Chapter 1
CHARLIE
A MONTH AGO
I ’d slipped into my bunk, ready to finally get some rest, when my phone buzzed.
The sound kickstarted my heart and my adrenaline along with it. It was doing that a lot lately.
Every time a certain bodyguard texted me.
Kiernan was back in Ireland, and I was on my way home to Florida, but we’d been in touch every day. We’d become fast friends since Thailand. There was something about the strong, silent type that drew me in like a moth to a fucking flame. I loved to flirt and tease a response out of him.
Maybe too much.
Kiernan: You up?
My dick certainly was.
My brain had agreed to be friends with Kiernan, but my cock wanted more. A lot more. Wanted someone I could never have.
Fuck, I needed to get off this boat and into a hot man. Any queer, sexy, willing man. The sooner, the better.
And I was going to do exactly that when I landed in Miami.
I finished my shift and finally in bed, but I’m wired. How’s Dublin?
Windy, cold, wet. I miss Thailand. Give me heat and sunshine any day.
Speaking of sun, we’re arriving in Miami in the morning.
I’m jealous. I guess that’s why you always have a perfect tan.
All over, baby. The guys love it.
Baby? WTF? Stop flirting.
I burn and peel or I’m pasty as fuck. Except for my freckles.
I remembered. They were sprinkled over his face, his neck, and down his back. My dirty mind wondered if he had them all over. I’d volunteer to map out every single one.
The freckles are cute AF. And you don’t need a tan. You’ve got those badass tattoos that people can’t stop staring at.
Me included.
They stare because I’m big and mean looking.
You’re so not mean. And they stare because you’re hot.
Shit, there I go again.
Why, why couldn’t I help but go there? And why were the unattainable ones the hottest?
Thanks for the ego boost. The timing is perfect because I’ve got a new gig tonight. Last minute call-in for a famous musician. Gotta admit, I’m kinda excited about this job.
Why didn’t you start off with that? Who is it? Tell me!!!!
I started googling concerts in Dublin to see who was in town.
Is it Wayward Lane? They’ve got a concert tonight and tomorrow. Is it Brodie James? OMG, you know I love him so much! Is it him?
I’ll tell you…
Yes?
I’ll tell you after the job is done.
Tease.
Yeah, that’s me all right.
Speaking of teasing...
You go on any dates since you got back?
Fuck, did I really ask him that? My stomach rolled over.
I didn’t want to know. But it was too late to take it back.
Sorry, ignore. I’m nosy.
Funny you should ask. An ex-girlfriend texted me yesterday, but I’m not interested. What about you?
There’s always time for fucking. As soon as I hit Miami, it’s on.
I watched as three dots appeared, then disappeared.
Duty calls. Text you later.
Kiernan and I talked about almost everything, but I noticed he was shy whenever the topic of sex or dating came up.
It wasn’t at all what I was expecting. The man was so rugged and sexy, but he seemed to have no idea how desirable he was.
And I found his self-effacing manner so freaking adorable.
Then I had to mentally slap myself for thinking of him that way at all.
I put my phone aside and willed myself to think of something, anything, other than the hot Irishman that was occupying all of my head space lately.
Better yet, I needed to clear my mind of all thoughts about men.
And sex.
And sex with hot men.
Go to sleep.
Easier said than done.
Kiernan (Three weeks ago)
After a long but boring job shadowing a local billionaire around town, I picked up my phone and texted Charlie.
Thinking about him brought a smile to my face. Which was a big event in and of itself.
I didn’t make friends easily and best mates least of all.
I often found myself texting Charlie at all hours of the day and night. And for some reason, I was excited as feck whenever my phone buzzed. Having Charlie’s attention was heady, and I was almost giddy with anticipation every time he wrote back.
Kiernan: How’s things in Miami?
Hot. And crowded. I miss being on the ship. No traffic chaos to deal with.
What have you been up to?
Cruising the bars and clubs on my time off, the usual. You?
Guarding a tech billionaire at some fancy shindig. Boring AF. Unlike you. Sounds like you’ve got a busy social life.
You know me, I can’t stand still. I hung out with some fellow yachties last night and it was good to catch up. But I came home alone, so…
Not one single guy caught your eye?
Feck, why did I care about that?
And why did my chest tighten painfully whenever Charlie mentioned the bars or clubs he frequented? And the men he picked up.
I was straight. Ish.
Okay, maybe I had some weird kind of friend-crush going on.
My twin brother, Korry, picked up on it right away, teasing me mercilessly. I guess I’d mentioned Charlie a few times. Okay, maybe in every single conversation.
So what? It didn’t mean anything. Right?
Nope. What about you?
Me? No.
Come on, women must be crawling all over you.
Not at all.
Maybe crack a smile and see what happens LOL
I tried that, but people say I look weird LOL
I’ve seen you smile and it looks good on you. You should do it more often.
You’re the first person to ever say that, but thanks.
I’m sure I’m not.
It’s true.
You’re killing me here.
What do you mean?
I watched as the three dots appeared, then disappeared.
I gotta go. TTYL
Charlie (Two weeks ago)
Kiernan: You around?
You didn’t respond to my text yesterday. Checking to see if you received. Hope all’s well.
Checking in to see if you got my texts.
Hope you’re okay.
I stared at the messages and guilt gnawed away at me.
I’d been avoiding Kiernan’s texts for two days now, but I couldn’t avoid him forever. Not until I got rid of this stupid crush I’d developed.
This was so not me. I enjoyed casual hookups and no feelings.
And I couldn’t keep doing this. I needed distance from him. No texts, no calls, nothing. It was necessary to get my head back to normal. Under control.
I’m fine. Sorry. Work is crazy and I’m having sleep issues. Going to be in transit for the next while. I’ll give you a call after Christmas, okay? Have a wonderful holiday with your fam. Cheers.
He didn’t reply right away, and my gut churned.
Several minutes passed but they felt like hours as I stared at my screen.
I understand.
Did he? Probably not, and I felt like a total asshole.
No, I didn’t feel. I was.
Then my phone went silent. I felt even worse.
But I knew that it was for the best.
Ten minutes later, I got dressed and headed out to a bar.
I would fuck this straight guy crush out of my system if it was the last thing I’d do.