I jerked off in the shower and came in a matter of seconds, proving how much I really needed to get laid. If that was going to happen, it sure as fuck couldn’t be with Heather, so I’d better figure out a plan B. Holding her tonight had felt way better than it should have. I almost wished she’d never touched me. I hated that my mind wouldn’t focus on anything besides her beautiful face and body while I beat myself off.
The guinea pigs—who had yet to be named—stared at me as I walked out of the bathroom. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought they were judging me.
“What are you looking at?” I chuckled.
Their little mouths moved in sync as they chomped on some hay. It seemed I now had an audience.
“Don’t be so judgey.”
After I got dressed, I realized I still had a basket of laundry to put away from, like, a week ago. Heather had surprised me by folding it, and I’d forgotten to thank her for doing that.
As I put things away in my drawers, I stopped short when my fingers landed on black lace.
Well, this definitely isn’t mine.
The shock of realizing I was holding Heather’s panties caused my fingers to spring open. Like a hot potato, the underwear fell to the ground.
I bent down to pick it up, holding it in my hands while my dick swelled against my jeans. My fists closed over the material as I willed myself to throw them back into the basket.
Don’t do it.
Against my better judgment, I gave in to the need to smell them. Bringing them to my nose, I breathed in the hint of her scent that remained.
I’m so fucked.
CHAPTER NINE
* * *
HEATHER
It was set to be a busy day, so I got up earlier than usual to get things done before I had to go to the realtor’s office later in the morning.
As I sat by my bedroom window, sipping my coffee, I noticed someone walking onto the porch of the boathouse.
It was my slutty neighbor, Kira Shaw.
My heart nearly stopped.
Then she disappeared inside.
It felt like all of the blood in my body rushed to my head.
No.
He never let anyone in the boathouse.
Unless…
I paced for a while, unsure of what to do.
You can’t control what he does, Heather.
You’re just friends.
He can fuck anyone he wants.
He can do whatever he wants with his life, and it’s none of your business.
What part of that don’t you understand?
He’s a man. He has needs. What do you expect? Like Mom said, men are weak.
My imagination ran wild. I pictured him pulling her inside before they started going at it on his bed.
Did you really expect him to be celibate the entire summer?
Oh my God. I was going to be sick.
I had to know. I had to know if it was true. No way could I go about my day like I hadn’t seen her enter the boathouse.
My heart raced as I threw on some clothes. I wouldn’t do anything, but I needed to confirm. I vowed not to embarrass myself or him by making my presence known. Those days were over. But I would see if I could tell what was going on. Then I would leave. I wouldn’t subject myself to watching anything more than necessary to get my answer. I could just peek inside the window and be on my merry way.
Yeah right, as if it would be that easy to get over Noah fucking Kira Shaw—or anyone, for that matter. But especially her.
This is devastating.
A cool mist in the air and light morning fog greeted me as I stepped outside. My stomach churned as I approached the boathouse.
What if he’d drawn the shades and I couldn’t see inside? Then what?
As I stepped onto the porch, I made sure they wouldn’t hear me.
To my surprise, when I peeked in the window, the bed was empty.
Where are they?
The only other room was the bathroom, and there was only one thing they could be doing together in there. That made me feel even sicker. Now things were almost certainly not going to go in my favor.
My legs felt wobbly as I walked around to the bathroom window on the other side of the house.
It was slightly open, and the shade was only lowered halfway, so I was able to peek inside.
The water was running, and the shower curtain was closed.
They’re showering together.
Holy shit.
I wanted to cry.
But I wouldn’t.
I needed to be strong. Maybe this was just the thing I needed to help me get over him.
I wasn’t going to want him after he’d been with her. This was going to change everything.
My heart palpitated as I stared at the embroidered butterflies on the white shower curtain and listened to the sound of the water.
Then, as if the situation couldn’t get any worse, the sound of Noah’s groaning echoed through the bathroom.
That should have been my cue to leave, but I stayed frozen at the window, consumed by curiosity. My shock had paralyzed me.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the shower curtain whipped open.
The sight of a stark-naked Noah flashed before my eyes. A very naked—but alone—Noah. His body glistened, and let’s just say everything I’d imagined about his anatomy was all that and more. He was freaking huge.
I gasped.
I hadn’t meant to make a sound. It just came out.
Then I ran as fast as I could back to the house.
Had he seen me? I was certain he must have heard me, but maybe he didn’t know it was me.
And who was he, Houdini? Where the hell was Kira?
I’d seen her enter the boathouse. He was groaning! Yet he was alone in the shower.
Back in my bedroom, I prayed I’d dodged a bullet, that by some miracle he hadn’t seen me running away.
When my phone chimed a few minutes later, I got my answer.
Noah: Something you want to tell me?
Heather: It wasn’t what it looked like.
Noah: Oh good. What a relief. Because it looked like you were spying on me in the shower.
Damn it!
Heather: I can explain.
Noah: I’m just putting some coffee on. This outta be good.
I took this as a hint that he wanted me to get my ass over there and explain myself, perhaps while he sat back and sipped coffee, enjoying the show of my humiliation.
Swallowing my pride, I walked back over to the boathouse to face the music.
As usual, he opened the door before I had the chance to knock.
Noah’s hair was wet. He’d put on a gray T-shirt that stretched against his muscles. He wore jeans, and his feet were bare.
He was silent. All you could hear was the sound of coffee percolating. What struck me was the lack of amusement on his face. He looked seriously concerned for my mental health.
I couldn’t blame him.
I wanted to run for the hills, but instead, I came right out with it. “I saw Kira Shaw here. I was looking out my window, and I saw you open the door and let her in.”
His brow lifted. “You did, huh?”
“Yes, I swear.”
“You sure you saw me open the door?”
“Yes. At least, I think I did, but now I’m wondering if I was hallucinating.”
The coffee made that loud bubbling sound it always does when it’s finished brewing. Noah sauntered over to the pot and poured some into a mug.
“Cream and sugar?”
“I’m good. I already had some. I’ve had my fill.”
“Apparently, in your wild imagination, so have I this morning.”
Jesus. I was truly doubting my sanity.
“Want some quiche?” he asked.
Quiche?
“What?”
“Quiche. It’s this egg pie with—”
“I know what it is, but no, I’m not hungry.”
“Oh, that’s too bad… Because unbeknownst to me, Kira entered my place while I was in the shower and left me an entire quiche.”
My eyes followed as he walked over to the quiche on the other side of the counter. I hadn’t noticed it until now. There was a little note on top of the pie dish.
He handed it to me.
Noah,
I knocked and there was no answer. Your door was open. Thought I’d catch you, but you’re in the shower. I considered waiting but didn’t want to startle you. I made you a spinach, tomato, and feta quiche. Figured since you haven’t taken me up on dinner, I’d bring breakfast to you. I hope you enjoy. The dinner offer still stands. Or anything else you might desire.
xoxo
Kira
Noah stared at me as I looked up at him.
Handing him the note, I said, “Okay. So, I overreacted.”
“You think?”
“It just seemed so real. I mean…I saw her come in. I could have sworn you let her in. I know it’s not any of my business, but I just had to know. And then I heard the shower. Then I heard you…making sounds.”