400 First Kisses

by E. L. Todd

  “You’re right. I feel a lot safer without you around.”

  “Come on,” he said. “It must feel good to have a strong man right next door. If you ever get scared in the middle of the night, you know who to call.”

  He had a lot of nerve. “That was ballsy.”

  He shrugged. “I know what I have to offer.”

  “When did you become so arrogant?”

  “When?” he asked. “I’ve always been this way.”

  “Not how I remember it. You were pretty pleasant until you screwed what’s-her-name.”

  Cypress dropped his smile and placed his hands in his pockets. “It was a stupid mistake, and I’ll regret that for the rest of my life. She wasn’t worth everything I lost.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have done it. It’s not that hard not to cheat. People do it every day.”

  “I was an asshole. I admit it. But I’m different now.”

  “You’re right,” I countered. “You’re a lot more arrogant than you were a year ago.” I walked faster, trying to put some space between us. We passed Conway of Asia, and the owner’s bright blue parrot sat in the tree and had his breakfast in a bowl that sat on a branch. Families stopped to see the beautiful bird, but I passed right by, even though I would normally stop and feed him a nut.

  “But I’m also more handsome, right?” he asked, his grin returning.

  “You look the same to me.” Even if he was drop-dead gorgeous, I wouldn’t admit it, not after everything he put me through. He sent me into a three-month depression that involved enough tears to severely dehydrate me.

  “So you still think I’m hot?”

  I rolled my eyes and didn’t answer. When we got to 7th, I turned right and walked down the hill.

  Cypress finally went quiet and walked beside me in silence. The clouds were already breaking up, and the sun was starting to peek through. We passed a small hotel then the other residences before we arrived at Casanova.

  I took a moment to grasp what was happening. The only man I’d ever loved was now my neighbor. And he was also my cheating ex-boyfriend who broke my heart. I wasn’t sure how he even knew where I lived.

  When we approached our houses, I was relieved we could finally go our separate ways. Without saying goodbye to him, I walked up to my two-story Spanish house and prepared to go inside.

  But he was right behind me. “You want to get dinner tonight?”

  I turned around. “Are you joking?”

  “Not at all. Let’s catch up.”

  Did he think we were friends? “Cypress, I’m not trying to be rude, but I really don’t want anything to do with you. I’ve put everything in the past, but that doesn’t mean we need to spend time together just because we’re neighbors.”

  “It’s one meal, sweetheart. Even free food doesn’t interest you?”

  “I can pay for my own meals.” Always had and always would.

  “I’ll pick you up at seven.” He walked down my stone steps and headed toward his house.

  “Cypress, I said no.”

  “And I said I’m picking you up at seven. I suggest you be ready.” He pulled his mail from under his arm and walked inside his house.

  I rolled my eyes and walked inside my own house so I could call Amelia.

  Right at seven, he knocked on the door.

  I couldn’t believe he actually thought we were doing this. I didn’t owe him a damn thing. I was the one who threw him a surprise birthday party while he screwed his ex. Before I even opened the door, I was livid. I’d turned down his dinner invitation, and I would do it again. I opened the door and was about to yell at him when I saw a bag of takeout in his hand along with a bottle of wine.

  “I knew it would be impossible to get you out of the house, so I brought dinner to us.” As if he was welcome in my home, he walked inside and set the food on the mahogany dining table. He pulled out the white takeout boxes then retrieved two wineglasses from the cabinet—knowing exactly where they were. He poured the wine then took a seat.

  “Again, you’re ballsy.”

  He opened my white container. “I got you chicken kebabs. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

  “Actually, it’s my favorite…” I sauntered to the table and watched him eat as if this interaction were completely normal.

  He patted the table with his fingers. “Come on, sweetheart. The food is on the table, and the wine is open. Eat with me. If you say no, I’m still gonna sit here until I’m done. May as well make the best out of it.”

