Lust Thy Neighbor (13 page)

"Sorry." She grinned and licked her lips. "That was your last one for tonight, by the way.

He looked at her hotly and answered matter-of-factly, "No way, neighbor. I'm just getting started.”

S
he opened the front door to find Jacob standing there in his typical attire of jeans and a tee shirt, an oversized beanie covering his normally disheveled hair, and his hands shoved deep in his pockets. "Hey, what’s going on?"

He dropped his gaze to her front porch before answering. "Declan wanted me to come over and ask if you'd like to join us for dinner. He made lasagna. Well, it's frozen, but still.”

She smiled. It had been a few weeks since that Saturday night disaster at her grandparent’s, and since then, she and Declan had been out on two more dates. Since he didn't feel comfortable leaving his younger brother on weeknights, coupled with the fact Violet usually had papers to grade and lessons to plan, they didn't go out on school nights. They were left with weekend nights, but Declan had been under a tight deadline to finish a project for work, so they hadn't seen each other last Friday.

Still, the times they were able to go out proved to be two of Violet's most memorable evenings. He had taken her out for mini golf, where she discovered that he was insanely competitive. He kept such meticulous score, taking the time to scribble down each unsuccessful stroke she took, that she was surprised he didn't bring his own clubs. And when the game ended and he naturally came ahead as the victor—her score was probably the worst in mini golf history—he was a gracious winner and even swore she did well for someone who had only mini-golfed three times in her life.

Afterward, they went inside to the arcade area and played basketball and air hockey, which she finally won. She suspected that he lost on purpose because he missed several pucks that should have been rebounded easily. When they took their tickets to the counter to exchange for toys, he chose a sparkly silver bracelet that glittered under the florescent lights. When he snapped it on her, he laid a soft, lingering kiss to the inside of her wrist and gave her a half-smile to go along with it. Under the flashing lights, the machines beeping and ringing like crazy, and the sounds of small children running around, Violet was certain she’d lost a small chunk of her heart to Declan Pierce.

Their next date was at a drive-in—the first time she discovered there was even a drive-in theater in their town. He had been secretive about where he was taking her, only telling her that the dress code was comfortable and casual, and that he'd be there to pick her up at six.

She had been unnerved by the mystery and changed outfits so many times her bed started to look like the reject pile in a department store dressing room. Finally, ten minutes before Declan was supposed to arrive, she made a frantic call to Beck for help. In the span of the next three minutes, they dissected what Declan could mean by 'casual and comfortable' until they finally settled on a simple green cotton dress that fell just short of her knees and gathered under her bust, giving her the appearance of having what Beck called ‘a great rack’. She had paired the dress with a pair of bright yellow Chucks and pulled her hair up into a high ponytail.

When she and Declan arrived at the drive-in, he surprised her by pulling a paper bag out of the trunk filled with candy and soda. They ate while a decade old Jason Statham action film played on the screen, the truck filling with the noises of tires squealing and gun fights and their soft chewing.

By the time the movie outside showed the second or third elaborate car chase, they were busy steaming up the slightly tinted windows of Declan's truck. Ten minutes later, when the chase had ended and Jason Statham was still miraculously alive, Declan had maneuvered their bodies across the seats while he kissed her greedily. Her toes had curled when he wedged his hard thigh between hers, the rough fabric of his jeans stroking her sex in slow, deliberate movements. She was barely aware of what the main characters were doing on screen because by the climax of the movie, he had pulled the neckline of her dress down and kissed her breasts through the thin lacy bra she wore. She had moaned and writhed against him, dragging her hand through his hair, crying out when he retaliated with a slight tug of one of her nipples.b

When the credits rolled and the other cars were starting to leave, Declan pulled back with an astonished look on his face. His jeans had become partially unzipped and her dress was hanging off one shoulder. He gave her his cocky, half-smile and she had flushed as he helped her fix her clothes.

On the way home, he’d held her hand and she couldn't get rid of her stupid, lust-struck smile. When he walked her to her door, he kissed her long and hard before backing away reluctantly and saying goodnight.

