The Neighbor (Enemies to Lovers Book 1) Read online

  She ran her hands over her shoulders and down her arms. Suds dripped over her breasts, down her smooth abdomen, and to the small patch of hair between her legs.

  Her lips curved. “Just cleaning up for round two.”

  God, who was this woman? This tight-laced, buttoned-up professional turned sex goddess? He’d sworn her off, almost for good, and now he was standing in the shower with her, so hard he thought he might explode with her simple touch.

  Before he could reach for her, she slid her hands down his stomach and gripped him like a vice.

  “Let me say good morning properly,” she murmured.

  In an instant, she was kneeling before him, her mouth covering his dick. Water rained over her shoulders, hitting him on the thighs and heightening the sensation as she used her hands and her tongue to pleasure him.

  “God, Jenna—”

  His words choked off when her cheeks hollowed and she pulled her lips smoothly over the head of his cock. He jerked in her mouth, then dove his hands into her hair—as much for something to hang onto as it was to guide her where he wanted her.

  His hips thrust back and forth, fucking her mouth, getting off on her moans and noises. Once he felt that building inside of him, he yanked her to her feet.

  “I want to be buried so far inside you, you won’t forget me all day. You’ll feel me every time you move.”

  He whipped her around, hearing the sharp hiss of her breath when her breasts pressed against the cold shower tiles. Then he entered her from behind, sinking into silky heat that nearly brought another explosion.

  “I won’t forget,” she gasped, hands coming up to brace herself on the surface.

  She bent slightly, her ass curving into him. He reached around to find that tight bud before he began thrusting.

  Jenna’s head dropped back. “That feels so good.”

  He fingered her clit as he slid in and out, feeling her body tremble with every pump of his cock. And just as her body shook with an orgasm, he hit his peak and poured himself into her. He squeezed his arms tightly around her, filling his hands with her breasts until the world settled down around them.

  “It’s like you came out of nowhere,” he said, lips brushing her ear.

  She tried to turn, but he shook his head. “Not yet.”

  He held her in the steam another long moment as his heartbeat slowed.

  <><><>

  “Breakfast,” she said. “To get your morning started off right.”

  He watched as she moved from stove to refrigerator and back again, her thin robe billowing behind her. She was naked underneath, thoroughly clean and used. But he still wanted her. Again and again.

  When he didn’t answer, she turned, her light blue eyes blinking at him. “Or…not? You have to get home, right?”

  He walked to her and put his arms around her. “No, not yet. Practice later, breakfast now.”

  “Good. You can whisk the eggs.”

  Before she could pull away, he brushed his lips over hers. Then slid his tongue inside her mouth to hear her groan.

  “If we’re going for round three,” she murmured, “I need fuel.”

  His dick jerked in response and her lips curved against his. Her breasts swelled between them.

  “I’m not sure how well I’m going to play today if I’ve got you on my mind,” he said.

  She grabbed one of his hands and brought it to her breast. He felt her nipple harden beneath the silky fabric of her robe.

  “Think about what’s waiting for you afterward and that should help get you through it.”

  He growled in response, but released her even though he wanted to lay her back on the table and fuck her until she went limp. Until he’d emptied out the need that just kept coming and coming.

  Tonight. He’d wait until then. But he wasn’t waiting for anything else. He’d been wrong about Jenna, about who she was underneath and about how badly he needed her in his life. He’d remedy that right away. He wasn’t going to let Jenna go.

  Chapter 7

  ________________

  Jenna

  She filled her days with work and nights with Cruise. A month passed in the blink of an eye. Instead of rolling her eyes every time she heard his music loudly from next door, she knew he was home and she’d walk over with his favorite beer to listen with him or support the band as they practiced.

  Sometimes when she’d come home from work, tired, feet sore from her long day in heels, Cruise would show up at her door with her favorite wine and help her wind down with a shower. With his mouth. With his tight, lean body between her legs, making her shout his name in ecstasy.

  This evening, she was home late from work. She checked her mail, grinned when she found a piece for Cruise, and used that as an excuse to go visit him. She reached his door, still smiling, and grabbed the knob.

  Then she heard the voices. So close they had to be standing on the other side of the door.

  “This is our secret,” Cruise’s deep voice said.

  Jenna jumped to the side just as the door opened. She spotted the blond hair first, then her heart clutched when the groupie leaned in and kissed Cruise on the cheek.

  “I promise I won’t tell Jenna.”

  When she turned and saw Jenna, her cheeks reddened.

  “Excuse me,” she murmured, stepping around Jenna and heading down the hall.

  Cruise saw her and his eyes widened.

  Secrets. Secrets between the hot blond and her boyfriend. Or at least, the man she thought was her boyfriend.

  “It’s not what it looks like,” Cruise said when her mouth opened.

  She shook her head. “I can’t…”

  She stepped away, going for her door. She couldn’t do this. Not again. She’d been cheated on before, and that was why she’d buried herself in work. Why she guarded her heart and chose not to trust men. But then Cruise had come in like a whirlwind and promised her he wasn’t with someone else. And just like the first time, she’d believed him.