  I pulled the chair out then sat down. I hadn’t eaten anything all day, so I was definitely starving. I sipped the Syrah and loved how dry it was. “This is good.”

  “I know a little bit about wine.”

  I grabbed my plastic fork and knife and ate, my head down so I wouldn’t have to make direct eye contact with him. If you’d told me yesterday I’d be having dinner with my ex, I wouldn’t have believed you. But now he was my neighbor, and I’d have to see him every day.

  “How’s the café doing?”

  I just scooped the rice onto my fork. “How did you know I owned it?”

  He shrugged. “People talk.”

  “It’s doing well. Busy as ever.”

  “That’s awesome,” he said. “I’ve eaten there a few times. I really like it.”

  “Thanks…” I really liked it too. I always thought work was supposed to be a burden, but I enjoyed walking into my restaurant every day. “What do you do?”

  “I own a few restaurants too.”

  “You do?” I had no idea. But that explained why he moved here.

  “Yeah. I really enjoy it. There’s no place like Carmel. Business here is great.”

  “I guess we have something in common…” He majored in business just the way I did, but he never told me what he wanted to do with his degree. “Are you seeing someone?” It was an awkward thing to ask, but it was bound to come up. Since he hooked up with Vanessa, I assumed he was seeing her.

  “No. I’m totally available.” He winked at me.

  I rolled my eyes in response. “You aren’t my type.”

  “Really?” he asked with a laugh. “Handsome, smart, wealthy…none of those are on your list?”

  “Cheating isn’t.”

  He took a bite of his food and averted his gaze.

  I felt bad for rubbing what he did in his face, but he was the one making me spend the evening with him. “I’m seeing someone.”

  “Oh yeah? Who is he?”

  I totally made that up. I just wanted Cypress to leave me alone. If he thought I wasn’t available, he might give up. I couldn’t think of any reason why he was trying to spend time with me unless he wanted to get back together. Maybe he dated Vanessa for a while and realized what we had was pretty great—until he threw it away. “He works in Monterey…finance guy.” Couldn’t think of anything better on the spot.

  “What’s his name?”

  “Bradley,” I blurted.

  “Bradley what?”

  “Bradley…Cooper.”

  He raised an eyebrow, and a wide grin stretched across his face. “The Bradley Cooper?”

  God, why did I say that? I shouldn’t have blurted out the first name that came to mind. “No, not the actor. But he has the same name.”

  “Uh-huh…”

  “I’m serious.”

  He laughed. “You’re such a bad liar. Don’t worry, it’s cute.”

  “Well, I’m sorry I’m not a very good liar. Not like you, anyway.”

  He looked down again and took another bite.

  I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me. I felt bad for insulting him even though I’d walked in on him screwing his ex-girlfriend. I shouldn’t feel bad about anything…but I did.

  “I wouldn’t care if you had a boyfriend. I’d still like to buy you dinner.”

  Maybe it was just because he was unbelievably handsome, but those words sank into me, affecting every organ in my body and giving me a slight high. When I’d told him I loved
him, I really meant it. Maybe when you loved someone, you always loved them.

  “And I’d still like to apologize for what I did. You’ll never understand how much that day haunts me. I’d give everything I have for a redo…you have no idea.” He touched the wine stem between his fingertips and stared at the red liquid inside.

  I didn’t have any reason to believe him, but I did. “I accept your apology, Cypress.” I never accepted it when he tried to win me back, but I accepted it now. I would never date him again or even be friends with him, but I could at least give him that.

  “Thanks.” He took a drink then set the glass on the table again. “How do you like your food?”

  “It’s incredible…like always.”

  “It’s a good place, huh?”

  “One of my favorites.” He smiled then closed the lid to his container. “Have any plans for the rest of the evening?”

  “Watch TV and go to bed.”

  “That sounds exciting.”

  “Don’t make fun of me. You already know I’m a homebody.”

  “Yeah…” He smiled. “I remember.”