"He also made brownies." Jacob's voice cut through her memories. He had a funny look on his face as he studied her expression. "They're the kind from the box but they're actually pretty good."

Pressing her hands to her cheeks, she wasn’t surprised to discover her skin was on fire, and she prayed Jacob wouldn’t guess what she’d just been thinking about. She bobbed her head a little too enthusiastically. "Yes, I'd love to. I'll be over in about five minutes, will that be okay?"

He shrugged. "Sure. I mean, it’s nothing formal." He peered around her. "Can you bring Bear along with you?”

Her smile widened. Jacob seemed to have taken to her yorkie and vice versa. There were a few times when she came home from school to find that Bear wasn't inside but next door playing in the backyard while Jacob did his homework on one of the outdoor chairs. "Want to take him with you now?"

She went to the couch to pick up Bear and handed him to a grinning Jacob, who scratched his neck and said, “Hey, tiny terror."

Violet closed the door behind them and jogged upstairs to change out of her sweats.

*

"I
s she coming?" Declan called out to his brother when he heard the door open and slam shut.

"Yep," Jacob's voice was muffled.

Declan ducked his head and grinned as he chopped up some carrots and red onions for the salad. He was more than ready to see her again, and not just a casual ‘hello’ across the fence. The last time had been that night at the drive-in. It had turned out better than he could have ever imagined.

He honestly hadn't meant to make out with her in the front seat of his truck but when she was sitting next to him, her soft body inches away, he couldn't help but touch her. The moonlight had filtered in through the windows and when she’d turned her face to his with her blue eyes wide and her full lips parted, she was the best goddamn thing he’d ever laid eyes on.

When he kissed her, it had been an immediate connection, a melding of their mouths and excited breaths. When she gripped his shirt and pulled him close to her, he positioned himself over her, tucking her small body beneath him. He had traced her teeth and lips, painting her perfect mouth with kisses—both gentle and demanding.

Her hands had wandered down the length of his back and her tennis shoes fell with a soft thump onto the truck floor. Her bare feet had rubbed restlessly against the back of his calves, and when she pushed up with her hips, he tugged down the neck of her dress. She had worn a filmy bra that was meant to do one thing and one thing only: seduce.

His fingers had traced the edge of the delicate lace, teasing her skin and the nipple below. When he felt her harden in his palm, he drew her into his mouth and sucked. He had wanted to peel down the cups and bury his face between her breasts, but she had distracted him by dragging her small hands through his hair.

When he arrived home shortly after that, it took every ounce of self-control he had not to follow her inside and fuck her until neither of them could walk straight. Instead, they had said their goodnights and he settled for a chaste kiss that left his body craving more.

He released a breath and the memory of that night at the same time, yelling to his brother, “Set the table, will you?”

A few seconds later, Jacob walked in with Bear at his heels. "Where are all the plates?"

"In the dishwasher." He looked down and saw Violet's little black dog sitting next to his brother’s feet. "Why don't you just ask her if you can keep the tiny terror? God knows you spend enough time with him.”

"He's a good dog." Jacob adopted a voice people only used on animals and small babies. He knelt down and rubbed Bear’s head, evoking a noise strangely similar to a purr from the small dog. "Aren't you? Who's a good boy?"

Declan rolled his eyes.

"Can we get a dog, Dec?"

His eyes widened to the point of horror. "Hell, no! I was only joking about asking her to keep him.”

His brother scowled. "Why not?"

"Because I have enough trouble taking care of the two of us. Let's not mix in a dog."

"I'll take care of it," Jacob bent down to sneak a piece of bread to Bear.

"What happens when you go to college in a few years?"

Jacob didn't answer for a minute. "Maybe I'm not going to college.”

Declan turned sharply. "Why would say something like that? You're going to college." He plated the lasagna. "That's not open for discussion."

"I can take the money Mom and Dad left me to do something else instead."

He shook his head. "No. That money is supposed to be for school. I'm not going to let you spend it away on anything else."

"I don't know what I want to do."

"You'll figure it out. You have plenty of time."

