To Love Thy Neighbour

by S M Mala

  Esme stood up straight, knowing the hairdresser was trying to wind her up.

  It wasn’t working.

  ‘You’ve rumbled me,’ she mumbled.

  ‘I see the way you look at Mali. You’re just jealous you’ll never have a family of your own because all the people in here are…’ Melanie took a deep breath and said it with as much scorn as she could muster. ‘Perverts!’

  ‘Quite frankly,’ Esme said, turning to look at her and seeing Leon shake his head in disgust at Melanie’s comment. ‘If going down on someone like you was my option, I’d rather go down on an elephant’s dick. An uncircumcised one!’ She noticed he put his hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh. ‘Go away Melanie. I know what I saw and heard. Sort it out with your boyfriend, not me.’

  ‘We let people like you into the country and look what you do! Cause trouble for good people. It must be in the blood, the bad behaviour. That’s probably where Mali gets it from. The black blood!’

  Standing perfectly still, she saw Melanie shake with anger but not before seeing Leon take his hand away from his mouth, and look shocked.

  Esme had spent half a decade hearing comments like that.

  It was evident Leon had not.

  ‘What did you say?’ he asked, starting to get angry. ‘What did you say about my daughter?’

  Watching the penny drop as Melanie realised what she had said, Esme knew she had to stop what was going to happen next.

  ‘I think you should go,’ Esme said calmly, walking up to Melanie. ‘Think through exactly what you’ve said then you can apologise to Leon.’ Just as Melanie was about to open her mouth, Esme glanced at Leon, who looked on in utter disbelief. ‘Melanie, I’d go now.’

  The woman put her head up in the air and marched back down the garden, into Leon’s house. Esme put her fingers to her lips to instruct Leon not to speak. They heard some bashing about and the door slamming shut.

  ‘I think she’s gone,’ Esme said, it was then she noticed he looked like he was on the verge of tears. ‘She’s angry. It happens.’

  ‘I’m angry,’ he said as if he was unable to speak. ‘Very angry.’

  ‘Personally speaking, and I didn’t want to speak to you, I don’t like your vile, tarty, bigoted, girlfriend so keep her out of my garden.’

  ‘I don’t like her either. I’m sorry for what she said. It’s unforgivable.’

  There were a few thing she could have done.

  Tell him to go home, get drunk or leave her alone.

  But looking at him, she wasn’t quite sure if she knew which one to choose.

  And he looked truly devastated.

  Esme was in turmoil.

  ‘And, to be honest,’ she said, glancing away. ‘I don’t like you right now.’

  ‘I know, and it’s killing me,’ he whispered back. ‘Esme, I’ve fucked it all up, I know I have.’

  Letting her eyes dart up, she looked at Leon and felt a heavy thump in her chest.

  The solemn expression made her heart bleed, but he tore up any hope she had with him into complete shreds.

  But he wasn’t to know.

  For once, Esme was going to have to trust in someone to handle her heart with care.

  ‘Let’s go for a drink. You look like you need cheering up.’

  ‘It was bang out of order.’

  Leon eventually said. They were sat inside a pub, due to every other outside space being occupied because of the nice weather. The window was open, and a breeze was coming through. ‘She turned up and was angry from the start.’

  On their second drink, Esme hadn’t said much. He noticed she spent much of the time looking around or at her glass of wine.

  He wasn’t feeling particularly chatty either.

  All he had done was look at her, hopelessly lost on what to do.

  Not seeing Esme for seven days had only confirmed that he had strong feelings for her. Though his head was buzzing with all sorts, she was the only clarity.

  Then she looked at him.

  And he looked at her.

  Their eyes were locked for what seemed like ages.

  Leon stretched out his feet and found her foot. He captured it between his, holding it gently. They were both wearing flip flops, so their bare skin touched.

  Still she didn’t divert her eyes or recoil.

  This was a good sign.

  Leon didn’t want to say anything.

  Everything he had told her at crucial moments had gone wrong, and he wasn’t going to cock it up now.

  But he wanted to talk.

