Love Thy Neighbor

by Kimberly Smith

  Kayla crossed the entry and opened the door to find a group of people just as her neighbor had said. The older lady in front of the door seemed a little taken aback, but she recovered quickly. A lot of people were a little shocked when they met her, some because of the tattoos covering her left arm and others because of her career and success. “Welcome to the neighborhood.” They said in unison.

  Kayla looked through the crowd and found him, her green eyed superman. Her smile brightened, He was near the back standing next to a tall “modelesque” blonde. “Thank you.” She said stepping back. “Please come in.” As Daniel passed her she said, “Hi Danny.” She noticed the curious look from the blonde as she closed the door behind them. She didn't think this was his wife. She hadn't seen a ring on his finger earlier, but it could be his girlfriend. Then for everyone else she said.“This is very nice of you.”

  The older lady introduced herself. “I'm Petunia Coleman, this is my husband Stanley.” She said touching her husbands arm. Stanley smiled brightly at her. “We live directly across from you. This is for you.” She handed Kayla a bunt cake in a glass cake dish.

  “Thank you Mrs. Coleman. I'll just set this on the dinning table.” Kayla said turning and moving into the dinning room to place the plate on the long red wood table she had found for the space. The others followed. The blond close to Danny, Vanna Huffington handed her a bottle of wine. She introduced herself to them. “I'm Kayla.” Looking directly at Daniel she winked at him and added. “This is such a nice surprise.” Why don't I get some plates and we can cut this delicious looking cake.”

  “I'll help you.” Daniel said following her to the kitchen. The rest of the group were busy exploring the living room, admiring the artwork and the changes to the first floor. Once in the kitchen he said, “You look great.”

  Kayla smiled, “I do, don't I?” she said looking over her shoulder and striking a quick pose.

  “The wine glasses and cork screw are behind you.” She said to him nodding her head towards the cabinet behind his head. She grabbed a cake knife and some forks as well as plates and headed back to the dinning room with Daniel walking behind her.

  As she was distributing slices of cake to her guests, Holly Winters, a lovely woman with dark hair and eyes said, “I love what you've done in here.”

  “Thank you.” She could see that Holly was genuinely interested in the changes. “I designed all the changes myself. My friend is a custom home builder so I asked him to do the work and it looks exactly as I imagined it.”

  “Wow. Are you an interior designer? You should talk to Vanna. She is in the same line of work.” Holly spoke between bites of cake.

  “No, I work in the automotive industry.” She told her, not wanting to get in to the specifics of her career. She had seen how star struck men acted when they realized who she was and how their wives and girlfriends began to distance themselves from her. It always became a problem that men wanted to talk to her. She knew that part of that was because she was attractive, but she would never go after a guy who was involved with someone. She and Holly talked for a bit longer and she invited her to come back for coffee and a chat the next morning.

  She spoke with some of the others. Kayla found that she like Stanley immensely. He was friendly and talked mostly of being bored with retirement and that the only thing his wife allowed him to do for fun without her was golf. He said they had too much time together. He joked that his real hobby was hiding from his wife and doing fun things that she didn't know about. Kayla laughed hard and told him she would definitely keep his secret.

  The gathering was starting to wind down and Stanley had been trying to get his wife to leave, but she had indicated that she wanted to leave with Vanna and it seemed that Vanna was not leaving without Danny. Danny seemed as if he did not want to leave at all. Kayla had noticed that everywhere Danny went Vanna followed. Kayla had just let Holly and Matthew out when she turned to see Daniel going to the kitchen with wine glasses followed by Vanna.

  She gathered the last of the dishes off the dining table taking them to the kitchen. As Kayla entered the kitchen she heard their conversation. Vanna was saying, “You're being very vague about these plans you have tonight. Why won't you tell me where you're going? Maybe I could go with you.”

  Daniel straightened from putting things in the dishwasher. “You can't, It would be very...” he paused. “Awkward.” he finished.

  “Why?” She asked pouting and caressing his arm.

  Kayla could see that he was trying to be nice. Vanna apparently was not getting the hint. Then he looked up and saw her watching them. “Because I have a date.”

  “A date?” she looked at him with disbelief. “With who?”

  *****

  Daniel

  Daniel smiled at her and it just came out. “I'm taking Kayla out when we're done here.” Daniel watched as Vanna processed what was just said. Vanna turned looking at her with disbelief.

  “You just met her, how can you be taking her out? You told me this morning that you had plans.” she stepped back folding her arms across her chest.

  Kayla moved further into the room setting the dishes on the counter. “We actually met before this.” she said with a mischievous smile. “Thanks for coming Vanna. I'm certain I'm going to love living on this block. I'll walk you out.” She said extending her arm as if saying, lead the way. Vanna's mouth dropped open slightly before snapping shut. Vanna turned and breezed past her. Kayla followed her out of the kitchen and smiled as Stanley eased Petunia toward the door.

