The Boy Next Door

Chapter One

From the day Colton had moved in just next door Jimmy had been convinced the other man was some kind of psychotic murderer simply because he refused to talk about himself. Samara had never understood his logic, but Jimmy had been trying for three months to prove there was something not quite right about her neighbor. He'd even gone as far as confronting Colton himself about the skeletons in his closet. Both Samara and Leanne had threatened to have him carted off to the loony bin after that.

But Colton only seemed to find Jimmy's wild imaginings amusing. His only reaction to her friends accusations had been a small smile on his face that showed off the dimples Samara had become addicted to. He rarely smiled enough for her to see them, though.

Jimmy's dark eyebrows lowered over his brown eyes, concern showing in their depths. “Are you sure? I can stay-it doesn't take two people to change a diaper.”

“Jimmy, go home. I'll call if I need anything. I promise.” Seeing her friend so concerned for her well being after he'd nearly knocked her unconscious with her own front door would have amused her at any other time, but Colton was touching her. Albeit innocently, but he was still touching her! “Please?” She batted her eyelashes, pouting out her bottom lip ever so slightly knowing Jimmy wouldn't be able to say no to her puppy dog face. No one could.

“Fine,” He grumbled, glaring at her when Leanna pulled him out the threshold. “But if you need anything, anything, we're right across the hall.” He shook his finger at her before Leanne jerked him across the hall to their own apartment.

Samara sighed in relief when she heard the door shut, falling back against the couch cushions tiredly. Colton's hands dropped from her skin and she frowned when the sparks that had been running up and down her spine, flowing in a path that stopped directly between her thighs, stopped. Her body ached to have his hands on her again but she bit her tongue against the urge to voice her thoughts.

Opening one eye she peaked at the man sitting before her, lips tilting in a shy smile when she noticed him staring. “Just ignore Jimmy, everyone else does.”

His lips, the bottom just slightly fuller than the top, quirked into a slight smile, just a hint of his dimples showing. “He's protective of you, as is Leanne. There's nothing wrong with that.” His voice, the dark timbre, had her melting in her seat.

“He's paranoid. Ever since that guy on the second floor turned out to be a peeping tom he's gone overboard making sure everyone else is 'normal'” She muttered, air quoting the word normal. It was no secret that Jimmy's definition of normal is talking about one's self non stop for hours on end. Anyone who didn't spill their deepest, darkest secrets after four bottles of beer went on his list. And Samara had never bothered to ask what list that was.

“He's just trying to keep his friends and family safe, that's commendable. Its not something you should take for granted.” He stated, brushing the hair back from her forehead. “Friends like that are hard to come by.”

Samara nodded, keeping her eyes glued to the horse shoe Jimmy had hung above her front door. She hoped that as long as she avoided eye contact with him she wouldn't do anything foolish. Like throwing myself at him. “Yea, Jimmy sure is something.”

Colton nodded but stayed silent. His fingertips moved from her forehead down the side of her face to her cheek before slowly moving towards her suddenly too dry lips. She licked her lips, barely holding back a whimper when his dark green eyes followed the movement. Her breathing accelerated, thighs clenching tightly together against the heat pooling there.

She could feel her panties becoming drenched the longer he stared at her mouth and Samara was sure there would be proof of her arousal on the couch whenever she stood.

“Do you want to go to dinner?” Her eyes widened alarmingly when she blurted the question, cheeks flushing when he cocked an eyebrow. “You know as a thank you. Not like a date or anything. You can even bring a date if you want. I just-uh-wanted to thank you for saving me from having to go to the hospital. You don't have to-I-”

Colton's hand covered her mouth, halting her rambling. “Dinner would be great but you don't need to thank me. I'm just happy I could help.” Against her better judgment Samara's tongue flitted out past her lips and she tasted the palm of his hand. His eyes darkened, the golden specks in his eyes becoming more prominent as a moan whispered past her lips. “Samara.”

Her name on his lips had butterflies erupting in her stomach, her womb clenching in need. His taste exploded on her taste buds, the dark chocolate flavoring making her mouth water. Her fingers flexed at her sides, the need to bury her hands in his hair almost unbearable. Just once, sure she could get away with it just once.

“Samara, what are you doing?” His voice brought her back to reality and she blinked. Shocked, Samara held his dark gaze, swallowing when her mouth continued to water.

When had she began to sit forward, moving her hands from her sides to his jean clad thighs? Oh God, she could feel his heat emanating from under the denim, the muscles of his legs contracting.

“I-” Samara swallowed, a gasp parting her lips when he tugged on the strands of her hair where it fell past her shoulders. She hadn't even realized when he moved his hand. “I-um-sorry.” She blushed, looking away from his eyes as she tried to stand but his hand tangled in her hair held her still.

“Be ready by eight, I know this diner I think you'll like.” Samara nodded numbly, shock holding her frozen when he brushed his lips lightly across her cheek and walked away.

She blinked when her front door closed, lifting a trembling hand to her cheek. A breath she hadn't realized she had been holding left her lungs in a rush and she swore she could still taste him on her tongue.

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