Chapter Seven
She reached the front door before Ian could knock and she swung it open.
“Have you decided to become my shadow? Why don’t you just run on home?” She arched a brow. “I’m assuming you have one?”
Ian gave a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m renting a house down in the Greenbank area. Can I come in?”
She absorbed that little tidbit of knowledge, and sighed. “That’s probably a bad idea.”
“But you’re going to let me in anyway?” He continued onto the porch and then stepped right over the threshold.
Once again, her space shrank to just the two of them. Her head went light with the scent of him, and when his body brushed hers as he entered, her breath caught.
“You don’t take the word no very seriously, do you?” she muttered, and shut the door behind him.
“Actually, I do.” His jaw hardened, his eyes clouded. “It carries a lot of weight with me.”
He was serious, she realized. There was more than just words there.
“Are you having a bit of wine?” He nodded to the open bottle. “Would you mind if I have a glass?”
“I’d rather you didn’t. I’m not even sure why you’ve come by. I’m hoping you won’t be here long.”
“Fair enough.” He thrust his hands into his pockets. “I won’t be here longer than necessary. I promise.”
She hesitated a moment before going to grab another glass and pouring him a little bit as well.
“Thank you.” He took the glass and lifted his gaze to hers. “We should talk about your car.”
“Yes, we should. I’ve decided I’m going to try and take cash out on my credit card and pay you.”
“That won’t be necessary. I don’t need your money.”
“Yes, well, I’d rather not owe you any more kisses.” She could feel her cheeks burning hot. “Or whatever other tawdry payment you’re expecting.”
“I expected nothing. The kiss was…” he hesitated “…hell, I don’t know where that idea came from. Only that it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“How is kissing me a good idea? We have an awful history, and you have a girlfriend. Though I guess it’s never stopped you before.”
“Ouch. Another low blow.”
“Not that low.”
He grunted. “Gina’s not my girlfriend. It was more of a hooking-up thing. And that’s over.”
“Is it?” Right. Hookup or not, that woman on his arm this afternoon had been ten times sexier than she was.
There was resolve in his eyes as he answered. “Yes. I plan to call her later, actually.”
And she believed him. It probably made her stupid as hell, but she believed him. Had she learned nothing?
Bitter with the realization, she took another sip of wine.
“And our history wasn’t all horrible.”
Her heart clenched. Why didn’t he just drop it? Why was he so determined to try and deepen a scar that would never disappear?
“The end was horrible. It kind of taints the rest, don’t you think?”
“I don’t really know. I have a hard time forgetting the rest sometimes.” A bitter smile twisted his mouth. “Much harder than you it seems.”
She watched him take another sip of wine. Saw the bead of red gather on his lip and had to fight the temptation to lean forward and kiss it away.
If someone would’ve told her ten years ago that Ian would be standing here, saying these kinds of things and seeming almost vulnerable, she would’ve laughed.
Ian was a born and bred bad boy. His agenda in life seemed to be to have fun and screw the consequences. Early on, maybe that first time they’d met in the car, he might’ve even said that to her.
He hadn’t changed, though. And she couldn’t afford to get involved with him again. It was a risk to so much more than her heart.
Hardening her resolve, and any romantic side of her that was screaming, “Maybe…” she stepped away from him and moved into the living room.
The upholstered couch had to be two decades old at least, and it showed the wear and love from the years. She sank into it, breathing in the familiar scent of Gran’s house that rose with the dust.
“I need to get some work done tonight. So why don’t you finish up with what you came to tell me, and we’ll call it a night?”
*
What he came to tell her? Ian bit back a sharp laugh of disbelief. Hell, he wasn’t quite sure what he’d come to tell her. Maybe, no definitely, warn her to stay away from MacGregor if she saw him anywhere.
But first, he had to get her off the idea of paying him for repairing the car. She’d already admitted she was broke, and he truly had no need for her money. His reputation was fantastic and his clientele was expanding by the week. Sure, he did simple car repairs on the island, but word had spread about the work he did on classic car restoration. He was the garage people on—and off—the island came to.
“Tell you what,” Ian began, “instead of kisses, instead of money, why don’t we—”
The ringing of her cell phone had him trailing off. Maybe it was a good thing because he wasn’t quite sure what’d he’d been about to offer.
“Shouldn’t you answer that?” he asked, when Sarah made no move to answer her cell. “What if it’s your daughter?”
“It is,” she admitted, and seemed reluctant to answer. “Give me a moment.”
He watched her answer the phone. Her tone and expression softened as he listened to the tender conversation with her daughter.
As if she couldn’t take his gaze on her anymore, she stood and paced in front of the window as she chatted.
Ian took her place on the couch, sipping his wine as he stared out the large window behind her. The view was rather spectacular. You could see part of the historic town of Coupeville, and then beyond it the small inlet of saltwater named Penn Cove—famous for the mussels grown there.
