Page 8 of Personal Foul (The San Diego Storm #3)

Carson

A fter spending less than an hour with Colin, everything about him overwhelmed me.

His quick wit and the way he challenged me at every step made it difficult to see the man Jayse described.

He was irritating for sure, but I hadn’t verbally sparred with anyone like that in a long time.

And definitely not someone who made me forget my surroundings while worrying about what he was going to do next.

Pulling into the garage, I glanced over at him as I turned off the car. He was quiet for once, with his head reclined against the seat, blinking slowly. The long travel day had caught up to him, it seemed.

“What would you like to do for dinner? I wasn’t sure if you’d be up for going out, so I stocked the refrigerator with things I thought you’d like.

I couldn’t find much from Australia. Or I can always order something in, or cook.

It doesn’t matter to me. I’m pretty easy.

But I don’t have cat food. Or litter. Or a litter box. ”

Why the fuck was I babbling?

Colin’s mouth inched up as I rambled on.

Cat litter, St. James? What the fuck is wrong with you?

“I have some food and his travel litter box. I planned to get more tomorrow, or have it delivered.”

I nodded. “Oh. Yeah. Okay. That works. Delivery is good too.”

He smiled, evidently enjoying my discomfort and word vomit. Saving me from further embarrassment, Allister meowed, reminding us we were still in the car.

I opened my door. “Let’s go, and I’ll show you the guest house where you can let him out.”

God, what was wrong with me? I wasn’t normally a babbling idiot, but he fucked with my head, reducing me to this.

Colin reached over and put his hand on my forearm. I’d never had my skin tingle from someone’s touch. It was like another electrical shock to my system, compelling me to turn toward him. “Thanks for this, mate. I appreciate it.”

I swallowed and nodded. “Yeah,” I breathed. “No problem.”

Needing some air, I got out and walked to the back to grab his suitcases while he retrieved Allister. With both suitcases in hand, I headed around to the security gate that led to the pool.

“Woah, this is really something.”

Pausing at his statement, I noticed as he slowed his stride to take in my breathtaking view of the ocean. In the far right corner closest to the beach, a small guest house sat ready for its new occupants.

He stopped on the expansive pool deck, looking back at the house and the jacuzzi. “This place is gorgeous, mate. The view of the ocean is almost like mine from my penthouse.”

That surprised me for some reason. “You have a penthouse apartment?”

He smiled softly. “Yeah. Three bedrooms that overlook the harbor. The water is about the same color, maybe a tad clearer. You can’t hear the waves very well. I’m too far up.”

Nodding slowly, I took in what he was seeing. My home was my haven, and it made me proud that others saw it that way.

A bark sounded from the glass door, alerting me that Bella wanted to say hello.

“I’m going to let her out. Give me a second.”

Colin smiled up at where Bella was shaking her bottom. She didn’t have a tail, so when she wagged, it was her whole body. But one thing she could do was smile.

Entering the code, I unlocked the door to let her out.

“Hey, baby. Did you miss me?” I asked, squatting down to rub her.

Bella barked in response, then took off toward Colin.

“Bella,” I called. “Stay.”

She sat down, then, much to her disappointment, laid down to watch our guest.

“She’s beautiful, Carson. And well behaved. Did you train her?”

I smiled at her. “Yes. Hopefully, she’ll be good with Allister. My workout room shares half of the pool house, so she might wander in. Most of the time, she goes where I go. But I can keep her out if it bothers you.”

Colin shook his head but didn’t take his eyes off her. “No, mate,” he replied gently. “I can’t wait to get my hands on her. But this guy needs to get out.”

“Oh, yeah,” I said, moving toward him. “I’m sorry, Allister.”

I closed the distance between us and reached for his bags. Rolling them to the door, he followed behind me.

The six-hundred-square-foot bungalow did double duty as a guest house and home gym.

On the left side sat a one-bedroom apartment with an open floor plan, kitchen, and living room area.

My home gym shared a wall on the right. Both spaces had views of the ocean and pool, and retractable glass doors that allowed for indoor-outdoor living.

I just hoped it wasn’t a problem for the cat.

Entering the security code, I opened the door and stepped back to allow him to enter.

“I wrote the code down and stuck it on the fridge. I can get you a key if you prefer. It’s just easier, I think.”

I looked up to find my dog. “Stay out here, girl.”

After he entered the house, I rolled his bags inside and closed the door. He set the carrier on the floor and opened it for the cat.

“Here ya go, buddy,” Colin crooned to him. “You can investigate a bit.”

The black cat took a few steps before stretching backward, extending his front paws. We both watched as he looked up at me, then walked over to wind himself between my ankles.

Reaching down, I smiled as I stroked my hand over his back. “Welcome to America, Allister. I hope you enjoy your new life here.”

The cat purred, then moved on to explore the rest of the space.

The space felt smaller now that Colin filled it up.

“Nice place,” he said, looking around. “Did you design it?”

I glanced around at what he was seeing. “Actually, I did. I had it built on-site to give my parents a private space when they visited, and a dedicated workout room.”

He smiled as he walked back into the bedroom. Trying out the mattress, he nodded to himself. He disappeared from view, probably checking out the en-suite bathroom. When he walked back in, he propped his hand on his hips and smiled at me. “Nice place.”

I couldn’t tell if he was being genuine or sarcastic. I was too busy with Allister. Apparently, it was important that I make sure the cat was happy.

When Colin caught me watching, he smirked at me.

“What?” I chuckled.

“He doesn’t take to people, but for some reason, he likes you. The last guy…” he paused, then ran his fingers over his lips. “He usually hides when people come around.”

I nodded, suddenly curious about the last guy. But that was none of my business.

“Maybe he feels safe here,” I said.

“Maybe.”