  “Where's Daniel?” He heard Petunia ask Vanna.

  Her reply was said in a huff. “Apparently he has other plans.”

  Daniel finished doing the dishes while Kayla let the others out. He was wiping her counters down when she reentered the room. “So, where are we going tonight?” she asked leaning her hip against the center island. She watched as he went to the sink and rinsed the towel out. His shoulders were broad, his arms muscular, and his waist tapered. Even in his khaki pants she could tell he had a spectacular ass.

  Daniel put the towel away and turned to face her. “I'm sorry about that. I just didn't know what else to say.”

  “You,” she said pointing at him playfully with a big smile, “didn't answer they question.”

  Daniel grinned at her. “I have no idea. Where would you like to go?” He hadn't actually thought they would go out. He just said it to get Vanna to leave him alone, but he was happy to take her out.

  “I was planning to go hang out in Deep Ellum anyway. We can still go there. I'm driving.” She said walking out of the kitchen. He followed. “You may want to change your outfit though.”

  “What's wrong with this?” He asked looking down at himself. He was wearing khaki's with a white polo shirt.

  Kayla laughed so hard she snorted. “Do you have any jeans or something not so...” She paused before ending with, “White bread?”

  “White bread? What does that mean?”

  Kayla moved closer to him and tugged his shirt collar. “It means Danny, that you are as American as sliced white bread, you blend in with everyone around you. You can't tell one from the other. She laughed at the look on his face.

  Daniel looked down at her and smiled his most charming smile. Daniel started laughing too, “Okay, so this is not...” he paused “bout it? He added. Kayla laughed again snorting at his slang term. “Okay I will change into something else. I will be back in a few minutes.” He said rushing out the front door.

  All the way to his house and up to his bedroom he wracked his brain thinking of what he could wear that would not be so “white bread”. He found a pair of jeans easy enough. He only had one pair, but finding the right shirt was another thing. He finally settled on a pale green button down that he crumpled in his hands so that she would think he didn't have everything starched to death. It was something that he would normally wear with a suit and tie to work. He left a few buttons undone and rolled up his sleeves up to the elbow and opted not
to tuck it into his jeans. He had dress shoes, sneakers and loafers. He chose the sneakers.

  He rushed back to Kayla's hoping that she would find his appearance satisfactory. She smiled as she opened the door. “Is this okay?” Daniel asked.

  “It'll do.” She smiled at him. Closing the door. “Let's go.” she said leading him out the door off the dining room into the garage. Daniel couldn't help himself as his eyes moved from her red hair downward to the swing of her hips. Watching her was mesmerizing. Daniel stopped inside the door way as the overhead light came on. She had a classic, '67 mustang GT in red with white pinstripes and an old truck in addition to the Range Rover he had seen her driving that morning. She smiled at him and then slid behind the wheel of the mustang. Daniel joined her in the car admiring it.

  “This is amazing,” he said as she reversed out of the garage.

  “Thanks.” she smiled, changing gears at the end of the driveway.

  Chapter 2

  Kayla

  The ride from their neighborhood to Deep Ellum for Open Mic Night at Spoken was no more than twenty minutes long. Daniel spent most of that time admiring and asking questions about the car. Kayla told him how her father had given her the car for a high school graduation present.

  She had rebuilt it from the ground up using her own money with some physical help from her bother and some friends and that is how she began her YouTube career, but she didn't tell Daniel this. She didn't want to get into talking about cars tonight. She loved cars, but she would get so caught up and would later notice that her date's eyes had glazed over. Not to mention how they would sometimes act when they learned that she knew more than they did.

  Once she found a parking space in the lot next to Spoken, she and Daniel got out and walked back to Main St. to the entrance. The hostess returned from seating the couple ahead of them. “Table for two.” Kayla said.

  “This way please.” she said showing them to a small table in the back corner.

  Daniel pulled out her chair and then sat near her facing the stage. A waitress came by and took their drink order, since she was driving, Kayla ordered a coke, but she encouraged Daniel to have what ever he wanted. Daniel ordered a domestic beer. The lights dimmed and an older man took the stage and welcomed everyone to Spoken's Open Mic Night. He also encouraged the audience to sign up to perform their work.

  Kayla leaned in close to him and whispered, “Have you ever written any poetry?”

  Daniel moved in his chair closer to her accidentally brushing her thigh with his. Kayla was very aware of everything about him, but suddenly her body came to life. A shiver ran down her spine, her nipples hardened and it felt like her clit had a heartbeat. She pressed her legs together. Daniel smiled, “Only once and I did it for a school project. What about you?”

  Kayla licked her lips seductively and leaned close again rubbing her shoulder against his. “I used to write erotic poetry.” She whispered and giggled when he turned towards her, eyes wide with shock. “Maybe I'll do one tonight and dedicate it to you.” she said turning back to the stage as an artist began reciting his work.

