reminded me that his family couldn't be all wrong. They knew him better than I did. I was a few years younger than Shep in school, so I didn't know much about him other than the girls crushed on him, and he never dated anyone long-term.
He seemed to prefer to flit from one person to another. I shouldn't even be thinking about him or his reputation with women. I was here for a place to live, not to hook up with him.
By the time Maya was done eating, she had sauce all over her face and hands, but she was happy.
I assumed we'd be staying in a cheap hotel, wondering how we'd get the money for a security deposit on a new place. Instead, we were living in Shep's house. It was surreal.
Shep didn't seem put out by our presence. If anything, he seemed happy.
Shep plucked Maya from her stool and placed her on the floor by the sink. He grabbed a washcloth, running water over it before ringing it out and washing her face. Then he lifted her so she could wash her hands.
He set her down and looked at his transparent white shirt. "Now I'm all wet."
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.