Mr. July: An Enemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Bachelors at the Beach Book 1)

by Jax Hart

  “Ryan?”

  “Hey Gran.”

  “Is he… being nice to you?”

  “He’s been a perfect gentleman.”

  “He better.” She looked worried as she rinsed her wine glass in the sink.

  “Is this weird for you?”

  “No.” Her eyes twinkled. “If I were forty years younger… he’d be just my cup of tea. Better for you though than me. I had my run. A good one too. I’m off to bed. I figure I’d take Daisy with me.”

  “You’re going back to Raleigh tomorrow.”

  She nods. “But I have a feeling I’ll be back soon.”

  “Or I could come visit you?”

  “I’d love that. You’ll have to come surprise Chase at the office.”

  I bit my lip. “I don’t know. That seems a bit aggressive to just show up at his work.”

  “Nonsense. You’d be visiting your granny. Think about it.”

  “Okay.”

  “Ready?” I turned my head. Chase stood in the doorway, arms crossed as he took me in wearing his things,

  “She could’ve borrowed some clothes from me.” Charlie ducked under his arm.

  “Maybe I wanted her to wear mine.” The heat in his gaze had Gran blushing. Gran handed me a bag for my clothes, and we hugged goodbyes.

  It was after midnight, but as Chase drove us through the streets, groups of people were out. The bars would be open until two. It was the holiday weekend, and no one wanted it to end it seemed. Music spilled out into the night from cars, parties, and beach bars.

  I didn’t want the night to end but I knew it had to. Chase pulled over and parked outside the shelter and walked me up the back steps. “I’m not going to kiss you good night because it’ll lead to a kiss good morning.” The pads of his fingers skimmed my cheek. “Goodnight beautiful.”

  “Goodnight.” I bit the inside of my cheek as he jogged down the stairs. My apartment seemed empty. Something it had never felt before. Daisy was gone. He was gone. After the crowds at the beach and his full house, life on this side of the inlet felt so lonely. I took a long shower, put his clothes back on. But I tossed and turned unable to sleep. I found myself inside the shelter, perusing cages. An orange Tabby, meowed, pushing herself against the metal trying to reach my fingers. Ginger was new. Sweet. Her owner had passed away and the heirs didn’t want a cat. Just the money. I took her out, cradling her to my chest. Roscoe whined. I caved and took him too. He hogs the bed, sometimes has gas, but I needed comfort tonight. Somehow, we all settled in. Roscoe at my feet and the cat next to me. I stared at the ceiling remembering his kiss in the ocean, how for a second, he let himself sink down on me. My breasts ached. My body thrummed with need. Between my legs the honey was warm and waiting for him. Sighing, I picked up my phone, opening the rental app.

  From: ryanhill99@gmail.com

  To: homeowner1278

  SUBJECT: Info

  Pink. Light pink silk. And I slept in the room overlooking the hot tub.

  He answered almost immediately.

  From: homeowner12678

  To: ryanhill99@gmail.com

  SUBJECT: Info

  Babe. You’re killing me. I’m here right now. Imagining you in it. I gave my sister the master. We’ve technically slept in the same bed.

  P.S.

  I kept your panties for court. You know. Evidence and all that.

  My face heated. He had my thongs. Groaning, I rolled out of bed. Ginger growled and hissed as the mattress shook her awake. “Ugh cats. You think you rule us humans.”

  I took a cold shower. Very cold, using the icy spray to cool all my jets. I thought about taking care of business but decided waiting for Chase would be worth all the sweet torment. I knew Mr. July would set off a firework show the likes of which my body had never seen. I turned up the AC and crawled under the covers carefully as to not piss off the cat. If I couldn’t sleep wrapped in Chase’s arms. The company of a grumpy tabby and an oversized lab was better than being alone with no one at all.

  Twenty-Four

  It took me a minute to wake up. Roscoe did some weird doggie moan as he rolled, stretching his paws in the air. Ginger blinked, looked offended as my movements jostled her. It was almost ten. I never slept that late. I put my hair in a ponytail, slipped into my sandals and took them both outside. Roscoe did his business while I cuddled the cat.

