Lust gave way to annoyance as my ego took a nosedive. Whatever. I didn't need a stuck-up, self-righteous little bitch like her anyway. Plenty of other fish waiting.
Shoving aside my disappointment, I took my phone out and brought up Maria's text thread.
Simon: Get that pussy nice and wet for me. Be there soon.
Chapter 2
Simon
Two Years (and a bit) Later
IwhistledasIlocked my front door behind me, hitching my black Saint Laurent duffel bag over my shoulder. I was looking forward to the much-needed weekend away, even if it was only to New Haven.
It had been a long week with back-to-back meetings and no sign of slowing down. It was nothing new - this time of year was always busy for our company and I usually scheduled meetings throughout the weekend to try and stay on top of things. But I couldn't miss Barron's engagement party. It was a big fucking deal, and I couldn't wait to celebrate with him.
So after a tiring day of annual investment reviews with my clients, I welcomed the opportunity to party and get my dick wet.
When I turned to amble down my porch steps, the merry tune died a quick death on my lips. My elderly neighbor, Francine, was out in her garden. Again.
Shit!
My good mood vanished as I stood hesitating on the steps, contemplating whether I should stealthily sneak back into my house. What was worse - running behind schedule and being stuck in rush hour traffic or enduring the ramblings of a seventy-five-year-old woman? Both scenarios were pretty even in the torture stakes.
I had been living in my duplex for almost a year, having transitioned from a city-living bachelor apartment to the suburbs. The house was a good investment and the right size for a single man who wanted space but also low maintenance.
Well, everythingwould'vebeen perfect if I didn't live next to someone who insisted on talking my ear off every time I left the house. No amount of polite aloofness from me deterred her either.
Surely she must have friends? Hobbies? She had a husband who I met a handful of times. I couldn't remember his name, though I was certain Francine mentioned it more than once. He rarely left the house and came across quiet and unassuming—a stark contrast to his chatty wife.
It was cold out. Why wasn't the woman holed up inside watching Jeopardy or doing crossword puzzles like a typical old person? She always seemed to be outside, tending to her garden or sitting on the small porch. And frustratingly, always when I was just about to leave the house or arrive home.
I watched her over our shared low fence as she tugged a long weed out of the dirt. She seemed to be distracted enough by her task; maybe if I slowly started descending the stairs -
"Oh, Simon!" Francine gushed as she lifted her head and spotted me.
I gave a frustrated sigh and braced myself for another drawn-out conversation about her bingo class or milk prices at the grocery store.
"Afternoon, Francine," I nodded as I quickly shuffled down the front steps, making a hurried beeline towards my Tesla. My actions screamed, 'I'm in a rush,' and a normal person would understand the memo. Unfortunately, Francine was not a normal person.
"Lovely day, isn't it, dear?" She tugged her gardening gloves off and wandered over to peer over our fence. Her dirty gloves were still in her hand, and they smacked against my side of the fence when she grasped the wood.
I breathed deeply through my annoyance at the dark brown dirt staining the white of my fence.
"Mmm hmm." I threw my bag onto the front passenger seat.
"Going somewhere?"
What gave it away? The fact that I had my keys in my hand, an overnight bag, and was about to climb into my car?I bit back the sarcastic retort and instead nodded again politely.
"Yep, it's my cousin's engagement party tonight. I'm heading to New Haven for the weekend."
"Oh, how lovely!" She gushed, her withered blue eyes lighting up in genuine excitement.
"Yeah, well, I gotta hit the road." I traipsed around to the driver's side and tapped the car handle to open.
"I remember when Henry and I were engaged."
I bit back another annoyed sigh as I bent my head in frustration.Here we go.
