Dear Neighbor

by Oliva Lucas

  Bella grabbed her ass and pulled her closer as Sophie began to grind up against her. She could feel her wetness growing through her underwear and a loud gasp escaped Sophie’s mouth.

  “You need to take those off,” Bella groaned.

  Sophie let them drop to the floor. Bella’s hands wandered over her breasts, across her stomach and settled on the curves of her hips.

  She dipped her head down to her breasts, and grazed her mouth over her nipples while her fingers wandered up and down her sides. She walked Sophie backward to the couch, and moved her hand between her legs.

  “Oh Sophie.” Bella moaned as she felt her wetness. She could feel the hot throb against her fingers.

  “See what you do to me.”

  The pace of Sophie’s breath began to pick up and she clawed at Bella’s back as they fell back into the couch. Their naked bodies now firmly pressed up against each other.

  Bella let out an involuntarily groan as the wetness and warmth between their legs collided with each other. She rocked back and forward on top of Sophie releasing small tremors.

  She then trailed her lips down and across her naked body as her fingers drifted down to caress her swollen clit. She ran tiny circles with her tongue and pinched her lips between her fingers as Sophie moaned beneath her.

  Sophie widened her legs inviting her to go inside. Bella continued to tease her lips before finally submitting and dipping her fingers into her warm center. She drove her fingers deeper and deeper with each movement, and ran her tongue over her wetness as Sophie began arching and moaning loudly.

  “I’m going to come. I’m going to come.” Sophie groaned, grabbing her head. Her hips arched up in the air, and Bella knew what was coming.

  Bella drove her fingers in harder and faster, curling them up around to her g spot while her mouth did what it needed to do.

  Sophie began to shudder, calling out loudly. Before shuddering again. Then once more, moments later.

  Sophie exhaled loudly and her hips fell back into to the couch. “Oh. My. Fucking. God.”

  Bella paused for a while as she tried to slow her heart rate down. She then moved up beside Sophie, and leaned on her elbow. Sophie’s eyes were half open, and her chest heavy with breath.

  Sophie turned to Bella as they locked eyes. “Is this what I have been missing all these years?” She tucked Bella’s hair behind her ear, and pressed her lips against hers. “Amazing. You are amazing.”

  They lay in silence as their limbs tangled and hung limply over each other. Magic had just happened.

  “I’m in real trouble with you, aren’t I?” Sophie kissed her forehead.

  “You are. More than a little…” Bella smiled as she wrapped her arms around her. She paused. “So, are you sure you are not gay?”

  Sophie scrunched up her eyes and brought her hand to her forehead. “God, I am never going to live that comment down, am I?”

  Bella smirked, as she brought her hand in front of Sophie and placed her thumb and fore finger close together. “You’re sure you are not just a little bit gay?”

  “Right!” Sophie quickly flipped Bella onto her back in one sweeping motion. She sat up on her and pinned her arms behind her head.

  “Wow, very impressive technique.” Bella smiled warmly at Sophie. “There’s that inner wrestler coming out again.”

  Sophie returned her smile, and sighed as she looked into Bella’s eyes. “You...” She leaned down and kissed her lips. “What am I going to do with you. Maybe you have brought out a little gayness in me that I never knew I had.”

  “I am hoping to convert you to a full lesbian in the not so distant future.”

  “You are really cocky, aren’t you?”

  “Well you just seduced me.” Bella grinned, and held her arms open. “Come here,” she said softly.

  Sophie laughed. “Oh shit. That is completely and utterly true.”

  She let her body drop down against Bella’s and rested her hands on her shoulders. She nuzzled into the warmth of her neck and savored the feeling of completeness that overwhelmed her senses.

  Bella stroked her back gently with her fingers, smiling as she listened to Sophie’s gentle breath below her.

  She was still in disbelief at what had transpired that night. Anxiety started to ebb its way into her mind though when she realized what she was feeling. She only hoped that Sophie’s feelings ran as deep for her.

  Because she was in over her head.

