Read Online Under His Kilt by Melissa Blue - Free Book Online

letting her know he’d been listening. It showed he cared what she was doing instead of coming to his flat. So, he wouldn’t ask.
    Her teeth worried her lip as she put the mobile away. “Being impulsive is on my bucket list. Apparently.”
    Not a word. Not one fucking word, but he raised his brows. If she was going to continue, Ian wouldn’t stop her, but he wouldn’t ask.
    Her feet slipped in and out of her shoes. “I’m going to see a man about a dog.”
    “Ah,” he said and frowned. “In a literal sense?”
    “Yes, checked Craigslist.”
    “What?” Ian said sharper than he intended.
    “Adopting would take forever,” she rambled on. “If I passed muster, and I really want a puppy. Now.”
    “And what’d you do for a sitter while at work?”
    “Sister. Already called her during my lunch.”
    The muscles in his shoulders still felt tight. “You’re going to a man’s house. Alone? A stranger? Who posted pics of cute puppies?”
    She sighed. “He’s not a masher.”
    “How do you know?”
    She smiled. “Saying he sounded nice and sane won’t change the expression on your face, will it?”
    Was the woman crazed? Was he? Ian felt like he was. “I can’t let you go there by yourself. Do you even know what a dog needs?”
    “Figured I’d ask the people at the store.” She paused. “Are you angling for an invite, Ian?”
    “No,” he said without thought but then his mind started to work overtime.
    Jocelyn was very much a grown woman who could make decisions on her own. Smart enough to do research and glean from that what she needed to design an exhibit and capture breathtaking moments in history. Clever enough to leave his flat before he was forced to ask her to. From what he picked up on, she had many relationships before him, but maybe only one major encounter that spurred her need for a bucket list. If the man hadn’t put that haunted look in her eyes, Ian would have thanked him.
    She could take care of herself, but he didn’t like the idea of her meeting someone from Craigslist alone. They weren’t in a relationship. They were having sex. They were coworkers. Didn’t mean he’d want to see her hurt. What exactly did he have to do after work since she wasn’t coming over? Nothing.
    He was on her bucket list and going with her would be no different. “I’m coming.”
    “I should be annoyed you invited yourself.” She blew out a breath and considered him without deeper meaning, but with general affection. “But I want someone to come with me now that you’ve made me doubt my decision about going alone.”
    How would he know, anyway, if she looked at him with something other than general affection? That much was good enough for him. Ian breathed easier. This wasn’t a big deal. No need to give in to the niggling feeling that there was more to it.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Ian stepped into the house behind Jocelyn and caught when the interest dimmed in the man’s gaze. They exchanged an imperceptible nod while she offered her hand. Taking in the home, Ian realized, it wasn’t much of one.
    For a man with a litter of puppies, he didn’t have much furniture. There were pictures on the wall—kids but none of a wife. The children had his same fair coloring and eye shape. The boy more so than the girl, but there were no toys, no general messiness, no sounds of children. After a brief exchange of words, Ian understood why Jocelyn got the nice and sane vibe from the man—Galen probably was. He still wore a wedding ring.
    Galen gestured to the back of the home, but Jocelyn’s mobile rang again. “My sister. Can you give me a moment?”
    “Sure. We’ll be out back. Can’t miss the little shed,” the other man said and Ian followed him out.
    “So, uh, how many places have you guys gone to look at puppies?” Galen asked.
    The question insinuated they were looking as a couple. Ian started to correct the man but that would make him a dick. What difference did it make if the man knew the truth?