The Boy Next Door

by Jessica Jarman

  “I’m here, baby. You okay?”

  “Well, I’d say so. But what about you?”

  That chuckle again. “I hardly sat here twiddling my thumbs while I listened to you come.”

  Duh. “Oh, well, that’s good then.” She paused. “I still wish you were here.”

  “Me too, Darc, me too.”

  “You need to get some sleep.” A yawn escaped her.

  “Yep. I’ll call you tomorrow. Think of me.”

  “You can count on it. G’night.”

  “Night. Thanks in advance for the good dreams.”

  The receiver clicked in her ear. Unable to stop grinning, she hung up. She turned off the light, snuggled back under the sheet and dreamed of Mac.

  Chapter Five

  The August sun beat down with relentless fervor, reflected off the still surface of the pool. Darcy stretched out in the lounge chair and welcomed the heat, hiding from the glare behind large sunglasses. This was a rare occurrence for her. Relaxation. She’d done more of it since arriving home than in the last several years. There’d always been new pieces to finish, a show coming up, or some function or other Richard wanted to attend.

  Upon awakening, she decided today was for her. Her parents were gone—her mother off to the day spa with Mac’s mother, and her father was hitting the golf green, enjoying semi-retirement. Yes, today would be solely about her. She was going to get some sun, go for a swim and work some more on her next piece. Tonight she had to go to the club with her parents for dinner, but hoped to squeeze a bit of time to see Mac. She wanted to be with him, wanted to savor this newfound aspect of their relationship. While the little bit of phone sex had been exciting, it was hardly as satisfying as Mac in person. She wanted his hands on her, his mouth, his tongue. Her fingers in the wet folds of her sex were a poor substitute for his hard, swollen shaft buried inside her.

  She groaned and shifted her hips. An insistent throbbing heat began to spread from her belly down into her pussy, pooling in sweet wetness. Aching for Mac, she pressed her legs together. Her breasts tingled, nipples pebbling beneath her swimsuit top.

  Shaking her head, she glanced around the yard. She couldn’t very well masturbate in broad daylight. Either she had to go in or wait ‘til tonight. Tonight, she decided, knowing that pleasuring herself would only take the edge off, it wouldn’t satisfy her completely. It would be even more amazing tonight with Mac. At least she hoped so. There was no guarantee he wouldn’t be working. Darcy sighed. She hasn’t seen him since the night they’d made love. Sure, she’d talked to him every night on the phone, but she wanted to see and touch him as well as hear his voice.

  A jump in the cool water was just what she need right now. Pulling off her sunglasses, she laid them on the patio table and stood. The phone she had placed on the table rang. A thrill ran through her. It had to be Mac. Maybe he was thinking of her as well. She snatched it up.

  “Hello?” Her voice was husky, breathless.

  “Darcy! You aren’t answering your cell. I’ve been trying for days to get ahold of you, sweetheart.”

  Darcy’s good mood and sweet arousal vanished. It was the pig. “I wasn’t answering because I didn’t want to talk to you. Don’t call here again, Richard.”

  “Don’t hang up,” he pleaded. “Please, Darcy darling, give me a chance to explain.”

  With a frustrated sigh, she sat on the edge of the lounge. “Explain what? Why you were screwing two women while you were engaged to me? Hmm, I’d love to here this. Go on.”

  Silence.

  “Really, Richard, you need to speak up.” Sarcasm dripped from inside her.

  “I have needs, Darcy. Needs that you can’t fulfill. It meant nothing. I love you, that whole thing was just physical. Don’t tell me you never got yourself off, fingered yourself?” His voice pleaded.

  Stunned, it took her moment to collect her thoughts. “We’re not talking about masturbating, for crying out loud. If I’d walked in on you jacking off, it’d have been different. How would you feel if it’d been the other way around? What if you had come in and two men were screwing me? You would blow it off, like I was just playing with myself?”

  “That’s different—”

  “How?” she practically screamed into the receiver.

  “I know I satisfied you, Darcy. You had no complaints in the bedroom.”