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  Sophie’s alarm started buzzing at 6am, and they both jerked from their sleep.

  “Oh shit, sorry.” Sophie mumbled, as her arm reached over her bed and hit the snooze button. Their naked bodies were still entwined.

  Bella sat up at once, dazed and confused. “Wait, what day is it? Do I need to work?”

  Sophie laughed and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her back to the bed. “It’s Sunday and no you don’t need to work.”

  “Oh.” Bella smiled sheepishly. “Mmm good morning then.” Bella lifted her head and gently kissed Sophie’s lips.

  Sophie looked into her eyes warmly. “Morning you. You know, I had the most amazing sleep ever.”

  “Me too.” Bella stroked her cheek with her hand. “Can we do this again?”

  Sophie smiled as she gently nudged her nose with her own. “Of course. Anytime.” She ran her fingers through Bella’s hair and sighed. “I’m sorry but I have to go into work today. We have a massive case and we’re behind, so the whole team has to head in. I will probably end up working through the night.”

  “On a Sunday?” Bella groaned. “No way. That’s a travesty of justice!” She covered her face with her pillow.

  Sophie let out a small laugh as she lifted up a corner of the pillow and peeked under. “I am sorry. Please forgive me? Let me make it up to you Monday night.” She leaned in and kissed her tenderly.

  Bella grumbled. “Only if you promise.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

  Bella couldn’t contain her excitement on Monday. She was dying to see drop-dead gorgeous Sophie. As much as she tried to distract herself, she could not stop thinking about her.

  They exchanged a few messages yesterday, but that was the extent of their contact. She knew she was busy and she didn’t want to come on too strong. Play it cool remember. Play it cool.

  It was next to impossible to concentrate on her work with flashbacks of Saturday night popping into her mind every few minutes. She was floating on a sappy white cloud and was loving every minute of it. She twirled around her living room with her arms wide open, before flopping back onto her couch.

  Bella did, however, have to make a couple of important work phone calls today and began flicking through her contacts in her cell.

  She was startled minutes later when she heard someone pounding at Sophie’s door, and propped herself up from the couch. She looked down at her watch. It was 1pm. The pounding was way too excessive and was followed by a man repeatedly yelling out Sophie’s name.

  What the actual fuck was happening right now? Was the lunatic drunk?

  Bella opened her front door and peered around the corner. She watched a tall, well-built guy continue to knock on Sophie’s door.

  “Hey buddy, clearly she is not home so why don’t you give it a rest.”

  He stopped, and turned. Bella spotted Sophie’s leather jacket in his hand, and her heart sank. He started to walk towards her.

  “Oh yeah is that right? Well she left this at mine last night. I was just returning it.”

  “I can give that to her if you like.”

  “You’re Bella, right?” The man looked her up and down. Funny, you don’t look like a lesbian.”

  “Sorry, what?” Bella gulped. This guy was an A grade clown.

  “You heard me.” He started to walk over to her. “Sophie told me all about some girl that was stalking her. Said she wouldn’t leave her alone. A real head case. Her words, not mine.”

  He was now towering over Bella, and cl
ose enough that she could smell the sickly scent of alcohol lingering on his breath.

  “I don’t know what you…”

  He cut her off and pounded his palm up against the wall next to her as he leaned into her face. It made Bella jump.

  “You’re Matt?”

  He laughed. “See you know all about me. Now why would you think she would swap this? For that?”

  Because you are absolutely repulsive.

  “Did she tell you she was with me all night?”

  Bella felt the color drain from her face.

  “That’s right. We were fucking all night. She was screaming my name. Alll nighttt. Bet you didn’t know that.” Hot, white anger flashed across his face. Bella could see the veins thumping in his neck and wondered if they would burst.

  “Looks like little miss stalker was lied to.” Matt straightened his stance and moved to turn away.

  “You know what, get the fuck out of my face.” Bella countered angrily. “No wonder she left you, you loser.”

