It was during the second week in the new house that Killian Jones noticed it. His dog, Mr. Smee, a dark brown lab, was spending an inordinately long time perched on the TV
room's most comfortable armchair, staring out the side window.
"What is so bloody interesting out there, Mr. Smee?" Killian asked curiously, as he walked over to the dark green chair (Mr. Smee and light furniture did not get along) where his dog sat, chin resting on the arm. Killian looked out the side window- everything seemed tranquil and quiet save the tweeting of the birds.
Mr. Smee sighed and whined in a way that could only be described as yearning. Wagging his tail, he stretched forward toward the house next door. Killian looked across the side yard at the neighboring home. Perched in the window was a redheaded miniature poodle, watching their window. Killian's home didn't have a bay window, but the windows were large enough to give Mr. Smee a good view.
"That is one fancy dog, Mr. Smee," he said.
Mr. Smee gave him the stink eye.
"Whoa-no judgements, lad. No judgements." said Killian.
Well this was an interesting development, though Killian, wondering what the little dog's name was and if it played well with others or had that Napoleon complex that some small dogs seemed to have.
"Maybe we'll see this neighbor dog on one of our walks," he said to Mr. Smee
Killia left the dog at the window to carry on his cross-yard affaire de coeur, while he returned to his unpacking. The upcoming week would be busy, but he also wanted to be done with moving in.
Killian spent any free time the rest of that week getting settled and finishing unpacking, putting books on shelves, hanging a few pictures and setting up his home office. Most mornings and evenings he and Mr. Smee went on a walk, but there was no sign of the little red-headed neighbor dog who perched so happily in that bay window-or the neighbor. All he knew was that he or she drove a bright yellow bug, was away from home a lot and had some serious blackout curtains in the upper front windows. Killian guessed he shouldn't be surprised that the neighbor's schedule and his didn't sync up-between his freelance writing and giving sailing tours and lessons for the company he and his brother, Liam, owned it was pretty erratic.
"Never fear Mr. Smee. I'm sure we'll meet your little friend soon," Killian said, as they passed the neighbors' house on one of their walks. "The course of true love never did run smooth and all that…."
Mr. Smee gave him a skeptical look as they turned toward the house.
Emma Swan had been trying for the past two weeks to spot the new neighbor.
Not that she wanted to befriend him or her-she wasn't a hostile person, but she had never been what anyone would call outgoing-but because she liked to know what kind of people lived in her neighborhood and what exactly they were up to. As a bail bondsperson, she had learned to be aware of her environment. And run a "light" background check on her neighbors-for which she required a name. So while Emma hadn't seen the guy next door, she HAD seen his mail when she stopped by his mailbox while out on a walk with Scully-her red-headed poodle.
Yes, she had sneakily crept up on his porch to access his mail. No she wasn't stealing or stalking-Emma just needed to get his full name. Luckily his mailbox had been full-he even had subscriptions to several sailing magazines, which Emma found intriguing. She'd always loved the water.
Killian Jones.
Distinctive first name. That was good-it might make her background check slightly easier. But that last name. Could it be more common? No matter-if there was dirt, she'd dig it up. Emma Swan always got her man. She set her search tools and web spiders to trawling the web for any sign of Killian Jones and then turned her attention to targets that would actually make her money, spending the rest of the week tracking the usual dirt bags and losers.
She'd almost forgotten about the new neighbor by the time the weekend rolled in and a rare Saturday off meant an overdue catch up session with one of her best friends, Elsa. With wine.
Emma spent the morning tidying up and playing with Scully, but that afternoon found her planted firmly on her living room couch with Elsa.
She had just risen to refill their wine glasses when Elsa said excitedly, "Ooh! Car in the driveway! Open door! Someone's leaning in!"
"What? What are you talking about?" Emma asked.
Elsa gasped.
"Oh my God this guy's ass is amazing! Get over here Emma!"
