by Nikki Lane
It took me a few seconds to surface from my stupor. He stepped off the porch, a sexy smirk plastered on his face. Clever bastard.
“I wasn’t going to let you, you know,” I called as he headed home.
“Yes, you were.”
“I hate you,” I sung.
He turned to give me one last smile before disappearing around the garage. I lumbered back into the house, trying to ignore the dull burn that ached through my entire body.
Chapter 9
It was the last week of May, and I was counting down the days until the end of the school year. The weather was warming up, and the days were getting longer. Shelby hadn’t given up on getting me down the shore for the weekend. I was still undecided. Tanning in my backyard seemed a much more appealing option.
My body was glossy with tanning oil, and I lounged back in the chair, feeling the sun warm my skin. It wasn’t the beach, but at least it was a beautiful day.
“Hey, slick.”
I squinted my eyes, trying to make out the silhouette blocking part of the sun. Kieran towered over me.
“You know that too much sun isn’t good for you. You should be wearing sunblock.”
“I’ve got stuff on,” I said, nodding my head toward the bottle on the ground.
Kieran picked it up and examined the label. “SPF Twelve? This is crap. You need something stronger.”
“Why are you here again?” I asked, using my hand to shield my eyes.
“I’m going to plant the last of the flowers.”
“Now?” I asked.
“Yep.” A glisten of sweat glazed his shoulders. “My masterpiece is almost complete.”
I propped up on my elbows and watched Kieran head to the front of the house. He was relentless; that was for sure. I headed inside to grab us drinks.
“Here.” I handed him a glass of ice water.
He grabbed the glass from me with gloved hands.
“Thanks,” he said before taking a long sip.
“So, what can I help with?”
Kieran looked at me with one cocked eyebrow. “Do you know how to use one of these?” He handed me a gardening tool.
“Sure,” I said. “A shovel. I can use a shovel.”
“Actually, it’s a hand trowel.”
“Close enough.”
“How do you feel about getting a little dirty on your knees?”
My mouth hung open while the rest of my already hot face flared with heat. How did he do that so easily? And why did I secretly enjoy hearing his double entendres?
“That came out wrong,” he said with a smirk.
“I’m sure it did.” I knelt beside him. “So, what do I do?”
“Dig a hole.”
“Okay.” I dug the trowel into the soft soil. “Done. Now what?”
Kieran handed me the flowers. “Put these in the hole and then fill it back up with soil.”
The feeling of my fingers in the soil was soft and squishy and oddly comforting. “There,” I said. “I planted my first flower.”
Kieran chuckled. “Congratulations. Now, do that about ten more times.”
We continued down the flowerbed until everything was planted. When it was all done, I had worked up quite a sweat. No wonder Kieran had the body of a Greek god.
“Now, it’s time to water.” He pulled the hose from the hook.
“I didn’t even know I had a hose.”
“You didn’t.” He smiled and aimed the nozzle toward the flowers.
The second I took my eyes off him I felt the cold water against my side. I sucked in a sharp breath.
“No, you did not just do that,” I exclaimed.
“Do what? Oh, you mean this?” He gave me another hit of cold water.
My skin prickled with goosebumps.
“Kieran!”
I charged after him as he laughed harder. My hand reached for the nozzle, but his grip around it was too tight. I screamed as another spray of water hit me. This time he was getting wet, too. We struggled with the nozzle, and for a split second, I was sure my bikini top wasn’t going to cooperate. Something distracted Kieran, and I was able to release the nozzle from his hands.
“Payback’s a bitch.” I hosed him down until he was soaking wet.
Walter was perched in one of the windows, a disapproving look on his face. When the water hit the pane, he leapt out of sight.
Kieran held up his hands in surrender. I gave him one last shot, my laughter giving away just how much I was enjoying it. I hadn’t laughed hard in too long. Even with Shelby. And when I thought about it some more, I hadn’t felt this relaxed with anyone…ever. It was hard reconciling this Kieran with the drunken version at three in the morning.
When I finished with my fun, I dropped the hose.
“So what do you think?” Kieran asked.
“I need a better view.”
We walked to the edge of the lawn where the grass met the street. “It’s amazing,” I said in awe. “You really can work miracles.”
It looked like a completely different house. The siding looked whiter against the fresh, black mulch. The bushes were no longer brown and yellow but bright green.
“I told you.”
“Is that a rose bush?” I asked, pointing.
“Yeah, it is.”
Why hadn’t I noticed him planting it?
“When did you do this?” I asked him.
“About three o’clock this morning.”
“What?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Couldn’t sleep.”
I looked at Kieran before walking over to it. “My father planted one that looked just like this the day I was born. That’s how I got my name.”
They were my mother’s favorite. I usually kept a vase of them in the kitchen when they bloomed.
“They’re Lincoln roses. One of the most fragrant red roses.”
I perched my nose near one of the scarlet blooms. “Beautiful.” The sweet perfume smell sent a rush of nostalgia over me. “Thank you.”
