The Boy Next Door

by Jessica Jarman

  His sac tightened and pulled close to his body. God, he wouldn’t last much longer. What this woman did to him! He was like a damned teenager with her. How appropriate. He’d had wet dreams about her since he was one.

  Increasing the pressure and spread of his caresses on her clit, he listened to her moans and small cries. She wasn’t far from coming herself. He tensed the muscles of his ass and pushed his hips up to meet her thrusts. A sob caught in her throat. His hand left her breast to dive into her hair. Fisting it, he pulled her forward to capture her lips, to slide his tongue in to mate with hers. He reached both hands around her and grasped her ass, helping her keep up with his pistoning hips.

  He continued to pump his cock into her hot pussy with hard, measured strokes. Her pussy convulsed around his cock, pulling his orgasm out with its own. His erection lengthened, thickened in pained ecstasy. He thrust hard, shooting his seed into her. He drove into her hard once, twice, then stilled.

  She collapsed against his chest, her hair floating around both of them. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight.

  “I’m glad you came,” she whispered with a giggle.

  Running a hand up and down her spine, he answered, “So am I, baby. So am I.”

  He wasn’t going to let her go. Ever.

  Chapter Eleven

  The doorbell rang, catching Darcy as she exited the bathroom after her shower. She didn’t have time to dawdle. She had to be ready to bring her parents to the hall for their anniversary party. Her hair, makeup and nails still needed to be done. Then she had to dress. She tightened the belt of her robe and sprinted upstairs to the door.

  “Darcy, could you get that? I’m not dressed.” Her mother popped her head out of her bedroom.

  “Yeah, I got it.”

  She yanked the door open to find a man with a clipboard and small package.

  “I’m looking for a Ms. Darcy Philips.”

  “That would be me.”

  “Could you sign by the X, ma’am?” He held out the clipboard.

  She took the pen clipped to it and scrawled her name.

  “Here you go.” He handed her the package and turned to walk away.

  “Thank you,” she called after him before closing the door.

  She ambled downstairs, toying with the packaging paper. Once in her room, she sat at the edge of her bed and tore into it. Her breath hissed out when she saw the name of her favorite jewelers embossed on the velvet box.

  Slowly, she opened the box and sighed in pleasure. A copper choker rested on the silk. Made from a series of thin square pieces, it swirled with color. From fire enameling, she guessed. Each square had a sunburst etched into the surface. She ran her fingers along the smooth surface of one.

  Who sent it? No card was enclosed. She held back hope Mac sent it. He could have, she supposed, but every other mysterious gift that had shown up could be attributed to Richard. Why would the choker be any different? It was beautiful, just the sort of piece she’d choose for herself. It could be from Mac. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. She’d wear it tonight, a nice contrast to her gown. Surely if Mac had sent it, he’d say something.

  She laid the box on the bedside table and stood. Now, it was time to get ready.

  The next hour or so, she did her makeup and fiddled with her hair, finally deciding to leave it down. She quickly did her nails and sat back down on her bed, blowing on them periodically. She checked. Yep, they were dry. Now she just had to dress.

  “How do I look?”

  Darcy glanced up at her mother’s voice. The older woman stood in the doorway to her daughter’s room, patting her carefully styled hair. She was all decked out for the party. A silk ivory dress draped her body and fell to her ankles. A beaded jacket rounded out the ensemble.

  “Mom, you look great. Absolutely beautiful. Dad’s going to pass out when he gets a load of you. Where’s your corsage?”

  “In the refrigerator. I didn’t want it to wilt in the heat. Do you think I’ll be too warm in this jacket?”

  “No, the hall’s air conditioned. I’m even bringing a wrap. Remember the time we went to that wedding reception there? We froze while it was nearly a hundred outside.”

  “That’s right. I remember now. Shouldn’t you be getting dressed?” Her mother nodded toward the robe she wore.

  “I have time. I wanted my nails to dry first. Are you excited? Antsy for the second honeymoon?” She wiggled her eyebrows and laughed. “Why, Mom, you’re blushing. Don’t worry, I figured out a long time ago that you and Dad had sex. At least once anyway.”