Emma rushed out of the kitchen to join Elsa at the window. She -but not too tight-jeans encased a perfectly shaped ass. The neighbor's position-bent over, with his gluteus maximus pointed directly at Emma and Elsa-made his jeans cling, highlighting his muscular ass cheeks.
"You were not exaggerating," murmured Emma.
Suddenly there was movement at the car.
"Oh my God, he's turning around! Down! Down!" yelled Emma, as she and Elsa dropped to the floor in a move that was more appropriate for nine-year-olds than 29-year-olds.
Scurrying back to the couch in a scrunched over fashion, they collapsed and simultaneously started laughing. At the sound of their laughter, Scully darted out of the TV room and up to the couch, wondering what she was missing. Emma looked at her, still laughing a bit."It's OK Scully, we're just checking out the new neighbor-and his hot ass."
Scully gave Emma a suspicious look, as if she knew that she and Elsa were up to no good, and
although she was allowed to hop up onto the dark red couch-and any other place one could sit or lie down in the house (although tables and counters were definitely off limits) -she evidently did not wish to join in the current shenanigans. With a slight sniff she returned to the couch in the TV room, in pursuit of her afternoon nap.
"I think it's ass-ential that you get to know him" said Elsa. "That way you can ass-ure yourself that he's not bad news."
Emma groaned at the bad puns. But Elsa was determined. Within ten minutes she had even roped two of their friends in.
"Can we ass-ist you?" Ruby texted.
Mary Margaret texted "There are many ass-orted reasons to meet the new neighbor."
"You are all an enormous pain in MY ASS." Emma texted in exasperation, and then gave Elsa a pointed look to make sure her friend knew that the topic was no longer up for discussion.
That bought her some momentary peace, but Emma knew that come Tuesday and their weekly dinner date, all three would gang up on her. Elsa, Ruby and Mary Margaret thought that it would be good for Emma to go on dates that didn't involve catching guys who skipped out on their bail, so it was not uncommon for them to seize upon a guy they thought date-worthy and sing his praises. Emma knew her friends meant well but she'd had a lot of bad luck in the romance department and was taking an extended dating hiatus. A dating hiatus with an ever moving end date. So Killian Jones? Still just a new neighbor who needed to be "cleared."
Once Elsa left, Emma did a quick check of her search results so far. Nothing on Killian Jones except for a very professional looking web page for some kind of sailing business.
Hook, Line and Sinker. Sailing lessons, tours and private charters.
That explains the magazines, she thought. Hmm. Captains Killian and Liam Jones
Emma wondered if Captain Liam was Killian's brother. And if so, did he have an equally spectacular ass? Nothing else popped up from the alert. He wasn't off the "hook," yet, though. Sometimes it took a little time to unearth the shady stuff. Emma would have to keep an eye on this Killian Jones. Better safe than sorry, right? The fact that he an extremely fine backside had nothing to do with it.
A few days later, Killian was just about to leave the house when he noticed that Mr. Smee wasn't sitting in his usual place by the window.
"What's this? You're not bored with your little friend already?" he asked.
Instead, Mr. Smee wandered aimlessly around the room, finally plopping himself on the floor with a huge sigh. Puzzled, Killian walked over to the window and looked across, expecting to spot their neighbor poodle, but instead of a bouncy redhead, there were numerous brightly patterned pots holding plants with very lovely flowers- but no room for the dog.
"Are you missing your friend Mr. Smee? Is that what's got you down?"
Mr. Smee stood up, padded over and looked up at Killian woefully.
"I hate to see you so sad, boy. Maybe if we explain, the plants can be moved back to their former position," Killian said.
"I guess it's time to meet the neighbors."
When it came time for their weekly dinner, they all insisted it be at Emma's. Ruby and Mary Margaret hadn't seen The Ass yet, Emma having balked at trying to take a photo through the window. Emma's friends were what they would call "curious" and she would call "nosy." There was no way they were missing this.
"Have you actually seen Hot Ass Neighbor's face yet, Emma?" asked Ruby.
