Tempting Hot Neighbor

Nicole slumped on the couch, the mobile still grasped in her hand, staring out at the surrounding serenity. Ashley's concern and resentment, coming in waves across the lines, lingered in her mind.

"Ashley, I'm fine." Nicole was still struggling to calm her sister down, but there was no point in trying to reason with her.

"Are you insane, Nicole?" The exasperation by now threaded into her voice as it began to rise. "You are 25, and you've had three breakups. What the hell is happening with you?"

Nicole sighed and had to hold her wet temple. She might have understood Ashley's reasoning, but she was too tired to defend herself anymore.

"I mean, could you be this insensitive now, or did you just call at midnight to witness my breakup story?" Nicole raised an unquestionable note of defiance in her voice.

A pause. "The problem is, I hardly have time in the day-the time-consuming job and everything-and Mom is dying to know what goes on here. You know how she is."

Nicole rolled her eyes. Even without knowing it, their mother had always been very inquisitive; matters had grown worse since the divorce.

"Everything's fine as long as I date anyone." She felt a sort of relief articulating all those pent-up feelings. "But once I'm in a relationship, it all changes. I'm not up for someone controlling how I live and when I live."

Ashley's reply was prompt. "Baby, this is a relationship." This was new, and Nicole had never heard anyone say this before. "That's how you manage, with others. You need to think about the idea."

Nicole raised her eyebrows. "Your face sounded so deeply involved with my ex!"

Ashley's tone softened somewhat. "I do not side with anybody, Nicole. I correct you with the truth about relationships. It doesn't mean you should forsake love with just one or two heartbreaks."

Nicole chuckled bitterly. "Ashley, I am not giving up on love... I am just..."

There was a moment of silence, and then Ashley began again. 'It's not possible, Nicole. Don't you know what Mom wants? To have one of us married off. She will drag you round and round unless you let all her desires come true.'

The outpouring frustration from Nicole: 'Why can't both of you let me live in peace? Just go tell Mom that I am not going out on any more dates or entering into any relationships from now on. I am done with it.'

The impishness in Ashley's tone was plain now. 'I am coming next week; get ready.'

"What for?" Nicole narrowed her eyes at her, skeptical of the surprise.

Ashley broke into peals of laughter. 'To for your birthday, idiot!'

Nicole's face beamed up "Oh, my God, how could I have forgotten that?"

Ashley murmured in a bubbly voice, "Ok, now I will hang up else mom would think I'm talking with my boyfriend.

Nicole burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.

"Bye, sis," said Ashley, and then Nicole was still laughing as she hung up the call.

****

I had slouched on my couch, as before, and the air was filled with the peculiar stench of my apartment. But in my mind-oh my!-what mixed feelings. Most of them feelings of fear and confusion. I have, indeed, become single again, even more sure of being single. It was impossible, even after four hours, that I had gotten the weight of expectations from my mother sledge hammering down on me.

My thoughts, by the gaze out at the window, wrapping themselves around themselves back to my childhood. My father was a junkie and, by all reckoning, a jerk, something clear and bloody from the divorce settlement. He had put Mother and us through his controlling and infidelity, which I could think of only as gross.

In thinking it over with the time, I came to understand what I had been told behind it. And that was what had been done to set Mother free. What father did had been totally out of line. Little anger still remained within me, considering all the trouble he had put us in. But, how could I not think of the deepest sorrow for the family that we were, the lost love?

Mother had resolved to steer her children away from any future harm by vowing to raise us without any man in the house. And so she had succeeded for the most part. The strength that was nourished in Ashley and me over the years was such that it derived from our privately looking after one another.

But I thought I managed pretty well going through one's mid-twenties, only to discover that my mother's expectations threatened to smother me. She wanted me to settle down, get married, have babies, and everything else pretty much any young woman would have dreamt about. But I felt she had her own desires written all over me and that she had missed the point about marriages not being perfect.

Recalling the past three relationships in my life, all of them ending in a mess, I soon discovered that it was not just incompatibility or inconsistency in behavior that led to their downfall. In closing every potential matrimonial relationship, it became clear that it was me who always felt encircled and suffocated by things, heavy things called "expectations."

As a consequence of Ashley's provoking me to blow hot air with what was happening between her and my mother-either a boyfriend she was trying to ensure attracted enough attention away from me-I realized that my interest would move from that point to how to get out of the blind dates scene and the apparent relationship entanglement in my life.

With the noise exchanged among voices, I took a breath: I thought determination might carry me much further, or perhaps even deeper into such an impassable, lasting darkness. Unbeknownst to me, my life would take its most memorable turn to come, challenging all my perceptions-a radical alteration of opinion on love, relationships, and myself.

The volume of her thoughts had at last subsided, and both buttocks were deep-seated into the couch; her whole body responded to the exhaustion that had been creeping up on her. She closed her eyes and allowed the soft cushions to engulf her, leaning her head down into the pillow. She is happy to be left alone now, with only her thoughts and the comforting peace of "home."

