Being Neighborly

by Meka James

She stepped back and they stared at each other. A slow smile spread across her face and it took an amazing amount of self-control not to go in for a taste of those sweet lips. Another grab of his ass then she laughed and ducked beneath his arm.

  “What the—”

  “Thanks for returning these.” She twirled her panties around her finger. “They’re part of a set.”

  “Oh, that’s cold.” He reached for her and she dodged him, laughing as ran from the kitchen.

  He gave chase. He’d start right; she’d moved left. A stare off with her couch between them. Toeing off his Vans, Ryan made a quick dash across it, and grabbed her by the waist before she could dodge the attack. They tumbled over the couch and to the floor, ending with her pinned beneath him. The laughs gave way to their heavy breathing.

  He leaned down and stopped inches from her lips. “Are we good?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, we’re good,” she answered then lifted her head to connect their lips.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jess

  Jess looked at the horribly misshaped plait dangling on the right side of her head and laughed.

  “Admiring my handiwork,” Ryan gave her a crooked smile as he sat beside her on her bed.

  He was in her room, on her bed, thanks to his insistence on helping her complete her hair-care routine. Ashley wasn’t his girlfriend. And he was heir to an apparent construction throne. Her head spun with the new information. He’d made a point to explain he’d wanted to clear the air, but she couldn’t let herself get her hopes up. Nothing really had changed, other than he hadn’t been a cheater.

  “Your plaiting skills need some work.”

  He picked up a bundle of hair and gave it a small tug. “Maybe you’ll give me more lessons.”

  The suggestive tone of his voice set off the stupid, giddy butterflies dancing in her stomach. Add the rapid, excited beating of her heart and she had a full on battle against the small voice of reason trying its damnedest to keep her focused. Just sex. It was just sex. Ashley may not have been his girlfriend, but neither was she. He owed her no loyalties, and while they’d spent quite a bit of time together, it wasn’t like they’d been inseparable.

  The stroke of his finger down her jawline made her jump. “What’s wrong, Peaches?”

  She gave a quick shake of her head. “Nothing. We should go downstairs.” She stood and walked toward her door without waiting on him to reply.

  For once she was able to hold her tongue and not spout off the things that were in her head. She could easily see how someone could get caught up and want more with him. He was funny, considerate, on top of being hella great eye candy. Hell, she’d only been around him for a handful of days and part of her was ready to start doodling fucking hearts around their names. He was also up front, what you saw was what you got with him. He’d not led her on and tried to pretend it was more. He wasn’t into relationships.

  Ryan liked hookups. No-strings-attached, friends-with-benefits sex. She would not turn needy, wanting more. Thinking it was one thing; however, she sat smack dab in the middle of an easier said than done situation. Warm fingers wrapped around her wrist, stopping her before she could exit.

  His steely gray eyes searched her face. “Not sure if you’re aware, but you have an amazingly expressive face. You would suck so bad at poker.”

  His light tease loosened the tension a notch.

  “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours, Peaches?”

  She pulled her arm free and paced her room. “That. You with the compliments and constant flirting. That stupid name that makes me all giddy like a teenage girl being noticed by her crush.” She clamped her hand over her mouth. Fuck. So much for not spewing everything.

  His tall, muscular form appeared before her. He wrapped his strong, tanned arms around her and held her close.

  “I don’t think anyone has ever told me I make them giddy. I like that idea.” He lowered his head so that his lips were beside her ear. “Peaches.”

  She shivered. Her nipples tightened and heat rushed between her legs.

  “And how are compliments and flirting a bad thing?” The low, husky tone of his voice made her clench her thighs and swallow back the moan that was ready to escape.

  The cat was out of the bag now; might as well go all the way and get it over with. With a small turn of her head, she took in his striking features. The hard jawline, his bedroom eyes, and pink lips that took her body to new heights, all the things she’d miss when she placed herself strictly in the friend box.

