by Lula Woods
Catching my neighbor staring at my ass just now was surprising, but in light of the comments he’d made earlier in the day, it would seem that Cameron Vincent was definitely interested. So, what did I do about it?
I wasn’t comfortable approaching a guy, usually, though I did so, on occasion, when pushed by my friends to be more assertive when dating. So, most sex I’d had was in college, when I was roommates with my best friends Danita and Roxanne. I could be bold when I was with them. Since then, not so much. I preferred running marathons to dating. It was something I could control. What did I know about men and dating?
I showered and dressed in sweatpants and a tank top before wandering into the kitchen, trying to decide what to eat. Nothing in my fridge inspired me, though if Danita was here, she could whip up something delicious from thin air. I missed my friends. Danita and Roxanne were now in relationships and had been too busy in the past couple of months to have our regular girls’ night at Danita’s apartment. We still kept in touch on occasion, but the truth was, they now had significant others, and I was the odd girl out.
I decided to order enough food from Grub Hub to last a few days. As I waited for the food to be delivered, my phone buzzed. When I swiped the screen, it was a text from an unknown number.
Unknown: It’s Cameron, from next door.
Oh boy.
Me: Hi, Cameron. Everything okay?
Cameron: Sure. I wanted to apologize.
Me: What for?
Cameron: For staring at you the way I did. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.
Aw. How sweet.
Me: It’s okay. I…didn’t mind, actually.
There, I said it.
Cameron: No??
Me: No.
Cameron: So, I can keep staring?
I took a deep breath and laid everything on the line.
Me: Is that all you want to do?
Cameron: Believe me, I want to do more.
Me: You do?
Cameron: I really, really do.
I thought about it for a second. What did I truly have to lose? It could just be for one night, get it out of our systems and go back to being friendly neighbors with a brief benefit.
Me: I just ordered food. Want to come over and share it with me?
Cameron: You sure?
Me: Yes.
Cameron: Text me when the food arrives.
Me: Okay.
I quickly checked over the house to see if anything needed to be put away and then waited for the food to arrive. Once it was delivered, I tipped the driver, then texted Cameron. Soon, there was a knock on my door.
I looked through the peephole and opened the door. “Hi,” I said. “Please, come in.” He smiled and stepped into the foyer. I tried not to drool as I took in the old, well-fitting jeans, a faded green T-shirt that molded to his chest, and the sandals he wore. I had been attracted to men before, but something about Cameron made me want to act on that attraction.
He looked me over, too, from head to toe, and I could feel the burn of his gaze everywhere. His nostrils flared. “Thanks for the invitation.”
“You’re welcome,” I said and led the way to the kitchen, knowing he was likely staring at my ass again. “We’re having Greek for dinner. I should have asked if that was okay, but it’s too late now.”
“I like Greek food,” he said, “so it’s not a problem.
I took two plates from the cabinets above the sink. “Water? Coffee? Tea? I don’t have a beer, but there’s wine if you’re interested.”
“Water’s fine,” he said as he sat at the table and opened the food cartons. He served even portions for both of us, and I handed him a bottle of water, while I had the same.
Once we were seated, we focused on eating and shared some things about our jobs. “Did you always want to teach?” I asked while enjoying lamb souvlaki. It was very good.
He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “It was something I fell into, sort of, because I was tired of the corporate world and egos like you said earlier today, and I wanted something more down-to-earth and people-centric, you know? I wanted to feel like I was being useful and helping someone fulfill a dream of learning or improving themselves, on some level. So, I looked into teaching and ended up at the community college. I love it.”
“That sounds rewarding.” I grabbed another wedge of pita bread. “How long have you been there?”
“Three years.” He dug into his moussaka. “I’ve met some interesting people, and the discussions in the classrooms can be lively. Not a fan of grading papers or reading essays, though.”
I chuckled. “There’s always a downside, right?”
He grinned. “Yup.”
We finished our meal, and once we’d had baklava for dessert, I leaned back in my chair, stuffed. “Dear God, that was a lot.”
Cameron patted his stomach and burped. “Worth it, especially since I get to spend some time in your company.”
She rolled her eyes. “Flatterer.”
“I won’t deny it,” he replied, then leaned forward and took one of my hands, playing with my fingers. “What do you want to do now, Gabriella? I’m all yours for the evening.”
I stared at him and knew I was blushing yet again, damn it. I tugged on a strand of my hair. “I…well, you said you wanted to do more than stare, so…”
His eyes burned. “I do.” He stood. “Tell you what. Why don’t I help you clean up the kitchen, and then we’ll take it from there?”
