Seth's Cravings: An Endless Series: Book 2 (28 page)

Chapter Seventeen

NADIA

     It was seven p.m. Tuesday night. Dinner was over, shower’s
had been taken by both little
and
big girls, and I sat on the couch
dressed for my evening out going over vocabulary words with Issy while Luka
finished his own school work. I was waiting for Seth who I hadn’t seen since
Sunday.

     After Landon and the other guys had returned to the
house…Landon still looking tormented…everyone had packed up to head back to
Charlottesville. Luka, Issy and I had stayed to finish our weekend at the public
beach, and I’d done my best to appear cheerful the rest of the day, but Seth
and even Landon had prayed on my mind.

     The plumbing job for the house had been wrapped up Sunday.
Tom had given me a pass because of Luka’s hospital visit, but the landlord had
opened the house to John and Pete so they could finish it while the guys were gone
for the weekend. I’d heard they’d finished an hour after the guys got back to
the house earlier than expected.   

     So now here I was finding myself truly anxious to see Seth
again. I was also a bit perturbed that I was beset by such restlessness. It
wasn’t going to aid me in my poker game tonight if I couldn’t control my
emotions.

     This was such a bad idea. I don’t think I was ready for
all this…angst in my life. I had enough to deal with, as well as baggage I was
carrying around. The last three days hadn’t helped me deal with what had
transpired between the two of us in that sunroom either. I couldn’t believe.
The man had some kind of supernatural hold over me sending me into a sexual
stupor where nothing else mattered. 

     It was disconcerting.

     Just then there was a knock on the door. I frowned. If
that was Seth he was a tad early for picking me up. I’d told him my game didn’t
start until eight when he’d texted me this afternoon.  

      Luka jumped up from the floor to open the door
revealing that it was indeed Seth. He stood there dressed in brown shorts and a
white t-shirt with some sports logo that stretched tight across his broad
chest. Jittery feelings exploded in my belly at the sight of him and I gave him
a disgruntled look at the superfluous sensations.

     “Hey, Seth.” Luka smiled opening the door wide for him
to enter. He
had
to open it wide because the guy was a tank.

     “Luka.” Seth acknowledged with a nod as he stepped in.
“How’s the shoulder?”

     “It’s getting better, thanks.” Luka closed the door.

     Seth’s gaze connected immediately with mine as he
walked in the room and my internal temperature shot from ninety eight point six
to one hundred and twenty in seconds. “You’re early.” I commented casually
ignoring the discomfort of my body.

     He gave me a brash look. “Yep?” He answered simply. Switching
his gaze to Issy he smiled cheerfully, flashing dimples. “Hi, Issy. You doing
homework?”

     Issy gave Seth an open smile she normally reserved for
Luka and me, again astounding me with how quickly she’d taken to him. “Yes,
Spelling.” She answered with a displeased scowl.

     Seth returned her displeased scowl. “I had to do school
work this afternoon as well.”

     Issy’s eyes widened. “You still go to school?”

     “Yeah, I go to college. I’m not smart like your sister;
I had to keep going to school after high school.”

     I gave Seth an eye roll for that bit of over the top
flattery. He just grinned.

     “Do I have to go to college?” Issy asked looking at me
with a frown.

     “Yes.” I answered unequivocally.

     “But what if I’m smart like you?” She countered causing
Seth to choke back a chuckle.

     I ignored him. “You still have to go.” I stated firmly
giving her a look.

     She slumped back on the couch. “That’s not fair.”

     “Issy, she’s making me go too so don’t feel bad.” Luka
said throwing himself down on the floor again. “And college is supposed to be
more fun than elementary.”

     “Is that true, Seth?” Issy asked.

     Seth gave me a cornered look. I sat back with an
expectant look and waited to hear his reply to that. “Well, I liked elementary,
especially recess.” Issy smiled at that. “But college does have many different
fun things to do. I like it.”

     Issy continued to look displeased, so I ruffled her
hair. “Don’t worry about it,
milaya
devushka
(sweet girl). The
only thing you have to worry about right now is your Spelling. Do you want a
snack; some popcorn, maybe?”