  “You might have other females waiting in the wings, but I’m not used to casual.”

  She waited for him to let her go. To draw the line, especially after hearing the story he’d told her downstairs. Only he didn’t. He held her in place, and his clean, earthy smell caressed her senses, lulling her in a wash of comfort. A low ringing in her ears and the steady thump of her heart pounded in rhythm with the pulse between her legs.

  “You’re great for my ego, but there’s no one waiting in the wings.” Ryan ran his tongue along her bottom lip. “Only you. And from the sound of things I need another upgrade.”

  His mouth crushed down on hers before she could fully process his words. Her lips parted and he wasted no time in taking the offering. Strong hands squeezed her ass, and the thickness of his erection pressed against her stomach. When he released her lips in favor of her neck, Jess sucked in air and let the oxygen flow back to her brain.

  She squeezed his arms. “Ryan, I... I didn’t say that...” His hands had found their way under her shirt and he teased her hardened nipples through the cotton fabric of her bra. “We...we can...ah...”

  He yanked the cups down and pinched the tight buds. Maintaining a logical train of thought became increasingly difficult. He caught the lobe of her ear between his teeth as he continued to squeeze her breasts, rolling his thumbs around her sensitive nipples. The action slow and torturous, causing rush of heat and need between her legs.

  “Ryan...please stop.” Her body craved him and she missed the warmth of his hands the moment he stepped away. She crossed her arms over her breasts, pressing hard to stop the longing she had for his touch.

  He ran his hands through his hair then scrubbed them down his face. “Do you want me to go?”

  Jess shook her head. “I like you. And I have fun with you. With and without your clothes on.”

  He copped a grin at her statement. “The feeling’s mutual.”

  “You are who you are, and I’m not knocking it. But... I don’t... I’m not...” Jess groaned at her inability to form a coherent sentence.

  He stepped to her and cupped her face. “Peaches, I get it. Can I tell you a secret?”

  She nodded.

  “This is new for me. Well, newish. I haven’t thought about dating one chick since high school. But the idea of introducing you to my motley crew of friends as only friends...” He moved his hands down, letting them settle on her waist. “Wasn’t looking forward to it.”

  Sincerity in his tone plus a flirty glimmer in his eyes equaled a new sensation of warmth spreading through her. He wanted the same thing, to move from casual to something more concrete. It took all the self-control she possessed to stop herself from jumping up and down like a loon, though the smile that took up residence on her face probably was just as bad. Not just sex. He wanted more, he felt the same. Not just sex.

  “So, you want an upgrade, huh?” She stepped back and stripped off her shirt, dropping it to the floor. Her bra soon joined it. “I think we should celebrate your new found status of boyfriend. Lose the pants.”

  A slow saunter over to her nightstand, and she retrieved her bottle of birthday cake flavored lube. She turned back to find Ryan completely naked and ready for action. Her tongue darted out and moistened her lips at the sight. Hers. That gloriously sexy man was all hers.

  A feveri
sh need consumed her at the thought. “You always wore condoms, right?”

  His sexy grin widened. “Yes, always.”

  “Good. Sit.”

  He obliged and devoured her with his eyes as she moved back to join him. She lowered herself in front of him; he widened his legs to give her space. When she placed the bottle beside him, he picked it up and laughed.

  “Why do you have flavored lube?”

  “It was on sale.” A nonchalant shrug accompanied her words.

  Her gaze left his face and landed on the impressive cock directly in front of her face. With slow movements, she wrapped her hand around it, closing her fingers one by one. Ryan groaned when she eased her hand down to the base and back up then gave a tiny squeeze to the tip. Licking her lips again, she cast her eyes up at him, maintaining eye contact as she wrapped her lips around the head.

  She let her tongue slide through his slit then swirled it around the bulbous tip. Relaxing her jaw and breathing through her nose, she took more of him into her mouth, moving down until he hit the back of her throat. One hand worked his base, stroking and massaging what she couldn’t take in.