"No. I always seem to catch him rummaging in his car. Bent over. But I can tell you that he also has really nice back and leg muscles," said Emma, flushing a little bit.
Mary Margaret gave a little laugh.
"Now that is a view I wouldn't mind having…"
"Mary Margaret!" Emma exclaimed.
"What? I'm married, not dead."
"What would David think?" Emma asked with a smirk. Mary Margaret Blanchard and David Nolan have been her closest friends-like family, actually-since college.
"I don't know and you're not going to tell him," Mary Margaret sassed back.
"I think even David would have to agree that is one fine behind," said Ruby.
"You guys need to stop obsessing over this! You're freaking me out. What'll happen when I meet him?" asked Emma.
"Well, you'll definitely recognize his ass…" Elsa snickered, causing Ruby and Mary Margaret to collapse in laughter.
Emma made a sound of exasperation.
"Right. And then when he introduces himself I won't remember his name because all I'll be thinking is Hot Ass Neighbor."
Suddenly a knock sounded at the door.
"I bet it's him," Elsa said hopefully.
Emma frowned.
"Open the door." Elsa hissed, inclining her blonde head toward the source of the sound urgently.
"What is this grade school?" Emma demanded, fixing them all with a stern look. "Everyone quiet. I'm going to go answer it."
Ignoring the obvious-and completely juvenile-sounds of shushing, Emma walked out of the dining area and up to the door and looked through the peephole. Whoever was out there had the most vivid blue eyes, but was standing too close for her to see much more.
She opened the door.
Wow. Before her stood a tall man in a blue button-down shirt and black jeans. His dark brown hair was artfully tousled above those eyes-the color of the ocean, Emma thought dazedly-and he had just a hint of scruff on his face. Instantly she knew: this must be the owner of the much discussed ass and the rest of him was just as mouth watering.
Focus, Emma! Focus, she thought to herself.
"Hello lass," the man said. "I'm Killian. Killian Jones-your new neighbor."
Oh God, sexy British accent. Of course.
"I'm sorry to bother you…"
Emma crossed her arms, a skeptical look on her face. God he was hot. Perfect cheekbones and full, red, suckable lips. She suppressed a shiver as she continued her perusal. Well built-slim but muscular. Strong arms. And that chest hair peeking out of his shirt! Just enough to grab onto while she straddled him...Whoa. Hey now. Where did THAT thought come from? And what was he saying? Something about plants in the window and dogs? And did her heater just come on? Was that why she was so hot?
Emma realized that Killian was looking at her, expecting her to say something.
"Yeah. I have guests, so I kinda need to…"
"Apologies! I didn't even ask you if this was a good time-you must think me a right git…"
Emma cut in. "Um, so I gotta.." gesturing over her shoulder.
"Good night," she said and closed the door.
"Emma!" three voices chorused. Three voices RIGHT BEHIND HER.
"What are you guys doing here?!" Emma demanded. "I thought I told you to stay at the table!"
"Sorry, Mom," said Elsa. "We just had to see for ourselves. I mean, I was the first to spot him."
"Damn, girl. You should climb that like a tree," Ruby said. "He's not just a beautiful behind-he's the whole package. Bet he's got quite the package, too."
Emma rolled her eyes.
"You didn't even tell him your name," said Mary Margaret.
"What? He doesn't need to know my name," Emma said.
"Youuu knowwww hiiiis," said Elsa in a sing-song voice.
"That is for security purposes."
They all just looked at her.
"So, are you going to move the plants?" Mary Margaret asked.
"What?" asked Emma.
"Were you even listening to him?" Mary Margaret scolded.
"I may have gotten a little bit distracted," Emma mumbled.
"His dog is depressed because he can't see Scully in the window anymore," Mary Margaret explained.
"Well maybe Scully doesn't want to be seen," Emma said, rolling her eyes.
"OK, Emma, whatever you say," said Mary Margaret.