     “Yes,
pazhaluysta
.”

     I stood up to go to the kitchen. Seth followed behind
me and I could literally feel his eyes on my butt. It didn’t help my temperature
crisis, or the jitters in my belly.

     “How’s Landon doing?” I asked grabbing a pan and the
corn seeds.

     Seth leaned against the counter a concerned expression
on his face. “I don’t know. He disappeared Sunday after we got back and I
didn’t see him again until this morning when he got up looking more haggard than
I’ve ever seen him before walking directly out the door again. He’s also been
missing his classes.”

     I had poured some oil in the pan with the seeds.
Turning on the burner I looked at him. “He didn’t confide anything to you?”

     “No.” He grumbled.

     I stared down at the pan in contemplation wondering if
I should spill what I knew.

     “Nadia, don’t worry about it right now. If he wanted
any of us to know he would have said something. I’m respecting his privacy at
the moment; although, if his disposition doesn’t get better I may change my
mind.”

     Giving the pan a shake I nodded in agreement. If what I
knew sent Landon in a downward spiral I would never forgive myself for keeping
silent. Hopefully, he’d spoken to his parents about what I’d overheard.

     “You look incredible tonight.” Seth remarked.

     I was wearing my white Capri’s and long loose-fitting violet
shirt with a white belt that hung low on my hips, and while I’d received quite
a few compliments anytime I dressed up and went out to these games Seth’s praise
was the only one that made me flush and want to smile inanely.

     Shaking off that foolishness I bowed my head so my hair
covered my hot cheeks and shook the popcorn vigorously. “Uh, thanks.”

     “Way too incredible to be wasted on random poker guys.”
He grumbled somewhat peevishly.

     I smiled at the peevishness. “You know why I do this,
Seth. And you’re the one who wanted to come and watch.”

     “And while I think it’s commendable I don’t like the
way they look at you, or flirt with you, or look at you.”

     Even though his comment was kind of possessive I found
myself chucking at his repetition of words.

     “I’m serious, Nadia.” I looked up in surprise at his
serious tone. “Why do you think I was so ill-tempered those times I played with
you?”

     “Because you’re naturally grouchy.” I retorted
sweetly. 

     Seth shook his head in frustration. “It was because I
didn’t like their suggestive comments toward you, or how they looked at you.”

     I scoffed. “You’ve been grouchy since the first day.”

     “Exactly.”

     My eyes widened at what he was saying.

     His eyes flickered down. “Popcorn.”

     Even before I looked down I smelled the faint scent of
burning popcorn. Hurriedly taking the pan off the stove I upended it in into
the bowl I’d set on the counter. “
Der’mo
.” I bit out.

     Seth chuckled. “It’s just the top layer.” Grabbing the
bowl and a rubber spatula he walked over to the trash can and with a quick
swipe sent the top portion into the garbage. “There…good as new.”

     I nodded distractedly still trying to comprehend Seth’s
words. What precisely was he saying? Dropping some butter in the hot pan I stirred
it. Was he professing having had some feelings for me from the start? After
dribbling the butter over the popcorn I picked up the bowl and faced him with a
dubious frown. He hadn’t really even known me so why would he care what other
guys said to me? 

     Seth stepped closer. Raising his hand he tenderly
shifted some hair off my cheek and my breath caught at the sudden intimate
contact. “All I knew was that you caused some extremely intense emotions in
me.” My brows rose in surprise as he answered my unspoken thoughts. “And when
any of those guys said something flirty or sexual to you I wanted to reach over
and punch them in the nose. And when you returned their attention I wanted to
reach over for a second time and punch them in the throat.”

     “I never guessed.” I replied dumbfounded. Why hadn’t he
tried to make a move on me? None of the other guys had been shy about
propositioning me, and Seth didn’t seem like the shy type.

     A wary smile curved his lips. “Well, I tried my best to
not let anyone guess. It was a bit disconcerting.”

     Realization filled me. “Is that why you looked so mad
when you walked in on me and Dale?”

