The Man Next Door: Orchard Heights Book 2 - standalone

by Roya Carmen

  “Hurt me… just a little.”

  He glided a finger along the laced edge of my teddy bustier, teasing. I moaned, communicating my pleasure, edging him on. He slid a finger in and freed my breast. I felt suddenly exposed, but I wanted to be. I wanted to be completely naked for him, vulnerable and available. I was his.

  His hot tongue swirled around my nipple, teasing. My lower belly tightened with desire. My core heated. “Gavin, stop teasing,” I begged.

  Those three words completely undid him. He pressed me against the wall, raked a hand in my hair and pulled at it. I loved it. He had been very gentle and slow up to then, and this urgency was such a turn-on. He tore at my panties. I hooked a finger in the band, and helped him along. I was as eager as he was. We were still standing, and I wondered if we’d ever make it to the bed. He kneeled to the floor as he pulled my panties down. He slithered his tongue up my leg as he made his way back up.

  I fiddled with the fly of his pants, all thumbs. He took over and guided me as I explored, and reached under the fabric of his boxers. He whimpered and stiffened at my touch. I studied him, curious… and scared. He would be inside me soon, and he was so… big. My pulse quickened at the thought.

  “We don’t need to go all the way if you’re not ready,” he whispered, as if he could read my thoughts. I knew he would understand if I wasn’t. My head was hesitant but my body was of another mind. It just wanted to be touched and explored.

  He pulled me to the bed, and sat on the edge. I straddled him, feeling his warm arousal against my bare pussy. He felt so good, I couldn’t sit still. I slid myself against him over and over again. Our labored breaths filled the small room.

  “How does that feel?” he whispered against my ear.

  “Amazing.”

  “Don’t stop,” he begged. “I want to hear you come.”

  I closed my eyes, and surrendered to the sensation. I pressed my lips against his, and kissed him as I climbed to my climax. As I came closer, our kiss was abandoned.

  His dark eyes were lost in mine. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as I finally reached the edge, as pure pleasure hit me in waves, like never before.

  When I finally came to, he was all smiles. “God, that was the most amazing sight, watching you…” his words trailed off.

  Watching me come.

  I was suddenly shy. I’d never had an orgasm in front of someone else before. It felt strange. It made me feel too vulnerable, exposed. I wanted to see it too. I’d never seen a man climax before. I shot him a flirty smile. “Your turn.”

  My heart skipped when he flipped me over on the bed and stretched his long frame on top of me. “First, I want to explore you.”

  He pulled up my teddy, exposing my breasts. And just like that, I found myself aroused again, despite the fact that I’d just gotten my release. I reached for my bustier and peeled off the teddy. I was officially completely nude. And I was all his.

  His touch just felt so amazing; soft and warm. He explored me with his mouth, licking circles around my breasts and navel. I threw my head back and enjoyed every second of it. When he traveled south, I stiffened for a quick second, but as soon as his hot mouth hit my sex, I surrendered to the pleasure. I more than surrendered. The more desperate I became, the more I spread my legs for him, welcoming him in.

  “God, you’re so fucking sexy.” His mouth traveled to the inside of my thighs, teasing.

  I smiled. This was going to take all night. He was obviously into delayed gratification, and clearly making a long slow dance of this, but I couldn’t have been more willing to dance along. We’d both waited so long for this, we were going to make a whole meal of it, appetizers, entrée and dessert.

  I slowly undressed him as we both explored each other for what seemed like hours. I was eager to be his, but I knew my body needed this. We needed to ease into it slowly. With every touch, every kiss, his breathing shallowed, his touch became more urgent. He was reining himself in to the point of pain.

  I tore my mouth from his. “I’m ready,” I whispered.

  His dark eyes were lost in mine. “Are you sure?”

  I smiled up at him. “Positive.”

  He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ll take it slow, I promise.”

  He closed his eyes as he slid his hand along my body, and pressed his hardness between my legs, I opened them wider for him. He groaned as he slid himself along my folds. It felt so good, I wanted more. I inhaled a long breath and let my body melt into his.

