Under Your Skin by Shannyn Schroeder

that.”
    â€œI’m not home all that much. Tell Norah what you want and she’ll get it from the store today.”
    â€œCan she cook?”
    How the fuck should he know? He swallowed the words to avoid the slap they’d earn from her. Instead he shrugged. He led her back to the bedroom so she could change and he went to get her a cup of coffee. When he returned, Lani was dressed. Kai set the coffee on the nightstand. “Let’s get the first round of exercises done before I go to work.”
    She grumbled a bit but allowed him to help her get back in bed and start the exercises. They were still slow-going and his mom appeared exhausted afterward, but she pushed up and reached for his hand to get out of bed.
    â€œI’m not going to lie in bed all day like an invalid. I have programs to watch.” She moved toward the door. “Bring my coffee.”
    By the time she was settled on the couch with her coffee, the remote, and her book, Kai needed to expend some energy. He needed to work off some of his frustration, so he went to the basement to lift weights. With each repetition, his muscles burned in a way that said he was building something. He pushed hard to rid himself of all of his selfish thoughts.
    * * *
    Norah knocked on the door but used the key to let herself into Kai’s house. He was probably already at work, and Ms. Ellis couldn’t answer the door. Well, she probably could, eventually, but Norah wasn’t about to sit there to find out how long it would take.
    As soon as she had the door open, she called out so Ms. Ellis would know it was her. “Hello, it’s me.”
    â€œHope you fed that baby before coming here. Still no food.”
    â€œI did buy food yesterday. Everything you asked for, Ms. Ellis. But I can go back to the store today.” She tossed her purse on the chair and sat on the edge. “What kind of food do you want me to buy?”
    â€œCan you cook?”
    â€œA little. I’m no gourmet or anything. Mostly easy meals for college students.”
    â€œWell then, you already have my grown son beat. Get some fixings for sandwiches and whatever you can cook for dinner.”
    Norah began to think about possibilities.
    â€œAnd get to the bookstore. I’m almost done with this one.”
    Norah stared at her. The woman must’ve been some kind of speed reader. “We were barely at the halfway point last night.”
    â€œI like my stories. Characters keep me company.”
    She had a point. It was a hell of an escape to live for a while in other people’s lives to avoid your own problems and situation. “I’ll see what I can find.”
    Norah stood.
    â€œBefore you leave, can you start a load of laundry for me? I don’t think Kai would feel comfortable touching my unmentionables. There’s a small basket in my bedroom.”
    Norah narrowed her eyes. Although she hadn’t gotten a grand tour of the house, she hadn’t remembered seeing a washer and dryer either. “Where are the machines?”
    â€œIn the basement.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll start that and then go to the store.” Leaving her purse on the chair, she gathered the dirty laundry and found the door leading to the basement. She picked her way down the wooden steps carefully. A bare bulb dangled at the bottom lighting her way. A clink caught her attention. This was like a scene out of a bad horror movie.
    She pushed on. At the bottom of the stairs, she saw the source of the noise: Kai lying on a bench lifting weights. He was shirtless. His bronze skin glistened with the effort of his workout. He continued to lift the bar and his arms bulged and flexed. A tidal wave of testosterone crashed through the room and into her.
    She swallowed hard and moved another step before he caught her staring. Then she saw he had earbuds in, so he couldn’t hear her. She moved as silently as she could to the washer. A loud clunk made her jump and