  “Christ...” he ground out the word.

  Jess released his cock, licking from base to tip before her lips again closed around his soft, fleshy top and she gave gentle suction. His low groans and soft cussing sent a tidal wave of arousal between her legs. Each subtle movement she made, reminded her of how saturated her panties were. With another deep breath in, Jess lowered her mouth on him again, relaxing the back of her throat, which allowed him to slide down. Another exhale through her nose and she relaxed more, and flexed her throat muscles around him.

  “Fuck! Sweet...oh my fucking...” Ryan collapsed back against the bed.

  She continued to bobble her head along his thick shaft before easing up again. Her gaze lifted and she pumped his slick cock with her hand as she watched the rapid rise and fall of his chest. With one arm thrown across his face, he continued to whisper expletives.

  “Would you like to do the honors?”

  He propped up on his elbows. A soft sheen of sweat dotted his brow. She looked to the bottle then down at her breasts. His slight obsession with them hadn’t been missed by her, and a proper celebration was in order.

  “Fuck yeah I want that honor.”

  Quickly moving back to a seated position, Ryan squirted some of the liquid into his hands. With a smile wider than she’d seen, he took his time rubbing her breasts. He pinched and tweaked her nipples, getting an illicit moan from her in the process. He was oh so very good with his hands.

  She maneuvered again, rising up and she pressed her tits around his cock. Ryan’s hands closed around her comforter. Her well-oiled breasts easily slid along his thickness. Licking her lips, Jess lowered her mouth once again, working herself into a rhythm.

  Ryan lifted his hips, pumping them upward, fucking her chest and mouth at the same time. Desire raged through her. Hard pinches to her nipples sent shockwaves between her legs while she continued to squeeze her tits around his cock to create as much friction as she could. She sucked in her cheeks, swirled her tongue around this girth, and suckled the tip.

  There was pressure to the back of her head when his hand clamped down in time with a hard thrust up before he erupted in her mouth. She swallowed down all the warm liquid and released her breasts so she could take more of him into her mouth. His grunts and groans intensified her own fiery desire. Maneuvering one hand between her own legs, it took little stimulation to bring about her own climax.

  His grip loosened and she eased up, reluctantly freeing his now flaccid dick. She moved up so that she was on all fours above him. Her stiff nipples brushed against his hairless chest. The tingle of desire still coursing through her mixed with satisfaction of seeing him utterly spent by her doing. “You get another upgrade.”

  He tilted his head to the side. Cocky grin once again taking up residence. “Really?”

  “Yup. You are way more arousing than Franco.”

  She squealed when he grabbed her by the waist and flipped them.

  “I damn well better be.”

  He gave her a sweet kiss, sweeping his tongue through her mouth once before readjusting them so she lay on his chest. One of his hands found its way to her breast and he began drawing lazy circles around her dark nipple.

  She draped her arm across his waist and snuggled closer. “This is a much better welcome to the neighborhood than a cake.”

  Epilogue

  Ryan

  “Ow! Shit!”

  Ryan dropped the pan of burnt-to-a-crisp cinnamon rolls along with the thin dishtowel on the stovetop. He stuck his thumb into his mouth, trying to cool the singed digit and surveyed the damage before him. Sausage patties undercooked. Cinnamon rolls overcooked.

  “Fuck.”

  It took a special sort of talent to burn canned baked goods, but at least the sausage could be nuked in the microwave.

  “Yum. The smell of burnt food in the morning. I love it.”

  Ryan looked up at the sound of her voice. Jess’s dark curls were contained beneath her black satin sleep bonnet. Learning about her hair care was an ongoing lesson, but he loved that she shared. Her nipples poked out behind the strained fabric of his white, ribbed tank that she wore. The ensemble was finished off with a pair of gray polka-dot panties and a dimple-revealing smile.

  “Good morning, Peaches.” He handed her the mug with her Assam tea already steeping.