  He sank into me easily, and I couldn’t believe I was finally losing my virginity. I was lucky because I’d given it to a man who truly loved me. Then a sudden pain made my whole body stiffen.

  “Is this okay?” he breathed against my ear.

  I relaxed again, knowing the worst was over. “I’m good… great.”

  He pressed slowly into me again. “I love you,” he whispered.

  I knew he wanted to go at it harder, but he was holding back for me. We took it very slowly. We stared into each other’s eyes. I wanted to see him come inside me.

  And I did. It was the most beautiful sight. The thought that our bodies together, could bring him so much pleasure made me so happy.

  I finally understood the reason a million songs and poems were written about love. It was definitely something special.

  30

  There’s no better feeling than lounging in bed on a Saturday morning. I stay in bed a little longer than I should, replaying the previous day’s events. I hate the way Noah and I left things. I’ve always hated drama, and I despise secrets.

  I reluctantly tear myself from my warm sheets, and slip on my fuzzy slippers, the ones with the cute puppy faces. I pop a slice of bread in the toaster, and pour myself a cup of almond milk. I sit at the kitchen table, just about to check my phone, when a quick knock at the door startles me.

  I’m not sure why, but I always feel a little uneasy when someone knocks at my door. Perhaps it’s just being a single woman in a city with a high crime rate. Or maybe it’s about my past. I slowly pad down the hall and peek into my peephole. There’s no one there, which only makes me more nervous. I slowly open the door, and my heart skips a beat when I spot a flower arrangement sitting on the floor.

  I swing the door open and grab the arrangement; a bouquet of tiger lilies, my favorite. I already know who they’re from even before I peel the card out of the envelope. But when I do, my suspicions are confirmed.

  I’m so sorry, Abigail.

  I was an ass.

  Love, Noah

  I’m quick to tear off the clear cellophane wrapping, and set the arrangement at the center of my kitchen table. It brightens up the whole space. I’m still not quite sure how I feel about things between Noah and I, but I can’t help but smile at the sight of the flowers. How did he know tiger lilies were my favorite? Happy coincidence I suppose.

  I fetch my slice of toast and to my dismay, it’s cold. There’s nothing I hate more than cold toast, so I pop in another slice. I check the clock on the microwave. It’s already eleven o’clock.

  Oh shit.

  I’ve been so consumed with all the drama with Noah, I’ve completely forgotten my coffee date with Mischa. Eleven o’clock today.

  Just as I scramble to locate my phone, the doorbell buzzes. This time I don’t hesitate to open the door. Mischa always likes to drop by my place before we head out. She knows I tend to run late, and I suppose she prefers waiting in my apartment while I get ready.

  She looks shocked when she sees me standing in my pajamas. She’s as put-together as always; red raincoat and tall black boots. I lean in for a hug. “I’m so sorry, Mischa. I forgot.”

  She smiles. “No worries. What’s up?”

  “Come in,” I urge. “I can get ready in a jiffy.”

  She shakes her head as she slips off her boots. “No… don’t worry about it. Why don’t we just have coffee here?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  She follows me to the kitchen, wh
ere I busy myself with coffee preparations. I know what she likes, and I even pull out the digestive cookies she enjoys.

  “Wow… these flowers are beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” I say and don’t elaborate. I don’t tell her they’re from Noah.

  “Busy with work?” she asks.

  I nod as I get the coffeemaker going. “Yep. It’s busy but I love it. How ‘bout you?”

  “The usual. It’s a little slower these days, but I don’t mind. Gives me more time with the boys and Brian.”

  “How are they?” I ask. “I saw Trevor yesterday… he’s getting so tall.”

  She smiles. “Yes, he’s not my little boy anymore.”

  I notice my slice of toast peeking from its slot. I pull it out and I’m not surprised when it’s cold. I shake my head, and pop in another slice.

  “So what’s been distracting you?” Mischa asks. “You usually never forget things.”

  I blow out a long breath, staring at the toaster. I’m not going anywhere until that toast pops up, and I get to eat it warm.

  “It’s Noah,” I admit.

  She raises a brow. “Things not going well?”

