Someone Else's Ocean

“Serves you right with your daughter in the house, pervert.”

I looked over at Ella who looked adorable in her newly purchased pink bikini, her blonde hair soaked from the sea as she and Disco hurdled the incoming waves at the shore.

“This is nice.” Ian cracked a beer and held it out to me.

“Agreed,” I stood shaking my head at his offered beer. “No thanks, I’m going to go get in the water.”

He raised a wicked brow. “Going to put on a show for me?”

“Such a pervy professor.”

“I was just thinking about the last time you wore that bikini.” He playfully tugged at the string on my hip and slid his teeth over his lip.

“Maybe you should slow down yourself on that drinking. Pick out some music, I’ll be back, and we can make some sandwiches.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Damnit, stop with the bedroom eyes.”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about,” he teased as his darkening gaze smoldered me into a puddle.

“And don’t watch me as I walk away.”

“Not a snowball’s chance in hell.”

I ‘harrumphed’ as I walked toward the surf before I braved a quick glance over my shoulder. Ian had already zeroed in on my ass and I shook it a little before I gave him a wink.

Eat your heart out, professor.

Ella and I chased Disco through the waves until I was dying of thirst.

I waved to get her attention before I signed to her.

Thirsty?

She shook her head, “No thanks, but you’re doing well with your signs.”

Thank You. I’m trying. I shook my head in frustration, unable to sign the rest of what I wanted to say.

“If you don’t know the signs, speak to me.”

“It’s reading them that’s the hardest part.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “It takes time. You’ll get it. You have come a long way already.”

Thank You. I nodded toward Ian to let her know where I would be.

“I’ll be up there in a little while.” She picked up a soggy Disco and inspected her an inch from her face. Disco rewarded Ella with a lick on the lips that had her giggling. “I love her soooo much,” Ella said, g

iving me a smile.

I ran my hands through her soaked fur. “Me too.”

I pranced toward Ian hoping his eyes had been on me unable to think of anything else but his confession as I played in the water. I loved his attention and reveled in it knowing I shouldn’t. Pushing all shitty thoughts aside and preparing for some more flirting, I paused when I saw Ian in his chair feet away, his face buried in a towel. I wouldn’t have thought anything of it if his entire body wasn’t shaking. Cautiously, I approached him.

“Ian?”

He shook his head keeping the towel in place as I took a seat next to him and reached out to touch his thigh. His cries were soundless, but I could feel the pain rolling off him.