The moment felt weighted, so I moved on to safer topics and pointed over my shoulder toward the door.

“I’ll let you get settled in. The washer and dryer are in the nook over there.”

I don’t know why I was pointing out the obvious, but he just smiled and nodded.

“Thanks.”

I took a big breath. “I’ll go to the grocery store to get some things for him. Anything special he needs? Or you?”

Colin shook his head but kept his eyes on me. “Nope. He’s partial to fish, and any scoopable cat litter is great. I’m going to order him a self-cleaning one before we head out.”

Something crossed his face, and he frowned up at me. “Shit. I need to find someone to tend to him while we’re gone to training.”

“I have a housesitter for Bella. I’m sure they won’t mind looking after Allister.”

He released a heavy sigh. “Are you sure?”

I smiled, trying to ease his worries. Leaving your pet for two weeks was no joke. “Absolutely. They’re great. I’ll call them tomorrow.”

I wasn’t going to share with him that the housesitters were my parents. He didn’t need to know that just yet.

Colin nodded, then looked down at Allister. A big yawn escaped his mouth. That was my cue to leave, so I went to the door.

“Thanks again, Carson. I’m gonna grab a shower while you’re gone and get rid of this.”

He pulled at the T-shirt, making me laugh. “Yeah. Good call. We can decide on dinner when I get back.”

“Sounds good,” he said, reaching for his suitcase.

I stepped outside, then pulled the door closed before calling for Bella. “Let’s go to the pet store, girl. We need to buy some cat supplies and a new chew toy for you.”

Bella barked and trotted behind me.

When we returned an hour later, I took the bags of food and litter to the guest house before returning to the Rover for the litter box he wanted. I figured while I was there, I might as well pick it up.

I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Turning the handle, I opened it just enough to look around. Colin was stretched out across the bed on his stomach, sound asleep.

My new furry friend was curled in a ball on the foot of the bed. He lifted his head to leer at me but quickly went back to sleep.

Sorry little guy.

Moving outside, I quietly removed the packing from the disposable litter box and placed it back inside on the floor with another watchful glare from Allister.

Pulling the door closed, I locked it behind me, then went down to the beach to walk Bella.

The next morning, I looked out the back window to find Colin in the pool. I took my cup of coffee and strolled outside to where he was swimming laps until Bella decided it was time for him to stop. She went to the side of the pool and barked, quickly getting his attention.

The sudden noise startled him, making me smile.

With no towel in sight, I went to the cabinet by the door and pulled one out. In the seconds I turned my back on him, he had walked to the side of the pool to meet Bella.

She stretched out on the concrete as he rubbed her head and cooed at her. It didn’t add up in my head how someone so kind to animals could be so aggressive to people. But then again, he’d been here less than a day, so I was sure he’d show his real personality soon.

Walking to the edge, I dropped the towel by the tanning ledge.

“How’s the water?”

Colin stood, then ran both hands through his hair as he pushed it back from his face. Droplets clung to his beard and torso, while his exposed chest displayed the intricate tattoos circling his right arm and two pierced nipples.

“Delightful. Just what I needed to wake up. The time change has me off kilter.”

“I bet.”

Peering over my coffee cup, I appraised his upper body strength and abdomen to the waterline. Defined chest, muscled arms, six or maybe eight abdominal muscles, and a noticeable V over his hips. Yep, he was physically fit.

Smiling because we both knew he caught me staring, he gestured toward my cup. “Is there any more of that? Or do I have to make it myself?”

Trying to conceal my embarrassment, I huffed out a laugh. “Sure. I don’t provide room service, only accommodations. But there’s more inside. Come inside when you’re finished.”

My dick was appreciating him again, so making a run for it made the most sense. But the exhibitionist living in my guest house called my name as he walked out of the pool.

“Since I missed dinner, wanna get brekkie? I’m starved.”

The minute he emerged from the water wearing the smallest swim brief I’d ever seen, salacious fuck-me music began playing in my head. Strong, muscular rugby-made thighs that displayed every muscle group imaginable carried him out of the water, and I couldn’t stop gawking.

Again.

And as if that sight alone weren’t enough, he had to open his mouth and create filthy images in my head. “I could really go for some sausage.”

Swallowing hard, I forced my eyes back to his. “I’m not sure what that is, but okay. Sounds good.”

He grinned at me with his whole face. Fucking hell. “You’ve never had sausage? You don’t know what you’re missing, mate. The long ones are my favorite.”

As a porno reel began forming in my mind, I wasn’t sure we were talking about breakfast food anymore. But I had to stop this now before it got out of hand.

“Of course I have,” I snapped. “Everyone has had sausage.”

Waving my hand in the air, I tried to distract us both by searching for Bella. “Move it along, would you? We have things to do today.”

Heading toward the door, the fucker called my name again.

“Hey, Carson?” I didn’t turn around. “Let me know how much I owe you for the litter box. I appreciate you getting it for him.”

I ran my hand over my neck, still facing away from him. It was hot out here. “It’s not a big deal.”

I made my way to the kitchen and stood over my sink. It was no surprise to either of us that attraction and reactions to him were telling. Entertaining the slightest nano-thought with him would spell disaster with a capital D.

We needed to throw ourselves into learning the game and hitting the books. If we did that, hopefully, it would mitigate this annoying attraction.

When we weren’t working on learning the basics, I would have to fill my day with errands and getting things ready for my parents to arrive.

My plan was to exhaust my dick in the shower every chance I got.

The overwhelming attraction had to stop eventually, right?

He’d get on my nerves, and I’d want to strangle him.

But for that to happen, we had to be in the same room.

Focusing on the mechanics of zone defense and teaching him to read the offense cues of our opponents would be a distraction. However, that plan didn’t last long before things came to a head.