  When I was finished, I cleared all the packaging away and wiped down the table. Spending the evening with him wasn’t so bad, but I didn’t want him to stick around. He couldn’t erase the way he hurt me. That trust was broken forever.

  Cypress rose from the table, looking appetizing when he stood at his full height. He was the most handsome man I’d ever been with, sexy and mysterious at the same time. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about him once or twice in a sexual way since we’d broken up. But no matter how attractive he was, it didn’t fix the scars over my heart.

  When the intensity settled on my shoulders and he looked at me like that, I wanted to avoid the situation. I’d been the recipient of that gaze before, and I knew what followed afterward. “Thanks for dinner…” I walked across the hardwood floor and got the door open, feeling the cool night air enter the house once there was a crack in the doorway.

  He came up behind me. “My pleasure.” He grabbed the door and pushed it shut, making his intentions very clear.

  I took a deep breath.

  His large hands moved to my waist, and he maneuvered me against the door. His chest was pressed to mine instantly, and his cologne swept over me. His hand slid into my hair just the way I liked, and his soft lips found mine.

  He kissed me good.

  He kissed me with passion and longing. He kissed me like I was the only woman in the world. His cock was hard in his jeans and pressed right against my hip, just as thick and long as it used to be. He wanted more—undeniably.

  I had no idea why I let the kiss go on. My hands moved to his arms, but I never pushed him away. My lips danced with his, and I even gave him my tongue, escalating the kiss when it was already intense. My body produced the same chemical reaction as when we were together before, turning white-hot and burning with arousal. Despite how much he’d hurt me, my body desired his carnally. The chemistry was undeniable. I’d noticed it the first time we were ever close to one another.

  But kissing would lead to something more serious, and I couldn’t let that happen. I turned my face to the side and scooted away from him, feeling disappointed once the affection ended. I hadn’t been with anyone else since we broke up. I dated here and there, but I never had a connection with anyone.

  Cypress didn’t pressure me again. He stepped away, but he wiped his thumb over the corner of his mouth, his disappointment obvious. His shoulders were tight, and he released a sigh under his breath.

  I waited for him to apologize.

  But he never did.

  He moved both of his hands into his pockets as he stared at me. Instead of walking out the door, he remained still, as if he had more to say.

  Now I was just embarrassed and wanted him to leave. “I’m not a hookup, Cypress. And I’ll never be one.”

  “Wasn’t looking for a hookup.”

  “Well, I’ll never be with you again either. So, let’s just forget that happened and move on.”

  “We can try to forget about it.” He opened the door but didn’t walk out. “But we both know it’ll be all we can think about.”

  3

  Amelia

  “Rose, did you take my phone?” I eyed my daughter sitting on the couch, her blonde hair already as thick as mine, which was insane for a seven-year-old.

  Her feet didn’t touch the ground when she sat on the couch. The page of her coloring book was only halfway completed, so something obviously must have sidetracked her. She was meticulous about her projects, reminding me of myself. Thank god she didn’t resemble that piece of shit ex-husband of mine. “No…”

  Lily screamed from the other couch, tears running down her face as she gripped her arm. She had just gotten stung by a bee, and the poor girl was allergic.

  “Rose.” My nostrils flared, and I was about to spank her ass. “I need my phone. Your sister needs to see a doctor.”

  “Then why can’t I come?” she cried.

  “Rose, I’m not kidding. Give me the phone, or I’m taking away every single toy you have for a whole week.” I wasn’t messing around now.

  She finally hopped off the couch, disappeared down the hallway, and returned with the cell phone.

  I was still going to punish her for taking it in the first place. I snatched it out of her hand and called my lifeline.

  Cypress answered immediately. “Hey, Amelia. How’s it going?”

  Lily screamed again.

  “That answered my question,” he said with a chuckle. “Do you need anything?”

  “I know it’s your day off, and I’m sorry to bother you—”

  “You never bother me,” he said seriously. “And you know that.”