  “Hey.”

  Steve was inside, looking at the paperwork on the counter. “Are you okay? Daisy went to a good guy. I did his background check in ten minutes. Your grandmother was on his list of contacts. I thought you’d be fine then I noticed the two empty crates this morning.”

  “I got used to her. Loved her. But yeah, I’m fine. I couldn’t offer her a permanent home right now being an undergrad.”

  “Here. Your new boyfriend dropped this by. He didn’t want to wake you. Imagine my surprise when I realized he was the guy who adopted Daisy yesterday.”

  “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

  “Huh, weird.” Steve, smiled.

  A bouquet of beautiful blue hydrangeas in a glass sat on a counter next to a card and… my favorite coffee in a to-go cup from the café around the block. Inside the card was three-thousand dollars in cash.

  Faster than a check. I’m sorry, too. But I don’t regret how you lit my mind on fire before my body. The flowers are from my garden. I planted them myself. Call me later: 919-208-1550

  Chase

  I heated up my coffee in the microwave Steve had in his office. “Your professor put in papers for Roscoe.”

  “Did she? She joked about it enough. What am I going to do, with all my favorites leaving me?”

  “New ones will come. We’ll be full in September just like we are every year.”

  I shook my head. “Poor cuties.”

  “Go. Get out of here. I’ve got everything covered.” I took my coffee down to the dock, sat on Pop’s boat, dangling my legs over the side. I scrolled through my email until I found the one from the small claims clerk, quickly writing a message that I was withdrawing my suit and that we settled out of court.

  I knew it was my money, but it felt weird, like I was taking his. I sent him a text.

  Me: Thank you for the flowers and coffee. You’re spoiling me. I withdrew my suit this morning. I guess, we’ll never know who would’ve won in court.

  Chase: Me of course.

  I rolled my eyes.

  Me: Still Mr. Cocky Hot-Shot Homeowner.

  Chase: What are you doing later?

  Me: Taking my new boyfriend out on a date.

  Chase: Who might that be?

  Me: My calendar guy.

  Chase: Good thing you stole spares after you defaced his handsomeness.

  Me: You have no idea what I did with those spares… they’ve seen me naked.

  Chase: Babe. I’m dying here.

  Me: I’ll pick you up at six.

  Chase: I’ll pick you up.

  Me: My date. My rules. Don’t be so misogynistic. I’m taking you out.

  Chase: A woman in control… I like it.

  I spent my day finishing up a thesis I was working on, texted Dr. Winnfield about Roscoe then planned my date. Dinner was so cliché. He already took me on a beach picnic…. Movies we couldn’t talk. The sun wouldn’t set until 8:30. Paddle boarding. I’d take him paddle boarding. Steve had a spare. I texted Chase:

  Me: Wear workout clothes.

  Chase: ???

  Me: Just do it. Stop needing to be in control all the time.

  Chase: I lost all control the second our worlds first collided.

  I put my tankini on with a pair of work out shorts over the bottoms. It didn’t take long to attach my paddleboard on the roof rack of my Jeep. I lifted up the one Steve left out back next to it. Packed a cooler with water bottles and sunscreen, made sure my car was neat and tidy before pulling out. My hair was in a French braid, but a few strands never stayed put. I was tan, proud of my toned arms and legs and when I stepped out of my Jeep, Hunter did
a double take before whistling. “Legs. I’m calling you legs. Pretty boy is inside trying to figure out which workout tee makes his muscles look better for you.”

  I stepped up to the porch. “I thought you were leaving today.”

  “Houseguests and laundry start smelling after three days,” Chase called out. “He wouldn’t leave.”

  “Why would I when all the hot girls are still here?” Hunter tipped back his long neck bottled beer to his lips.

  “Who took my gran home?”

  “Patrice from accounting.”

  Chase opened the screen door coming out. “Sorry, I was filling Daisy’s water bowl since trust fund baby over here will probably forget. Paddle boarding?”

  I nodded.

  “Bro, she’s a dream girl. Lock that up.”

  Chase rolled his eyes. “I thought Char was your dream girl. See what I mean?”

