He released a heavy sigh. “Are you sure?”
I smiled, trying to ease his worries. Leaving your pet for two weeks was no joke. “Absolutely. They’re great. I’ll call them tomorrow.”
I wasn’t going to share with him that the housesitters were my parents. He didn’t need to know that just yet.
Colin nodded, then looked down at Allister. A big yawn escaped his mouth. That was my cue to leave, so I went to the door.
“Thanks again, Carson. I’m gonna grab a shower while you’re gone and get rid of this.”
He pulled at the T-shirt, making me laugh. “Yeah. Good call. We can decide on dinner when I get back.”
“Sounds good,” he said, reaching for his suitcase.
I stepped outside, then pulled the door closed before calling for Bella. “Let’s go to the pet store, girl. We need to buy some cat supplies and a new chew toy for you.”
Bella barked and trotted behind me.
When we returned an hour later, I took the bags of food and litter to the guest house before returning to the Rover for the litter box he wanted. I figured while I was there, I might as well pick it up.
I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Turning the handle, I opened it just enough to look around. Colin was stretched out across the bed on his stomach, sound asleep.
My new furry friend was curled in a ball on the foot of the bed. He lifted his head to leer at me but quickly went back to sleep.
Sorry little guy.
Moving outside, I quietly removed the packing from the disposable litter box and placed it back inside on the floor with another watchful glare from Allister.
Pulling the door closed, I locked it behind me, then went down to the beach to walk Bella.
The next morning, I looked out the back window to find Colin in the pool. I took my cup of coffee and strolled outside to where he was swimming laps until Bella decided it was time for him to stop. She went to the side of the pool and barked, quickly getting his attention.
The sudden noise startled him, making me smile.
With no towel in sight, I went to the cabinet by the door and pulled one out. In the seconds I turned my back on him, he had walked to the side of the pool to meet Bella.
She stretched out on the concrete as he rubbed her head and cooed at her. It didn’t add up in my head how someone so kind to animals could be so aggressive to people. But then again, he’d been here less than a day, so I was sure he’d show his real personality soon.
Walking to the edge, I dropped the towel by the tanning ledge.
“How’s the water?”
Colin stood, then ran both hands through his hair as he pushed it back from his face. Droplets clung to his beard and torso, while his exposed chest displayed the intricate tattoos circling his right arm and two pierced nipples.
“Delightful. Just what I needed to wake up. The time change has me off kilter.”
“I bet.”
Peering over my coffee cup, I appraised his upper body strength and abdomen to the waterline. Defined chest, muscled arms, six or maybe eight abdominal muscles, and a noticeable V over his hips. Yep, he was physically fit.
Smiling because we both knew he caught me staring, he gestured toward my cup. “Is there any more of that? Or do I have to make it myself?”
Trying to conceal my embarrassment, I huffed out a laugh. “Sure. I don’t provide room service, only accommodations. But there’s more inside. Come inside when you’re finished.”
My dick was appreciating him again, so making a run for it made the most sense. But the exhibitionist living in my guest house called my name as he walked out of the pool.
“Since I missed dinner, wanna get brekkie? I’m starved.”
The minute he emerged from the water wearing the smallest swim brief I’d ever seen, salacious fuck-me music began playing in my head. Strong, muscular rugby-made thighs that displayed every muscle group imaginable carried him out of the water, and I couldn’t stop gawking.