Jacob shrugged and brought the plates over to their small kitchen table. "Guess you can't wait to get me out of the house, right?"

Declan set down the salad and looked Jacob right in the eye. “That's not true."

"Yes it is. If it weren't for me, you'd probably have Violet over every night."

He let that comment pass. Instead, he chose to answer Jacob's underlying insecurities. "If it weren't for you, I'd still be out partying and getting drunk every night, going home with some random chick from a bar and waking up not knowing her name."

Jake cocked his head skeptically. "Sounds like a blast."

There was no way in hell he wanted his brother thinking that his former lifestyle was better. "That part of my life is done. It's over now. Hell, it even got a little tiring after a while. Doing that every weekend can get boring fast. It's not very fulfilling when you can't even remember the girl's name." Declan gestured his arms to encompass the space around them. "This might not have been in my plan, but it's my life now. I like it. A lot. And honest ... I love you."

Jacob’s lips quivered into a hesitant half smile. "You don't resent it?"

"No, I don't," Declan answered quickly and firmly. "Besides, if I wanted Violet over, I'd find a way.”

"Yeah, well you’re not very good at that," Jacob snorted with a gleam in his eye.

Declan's head whipped up. "What are you talking about?"

"Sunday. You thought I was still asleep. She came over to bring some mail that was put in her box by accident. I saw you two go at it."

Declan flinched, remembering last weekend when he had pushed Violet up against the back of the door. "Okay, you little shit. You caught me, but I'm not apologizing for that. I'm a man and she's a beautiful woman." Declan thought for a moment, reliving that memory. "But don't mention that to her, okay? You might embarrass her."

"I won't!" His younger brother shuddered. "It's not like I want that picture in my head when I see her for last period every day."

“Thank you, I’m sure she’ll appreciate your discretion.”

"The guys do call her the hot teacher, though," Jacob added as a quiet afterthought.

"Oh yeah?" Declan's rational brain checked out as dirty fantasies rolled through his brain. Violet as the naughty schoolteacher. Complete with a short skirt and belly-baring shirt. Maybe with a ruler in hand and a pair of librarian glasses perched on her upturned nose. He caught himself grinning like an idiot, just as he heard her voice float from the front door.

"Hey guys?”

"In the kitchen!" He called out to her, surprised to hear that his voice had deepened. He shook his head, clearing out his sexy fantasy of ruler-wielding Violet Kelly.

*

"T
hat was great, Declan. Thanks for inviting me." It really had been great. She even enjoyed the salad, which was tossed with a light Italian dressing that Jacob pointed out was also store-bought.

"Glad you like it." He smiled at her and stood to gather up some dishes. “What are you doing on Friday?" he asked from his position at the kitchen sink.

She brought over a few plates and the silverware. "I might have plans with this guy I've been seeing."

He smirked. "Oh yeah? What's he like?"

She sidled up close to him. "Tall, dark hair, with a thing for turning on power tools at the
worst
times." Late yesterday evening she had heard him buzzing away with his saw, cutting up more wood. For what reason, she had no idea.

He chuckled. "Good looking?"

Dipping her voice to a seductive whisper, she told him, "Very, very sexy."

"I'm trying to get my hot neighbor to go out with me." He turned on the water and filled the sink. "She doesn't get up before eleven on the weekends and has an annoying little dog that always hangs around my house.”

“Whatever, Bear is awesome.” She watched his strong forearms work up and down as he scrubbed a dish, a glass, and then another plate. God, he was gorgeous. She swallowed and before she even had a chance to filter the words through her rational mind, she blurted, "When are we going to have sex?"

Her blue eyes widened when she reprocessed her own words. Shit! She hadn't meant to say it out loud, even though she had been thinking it. She half thought that after missing ninety percent of the movie the night at the drive-in, he might follow her into her house. But he hadn't. And while she thoroughly enjoyed that night, she wondered why he hadn't pursued things further.

He choked on laughter. "Jesus, Violet!" They heard the sound of the television click on in the living room and she realized that Jacob must've finished his homework.