Chasing the Sun Read online

  Ian found out later it was from the fat doobie he’d smoked

  Trey was having a great time and her smile and laughter improved his mood. The beer helped too. She caught him smiling at her and floated over to him, putting her ankles over his tube so they now faced each other.

  He set his head back onto his tube and gazed at the sky.

  “God, have you ever seen anything so blue?”

  “No,” she said quietly. The way she said it made him look up at her. She wasn’t looking at the sky, she was looking at him.

  “They’re the bluest I’ve ever seen, actually.”

  She grinned a small grin and released her feet from his tube. She swished her hands in the water and it gently propelled her towards her friends. He was left to wonder what she meant. Okay, she was obviously talking about his eyes, but she was looking at him in a very non-friend way. It was almost as if she was coming on to him, but that would be crazy. They flirted all of the time, but it was harmless. That look…not so harmless.

  “Lance, beer me!”

  Ian caught the beer mid-air. Whatever it was, he was going to get so drunk that it didn’t matter. So drunk that when Trey floated over to him again and ran her foot up his leg, he thought fucking her behind a tree was just what the doctor ordered.

  But he shouldn’t fuck a friend. That would be stupid as hell.

  Wouldn’t it?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Could-a, should-a, became a definite when they arrived at his apartment. It was strange, there was no kissing, no discussion. He could tell by the look in her eye that she wanted him and he was feeling pretty worked up himself. Between the beers and her soft foot rubbing his leg, he was thinking dirty thoughts about his new best friend.

  They were both still damp from the river and peeling off her jean cut-offs proved to be a little difficult.

  “The couch…hands and knees,” he whispered gruffly. He sometimes liked it rough, and if she was game, this time was going to be no exception.

  Trey blinked and her chest rose. She may have hesitated, just for a second, but that was it. She climbed on the sofa and looked over her shoulder at him. He was still dressed when he walked over to her and pulled down her bikini bottoms. He ran his hand underneath her tank top, tracing her spine, then he pushed the material above her chest. Her skin was soft and she smelled like the sun and coconut.

  “Don’t move.”

  He went back to his room, took off his clothes and grabbed a condom from his drawer. He smiled when he saw that she hadn’t moved and stroked himself slowly as he watched her on all fours. She was game, all right. Ian had wondered if her spitfire transferred to the bedroom. He was about to find out.

  He didn’t say a word as he knelt behind her and spread her legs apart. The only sound that could be heard was between a whimper and a moan when he put his mouth on her. She arched into his mouth, giving him the right angle to pull her bikini top aside. The cool air hardened her and he twisted it with his free hand. The other was holding her in place. He only took his hands off her skin to roll the condom onto himself. She protested when he stopped, but was immediately satiated when he slid inside. Ian unpinned her hair and took hold of the thick curls. Trey gasped, then moaned. He wasn’t thinking about anything except how good she’d tasted, how good she felt, and knew he was getting close. When he felt her muscles squeezing him, Ian was relieved. He could let go and he did, hard. His head fell back as he cursed.

  He laid his head on her back as they panted in unison.

  “Damn, I needed that,” Ian said, as he pulled away.

  Trey was pulling her bikini top back on as he walked to the bathroom to clean up.

  “It’s all yours.”

  “Thanks,” Trey said, as she brushed by him, clutching her shorts to her chest. He smiled and lightly slapped her butt.

  Ian stood in the kitchen and drank a tall glass of water, wearing only a pair of boxers. He was still on the high from his orgasm and couldn’t keep the satisfied smile off his face. He always felt a bit smug after sex. Like he’d conquered something, the male ego and all. He put the cup in the sink and thought a shower was in order.

  He just had to wait for Trey to leave.

  He wanted her to leave. Did that make him an asshole?

  Maybe.

  He cared for her, but had the feeling this was just a one time wham-bam type of thing. But if she wanted a repeat on occasion he wouldn’t protest. That had been hot as shit.

  “Well, I’m gonna head home,” she said from the living room.

  Relief filled him but he schooled his face.

  “Ya sure?” Feeble attempt, but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

  “I have to work tomorrow, so yeah…um…well…see ya.” She rushed to the door.

  Was she embarrassed? She shouldn’t be. That had been amazing and they both wanted it. Maybe she was second guessing herself.

  Should he do something? Yes. He walked up to her and kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly. It’s weird that was the first time he kissed her, well her face anyway.

  “Thank you for today. It took my mind off of everything. You really know how to make a guy feel better,” he teased. Her smile was thin. Maybe he’d said the wrong thing.

  Fuck! This is why you shouldn’t have sex with friends.

  “Hey, you okay?” he asked with genuine concern. He didn’t want her to feel ashamed.

  “Yeah, of course.” She sounded weird.

  “That was amazing, you are amazing. It was unexpected, but I don’t want things to be weird between us…okay?”

  “Okay. I think I just need to go home and feel like a slut for a while.”

  He laughed and tucked a curl behind her ear.

  “Please don’t. You are the furthest thing from a slut…trust me on this one.”

  She smiled and nodded.

  “Well, I’ll see you later.”

  “I’ll call you,” he called after her. She didn’t turn her head, but she waved.

