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Time to get my pretty neighbor to forgive us. And hopefully, tell me her name…
Chapter Five
“Do you think I can sign him up for the local school here?” I ask. The warm evening air fans my skin, bringing freshness and just a hint of the roses blooming on the bushes surrounding the beautiful cabin. Nearby trees are filled with the chirping of birds, and if I didn’t know there was an entire ranch just down the hill, it would seem like we were isolated from the world. Just like I want to be—need to be.
“Of course you can, honey,” my mom’s smooth voice comes down the line. “You got full custody of Theo in the divorce. There’s no reason he can’t go to school.”
Biting my lip, I try to tamp down the anxiety of even thinking about letting my little boy out of my sight. But the truth is, he hates online school. After yet another epic blowout between us, he’s relaxing in the house, cooling off with some tablet time. And I’m outside, in a cold sweat, stomach knotted with dread, trying to let my sweet mother talk some sense into me.
“But what if Frank finds us? You know that I’ll need to register Theo with the school—won’t that mean there’s some kind of record for him to access?” I whisper out the words, almost too afraid to voice the possibility.
“Sweetheart, you can’t live your life in fear. You have to go bring that restraining order to the local police, and I’m sure they’ll keep the school record locked up. I’m pretty sure that’s how it works,” she reminds me for the thousandth time, but the idea of walking into a police station has bile threatening to climb my throat. Swallowing hard, I pick at the wooden railing that surrounds the porch.
“You’re right. He should be around other kids. I can’t let my fear ruin his childhood. I’ve already let his father take enough from him,” I say, tears prickling in my eyes. My poor baby has had so much of his joy stolen. He isn’t asking for much from me; just to be allowed to have friends and a freaking life. Why does it have to be so hard?
“Arden, stop it right now. You didn’t allow any of this. His father is an evil prick. He did this, not you. Your strength is what’s giving Theo a chance to be a kid,” my mother scolds me. And warmth starts to chase the worry away. I love her so damn much and wonder again if I should have stayed with my parents instead of being so freaking determined to make it on my own.
They wanted me to. Begged me to. But fucking Frank knows where they live. He knows the local police who live there; the school administrators. It would have been impossible to get out from under his thumb if I had moved in with them. Shaking my head, I try to dispel the sorrow of being so far away from them.
“You’re mine Arden. No matter where you go. A piece of paper won’t keep us apart you stupid bitch.” His voice floats out of my memories, seizing my muscles. No, leaving was my only choice.
“I miss you,” I say, tears clogging my voice as I choke back a sob, needing my mom now more than ever. Needing her hugs and love. It’s like I can feel her yearning for us through the phone, her heart reaching out for mine even across the distance.
“Dad and I will visit soon, baby. Just as soon as we’re sure we can do it without being noticed,” she promises, and I feel immediately lighter. “Want you and my grandbaby in my arms.”
I want that so much.
A car door slamming and the howl of a dog I now know all too well makes me jump and I say a quick goodbye to my mom, hoping to hightail it into my house before my neighbor sees me. Heat flames my face as the memory of this morning surfaces in my mind. His abs, the gently dusting of honey blond hair that turned into a trail that led straight to…
Gulping, I swallow around the lump that’s formed in my throat at the image, ignoring the wetness between my legs. He’s so hot. But hot doesn’t mean shit. Running my hand through my hair, I reach for the door handle to escape back inside when a deep, rumbly voice that makes me want to sin calls out from behind me.
“Hey, neighbor.” It would be rude to ignore it… right? My hand hovers over the knob, hesitating with indecision. “Brought you a peace offering.”
Dammit.
Turning, I come face to face with Jeremy. And seriously? The man could be a model. My eyes take in the tight black t-shirt that shows off his muscular physique, his floppy hair that makes me want to run my fingers through it, and the stubble on his jaw that sends a thrill through me as I consider what it would feel like raking across my skin. No men. His eyes darken as they look their fill, pausing at my chest, down to my hips before flicking back to my face.
It’s been so long since someone looked at me with want—naked desire on their face—and even as I flush, a heady rush of power fills me.
Jeremy holds out a pretty pink box, and Blue races up onto the porch. He shoves his big, blocky head into my stomach, and I give him the scratch he’s so clearly looking for. The dog’s whole body wiggles with joy that I’ve finally acknowledged him and he jumps up, his paws slamming into my chest before he slimes me across the cheek with his enormous, slobbery tongue.
“Blue, no!” Jeremy shouts, horror overtaking his handsome features as he clamors up onto the porch to stop the exuberant dog. “Dammit, I told you to behave on the drive over. I’m so sorry…”.
He lets the sentence fall off; his brow furrows from still not knowing my name. And amusement makes my cheeks heat, even as I realize the futility of this little game. Living so close, it’s silly not to supply it. “Arden,” I breathe.
“Arden,” he rolls my name around on his tongue, sending a zip of longing straight into my heart. But there isn’t even a moment to explore that feeling before Blue buts in, laying another slobbery lick on me.
And a giggle comes unbidden from my lips. My chest heaves with laughter and tears spill from my eyes, pouring down until I wipe them, and the saliva from my cheek. Blue sits, cocking his head to the side and offering me his paw, waving it up and down as though saying ‘Hello, nice to meet you’. And it’s so damn cute that I reach down, grasping it and shaking.
“Hey pup,” I say, thawing completely at his adorable antics. Sensing my willingness, he rolls onto his back, offering his belly for rubs. “It looks like you’re insisting we be friends, huh?”
Obliging the enormous silly pup, I scratch him, finding an itchy spot along his ribs that sends his back leg pedaling back and forth. His smooth fur is impossibly soft under my fingertips, short but so fine that it feels soothing. Before my ex, I used to love animals. Perhaps Blue can be the start of reclaiming that part of myself. The thought and his clear grunts of pleasure are like a puzzle piece clicking into place. Knitting together one crack of my former self.
The door slams behind us, startling Blue into leaping up, looking for a threat. At seeing Theo he lets out an ear-piercing howl. However, what truly blows me away is the overwhelming happiness radiating from my son’s wide grin.
“You guys came to visit me!” he shouts eagerly, throwing his arms around the dog’s neck. My mouth opens to remind him to be gentle, but from Blue’s full body wiggles, it’s clear to see he’s just fine. “What’s in the box?”
“Oh, just some pastries we thought you two might like,” Jeremy drawls, setting the box on the little table near the porch chair. A little thrill zips down my spine that he even cared enough after I scolded him and refused to tell him my name. I expected him to steer clear. That was the point.
