Hero Next Door (Next Door Romance Book 2)

by Mia Ford

  Oh my God. Staring at Serena across the candle lit dinner table is making my heart speed up in a way that I really wasn’t expecting. We have only been here for a couple of hours, and it’s already the best first date that I have ever had. I don’t know Serena that much, we only met a few hours ago, but I already feel like she really gets me. She’s laughing genuinely at all of my jokes, really getting my sense of humor, and we connect on a deep level too. There is so much that we share in common, we seem to like all of the same things, which means we never run out of things to say.

  “Do you want dessert here?” I ask Serena as the waiter takes our plates away. “They do some great cakes…”

  “Actually.” She bites down playfully on her bottom lip with a pink stain to her cheeks which has me wondering if she’s thinking something more…sexy. She is pure seduction when she’s looking at me like that. “I spotted an ice cream store on the way here and I would love to try it out. If that’s okay with you?”

  I’m not even disappointed that she isn’t thinking about the bedroom. Of course, she isn’t. I don’t know how I know it but I can just tell that she is far too sweet and innocent for that. She’s cute but in a really good way. I like it much better than if she just wanted to jump my bones because then I wouldn’t be special.

  “Ice cream sounds perfect.” I call the waiter over for the bill. “Looks you have a real sweet tooth?”

  “Oh, for sure. How can you not?” She giggles a cute musical sound. “Ice cream can be to die for.”

  “If you’re thinking of the same ice cream store that I am, then the ice cream there is the best.” I pay the bill without even giving it a second glance. I do notice that Serena’s eyebrows pop, but I think it’s because I didn’t even give her a chance to offer money, not that she’s worried about the price. I can’t imagine her even thinking that way. “You will love it. The strawberry cheesecake flavor is the best. I actually eat it imagining that I am in the pages of the book…”

  “Oh, I know the one.” Of course she does. I spotted that book in her pile. I don’t think I could mention it to anyone else in my life and have them understand. “Yes, let’s go and act like we’re doing that right now.”

  Every smile, every laugh that comes from Serena makes me feel incredible. She looked so stressed and kinda sad when I met her on the stairs. I guess this must be a huge change for her if it’s the first time that she has ever moved home. I’m just grateful that I can help make the transition that little bit easier for her.

  The walk to the ice cream store is flooded with laughter and fun. I find my walls sliding down around me more and more by the second without me even giving them permission to do so. Serena simply has that incredible effect on me. And when we get to the counter and she pulls her wallet out to pay for the ice creams, not giving me a chance to offer to pay this time around, I’m stunned to the core. Since people can just see that I have money from the off, I don’t think that I have ever had anyone pay for me before. It might only be an ice cream, but it means a lot.

  “We need to sit in the window if we’re going to re-enact the book scene.” Serena takes my arm and drags me along with her. “I don’t know if you can remember all of the speech, but we can have a go.”

  We definitely don’t do a great job of remembering how the author wrote the book, but it’s a lot of fun trying. I don’t think that I have ever laughed so hard in my life. I even snort because I’m so out of control at one point.

  I like her. My heart thunders as that thought strikes me. Already, I really like her a lot.

  In fact, I like her so much that I don’t want the night to end. As I walk her up the stairs and back to her apartment, I’m amazed at how quickly the night has raced passed us. It span by way too quickly. I would love nothing more than to make an excuse so we can carry it on a bit longer but I’m pretty sure that inviting her to mine will seem like I am after something else. Serena is too special for that, I don’t want to rush things with her. She’s different.

  “Well, thank you for a fun night.” She turns to smile at me as she stands outside of her own apartment. “Dinner was lovely and ice cream was really fun. That was a much better first night than I was expecting.”

  “I really enjoyed it too.” I find myself moving closer towards her like a magnet is pulling me in. Thankfully, Serena doesn’t seem to dislike me getting nearer to her. She juts her head up to stare at me. “It was amazing.”

  I take her cheeks in my hands and lose myself in her warm and comforting eyes for just a moment, enjoying swimming in the intensity of her gaze. But it isn’t long before the magnet drags me in even nearer to her. So close that my lips have crashed hard against hers and I am claiming her with my mouth. Her soft plump lips caress mine and her arms hook around my waist. She’s pulling me closer to her and I fall willingly.

  God, this feels so good, and judging by the inadvertent moan escaping Serena’s throat, she’s enjoying it too.

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