  Shit, that’s what you say to a one-timer you’re never going to call.

  Well, she knows better.

  I hope so anyway.

  He didn’t worry about it much longer. He had a date with the shower and his bed.

  When he went into the Royal several nights later, Trey seemed to have recovered. She was back to her sassy self, ribbing him and flirting with her regulars.

  Later, when she gave him his Beefeater sandwich, he asked if they were okay.

  “Sure…I’ve just never been fucked without so much as a kiss before. I kind of felt like a whore.” Her voice had that “I’m trying to sound like I’m kidding, but I really want to punch you in the face,” twinge to it.

  He must have had a strange look on his face because she quickly followed up with, “I guess after the fact, I was surprised that it really happened and that it went down like it did. You seem like the sensitive type, that’s all…but if you have any delusions of a friends with bennies type situation, you can forget it. Now I remember why I stopped smoking pot—it makes my pants come off.” He laughed and she smiled a real smile, throwing her towel over her shoulder.

  “I’m sorry if I upset you. I’ve had one night stands and sex with someone I’m seeing, but never with a good friend. I guess I didn’t know how to act.” He grabbed her hand and squeezed.

  “I know. Normally I wouldn’t drop all this info on a guy, but we are friends…And hey, at least it took your mind off of Ruby, right?”

  “Yes, it did, and I’m glad you were honest.” Not really. “I hope that wasn’t a pity fuck. That would definitely be a first for me.” She grinned and started to retort, but didn’t get the chance.

  “Hey, Trevia,” someone said over his shoulder.

  Why did that voice sound familiar?

  “Hey, Rory. What brings you in here, girl? You’re not playing tonight, are you?”

  “Nah. I need to talk to Walter about my set in a few weeks. Dudley has to leave town for a while, his dad pass
ed.”

  “Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Yeah, he was in a nursing home and died in his sleep. If ya gotta kick it, that ain’t a bad way to go, ya know?”

  “Don’t you have a back up guitarist?” Trey asked. Ian was watching the whole exchange. Well, watching Rory’s luscious mouth press together when she talked. His faded jeans were getting tight in the front and her voice had him thinking dirty thoughts, very dirty.

  Guys had a knack for humping on the inside, but straight facing it on the outside.

  Women had it wrong, men could multi-task.

  “Yeah, but he’s having surgery. I need to find some younger guys to play with.” She had a husky laugh. It reminded him of whiskey and sex.

  “I hate to cancel. I need the money,” Rory admitted. Her clothes were a little hippy rag-tag, but Ian thought it was more taste than monetarily motivated.

  Trey nodded and then her eyes went wide.

  “Hey, what about you, Ian? You play amazing…really, he does.”

  “You do?” Rory turned her attention to him. Her web of hair was unruly and sexy at the same time, begging to be pulled.

  “I play a little.”

  “Can you sing?”

  “I can carry a tune.”

  “He has a beautiful voice, Rory…don’t be so modest,” she said to him and slapped his hand. Rory looked between them and smiled.

  “You two make a cute couple,” she said.

  “No!” they said at the same time.

  “We’re just friends,” Trey said, which sounded weird considering he had eight inches, give or take, inside of her just a few days before.

  Dudes always round up.

  “Well, Mr. Just a friend. Do you have a name?”

  “Oh sorry. Rory this is Ian. Ian…Rory.” Trey did the intro and they shook hands. Her handshake was firm and sure.

  “So, you interested?” Rory asked.

  Interested in getting you naked? Fuck yes, I am.

  “In playing guitar, on stage, with you?”

  She raised her brows and nodded.

  “I’ll let you guys talk about it. That guy hanging over the bar and waving his hand like he’s having a seizure must want something.” Trey laughed and walked away.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “You wanna sit down?” Ian gestured to the empty stool beside him. She nodded.

  “What would I have to do?”

  She swiveled the stool top so she was facing him and crossed her long bare legs.

  “Learn a few songs, maybe sing a little back up. But you don’t have to sing if you don’t feel comfortable. And if you know any songs already, I can change up my set a bit.” She blew out a breath and rubbed her bottom lip. “Man…I fucking knew I should’ve learned to play an instrument. Then I wouldn’t have to beg strangers to play with me. No offense.”

  “None taken. But the way I look at it, if you stay and have a drink with me then we won’t be strangers anymore.”

  “True, true. I could use a drink.” She lifted her chin to Trey and moments later there was a small glass in front of her.

  “So, Ian, what’s your story?”

  He pushed his hair back and smiled. “Well, I don’t have much of a story. I’m here for a few months on a project, then I’m heading back to Dallas.”

  “You a lawyer? No wait—let me guess—sales something or other.” She tipped back her glass and raised her eyebrow.

  “Wrong and wrong. I’m an architect. I designed the new museum of modern art and the investors wanted me here during the construction.”

  “Cool. So how did you meet Trey?”

  “I live up the block and have been coming in here since day one almost. She took pity on me and we became friends.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure it was pity…You take pity on a crossed eyed guy with a stutter or a three hundred pound man living in his mom’s basement, not architects with movie star looks.” That made Ian laugh.

