The Bosun: A Military Romance (Love is Blind Book 3)
Page 12
“Oh no, that won’t be happening. I’ve got them hidden so only I can enjoy them. I’m not that stupid.”
“Of course, you’re not. You’ve had enough clients get in trouble because of pictures. Now,” I steepled my fingers under my chin. “If I don’t get to see a picture right now, at least tell me his name.”
“His name is Walker Pierce.” Pen practically swooned at saying his name, and I knew right then she was in trouble and more than likely in love with him even if she didn’t know it yet.
“That’s a hot fucking name. Now, I need to see if he’s as hot as his name, so dig through your phone and find me a picture you can show me.”
“Oh my god, you make it sound like there’s a bunch of porn on there or something. They’re not all bad.”
“There’s a reason why you’re not showing them to me,” I pointed out.
Pen held her phone to her chest. “Maybe I don’t want you to steal him away,” she laughed.
“Ha, as if. You know I’d never do that.” Poking her in the side, I demanded she show me a picture. This was so unlike Pen that I was dying to know what this mystery guy looked like.
“Fine,” she rolled her eyes but had a smile on her face. “Give me a minute to find a good picture.”
“Damn girl, how many nudes do you have on there?” I was only sort of joking because why else wouldn’t she show me? And I knew my friend, she liked to take trophy photos of the men she slept with.
“Not nearly enough.” She bit her bottom lip as she looked down at her phone. “Okay, here he is.” Slowly she turned her phone my way, but once it was facing me, I grabbed it out of her hand so I could get a good look. “No, what are you doing?” She laughed while she tried to take it back.
“I’m not going to go to any other pictures. I don’t want to see your man naked. Well, maybe now that I’ve got a good look of him.” My eyes devoured the image in front of me. Her guy was shirtless with tattoos all over his finely sculpted chest and arms. His eyebrows were a dark slash over broody eyes and long hair that hung almost to his shoulders. I knew the man I was staring at had all the college girls swooning, as well as my best friend, and I didn’t blame them.
“What are you thinking?” I heard her say quietly as if she was afraid I wouldn’t approve.
“I think I see why you’re willing to lose your job over him. He’s hot.” I was tempted to swipe to the left to see what I’d find, but I handed her back her phone. “I wish you wouldn’t have hidden him from me.”
Moving to sit right beside me, Pen leaned her head against mine. “It killed me, and I’m sorry. Now that you know, I can finally breathe fully. I swear it’s been a weight on my chest that I was dying to get rid of.”
“Now, when do I get to meet him,” I prodded. Seeing his pictures wasn’t enough. I couldn’t wait to see them together.
“Once you get your edits turned in or,” she drew the word out, and I knew I wouldn’t like what she was going to say next, “maybe it should be your reward once your book finally publishes.”
My eyes narrowed at her. “You know that’s out of my control and totally not fair.”
“Well, maybe I should give you a deadline. If you don’t get your edits done by a certain date, then you have to wait until your book publishes. That should get your ass in gear.”
Since this was my first book, I was having a problem trying to change a few things the publisher wanted once they read through my first draft. There were days I sat in front of my computer and stared at it all day while I tried to figure out a way to incorporate what they wanted.
“You don’t play fair, but it might be the push I need to finish.” I took a long draw of my drink. I needed it from just thinking about my deadline.
“Wow,” Pen stood and ran to the window. “Have you seen your neighbor? He looks like a fucking supermodel.”
Oh, I had seen him and drooled over him when I thought no one could see me. He was by far the hottest guy I’d ever seen with the most perfect body and blondish-brown hair. I hadn’t gotten a chance to see what color his eyes were yet. “No, I haven’t met him yet, or his wife or girlfriend or whoever she is. I’m not sure which, but she’s gorgeous with blue hair and tattoos. They have a blonde little girl that’s adorable or who I assume is their daughter. They spend a lot of time in that pool.”