Emma knew she hadn't heard the last of this.
"Can we please get back to dinner?" she asked.
Killian Jones watched, stunned, as the front door closed. He may have stood there staring for a moment.
Pull yourself together, lad, he told himself.
Shaking his head he turned and made his way down the stairs and the front walk, mildly berating himself. Since when did he, Killian Jones, turn into stammering, lip-biting Notting Hill/Four Weddings and a Funeral (What? He'd had girlfriends-he knew these things.) Hugh Grant? He knew how to talk to a woman! Hell, he knew how to seduce a woman with just his charm and devilishly handsome looks. Not that he planned to seduce his neighbor-or anyone else, for that matter. But back in the day...The point was that Killian Jones did not blush and babble around women. Until now.
In his defense, his neighbor-God, he didn't even know her name-was gorgeous. Long blonde, slightly wavy hair, jade green eyes (he was NOT staring at her body, so he definitely did not notice her trim build, her lovely arse or that if he were to hold her, she would fit perfectly underneath his chin. Nope. Not noticing.) Bit prickly and reserved. Not that any of this mattered, because he'd made an idiot out of himself. Sighing, he unlocked his front door. Mr. Smee would get over it, right?
Wednesday was a long and busy day for Emma. She climbed in and out of her yellow bug, following a skip's girlfriend around for hours, hoping that she would eventually led her to the dirtbag. Which she did, but not until she had led Emma on a merry chase. From Starbucks to the dry cleaner on the other side of town, to yoga class on the edge of the city, to lunch with a group of loud and truly obnoxious women, to several hours in the mall and finally, to a friend's house, from which the skip emerged. Emma wasn't sure whether all of this was intended to throw her off the trail, but whatever it was, it was exhausting.
Before she knew it, it was 7 PM, and she was too tired to cook. She grabbed some Thai takeout on the way home, looking forward to receiving Scully's always enthusiastic greeting.
Emma arrived home and immediately peeled off the clothes she'd been wearing for almost 12 hours and changed into a pair of yoga pants and a camisole. She walked tiredly into the kitchen and prepared a bowl of ridiculously priced kibble for Scully's dinner-setting it down in its place in a corner of the kitchen. Grabbing a beer and the take out containers, she headed into the TV room and settled in on the couch for a round of X-Files episodes on Netflix.
Emma's little redhead usually liked to hop up onto the extremely comfortable, dark purple (Who said she wasn't allowed quirky decorating choices?) sofa and sit by her. But when Scully trotted out after dinner, Emma noticed that she couldn't seem to settle. At first she brushed it off-sometimes Scully was just restless. But then Scully kept jumping up and down on her back feet in front of the bay window, making those little doggie "unhhh" noises that were meant to catch Emma's attention. She jumped up onto the bench of her former perch and gave a tiny bark.
"What, Scully? What do you need?"
Scully jumped down and ran over to the couch and then back to the window.
Emma was puzzled. And then she remembered what Mary Margaret had told her about Killian Jones' request. The plants. His depressed dog. Eyes meeting across a yard. Was Scully missing those window sessions too?
She sighed.
"OK, girl. I think I've got the message," Emma said. "I'll put the plants back in the kitchen. The window is yours." She scoffed-as if the whole house wasn't Scully's.
Scully looked at her hopefully, tail wagging.
"Yes, yes. I'll do it now," said Emma. "It's not like it's been a long day or anything."
But Emma didn't mind, really. Scully was a sweet girl, a great companion and definitely the best roommate she'd ever had.
She put Netflix on pause and started moving the plants back to the kitchen window sill.
