I wonder what that means? Is she co-parenting? Single? Not that it’s my business. I’m merely curious because of my own upbringing. My parents were unable to have children of their own, so they adopted me as a baby. I’ve grown up my whole life knowing that family is what you make it. It’s not blood, it’s a feeling of home. Belonging.
Maybe I’m selfishly nosy about my pretty neighbour’s situation too.
From our distance across the balconies, I see her chest inflate as she takes a deep breath, rearranging her shapely legs as she sinks further into the plush lounge she’s sitting on. The long length of them, bare and blissfully exposed from her sleep shorts. God, they look so smooth. I bet they’d feel amazing locked around my head.And what the fuck? You just met this woman!
“Cool,” I squeak out.
Excellent. I’ll just cement the impression this woman has of me by sounding like a pre-pubescent boy. I clear my throat, demanding the deep tenor I know I’m capable of. I quickly reach for the coffee on my table. My mum always scolds me for drinking caffeine so late, but it’s become a comfort at this point.
I focus my eyes on Maevyn as I swallow down my cappuccino, the chocolate powder on top reminding me of the scent I caught on her yesterday. Would she taste like that if I licked it straight from her skin?Holy fuck! Redirect the conversation, West.“Have you guys moved from far away?”
“We’re always on the go.” She shrugs, stepping off the lounge and making her way to the balcony edge, mimicking my stance and resting her forearms on the railing to face me. “We’re used to it now.”
“Oh yeah? A wanderer’s soul?”
“Nothing but the stars to light the way,” she says, like it’s a promise. A solace code in which she’s lived by.
“Not a bad way to live. What made you move to Heart City?”
Her full lips hook to one side, unable to stave off the amusement. “Do you always ask this many questions?”
“When I want the answers.” I take another sip from my mug, keeping my eyes on her over the rim.
“Why do you want my answers?”
I lick the chocolate foam from my lips. “That’s a good question. Maybe I just want the pretty girl to keep talking to me.”
“Maybe in your dreams.” The words are sweet and dripping in temptation as she steps back from the railing. They feel like adare, just as much as they feel like a promise. She looks over at me long enough to have my heart racing again before disappearing inside. I don’t think this woman lets just anyone close.
Lucky for me, I’m right over the fenceline.
5
One week later, Aurora’s settled into high school, and I manage to somewhat keep my cool after living next door to a man that’s quite frankly a snack I’d happily over-indulge in, and then go back for seconds.
Westley and his cute dog, Patch, continue to be the best neighbours anyone could hope for. He doesn’t play loud music at inconsiderate times of the day, he put our bins on the verge when I forgot to do it the night before, and let’s not forget the visual perks.
Twice in the last week, I’ve happened to catch Westley coming back from a run with Patch. Bare chest soaked in sweat, shirt tucked into the back of his running shorts, his thighs flexing as he made his way down the shared driveway. Who would have guessed the guy was hiding a slutty little tatt on his thigh? I could see what looked like the wings and talons of a bird, but sadly, the rest was covered by his shorts.
They must go running along the beach because Patch is always covered in sand and requires a hose down, which he then shakes all over Westley, making droplets of water run down his solid chest.
Then there was theincidentfrom yesterday. I was in the middle of practising a routine on the pole in my front room and caught sight of Westley washing his ute in the driveway. Thick and veined forearms and rippling back muscles flexed as they worked. I was left salivating over the white Calvin Kleinwaistband peeking over the top of his shorts and the tattoo that sits to the side of his ribcage. I don’t know how long I stood, peeking through the blinds, but by the end of it, I was hot and flustered, and I had to take matters into my own hands… literally. I had to muffle my cries when I was in bed last night, my favourite vibrator in one hand and nothing but thoughts of Westley on my mind. I’ve never come so fast. What’s one to do when you’re in charge of your own pleasure, and there’s a thirst trap living right next door?
My life has never allowed much time for physical relationships. I have no interest in personal ones, but that doesn’t mean I’m lacking inneeds. The desire to be brought to the edge of euphoria, to surrender to my body’s call for pleasure and intimacy. It suits me to stick to nothing more than casual encounters when I need that itch scratched. But I never let them get close. Never let them in. Andneverlet them see what I truly want underneath it all.
“See you after school,” Aurora says, as I pull into the drop-off lane.
I shake off the lingering thoughts as I come to a stop and lean over, letting her kiss my cheek. “Love you. See you at work, babe,” I say.
“Love you, too.” She pops her phone in the front pocket of her schoolbag, then jumps out of my car. I put her window down as she turns to close the door behind her, smiling at me before she takes off. I keep watching until she’s almost within the school gates, just enough time for an unfamiliar voice to startle me.
“Good morning.” I jump back, a hand clutched to my chest as the woman grins at me with forced kindness. “I’m Lydia Greene. I’m the head of the P&C Committee.”
“Maevyn Day.”
“I know. You’re Aurora’s mother. My daughter, Jamie, is new this year, too.”
“And you’ve already found your way to the top of the committee? You adding spoonfuls of ambition to your coffee in the mornings?” A light-hearted chuckle covers the sass I want to give her, but I don’t want to risk anything causing trouble for Aurora.
