“Hey, Dread!” Jackson calls out excitedly.
“Hi, Dread,” Tommy adds, eyeing his father warily.
I grin at the boys and nod. “Boys.”
Slick Rick narrows his eyes, clearly not liking that I know his sons. Tough shit.
My attention is pulled back to Honey as she squats down in front of her boys. The position gives me a perfect view of her ass in those worn jeans, and I have to force my eyes away. Not the time, dickhead.
“Be good for your dad,” she says, her voice soft as she straightens Tommy’s collar. “Have fun and call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Okay,” they chorus, though Tommy doesn’t look thrilled about going with his father. Jackson, on the other hand, seems to be excited.
I turn my attention back to the ex. The fucker has his eyes glued to Honey’s ass as she leans forward to hug her boys. My hand curls into a fist at my side. One swing. That’s all it would take to knock this piece of shit on his ass.
“I love you,” Honey says, kissing each boy on the forehead. “So much.”
“Let’s go, boys,” the boys’ father snaps, his tone harsh enough to make both kids flinch.
How the fuck was Honey with this guy? I really want to kick this ass.
The boys give their mom one last hug before reluctantly following their dad to his overpriced car. I watch as they climb into the backseat, and Tommy helps Jackson with his seatbelt.
“I hate when they go with him,” Honey sighs as they back out of the driveway.
I move closer to my new neighbor and pull her into my side again. I’m surprised when she melts against me, her small body fitting perfectly against mine.
We stand there and watch as her kids drive away with her ex, neither of us speaking until the car disappears around the corner.
Honey looks up at me, those blue eyes filled with gratitude and something else I can’t quite place.
“Wanna go to a party?”
CHAPTER FIVE
HONEY
“Wanna go to a party?”
The question catches me completely off guard. I blink up at Dread, suddenly hyper-aware that I’m pressed against his side.
“Uhh... sorry,” I mumble, feeling heat rush to my cheeks as I try to step back.
His arm tightens around me. “I’m not.”
We stare at each other, the air crackling between us. The tension between us coils like a rattlesnake ready to strike.
“I—” My breathing turns shallow, and my heart hammers against my ribs.
What is happening right now?
“Fuck it,” he growls, and then his lips are on mine.
I freeze, shocked that my sexy neighbor is kissing me.
Oh God. What am I doing?
Before I can overthink what’s happening, my brain short-circuits, and I melt against him.
