by Sam Crescent
“Yes, it is.”
“I’ll see you in a moment.”
He handed her the glass, going to his piece of machinery.
What the hell are you doing, Bryan? Are you looking to get into some kind of trouble?
Charlotte was his reserved neighbor, and he needed to remember that. Getting involved with her would be a big mistake. He liked fucking whoever he wanted without answering to anyone. Bryan knew at a young age he’d never be a one woman man. Not even to this day could a woman keep him satisfied for longer than a few fucks at a time.
Every woman who came through his door knew the score. They knew not to expect anything from him other than a good time. He didn’t fall in love or make promises he couldn’t keep.
There was no way his mousy neighbor would know how to handle a guy like him. She was like Susan, into settling down and having kids. No, he wouldn’t think any more of Charlotte even if his dick kept getting hard around her.
Chapter Two
Charlotte finished spiraling the last of her brown locks and blew out a breath as she stared at her reflection. She didn’t feel sexy in the deep blue cocktail dress. Standing up, she smoothed a hand over her abundant curves, hoping she didn’t look too big. Daniel was a player. She wasn’t a fool and knew he didn’t live like a monk.
“Are you ready?” Susan asked, walking upstairs.
Her friend and neighbor had been waiting for her. The kids were being babysat by the local teenager that could in fact be trusted with young children.
“Yes, I’m ready.” She turned to see Susan entering the room. “How do I look?”
“You look great. Daniel is one lucky guy. There’s something I’ve got to tell you—” Susan stopped talking to bite her lip.
“What is it?”
“Erm, you know what it’s nothing. Just forget I ever said anything. Everything is going to be fine.” Susan smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Nothing is going on, and I’m sure everything is going to be fine. Tonight is going to be awesome. I promise you.” Susan gripped her hands. “Now, let’s get out of here before you check your mails and find a reason not to come tonight.”
Charlotte chuckled. “I promised you I was coming, and I’m not going to back out or back down. I’m coming.” She shook her head, reaching down to grab her purse. “I’m not a stick in the mud.”
“I know you like sticking around home though.”
“There’s nothing wrong with loving your work.”
“I get that, but you’re young and you’ve got to get a guy for yourself. I want you to be as happy as I am.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen, but a girl can dream.” She followed Susan, locking her home up as she went toward the car. Michael was already waiting for them. Climbing in the back behind him, she settled down in the car.
“Daniel’s going to meet us there,” Michael said.
Nodding, Charlotte sat back in the seat, staring at her house as they moved away. She really would love to be back at home with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate, and maybe some music playing in the background. Instead, she was going to meet a man she didn’t really know for a date. Her friends owed her after this.
Susan and Michael were talking about the coming week’s activities, and she tuned them out. The last thing she wanted to do was listen to her married friend’s life.
The ride didn’t last long enough for Charlotte. They were pulling into the restaurant way too soon.
“Daniel’s really looking forward to seeing you again.”
“Wow, Daniel sounds like he has really missed me.” She tried not to sound sarcastic, but the way they looked at her, she figured she failed.
Daniel was okay if you liked talking nonstop about work. She loved her work, but she didn’t want to always be talking about it. When she was with Susan she didn’t talk about it, nor did she with Michael.
Following her friends, she tried not to look around her to find an easy escape. She hadn’t even taken her cell phone along with her. Michael and Susan would give her a ride home when it was over. There was no way she was going to go home with Daniel.
They were shown to their table, and she saw Daniel was already there.
“Charlotte, it’s great to see you,” he said, getting up to press a kiss to her cheek.
“It’s nice to see you again.” She turned her head to the side.
Daniel pulled out a chair for her. Taking a seat, she smiled at him as he pushed her back to the table. Michael did the same to Susan, and Charlotte noticed there were two more chairs waiting to be filled.
“Will others be joining us?” she asked, pointing opposite her.
“Yes, I invited a friend and he’s bringing a date,” Michael said, taking a sip of the water glass.
“Right.” She looked at Susan, but her friend looked elsewhere. Okay, something clearly was going on. “Is it someone you know?” she asked, turning to Daniel.
“I know him, but he’s not my friend. In fact I thought you—”
“Wow, they serve chicken parmesan here, honey. Do you see this, Charlotte? The chicken parmesan. Isn’t that your favorite?” Susan pointed down at the menu.
“Yeah, I like it.”
“Are we ordering already?” Daniel asked.
“What?” Charlotte mouthed the words to Susan.
All she got was a shake of the head.
This was really confusing to her. Picking up her water glass, she took a sip of water, while glancing around the restaurant.
“I’m pleased Susan could convince you to come out tonight. I know you’re always busy.”
“I heard you’d just recently come back from Europe. How was it?” she asked.
“Fantastic. Expansion is always a tricky business, but meeting likeminded people is always a pleasure.”
She nodded.
“England was always raining. I tell you I spent most of the time soaking wet.”
Charlotte smiled, wishing she’d not been put next to him. Who were the other two people coming? She couldn’t recall Susan mentioning other people stopping by for dinner.