Chapter Four
Cameron
Gabriella was nervous. It was in the way her eyes kept darting away from mine whenever they met as we sat next to each other on her couch in the living room, and she kept playing with her hair and biting her bottom lip. I wondered if she didn’t have men over often, which would surprise me because she was a very desirable woman and should have guys knocking down her door.
I wanted her to be able to relax in my company, so I took her hands in mine. “Gabriella, we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. We can just sit and talk if you like. I like talking to you, you know.”
“I…I don’t do things like this, normally.”
“Things like what, have a guy over to your house?” She nodded. “So, you don’t have a revolving door. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“But I wanted to...” She sighed. “I had this idea in my head, and now, the moment’s here, and I freeze.”
“It’s okay. We’ll go as slow as you want, or not at all,” I said, kissing her fingers. “I don’t want you to feel pressured to do something you’re not ready for.”
She sighed. “That’s not fair to you, though, is it? I’m a grown woman in my thirties, and I feel like an inexperienced teenager.”
“Let’s start small, okay?”
She looked at me and swallowed. “Okay.”
“Alright. What did you want to do?” I ran a finger down the side of her face, and she shivered. “Did you want to kiss me?” She nodded. “I wanted to kiss you, too.”
Her eyes focused on my mouth, and I wanted to suck on the tongue that now laved her lips. I waited patiently as she leaned in, letting her set the pace. When her lips touched mine, I reveled in their softness, keeping it gentle, not wanting to scare her away.
I pulled back and licked my lips, catching some of her flavors. “Is that all?” She shook her head and kissed me again, and this time, she boldly cupped my face in her hands and sucked on my tongue and I could do nothing else but return the favor. Gabriella tasted of Greek food and something sweet that was all her own and addictive.
I dragged her sideways into my lap and took over the kiss, cupping her head in one hand while I ran my hand over her hip with the other. “My God, woman,” I murmured against her lips as I nipped and sucked. “You don’t know what you do to me.”
“Can you tell what you do to me?” she asked, surprising me by taking my hand from her hip and placing it on her breasts. The nipples were hard. “See?” she murmured against my neck be
fore sucking up a mark that I felt in my cock.
“Yeah.” I pushed my hand under her tank top to play with her nipples, loving the way she arched into my touch.
“More,” she whispered as she wiggled on my lap, her ass rubbing against my cock in the best way possible.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” I said as I dipped my hand into her sweatpants and cupped her pussy. Her panties were damp. “Oh, you’re ready for more, aren’t you?” I pushed my hand inside her underwear and plunged two fingers inside her, which she immediately squeezed and began to ride. “That’s it, babe. Take what you want. I’ve got you.”
She moaned. “Cameron, that feels so good. More,” she urged as I added my thumb and rubbed her swollen clit, which made her gasp and hump my hand until her back arched and she came, her body jerking against me as she rode out a massive orgasm.
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” I said as I pulled out my fingers and licked each one, her eyes on me as I savored every bit of her.
She watched me with wonder. “You don’t know how you look, tasting me like that. I…what can I do for you?” she asked, her hand cupping my cheek.
“Whatever you want.”
She moved off my lap and kneeled before me, pulling down my sweatpants enough, so my cock sprang out, already seeking her touch. “I want to suck you,” she said and proceeded to do just that, her hand at the base of my dick as she took me into her mouth as far as she could go.
It was mesmerizing, watching her try to take all of my meat into her mouth, and the way she looked while sucking me off was more than enough to send me over in a very short time, my hands in her hair and holding her steady as I fucked her through a release that almost made my heart stop. She swallowed every drop. Jesus.
I collapsed against the couch, trying to catch my breath. “You okay?” I asked, still panting heavily.
She wiped her mouth on her tank top and nodded. “I’m fine.” She got up and sat next to me. “I’d like to do that again,” she said as she leaned her head on my shoulder.
“You won’t hear me saying no,” I replied and tucked my cock into my sweatpants before hugging her to my side. “I’ll do whatever you want, whenever you want, Gabby.”
She lifted her head to look at me, smiling. “My best friends call me Gabby. I like it when you do, too.”
I kissed her lips. “Good.” We cuddled together for a little while longer, enjoying the post-coital glow, and then I sighed. “Unfortunately for both of us, we have to work tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” Gabby stood and pulled me up. “Thank you, Cameron, for this evening.”
I took her hand and kissed it. “It was my pleasure. And yes, Ms. Bank President, we will be doing that again.”
She slapped me lightly on the chest before leading the way to the door. “Stop calling me that.”
“But it’s what you are.”
She narrowed her eyes as she opened the door. “I promise if you keep that up, there will be no more fun times at the Ortiz residence.”
“My lips are sealed, Ms. Bank President.” I laughed as she swatted me again, and I ran out the door, with Gabby chasing me to the gate. I jumped over it and made it to the safety of my own front yard. “See you on your next run!” I called out and ducked the pebble that she threw in my direction.