Even though it was heading toward six in the evening, there were still sailboats and kayakers out. No doubt enjoying the longer days of summer and awaiting the upcoming sunset.
“Sorry about that.” Sarah hit a button on her cell phone and came to sit down again. “She’s on the east coast and is just getting ready for bed. She wanted to call and say goodnight. We’ve never been apart this long, and I know it isn’t easy for her. Or me. At bedtime I usually tuck her in and have her read out loud to me from a chapter book.”
“That’s quite sweet.” And it was. He didn’t have much experience with kids—none of his siblings had any yet. But he knew when the time came, he could probably adapt slowly to the uncle role. “What did you say her name was?”
“I didn’t, but it’s Emily.”
“Pretty. How old is she?”
“She’s eight. Almost nine.” Sarah tucked her phone back into her purse. “I’m sorry, now what were you saying before she called? Something about payment for my car?”
“Ah yes, I was.” What the hell had he been about to offer? “Why don’t you just bake us muffins or something?”
The look Sarah threw at him could’ve frozen ice. “I’m sorry? Bake muffins?”
“Er, you don’t have to. It was just a suggestion. You weren’t overtly fond of the kissing one—”
“I’m not. No more kisses.” Her mouth flattened into a line of determination.
He laughed softly and arched a brow. “I think you enjoyed it, doll. And before you try to claim otherwise, remember I was there when you were riding out an orgasm on my finger.”
Her choked gasp coincided with the widening of her eyes. “You’re awful. You had to say that? Really?”
His laugh turned to a belly one now. Loud and resounding in the room. “It’d be more unnatural if I didn’t.”
“Well then get a filter for your thoughts. Most people have one.”
“Hmm. I’ll keep it in mind, but it’s not quite as fun.” He sobered some and lifted his gaze to hers again. “But I truly don’t need your money, Sarah. Keep it. I’ll do this as a favor.”
“I don’t want any favors from you.”
“Well you’ve got one anyway. You don’t really need to bake muffins. I was taking the piss out of you.”
“What?” Her brows furrowed.
“Sorry, I’ll Americanize that for you since you clearly need a reminder on the phrase. I was messing with you.”
She made another harrumph.
“You said you had to work. What do you do for a living? It obviously travels well.”
“I’m a graphic designer. Most of my business is online.”
“And it pays shite?”
“No, it pays pretty good when the business is coming in.”
He paused, taking another sip of wine, before asking, “But you’re broke?”
“Not usually. It’s the legal fees from the divorce, and I’ve had to drop some clients because of the time it’s been taking up.” She shook her head and gestured around the house. “This time here will actually be good for me. I’m able to take on more clients—if I can get them. I’m still new. I only just completed college.”
“Which you’re also paying off?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.” Why had she waited so long after high school? Had getting married and having a kid slowed that dream down?
Aleck had hounded him to go to college and get a degree after graduation. Told him to pull his head out of his arse and stop crying over a woman and focus on his life. On his future.
And so he had. Granted, school had been spread out because he’d had to serve a tiny stint in prison, but he’d eventually graduated with a degree in business.
Maybe Sarah had attended college for a bit and then dropped out because she’d become pregnant.
The thought of Sarah with another man—a husband who’d given her a child—made the wine turn bitter in his belly.
He’d mastered the ability to turn his thoughts from Sarah when they appeared. And forget thinking about Sarah and a husband. Literally, he couldn’t think about the reality of it without feeling ill—even a bit violent toward the other man, actually.
He set his wine down on the coffee table next to the couch and stood.
“I should go.
“A fabulous idea,” she said over brightly. “Thanks for dropping by, Ian.”
“Before I do, though, I wanted to warn you about MacGregor.”
She tilted her head, though he saw the flicker of awareness in her eyes. “MacGregor?”
“The man you saw me speaking to in my office?”
“Ah, yes.”
Judgment clouded her gaze now, and he knew she was again finding his choice in company disappointing. He couldn’t blame her. It didn’t matter, though, this was too important. This was about keeping her safe.
“Stay away from him,” he said with quiet authority. “Please.”
She looked skeptical and gave a nervous laugh. “It’s not as if I planned to go have a beer and burger with the guy. He’s not my type in the least.”
“I realize that. What I’m saying is if you do see him around, give him a wide berth. Stay away. And let me know immediately.”
She swallowed visibly, wariness flickering in her eyes now. “What kind of guys do you run with? And why are you dragging me into their circle?”
“I never intended to drag you in.” Whether he’d intended to or not, he had. And he was kicking himself over the realization. “Your paths crossed, unfortunately, and it’s not something I can undo. I just wanted you to be warned.”
“Your friends sound awesome. Just awesome.”
He’d have to be dead to miss her sarcasm.
Ignoring her words, and denying how much they stung, he dug in his pocket for the card he’d stuffed there earlier.
“Here’s the info for the garage. I put my personal cell number on the back if you need anything.”
