Loving My Neighbor (3 page)

Shaking off the insane need, I let him know why I’ve stopped by. He doesn’t seem like he wants me to go, but I know if I stay, I’m going to do something really stupid. I don’t mean to look down, but his smile has me all hot and bothered. When I lower my head, I immediately notice that he’s not affected by the cold at all. His cock, which looks ridiculously huge under the towel, is starting to point outward, moving the towel to the side. Needing to make my exit before he keeps me locked away, I barely manage to say bye before I rush to my SUV. I don’t give him a chance to chase after me, which he seems ready to do.

I drive down his long driveway, but I have to pull over the moment I’m out of sight. My heart is pumping like I’ve just gone on a run, and my pussy is throbbing like never before. I need to get it together before I show up back at the house. I don’t want my father or his wife to notice something’s off with me.

My stepmother, Dora, is a real bitch and would do anything to make me feel shitty. Even if it wasn’t her objective to make me angry, my hatred for her is longstanding. I despise her for breaking up our family and for being the ultimate cause of my mother’s death, even if she isn’t the one who killed her. It was because of her and my father that my mother was on her way to meet with her lawyer when she died. Her death is something I don’t think I’ll ever get over.

Dora hates me as well. I’m the leftovers from my father’s first marriage; the one she wormed her way into. She’d be happy if I were dead. There’s something about her that scares me. I wonder if I push her too far one day, will I end up missing. It’s the reason I stayed away so long. Shaking my head in frustration, I start driving again. Once I pull up to the house, I see the gas guy about to leave in his truck. I wave him off and walk into the house.

“What took so long?”

“Took so long, Dora? I’ve been gone fifteen minutes. You act like it’s been hours.”

“Don’t talk to me like that, you little brat. You’re lucky we let you come stay with us.”

“Little brat? I’m an adult, and as soon as I find a place, I’m out of here. If it weren’t for Nick and Aiden, I wouldn’t have come here at all. I had my own place in the works before you two asked me to stay. I’d say I’m rather unlucky to be stuck in your slutty presence.”

“You better watch your mouth,” she says, giving me a dirty look.

“Whatever. I have some job opportunities which are more pleasing to look at than your face.” I walk out of the room and up to my temporary bedroom, sporting a satisfied grin.

~~~~

I wake up early with the insane urge to see him. I know that he’ll have to pass this way on his way to work, so I wait. I don’t know what time he leaves which means I’m crazy to stand by the window for the next three hours.

I’d been waiting for about two hours when my father knocks on my door. Since I locked it, I actually have to move away from my post.

“Lily, did you meet Mr. Davenport?” I want to tell him that he’s making me miss him right now.

“Yes, I did. Why? Was there someone else you expected to be there?” I hoped there wasn’t a Mrs. Davenport or his girlfriend.

“Well, his maid was there when I visited.” The words out of his mouth instantly take the wind out of my sails.

I hide the overly intense urge to scream out my jealousy. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t see her. I did tell him about the gas, but I’m afraid he already knew.”

“He did?”

“Yep, he got caught in a freezing shower he said.”

“Damn, that’s not a good way to start our relationship with him.”

“He’s farther from us than our other neighbors. Is it that important to be friendly neighbors?”

“He’s extremely wealthy and a bit of a recluse. I thought a good bond with a beautiful woman would make him a little more apt to listen to my business proposal.”

“Do you mean me?”

“Duh, you. I wouldn’t send my wife. She’s older, and he’s already got a forty-something fuck doll in his home. He could use a newer model, and I could use a larger client.” He admits his plan as though I’m nothing but a bargaining chip. I stand there with my mouth open, trying to understand the shit coming out of his mouth. “Oh please, stop giving me that look. You’re old enough to know what men want. If you were a good daughter, you’d go over there and make it right with him.”

“I can’t believe you’d say something like that. Where’s the father that used to love me?”

“He left the moment Dora came into my life.”

He’s just confirmed what I’ve felt for a long time, and I’m not even affected by his admission. “I see. I’ll be leaving in two days. You can bend over and deal with Mr. Davenport yourself.”

He comes at me like he’s going to hit me, something he hasn’t done in years, and I flinch. The bastard then smiles at me like I’m afraid of him, but he’s a fool if he believes it. Anybody would protect themselves so they don’t get hit. He backs off and leaves me alone.

The rest of the day I spend in my room seething and planning my departure. I don’t want to see any of them, and I’m not hungry either. I obviously missed him passing by while I was dealing with my dipshit father. What does it matter anyway? The man has a maid. I had hoped that when my father asked me to move in with them that he’d missed me, but he just wanted to use me to sweeten a deal with the neighbor.

I hate myself for this unhealthy obsession with Mr. Davenport. Tomorrow, I’ll be going into town to find an apartment or a hotel to stay at until I can figure out what I’m going to do.