  Bella shouldn’t have poked the bear. Matt swung around at once and smacked her across the face with the back of his palm. She felt a sharp sting across her left cheek and eye, and she fell backwards into the door.

  She saw shock wash across Matt’s face. It was as though he had just reset his emotions. “Sorry, I…” He stepped back unsteadily on his feet, paused then turned and ran down the stairs.

  What just freaking happened. Bella clutched at her face, which was now throbbing. Deja Vu. Throbbing ankle, throbbing face.

  “Bella, is that you? Are you up there?” Leah’s voice called out from below.

  She couldn’t answer. She could barely breathe.

  A few moment later, she heard a rush of footsteps and saw Leah’s feet moving towards her.

  “Oh my god, what the hell happened? I heard some yelling.” Leah bent down, and let out a gasp. She stroked Bella’s face gently. “Let’s get you inside.” She lifted Bella to her feet, and led her into her apartment.

  Bella was still shaking, as she sat down on the couch.

  “Who was that thug?”

  Bella felt the sting of tears in her eyes. “Sophie’s ex or boyfriend. I don’t know.”

  “Let me get you some ice.” Leah wrapped up some ice from the freezer in a cloth and brought it over to Bella. “We should call the police. He fucking assaulted you.”

  “No, don’t. I don’t know. Sorry I can’t even think.” She rubbed her temples as she felt an oncoming headache. She was absolutely spent.

  Leah took hold of her hand. “Where the hell was Sophie in all of this?” Bella could hear the anger rising in her voice.

  “Don’t. She said she was working.” Bella flinched, and then held her head in her hands. “She said she was working last night. He said she was with him.” She wept softly as her emotions overcame her.

  Leah leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her friend. “Hey, hey, ssshh, it’s going to be okay. You are going to be okay.” Bella let the tears fall down her cheek and onto Leah’s shoulder. “What the fuck is going on Leah? Why would she lie to me?”

  “Maybe he was lying?”

  “He had her leather jacket.” Bella said shakily. “She was with him.”

  Leah stroked her back gently. “I don’t know Bels.”

  “He said they were fucking all night.” Matt’s sneering face surfaced in her mind. Bella got up. “I am going to be sick.” She ran to the bathroom, and leaned over the toilet. She felt herself dry reach.

  When she reappeared from the bathroom, she walked over and sat next to Leah on the couch. “I just don’t understand any of this.”

  “Wait. Did something happen between Sophie and you? Did you sleep with her? Is that why you are so upset?”

  Bella kept silent.

  “I see.” Leah placed a reassuring arm on her shoulder and looked at her with concern. “Let me look at your eye. Hmm. It’s starting to swell and darken. I think you are going to have a black eye.”

  “Just freaking great. Add that to my shattered heart.” Bella let her body fall forward, and rested her head on her palms. “I should’ve listened to you Leah. Why do I never listen? I wish I never met her.”

  “Hey, none of this is your fault. Sophie has a lot to answer for, you know.”

  Just then, Bella’s cell vibrated and the screen lit up with a message from Sophie. She picked it up and read it aloud. “Hey you. Sorry have been working through the night. Looking forward to seeing you later x”

  She certainly was working. On someone else. Bella threw her cell against the wall, and her favorite black and white photo from Thailand came smashing down onto the floor.

  How inexplicably appropriate.

  CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

  Sophie ran up the stairs of her apartment complex skipping every second step. She was excited to see Bella tonight, but surprised when she didn’t reply to her message. It was unlike her. She could see the light on in her apartment and thought she must’ve fallen asleep on the couch. Hopefully, she would like the Thai takeout she chose for dinner.

  She walked up to her door, and knocked. Nothing. She knocked again, and Bella opened the door slightly.

  She smiled warmly at her. “It’s only me. You can open the door. I have been looking forward to seeing you all day.”

  Bella peeked through the gap in the door. Her face distant and aloof. “Don’t.”

  “What’s wrong?” Sophie furrowed her brow. “Why are you being cold?”

  “Where were you last night?” Bella looked at Sophie as she paused. “It’s a simple question?”