“Their house is sick.” She let out a dreamy sigh. “I don’t doubt he’s got a gorgeous woman. Let me know when you meet them because I want all the deets.”
I came to stand next to her and shrugged. “Maybe, or maybe I’ll tell you in a few months.”
Pen glanced at me for only a moment before her attention went back to my new neighbors. “You’re never going to let me live it down, are you?”
“It’s possible when we’re old and gray. I’ll think about it, but not likely.” I hip-checked her to let her know I was only joking.
“Oh my god, they’re getting it on in their pool, and she is gorgeous.” Pen squealed with wide eyes.
“I told you they spend a lot of time in their pool.”
“But you didn’t say you watch them have sex!”
No, I hadn’t mentioned what activities they got up to when they were in the pool. It happened day or night. I’d gotten a little show my first night in my new home. It was a wonderful welcome gift, even if they didn’t know it.
“We should go back to the couch and finish our drinks and give them their privacy.”
“Why? They obviously don’t care if they’re doing it in broad daylight.”
“They probably haven’t realized their neighbor has a prime spot to see what they’re up to.”
It wasn’t like you could see much of anything. Maybe a boob, but their lower halves were always underwater. Still, I felt bad about being a Peeping Tom.
“Fine,” Pen huffed and slowly turned away from the window. “Maybe you should go over there and ask for a cup of sugar or something.”
“And when they find out I’m incompetent in the kitchen, they’ll wonder why I asked for sugar when they met me.”
“Ugh, why do you have to be so difficult? Surely, we can come up with something. I can go with you in case you need backup.” Pen screwed up her face as she looked up to the ceiling. “Oh, I know. Maybe ask for a hammer. You need to hang up that picture over your bed.”
Maybe the margaritas had gone to my head, but I didn’t think it was a bad idea, and I wouldn’t be as nervous meeting them with Pen by my side.
“Okay, but let’s give them a couple of hours. I don’t want to ruin their post-coital bliss.”
“How magnanimous of you, but I agree. You don’t want to get on their bad side.”
Two hours later, Pen and I were a little past tipsy as we laughed in excitement, walking over to my neighbors’ house.
Pen rang the doorbell and hopped in place as we waited. When the door opened, we both stood dumbstruck. Standing before us was the most gorgeous creature known to man, wearing only a pair of light gray sweatpants that hung obscenely low on his hips. I could barely keep my mouth closed as I followed his ‘V’ into those damn pants. His feet were bare, and even they were beautiful. This man had won the gene lottery when his parents made him.
“Can I help you?” he asked with a dreamy voice.
I cleared my throat, which was full of lust, and had to remember he was with someone and why I was here. “Hi,” I thrust out my hand. “I’m your new neighbor, Stella, and this is my best friend, Pen.”
His face transformed into a serene smile. I hadn’t even realized there was tension in it before. Shaking my hand, he introduced himself. “I’m Ryder. It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry we haven’t met sooner. We were out of town for a while and trying to get settled when our daughter Delilah got sick.”
“Oh no, I hope she’s okay. If this is a bad time, I can always come back later.”
“She’s feeling better now. In fact, she’s staying with her grandma for a couple of days. Do you want to come in?”
“Our new neighbor,” Ryder answered while stepping back for us to come in. A moment later, the blue-haired woman I’d seen came around a corner. She was even more beautiful close-up. Her blue hair set off the color of her blue eyes and her flawless skin. My gaze flicked back to Ryder to take in his eye color now that I wasn’t struck stupid by his good looks. They were so blue. They reminded me of the water in some tropical location I’d never been to.
“Hey, I’m Lexie.” She shook both our hands as we introduced ourselves and smiled sweetly at us. “I guess you’ve met my husband, Ryder,” she said as she wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned into him.
“We did. It’s good to meet you.”
“I was saying we’d meant to go over to meet our new neighbor, but things have been a little crazy around here.”