Killian was holed up in his home office meeting an article deadline for most of Wednesday. "Home office" might be a bit of an exaggeration-he'd merely placed a desk and some bookshelves in the other upstairs bedroom. For now, the room was fairly spartan, with stark white walls that he hadn't had time to paint or decorate. Still mopey, Mr. Smee walked in and out of the room, occasionally settling on the floor near Killian's chair. They'd gone for a morning walk on which they'd passed the poodle's house (It was on the way to the dog park, so their route had absolutely nothing to do with a certain green-eyed neighbor). Mr. Smee had stopped, pulling slightly, as if to enter the yard, but Killian just shook his head and led him onwards. Surely they'd run into the beautiful blonde and her red-headed dog sooner or later.
That evening, Killian led Mr. Smee in the other direction for their walk-they were both in need of a change of scenery. Later on that arse Liam and some of their mates came by for drinks and the England vs. France football match. Once the beer started flowing, the teasing and trash talking began.
"Well now, how's that neighbor of yours doing, brother?" asked Liam.
"What are you on about, you arse? I barely know the woman," Killian said a tad defensively.
He had told Liam about the dogs, the plants and the beautiful woman next door. Trust him to blab in front of Robin and Will! He was definitely in for it now.
"What's this about Kilian and a neighbor?" Robin asked with an inquisitive smirk as he sat on the couch beside Killian, intent on getting the story. Will, sensing someone about to be embarrassed, looked away from the match and leaned in.
"Oi! Did I hear someone say that Killian's met a woman?" he asked.
"Oh, bloody hell," Killian said, flushing slightly. "Fine, I'll tell you two my tale of woe."
Killian explained about Mr. Smee and the redheaded poodle.
"A poodle!" snickered Robin.
"Shh! Shut it mate! I want to hear this," Will said.
"So I went over to meet the neighbor," said Killian. "Mind you, I had no idea whether it would be a man or a woman-this was for Mr. Smee."
He could tell that his audience was skeptical about this point.
"Bugger off, you lot! It's true," he said impatiently. "Now where was I..."
"About to tell us how you'd like to snog your new neighbor, I'd imagine. Otherwise you wouldn't be so shirty right now," Will interjected.
"Anyway. A veritable goddess opened the door," Killian said.
Will smirked at Robin who smirked at Liam. Such smirky friends and family he had, Killian thought distractedly.
"She had these gorgeous green eyes-like jade-and long golden hair. And her arse, oh lads, her arse…" Killian shook his head, reminding himself to be a gentleman.
"But I don't know what happened. I just...choked. Turned into this stammering, tongue-tied git. I'm not sure what I said even made sense," he said, scowling at Will whose shoulders were shaking with barely suppressed laughter.
"Well what did she say?" asked Robin.
Killian groaned.
"She just kind of looked at me, said something about company and then shut the door."
Robin, Will and Liam were openly laughing now.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, you idiots," Killian grumbled, giving them a dark look.
"I'm sorry, mate," gasped Will, wiping tears of laughter from his face. "It's just..Killian Jones, rendered speechless-I thought it weren't possible."
"Aye," said Liam. "My little brother's not as suave as he'd like to think he is."
"Younger brother," Killian said, grumpily.
"You poor bastard," Will said, patting him on the shoulder.
"Something's happening over there," said Robin, who had moved to the chair beside the window.
"Might we have a chance to see the woman who humbled Killian Jones?" Will asked eagerly. He walked over to the window.
"Move it, Locksley. Let another bloke have a look."
Liam crowded in too.
"Oi! What are you doing? She'll see us!" Killian said.
"Calm down," said Liam, reaching for the light switch. "We'll just turn the lights off."
Killian slumped back into the couch, hand on forehead.
"Wait a minute. How can you even see her with the plants?" he asked.
"Looks like she's moving them," said Robin.
"She's moving them?!" Killian asked, feeling a little thrill at the thought.
"I can see her moving back and forth from the window," said Liam.
"She really is stunning," Robin said.
"I see what you mean about her arse, mate," said Will.
"Scarlett…" Killian said in a warning tone, and then asked guiltily, "Oh sod it, what's she wearing?"
"Yoga pants," said Liam. "And some kind of strappy top."
Killian was suddenly flooded with visions of his neighbor in tight fitting yoga pants.