  “Yes, well, it isn’t something I care to discuss with my daughter.”

  “Okay, okay. Have a good time though. The cruise sounds heavenly.” She crossed the room and drew her mother into a tight hug, careful not to smudge the light dress with her makeup.

  “It does, doesn’t it? I was so surprised when your father bought the tickets. He never wants to go anywhere!”

  “He knew how much you would love it. Nice to know a man knows what you want after forty years, isn’t it?”

  Darcy pulled away, strode to the closet and withdrew a garment bag.

  “Yes, dear, he definitely knows me well.” She heaved a hefty sigh. “I just wish you had someone, honey. It’s a shame things didn’t work out between you and Richard. There’s no hope for a reconciliation at all?”

  “Nope.” Temptation to tell her mother about her and Mac swelled, but she bit it back. They’d agreed to tell both sets of parents together. It’d save them the trouble of figuring out who to tell first and having to repeat it over and over. And knowing their mothers, the two women would be running to tell the other anyway, so this eliminated the need.

  “Oh well, I suppose it’s for the best if you weren’t happy, but I do worry about you, dear.” A frown flirted across her mother’s mouth.

  “I know. You don’t need to. I’m perfectly happy right now.” You will be, too, when you hear later.

  “I’ll leave you to get ready. I need to prod your dad along. The man honestly takes forever.”

  Darcy chuckled. Her father had likely been ready and waiting long before her mother even started. “I’ll be up in a few minutes.”

  Slipping her robe off, she stood in only panties, garter and stockings, and strapless bra. She’d chosen the black lace lingerie with Mac in mind. An enormous amount had been charged to her credit card for merely underwear, but it’d be worth it. She wanted to knock his socks off.

  With a smile, she opened the garment bag and pulled the long, deep emerald green gown out. She removed it from the hanger and lowered its zipper. Carefully sliding it over her head and into place, Darcy reached behind her to zip it up. Damn, she couldn’t reach it. Twisting a different way, she wiggled her fingers trying to catch the zipper. Unsuccessfully.

  “Can I help you with that, sexy woman?”

  She spun around to face a grinning Mac. Oh my. Dressed in a tux, he stole her breath. She drank in the sight of him, head to his shiny shoes. She licked her lips and recovered her voice. “What are you doing here? I thought you were riding with your parents.”

  “I am. It’s just next door, Darc. I snuck in to see how you were doing.” He walked to her and slid his arms around her waist. His lips found her neck and he murmured against her skin, “How are ya?”

  “Hmmm.” She ran her palms along his back. “I’m good, but will be even better when this is over, and we go to your place.”

  She almost groaned in disappointment when he pulled her zipper up. He stepped back and let his gaze caress her. “Damn, you look hot, baby.” He leaned over and captured her mouth, sweeping his tongue in and around hers.

  Heat coiled in Darcy’s stomach and slithered down between her legs. She gripped his shoulders and deepened the kiss.

  “Hmmm.” He broke away and turned her around to look at the mirror. “Look at you. Good enough to eat.” Arms around her waist, he bent his head to nibble on her neck. Her knees buckled as his tongu
e darted across her heated skin. Lifting his head, he grinned at her image in the mirror.

  “That’s it, Darc, that’s the look I was talking about. Haunts my dreams.”

  She studied her reflection. Her kiss-swollen lips were parted. Her face flushed and eyes peering out from under heavy lids. She actually looked sexy, she realized with a start.

  “Aha, you finally see it, don’t you?” He grasped her chin and turned her head to plant a hard kiss on her mouth. “I’d better go. Mom and Dad’ll be wondering where I am. See ya there, gorgeous.”

  He winked and strode out.

  She stared after him for a moment before shaking herself out of her stupor. Turning back toward the mirror, she checked herself out again. Not half bad. The dress clung in all the right places, curving along her hips and falling to her ankles. The bodice was fitted, and for once, she looked like she had some breasts. Thank you, Wonderbra. Her hair flowed over her shoulders in a mass of waves. She took the copper etched choker and clasped it around her neck. Walking to where her heels lay next to the door, she slipped into them. There, she was ready.