  “You’re right. I had none until you brought other people into it. Of course, I didn’t have much to compare you to. At least not then.” She couldn’t resist the vindictive little jab.

  “What do you mean? Are you screwing someone else? What the hell! What, you’re away a week, and you’re—”

  “Oh my God! You are unbelievable. You sleep with women while we’re together, and I’m supposed to forgive and forget. I possibly find someone after we split, and you’re pissed? I don’t know why I’m wasting my time. Don’t call here again.” She pulled the phone away, hit the off button and dropped it next to her.

  The nerve of him! She had nothing to be ashamed of. She’d been faithful to him the entire time they were together. Forget it. He’s not here, not part of your life anymore. With that thought, she stood, strode to the pool and dove smoothly beneath the still surface of the water.

  ———

  Mac stood at the gate and watched Darcy dive into the pool. He’d heard her conversation with the creep she’d been engaged to. The son of a bitch had no right to harass her. Man, she had looked so disturbed and upset at whatever was said on the other end. Did she still have feelings for the jerk? No. He pushed that thought away. Darcy would never go back to a man who cheated. Why would the idiot stray when he had her?

  He remembered what she told him. Richard found her lacking in the bedroom. More likely he was the one lacking. Mac had firsthand knowledge now, and Darcy lacked nothing.

  Somehow he had to show her. Telling her wouldn’t be enough. She’d blow it off. Since their relationship had shifted, he hadn’t had a real opportunity to show her just how much he wanted—no, needed—her. One night together and several late night phone calls… Not enough. He looked forward to his vacation and being able to devote some serious time to showing her just how he felt. Today, though, could be a little preview.

  His pants felt mighty snug as he watched Darcy swim lap after lap using strong, smooth strokes. Her body cut through the clear water, her long dark hair streaming behind her, accenting the toned, svelte muscles of her back and shoulders.

  It wouldn’t be a hardship to take her mind off the phone call from her ex. It’d be his pleasure and, if he did it right, hers too.

  Toeing off his shoes, he unfastened his khakis and shucked them off. He continued removing his clothes until he stood in his cotton boxers. Several long strides carried him to the edge of the pool. She still hadn’t noticed him and continued her laps. He dove in smoothly and matched her strokes until he was upon her.

  He snaked his arm out, encircled her waist, causing her to gasp and sputter. Just as she recovered her breath, he set out to steal it with his lips. Hers slid cool and wet on his before their tongues darted out to mate, to taste.

  Her arms wrapped around his neck tightly, pulling her body close to him. Their legs tangled as Mac used his to push her against the side of the pool, bracing his hands on the ledge behind her. She moved her hands up and buried them in his hair. Tightening her fingers in the dripping curls, she pulled slightly to part their lips.

  “What are you doing here?” Her breath, hot and steamy, caressed his cheek.

  “Lunch break. And, Darc, I’m starving.” To prove this, he began nibbling on her neck, laving it with his tongue.

  Her head fell back, allowing him easier access to the sleek, creamy column of her neck. He sank his teeth into her skin, pulling a startled gasp from her, then a moan as his tongue smoothed over the tender spot.

  She wrapped her legs around his hips and nestled her soft heat against his growing cock. The thin wet cotton hid nothing; his hard length jutted forward against t
he mound between her legs. A cry caught in her throat and she pressed her mouth to his again, now the aggressor. Her hand slid between their bodies, past the waistband, and grasped his erection. The sensations of her caressing fingers and the cool swirling water caused him to grow even harder. He pulsated beneath her touch, ached to bury himself in her slick heat.

  He pulled the tie at the back of her neck, allowing her bathing suit top to fall and expose her breasts. Wasting no time, he released her mouth and bent to suck a pert nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the tight crown.

  “Let’s go inside,” Darcy gasped, arching against his mouth.

  “Let’s not.” Mac used his free hand to tug her bathing suit bottoms aside to cup the soft apex of her thighs. He slid his middle finger across her swollen clit.

  “Oh my God,” she cried. “Mac, stop. We can’t do it here. What if my parents came home?”