  At least he didn’t mess that up.

  “Thank you,” she said as she slid onto the barstool opposite him. She took a sip and eyed the disaster before her. “You know, if you wanted to get rid of me, there are easier ways than poisoning.”

  He crossed his arms across his bare chest and leaned back against the counter. “Hardy-har-har. This is the appreciation I get for trying to do something nice for you.”

  Six months they’d been dating, and rarely had they spent the night apart. His place or hers, it didn’t matter. They’d fallen into a routine, one he looked forward to. And he didn’t think that the change he wanted to propose would be that much of a stretch given the circumstances.

  Jess eased off the stool and sauntered around to where he stood. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she pulled his arms open and settled her soft body against his.

  She stretched up and placed a quick kiss on his bottom lip. “You’re kinda cute when you pout.”

  Ryan rolled his eyes, but couldn’t stop the short laugh. He pulled her close, letting his hands rest at the top of her ass. His dick twitched to life and the smile on her face widened.

  “What exactly are you trying to butter me up for anyway?”

  “Why are you so suspicious? Can’t a man just do something nice for his girlfriend?”

  She let her graze drop momentarily then tilted her head as if that was some sort of answer.

  “Please. That is no way to measure my intent. Me getting hard around you is a daily occurrence.”

  Ryan had to suppress a moan when she rubbed himself along his thick erection. She snaked a hand between them and then down the front of his shorts. He sighed and a shuddered when Jess curled her warm hand around his cock and began stroking it. Fuck this woman! She knew how to make him come undone in a matter of seconds.

  Jess nipped at his chin then kissed the spot, all the while keeping a slow, torturous pace—down, up, squeeze. She stretched up and caught the lobe of his ear between her teeth. Her hard nipples poked against his chest and he wanted nothing more than to rip off her shirt to tease and play with them until she came.

  “You’re right.” She let her thumb circle the head of his dick. “My apologies,” she whispered.

  Ryan captured her face between his hands and claimed her mouth. His tongue swept through her parted lips, drinking in the dizzying taste of his Peaches. Her hand kept moving whi
le he deepened the kiss. The words he’d been tempted to say again popped into his mind. Words that terrified him, but burned in his chest, desperate for escape.

  Much more and he’d come in his pants. Ryan grabbed her wrist, stilling her movements and broke from their kiss. Their heavy breathing mingled in the air. He stared into her deep brown eyes, wondering if she felt the same but was afraid to say—much like him—or if he would be making a giant fool of himself.

  Only one way to find out.

  He pulled her hand free from his pants. The ache in his dick protested the removal. Ryan ignored the throbbing and pulled her arms around his waist, locking her against him.

  She’d met his family and once they got over the shock of him bringing a woman home, they’d all made it clear he was not to mess this up with his “rolling stone” ways. They adored her, which was not surprising by any stretch of the imagination.

  She came. She saw. She conquered. And being committed to her was the easiest thing he’d ever done.

  “I want another upgrade, Peaches.”

  She frowned and cocked her head to the side. Her mouth opened then closed a few times and he couldn’t help but smile at the utter confusion that took over her beautiful features.

  Ryan swallowed the lump in this throat and drew in a deep breath. The words sat at the tip of his tongue and this time he wouldn’t force them back. “I love you and I want to go from boyfriend to live-in boyfriend. I want you to move in.”

  She sucked in a shocked breath and blinked her eyes in rapid succession. Her tongue poked out between her lips, and when she diverted her gaze from him to look around the kitchen, Ryan’s heart constricted. He started mentally preparing himself for the letdown. He should have waited. It was too soon. What the fuck had he been thinking?

  She pulled back, and as much as he didn’t want to let her go, he loosened his hold. Jess placed her hands on her round hips and tilted her head to the side.

  “Was burning breakfast your bargaining chip?” The smile that accompanied her words eased the ache in his chest, but not completely.