Chapter 51

Shirley

I’ve spent the last few hours locked up in my room, working away on the rest of the day’s tasks. I’d like to say I’ve only cooped myself up in here so I can focus, but I know that another part of the reason is because I’m avoiding Keith.

It’s silly - I know. But I figured it was a better alternative than returning to the kitchen table, unable to type any coherent words as I listened to his shower running in the background. I wanted to get something done after my elongated break and I know this is the only way to accomplish that.

And it worked. I was able to finish all of my work today and even clear my head a little. Maybe that can also be blamed on the house being fairly quiet, but either way I’m thankful.

Rewarding myself, I decide to change into my nightgown and grab my book again, soon wiggling onto the bed. I pick up where I left off in the story, smiling to myself as the two main characters share some steamy banter back and forth that has me curling my toes. In fact, it probably would make me sweat a little if it wasn’t so damn cold in the room.

Apparently the sunshine disappeared long ago because the temperature in the house has dropped immensely. Even when I slide under the covers, I find that it’s not enough, causing me to shift in discomfort. What I could really use is a nice fire.

With my interest piqued at the idea, I soon remember the large fireplace sitting in Keith’s living room, which already pulls me out of bed. With my book in tow, I leave my bedroom, eager to go into the next room and light the flames as soon as possible.

However, as I walk through the hall, I can already hear crackling, and the gentle smell of smoke fills my nose. For a moment, the realization causes my stomach to tense as I think back to the massive fire I’d seen nights ago, but the reaction soon leaves me as I walk into the room.

I come to a complete stop as I see him. Keith is lounging across one of the sofas in the exact state I’d sworn I’d needed to avoid - shirtless. The sight of him makes my brain short circuit. However, when my brain does begin to work again, I tell myself to silently retreat, but soon discover I’m too late.

As if sensing me, Keith’s eyes slide away from the fire and land right on my own. I nearly catch my breath at how beautiful he looks - basically resembling a Greek God as he casually lays back. Only, I try to keep myself collected as I begin to speak.

“Oh, sorry,” I say. “I didn’t think anyone was in here.”

“No worries,” he says, pulling himself up until he’s seated. “Did you need something?”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I was…I was cold in my room and wanted to come read by the fire.”

Together, we both glance toward the flames before our eyes return to each other.

He nods. “Stay. I don’t mind.”

As his words hit me, a small part of me thinks to decline. I don’t want to intrude on him when he is clearly relaxing. But then again…he said he didn’t mind and the warmth of the fire is already drawing me in.

“Thank you,” I say eventually, and then I walk further into the room. I purposely stay clear of him and take a seat in an armchair that’s on the opposite side of the room, but thankfully close to the fire.

Sighing, I settle into my chair, enjoying the way the heat feels against my chilled skin. However, after a few moments, I acknowledge the weight of the book in my lap and remember the reason I’m here. It causes me to pick up the novel, opening it back up so I can return to my page.

Only, it’s not as easy to get lost in the story. At first, I’m able to keep my eyes down, rereading the same paragraph over and over as I’m aware of the man opposite me. Only, my eyes soon betray me and I sneak a glance up.

Keith isn’t looking at me, though. He’s laying back again, his eyes closed as he softly breathes. My gaze wanders over his perfect face before flicking toward his abs, the sight of them making my legs press together. I have to fight the reaction by pulling the end of my nightgown down, trying to cover more area over my thighs.

This would probably be an odd scene to walk into - if anyone happened to come in. Between Keith being shirtless and my ridiculously short nightgown, they’d likely get the wrong idea…especially if they saw the way I kept looking at him.

Scolding myself, I force my eyes back down to my book, willing myself to read beyond the paragraph as I try to focus on the banter again. Only, I soon realize it’s no use and end up closing the book, sighing to myself as I look toward the fire - purposely avoiding Keith.

“Everything okay?” he asks then.

And immediately I’m abandoning my efforts, my stare sliding over to find his eyes open and head turned toward me.

“Yes,” I tell him. “I guess I’m just not up for reading anymore.”

