Love Thy Neighbor

by Kimberly Smith

  “Hey, why don't you do the dishes? I'm a guest.” he wined.

  “Punk, you're not a guest. You're family and this is my house.” She tossed over her shoulder without looking back.

  *****

  In her bedroom she straightened the bed and put her hair up as she went into the bathroom and started the shower. She showered quickly, brushed her teeth and walked into her bedroom to find Danny sitting on the foot of her bed. She dropped her towel and smiled in the mirror at Danny's deep breath from looking at her naked behind. She applied lotion to her body while he watched.

  “You like teasing me don't you?” She didn't say anything just opened a drawer and pull out a pair of underwear and stepped into them. Before she could pull a bra out he was off the bed standing behind her. She looked into his eyes in the mirror as he brought his arms around her cupping her breasts, then he kissed her shoulder. “I want to see you tonight,” he said between kisses.

  Kayla closed her eyes as a shiver rand down her spine. She pressed her bottom closer to him moving in slow circles before turning and kissing his soft lips. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She knew if she didn't stop they would end up in bed and she had to work today. She pulled her mouth from his and pushed away from him. She picked up the bra she had dropped on the floor and put it on quickly. “Tonight I'm working late. I will come over to your place after. Okay?” she said throwing on a pair of denim shorts and t-shirt.

  Daniel nodded his head in agreement. “Text me when you're on your way over.”

  She put her socks and shoes on and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Will do.”

  She thanked him for breakfast and let him out before calling to her baby brother. “D. Let's go.”

  Kayla spent the day working with D putting Petunia's new white interior in. D was doing more talking than work. “So you gonna tell me what last night was all about.” He said as they worked.

  “Nothing to tell.” She said not raising her head.

  “I know you were the one who called Jesse and had all that stuff delivered. I want to know why you're trying to keep it a secret.” He said waving the tool in his hand at her.

  “Damn D, why can't you let this go?” She rolled her eyes at him. “Look she's my neighbor and she's going through a lot and I know she needs some help.”

  “Okay, but why the secrecy?” He said getting back to work on the passenger door panel.

  “I haven't told anyone who I am really. Except Stanley that is and he figured out by seeing a commercial for the show.”

  “So you haven't told Danny?” he asked. “Why?”

  “You don't get what it's like when a guy that I like finds out that I'm sort of famous and have a lot of dough. It's bad enough that most of them hate that I know more about cars than they do.” She said without taking her eyes off of her tool as she tightened the bolts on the driver's side door.

  “Bullshit Kay Kay. I saw the way he looks at you when you're not paying attention.” He said standing to face her.

  “What do you mean, the way he looks at me?”

  “He looks at you the way Dad looks at Mary whenever she brings in her car to be fixed.”

  “Mary York?”

  “Yeah, he's pretty much rebuilt her engine for free. He's so gone for her. That's how Dan the man, looks at you, like you are the sun and he can't live without feeling your rays. So before you feed me that crap, know this, I know you better than anyone. You know why you didn't tell him. I get why you did what you did for the lady and her kids and there is nothing wrong with showing that you care about other people. I know you think I don't remember her, but I do. She died saving you and you have been caring that guilt since we were little, but have you ever considered what would have happened if she didn't love us, Where we might be if it weren't for the mother and father that chose us.” D put his tool down and walked out the garage door leaving Kayla with her thoughts.

  She continued working. She was not going to cry again. She had cried enough last night. She didn't want anyone to know what she was doing to help Vanna. She did it because she knew what their birth mother had done and maybe if someone had helped her she would still be alive. She could tell that Vanna was loosing hope and maybe she would hang in there unlike their birth mother who ended her life because she felt so hopeless. D. didn't know, she'd just started to make real money restoring cars when she hired a private investigator to find out what happened to her.

  *****

  Later in the afternoon when they had the car pretty well put together again. She sent a text to Danny.

  I was thinking we could have a BBQ/pool party at my house tonight.

  Please invite Matt, Holly and their kids and the Colemans as well as

  Vanna and her kids. D and I will be home around six.

  Kayla stuck her phone in her pocket and went up to her office. Just as she sat down her phone chirped.

  Great, I'm in charge of the grill. ;) He sent back followed by I'll take care of everything.

  D. poked his head into her office. “You mad at me?”

  “Nope” she said leaning back in her chair putting her feet up as he came in and lay on the black leather sofa.

  “I love you butt munch.” he said looking at the ceiling.

  “I love you too bucket head.” She replied.

  Lee came through the door. “There you are. I got everything done.” He stopped talking as soon as D. turned to sit up. “Sorry, I thought you were alone.”

  “It's okay D. knows what I'm doing.” She said.