Lexie moaned as she sagged against her husband. “Yes, it’s been exhausting. First, I did an emergency photoshoot, and then our daughter got sick. Excuse me if I look a little haggard. I’ve had a few sleepless nights, and last night was the first night I’ve gotten more than a few winks in.”
If this is what she looked like with little sleep, life was unfair.
“Don’t fret, baby, you look beautiful.” Ryder kissed the top of her head. My chest ached for the type of love they had for each other.
Looking over at Pen, who’d remained unusually quiet, I found her staring. I nudged her.
“So, you’re a photographer?” she asked with a bit of squeak to her voice.
“I am, so if you see a lot of people coming and going, it’s not because we’re drug dealers. Sometimes I do shoots here, but mostly we do them in a warehouse we own on the outskirts of LA.”
“What do you do?” She looked at me, but Pen answered before I could open my mouth.
“She’s an author and getting ready to publish her first book.” Pen’s face beamed with pride for me. I didn’t know what I’d do without her support.
“That’s cool. What’s your book about?” Ryder’s deep voice asked.
“It’s about a wife who starts to suspect her husband of the murders happening in their small town.”
“Well, let me know when it comes out, and I’ll buy a copy. It sounds right up my alley. I love finding new authors to read, even though I don’t have as much time to read now that we have Delilah.”
“I will. At least then I’ll know I’ve got one sale,” I joked, but I was afraid my book wouldn’t do very well, and the publishing company would ask for their advance back because it was such a flop.
“Ignore her. It’s going to be a bestseller, I know it. I’ve been reading her since we met in junior high, and she’s amazing.”
I shook my head. “She has to say that as part of our friendship agreement.”
“No, I don’t. Trust me when I say this book is going to be big. You’ll be able to say you knew Stella before she was a famous author.”
Someone’s stomach growled so loud we all laughed at the sound before Lexie spoke up. “Hey, we were just getting ready to grill outside. Would you two like to join us?”
“We’d love to,” Pen answered a little too quickly, making us seem desperate.
Lexie linked her arm with her husband and beckons us. “Let’s head out back and get started before my stomach eats itself.”
We followed the gorgeous couple outside, and even though I had pretty much the same view, I sucked in a breath as I took in their backyard with the pool and ocean. Somehow it seemed so much better than mine.
“Wow,” Pen exclaimed. “This is beautiful. If I lived here, I’d spend all my time out here.”
“We try as much as possible, but we’re pretty busy with our careers and Delilah.” Lexie walked over and sat down in a little cabana-type area that had a fireplace, two couches, and chairs off to one side of the pool.
“And what does your husband do?” Pen blurted out. It had probably been killing her to hold in that question as long as she had.
Her eyes landed on her husband, who was lighting the grill. “He’s a model.”
Not surprising.
“Have you ever done a photoshoot with him?” Pen was all but eye-fucking Ryder as she took him in.
“That’s actually how we met. After that, Ryder’s career blew up. We try to work with each other as much as possible. It’s a bit of a juggling act with how in demand we both are. If one of us goes out of town, we all go.”
“How old is your daughter?” I asked. Even though I’d been married to a pediatrician, I was a horrible judge of age with children. I either guessed way too low or high.
“She’s almost three. I wish she was here for you to meet her, but she’s with Ryder’s mom for the weekend. She wanted to give us some time to rest. We’re leaving tomorrow to drive up to where she lives in Washington. We’ll be there for a few days.” She let out a sultry laugh. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. You must think I’m crazy.”
“Not at all. I do the same thing sometimes when I meet new people that I—”
“Feel a connection with,” she interrupted.
“Yes.” My eyes widened that she felt the same way, even if I hadn’t opened up to anyone since I met Remy.
“Even though I don’t know you, I like you. I’m happy to have a neighbor that I like. Have you met your other neighbors?” When I shook my head, she continued. “I’m not a fan. They all seem like a bunch of rich snobs who think they’re better than everyone else.”
