Pulling into the garage, I glanced over at him as I turned off the car. He was quiet for once, with his head reclined against the seat, blinking slowly. The long travel day had caught up to him, it seemed.
“What would you like to do for dinner? I wasn’t sure if you’d be up for going out, so I stocked the refrigerator with things I thought you’d like. I couldn’t find much from Australia. Or I can always order something in, or cook. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m pretty easy. But I don’t have cat food. Or litter. Or a litter box.”
Why the fuck was I babbling?
Colin’s mouth inched up as I rambled on.
Cat litter, St. James? What the fuck is wrong with you?
“I have some food and his travel litter box. I planned to get more tomorrow, or have it delivered.”
I nodded. “Oh. Yeah. Okay. That works. Delivery is good too.”
He smiled, evidently enjoying my discomfort and word vomit. Saving me from further embarrassment, Allister meowed, reminding us we were still in the car.
I opened my door. “Let’s go, and I’ll show you the guest house where you can let him out.”
God, what was wrong with me? I wasn’t normally a babbling idiot, but he fucked with my head, reducing me to this.
Colin reached over and put his hand on my forearm. I’d never had my skin tingle from someone’s touch. It was like another electrical shock to my system, compelling me to turn toward him. “Thanks for this, mate. I appreciate it.”
I swallowed and nodded. “Yeah,” I breathed. “No problem.”
Needing some air, I got out and walked to the back to grab his suitcases while he retrieved Allister. With both suitcases in hand, I headed around to the security gate that led to the pool.
“Woah, this is really something.”
Pausing at his statement, I noticed as he slowed his stride to take in my breathtaking view of the ocean. In the far right corner closest to the beach, a small guest house sat ready for its new occupants.
He stopped on the expansive pool deck, looking back at the house and the jacuzzi. “This place is gorgeous, mate. The view of the ocean is almost like mine from my penthouse.”
That surprised me for some reason. “You have a penthouse apartment?”
He smiled softly. “Yeah. Three bedrooms that overlook the harbor. The water is about the same color, maybe a tad clearer. You can’t hear the waves very well. I’m too far up.”
Nodding slowly, I took in what he was seeing. My home was my haven, and it made me proud that others saw it that way.
A bark sounded from the glass door, alerting me that Bella wanted to say hello.
“I’m going to let her out. Give me a second.”
Colin smiled up at where Bella was shaking her bottom. She didn’t have a tail, so when she wagged, it was her whole body. But one thing she could do was smile.
Entering the code, I unlocked the door to let her out.
“Hey, baby. Did you miss me?” I asked, squatting down to rub her.
Bella barked in response, then took off toward Colin.
“Bella,” I called. “Stay.”
She sat down, then, much to her disappointment, laid down to watch our guest.
“She’s beautiful, Carson. And well behaved. Did you train her?”
I smiled at her. “Yes. Hopefully, she’ll be good with Allister. My workout room shares half of the pool house, so she might wander in. Most of the time, she goes where I go. But I can keep her out if it bothers you.”
Colin shook his head but didn’t take his eyes off her. “No, mate,” he replied gently. “I can’t wait to get my hands on her. But this guy needs to get out.”