  “Okay. Well I got hold of your lawyer and the car will be delivered first thing Monday and he will have the paperwork for the rest ready Monday afternoon. He said you can swing by to sign it at any time after one.”

  “Thank you Lee, You are the best.” She smiled at him.

  “I don't wanna know the details.” D. said smiling at his big sister.

  “Let's get back to work.” We are having a block party tonight she said taking her feet off the desk. “We need to be leaving hear in two hours.”

  D. jumped to his feet. “I'm supposed to be on vacation and you got me working like a slave.”

  “I didn't say you were on vacation. Now get to work.” She said pushing him out of her office.

  *****

  A few minutes before six, Kayla and D. got home. She had sent Danny a text when she was a few blocks away. He was standing at her front door by the time she parked in her garage. She opened the door. “Hey good-looking.” She greeted him.

  He had both hands full, but he leaned down to meet her with a quick kiss. “Hey babe. Everyone said they'd come. She grabbed some of the things he was carrying. “I brought the main course, but everyone insisted on bringing a dish.” He said heading to the kitchen. “Where's your brother?”

  “He's upstairs having a shower and changing.” She said following him.

  After they had set everything down in the kitchen, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Taking his time to enjoy it. When he finally let her go, he spun her around, smacking her bottom. “Go shower and change. I've got this.”

  She followed his orders and scrubbed the oil and dirt and sweat from her body and hair. She put on a white one-piece swimsuit with a colorful cover up over it. When she got out side to the pool Darren was in deep conversation with Mrs. Coleman and Vanna and her kids. Matt, Holly and their daughters were in the pool. She wasn't sure if she liked the idea of D. getting chummy with Petunia and Vanna.

  “There you are.” Danny said from the grill. He and Stanley were chatting. He was wearing his try my meat apron.

  Kayla smiled at him. “What can I do to help?”

  “Nothing. I told you, I got this.” He kissed her forehead. “Go.”

  Stanley smiled. “This was really nice of you.” Kayla waved it off as no big deal.

  She walked over to where D. was. “Hi.” she said putting her hands on his shoulders. “I see you have met my baby brother.”

  “Yes we have.” Petunia
said. “He was just telling us why the pool is shape as a wrench.”

  Kayla squeezed his shoulders. “Was he?”

  “Yeah I was explaining to them that we used to work in Dad's garage and you are one of the best mechanic's in Texas.” He said smiling up at her.

  “Don't believe him. He's biased.” She said letting him go. “Why don't you go bring in the cooler from the garage and put some ice and drinks in it and set it by the grill.” she suggested in a tone that meant don't argue, just do it.

  D. got up and saluted her before disappearing into the house.

  Vanna touched Petunia's hand. “Would you excuse us for a moment. I'd like a word with Kayla alone.”

  Petunia smiled and said to the children, “Why don't we go get in the pool?” The kids agreed and took her hands and went off smiling.

  Kayla sat down on the chaise next to Vanna. Vanna was looking at her hands in her lap. “Kayla, I know what you did.” she started to say. Kayla started to deny it, but Vanna stopped her by putting on hand on Kayla's and looking her in the eye. “Just listen, please. I know that you left the groceries and the money. Thank you. That's all I wanted to say. I know it was you and I don't know why you would even care about me. We don't know each other.” Vanna was getting choked up.

  Kayla wrapped her hand around hers and said, “We're neighbors and I've had some tough times as well. I did it for my own selfish and personal reasons and no one has to know about it. No crying allowed this is a party.”

  Vanna hugged her briefly and then went to get in the pool with her children and Petunia. D. was smiling at her when she looked up and caught his eye.

  They spent the night eating laughing, swimming and playing in the pool. By the time everyone had left and everything had been cleaned up, Kayla was pooped. She lay back on a lounge chair and drifted off.

  *****

  Daniel

  Daniel and Darren finished the dishes while Kayla sat by the pool. “Can I ask you something?” Darren asked Daniel.

  “Sure. Fire away.” Daniel said stopping what he was doing and looking at Darren. It sounded like it was going to be a serious question, probably about him and Kayla.

  “What kind of car do you drive?” Darren asked sitting on a barstool.

  Daniel was sure he looked a little confused. “A Toyota Camry.”

  Darren squinted his eyes at Daniel. “A hybrid, no doubt.”

  “Yes, why?” Daniel asked folding his arms and leaning back against the counter.

  “I think that what a person drives says a lot about who they really are, that's all.”

  “So what does my car say about me?” Daniel asked.

  “It says to me that you,” Darren pointed at him. “are a practical man. That you believe in efficiency and a bit of luxury without being needing to impress anyone. It's a solid car that when taken care of, can stand the test of time. My guess is that it's got leather seating. A nice sound system and that you have it detailed and serviced regularly and it's most likely burgundy or green. Am I right?”