****

Nicole had come to be known as one of the most powerful forces in the corporate world, and as an assistant of Harrison Corp.'s CEO, she had proved to be a very valuable asset to the enterprise. That was how Nicole got to be known-reliable, intelligent, industrious-with the highest perception that clients in the industry had of who should work for them as an assistant through such adjectives like "exceptional organizational skills," "excellent attention to detail," "taking initiative," and "ability to think on feet."

It seems that Nicole's boss, who was Edwin Harrison, the CEO at Harrison Cop., was very impressed with Nicole as an assistant. She was very thorough with her tasks, anticipating his needs and making sure everything runs smoothly. However, they have been able to maintain a high degree of communication, and he had shown trust in her all the time, seeking her help in handling sensitive and confidential information.

She had everything about her that one would call accomplishments: vast credentials and a very demanding job. Nicole was a free mind and spirit with respect to her freedom and independence. She spoke her mind and stood up for what she believed in. Her confidence is so admired by her colleagues, and she is known for her out-of-the-box thinking.

Outside of the office, Nicole was just as vibrant and adventurous. She loved trying new restaurants, attending concerts, and exploring new places. She was a bit of a thrill-seeker, always on the lookout for the next exciting experience. Her love of freedom and spontaneity was infectious, and she had a way of making everyone around her feel alive and energized.

Despite her many accomplishments and her love of adventure, Nicole was not one to seek the spotlight. She was content to work behind the scenes, using her skills and talents to support her team and help the company succeed. Her humility and lack of pretension had earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues, and she was widely regarded as one of the most talented and dedicated assistants in the industry.

****

Nicole was startled by a knock at the door. She opened it to find her landlord, Mr. Flynn, standing in the hallway with a bright smile on his face.

"Nicole, baby, you are looking so beautiful," Mr. Flynn said, his eyes scanning her from head to toe.

Nicole rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Hello, Mr. Flynn."

Mr. Flynn's grin faltered for a moment before he continued. "Look, baby, someone is going to move into the apartment opposite you, and I'm going on vacation with my boyfriend, so can you keep the house keys when that handsome and hot guy comes over to you? Give it to him, okay?"

Nicole raised an eyebrow but took the key from Mr. Flynn. "Okay, Mr. Flynn."

Mr. Flynn beamed at her. "Okay, I'm off. Oli will be waiting for me."

As Mr. Flynn turned to leave, Nicole called out, "Mr. Flynn, what's the name of your new tenant?"

Mr. Flynn's face lit up with a sly smile. "Oh, his name is too sexy. When you see him, you'll fall in love with him. His muscles, his wide chest, his smile, his face, his eyes, his lips... aww, I wish he were my boyfriend."

Nicole's eyes widened in surprise. "Umm... I didn't ask for the description of his body; I only asked his name."

Mr. Flynn chuckled. "That's why no relationship of yours lasts long, baby. By the way, his name is Gage. Remember that."

Nicole nodded, a hint of amusement on her face. "Thank you, Mr. Flynn."

With a final wave, Mr. Flynn disappeared down the hallway, leaving Nicole to wonder about the mysterious Gage.

*** Nicole was busy cleaning the house, her music blasting in the background, when she heard a knock at the door. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and made her way to the entrance, a lollipop still lodged in her mouth. Without bothering to check the peephole, she swung open the door, expecting it to be perhaps a delivery person or a neighbor with a question.

But instead, she was met with a sight that made her heart skip a beat. A man, tall and broad-shouldered, stood before her, his eyes fixed on some point beyond her shoulder. And in that moment, he reached up and peeled off his T-shirt, revealing a chiseled torso that seemed to have been carved from granite.

Nicole's mouth fell open, the lollipop tumbling from her lips as she gazed in wonder at the sight before her. The man's muscles rippled beneath his skin as he moved, his abs contracting and releasing with each breath. And the sweat-oh, the sweat-that dripped from his brow and trickled down his chest, creating a tantalizing trail that seemed to invite her gaze.

For what felt like an eternity, Nicole simply stood there, frozen in awe, as the man smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. And then, as if suddenly recalling himself, he spoke, his deep voice rumbling through the air.

"Hello, my name is Gage. I'm your new neighbor."

Nicole's gaze snapped back to his face, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she realized she'd been staring. "Oh, yes, hello," she stuttered, trying to compose herself.

Gage's eyes sparkled with amusement as he nodded at her. "Our landlord said you might have something for me?"

Nicole's hand fluttered to her shorts pocket, where she'd stashed the key. "Oh, yes, the key!" She pulled it out and held it out to him, but her fingers seemed to have developed a sudden case of clumsiness, and the key slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor.

As she bent to pick it up, Nicole forgot that she wasn't wearing a bra, and her loose top exposed her breast; Gage's eyes widened, his gaze fixed on the spot where her top had ridden up.

Gage took it from her, his fingers brushing against hers, sending a spark of electricity through her body. He smiled at her once more, and Nicole felt her heart skip a beat.