He nods, but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he shifts a little, his gaze dropping slightly down. I nearly straighten as I notice his eyes directed toward my legs, but I have little time to recover before he’s tearing his stare away and he begins to speak.

“I’m sorry about the cold,” he says. “I would have started the heat sooner if I knew the temperature was going to drop.”

“That’s okay,” I say. “I probably should have just bought warmer pajamas.”

And there I am referencing my short nightgown for both of us. However, Keith is already wearing a small smile, glancing toward me again.

“I could buy you some,” he states, and I can hear the teasing in his tone. Immediately, my eyes narrow at the idea of him buying me anything else.

“Don’t you dare,” I draw out, and my reaction has Keith releasing a breathy laugh. The sound is so lovely that I nearly hum back. But instead, I swallow the reaction as I nod to the room.

“You have quite the beautiful home,” I comment, realizing I should have said it sooner. The fine furnishings in the room only made me think of it now.

“My mother has great taste,” he replies, studying the same decorations I am.

“Your mother did all this?” I ask, my eyes growing wide.

“She did,” he confirms. “They live here too - when they’re not traveling.”

“Is that where they are now?” I ask, knowing that I hadn’t seen either of the wolves roaming around. Unless, I was just dense and hadn’t noticed. But Keith puts my worries to bed when he nods.

“Yes. They’re overseas and plan to be there until after the new year,” he tells me.

“Wow,” I reply. No wonder he planned to spend Thanksgiving alone. “That must be some trip.”

He shrugs. “My mother has been begging my father to take her to England for years. He finally caved.”

As Keith talks about his parents, I can’t help but notice the smile he wears, the fondness in his voice. It causes my fingers to pick at the cover of my book.

“Are you close with them?” I find myself asking.

“Very,” he replies.

That must be nice…I’ve never been close with my parents. In fact, I think they resented me from the day I was born, and the feeling became mutual over the years. But I would never tell that to Keith…only Jean really knows the truth. However, Keith also doesn’t ask about my parents in return - perhaps out of respect.

“Do you have any siblings?” I eventually ask, pulling myself out of my thoughts.

Now Keith shakes his head. “I don’t,” he says. “But I always had a few close friends - I considered them to be my brothers.”

My skin prickles with understanding. “I get that. I have a best friend who’s always been like a sister to me,” I say, thinking of Jean. Only, I soon realize my mistake as Keith believes I have a sister. “I mean, Anya is my real sister, of course,” I begin again. “But we haven’t always been very close. I feel detached from her sometimes.”

With that, Keith stares at me for a moment, making my heart stagger. But soon, he nods as if he understands too. He doesn’t say anything more on the matter, though - maybe because he figures we could both use a change of subject. That leads him to nod toward the book in my lap.

“Have you been enjoying the books?” he asks.

“Yes,” I reply, giving the cover a quick tap. “Very much.”

“Mind if I see it?” he then asks, sitting up again as he begins to reach a hand out. And soon my mind whirls as I think about him opening up the novel, discovering the story inside. The very thought almost brings a devilish smile to my lips, but I keep it subtle as I hand it over.

Once it’s in his hands, Keith opens it up as he relaxes again. All I can do is watch him flip through, his gaze scanning random passages as I try not to wiggle in my wickedness. Especially as I see his eyes eventually widen and then he begins to turn the pages faster.

Finally, he looks up at me.

“This book is absolutely filthy,” he comments, raising a brow.

And now I can’t contain my grin any longer, I put it on full display.

“It’s pure smut,” he begins again, almost giving a laugh.

I shrug in reply as I hum, my eyes pointed downward as I shift in my chair. “What can I say? I’m a she-wolf who likes a little adventure.”

My words carry a sultry tone as they leave my mouth, making my chest rise and fall. However, when I hear Keith’s response…they way his voice seems coated and thick as he speaks, my chest almost collapses altogether.

“What kind of adventure?” he rolls out, and the question has my eyes slowly lifting, sweeping over his entire naked chest before I can make it to his stare. And when our eyes finally meet, I find his are firm, determined, and heated.

Keith is looking at me as if likes a little adventure too. No, as if he wants some adventure.

And he might want me to give it to him.