  ‘When we were away, I saw Bennylita. It was about three, four days ago. She was staring at Mali. My first thought was to protect my child. When she looked at her, I could see the yearning in her eyes as if she wanted to come and speak. Then she left.’ Leon glanced away, trying to catch his breath. ‘I took her there when she was pregnant. Things weren’t good between us, and I thought it would help. We would get on better, and she would like me again. Now I realised she liked the place, not me.’

  ‘Why do you think she didn’t like you?’

  ‘I could tell by the way she looked at me. I knew it. But she was having my baby, so I thought it was a passing phase. Hormones.’ He looked at her, noticing a little frown. ‘My parents helped me part company with her. She wanted money for me to get full custody of Mali. It was pretty horrific. My head was all over the place. Trying to look after a new born baby while everything fell to pieces. Legally, she can’t come near us.’

  ‘What made you do that?’

  ‘Ben asked for money because she knew I’d never let my baby go. When I saw Mali, as soon as she was born, I was in love. Hooked. And my ex knew it.’ He smiled to himself, remembering the moment. ‘Her pretty little face and she was so tiny. She’s still little but now with an attitude.’ Leon closed his eyes. ‘When someone tells you they love you, how can you doubt them?’

  ‘You can’t. It has to be taken on face value. Are you worried?’

  Looking out of the window, watching people laugh, he couldn’t help what was going to come out of his mouth.

  ‘I’m scared she’ll want to be part of Mali’s life, and will let her down like she’s done to me. I don’t want my baby to go through that same sort of pain. Ever.’

  He noticed she squeezed his foot between her feet before reaching out to stroke his fingers.

  ‘Are you usually such an arse when it comes to women?’ she quietly asked, half smiling.

  Leon laughed, shrugging his shoulders before smiling.

  ‘I’ve been an arse when it comes to you.’

  ‘Then stop it. Start being honest and real.’ Esme sipped her wine as he entwined his fingers with her. ‘You know, I know what you’re going through. I’m trying to make amends with my child and his father, plus Steph.’

  ‘And who do you agree with?’ he asked, seeing her double blink and think.

  ‘I agree with Alfie. He has good reason to be angry with Oscar. And then there’s Steph. I’d hate to fall out with Alfie. Even when he was shagging that revolting Vincent, I said my bit but stood by him.’ Esme laughed for the first time that evening. ‘It wasn’t because Vincent was older than me. It’s solely down to the fact he hurt my son. I’d protect that child with my life, and seriously hurt anyone who’d hurt him.’

  ‘Esme, can we go for a walk when we finish our drinks?’ he asked, wanting to be alone with her. ‘I want to explain a few things.’

  They both drank quickly and walked back to their homes.

  There was no holding hands.

  A calm silence surrounded them in the early evening sunshine.

  He followed her into her home and stopped when she put on the kettle.

  ‘Since Ben, and even before, there hasn’t been anyone special in my life,’ he whispered. ‘I don’t know what’s expected of me. All I know is that Mali comes first. Nothing more, nothing less. To protect her from harm.’

  Leon looked at the back of Esme, examining her in a short summer dress
, and he closed his eyes.

  ‘I’ve not got any health issues on the sex side. I’m usually far more cautious than that. We weren’t safe, but the house wasn’t either, goes without saying.’ Taking all the gumption he could, Leon said the next bit, feeling wary. ‘Give me a chance to show you I’m worth liking, because I really am. Please?’

  ‘Oh Leon.’

  Esme whispered, hearing the sincerity and pain in what he had said. She felt him walk closer, feeling his body heat against her skin. Then he lifted her hair and kissed the back of her neck, which was too ultra-sensitive to anyone else’s touch.

  It was a shock to her body, feeling her skin tingle.

  Then she turned to look at him. His hand stroked her neck, before sliding down towards her throat. Leon leaned down slowly, before meeting her lips.

  The kiss was gentle and slow, just their lips touching and feeling each other.

  She put her hand out and stroked his face, looking into his eyes. His hand travelled back up towards her neck and then she parted her lips, wanting to feel his tongue in her mouth.