  I smile. Mischa is an amazing friend, but she’s very nosy. Always has been. She won’t be able to rest until I’ve spilled the whole cup of tea. My slice pops up and I slather on butter and jam, and prepare myself to tell her the whole story.

  About an hour later, we’re still talking about Noah. I’ve told her all about our relationship, every detail save for the more kinky bits. And I’ve also confessed how there’s always a nagging feeling at the pit of my stomach.

  “Well, you know my history,” she says. “If you have a nagging feeling, it usually means there’s something there. I mean, just look at me and Brian this past year. I had a feeling something was up, and I was right.”

  I nod, staring down at my cup of tea. Maybe Mischa is not the best person to talk in this type of situation. She tends to be high strung and paranoid. Perhaps I’m just imagining things, but she’s convincing me I’m not. I don’t know what to think. I just can’t reconcile sweet Noah with something sinister. What could he possibly have to hide?

  “The way he completely freaked out when you were rummaging through his desk,” she goes on. “That’s not normal. I get the whole privacy thing but—”

  “Yeah… it was weird.”

  “I would do my due diligence if I were you,” she suggests. “You can never be too safe.”

  “Really?” I say. “What do you mean?”

  She crosses a leg over the other. “Maybe hire a private investigator. It will probably cost you, but it could be worth it.”

  My eyes grow wide. “Really?”

  “Noah could be a gold digger or a drug dealer or something.”

  I can’t wrap her words around my head. There’s no way. I get defensive. “Well, for one thing, Noah does okay. He’s got his own money… probably more than I do. I can tell by his apartment, and the clothes he wears—”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean—”

  “It’s okay…” I say, but I’m still offended. What Noah and I have is real, and that she would imply that it isn’t grates my nerves.

  “He leases the place, doesn’t he?”

  “Yes, he’s in for six months,” I reply, wondering where she’s going with this.

  “People can make themselves seem a lot more well-off than they really are,” she points out. “Trust me… as an accountant, I see it all. Maxed out credit cards and crazy mortgages… bankruptcies and audits.”

  I shake my head. “So that’s it… he’s a gold-digging bastard,” I scoff. “Everything we’ve shared was a big fat lie.”

  She sits up straighter. She doesn’t reach out to me because that’s just not her style. “I’m so sorry, Abby. I didn’t mean… Forget everything I said. You know me… I’m cynical. I’m paranoid as hell. Forget this whole conversation.”

  We both break into laughter, and she quickly changes the subject. She tells me all about her crazy life. Apparently her youngest son, Tristan, has a new girlfriend, and he’s always closing his bedroom door when he’s with her. Of course it drives Mischa crazy. She feels like a stiff prudish mom, but she can’t help opening the door every time he closes it.

  I lean back and laugh at her anecdotes, but at the back of my mind, Noah sits comfortably, not going anywhere.

  Could she possibly be right about him?

  Once Gavin and I got started, we couldn’t stop. I discovered that I not only loved Gavin, I loved sex too. The first time had been romantic but a little painful. I’d been scared. The second time around, I was no longer afraid. And the third time… fireworks. I discovered girl-on-top, and Gavin discovered my G spot, resulting in my first intercourse orgasm.

  After that, I couldn’t get enough.

  Months later, I was still wild about it.

  “Come back here, you little spitfire,” he called out to me.

  I jerked my head around to sneak one last look at him, looking so sexy in the rumpled sheets. I reluctantly slipped on my panties, and worked on the clasp of my bra. “I gotta get to work.” It was suppertime, and we hadn’t eaten. We’d practically been sustaining on love.

  He bounced out of the bed, and slipped on his boxers. “Let me fry you an egg before you go.”

  “Nah… I’m okay.”

  “You can’t live on popcorn and candy, Abigail,” he pointed out. “I’m making you an egg and you will eat it.”

  I kind of liked it when he got bossy like that. “Okay, Sir. If I must.”

  He scurried to the kitchen as I got ready; got dressed, and finger combed my hair.

  I hurriedly scarfed down the egg and gulped down the glass of milk Gavin insisted I drink. I gave him a quick peck on the cheek on my way out. “Bye, love you.”