  He leaned away from her. “Your mom’s at the spa with mine, and your dad’s golfing with my dad and four other buddies. You know as well as I do they won’t be home for hours.” He turned his attention to her breasts again.

  “But…” Her voice trailed off and her hand continued to caress his aching cock.

  “No one is coming home, I locked the gate when I came in, and there’s a privacy fence, hon. Haven’t you always wondered what it’d be like to make love in here?”

  Yeah, she’d always wondered.

  Darcy ran her fingers over smooth skin of his solid length, so warm in the coolness of the water. She wanted him inside of her, to pull his hardness into her own simmering heat. Knowing he’d make her explode caused her to squeeze him tighter, and he groaned low in the back of his throat.

  The water swirled around them, a sensuous caress. Mac’s finger slid in lazy circles around the sensitive skin surrounding her clitoris, enough to tease and frustrate deliciously.

  She shifted her legs from his hips. He seized the opportunity to pull her suit down and off her legs. Returning his hand to her pussy, he thrust two fingers into her wetness. Her muscles tightened and convulsed—an immediate orgasm that stole her breath and robbed her of her thoughts. Shock waves coursed relentlessly through her body, one after another, until her body shook from the onslaught. She released his cock to grasp his shorts at the waist and yank them down past his hips.

  He withdrew his hand and slid it around to grasp her ass. With his coaxing, Darcy tilted her hips and wrapped her legs around his waist again. The bulbous tip of his cock rested at the opening of her pussy. She wrapped her fingers around it again and rubbed it against her clitoris with slow, deliberate strokes. Their moans mingled. Unable to wait any longer and sensing he shared her impatience, she positioned him once again at her opening and withdrew her hand to rest on his shoulder. She met his gaze as he thrust into her.

  He wasn’t slow or gentle, and she didn’t want him to be. Desperate, they met each other, thrust for thrust, over and over. Mac’s lips found her neck again. His breath danced along her wet skin in short bursts. She dropped her head back against the hand he kept braced on the edge of the pool. Water splashed around them with each movement, doing nothing to cool them or their intentions.

  Her fingers dug into his shoulders as the liquid heat flowed within her body, threatening to erupt like molten lava. Higher and higher, she climbed until she began to fall, to plummet through the hot, honeyed release.

  “Oh yeah, baby.” Mac’s voice sounded muffled against her neck.

  She felt his cock grow thicker and twitch. She increased her movements, knowing he would join her in her descent and make it more intense, more gratifying. Her muscles clamped around him, pulling the orgasm from his body. With a shudder, he emptied into her, the force sending her crashing again.

  Coming down from the high, she clung to him—arms around his neck, legs around his waist. Their breaths came out in short, harsh gasps, echoing in their ears. He nuzzled her neck, lips caressing, as he lifted his hand to cup her cheek. Something about the actions brought tears to Darcy’s eyes. It was a sweet gesture, a loving gesture. She could seriously fall in love with this man.

  No, this wasn’t what was supposed to happen. Her mind struggled to grasp the reality of the situation. Mac was a friend, a wonderful friend. They had sex because they trusted each other. Nothing more. It was friendship and sex. Romance didn’t factor in here. After the conversation with Mac’s mother, it was clear Mac didn’t want commitment, and, really, did she? Part of her, her heart, screamed yes as she tried to tell herself no. She would not put herself in the position to have her feelings used against her, to be vulnerable. Things had to stay the way they were. Two friends could have a mutually satisfying sexual relationship without getting their hearts involved. Mac was managing with it, damn it, and so could she!

  “Mmm, can I have lunch with you everyday? Dinner too?” Mac pulled back to meet her gaze.

  “Absolutely, but you’d lose weight from lack of food.” Darcy forced a laugh she hoped sounded carefree.

  “You’d be worth it.”

  She felt her eyes prickle again. Time to step back. “We should get out of here. Do you have to go back to work?”

  Mac let his fingers trail down her cheek before withdrawing his hand. “Yeah, unfortunately, it’s going to be another long night. The project goes out tomorrow. The good thing about that is after four tomorrow, no more late nights. And next week, I have the whole week off to savor you. You can be breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hmmm, the Darcy diet—so good you want to get off.” He grinned wickedly.

