Page 16 of Baby and the Beast

Seth met Jesse’s eyes. “That’s my line,” he whispered. “Where’s Maddox?”

Jesse closed his eyes for a second. “Safe.”

Seth blew out a long, thankful breath. “I thought you only needed to shift to heal?” Jesse nodded.

“But sometimes I need to do it twice.”

Seth winced, knowing how bad the injury must have been originally if that was the case. He stepped back. “I’m going to make some food. You do what you have to do.”Then we’ll talk.It wasn’t spoken but the words seemed very loud. He got up and went to the old kitchen. The oven was working even if it was ancient so Seth put in the lasagna he’d bought. After a moment he put in four rolls to warm as well. He heard movement behind him and turned. Jesse stood with the sheet wrapped around him and Seth stared unashamedly. He’d put on weight. Still lean, still muscled. Still so goddam beautiful it made his heart hurt. “I’m assuming you’re as shocked as I am?”

Jesse paused and in that fraction of a second Seth knew he clearly wasn’t. “I didn’t know you were coming here if that’s what you meant.” He licked his lips and Seth’s body reacted immediately. The slow, sensuous way he touched them was in exactly the manner Seth had dreamed about. Anger made him turn back to the oven until he felt a hand on his shoulder, hesitant, like Jesse wasn’t sure of his welcome. Seth blinked deliberately before he turned around. “I thought I was imagining things. I was out hunting, and I smelled you.”

Seth raised an eyebrow but Jesse stepped close. Too close, but Seth was trapped between Jesse and the oven. “I thought my imagination had conjured you up, but I had to make sure. Then I heard the bear and ran.”

He glanced down at where Leia was snoring peacefully. “You have a puppy?”

“You saved my life,” Seth blurted out and Jesse shook his head.

“And you were more intent on protecting her than yourself.”

“She’s all I have.” But Seth could have bitten the words back the second he saw the flash of hurt in Jesse’s eyes. He hadn’t meant to make it any harder than it was. “Some coincidence, huh? I’m guessing this was where you relocated. Is it far?”

Jesse smiled. “It’s not far.” He glanced around at the less than modern cabin, taking in the boxes and the blow-up mattress.

“I bought the place.”

Jesse nodded. “I guessed.”

Seth bit his lip. “There’s six in various stages of neglect. This is the only livable one. But I own from the tree line to the creek at the bottom, and to the road on the far side.” Jesse leant against the counter.

“I’m surprised you didn’t buy the other place.”

“Too late. I tried but it had gone. This was more expensive, so I have to live here and hire contractors. I’ve got some online work and I rented out the house.” He was babbling and pressed his lips together. Jesse probably wasn’t interested. “How’s Maddox?”

Jesse smiled. It eased Seth, seeing the love Jesse had for his son. Made everything worth it. “He’s great. Where I live they have a nursery, so I can work.”

“Good,” Seth responded and glanced at the oven, wishing it was a microwave. “It won’t be long.”

Jesse looked startled but then he smiled again, softer this time. “Still looking after me?”

Seth dropped his gaze, eyes stinging. He was almost giddy at seeing Jesse but knew when he left this time it would be a million times worse. Jesse stepped close and gently put a finger under Seth’s chin. Seth lifted his head to gaze to Jesse’s brown eyes, and Jesse made some sort of hurt noise in the back of his throat,and then they were kissing. Or Jesse was kissing. Seth was too stunned to move for a moment that seemed to last forever.

And then he was kissing him back.

Baby and the Bear

Chapter Eight

Seth had dreamed of having Jesse’s arms around him. Holding him close. Having the gentle man kiss him and touch him in all the places on Seth’s body he had touched him before. He was so hard, so aching, and he moaned into Jesse’s mouth, pleading without words for Jesse to rub up against him. Jesse pressed against Seth’s body and Seth could feel how hard, how turned on he was, and for a moment marveled that he had that effect on anyone. If Jesse lived with shifters there must be so many other beautiful men. And that thought was like cold water.

“What’s the matter?” Jesse would have felt Seth withdraw, then Seth took a step back.

Seth closed his eyes. “I can’t do this,” Seth admitted in a low tone. “Not if nothing’s changed. I had to say goodbye to you both once. I can’t do that again.”

The silence went on so long that Seth had to look so he opened his eyes. Jesse was staring at him, but as he watched the emotions flicker over his face, the main one he saw was regret.Seth nodded to himself as if Jesse had spoken out loud. “I can lend you some clothes.” He took a step back but Jesse stopped him.

“What if I said I don’t want to let you go either?”

Seth just stared at him.

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