I gave him a hug. I was sweaty and wet, and my deodorant expired a while ago, but it didn’t matter. He was just as sweaty and smelly as me.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, seemingly surprised by my offer of affection. “I was happy to do it. I know I’m not the easiest neighbor to have.”
“Can’t argue with you there,” I teased. “But you really went above and beyond.”
“It’s nothing. I’m glad you like it.”
“What do you have planned for the rest of the weekend?” I rung the water out of my hair. “A big kegger with all your charming friends?”
“No, didn’t make any plans. You?”
“Still debating if I’m in the mood to fight shore traffic.”
“With the boyfriend?”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Shelby invited me. Her new boy toy has a house on the boardwalk.”
“Sounds nice. You should go.”
“I’m not super pumped about the idea of being a third wheel.”
Kieran rolled back the house onto the holder—something I assumed he also purchased. Between working two jobs and taking care of Dad, I’d neglected a lot of things that didn’t directly affect me. The outside of my house being one of them. It used to belong to my grandparents, and after they both passed, Dad and Aunt Sarah handed it down to me. I had been thrilled to have my own home, but it was an older house that needed a lot of TLC. Kieran had fixed the loose bricks on the porch and replaced the numbers on the mailbox. All on his own volition. Having those little things done without having to ask eased a little weight off my shoulders.
“Unless,” I said. “You’d want to come with me?”
What was I doing? I wasn’t sure. Kieran and I had fun together. And who wouldn’t want to spend a weekend down the shore?
Kieran turned the spigot off. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“You wouldn’t be,” I said.
This was a good compromise. Shelby would be happy I ca
me, and I wouldn’t feel like a chaperone.
“Shelby would probably kiss you if it meant getting me there. She wants me to meet this guy.”
Kieran didn’t say anything, probably considering his answer. My nerves were on high-alert. Why was I so worried he’d say no?
“I’d love to.”
I smiled like a cheeseball. Stop that.
“Great.”
A surge of giddiness hit me as Kieran and I went our separate ways to get ready for our trip.
Chapter 10
Traffic wasn’t half as bad as I had expected and within 35 minutes, Kieran and I were pulling into the massive beachfront house.
“Holy shit,” Kieran said before getting out of the car.
We stood by the trunk to stare before grabbing our bags.
“What’s this guy do for a living?” he asked.
“I have no idea but apparently it pays well.”
Shelby was already standing at the front door, a beach cover-up over her bikini and a drink in her hand.
“Yay!” She bounced up and down. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
We hugged and I caught a glimpse of the inside. It was all Italian white marble and fancy artwork. And that was just the entryway.
“And Kieran,” Shelby said. “Nice to see you without a power tool in your hand.”
Kieran smiled and lifted his bag. “Wouldn’t fit.”
Shelby introduced us to Christopher, a hedge fund manager and avid golf player.
“Wait until you see your room,” Shelby said.
She led us to the third floor. I was hoping there’d be a map in the room, like in a hotel. I’d been in department stores with three floors, but not a house.
“The view is amazing.” She held on to the doorknob for a few seconds before opening it.
The room was twice the size of my living room. A large bed sat to one side, opposite a fireplace. Cream colored carpet covered the floor.
“The fireplace is gas so you just push a button, and there’s an en suite bathroom through that door.
“Shelby,” I said, walking toward the balcony. “This is incredible.”
A sea of people filled the beach. The water reached the horizon.
Kieran opened the balcony door, and I followed him out. The heat had settled a bit and a breeze blew back the sheer curtains. Seagulls laughed and swooped around the boardwalk below.
“Towels are in the linen closet,” Shelby said. “And if you need anything just ask.”
I followed Kieran inside, the closed balcony doors silencing all the boardwalk commotion.
“We’re going to dinner tonight. Christopher is treating. No arguments. So be ready at 8.”
She fluttered out of the room. “I’ll let you guys get settled.”
Kieran and I looked at each after she left. We hadn’t discussed sleeping arrangements, but it probably would have been wise of me to discuss that when I’d asked him to come. It was already nice of Christopher to have two strangers stay for the weekend. I didn’t feel comfortable taking up two rooms in his house just so Kieran and I didn’t have to have an awkward conversation. Although, I doubted not having enough room was a problem, given how many beach blocks this place covered.
“You can have the bed,” Kieran said. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“No,” I said. “You take the bed. I invited you here so you should have the bed.”
“It’s not the first time I’ve slept on a floor, Rose. Besides, you know I don’t sleep.”
That was true. I wondered what Kieran would do to keep himself busy now that he didn’t have his chain saw handy.
“We can both take the bed,” I said. “It’s big enough.”
I thought I caught a little blush to Kieran’s cheeks.
“Are you sure?” he said.
I plopped my bag on the bed and started to unpack. “Yeah.” I tried my best to sound matter-of-fact. “We’re adults.”
Kieran stood on the bed, then jumped a few times.
“Well, at least one of us is.” I’d taken out my toiletry bag when a pillow smacked me in the face. “Kieran!” I laughed, then picked up the other pillow.