  Daniel smiled. “Okay so what does this mean to you?”

  Darren smiled standing up and stretching. “It means that, I think I can trust you with my sister's heart. You, like your car are reliable, steady and true. She can depend on you to take care of the most important part of her, her heart.” Darren started to walk out the door, but stopped. “My brothers and I will make you sorry if you cause her a second of heartache. So don't make us have to come for you. I kinda like you man.”

  Kayla walked inside wrapping her arms around Daniel. “What's going on in here?” Darren left the room. Daniel kissed her.

  “I think, your brother and I were bonding.” He said smiling at her. “Come on let's get you to bed. You look beat.” Daniel pushed her towards her bedroom. “I'll be in, just want to make sure the doors are locked.”

  Chapter 12

  Kayla

  Sunday morning Kayla opened her eyes to find Danny smiling at her. “What are you grinning at?

  “You talk in your sleep.” He said still grinning.

  “No I don't.” She said closing her eyes again. His lips brushed hers.

  “Um, Yeah you do. Wanna know what you said.”

  “No.” She said opening her eyes again.

  “You said, “You love me.”” He was grinning again.

  Kayla got up walking past him to the bathroom. “Doesn't count.”

  He jumped up following her into the bathroom. “Why not?” he asked as she sat on the toilet.

  “Because I was asleep and it was after sex.”

  “I say it counts. Admit it, you love me.”

  Kayla finished her business and walked past him to turn the shower on. “I admit to nothing she said stepping in and closing the door. Danny was in the shower with her before she could grab the body wash. She took her time washing his body starting with his shoulders and slowly making circles with her hands moving down first his back touching every inch of him.

  Then she moved around him washing his chest and stomach. By the time she wrapped her soapy hands around his cock he was painfully hard and she took her time sliding her hand up and down the length of him. She continued until there was no soap left and he was about to explode. When he couldn't take it any longer he pulled her hands away grabbing her and spinning her so that she faced the wall rubbing his cock along her opening. “Is this what you want?” He whispered in her ear.

  She bucked her hips. “Admit that you love me?” He told her reaching around her to pinch her nipple. She resisted biting her lip. He kissed her shoulder. “Tell me or I'll stop right now.” he demanded.

  “I love you damn it, Now fuck me, I want you to fuck me!” She said over her shoulder to him. And he did just that, hard and fast. When they were finished he washed her and dried her. He grabbed his clothes and dressed while he watched her as she applied lotion to her body. The he sat as she braided her hair in two braids.

  After she had put clothes on he pulled her into his lap and looked her in the eye. “I love you Kayla.”

  She laughed at him. “I know, you told me already. You talk in your sleep too.”

  “Why you...” He started before she kissed him. He picked her up and spun her around. “I honestly think I've loved you from the first moment I saw you.” He put her down.

  “In the grocery store?” She said walking to the door.

  He followed. “That's not the first time I saw you. The first time I saw you, you were skinny dipping in the pool.”

  Kayla stopped and turned to him. “You were watching me from the window? You little pervert.” She said laughing as she slapped his arm.

  “I heard splashing, it woke me and I took a look and I couldn't stop looking.” She said as his eyes roved over her body.

  “When I looked up at your window, were you there?”

  “I jumped back, but I did get one last look at your sweet ass as you went in the house.” He said grabbing her butt and pulling her closer to his body and kissing her.

  *****

  The rest of the day flew by Daniel canceled his poker game and hung out with Kayla and Darren spending the day playing video games, something he had never done before. Kayla was happy that Danny and D. liked each other. She also liked that Danny told her several times that he loved her. By the time they dropped D. off at the airport she was a little sad. She hugged him several times before Danny finally made her get in the car so that D. could catch his plane.

  He drove them back to her house and cooked dinner for her. They sat in the kitchen eating. “You really can cook.” She said shaking her foot and moving her shoulders to a beat only she could hear. “If you love to cook, why don't you change careers? I mean, have you ever thought about it.”

  Daniel sighed. “No. It's makes no sense to do it now. I'm established in my firm and I wouldn't know where to start.”

  “It makes perfect sense. You've got some money saved I'm sure. So you live off that until you are rolling in dough. Pun intended.” />
  Daniel looked at her. “I don't have that kind of money saved and it's too risky.”

  “You don't have to start off with a restaurant. There are lots of ways to get into this with little expense. I could help you.” She said enthusiastically. She had watched him cook for the first time and realized this was his passion. He was animated and lively as he explained what he was doing and why. He could start the same way she had, on YouTube.