  “Hardy, har, har.” She rolled her eyes. “Do you want to take a shower before you go back?”

  “Join me. I’ll wash yours if you wash mine.”

  “Lead the way.”

  Minutes later, hot water coursed over their bodies as they took turns soaping each other. Darcy reveled in the feeling of Mac’s firm muscles beneath her hands. Was it any wonder she wanted this man? He was sweet, caring, a wonderful lover, totally confident. Everything she ever wanted in a lover, everything she ever dreamed of in a—

  “So how are things going?” His voice poked through her thoughts, catching her attention.

  “Um, they’re good. I started sketching a new piece. That’s going well. I’m heading to dinner with Mom and Dad tonight. Oh, I forgot to tell you last night as I got a bit distracted.” She gave him a saucy grin. “I told them that Richard and I were history.”

  “You told them what happened?”

  “I didn’t tell them specifics. They don’t need to know that.”

  “Did they start giving you the unwanted advice yet?”

  Darcy chuckled. He knew her parents so well. “Well, Mom did mention I should buy a townhouse instead of renting, but nothing else that I can think of. Not too bad yet.”

  “No input on your love life?”

  “No, why would…” Darcy stopped and stared at him for a moment then burst out laughing. “Oh, my God, couldn’t you just see it? They’re bound to start foisting us off on each other like they’ve always done. They stopped the matchmaking while Richard and I were engaged, but now it’ll start up I’m sure.”

  “Only now, I guess, we won’t have to fight them so much. We’re kinda a step ahead of them.” Mac wrapped his slippery arms around her.

  “Well, do you think we should tell them about this? It’s not something I normally share with my parents.” She stared at the dripping tiles and rubbed her cheek against his shoulder.

  He stiffened a bit and asked, “What exactly is this, Darcy?”

  She squeezed her eyes shut against the pain that burst in her middle. God, she never expected to fall for him. “It’s us having sex. If our parents found out, they’d start expecting things. Heck, they’d be planning a wedding within a week.”

  “So you don’t think we should tell them anything?”

  “I don’t see the point. Why don’t we just enjoy this without their interference?”

  “If that’s what you want,” he said slowly.
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  It wasn’t, but she couldn’t say that. He’d feel guilty if he discovered her feelings for him, feelings beyond friendship and lust. She knew the last thing he wanted was to hurt her, and also, she didn’t want him feeling awkward if either of their parents got the wrong idea.

  “I think it’d be best, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. We wouldn’t want them meddling.” He ran his hands down her back to settle on the curve of her ass. “I need to get back to work. I’ll call you tonight if it isn’t too late, or tomorrow.”

  Chapter Six

  After Mac left, Darcy sat on the edge of her bed with just a towel wrapped around her, wet hair dripping down her back. She barely felt it. Her mind was reeling.

  She wasn’t supposed to fall in love. This could ruin their friendship, the one thing, besides her parents, that remained constant in her life. Mac didn’t want a relationship right now. That much was clear enough after what he’d told his mother. Focusing on his career didn’t include her. They were friends who ended up having sex. Could she leave well enough alone? Let things stay as they were?

  She’d seen too many friendships go bad when one person wanted more than the other. Sex made it even more complicated. Demanding something more than what they had could break their friendship.

  No, that wasn’t even an option. She had to be satisfied with what they had. Who wouldn’t be happy with that? They hung out, got along, made each other laugh, knew each other inside out and had sex. Nothing wrong with that. Like Colleen said, this was a new millennium. Sex with no strings wasn’t a bad thing and happened all the time. That was the way it was, and she needed to deal with it.

  She grabbed the phone from the table and dialed Colleen’s number.

  “Hey, girl. You busy? You wanna go shopping?”

  An hour later she stood next to her friend, flipping through clothing racks.

  “You just had to go clothes shopping, didn’t you?” Colleen joked. “When I’m in the fat lady clothes, you decide it’s time to buy sexy clothes.”