No. He would not be that guy.
"Oi! Enough. No perverts allowed," Killian said. "I'll not have you three stalking my neighbor."
They turned away, muttering and looking sheepish.
"It's definitely time for more beer. Got any more food, Killian?" Liam asked.
"Well, there is a packet of crisps I was hoping to hold onto, but fine, help yourself," Killian said with a sigh.
"What's yours is mine, little brother," Liam said as headed to the kitchen.
"Younger brother," Killian said automatically, mentally questioning the wisdom of giving his brother or their friends his new address.
The next morning he let himself sleep slightly later than usual, lingering in the bed until almost 8 AM-pleased at the prospect of a post-deadline, taskless morning. He got out of bed and stretched, then padded downstairs in the pajama pants he wore to bed and let Mr. Smee out. After taking a leisurely shower, Killian threw on jeans and a t-shirt and headed for the coffee maker. He set down some food for Mr. Smee, poured himself a bowl of cereal and sat down. He and Mr. Smee ate breakfast in companionable silence as sunlight streamed through the open windows. It was a warm-but not too warm-day under a cloudless azure blue sky. A pleasant breeze blew in as Killian cleared the table and put his bowl and spoon in the dishwasher
.
"Mr. Smee, I think it's a good day for coffee on the front porch," he said as he poured another cup. Coffee in hand, Killian headed toward the front door, grabbing a book from the side table before stepping out onto the front porch, Mr. Smee in tow, wagging his tail enthusiastically.
As Killian got ready to ensconce himself in one of his Adirondak chairs he couldn't resist a peek at the neighbor's window. The plants were well and truly gone. His maddeningly beautiful and aloof neighbor had heard his plea and moved them! The poodle was not currently in the window, but he hoped the little redhead would reappear soon.
"Look, Mr. Smee! The window is plant free!"
The dog tilted his head to the side in confusion, unable to see what Killian was talking about.
"I think you're going to be very happy when you go back into the TV room."
As he settled into the chair, legs splayed, he couldn't help smirking a bit with glee at his success. Satisfied, he immersed himself in his Stephen King novel, and was several chapters in when he heard Mr. Smee's tail thumping up and down on the floorboards. He looked up and immediately saw the reason for the excited tail-wagging. Obviously out for a walk, the neighbor and her poodle were currently directly in front of Killian's house. He couldn't help but admire the way she moved, fluid and graceful. The little redheaded dog trotted along at the end of the leash proudly-head held high. Quite a pair.
In an effort to regain a bit of his game, Killian resisted the urge to pop down the walk to greet them. Instead he casually called, "Morning neighbor!" from his chair. She stopped and turned toward the porch.
Emma woke to two poodle paws on her chest and one cold nose in her face.
"Scully…." she groaned. "What TIME is it?"
Scully occasionally decided it would be best if they got an early start on the day-like 6 AM early.
Emma squinted at her alarm clock. It was 7:30.
"OK," she said in surprise, yawning widely. "Come on girl, let's get up."
She shuffled out of the bedroom, down the stairs and through to the back door to let Scully out. Emma stood at the kitchen window, the tiled floor cool beneath her feet, watching the little poodle trot around the yard as she waited impatiently for her coffee to brew. She looked at the plants, all leafy green and gorgeously bright colors, now back in their former home and told herself that the kitchen really was best place for them-for Scully and for many other reasons (Emma couldn't think of any other reasons, but she chose to ignore that).
She poured her first cup of coffee and set down a fresh bowl of the ridiculously priced kibble for Scully's breakfast. Emma had no such fancy breakfast fare, so she grabbed some cereal after letting Scully back in.
After breakfast and a shower, Emma decided it was a perfect day to take Scully for an extended walk. The weather was perfect and she didn't have anything pressing until this evening, when she had a "date" with one of her skips.
"Who wants to go for a walk?" she asked as she picked up Scully's leash.