  Slowly he pushed in, and she was completely lost in the kiss; his hand was placed behind her head.

  It was more intense than ever before, and she knew what it was leading up to.

  Esme pulled away, wiping his mouth.

  ‘You’re more than worth liking,’ she whispered into his cheek. ‘But please don’t use me because you’re at a loose end. That’s what Oscar does and-.’

  He placed a finger on her lips.

  ‘Let me show you what I think,’ he whispered, kissing her face. ‘That’s what I want to do.’

  Grabbing his face with her hands, she kissed him again, feeling him wrap his arms around her back.

  Stepping back, she took his hand and walked up to her bedroom.

  Esme was scared about how she was feeling, and what would happen next.

  Walking into her bedroom, Leon shut the door, and she went to draw the blind.

  ‘Don’t,’ he said, walking closer. ‘Leave it open.’

  ‘I can’t,’ she said, feeling self-conscious, and not wanting him to see her naked. ‘I am fifteen years older than you and…’ Esme hated saying the next bit. ‘Twice the age of your girlfriend.’

  ‘I haven’t got a girlfriend. I’ve just got this neighbour who I am besotted with.’

  ‘Ralph will be flattered,’ she smiled, watching him take off his t-shirt.

  He was breathtakingly gorgeous, and she didn’t know what to do. Leon walked forward and turned her around, so he could undo the zip on her dress. Slowly she felt his fingers touch where the dress was falling open.

  ‘I want to make love to you Esme,’ he whispered into the back of her head.

  ‘I hope you’re not disappointed,’ she replied, watching the dress drop to the floor. ‘I’m not wearing matching underwear.’

  ‘I’m not wearing underwear,’ he said, making her smile.

  Esme spun around to look at him. Then she undid his buttons, letting his shorts fall to the floor.

  ‘I see. You like to go commando.’

  ‘I like you.’

  Leon put his hands behind her back and undid her bra strap.

  ‘If they fall very far down, you’ll have to catch,’ she said, closing her eyes and dreading the exposure of her bare breasts.

  He pulled down the straps then she felt the bra being pulled off her arms. Esme daren’t look down.

  She gasped.

  He was kissing her breasts and gently cupping them, licking her nipples.

  ‘I think they’re great,’ he mumbled, pushing her back towards the bed, so she was sitting down.

  Then Leon kissed up her throat and delved into her mouth. She felt his smooth back. His arse was quite muscular, and there was a small amount of soft hair at the base of his spine, before reaching his buttocks.

  Her knickers were pulled off and still she didn’t open her eyes.

  Leon pushed her, so she was lying on her back, and that’s when she looked at him.

  He was smiling.

  ‘You look so young,’ she whispered. ‘Leon, don’t make a mistake because you’re feeling confused.’

  ‘This isn’t a mistake. Stop being negative and start getting positive.’

  The rest then became pretty whirlwind as he stroked her arse and squeezed her breasts, putting her legs around his body.

  ‘And,’ she said, parting their lips to speak. ‘There’s only so much ramming I can take without getting a dislocated limb. My muscles are pretty soft.’

  ‘Take my finger,’ he said, putting out his forefinger on his right hand. ‘And put it somewhere soft that will turn you on. I want to make sure I do this right.’

  ‘You’re supposed to be good with your hands, given you’re a landscape gardener and an electrician.’ Then she laughed. ‘Don’t even go there about pruning bushes.’

  He smiled then kissed her again.

  She didn’t want to show him how to do anything.

  Esme wanted him to find out.

  Stroking her skin, he was easily turning her on, and she yearned to do the same. Caressing his body, hoping he would enjoy what was coming next, their mouths met again, but the kiss was explosive.

  They were tossing and turning on the bed.

  Reaching out, she stroked his dick and held it in her hands, loving the velvety smoothness. He was keen to get a quick feel between her legs.

  Still she felt a little unsure and shy about him touching her intimately.