  I laughed. “I hope you’re into it.”

  “He’s definitely into it,” Hunter interrupted.

  “Ignore him. He’s an overgrown infant.”

  “I’ll remember that when you ask me to be your best man!” he called out as I backed out.

  I drove over to a public launch on the bayside where the water was calm like smooth glass. I reached up, unstrapping the fasteners holding the paddle boards, turning as Chase hoisted them off one by one.

  “What?” I blushed. Chase wouldn’t take his eyes off me.

  “I’ll tell you someday.”

  “Um, okay. How’s Daisy? Did you remember her eyedrops?”

  “She’s happy. Spoiled already. Hunter already called dibs on having her sleep in his room tonight.”

  I shook my head. “He’s funny. Charming and can sing.”

  “Charlie’s still here.”

  “Let it be.”

  “I’m trying.”

  We each got on a board gently paddling out. The sun was sinking but there was still plenty of light. The sky was turning from blue to orange and pink hues. “There’s a peacefulness out here. Everything’ s perfect. No matter what’s happening in the world I feel everything will be okay. Nature assures me. Gives me confidence that everything always works out the way it’s supposed to. Just like the moon triggers the tides and chases the sun.”

  “There is something about the ocean. It draws you in. I’ve always felt more at home here than anywhere else.”

  “Me too. I never want to leave.”

  He smiled. “I’ve never dated anyone like you. You boat, paddleboard, drive a Jeep with no roof and cuddle with homeless dogs.”

  I shrugged. “I suck at bowling. Can’t draw a straight line with a pencil. Can’t cook like my Gran—”

  “Well, that’s the deal breaker right there.” I lifted my paddle, splashing water at him. “I needed this.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This whole weekend, meeting you. It was all a set-up. Bunny came into my office last month asking if I could read over your court filing. She wanted to help you. Hunter and I crashed her bridge night. You made me curious. I had to meet you and not in court. So, I came up with the idea of a 4th of July party at the shore house and invited my co-workers. Most of them had already rented places down here for the weekend anyway. Bunny didn’t know I planned this whole thing out to meet you, so don’t be mad at her.”

  “I’m not mad. I’m flattered. Since we are confessing, when the power went out, I climbed on a kitchen stool to hunt for candles and flashlights. They were behind your Christmas box. I only took the top calendar. I don’t know what made me do it; the next day I was putting things back and just grabbed the whole box.”

  “Was it me or Mr. December? He was pretty jacked.”

  “It was you. The sexy smirk that oozed confidence. Your ‘I don’t give a damn’ attitude grabbed me. Your abs didn’t hurt either.”

  “Ryan Hill, it’s our third date and I already want hundreds more.”

  “Second.”

  “Third.”

  I rolled my eyes humoring him. “Okay…”

  “Will you be my girl? I have no interest in dating anyone but you.”

  “I still have one more full year of school. Then my master’s program. Probably a Ph.D. after that.”

  “I have no problem calling you doctor.”

  “I won’t put my dreams on hold for a relationship.”

  “I’ll never ask you too. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way. We can save the details of long-distance for date number four.”

  “It’s not that far.”

  “It’s not. Besides, while I’m slaving away on contracts you can save marine life, uninterrupted by my charm. But the weekends are all mine.”

  “It’ll be dark soon. I made reservations at Sharky’s. I’m buying. Someone left me an envelope of cash this morning.”

  We paddled in. Sharky’s was a popular beach bar but everyone wore bathing suits and flip flops. They were known for the freshest catches of the day. We had a table on the beach with a flickering candle between us. Potted palm trees with twinkle lights marked the edges of the restaurant’s perimeter in the sand. A live band was playing beats.

  “Well, well. It’s Mr. July.”

  Chase stiffened at the guy approaching our table with two giggling girls under each arm. He was drunk. They all were. The smell of beer came from all of them. His eyes were glassy, his feet unsteady.

  “Beat it, Diersky.”

  “Don’t be rude. I was offended I didn’t get invited to your party last night, but you can make it up to me by buying us a round. He pulled a chair over to join us. Right as he was about to sit down Chase kicked a leg. The chair fell back and Diersky hit sand.

