Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Lara

"That's my good girl." Michael's words heat my body, my cheeks flaming even as their mom helps me hop into the connecting bathroom.

Peeking back, I see Kaleb take my place next to his brother, both men raising a brow at my hesitation.

Seeing no other way out, I close the door. My forehead taps the wood at the same time as it clicks closed.

Blowing out a sigh, I try to regain control. I need to get ahold of myself. Since when do I go to second base with strangers and let them grope me while their family is nearby? Never. I guess there's a first for everything.

"I have a daughter and three sons. At this point, there's not much I haven't seen. There's no reason to be embarrassed. I'm not here to judge or make you feel uncomfortable."

The sweet words help ease some of the tension in the room. Turning the best I can, I give her a grateful smile.

"Plus, my mother-in-law lived with us for a few years toward the end. My husband, Christopher, hadn't wanted a stranger helping her with day-to-day things. So bathing was my job." Her words help. The woman also screams calm and collected. "Unless of course, it's the make-out session you just had with my son that has you blushing like a schoolgirl." She smirks with a raised brow.

Not so much making out, more letting her son do some heavy petting . Not that I'm going to correct her.

The hot room suddenly feels like a sauna. Her laughter echoes around the room, and she closes the distance between us until she gently pats my overheated cheeks. Her kind blue eyes roam over my face, taking it in for just a second. A few pieces of her shoulder-length hair shimmer in the light, the blond and white strands mixing as it falls from behind her ear.

Blinking away tears, she says, "I'm so glad he found someone. I pray they all do, but after Daniel met his wife, I worried Michael might . . . struggle. I had hoped my next daughter-in-law would walk into this house of her own accord, but maybe Kaleb's girl can come here without being carried." Her words end with a chuckle .

Seeing my confusion, she brushes my hair back away from my face. "Ignore an old lady. And in case my smitten son didn't already say, I'm Helen. Or you can just call me Mom."

My jaw drops at her words. "Oh, no." I shake my head. "Michael and I aren't like that," I insist, but my words lose all credibility when the wood beneath my back jolts from a forceful knock.

"Mom, is she in the bath? Princess, remember what we talked about."

"Didn't talk much," I mutter.

Helen takes my elbow, supporting me to the vanity.

"Michael, do you want to come in here instead, or are you going to leave us girls to it?" his mom demands.

There's a slight pause on the other side of the door. "No, ma'am."

I smile at such a large man being chastised by a woman Helen's size. Winking, she nods at the bubble-filled bath. "Let's get you in."