Scully raced toward the door, wagging her tail and dancing in excitement (Emma had once read that historically poodles had often appeared in the circus and she was convinced that Scully was descended from a long line of performers). Leash fastened, keys in hand, Emma and Scully set off down the street. In the direction of Killian Jones' house.
What? It was one of their routes.
Scully set the pace, alternating brisk trotting with stops to sniff. It was after one of these stops that Emma heard it.
"Morning, neighbor."
Oh shit, he was outside! He wasn't supposed to be sitting right out in front-he was supposed to be inside doing stuff. Shouldn't he have unpacking or something to do?
Emma turned toward the voice calmly.
"Uh, hi. Killian, right?"
"Aye-but I'm afraid I didn't catch your name earlier…"
She flushed slightly, remembering Mary Margaret's scolding.
"Emma. Emma Swan."
Killian came off the porch and down to the sidewalk, his dog, a dark brown lab, at his side. Emma's heart beat a little bit faster. As he drew closer, she couldn't help but get a little lost in those eyes.
"Nice to meet you, Emma Swan," he said. "And who is this little redhead?"
Scully was jumping up and down on her back feet and doing little doggie pirouettes at the sight of Killian's dog, who vigorously whipped his tail from side to side.
"This is Scully," Emma said, as she pulled on the leash a little bit. "Get down, girl."
"This is Mr. Smee," said Killian as the dogs started to sniff each other.
"Mr. Smee, huh? And that makes you…"
"Why, Captain Hook, of course."
Emma smirked.
"Shouldn't you have permed hair and a wax moustache?"
"Actually the original Hook was quite dashing," Killian said.
"Ah, so you're a dashing pirate."
"Or something like that," he said with amusement. "I am actually a ship's captain. As to whether or not I have any piratical tendencies-you'll just have to see for yourself, love."
"I'll keep that in mind," said Emma wryly.
Scully and Mr. Smee tussled and chased (a limited chase, since Scully was on her leash) each other around. Then Scully broke away and danced at Killian's feet in an obvious play for attention. He laughed and lowered himself to her height.
"You're quite the performer, aren't you lass?"
Emma snorted slightly (cool, Emma, very cool, she thought with a tinge of embarrassment).
"You don't know the half of it," she said, as she bent down and scratched behind Mr. Smee's ears.
Mr. Smee did a full body wiggle of happiness at the attention. Scully flounced over and started nosing Mr. Smee. He nosed back.
"True love," said Killian with a smile, as he looked at the dogs. "Thank you for moving the plants."
"Hmm? I don't know what you mean," Emma said airily, as she straightened back up. "I just realized that the old location was better."
Killian smirked.
"If you say so."
"Well, we should get going," Emma said firmly. "It was nice to meet you Mr. Smee," she added, reaching down to pat the dog's head. She gave Killian a brisk nod.
"Captain…"
"Lovely to meet you Emma Swan-and Scully of course."
Emma and Scully turned and headed down the sidewalk to continue their walk.
A dashing pirate, Emma thought to herself, shaking her head. She had to admit though, he was kind of charming and maybe just a little bit amusing.
One thing was for sure: Killian Jones was unfairly sexy. Those battered jeans clinging to his hips and that snug black tee shirt that emphasized his nicely defined chest and arms. That just right amount of scruff. And cheekbones and...damn it. Emma felt tingly. She didn't want to feel tingly. He was her neighbor, so a one night stand to scratch the itch was out. And there were reasons she was taking a dating hiatus-pretty damn good ones, she thought. From a boyfriend who left her with stolen jewelry and the prison sentence he should have served to a lying creep and a few assorted jerks along the way, Emma had more than her share of bad romance. She wasn't sure she was ready-would ever be ready-to take another chance.
She sighed and pushed thoughts of Killian Jones to the side. Best not to let the day get away from her-before she knew it it would be time to get ready for her "date." Emma mentally crossed her fingers that this one wouldn't be a runner. Running in heels was hell.