Damaged by Indigo Sin

life.
    The girl stopped next to her brother and gasped. “Monica! What happened to your face?”
    “I’m fine, Sarah. It’s no big deal,” she deflected once again. “You two need to go back to bed. Please.”
    “Who’s that?” Sarah asked, pointing at Seth, completely ignoring her older sister’s orders.
    Monica looked like she was at the end of her rope, and the fact that he had an amused smirk on his face probably wasn’t helping. “Sarah, this is Seth. Seth this is Sarah, my little sister,” she sighed, letting her arms dangle at her sides helplessly. “Now everybody knows everyone, and you can go back to bed. Please. For the love of all that is holy…just go back to bed.”
    Sarah’s lips began to quirk into a smile. “Is he your boyfriend?”
    Monica groaned and planted her face firmly in the palm of her hand. “No.”
    “Why not? He’s actually kinda cute,” Sarah said, her smile now a full-blown grin.
    Seth bit back a chuckle at Sarah’s comment, and gave her a playful wink. “Thanks, doll.” Monica wasn’t nearly as amused. The glare she shot her little sister was full of promised revenge.
    Scrubbing her hands down her face, Monica blew out a breath. “Great. Now that this has gotten completely out of control, it’s nearly three in the morning and I’d really like to take a shower and go to bed. If you’re all satisfied with your introductions, I’m going to go crawl in a hole and die now.”
    Jack rolled his eyes and started for his room. “Drama queen.”
    Sarah followed suit, making her way to the other bedroom. “Good night, lovebirds,” she warbled over her shoulder in a sing-song tone.
    When both doors shut, leaving them alone once again, Seth watched as Monica turned slowly to face him , shaking her head. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry about that,” she apologized. “They tend to get out of hand. Thank you for being a good sport while under fire. We’re not used to having company.”
    Seth shrugged. “ It’s normal. How old are they?”
    “Seventeen , and no, I’m not going to explain the how and why of it all, okay? Just let it be,” she said softly as she made her way to the front door. Pulling it open, she refused to make eye contact. “It’s been a long day, and I need to get some rest, so…” She let the statement hang. He knew what she was saying.
    Sliding from the stool, he crossed the room, stopping only inches away from her. He stood silently , breathing in her sweet scent, until she finally pulled her gaze to his. There was a grain of vulnerability in her eyes that made him ache to protect her. “I can get you out of here, Monica. You can come stay with me.”
    Monica scoffed and looked away. “ You’re crazy. You don’t even know me.”
    “I know enough about you to know you’re a good person who just needs some support, Monica. You can’t live here and raise two teens with no job. My place is big; it’s just me living there. Plus, it’s safe.” Seth glanced to the hallway to emphasize what he meant, and there was no doubt that Monica got what he was saying loud and clear. Her heartbeat picked up, making it visible in her throat. God, he hoped she said yes. He wanted to help her, but there was a part of him that was very aware of what would happen if she did. She would end up in his bed, and just the thought of that had him hard as hell.
    “I don’ t have any money to help you with the bills,” she whispered quietly, still avoiding eye contact.
    Seth shook hi s head and tilted her chin up with his fingertips to make her look at him. Her full, tempting lips had his guts tied in knots. “I don’t expect you to. The point is to help you get back on your feet. When you’re stable and you’ve got some money saved up, you’ll be able to get a place of your own. Please consider it.”
    Monica swallowed. He could see the indecision in her eyes. She wanted to take him up on his offer, but pride had her on a short leash. Standing there looking down