“I won’t.” But she took it anyway.
“Careful. Because you might.” He went to the front door and paused. “Thanks for the wine, doll. And sorry about the kiss.”
She rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. “You’re not sorry.”
His lips twitched. “No, I can’t say that I am. And neither are you.”
*
Sarah watched him go. Her heart was pounding a little too fast and there were butterflies in her stomach. They were the same damn symptoms she’d had all those years ago. Symptoms that warned she could fall for him all over again if she wasn’t careful.
And she had to be careful. She had to be very, very careful.
She refused to end up in the same boat she’d been in eleven years ago…
*
“We’re moving to Japan.” The words she’d been dreading were out. Fleeing her mouth on a wave of emotion and tears that she couldn’t let fall. “My dad got his orders and he’s getting stationed there.”
Ian stared at her. Absolute shock registering on his face. “No. You can’t go.”
Misery welled in her and she shrugged. “I don’t want to, but I don’t think I have a choice. I’m not eighteen yet.”
“You will be in a year.”
“Yeah. A year.” Tears did flood her eyes now.
“Can’t you stay here? If we talk to my parents, I’m sure they’d take you in. They love you.” Ian’s voice grew more animated with the idea. “You and Kenzie can share a room—”
“You don’t understand. My dad hates you. He’s thrilled that this move will break us up. He says I need a year, at least, to make sure you’re really what I want out of life.”
Ian pulled her into his arms, his voice low as he asked, “And you think I am?”
“I know you are,” she whispered. “I’m not going to lie. I want to go to college after graduation and get a degree, but I love you. I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone like I love you. We can take it slow, but there’s no one else I want.”
“Then we’ll make it work, doll.” He kissed her forehead again, then the tip of her nose, and finally her mouth. “Trust me. I’ll go talk to your dad tonight.”
She gave a soft harrumph, only half-kidding as she advised, “You might want to wear a bulletproof vest.”
Ian laughed, though, and tightened his arms around her. “We’ll just be real with him. He’s got to know how we feel about each other.”
“He knows. I just don’t think he cares.” She sighed. “What time does your party start tonight?”
“Eight. Are you sure you don’t want to come?”
“I don’t drink.” She wrinkled her nose. “Besides. This is for the graduating seniors—I’d feel like a dork crashing it.”
“You’re my girlfriend. No one’s going to question you being there with me.”
No one would question it because she’d be on Ian McLaughlin’s arm. His reputation still ensured that people weren’t stupid enough to start something with him. Ian was right. Her presence might be bitched about quietly, but wouldn’t dare be voiced aloud.
“Besides, Hailey and Steve are going,” she added. “She’ll keep an eye on you.”
Ian and Sarah had often gone on double dates with the other couple. Hailey was another cheerleader and a close friend on the cheerleading squad.
“What, you don’t trust me?” he teased.
“You know I do,” she said softly. “I just get nervous with a lot of intoxicated teenagers.”
“You sound like my mother.” He kissed her again. “I promise I won’t have more than a few beers.”
“You’d better not, because that’s an MIP. If you get caught.”
“Never been caught before.”
“It’s really kind of disturbing the things you brag about,” she drawled.
“I’m not bragging.”
Though she enjoyed teasing him, she knew he wasn’t all that big of a drinker. Sure, he and his friends snuck a few beers or Scottish whisky now and then, but they never got totally wasted.
It had bothered her at first, more so because she was such a rule follower. She refused to drink until the government told her she legally was of age to do so. But she was also aware that if she refused to date any guy that drank underage, the pickings were slim.
And she didn’t really want to pick anyway. Ian was her soul mate. She knew it, without a doubt. The bad boy act was just that. More for show than a reality. It was an image he projected to the world, and she still wasn’t sure why. But then, they’d only been dating for seven months.
“I should go. I need to study for a chemistry final on Monday.” She sighed and snuggled closer. “But promise you’ll be careful tonight, okay?”
“I promise. You want to grab breakfast tomorrow?”
Yes. “Sure you won’t be too hungover?” she asked lightly.
“Do I have to say it again? I’m not getting drunk.”
“Okay, then I’d love to. I just heard how crazy these end-of-the-year senior parties are.”
“Well you don’t need to worry about me. I’ll text you by nine.”
He kissed her again, deeper this time, and her heart and head spun in a giddy swirl of love and happiness.
“Can’t wait,” she whispered when he lifted his head.
*
And that had been the last time everything had been sunshine and roses between them. It had gone to hell in a handbasket pretty damn fast when morning came.
The visual slipped through her head. The memory of wandering through the party house, trying to find Ian. And then when she had…
Not wanting to think about it anymore, she started to re-cork the wine when another knock sounded on her door.
Had Ian come back?
Groaning in disbelief, she went to peek through peephole to be safe.
She had the door open in seconds. “Hey, you. I’m trading one McLaughlin for another tonight.”