  Rounding up her mother and father took a bit of time, but soon they arrived at the banquet hall.

  “Oh, look at the flowers, Darcy!” her mother exclaimed when they walked in. “Oh my, look at all the beautiful decorations. Did you and Sue do all this?”

  “Well, we had a bit of help from Mac and Uncle Dave.” She smiled and gave her a big hug. “Happy Anniversary, Mom. Dad.” She moved over to embrace her father.

  “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  She watched them bustle off to see their best friends.

  “Hey, you.”

  Mac grabbed her around the waist and yanked her against him, her back against his front. She hugged her arms over his to hold him closer.

  “Hey back. Gosh, a lot of people have shown up already. We still have to get the parents alone to tell them… you know, about us.”

  “We have time. You nervous?” He nudged her hair aside and kissed her behind her ear.

  “No, just wondering how they’ll react.”

  “Darcy!”

  Mac released her at the sound of her name being called out. Both turned toward the voice.

  Oh, this was peachy. “Harris, what a surprise.” She darted a glance up at Mac.

  “Harris?” He narrowed his eyes as he observed the man approaching them.

  “Mac,” she murmured and took his hand, giving it a squeeze.

  “Darcy, I just wanted to say hello before we went to give our congratulations to your parents.”

  “It’s good to see you. Harris, this is Thomas MacAllister. Mac, this is Harris… I’m sorry, I don’t even know your last name.” She shot him an embarrassed smile.

  “Johnson.” He offered Mac his hand. “So this is your other half? Glad to see you patched things up. Speaking of, this is Katrina, my fiancée.”

  Darcy gaze swung to the right and took in the small brunette who stepped forward.

  “Nice to meet you.” She had a quiet voice and shook hands with both Mac and Darcy.

  The two couples chatted a bit and parted ways.

  “So that was the date, huh?” Mac held her hand, rubbed his thumb along the back.

  “I told you it wasn’t a date. Really, the man had his fiancée with him, for crying out loud.”

  He burst out laughing. “I was kidding, Darc. They looked real happy, didn’t they?”

  She shoved his arm. “Yeah, they did. It’ll break my mom’s heart. Until we tell her about us, that is.”

  Then she saw them. “Oh God, no.”

  “What?”

  “Damn it. She must have invited all of them. What is wrong with the woman?”

  “All of who?” Mac’s head whipped around, trying to figure out who she was talking about.

  “The guys she set me up with.” She gestured to where her mother chatted with both her would be suitors. “God, I’m sorry.”

  “Why? You didn’t invite them.”

  “I know, but still, it’s awkward.”

  “For them.” He shrugged. “I don’t feel awkward at all. I got you, after all.”

  She chuckled. “Well, be nice.”

  Stuart approached them first. He did more justice to the suit than the goofy golf clothes. She knew he realized Mac was the man she had referred to when she refused his invitation to dinner. It went surprisingly well. Both men chatted, discussed of all things, golf. Her attention wandered when they began talking par this and birdie that.

  “Darcy. Good to see you again.”

  Oh, damn. Did she have to deal with all her mother’s son-in-law candidates one after another?

  She plastered on a smile, determined not to be rude to the guests no matter why they were invited.

  “Hello, Darren.”

  Maybe if she didn’t say anything more he’d go away. She glanced around the room, taking in the decorations and the people visiting and greeting the happy couple. She shifted her gaze in his direction. Nope, saying nothing didn’t appear to be working. He’d actually scooted closer to her, and, good God, he was staring at her boobs again!

  Ready to blurt out something nasty, she bit her tongue as Mac’s arms slid around her waist.

  “Who is this, sweetheart?”

  Darcy smiled at the subtle edge of his voice. “Mac, meet Darren Sinclair. Darren, this is Thomas MacAllister.”

  At least he stopped ogling her chest. Instead, his gaze bounced between her and Mac. His mouth opened and shut several times, giving the impression of a large fish, before he found his voice.

