Chapter Twenty-Six

 

Ian unlocked his door, letting Aubrey go in the house ahead of him. His Bassett Hound, Morris, padded across the room to greet them, his tail wagging with enthusiasm.

"Oh, he's adorable, Ian." Aubrey crouched down to greet the dog. She scratched behind his ears and Morris gave her a slobbery kiss, making her laugh.

"Keep that up and you'll have a friend for life," Ian told her.

"Well, he's a cutie. Aren't you, Morris?" She lowered her voice as she lavished attention on the Bassett.

"Rr-ruff!"

"Morris obviously agrees with you." Ian placed his hands on his hips and shook his head. "How about I give you a tour of the house?"

She gave Morris one more rub and a quick pat on the back before she stood to her full height. "I'd love a tour."

She could see all the love and care Ian had put into the place, adding to the character it already possessed. Once the renovations were finished, the house would be beautiful with the wood trim and fine touches he added for character.

Ian ended the tour with the backyard. "You have an ocean view," she spoke the obvious, walking toward the waist-high, block wall.

"I have an ocean view?" Ian questioned, his gaze sweeping over the horizon. "Go figure. I wonder when they put that there."

She elbowed him with a snort.

"Hey, watch it. You don't want to injure the chef."

Morris trotted off to sniff around the yard, giving it a thorough nose-to-the-ground-once-over. Her lips curved at the memory of her dog she had when she lived at home with her parents. If Morris was anything like her doggie had been, he was probably checking to make sure no stray cats had wandered in while he lounged indoors.

She looked at Ian. His Atlantic blues were fixed on her. As their gazes locked there was a moment of sizzling awareness and she swallowed the lump forming in the back of her throat. Flirting seemed harmless surrounded by people, but now they were alone at his house.

"Would you like a glass of wine?" Ian's voiced sounded rough and sultry at the same time. He cleared his throat, making his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed hard.

Was he as nervous as she felt? Somehow that only endeared him more to her. It meant he didn't make a habit of bringing home women on a regular basis. "I'd love some." It would give her hands something to do other than putting them on him.

The wind chimes hanging from the patio overhead-cover chimed like tinkling bells as the moon and stars blew in the breeze. Morris came bounding over to sit under it with his tail wagging. He gave three sharp barks then looked at Ian and her before looking back at the hanging chimes again.

Aubrey lifted a brow at the strange behavior.

"He talks to the faeries," Ian said with a shrug.

Her gaze riveted to his. "The faeries?" Was he joking?

His too beautiful mouth slid into a grin. "It's the only thing I can come up with for my dog's odd behavior."

She looked back to Morris who did look like he was carrying on a conversation.

"Ready for that wine now?" Ian asked.

"Sure." She glanced back over her shoulder at Morris who seemed too content to talk to the faeries to follow them inside. She left the French doors open in case Morris changed his mind.

In the kitchen, she plopped down on the bar stool at the counter while Ian conjured up glasses and a wine bottle. He did the honors of pouring and handed her a glass. "To new beginnings."

She hesitated for half a second before clinking her glass against his. "To new beginnings." She took a generous sip.

Ian then took her glass and placed it down on the counter. He looked at her, his gaze sliding over her features. She knew he was going to kiss her. She wanted him to, but when he leaned forward, she placed a hand on his chest. She felt the rapid beat of his heart beneath her palm, felt the sultry heat radiating between them. The sexual tension was like a constant undercurrent with them, but she couldn't sleep with him no matter how much she'd like to. Nelson and she may have a casual relationship based on convenience, but it still didn't make it all right to sleep with someone else.

Nelson and she hadn't slept together in months, she reminded herself. He'd been too busy, too tired, too whatever the excuse had been.

Ian frowned, obviously not understanding her hesitation. Her fingers curled around his T-shirt and she closed her eyes. "What the hell, it's just a kiss." Before she lost her nerve, she pulled him closer.

That's all the encouragement Ian needed. He slanted his mouth over hers, giving her a long slow caress that clouded her mind. His kiss lightly chafed his shadow beard across her jaw, reminding her of his caresses of long ago. Her skin would bear the mark of transgression, but she didn't care. It was worth it. She drank him in, feeling a little drunk from being kissed so thoroughly. The sound of bells chimed like a soft melody near her ear. She pulled away to look at Ian. "Did you hear that?"

"Mm-hmm…yeah, ignore it. It's only the faeries, remember?" He leaned forward to resume kissing her, but she halted him with her hand on his chest again.

"What is it with you and your grandfather about faeries?" Her brows drew together, wanting him to explain the odd statement.

His breath was warm and smelled of wine as he chuckled and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "It's what my granddad always says to explain the unexplainable. It's just bells, Aubrey. Probably the wind chimes outside." His left hand covered hers, removing the barrier as he turned her to completely face him, positioning himself between her legs.

"It's just a phrase. It doesn't mean anything." She felt stupid for even considering for half a second the bells could be faeries speaking to each other. She blamed Mr. O'Grady and his legends for her lapse into the world of make believe.

"You're smiling." Ian brushed a thumb over her curved lips.

"I was thinking about your grandfather."

His brows rose. "Now? I'm making a move on you and my Granddad has you distracted. I don't know if I should be offended or amused." He chuckled, his eyes twinkling like water sparkling in sunlight.

"Your grandfather claimed the sound of bells meant the faeries were speaking."

"Ah, I see." He brushed a wayward strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "Perhaps they are telling us they approve of us kissing."

She smiled. "Convenient deduction."

His shoulders lifted in a shrug. "If you know the Irish legends, Faeries can be mischievous by nature. If they didn't want us together, they would be by far more creative than sounding off with the tinkling of bells."

She ran her hand over his shoulder. His arms were defined, muscled from his work around the inn. "You've thought this through, haven't you?" She was still amused at where the conversation had turned.

"Oh aye, lass." She loved it when he mimicked the Irish brogue.

Conversation never lagged or felt uncomfortable with Ian. It was as if time had waited for them to find each other again. Maybe this was their second chance to be together, but before she could even contemplate such a notion, she needed to set things right with Nelson and tell him it was over between them. The sad reality was she didn't think Nelson would care. He had his life and she was a second thought to his busy schedule. It was time for both of them to move on.

Ian leaned forward again and this time she let him take her under his spell, where she forgot about the bells, the faeries, and about her life back in Seattle with Nelson.