Someone Else's Ocean(44)

That was before you became a bohemian recluse.

I left that part out.

Ian’s voice echoed from the guest bathroom. “How worldly of you.”

“I’d like to think so.” Disco barked. “And Disco agrees.”

“Better take a Benadryl,” he said, peeking into my room to make sure I was decent before he again called me out on the fact that I was not allergic to the puppy as I tossed her around on my bed. “You needed her,” I said affectionately and unapologetically as I kissed her fluffy face. “And I wanted you to have her.”

Ian opened the door fully, sat on the edge of my bed and watched us play. After a few minutes, his voice cut through my laughter. “You grew up beautiful, Koti Vaughn.”

Our eyes met before I gave him a lopsided grin. “And you grew up so handsome, Ian Kemp.”

His smile was a sledgehammer to my chest. “So, I’ve moved my stuff into the guest bedroom. I set up my board in the living room. Hope that’s okay.”

“Of course,” I said, lunging after Disco as she tried to wander off the bed.

“Damnit, woman! Could you stop that?” He asked, pushing me back to sit upright and pulling my comforter firmly in place to cover me. “I know we’re friends, but I’m still a man.”

“Really?” I said with a chuckle before eyeing his crotch with a smirk. I was shamelessly flirting and couldn’t have cared less. “Hadn’t noticed. Besides didn’t you hammer all that pent-up sexual frustration out with barstool number five?”

Ian grinned. “No, I failed at execution and accidentally passed out while I was taking a piss. I woke up with a couch pillow under my head on the bathroom floor. She did leave me a note to call her.”

“You lied?”

“Maybe I liked seeing you jealous.”

“I wasn’t jealous and how very immature of you.”

“I never said I was a saint, Koti.”

My name sounded like heaven rolling off his tongue. His eyes grew dark as I gripped Disco tightly to me. “Why would it make you happy if I was jealous?”

Ian’s eyes roamed my neck and chest before they drifted back to mine. “Are you hungry for breakfast?”

“Are you going to answer my question?”

“No,” he said, standing abruptly. “House rules, no nudity.”

“Hey, I’m not the one with the hat-trick trousers,” I said in an attempt to mock his accent.

“That was actually pretty decent.”

“I’m trying to get better.” We shared a smile before I forced myself to look away. It had been a long time since I’d had any testosterone in my bedroom. I was seconds away from stripping down and begging him to use me. Instead, I spoke to Disco.

“Hey baby, want some bacon?”

“Not us, we eat turkey.” Ian plucked Disco from my hold and I frowned. “She loves you more, doesn’t she?”

“She better, I’m the one who’s doing all the training. Plus, she loves our runs, we’re going ten miles today.”

“You can’t walk her that hard!” I said getting out of bed and shoving my pajama pants on.

Ian looked away as I pulled a thin T-shirt over my head.

“I don’t,” he called over his shoulder as I followed him down the hall.

“What?”

He turned to me and cradled Disco in his forearm.

“You run with her like that?”

He nodded.

“Ha! I bet you get a ton of attention.”

“She’s my ace in the hole. I have an orange juice waiting every morning at mile five.”

I looked at him skeptically. “Making rounds all over the island?”

He gave me a devilish grin. “But I’ll be coming home to you tonight.”

My heart skipped an odd beat before he disappeared out the door.





I spent my day getting three houses ready and the last of it walking Mrs. Tartar through the Kemps’ spotless beach house. Ian’s new cabinetwork opened the place up, made it seem light and a bit more… airy. It was truly beautiful.

“So you live next door?”

“Yes, but I would prefer you contact me by the number on the counter.”

Mrs. Tartar twisted her lips in distaste before she rudely dismissed me. I wasn’t looking forward to a week of her scrutiny. She had a definite bug up her ass. I was counting on my island to rid her of it.

Walking back to my house, I saw my porch candles were lit and my playlist was already on. I opened the door to see Ian in the kitchen. He was wearing a navy-blue T-shirt and loose sports shorts. His white smile greeted me. “Hey, didn’t want to disturb your routine.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, thanks.”

“I wanted to cook tonight if that’s okay?”

“Of course, smells good.” I pulled a vase from the cabinet next to him and filled it with water before I slid Banion’s latest creation in.

“You brought me flowers?” he asked teasingly.

“My friend owns a flower shop. I use him to make welcome bouquets for the rentals. Beautiful, aren’t they?”

“They are,” he said as he chopped up some figs.

“What ya’ cooking?”