  “I don’t understand, Darcy. Your mother said you weren’t involved with anyone. Just now, she…”

  “She was mistaken.”

  Darren jumped at the steely voice. He nodded at Mac and, without another word, scurried away.

  “Was he the one who put his hands on you?”

  “Does it matter? You scared the piss out of him, you territorial bugger.”

  “And does that bother you?” He raised an eyebrow as he stared down at her.

  “Absolutely not. Kinda turns me on actually.” She stepped out of his embrace and sauntered away, feeling his gaze on her swinging hips and ass the whole way across the room.

  Unable to resist, she snuck a peek over her shoulder. He stood where she had left him, legs braced in a wide stance, hands in pockets. He simply watched her, not caring who noticed.

  Goose bumps erupted over her body, and a tiny pulse fluttered between her legs. He cared enough about her to be possessive. Not obsessively so, but enough to show she meant something to him.

  The next while, she spent kissing cheeks and returning hugs. Her parents’ friends and relatives had come en masse to celebrate the couple’s marriage. Darcy didn’t think she knew half of them, but they kept coming to exclaim at how much she’d changed and on and on.

  She searched for Mac in the crowd often enough. He wandered the room, visiting here and there. Each time she found him, within moments his gaze collided with hers. Almost as if he felt it. She wanted to go to him, but found herself waylaid every time she tried. He managed to sneak a brush of the hand, a whisper in her ear, a kiss on the neck in passing now and again. But she wanted more. She wanted to be with him. Needed to be.

  Withdrawing from the small group gathered around, she sought Mac throughout the room. There he was. He sat watching couples dance on the small floor set up for it. She started in his direction.

  As if on cue, he turned his head toward her. Never breaking eye contact, he stood and walked her way. Once in front of each other, he reached for her hand. Shocks shot up her arms as he squeezed her fingers.

  “Hey, you.”

  Oh my. His husky voice jumpstarted the tiny pulse between her legs. Would she always be like a randy teenager around him? Did she care?

  “Hey back.”

  “Wanna dance?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  He led her to the dance floor and ran his hands along her waist to re
st on the soft upper curve of her ass. She wrapped her arms around his neck, sighing as her fingers slipped through the curls teasing his collar. This was where she wanted to be, with him. Only him.

  She tightened her hold and pulled in close to him. Her heels put her at just the right height to press her face in his neck and inhale his scent, mingled with that of his crisp, fresh cologne. It surrounded her, invaded her senses and intoxicated her.

  Heat rushed over her pussy; the soft folds swelled and softened, became slick. His hands ran up and down her back, fingers caressing the smooth skin. She closed her eyes and imagined those fingers stroking between her legs, teasing her clit, dipping inside her. With a groan, she wet her dry lips.

  “What’s the matter, baby?” he whispered.

  “Hmm, nothing. Just wishing we could leave.”

  “Soon. Crowd’s starting to thin out.”

  “Good. I want you, Mac.” Her voice broke.

  “I want you, too, Darc. So much.”

  He tightened his hold on her. His erection pushed against her lower belly. He had quite an impressive hard-on. It wasn’t just her! Her pussy contracted, anticipation curling up into her abdomen.

  “Uh oh.” Amusement coated Mac’s voice.

  Darcy opened her eyes and lifted her head. “Uh oh what?”

  What was the man grinning at?

  “Prepare yourself, love. Our mothers have spotted us.”

  He called her love. She stared at him. What did that mean? Anything? Did she dare read anything into it? It was just one word after all. She should— “Our mothers?”

  “Yep, right behind you. They’re whispering and pointing at us as we speak.”

  She unwound her arms from his neck and twisted around to look. Accidentally, she ground against his cock. He grunted and grabbed her hips.

  “Whoops, sorry.”

  Still peering over her shoulder, she spied the older women. Sure enough, their heads were together and they were gaping at the dancing couple. With a grimace, she turned back around and placed her hands on Mac’s shoulders.

  “Geez, you’d think they’d never seen people dance before.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Well, they’ve never seen us dancing like this. Like a couple.”