“Alright, ladies. We’ve got steak or chicken, which would you like?”
“What about hamburgers?” Lexie pouted, looking up at her husband.
“Or hamburgers,” he laughed.
“I can tell just from the way she looks, Stella wants a burger.”
I did want one, but I wasn’t sure how she could tell.
“I’ll have one as well,” Pen piped in.
“Alright, three burgers and one chicken. Do you want cheese?”
“I always want cheese,” I answered. Cheese made everything better.
“Me too,” Pen answered in a strange voice. What the hell was wrong with her?
“And I know you want cheese,” he leaned down and kissed his wife. When he stood up, Lexie swayed a little.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t help but stare at your husband. I don’t mean to be rude. I’m sure you’re used to women not being able to keep their eyes off him.”
Lexie giggled as she eyed her husband. Her lids went half-mast, making me think she was picturing her husband naked or their earlier sex in the pool. “I more than understand. Most of the time, I have the same problem. Wait until you see him with our daughter. Your ovaries will explode.”
“Keep me away from that. I am so not ready for children. Hell, I’m not sure if I ever will be.”
“You better figure it out before your ovaries shrivel up and turn to dust. Are you sure you don’t want any babies with your young buck?”
Pen’s eyes turned to slits. “You hush your mouth.”
“I love you two already,” Lexie clapped. “Where do you live, Pen? I’m guessing not with Stella.”
“No, but I’ll be here as much as possible to enjoy the beach. It was my idea for her to find a house on the beach when she decided to move up this way.”
Lexie’s attention swung back to me. “Oh, where did you move from?”
“Oasis, it’s a desert city.”
Lexie’s face scrunched up. “I feel like I’ve heard of it, but I can’t remember why.”
“We had a serial killer there a couple of years ago.” It was strange how matter-of-factly I said those words now. When it was happening, we were scared to even utter the word in case the next victim was one of us.
“Oh, that’s right. Ryder, do you remember that serial killer from a couple of years ago?” she yelled.
Ryder turned around with a deep v between his brows. “Down in the desert?”
/> “Yeah, that’s where Stella’s from.” She looked back at me. “No wonder you’re writing about one. Was it scary living there? Is that why you moved?”
“It was scary at the time, but that’s not why I moved. My story is the old husband got his assistant pregnant. Living in a small town, I got tired of being the talk of the town and the looks. The looks killed me the most, especially after the baby was born. Luckily, I’d already found the house next door and was waiting for it to close.” I looked around at the beauty surrounding me and felt everything in me relax. “Living here is so much nicer than the desert.”
“I agree. I couldn’t wait until I could afford a place here. There’s nothing better than falling asleep listening to the waves.”
“Are you sure about that?” Pen asked, tilting her head toward Ryder.
“You’re right. It’s second-best to falling asleep in his arms every night.”
“She says the sweetest things about me.” Ryder looked lovingly over at his wife. “We keep the door open every night so she can hear the waves; that’s how much she likes hearing them.”
“They’re very therapeutic after a stressful day. I hope it’s the same for you as well.”
“I think it is. My life is already less stressful unless you count the editing hell I’m in. Maybe I’ll try sleeping with my door open.”
“That doesn’t sound very safe. What if someone wants to break in? You’re giving them an easy way in.” Pen shook her head at me.
“That’s what alarms are for, and if they really want to break in, they will. Open window or door, or not,” Lexie answered her.
I hadn’t thought about someone breaking in. Maybe I’d sit outside and enjoy listening to the waves crash during the day as much as possible; that way, I’d be safe at night. I didn’t have someone like Ryder to come to my rescue if anything bad happened.
“Alright, ladies,” Ryder’s drawl was deep as he set down a platter with our burgers and a piece of chicken for him, “lunch is ready.”
“Thank you for inviting us. If I knew how to cook, I’d invite you over for dinner, but I’d hate to poison you, so I’ll take you to dinner soon.”