  *****

  Daniel

  Daniel sat there staring at her profile for a few minutes. She wrote erotic poetry. That was the sexiest thing any woman had ever whispered in his ear. They sat listening to each act and snapping their fingers in approval when they were finished. Near the end of the set Daniel excused himself to the men's room. Just as he slid back into his chair the MC said, “And our final artist tonight, give a warm welcome to Kay Kay B.”

  Kayla stood and walked away from him to the stage. Daniel watched the swing of her hips and quickly noticed that he wasn't the only man watching. He also realized he didn't like it one bit. Kayla reached the stage adjusted the mic and began.

  “Good evening.” She said to the crowd. “This is something I wrote years ago, but tonight it's dedicated to my date, my green eyed superman. It's called Calling me home.” She closed her eyes and slowly licked her lips.

  “You are the best lover I have ever known.” She said in a rhythmic cadence.

  “Your body, that body keeps calling me home.”

  “Sweet kisses from my lips headed south, sweep her hands down her body.

  “My breast, these breasts fill your mouth.” She continued cupping her breasts.

  “Your hands touching, caressing my hip.” She added sliding one hand down her hip. “Followed by your tongue, that tongue...” She moaned

  “I'm biting my lip.” She bit her bottom lip seductively.

  “My hands wound deep in your coal black hair.

  My body, this body is critically aware.

  With each touch, each kiss and every lick-

  this pussy, your pussy..” She rubbed the juncture between her legs.

  “Wants that magical dick.

  You pull and you push and grind so deep.

  My soul, this soul begins to weep.”

  “Bodies intertwined through explosions of light. Touching her head then using her hands, she threw her fingers open to mimic fireworks.

  I cum, you cum, our souls take flight.” She waved her arms slowly like wings.

  “Together we lay in the afterglow.

  I smile, you smile cause we both know.” She smiled.

  “You are the best lover I have ever known.

  Your body, my body together we are home.” she finished dropping her head to signify the end.

  Through out her piece the audience shouted their thoughts, “Go on Mama, Talk that talk, Yes, Yes!” The room erupted in snaps and she received a standing ovation.

  He watched Kayla as she made her way back to him, noting how many people especially men seem to be touching her arm or shoulder and complimenting her as she passed. When she reached him, “That was...” he paused to find the right word. “Hot.”

  Kayla smiled and waved to the waitress. “Let's get out of here.” The waitress came and Daniel paid the tab and followed Kayla out to the street. “So what do you usually do on a date?”

  Daniel smiled. “Dinner, maybe dancing.”

  Kayla pulled her phone out of her back pocket and checked the time. “Well, It's too early to go home. I'm sure your girlfriend has her nose stuck in the window waiting to see when you get back. That is if she hasn't egged your house.” Kayla said laughing and starting to move up Main Street.

  Daniel walked beside her matching her stride. “Actually that would be Petunia with her nose in the window, but I bet Vanna would know about it by morning.” He paused, “I suppose I owe you and explanation.” Kayla nodded her head and let him continue. “I got finagled into a date with her recently and I think that she believes that we're dating and well...” he smiled.

  “You're not.” Kayla finished for him.

  “No. She's not what I'm looking for. I ran into her today and she wanted to get together and I lied saying that I had plans tonight. Then at your house she cornered me and you came in and I...,” he said grabbing her hand. “I'm sorry for using you, but thank you for going along with it.”

  Kayla turned and smiled at him. “You didn't use me. If anything, I'm taking advantage of you. Using you for my pleasure tonight.” She winked and smiled at him and then turned and pointed to a building near them. “That's where we should go next.”

  Her words shocked him. She was using him tonight, for her pleasure. He tried not to think about what she might mean as she pulled him by the hand into a Karaoke bar a few buildings away. He had never done karaoke, but it seemed that Kayla would have him doing a lot of things that he had never done before. They found a table and watched as people performed.

  During a break, he asked, “Are you going to sing?”

  Kayla giggled, “I will, if you will.”

  Daniel thought about it for a second. Maybe it was the beer he'd had, but he suddenly wanted to. “Why not?” He got up and found the sign up sheet and picked a duet for them. When he returned, he told her the name of the song. “We're doing a duet called “Like I'm go
nna lose you.”

  Kayla smiled. “I know that one, Meghan Trainor and John Legend, right?”

  “Yeah.” he said downing his beer. The next set started and some were pretty good, others were not, but the crowd applauded and cheered anyway. This might be the most fun he'd had in a long time, he thought.

  When it was their turn, they stood on stage and Kayla sang her part at the beginning unabashed working the crowd, but singing dramatically to him. Daniel started to sing and Kayla's eyes bugged out. He sounded pretty good. They sang their parts together blending and harmonizing well even with a few off key notes mixed in. When they finished their song they bowed laughing hysterically and exited the stage for the next person. Daniel was laughing as Kayla sat, he went and signed up for another song.