~~~~

I wake up and decide to let my father know about my plans. He isn’t happy but doesn’t stop me. Driving into town, I find it busy, but I like it. If my father weren’t such a fucking piece of shit and Mr. Davenport didn’t live nearby, I’d like to live here. It’s so cozy and has that sweet hometown feel.

I head to the store because I refuse to use anything they have in their home. Gosh, I need everything. So I pick up some food and personal cleaning products. The moment I walk in the store I’m surrounded by helpful men. The same as always for me. I brush off their need to assist me and manage to make my purchases like a normal person.

I walk out and, of course, there’s another man who’s ready to lend me a hand. Inwardly, I’m fuming, but I give him a genuine smile.

“Hi there, Miss.”

I look at his badge and reply, “Hello, Officer Cole.” My tone isn’t as sweet as it should be, but I’ve had it with these men. Is pussy that hard to find here?

“It’s Bobby. Can I help you?” he asks so sweetly, and I can’t help but roll my eyes.

“I’ve got this. Don’t worry. I’ve been managing on my own for several years now.”

“Miss…” He gives me the expectant look and if he weren't law enforcement, I would tell him to fuck himself, but instead I respond, “Lily Mason.”

“Miss Mason. I get that the men in the store were being overly flirtatious. That’s why I’m lending a hand. I already have a pretty girl that owns my heart. I promise they’re not like that all the time. They get competitive and act like fools.”

“Thanks. I could use a hand putting the groceries in the trunk.”

“Okay. You’ve moved into the house just outside town, right?”

“Yeah, my family, and I just moved in the other day.” He opens the back hatch door for me and I’m able to set down the bags without having to put them in the snow.

“Thanks, Bobby.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I feel
him
near me.

The officer makes the introduction to my haunting Beast like he’s known me forever instead of meeting two minutes before. Trent is his name. It fits him so well; he’s in a well-tailored suit and coat looking hot as hell. Yet no less dangerous than when I saw him with a skimpy towel that revealed his strong thighs. For some unexplained reason, I’ve become a complete flake around this man.

I cussed out my parents yesterday, but this man approaches and I feel like a weak little girl in need of his tender loving care. He sticks his hand out for me to shake and I notice he takes off his gloves. I tremble at the thought of our skin touching. He sees my sensual discomfort but only gives me a grin. Slipping like a goof on some ice, I land against his body. Damn, does he feel amazing. It’s so overwhelming; I’ve got to run. I make my excuses and again, he doesn’t give chase. With the way he got all territorial about me in front of the officer, I thought he’d have me pinned to my SUV unwilling to let me go until I succumb to his will.

I’m in a daze as I head back to the house. The ride takes longer because I have to stop before I have a wreck. All I can think about is how much I want to be in Trent’s arms. I get to the house and my father starts with me the instant he hears the door.

“Where the fuck did you go?” he shouts and gets in my face.

“I went shopping; just like I said I would.” I’m not in the mood for his outrage, but I knew when leaving this morning that I’d have to deal with his pent-up rage when I got back.