  Then she pushed him onto his back, kissing all the way down and covering his end with her mouth, holding it gently. Looking up, his eyes were closed, and she knew a good job was needed. Her tongue travelled up and down his length, and she gently sucked, using her palm to turn him on.

  ‘I want you,’ he groaned and pulled her up by the shoulders, turning her on her back. ‘Do you have protection?’

  Nodding and trying to control her breathing, she reached into her drawer and pulled out a condom. Slowly, she ripped open the package and took it out, covering his dick and making sure it was done properly.

  Leon glided on top and pushed her hair away from her face, before kissing her cheeks. Then his hand was placed between her legs and he searched to find her clitoris. Esme shuddered when he touched it. Slowly he circled then rubbed it up and down. She knew he was trying to find a rhythm she liked. It wasn’t long before he hit it.

  ‘Oh, that’s very good,’ she gasped, knowing her thighs were parting wider.

  Again she wondered if he thought she was too flappy, her skin too loose.

  When reaching orgasm, she was desperately worried he would find fault in her body. Holding back as much as possible, the stretching of her hole and the total lust in her loins took over. It was him sucking on her nipples and squeezing her arse that did it.

  Esme had no idea how noisy she had been.

  Then he pushed in, taking three thrusts before she jolted, flinging her arms around his body. He put his hands under her arse, pulling her hips up and going in as deep as possible. All she could do was bury her head in his shoulders, feeling her body vibrate to his hard thrusting movement.

  ‘Look at me,’ he groaned and she did.

  He stroked her face, gently kissing her lips, all the time staring into her eyes.

  It wasn’t the same kind of fanny busting, headboard banging she heard him do before. This was longer, and it seemed that she was the vessel he wanted to make quake and shake.

  He was doing just that.

  ‘Is it all right?’ he asked, looking pleadingly into her eyes.

  That’s when she realised he too wasn’t confident.

  It made him all the more endearing.

  ‘It’s perfect,’ she whispered, kissing his face. ‘You’re perfect.’

  Holding tightly onto him, feeling him fill her up and enjoying the movement of his hips, Esme was lost in lust.

  All she wanted to do was kiss him, and she did.

  Their breathing so
unded heavy together, and she couldn’t stop from gasping every time he moved inside her.

  Looking into his eyes, and falling deeply into the green pools of warmth and love.

  She hadn’t lied.

  He was perfect.

  ‘Oh Esme.’

  Leon had woken up early. The sun had come straight through the window and was showering Esme’s body with rays of golden glow.

  She looked beautiful, lying fast asleep; the sheet covering her lower half.

  They’d made love twice, and he was raring to go again.

  But now all he wanted to do was look at her.

  His eyes travelled around her body and the smoothness of her skin. Her face free of wrinkles, and there was a half-smile on her lips. The only giveaway were the long grey strands underneath her hair, where she hadn’t coloured it. Gently he sat up on his elbow, to look at the overall picture.

  It was the first time before and since Bennylita, he didn’t want to sprint out of bed and go home. His house was on the other side of the wall, but he wanted to stay there, in her bed.

  Slowly she opened her eyes and looked up at him, her hand reaching out to touch his face. Then she realised her top half was exposed and went to pull up the sheet. He held tightly onto it so she couldn’t.

  ‘You look wonderful. Don’t stop me from admiring you.’

  ‘Leon,’ she whispered. ‘Not in the morning sunlight. There’s no hiding all the flaws.’

  ‘I can’t see any.’

  ‘Then the light is blinding your eyes.’

  ‘You’re doing that.’

  ‘I never took you for being a romantic,’ she yawned, starting to stretch out. ‘Not after the wank comment.’ Esme sat up, leaning back on her hands. ‘Explain it to me again.’

  ‘In a week or so, I’ll tell you but not now.’ He pushed her back, so she fell onto the bed. ‘I want to look at you.’

  But he didn’t.

  Leon yearned to touch her again, taste her lips and experience her body. He had been elevated by their lovemaking, feeling safe and warm in her arms. Esme pulled him down, giving a loving embrace.

  ‘It’s all right if you want to get up and leave,’ she whispered. ‘You don’t have to go far.’