Possessive Neighbor

Are we just neighbors after that kiss?

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; What did that kiss mean?

I’m so befuddled.

I hate feeling this way. Especially when it comes to men. I've never been good at figuring them out. Reed, being hard to read, doesn’t help either.

“Hope?” He stares down at me.

“Why?”

He looks perplexed. “What do you mean, why?”

“Why do you want to take me to dinner?” Focusing on that is much simpler than focusing on the kiss. My lips still tingle.

Taking a step back from me, he crosses his arms. “If you don’t want to go out, that’s fine, just say so.”

Blowing out a frustrated breath, I force the tears back that are threatening to gather because I can’t let him see how upsetting this is for me. I don’t know if he’s angry, though, I suspect he is.

Always be real, Hope, Leslie’s voice whispers in my ear. She would tell me that when I got in a situation where I didn't understand someone’s intentions, then I'd have to be honest about what I’m thinking.

Clearing my throat, I inhale a breath and meet his intense stare, no matter how difficult it is for me to do so. “I’m not used to being asked out by anyone but my brother or his friend, Coen, so it’s confusing for me.”

He blinks.

I hold my breath.

“Men are idiots,” he mumbles quietly. “I’m willing to bet you’ve been asked out plenty and don’t even realize it.” He grins now, and I intake a sigh of relief.

“I doubt it,” I mutter.

“Oh, trust me, I’m right. Just say yes to me.”

I realize I want to. But the baby in my belly reminds me otherwise.

“I don’t think it’s a very good idea, Reed,” I say.

2

Reed

It’s been two days since I kissed my new neighbor. Two days since I’ve seen her. Two days since I’ve had a woman turn me down for the first time in my life.

I don't consider myself a playboy or ladies’ man, but I have always gone after what I want when I want it.

And I fucking want Hope Carson desperately. But she’s filled with secrets I can’t decipher.

After working nightshift for so long, I’m relieved to be back on days. Getting used to the hours this time was a hell of a lot more difficult than ten years ago as a rookie beat cop.

When I decided to pursue a career in law enforcement, I knew I wanted to patrol near beaches, in the warmth, but not too far away from my family. Florida turned into the perfect location. For nearly a decade, I’ve called Jacksonville home.

Building a family of my own here has always been in the plan, and until a couple of days ago, I was still looking for the right girl.

The day Hope Carson walked into my life, the world shifted, and she appears in every image where I can picture my wife, the mother of my children. And even though I feel slightly foolish at having these feelings for her when I know nothing about her, I intend to succeed at making my dreams a reality.

Starting with a carrot muffin and tea. It’s what my partner’s wife suggested I bring her. Especially since it’s now almost dinner.