  Cypress was the sweetest guy on the planet. He’d been there for me through everything, my divorce, raising two kids on my own…everything. Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to get by. Normally, I had Bree to lean on…but she couldn’t do much anymore. “I need to take Lily to urgent care. She got stung by a bee.”

  “She’s allergic, isn’t she?” he said. “She just needs an antihistamine, and she’ll be okay.”

  “I still want to take her in to get checked out.”

  “Okay.” He didn’t argue. “You need me to watch Rose?”

  “Please.”

  “I’m leaving now. Give me two minutes.”

  “Thank you so much, Cypress…” There weren’t enough words in the English language to explain how much I appreciated him.

  “Don’t mention it.”

  Lily was bandaged up and good as new, and we walked back into my house on Lincoln an hour later. Cypress and Rose were sitting at the coffee table with an assortment of colored pencils along with coloring books. Rose had colored a mermaid while Cypress had colored in a garden of flowers outside a cottage.

  Cypress got to his feet when he realized I was home. “How are you, princess?” He kneeled down and examined the pink bandage over Lily’s arm.

  “It’s okay,” she whispered. “It stings…”

  “That’ll go away in no time.” He pulled her into his arms and gave her a hug. “I used your coloring book. Hope you don’t mind.”

  Lily shook her head. “No.”

  “But if Mommy used your coloring book, you’d have thrown a fit,” I pointed out.

  Lily chuckled then walked to the table. She examined Cypress’s drawing. “It’s pretty.”

  “Thank you,” Cypress said.

  Rose pushed her drawing toward her sister. “I did a mermaid.”

  Lily looked at the picture and pointed to her tail. “Why is it red? It’s supposed to be green. Mermaids are green.”

  “Not all of them,” Rose argued.

  Cypress watched them for a moment before he turned to me. “Everything alright?”

  “Yeah, she’ll be fine,” I answered. “Thanks for watching Rose.”

  “She’s a piece of cake,” he said. “I love spending ti
me with my nieces, so don’t worry about it.”

  “Cake?” Lily looked over her shoulder at the two of us.

  “Oh no…” Anytime sweets were mentioned, that’s all they wanted.

  “Are we getting cake?” Rose asked.

  Cypress grinned. “I should watch what I say more often.”

  “Can we get ice cream?” Rose asked. “We always get ice cream when we’re sick.”

  “But you aren’t sick,” I said. “Lily is fine.”

  Lily slammed her fists down. “Ice cream!”

  Rose caught on and did the same. “Ice cream!”

  Cypress shrugged. “I think we have to give in to their demands or face their wrath.”

  “Ice cream!” they shouted together, laughing at the same time.

  I rolled my eyes and grabbed my purse. “Let’s go.”

  The girls sat together and enjoyed their ice cream, making an enormous mess across the surface. I tried to teach them to be clean, but it never worked. I made my peace cleaning up their mess afterward.

  Cypress didn’t order anything. He hardly ate sweets.

  I didn’t have much of a sweet tooth either. “How are you?”

  “Good.” He always gave me the same answer, but it never seemed like he meant it. I hadn’t seen him truly happy in years. I shared the same devastation, but on many different levels.

  “How is she?”

  He shrugged. “She’s had a weird couple of days. When she saw me the other day, she hated me so much…then when she saw me the next day she tolerated me. We had dinner together and kissed at the front door. But then she kicked me out.”

  I still couldn’t believe he put himself through this. “She usually calls me when she realizes you’re her neighbor. It never gets easier. Actually, it’s been hard lately. I can barely talk to her. It’s like she’s my sister…but she’s just a ghost.”

  “I know,” he whispered.

  I tried to stay positive about the situation, but it was getting more difficult. Sometimes I saw my sister at work since we operated and ran several restaurants in the city, but it was never quite the same. I had to lie about my life, about my daughters, about my husband…who was now my ex-husband. “We can’t do this forever, Cypress. One day she’s gonna be old and know something is off.”