  He smiled. “Love you too, kid.”

  I’ll always remember the next few minutes. That scene has played over and over in my head over the years. I was heading to the bus stop when I spotted it in Izzie’s driveway. It was unmistakable. Police cruisers were not an uncommon sight at the park, but I’d never seen one sitting in Izzie’s driveway before.

  Adele and Bobby were talking to two police officers. Something was wrong. Adele looked crushed, and she definitely wasn’t her usual chipper self. Bobby rubbed her shoulder as they both listened to the tall lanky officer speaking. Danny and little Abe were sitting on the porch. Abe was crying and Danny was attempting to console him. I’d missed little Abe so much. I hadn’t seen him much since Izzie and I had broken up. I missed his easy laugh, his random tidbits of useless information, and his sweet smile.

  I was already running late for work, but I couldn’t help myself. I needed to know what was going on. My heart pumped frantically as I quietly skirted past the officers and Izzie’s parents. They didn’t even notice me. I walked straight to Danny and Abe.

  “Hey, guys.”

  I always liked Danny. He was a much nicer older brother than mine. “Hey, Abby.” He stroked little Abe’s back. “It’s been a while.”

  “I know.”

  “What happened with you and Izzie?” he asked.

  How could I even begin to explain the whole thing? Basically, Izzie was jealous because the hot older guy liked me and not her. “Girl drama… you know.”

  He nodded. “So you and Izzie… haven’t been hanging out?”

  I shook my head. “Not since last summer.”

  “The cops are probably going to want to talk to you.”

  My heart jackhammered. “What? Why?”

  He dipped his head, pulling his gaze from mine. “We haven’t seen Izzie in three days.”

  A cold chill ran through my spine, an eerie premonition of sorts. “What?”

  “She’s run away before, but never longer than a few hours… not three days.” He looked up. “Something’s wrong. I can feel it.”

  I could feel it too. I knew something wasn’t right.

  I felt Adele’s hand on my shoulder
before I heard her voice. “Hey, Abby.” She wrapped her frail arms around me, and squeezed me into a tight hug. “We’ve missed you. Where have you been?”

  I smiled meekly as we pulled away. “Around.”

  “What happened with you and Izzie?”

  I sighed heavily. “We had a fight,” I confessed. “She hates me.”

  Adele shook her head. “Oh, sweetie. How can anyone hate you?”

  I stared at the ground, at a loss for words.

  “So you haven’t been hanging out with Izzie at all lately?”

  I shook my head. “No… sorry.”

  Izzie’s dad and the officers made their way to us. One was a stocky man with dark hair, and the other was a tall lanky blond with a long face but a friendly smile. He offered his hand, and I eagerly took it. “Hello, I’m Officer Sterling.”

  “I’m Abby. I live down the road.”

  The stocky officer stretched out his hand. “I’m officer Bryant.”

  I shook his hand too, my pulse racing.

  “Abby and Izzie are best friends,” Adele chimed in. “Uh… were…”

  “Nice to meet you, Abby. Do you mind if we ask you a few questions?” Officer Bryant asked.

  “Uh…” I was going to be late for work, but as far as excuses went, this was definitely a good one. Police interrogation. I felt like I was in an episode of Law & Order.

  “Sure…” I finally managed.

  We went into the kitchen where the officers proceeded to interview me. Notepads, and a folder and recorder were fetched. A form was filled out and signed, my basic info and my permission for a recording device to be used during the interview. I cooperated as much as I could. I felt as if I were being sucked into a whirlwind as I answered their questions. What was going on? Where was Izzie?

  I desperately wanted to know. I wanted to help.

  We went over the basics, my relationship with Izzie mostly. I explained that we’d had a falling out the previous summer and I’d hardly spoken to her since. When they asked me what had caused our falling out, my breath hitched. I wasn’t completely forthcoming when I told them we had had a fight about her spending too much time with Kelly and Karla. Actually, I outright lied. But if I’d mentioned that the fight was about Gavin, they would be compelled to investigate him, and I certainly didn’t want that. I also valued my own privacy, and our relationship was nobody’s business.