He turned to head into his apartment; Nicole couldn't help but watch him go, her eyes fixed on the broad expanse of his back. And when he disappeared from view, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

****

Gage stepped into his apartment; he couldn't shake off the image of Nicole that was etched in his mind. He let out a low whistle, his eyes fixed on the door he'd just closed behind him.

"Fuck," he muttered to himself, "she's so sexy and beautiful too. Just my type. Seems I'm lucky this time."

He walked over to the window and gazed out, his mind still reeling from the encounter. He couldn't believe how stunning Nicole was. Those piercing green eyes, that beautiful brown hair, and that petite, toned body... it was a combination that was impossible to resist.

And yet, it was more than just her physical appearance that had caught his attention. There was something about her, a spark in her eyes, a hint of mischief in her smile, that suggested she was more than just a pretty face.

He looked out the window; he couldn't help but notice how close their apartments were. They were literally right across from each other, with only a small hallway separating them. He smiled to himself, thinking about how convenient that was.

Gage's thoughts turned to the way Nicole had looked at him, her eyes wide with wonder, her mouth hanging open in surprise. He chuckled to himself, remembering the way she'd stumbled over her words,

He couldn't help but feel a pang of excitement at the prospect of getting to know her better. He wondered what she was like when she wasn't caught off guard, what she was like when she was relaxed and being herself.

Gage's eyes narrowed as he thought about the possibilities. He was a man who always got what he wanted, and what he wanted right now was Nicole. He smiled to himself, a plan already forming in his mind.

He walked back to the door and looked out into the hallway, his eyes fixed on Nicole's apartment. He could see her moving around inside, and he felt a surge of excitement at the thought of being so close to her.

This was going to be fun.

****

Nicole's doorbell rang once again, and she made her way to the door, expecting to see Gage standing there, perhaps with another question or request. But to her surprise, it wasn't Gage at all. Instead, her elder sister Ashley was standing at the door, loaded down with her belongings.

"Ashley, you were supposed to come next week!" Nicole exclaimed, taken aback by her sister's sudden arrival.

"Let me in first," Ashley replied, pushing past Nicole and into the apartment.

Nicole followed her sister, curiosity getting the better of her. "Okay, now tell me what's going on. Why are you here early?"

Ashley dropped her bags onto the floor and let out a deep sigh. "Mom found out that I don't have a boyfriend," she explained, looking sheepish.

Nicole's eyes widened in surprise. "But how? You've been keeping that secret for months!"

Ashley scowled. "Thanks to my friend Moon, Mom found out. Moon told her just to get a free cake, and now Mom is furious with me. I had to escape, so I came here."

Nicole burst out laughing at the absurdity of the situation. "You're hiding from Mom because of a fake boyfriend?"

Ashley playfully rolled her eyes. "You find it funny, but Mom is going to kill me!"

Just then, the sound of music drifted through the air, and Ashley's ears perked up. "Has someone new moved in next door?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Nicole grinned mischievously. "Actually, yes. A sexy, hot guy, very handsome."

Ashley's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? Let's go take a look!"

Nicole hesitated, unsure if she should encourage her sister's nosiness. But Ashley was already dragging her towards the door, and before Nicole could protest, they were both peeking through the open doorway of Gage's apartment.

What they saw took their breath away. Gage was standing in the middle of the room, his body half-naked and glistening with sweat as he worked out. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, and his eyes were fixed intently on some point in front of him.

Both sisters were open-mouthed, their eyes fixed on Gage's chiseled physique. Ashley was the first to break the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's handsome as fuck."

Nicole nodded in agreement, her eyes still fixed on Gage. "I told you."

Just then, Gage looked up, his eyes scanning the doorway as if sensing their presence. Both sisters quickly hid themselves behind the wall, holding their breath as Gage's gaze swept over the spot where they had been standing.

After a moment, they let out a collective sigh of relief and scurried back to their apartment, their hearts still racing from the excitement of their sneak peek.

Ashley let out a low whistle as she gazed at Nicole. "Awesome, he loves the gym, just like you. Did you see his muscles?"

Nicole smiled knowingly, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "I had already seen them during our first meeting."

Just then, Nicole's mobile phone rang, shrill and insistent. She reached into her pocket to grab it, but in her haste, the phone slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor.

As Nicole bent down to pick up the phone, Ashley's gaze drifted over her sister's body, her eyes widening in surprise. Nicole's top was loose and had a deep neck, which meant that when she bent down, her breasts were partially exposed.

Ashley burst out laughing, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Baby, you didn't wear a bra again today, did you?"

Nicole's eyes widened in embarrassment as she straightened up, the phone still clutched in her hand. "You know I don't like wearing a bra at home," she protested, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice. "My two twins also have the right to live freely."

Ashley's laughter grew louder, her body shaking with merriment. "I'm sure they do, baby. But how do you expect me not to notice when you're wearing a top like that?"

Ashley's grin grew even wider, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Both your twins said hello to me when you bent down. You forgot this top is tight as well as short."

Her eyes widen when she realizes.

****