  “Jenna,” Cruise said from behind her.

  “Leave me alone.”

  She opened her door and tried to shut it behind her, but Cruise slapped his palm on the surface and pushed his way in.

  “Listen to me,” he started.

  “I think I already heard enough.”

  Before she could turn, his hands were on her arms, pulling her body close to his. “You need to listen,” he said, breath touching her lips. “It’s not what you think.”

  “That’s what they all say.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “What does that mean?”

  “This isn’t the first time this has happened to me. Being cheated on.”

  “Jenna.” The sympathy in his voice nearly undid her. “I swear I wasn’t cheating on you.”

  “I don’t believe—”

  “Yes you do. You believe me because you know I’d never do something like that to you. If I wanted to be with someone else, I’d have the fucking courtesy to break it off first. I don’t cheat.”

  Her lip wobbled. She believed him, but she’d been naïve before.

  “It was a surprise for you,” he said, kissing her. “And Lucy was helping me. We’re friends. That’s all.”

  Her heart opened again. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust what he was saying. Trust that he felt the same way.

  And then he said it.

  “I love you.”

  Her lips parted and she wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, too.”

  He kissed her hard and deep, washing away the rest of her doubt and worry. “You’re still coming to the show tonight, right?”

  She nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  Chapter 8

  ________________

  Cruise

  He had the box in his pocket the entire show, keeping it close. He’d almost blown the surprise this evening when Lucy had come over. He needed another opinion on the ring he’d gotten for Jenna, and he knew she’d be late at work. He hadn’t expect
ed her to show up at his door and overhear the end of their secret.

  But he loved her and she loved him, and he wasn’t going to let that one small misunderstanding take away from what he was planning tonight.

  At the end of the last song, with the usual crowd and some additional fans cheering loudly, he walked to the edge of the stage with his mic.

  “I want to thank everyone for coming.” More cheers. “But there’s one person here who I’d like to give a special thanks to. Jenna.”

  He spotted her in the front row, her black T-shirt pulled tight across her breasts and a wide smile on her face. He kept telling her she could watch the show from backstage, but she insisted on staying out front.

  “Can you come up here?” he asked.

  Her cheeks turned red, but she walked up the stairs on the side of the stage and took his hand when he held it out. She joined him in the center.

  He faced the crowd again. “Everyone, this is Jenna. I want to thank her for putting up with me. The late nights and loud music.”

  She laughed and nodded. “You’re a better neighbor than I gave you credit for.”

  He kissed her on the lips before speaking into the mic again. “And one more thing.”

  Then he reached into his pocket and knelt before her. He opened the box. “Will you marry me?”

  She pressed one hand to her mouth with a gasp. The crowd cheered and she knelt down as well. “Of course. Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  “I love you, Jenna.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He put the ring on her finger, then stood to hug her. Her feet came off the floor and she kissed his cheek. As the crowd continued to cheer, he lifted her again and carried her offstage to the dressing room.

  “Cruise,” she said as he set her on the couch. “This was your secret?”

  “Yes.”

  She stared at the ring, eyes wide. “I love it. And I love you.”

  He sat next to her, watching his future wife smile and already start making plans for the wedding.

  “How soon can we get married?” she asked.

  “As soon as you want.”

  “But then we won’t be neighbors anymore.”

  “Better than neighbors,” he said, taking her hand. “Husband and wife.”

  She grinned. “The sooner the better, then. I don’t need a neighbor when I have you.”

  He laughed and kissed her. Then he stood and locked the door, smiling wickedly as he covered her body with his on the couch.

  Epilogue

  Two Years Later

  ________________

  Jenna

  Cruise insisted she wait backstage to stay away from the crowd. Though she loved watching from the front row, loved feeling the charge in the air and seeing Cruise’s face as he sang back-up she understood his concern.

  When they finished the last song, he walked straight to her and gave her a hard kiss. Her swollen belly pressed against stomach and he smiled down at her.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked, so much love in his eyes she could hardly stand it.

  “Good. Tired.”

  He brushed her hair back from her cheek and led her to the closest stool. “I really wish you wouldn’t work so hard.”

  “This is my last week,” she said. The baby was due in three weeks, and she’d finally built up enough clients to branch out on her own. She could work from home and help raise the baby. The best of both worlds.

  “And then you’re staying home to relax.” He set his hand on her belly and smiled down at her. “Take it easy until the baby comes.”

  “Except for your shows. I’ll always be here for those.” He opened his mouth, but she shook her head. “Don’t argue. I want to be here. I want to support you.”

  He drew her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles, just above the shiny band of her wedding ring. “You’re right. I want you here. I can’t stand being away from you that long.”

  “Me either.”

  Cruise had turned out to be more than she expected. More than she’d ever dreamed. Every day was another surprise—how much she still loved him. How much she planned on loving him for the rest of her life. And right now she wanted to prove it.

  “Let’s go home,” she suggested.

  He grinned. “Good idea. Wait for me here.”