  “Son of a bitch!” He roared.

  Chase stood over him. “Get lost. Now.”

  “You think you’re so tough, Carmichael? I’ll kick your ass.”

  “Try it. You can’t best me at anything. Not in the office, not here.” The man’s eyes shifted past Chase, settling on me. “That’s your girl? That tomboy with no tits?”

  Chase moved fast. Picked the man up by the collar of his shirt. His free fist had cocked back. “No.” I stilled him with my hand. Chase was shaking with rage.

  By now security was almost here. “He’s drunk. Fell in the sand. I was helping him up. He’s way over the limit. You might need to call a cop.”

  “No, I’m good. We’re leaving.”

  Chase sat back down but our date now had a dark cloud hanging over it. “What was that about?”

  “Diersky works at the same firm. He’s always been jealous of my success. Tries to undermine me at every turn. He knew if they called the cops, he’d get fired. Our partners don’t mess around with their public image. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize for what’s not your fault.”

  “You’re beautiful. I mean it.” His hand covered mine. He stood, moved his chair right next to me. Instead of sitting across from me, his side pressed against mine. I rested my head on his shoulder as we sipped our drinks, listened to the notes from the band mix with the surf and just enjoyed the simplicity of it.

  “Come home with me tonight?” The words fell from my lips before I could stop them.

  “I’ll think about it,” he winked.

  “I mean. The new season of Creed MC is out on Netflix.”

  “You want me to come over to watch it with you?”

  “Yes. What did you think I was asking?” Somehow, I kept a straight face. I smacked his arm, blushing. Our food came out saving me from further embarrassment. We chatted easily about my thesis paper; he spoke briefly about his work. I had so much knowledge about him for only two days. I had my cash out as the waitress came, but she wouldn’t take my money. It seemed Chase pulled a fast one, paying when he excused himself. I lost my nerve about driving him to my place. So, I took him home. “I thought we were going to your place?”

  “Your TV is bigger.”

  “I’ll make popcorn.” Chase left me to turn on Netflix. He came back with drinks and
a large bowl. His arm curved around my shoulders. Daisy jumped up next to us.

  “Is this Creed Season two? The one where Devon shows up in Springdale?”

  Hunter plopped down, shoved his hand in our popcorn bowl and made himself comfortable.

  “You’re crashing my date.”

  “So? You do it to me all the time.” Hunter’s eyes never left the tv screen.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Last Christmas. Last night. Take your pick,” he trailed off.

  “Creed two is out? Ah, did you see the previews of the actor playing Rog?” Char squeezed in next to Hunter, lifted the bowl of popcorn off my lap as Hunter put an arm around her.

  We watched six episodes before we hit pause to make more popcorn and refill our drinks. “Are you and Chase official yet?”

  I turned to Hunter and shrugged. “I was still suing him until this morning.”

  He waved his hand. “Foreplay. That’s all it was all this time. You really made him hot. We were at the gym when he got one of your messages on the app. He was so fired up he set a personal best on chest press. I thought he was going to pop a nerve. Now he’s popping something else.”

  “Are you always so… crass?”

  “I lived in a Frat for way too long. I just call it like it is. Chase is too serious. He needs to loosen up and take that stick out of his ass.”

  I started laughing. “That’s exactly what I said to him on the app.”

  “No shit?”

  “What’s going on?” Charlie came back from the kitchen with Chase behind her.

  “Nothing. Ryan and I are just getting to know one another.” Hunter placed a hand on my knee. Chase narrowed his eyes, slapped it away as he sat down, pulling me onto his lap away from Hunter.

  He retaliated by grabbing Charlie and doing the same.

  Chase growled.

  Char rolled her eyes. “Boys. We’re not doing this. You’re going to ruin the show.” She hit play. I tried not to squirm as the scene came on where one of the main character’s best friends meets a handsome hottie in the woods at a summer bonfire where he seduces her into a puddle of mush. They got naked and it was hot watching the actor kiss her breasts. I think Hunter groaned. I could see why Char liked him. He was handsome, honest, and put himself out there instead of being ashamed of hiding anything.