     Guilt and anger filled his face. “Yeah.” He answered
brusquely shifting away from me.

     I clutched at his arm not letting him go far. “Seth,
don’t.” I used the tone I employed with my siblings to get them to do what I
wanted.

     He attempted to clear his expression but he wasn’t
completely successful. I sighed in exasperation that he was still carrying
around unnecessary blame for something that
didn’t
happen.

     Seth’s mouth quirked at my drawn out sigh and he stared
down at me in humor. “It’s an emotion, not a behavior you’re trying to modify,
Nadia.”

     “I’m sure if you give me enough time I could modify
it.” I stated arrogantly.

     Seth’s blue stare stormed. “I would love to give you
time to do that.”

     My blood heated at his words and from the look in his
eyes.
Blin
, what he did to me!

     “Nadia, can I get a drink with the popcorn?” Issy
called.

     Inhaling deeply in both relief, and regret, at the
interruption I stepped back. “
Da
.” I answered huskily. “Luka, you need
anything?”

     “Sure, water would be good.” He called.

     Grabbing two waters I carried them into the living room
while Seth followed with the bowl of popcorn. “Issy, lets go over your words to
see how many you know.”

     As I went over Issy’s spelling words Seth sat in the
chair and talked to Luka quietly. A minute later he shifted forward and was assisting
Luka with his English, the one subject Luka had difficulty with.

     It suddenly occurred to me that Seth hadn’t made a move
on me until after finding out about Issy and Luka, and while most guys would
have most likely backed away from a woman taking care of her siblings, Seth
didn’t seem to have any problem with it. To me this was a particularly
significant detail and I was oblivious to the tender smile that curved my lips
as I watched them together. Seth glanced up, our gazes connecting, and the intent
look on his face had me swallowing in muddlement. I hastily turned my attention
back to Issy.

     Fifteen minutes later I closed up Issy’s work and stood
up to stretch. “Okay you guys, Seth and I need to get going.” I looked over at
him to see him watching me hotly as I reached my hands toward the ceiling. I
lowered them my cheeks heating in response. “Issy, you listen to Luka and make
sure you’re in bed by nine.” Bending down I kissed her forehead and then
pointed at Luka. “Don’t stay up too late.” I stated with a stern frown.

     Luka gave me a stern frown of his own. “You either, you
do have work tomorrow.” He then gave Seth my ‘look’.

     Seth raised his brows in innocence while I shook my
head. Walking into the kitchen I grabbed the brown paper wrapped bottle inside the
refrigerator and my purse from the counter. The temperature was a balmy seventy
eight degrees so I didn’t bother with a coat, just slipped on my flat white
sandals. Seth was at the door waiting for me.

     “Lock up after me.
Ya tebya lyublyu
.” I called out
walking out the door Seth was holding open for me.

     “What was that you said?” Seth asked as we stepped down
the stairs.

     “I love you.”

     He nodded. “That’s what I thought; just wanted to make
sure.”

     He clicked the lock remote when we reached his truck
and then stepped forward opening the door for me. I nearly rolled my eyes at his
actions even as a part of me warmed in appreciation of his manners. I wasn’t
used to people opening doors for me, and it seemed kind of unnecessary, but I found
I kind of liked it.

     I reached up for the roof handle to pull myself into
the big truck but hands on my waist lifted me up instead. The unexpectedness of
his touch had me stiffening and gasping as flames shot through me…everywhere. Setting
me on the seat Seth moved in closer pure sexual intent in his gaze. I slapped
my hand on his chest even as the heat inside me almost exploded in
anticipation.

     “Don’t even think about it.” I stated.

     “What?” He asked innocently.

     Like he didn’t know. “You know
what
.” I
grumbled.

     His mouth quirked. “Not even a small kiss?”

     I gave him a fierce frown while my heart thumped madly.
“Those don’t seem to work out for us.”

     Seth’s smile widened. “They do seem to get out of
control pretty quickly.” The smile turned sober. “But I want to be able to kiss
you without that happening.”