Page 32 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor

We’ve spoken briefly since dinner, but nothing about having sex again. I told him to wait until the weekend and now that it’s here, I don’t exactly know what to do. It’s not like I can go knock on his door and present myself to him. I don’t want to remind him that he offered, that’s more desperate than what I’m already considering.

So, here I sit like a teenager hoping he’ll come outside, see me, and remember what he offered me.

I groan and drop my head back. This is about as desperate as it gets.

However, I’m so horny. I’ve never been this horny in my life.

I lift my head slowly and an idea begins to take shape. This doesn’t need to be some desperate plea to handle my out of control hormones. This can be a business deal.

We’re both successful and understand the terms and agreements of a contract. Maybe the best way to handle this is to deal with it like a business.

Happy with my idea, I go inside and grab a pad of paper and a pen. I jot down my thoughts and smile. This will make everything so much easier.

I go upstairs and fix my hair and makeup. Shepherd said he was willing to help me with anything I need, so going to his house to discuss my idea is just responsible.

Responsible recycling.

After I grab my pad of paper, I control my nerves and head over to his house. It’s strange because normally I’m coming here to yell at him for something, but this time is completely different.

I knock on the door and chew my bottom lip as a wave of fresh nerves wash over me. Maybe this is a bad idea. Maybe I should just wait for him to knock on my door or let himself in. I need to get those locks changed.

The door opens, surprising me because I’m lost in my thoughts.

“Felicity, is everything all right?” Shepherd asks, pushing the screen door open wide as his eyes run over my body.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“What’s wrong? Do you need something?”

I can’t help the giggle that slips out of me at his question. His brow dips and I clear my throat to try and compose myself. “Sorry, umm.” I glance down at my feet for a moment, trying to figure out how exactly to start. I should’ve planned this better.

“You’re making me nervous. Just tell me,” Shepherd says.

I lift my eyes to his and hold out my notepad. “I made some notes about your offer.”

He lifts his lips slightly and steps aside. “I’m intrigued, come in.”

I step into his house and I’m impressed. It’s not at all what I pictured it to look like. It’s welcoming with a cozy, lived-in feel. A comfortable, slightly worn gray couch with a mix of throw pillows sits in front of a coffee table cluttered with magazines and of course coffee mugs. He has a beautiful brick fireplace that stands proud with a large TV mounted above it. There’s a large black microfiber chair that sits next to the fireplace. It looks incredibly comfortable and big enough for two people to enjoy. It’s perfect for snuggling up by a roaring fire.

It’s an open layout so I glance into the kitchen. There’s a small table off to the side, similar to mine, but his kitchen has a beautiful center island that I’m immediately jealous of. There’s open shelving with his coffee mugs displayed. The wood cabinets give a warm feel to the white counters.

It’s a beautiful home and I feel comfortable as I sit down next to him on the couch. I look over at the shelves that are on either side of the fireplace and notice some photos.

“It’s beautiful in here, Shepherd. Not at all what I pictured,” I admit.

“What did you think it looked like?”

I smirk, glancing at the pictures again. “Tell me about those pictures.” They are obviously important to him to have them displayed so proudly.

He leans back, resting his arms on the couch behind us. “I’ll tell you all about them, after you tell me what you thought my house would look like.”

I roll my eyes and hold my notepad closer to my chest. “I thought it would feel cold and sterile, but I was wrong.”

He doesn’t say anything, just gives me a slight nod before looking over at the pictures. “That one on top is my family. That was taken last Thanksgiving. And that picture is of my brothers and myself outside our brewery the day we opened. And that picture,” he points, laughing.

“What’s going on there?” I ask, smiling.

It’s a picture of him, his brothers, and his friends all crammed together to fit in the photo. They are all making ridiculous faces but you can see they were all laughing. It shows me a side of Shepherd I’ve never seen. A carefree, fun-loving, guy.

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