  “Movie star, Steve Buscemi? Or movie star, Tom Cruise?” Ian asked. Movie star looks could go either way.

  “Ummm, neither…movie star, Channing Tatum.”

  “Who the hell is that?” Ian asked.

  “Trust me, it’s a compliment.”

  Ian wasn’t sure, so when Trey walked by he asked.

  “Oh my God! He’s so fucking sexy.”

  He looked at Rory and thanked her. So she thought he was good looking. That was a step in the right direction, the direction being to his bed, or hers…he didn’t care. It didn’t even have to be a bed.

  Was it hot in here?

  “I like when men and women can be friends…ya know, without gettin’ tangled up in the sheets.” She winked and Ian kept a straight face. “Trey’s as cool as they come, so I get it. She’s easy on the eyes, too. I’m sure that helps.” Rory was either teasing him or digging for info, he wasn’t sure which.

  “Yeah, she’s a cute girl.” He shrugged. He was trying to keep it as casual as possible. If he had any hopes of having sex with Rory, she could never know. Chicks like these two had a code…integrity. Well, he didn’t know Rory well enough to know for sure, but he had a hunch.

  “So when did you start playing guitar?”

  “When I was about six.”

  “Nice. You sight read then?” He nodded.

  She seemed relieved. “Great, then I can put the sheet music in front of you and you don’t have to memorize anything. Would you be able to come to my place and practice a couple of times?”

  Her place? His dick perked up, double time.

  “Sure. I usually get done with work around five or six.”

  “You still have a guitar? If not I can get one.”

  “Yeah, I have it.” He would’ve never left it behind and he played almost every day, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Well, Ian…” She finished the last of the dark liquid and set her glass down with a thunk. “You are a life saver. I owe you one.”

  “We’ll talk about payment after you hear me play. It might not be worth much.”

  It was always better to under promise and over deliver.

  “Here’s my number. We can set up a time later this week if that’s cool?” Ian offered.

  “Right on…See ya, Trey,” she yelled towards the end of the bar where Trey was making drinks.

  “Take care, Rory!” she yelled back.

  Rory turned to Ian. “Talk to you soon and thanks again.”

  He pinned her with his best smile and nodded once. “Have a good night.”

  “You’re staring,” Trey said. He hadn’t noticed she was standing there.

  “No I’m not. I’m just making sure she finds the door, it’s dark in here.”

  “You’re not really her type.”

  “Oh, she’s a lesbian.”

  “I say you’re not her type and automatically you assume that she’s a lesbian.” Trey shook her head.

  “What?”

  “Hey, cocky-ass, you’re not her type as in she doesn’t usually go for guys like you.”

  He gave her a “what the hell” face and gestured to himself.

  “Yes, yes…you’re a hunk. But what I mean is she doesn’t go for clean cut, boy next door types.”

  “I’m not that clean cut.” Trey gave him a look. “I can be edgy!”

  Trey patted his hand. “Sweetie, you are many things, but edgy is not one of them.”

  “I save my bad boy for the bedroom, baby.” He wanted to take that back the minute it left his mouth. They were so in the flow of their usual banter that he’d almost forgotten.

  She tilted her head. “Yeah, I know.”

  “Sorry…so what is her usual type? I might surprise you.”

  “Do you have any tattoos?”

  “No.”

  “Piercings?”

  “Hell, no.”

  “Musician by trade?”

  “You know I’m not.”

  “Like I said, not her type…sorry. ” She smirked.

  H
e flipped her off and she air kissed him before walking away.

  “Just for that I’m not leaving a tip!”

  She ignored him. He was still shaking his head as he threw some cash on the bar.

  Including tip.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Nice, yeah like that. Slower…slower. Perfect.” Rory complimented Ian.

  “Repeat that last chord again…nice.”

  He was sitting on a folding chair in her small apartment rehearsing for the set. They’d been practicing for three hours. He didn’t realize how many songs he really knew until they sat down with her box of sheet music. There wasn’t a system, or organization to the contents, she just spread them out on the floor and started sifting through the piles.

  There was a bean bag, a burnt orange couch, a futon in the bedroom, and a scarf thrown over a floor lamp in the corner. There was a television that looked like it was from a 70s garage sale, complete with nobs and antennae. She had a small coffee table, but that was the only table. He wondered where she ate.

  “Do you want anything to drink?” Rory called from the kitchen. “I don’t have much, coconut milk…Kombucha…water, of course. Oh, and whiskey…I meant to go to the store today, but I got sidetracked.”

  He didn’t know what the fuck Kombucha was and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

  “Water’s fine, thanks.”

  She came in with two waters and a plate of what looked to be cookies.

  “Try one. They’re whole grain, with carob and pumpkin seeds. ”

  “Uh, no thank you.”

  “Might sound weird, I know, but they’re pretty tasty.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  He’d never really known anyone as “granola” as Rory. Maddie was the only one that even came close, but Maddie would devour a rack of ribs before you could say meat is murder. Austin had a whole hippy culture thing going. Compost heaps in backyards, weaving cloth out of hemp. People actually rode their bikes to work.

  “Suit yourself.” She shrugged and grabbed one from the plate.