“So, Daniel, will you be sticking around for a while?” Susan asked.
“Yes. I won’t be going away for some time now.”
“Sounds amazing, doesn’t it, Charlotte?”
“It sounds like you’re going to have a lot of time on your hands. Is there anything you’re looking forward to doing?” she asked.
“I’m going to get up to speed on everything going on at the office …”
Work, work, work.
The last time she’d met him at the barbeque, she’d faked an interest in him. He’d talked about work all the time, and she didn’t have to try to think about talking herself. There was nothing worse than trying to hold a conversation when she really didn’t want to.
“I’m not late, am I, Michael?” Bryan said, approaching the table.
Charlotte almost choked on her water as she saw her next door neighbor. He had another blonde on his arm, only this time it looked like she was a natural blonde.
“No, not at all.”
Michael stood up, leaning over to shake Bryan’s hand. Daniel did the same, and she watched the men exchange glances as they shook his hands. It wasn’t just a normal handshake either. There was a challenge going on between the two men.
Daniel pulled away first.
“This is Lillian,” Bryan said.
Lillian looked like an advert for a fitness center.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Lillian,” Daniel said. “What do you do for a living?”
Charlotte smiled at the newcomers while also avoiding Bryan’s eyes. What was it about him that she struggled to look him in the eye?
“I own a fitness center. It’s where Bryan and I first met.” Lillian sat down before Bryan did.
Everyone made their introductions.
“So, you live next door to Charlotte?” Daniel as
ked.
“I do.”
“He’s on my left side,” Charlotte said, finally looking up to see Bryan looking at her.
She pushed some of her hair off her shoulder to try to do something with her hands. If she’d known that Bryan was going to be here she’d have found an excuse not to come.
“Ah, well you’re one lucky guy.”
If the earth could just open up and swallow her, she’d be very happy right now.
“I am. She’s a great neighbor.”
Daniel was being way too attentive, and she didn’t like it.
Picking up the menu from in front of her, she started to look through the items as they all talked.
“So, Charlotte, what do you do?” Lillian asked, dragging her back into the conversation.
“Erm, I’m a website designer.” She wasn’t about to tell them everything she did. The moment she talked about her covers, everyone asked what publishers she worked for. Then she’d be asked about manuscripts and everything else.
“Wow, that sounds great.” Lillian pulled a card out of her purse. “Our fitness center needs a bit more flair, and I’ve been trying to find someone to do the work.”
She took the card. “You’ve not seen any of my designs.”
“I know, but if you get your portfolio ready, I’ll be happy to take a look.”
“Okay, I’ll see you sometime next week.”
Sliding the card into her purse, she excused herself to powder her nose.
Entering the bathroom, she turned to see Susan had followed her.
“I thought you said it was going to be a quaint little affair with the four of us.” She folded her arms over her chest.
“It was. Michael went to see Bryan the other day and invited him.”
“And it just slipped your mind to tell me. You know I don’t get on well with him.” She pointed toward the door.
“Actually, we’ve only talked about the fact we think he’s hot. We’ve not said anything else about him.”
“I barely talk to him when I have to.”
“If I’d told you he was coming you’d have found some excuse not to come. I want you here, and so does Daniel.” Susan bounced on her feet. “Please, don’t let Bryan’s presence spoil our fun.”
Putting her palm to her forehead, Charlotte glared at her friend. “You’re not being fair.”
“You’re here, and Lillian seems nice. Please, give it a chance.”
“Fine, but you owe me, and I’m talking more than pumpkin rolls.”
Susan put her hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine, I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you.”
Blowing out a breath, she nodded. “We better go back.”
****
Bryan smirked as he watched Susan follow Charlotte.
“That’s your mousy little neighbor?” Lillian asked in a lowered voice. Michael and Daniel were talking to each other. He didn’t like the way Daniel was looking toward Charlotte.
“That’s her.”
“She looks so tasty. I’d love to have her underneath me.”
Lillian was his bisexual friend. They’d shared many women together, but he didn’t like the possessive feeling that came over him. “Charlotte’s not like that.”
“No? I think that woman would surprise you. Something is locked up tight inside her. I’d love to get her tied down with her legs spread open. I bet her pussy would be so creamy.” Lillian licked her lips.
Her words were not helping his state of arousal.
“We’re not here to pick a woman up.”
“Charlotte’s not just any woman to you. She’s something.”
Sipping his wine, he glanced to his friend. Lillian was a great friend. He’d helped her with her fitness center, and he got free membership for his help.
“She’s nothing.”
“So, if I was to lure her to the dark side, you wouldn’t have a problem?”
The denial was on his lips, but he couldn’t bring himself to say otherwise. Gritting his teeth, he wondered how long Charlotte and Susan would be.
“It’s okay, Bryan. I’ll keep my hands off.” She tapped his arm.
Before he could say anything more, both women returned, taking a seat. The blue dress on Charlotte brought out the dark brown of her eyes and the paleness of her skin. She’d go a nice red really easily. Her ringlet curls showed him how long her hair actually was.
