Bully Next Door

He loved listening to her talk, and even though it was about food, he didn’t want it to stop.

Spending a fortune on his first shop, Verity had looked nervous, but this was what he needed. Learning to cook would be pointless for him. When he got back to the city and to his job, cooking would never happen. He was a busy man.

But while he was on a forced vacation, he was going to learn a new skill, and while he was doing it, he was going to be in Verity’s company.

He pulled into his driveway. “Do you want to grab Cutie? I can unload the car and then you can help me to put it away?” he asked.

“Sure.” She put her hand on top of his. “Thank you for not making me leave Cutie at my place.”

He didn’t mind the dog. Something was happening to him. He didn’t know what it was. This was fucking crazy.

Verity left to grab her dog, and he unloaded the trunk of his car. She returned while he was only halfway done. She put Cutie in his house and came out to help him.

He went to grab the last bags, and as he did, he had a sudden tremble, and he quickly stopped, taking a moment.

Doctor’s orders had been to take it easy. There was no stress in his life right now.

He waited for the moment to pass, and then he stepped into his home, closing the door. There was no sign of Cutie, but Verity was already in his kitchen, putting everything away.

He admired the curve of her back, wanting to see her naked. Imagining her in his kitchen with nothing on. She’d look so hot.

Pulling out of his fantasy, he started to hand her items to put away.

Verity was in her element, and the smile on her lips soothed his soul. He didn’t think it was possible to be happy around someone like this. Women were not the kind of company he kept unless he wanted to get laid.

“What time do you wake up?” Verity asked.

“Huh?”

“You asked for me to teach you to cook breakfast through to dinner. So I figured if we get a schedule worked out, I can stop by or you can come around to mine and we can work this out.”

“I’m usually up by seven. I like to go for a run.” He could still do exercise but nothing too exerting.

There was a park not too far from where they lived. He often walked there, and then took a jog, pacing himself around the field. Back in the city, he would’ve been pumping some weights or running the treadmill for a few hours while also working.

His workday started at seven, so he normally was up at five, and then he’d leave the office about ten at night.

This vacation was to get out of that bad habit. It fucking sucked at times. He missed being busy.

“Excellent. I’m an early riser as well. How about I come over at say, seven-thirty? Would that work for you?”

“Yeah, I’ll be ready.”

She laughed. “I’m thinking we’ll start off small. Prepare you a healthy breakfast and then work up to something a little naughty.”

Would Verity naked, with her legs spread, be his naughty breakfast?

He highly doubted it. His stupid imagination.

“Are you okay?” Verity asked.

Pulling out of his thoughts, he smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I’m good. I’m great. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“So, is there a girlfriend I’m going to be upsetting by helping you learn to cook?” Verity asked.

“No girlfriend or wife. I’m single.”

“Ah, okay.”

“What about you?”

“I’m single too.”

“You are?”

Verity laughed. “Don’t sound so shocked.”

“How can I not? You’re … er…”

She raised a brow, and he figured he’d already started so there was no point in denying it.

“You’re sexy, okay? There I said it. It’s not going to be the elephant in the room.” He groaned, and this time Verity snorted. “I called you that, didn’t I?”

“Yep. I was Verity the elephant to you,” Verity said.

“You can kick me in the balls if you want,” he said. “I deserve it. I can take it.”

“I’m not going to kick you. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“But I was a giant dick.”

“So?” Verity asked.

“Come on, you’ve got to have something for me.”

“I have a feeling you will feel your guilt in your own time. I told you, I’m not holding a grudge. We were kids and let’s face it, I didn’t think that much of you either.”

He frowned. “You didn’t?”

“Nope.” She shrugged.

Hector laughed. “I find that hard to believe.”

“What? That a girl from high school didn’t think you were a god?”

“Well, yeah.”

Verity laughed. “I never liked you, Hector. I didn’t think you were all that. The girls would giggle about you and say how hot you are, but I didn’t see it. You were way too immature.”