Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
As long as it’s quiet and I’m left alone, I’ll be able to knock out my book by the deadline.
It’s almost six when the doorbell rings. Fury simmers in my bones because there shouldn’t be a soul coming to my door. I’d only just gotten situated, comfortable with a hot cup of coffee and my notes.
It rings again, and I’m seething. Standing up, I throw open the front door and find a young man waiting with bags in his hands. “What the hell do you want?”
“I have your special grocery delivery for you, Mr. Snow.”
“Thank you. Next time just leave them at the door as requested on the order.”
“Sorry, sir.” He sets them down at my feet and rushes down the stairs to his vehicle.
I take them inside and refuse to feel guilty about people who can’t follow simple instructions. After putting them away, I return to my coffee, which is now lukewarm and disgusting, so I toss it out and pour a fresh cup. I’m just getting to typing when the damn bell rings again. It’s the realtor this time. Fuck, I expected this asshole to come, but that doesn’t mean I want him here.
I shoot Sarah a message. Find me a new place.
Chapter Three
Holiday
“Who are those for?” Bethany says, staring at the wrapped box of cookies. I hoped I could get away unnoticed before I closed up for the day, but she was always watching.
“These are for my new neighbor. I wanted to welcome him to the area.” He arrived yesterday, and I hadn’t wanted to bother him because he’d only just arrived.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she warns me, shaking her head.
Does he have a jealous wife that’s going to lose it or something? “Why not?”
“Grant said he’s a real piece of work who prefers to be left alone. Yesterday, he had his groceries delivered and barked at the kid just to leave them at the door.” Oh, goodness. I can’t believe that’s my new neighbor. He can’t be just like old Mr. Manchester. Still, I have to be friendly.
“Oh my. I’ll just drop the cookies off and not bother him. It’s almost Christmas time, and I can’t help myself.”
“I know. You have a heart of gold and sugar.” She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. I leave my bakery and pop in my car with my baked cookies.
On the short drive, I grow more and more nervous about dropping these off. Maybe I should just keep them at home or wait until I see him outside.
I park in my garage and then close the door. Once I’ve gotten everything out of my car and into the house to work on my latest creation, I grab the cookies and head over to the neighbor’s door. Gathering my nerve, I ring his doorbell. Accidentally, my finger slips and I hit it more than once. Oops. Not the nicest way to greet your new neighbor.
A snarling, annoyed, “What the fuck?” comes from the other side with hurried steps. “I didn’t order anything today,” he says before opening the door.
“I just wanted to drop off some cookies as a welcome gift.” He opens the door, and I’m shocked to see the man before me in nothing but a towel around his waist, water dripping down his toned chest. No one mentioned that the surly neighbor was hot and extremely built.
I can’t stop gawking at his impressive thighs through the towel and so much more. My eyes don’t move from the large nether region that the frigid temperature has no effect on. Instinctively I mouth a “wow,” which I immediately regret.
“Thank you. Goodbye.” I dart my head up just as he takes the cookies and closes the door on me.
“Oh my God, what in the world is wrong with me?” I mutter, dashing down his porch in quick-like fashion.
Needing to return to my house and never show my face again, I lock the door and hide away. I can’t believe I stood there like a simpering fool, staring right at his penis like it would pop out of the towel at any second. He must think I’m some horny pervert just trying to jump his bones.
I hide away for the rest of the night, forgetting all about trying a new recipe because I’m so mortified.
Chapter Four
James
The second the door closes, I set the cookies by the door and run up to my room to put some clothes on before I do something stupid, like take my dick in hand and stroke the fucker. Who the hell was that little blonde flirt with her eyes on my towel like they were glued there?
Peeking out the front window, I look at the neighbor’s house next door, and I doubt it’s her home because no one’s there. All the lights are still off. The nearest neighbors are about half a mile up the road, so I just drop the matter because I’ll find her soon. There’s no way I’m driving up there to knock at the five other houses and confront them and ask if one of their wives or daughters was around.