He imagined easily wrapping her hair around his fist.
“Bryan, I’d stop thinking that way if I was you.” Lillian leaned on him, putting her hand to his cock. He was hard as fucking rock. “Someone might notice this.”
Cupping her hand, he placed it on his thigh smiling across the table. Charlotte had finally turned her pretty eyes onto him. He lifted his glass, and she averted her gaze once again.
Bryan didn’t understand why he wanted her gaze on him so damn badly.
Conversation picked up, and he noticed she only answered when she needed to. The waiter came to take their orders.
Any enthusiasm Charlotte showed had vanished. Susan looked worried as her gaze kept going to Charlotte. Daniel tried to draw her out, talking about his work, and her own.
Didn’t any of them see that she was bored?
Daniel bored her, but he also made her uncomfortable.
Their food came, and Bryan couldn’t take his eyes off Charlotte. She cut into the chicken, taking a bite. Her lips were lovely and full.
“You’re drooling,” Lillian said.
“Shut up.” He had steak and potatoes for the night. Lillian had a woman waiting back at her place for her. It was one of the reasons why he’d asked for Lillian to go with him tonight. Brandie was becoming too attached. She’d called and texted him throughout the week. He was pulling back from the other woman until she got the message that nothing else was going to happen.
Staring at Charlotte, he saw her smile at Daniel. When he placed his hand on her thigh in a move that wasn’t very intimate, she jerked back in her chair. The whole table grew silent. Her cheeks went a lovely shade of strawberry red.
“Erm, I’m going to, erm, I’m going to go and get some air.” She pointed toward the doors that led out onto the patio.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Daniel said.
“No, stay here and enjoy your meal.” She smiled at the table, moving toward the doors.
“Poor girl,” Lillian said.
Bryan tapped his foot, watching the door.
“Is she okay?” Daniel asked.
“If you’d not tried to grope her she’d have been perfectly fine.” Wiping his lips on the napkin, Bryan stood. “I’m going to go and see her.”
Leaving the table before any of them got a chance to stop him, he walked out of the door. She was standing away from the door, with her arms crossed underneath her tits. Her head was tilted back, looking up at the sky.
“Are you all right?” he asked, moving to her side.
She gasped, turning to face him. “What? Yes, I’m fine. I’m just being silly really.”
“I don’t think it’s silly. You didn’t want him touching you.”
Charlotte chuckled. The sound was nothing close to amused. “I’m not usually the kind of woman to make a scene.”
“A scene wasn’t made. You wanted some fresh air. Every woman can have as much time away from the dinner table as they want.”
She stepped back, leaning against the wall. “I’m not used to this. I’m not used to men like Daniel.”
“You’re not used to being hit on?” he asked, stepping closer to her.
He folded his own arms so that he didn’t look threatening to her.
“Look at me, Bryan. I’m nothing like the women men hit on. I prefer to be at home than out to dinner. I’d take a good book over a date like this.”
Tilting his head to the side, he watched her. The last year he’d done nothing but watch her. He could watch all he wanted, and he couldn’t touch.
Over and over he told himself
he couldn’t have her.
What if, just once, he could have her?
“We’re not much alike,” he said.
She snorted. It was cute, the noise she made.
“The only difference between us, Charlotte, is where you’d like to stay in with a good book, I like to stay home and fuck.” She gasped, looking up at him with her eyes wide. “Do you think I’d like to be sitting around a table with people I barely know?” It was a little lie. He knew Michael well. “I wouldn’t. I’d prefer to be at home right now, balls deep in a willing pussy. She’d be dripping wet, begging me to fuck her, spank her, and give her everything I could.”
Charlotte dropped her arms to her sides. Her chest heaved with each of her indrawn breaths.
“I’d have them tied to my bed or suspended with rope, I’d slide their legs open, and fuck them, make their tits bounce as I pound into that sweet pussy.”
“Bryan?”
“Lift your hands above your head.” His cock was so fucking hard. He imagined he’d bust the zipper open from the pressure building.
“What?”
“I punish women who don’t do as I tell them.”
She slowly lifted her arms above her head.
Ah, a nice little submissive.
He didn’t expect that. Well, he did and he didn’t. Wishful thinking couldn’t bring him a submissive.
“Bryan?”
“Don’t talk, Charlotte. Don’t say a thing. Let your body say what it needs to say.” He closed the distance between them, pressing his body against hers. She was totally soft, everywhere. There were no hard bones or ridges. Running his hands down her sides, he moved them both to the edge of her dress. Gathering the fabric up in his fist, he glided his hands over the flesh of her thighs. She didn’t speak or make a sound.
Staring into her eyes, he held her captive. Something was going on between them that felt more natural to him than breathing.
Charlotte was a little submissive at heart, waiting for a man like him.
Placing his palm over her pussy, he groaned. Her panties were dripping wet, soaking. Pushing the fabric aside, he slipped a finger through her sopping folds.
“Oh, Charlotte, my little neighbor, you’ve been keeping a secret from me.”
She opened her lips then closed them.