  “I told you… I was working.”

  “Hmm, that’s funny. Because your boyfriend dropped by. He had your leather jacket. Said you left it behind.”

  “Bella…” Sophie said softly as she looked away.

  Bella nodded to herself. She knew in that very instant that Sophie had lied to her. Her stomach churned.

  Sophie started to mumble meekly. “I…”

  Bella cut her off. Angry tears filled her eyes. “Told me you fucked him all night.” Her voice choked as she spat out the words. “Do you just jump from bed to bed?” Tears trickled down her face. She didn’t care anymore about not letting Sophie seeing her cry.

  Sophie just stood there with her mouth open.

  “I mean, you never wanted this anyway right. Never wanted a girlfriend. Fuck, you never wanted to be gay. We all know that.” Bella lowered her gaze. “You and me, I just can’t...”

  She shook her head and went to close the door, but Sophie stuck her foot in the gap, and it flung open.

  Sophie gasped loudly. “Bella! What the hell happened to your face? Are you okay?” She reached her hand out to touch Bella’s face.

  Bella stepped back, and pushed away Sophie’s hand. “Oh, don’t pretend to care now.”

  “How did this happen? Who did this to you Bella? I need to take you to the doctor to get it looked it.”

  “Who do you think did this? Your loving boyfriend. You know, the one who’s bed you shared last night.”

  Sophie’s face went white as a ghost. Her mouth hung open, and she was having problems breathing. “What…”

  Bella stepped towards the door purposefully. “Now you need to get the hell out of my place, and out of my life.”

  Sophie staggered back in shock, as the door slammed in her face. The Thai takeout hanging limply from her hand. Her whole body went numb.

  ◆◆◆

  Once inside her own apartment, she closed the door behind her as her knees buckled and she slid down onto the floor. All the emotions that she had contained in front of Bella came pouring out as hard, hot tears tumbled down her cheeks. Her stomach knotted and her head ached.

  She was trying to process everything that just happened but could only see Bella’s tears, and that black eye. That absolutely horrifying black eye. That sick bastard. She would make him pay one way or the other. How did she so royally fuck everything up?

  She should�
�ve never have lied to Bella. She was actually trying to avoid hurting her, and in turn, had hurt her more than ever. She did meet up with Matt last night, but she never slept with him. The thought alone made her want to throw up. Why would he say something so sick?

  Oh god, Bella must hate her. She started to sob into her sleeve. This was such a mess.

  She just wanted to hold Bella and wrap her in the arms. She wanted to explain. Plead. Beg. Why didn’t she say anything when she had the chance? She just stood there unable to speak. Now Bella thought the worst of her, and they had gone from lovers to nothing in the space of forty eight hours.

  She had met Matt in the lobby of his downtown hotel. They sat at the bar, and she told him in no uncertain terms that he needed to stop contacting her. He broke down and said that he was sorry. He had made a big mistake with Ally, and that he missed her and wanted her back.

  She didn’t believe a word, but more importantly, she didn’t care. She told him she was with someone else, and that she was happy. He had started laughing, and told her she would get back with him.

  He was such an egomaniac. She couldn’t stand his smugness, so she blurted out that she was with a woman, her name was Bella, and that she made her feel better than he ever had.

  That wiped the smile of right of his cocky face, but it didn’t take long before he started some anti-gay vitriol so she just got up and left. She had left in such a haste that she had forgotten her leather jacket that she had placed on the stool next to her.

  Sophie buried her head in her palms. How could she ever fix this mess? Well, there was one thing she was going to do regardless, and she would get the ball rolling tonight.

  She stood up on her feet and booted up her laptop. She took a seat at the table, and as her fingers hovered over the keyboard, she listened for movement next door. Nothing. If only Bella would let her explain.

  Hopefully the silence meant she was asleep, and they could talk tomorrow when emotions had settled a little.

  Sophie began to work on her paper, and before she knew it, she was furiously typing away, determined to make amends for what had happened.