He’s standing in front of me so I can’t pass by him. Feeling more irritated by the moment, I take a step to the right and so does he. I swear the man is on drugs. “Bullshit. You went to look for a place to stay. Where are your bags if your ass went shopping?”

“No, I didn’t. I left the bags in the car.” My attitude is snotty because he’s got no reason to act like a prick. I haven’t done anything to him, but then again, my existence is a problem.

He stabs his finger in my chest. “Whatever. I don’t give a shit what you did unless it was getting into Trent’s bed.”

“Do you hear yourself?” I snap. My mind is reeling with his lack of respect or protection of his only daughter.

“Do you hear me? Are you going to seduce Trent Davenport?” His eyes are almost completely dilated as he yells at me.

“No.” This time, I manage to move around him and head toward the stairs.

“I’m going to give you until the end of today to change your mind,” he warns like it matters. By the end of the day, I’ll be gone.

I turn to face him, my eyes narrow in anger. “Get this— time isn’t going to change my mind. I won’t fuck Trent Davenport for your benefit.” I rush up the stairs before he can do anything to me because from the geeked out look on his face, I wouldn’t put it past him to hit me.

Once I close my door, I take a deep breath. I only brought the things I had in college with me. Most were clothes and mementos of my mother. For the next two hours, I pack everything up. The moment I can, I’m leaving the house and not coming back.

“Lily!” he shouts up the stairs just as I’m researching the nearby hotels.

I open my door and reply, “Yes?”

“We’re going to get something to eat. We’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Okay,” I mutter. I really couldn’t care less what they did.

They leave and I get ready to shower so I can split before they get back. I go into the bathroom and remember I have my favorite soap in the SUV. Putting some slippers on, I rush out of the house in just my pajama pants and tank top. I’m in and out of the back before I can freeze to death. Turning back to the house, I get a strange feeling I’m being watched. I move in a hurry because I’m freezing. Taking a few steps, I’m off my feet with the sound of a large boom. I can’t catch my breath, but then I see Trent calling out to me.

~~~~

Fear engulfs me when I see her lying still. She lets out a moan and starts to sit up on her elbows. I give thanks as I reach her.

“Lily!” I’m at her side looking her over for any injuries. I don’t feel anything that would be alarming, but I want her to be examined by a doctor— a female doctor. Then it hits me, she’s only wearing a light tee shirt and some pajama pants; she’s got to be freezing. I take off my coat and wrap it around her.

“Trent,” she sighs with confusion, shivering from the cold or the shock. Trying to soothe her, I rub her back. It works and she leans into my arms, but it gets my dick hard again. I feel like a bastard. She’s in pain and my dick still wants to own her pussy.

“Bunny, we need to get you to the doctor.” She only lightly nods. “Is there anyone else in the house?” I ask. I don’t want to leave her, but I can’t let someone in her family to burn to death— if there’s anyone alive after that blast. I’ve only seen things like that in movies.

She shakes her head at me and stutters, “No, they just left…” She shudders again, fear shining through her eyes as she looks at the burning home.

“Does anything hurt?” I ask while my eyes look over her again. She is my responsibility now. That’s it. I’m not letting her go back to her family. They can’t take care of her properly.

“Not too much. I feel everything. So I don’t think I’m paralyzed.” She moves her legs to show me she’s okay. God, I don’t want to think about if she hadn’t needed to go to her SUV.

“Okay, I’m going to pick you up and get you to the hospital.” I scoop her up in my arms and place a soft kiss against her hair. She may have made it out of her house, but now she’s mine, and I’m not letting her get away. Fate brought me here to her side, and I’m not leaving it.

I set her down in the passenger seat and strap her in. Pausing, I stare at her, thanking the heavens that I didn’t lose her. I walk around to the driver’s side and as I open my door, I take one last look at the massive flames that have knocked out all the windows.