  She rubbed her hands over her belly and watched as he gathered his things. She had everything she loved in the world right here with her, and she couldn’t wait to get on with the future.

  Bonus Epilogue

  Five Years Later

  ________________

  Cruise

  He grinned at the laughter he heard in the other room. His daughter and his wife giggled together as they played hide-and-seek with him.

  “Ready or not, here I come,” he called from the kitchen where they’d made him face the wall and count.

  The living room was spacious, and sometimes he’d sit in the corner on the recliner and play for his girls in their new house. It was big enough for a family—big enough for them to grow. He didn’t miss his old apartment one bit.

  He snuck down the hall and peeked into Sophie’s room. It was covered in pink, the canopy the shade of bubble gum, and her bed made just right. Even after all this time, Jenna still liked to keep the place tidy.

  Another giggle caught his attention and he turned for the other room, trying to stay as quiet as possible. At three years old, Sophie didn’t know how to play hide-and-seek properly, but they indulged her just the same. He’d give anything to make his daughter happy.

  Cruise crept around the bed, spotted the pink bow on his daughter’s head, and shouted, “Boo!”

  She squealed in delight and ran into his arms. He scooped her up, enveloped by her soft scent. Over her head, he smiled at Jenna and watched as she stretched out on their bed.

  “I’m worn out,” she said, covering a yawn with her hand.

  Sophie scrambled down from Cruise’s arms. “I wanna sleep with Mommy! Blankie!”

  She ran off to retrieve her favorite blanket, and Cruise joined Jenna on the bed. He pulled her into his arms.

  “Close your eyes,” he said. “I’ll put Sophie to bed.”

  “I was thinking we could both put her to bed. And then maybe you could put me to bed.”

  He gut clenched and his cock grew against her. “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah. I was thinking…maybe we could make another baby.”

  He went rock hard and kissed her again. “That’s a very good idea. I’ll get Sophie in bed.” He shook his head. “No arguments. I’ll get her in bed. And you get naked.”

  She grinned. “You’re on.”

  And as he put his daughter to bed, with his naked wife in the other room, he knew he had everything a man could ask for. And he wouldn’t change a thing.

  Next in the Enemies to Lovers Series…

  THE EX

  Holly Martin swore she’d never return to Spring Creek, but when her father suffers a heart attack she has no choice. But as long as she can avoid Jake Adams, the man who made her leave town in the first place, she’ll be fine. Unfortunately, Jake’s one of the first people she runs into, and she can’t deny the attraction she feels. He’s hotter than ever, and she can’t help the way her body responds to him. Jake broke her heart in the past, and if she doesn’t keep her distance, there’s a chance he might do it again.

  Jake never meant to hurt Holly—he’d only been a teenager when he’d broken it off with her. Since then, he can’t forget the way she used to make him feel, the way his body would come alive when he saw her. But she’s the one person who doesn’t want anything do with him. Jake is determined to show Holly he’s changed, and determined to prove to her just how much chemistry is still between them. He doesn’t plan to stop—not until he makes Holly his once more.

  Chapter 1

  ________________

  Holly

  She hadn’t been back to the small town of Spring Creek in six years. Not because the town
didn’t hold its own certain appeal, but because there were certain memories she just didn’t want to confront—and being in Spring Creek shoved those memories in her face.

  On the left was Carla’s, the ice cream shop she and Jake used to stop at after his football games. On the right, there was Pete’s Pizza—where the team and cheerleaders would spent weeknights causing a general raucous and having a good time.

  The entire town reminded her of being in high school. Of being young and carefree. Of being in love.

  Until that asshole Jake had broken it off with her. And broken her heart.

  The last thing she wanted were those memories surrounding her, but she didn’t have a choice. She had to be here for her father.

  He was in the hospital.

  A heart attack, they said. It was serious, they said.

  Guilt filled her from her head to her toes. She knew her dad had it rough after the divorce, but her life hadn’t exactly been a stroll through the woods either. She’d buried herself in work to forget her pain and now she was flourishing in her career. It was a hard-fought battle—one she hadn’t wanted to jeopardize by returning to the one place that had made her want to run away.

  Holly pulled into the hospital parking lot and snagged her purse out of the passenger seat. Her heels clicked on the pavement as she hurried to the entrance. Once she found the correct room, she heard her father’s voice from the hallway.

  “I don’t need your help,” he growled.

  Holly sighed—part in relief and part in amusement. Yep, sounded just like her dad. If he was yelling at the nurses, insisting he could cope on his own, he couldn’t feel that bad.

  She walked into the room and smiled when she saw him.

  He straightened, narrowed his eyes, and then nudged the nurse aside. “It can’t be. My Holly Bear?”

  She rolled her eyes at the affectionate name her father had given her and said to the nurse, “He sounds like he’s on pain medication.”

  The nurse sighed. “Yep.” Then under her breath, added, “Maybe not enough.”

  The nurse left her to visit with her dad, and once she got him settled in bed again, she pulled a chair next to him.