He didn’t make much of an effort to dodge my blow.
“Jesus!” he said. “What the hell is your pillow filled with? Bricks?”
I gasped as he touched his head. “Did I hurt you?”
“No!” He smacked me with the pillow again.
We dueled for a few minutes until the feathers started to fly.
“We’re not being very polite,” I said, tossing the pillow back on the bed. “I don’t think I could afford to replace these.”
“Just think how many chickens needed to die so that we could smack each other around.” Kieran’s chest heaved as he plopped his back on the bed.
“Geese,” I said with a chuckle. “I think, or ducks. But definitely not chickens.” I laughed a little harder.
I lay on the other side of the bed, not sure I had the energy to go out to eat. But at that point, there wouldn’t be an easy way out of it.
“Thanks for inviting me,” Kieran said. “This is way better than getting high in my living room alone.”
I smiled. “Thank you for coming. I couldn’t have gotten through this alone.”
Kieran and I locked eyes. There was a tension building between us. I could feel it deep in my bones. His emerald eyes were soft and more focused. They didn’t have that wild look of uncertainty.
His hand was inches from mine, and he inched it closer until our fingers were just touching. Panic seized me and I shot up from the bed.
“We better start getting ready,” I said. “Shelby will be barreling in here any minute.”
I grabbed my things and went to the bathroom, hoping a cold shower would put me right.
* * * *
Kieran and I had skipped the boat ride with Shelby and Chris, since I got seasick just watching Titanic. We started the day at the beach and then went back to the house to clean up. It was amazing how much easier everything was when you had money. We didn’t have to worry about parking, Chris gave us beach tags, and if we needed to run back to the house for anything—mainly more beer—we were just steps away.
Two outdoor shower stalls sat on a small patio beside the house. I’d taken the two clean beach towels we hadn’t used and set them over each door.
“I’ve never taken a shower outside,” Kieran said. “Do I get naked?”
These statements reflecting his naivety always made me smile.
“It’s not a requirement. But it doesn’t hurt.”
He gave me a suspicious look. “Are you going to get naked?”
“Yes.” I turned the water on and was relieved there was both a hot and cold faucet. “I don’t like the feeling of sand on me. Plus, taking a shower outside is very freeing.”
I closed the shower door and stripped off my bathing suit.
“Holy crap,” Kieran said.
“What?” I called.
“That’s a lot of sand.” A second later his bathing suit hit the ground.
He fussed a bit trying to get the temperature of the water right.
“Are you naked?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, shampooing my hair.
“So am I.”
I laughed. “So I see.”
“You can see me?” Kieran said, a bit panicked.
“No,” I said, smiling. “I see your bathing suit.” The stall door didn’t go all the way down.
After I was sure the sand was gone, I’d wrap myself with the generously-sized towel. When I got out, Kieran was waiting with his towel notched around his waist. I didn’t think I’d ever kind tired of seeing him without a shirt. On the beach, he’d gotten attention from more than a few women. But beyond his handsome face, he was starting to show me another version of himself. A version I was starting to care for.
“How was it?” I asked. “Would you shower outside again?”
“Only if you’re there, too.”
>
He followed me inside. The air condition lit goosebumps on my skin.
“In the other stall, of course,” I said, climbing the steps to our room.
“Of course,” he replied.
After we were dried and dressed, Shelby and Chris returned. They were wiped out from being on the water all day and politely excluded themselves from dinner plans. I couldn’t say I was disappointed. In fact, I was excited that I could just be myself around Kieran and not have to worry about what Shelby and Chris were thinking.
We hoofed the boardwalk until the sun set and then followed the smell of burgers to the pub. The waitress brought our beers, and it wasn’t long until the burgers were stacked in front of us.
“Ah, and the perfect trifecta is complete. Beef, beer, and a beautiful woman,” Kieran said before clinking his bottle with mine.
I smiled wide, even though I tried not to. Obviously, he was the flirty type. I had to remind myself that he was probably like this with every girl.
“So, how come no plans with the boyfriend…I mean...whatever his name is?”
“Callum,” I reminded him. “And for your information, I haven’t heard from him since the night you decided to play crazy chain saw man again in your backyard.”
Kieran took a huge bite out of the burger. “You actually wanted to go on another date with that guy?” He smiled wide, burger bulging in one of his cheeks.
“No.” I took another bite of my burger. “It wouldn’t have worked out. I should have known that from the start.”
“Why not?”
“Never mind. Just forget I said anything.”
“Oh, come on. I want to know. What happened?”
I took a deep breath and exhaled. “Nothing, just…”
“Yes?”
“I got really drunk the night we met and woke up the next morning in his bed, naked, and I couldn’t remember anything because I got stupid drunk—and I mean stupid.” I spit out the words like those voiceover actors who sound like they’re on speed and tell you all the terrible side effects of medication.
Kieran’s eyes widened. “You had a one-night stand?”
“Yes. And I hate that I can’t remember.”
“So you got black-out drunk. Who hasn’t?”
“You would think nothing of it.”