I blew her a kiss, and she stuck out her tongue before heading back inside. I entered my own house, already looking forward to the next time we would be together. Because this would happen again. I would make sure of that.
Chapter Five
Gabriella
It had been a long time since I’d had that kind of intimacy with anyone. I’d had enough bad experiences in my brief forays into dating that I hadn’t wanted to try anymore, sticking to the occasional tryst. But I had never brought someone home, and having Cameron in my house had been special. I definitely wanted a repeat.
The next morning, while I was at my desk fuming over a decision, the board of directors had made that would forever change the way the bank functioned, I received a phone call on my cell.
“Hello?” I said.
“Good morning. Is this Gabriella Ortiz? My name is Wendy Collins from Fairbanks-Riley Community College. I believe Cameron Vincent mentioned me?”
“Yes! How are you?”
“I’m doing just fine, and even better now that you’re willing to help us with our Career Day. Can I meet with you to discuss what we need? The booth will be provided, but you will need to have your own materials. We can discuss that when we meet.”
“Sure. I can meet you on Friday, mid-afternoon at the school. Would three o’clock be okay?”
“Absolutely. I really appreciate this, Gabriella, and I look forward to meeting you. Take care.”
“Me, too. Bye.” She hung up, and I set my phone aside. I wondered if I would see Cameron while I was there, or if he would be in class? At least I would glimpse him as we did our morning runs that day.
After making a note on my calendar, I thought again about the new direction the leadership was taking. The bank was going to merge with a bigger financial institution. Things were going to change, and from the documents I had seen, it would be very different. My staff would get to keep their jobs, but the friendly, close, family atmosphere was going to give way to slick corporate promises that I didn’t think I could stomach in the long run. Hadn’t I left all that behind? It seemed not.
I waited until the bank closed that evening before calling everyone into a quick huddle. “Okay, folks,” I said. “I just found out today that our bank will be merging with a bigger institution.”
There were gasps of dismay from everyone, but I held up my hand to forestall questions for the moment. “Here’s the bottom line. You’ll keep your jobs, but procedures will be changed to fit the new banking entity, and we’ll all need to learn and become comfortable with that system in a short period of time.”
Jermaine asked, “When is this happening?”
“In two months,” I replied.
“Are you in favor of this?” Thomas, one of the tellers, asked.
I wasn’t sure how to answer that. “I am not sure that the direction the leadership is taking is the right one, but it’s our reality now, and the best we can do is give it a chance. The way we serve our customers, the empathy we show them will not change.”
I listened to their concerns and questions and then sent everyone home before doing the same myself. I looked over the hedge at Cameron’s driveway and noticed his truck wasn’t there. It would have been nice to see him right then. Oh well.
Later, as I heated up the leftovers from the Greek food Cameron and I had had the night before, I thought about what I would do if I decided to leave the banking industry. I had advanced degrees in business and finance, so I had options, but I had loved working at this bank, and I had enjoyed the close-knit atmosphere.
I thought about texting Dani and Roxy to get their advice, but I didn’t want to bother them with my petty troubles. With a sigh, I ate my meal while watching CNN on my tablet before getting ready for bed. It took a long time for me to get to sleep, and when I awoke to my alarm a few hours later, my head hurt, and I was groggy. Not an auspicious start to my day.
I heard Cameron’s gate open and close, as usual, and forced myself to get ready to run. If nothing else, it would help clear my head and maybe I’d come up with some plans for the future, just in case I needed them. Fifteen minutes later, I was running on my route, the darkness slowly fading as the sun rose. It was a struggle, putting one foot in front of the other, but I finally hit my stride, and when I reached the halfway mark, I turned to run back home.
Strangely enough, I hadn’t seen Cameron yet, this morning, and I usually did. Maybe he had chosen a different route today. I kept on running, the day now bright enough to see the colors of the trees, and when I was a mile away from home, I saw Cameron, sitting on a bench, his head between his legs.
I stopped next to him and sat down. “You alright?” I asked, rubbing his
sweaty back.
“Yeah,” he replied, his voice slightly muffled. “I started to feel light-headed, so I sat here for a bit.”
“You took a different route today?” I asked as I ran my hand through his damp hair.
“I did. It had a lot more hills.”
I sat there as he breathed in and out for a few more minutes. “Feeling better now?”
“A bit.” He kept his head down a little bit longer, then sat up. “I probably pushed myself too hard, and I may be dehydrated.”
“Well, we’re almost home. Can you walk?”
He smiled. “Yeah.” He stood, and we strolled the remaining mile together. “I hear you talked to Wendy?”
