Page 41 of Doctor Neighbor

As I watch Cole sleep, I realize something. This feels right, not just physically but emotionally. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

A nagging doubt also creeps into my mind as I watch Cole sleep. Am I ready for this? The peace I felt moments ago starts to crumble, replaced by a familiar anxiety.

My track record with relationships is far from stellar. Lara is a glaring example of how spectacularly wrong things can go. I let her walk all over me and gave in to her every whim without considering the consequences. Now I'm paying for it—quite literally—as we battle over a house I foolishly put her name on.

Is that what I'm doing here with Cole? Am I falling into the same pattern, letting my attraction cloud my judgment? We agreed to be friends, neighbors, nothing more. Yet here I am, in her bed for the second time in as many nights.

Shep’s warning echoes in my head. "Be careful jumping out of the frying pan into the fire with these women," he'd said. Maybe he's right. Maybe I need to pump the brakes before I end up in another mess.

I never intend for things to go this far when I come over. But when Cole looks at me with those clear blue eyes, when she leans in close, all my resolve crumbles. I don't fight it. I don't even try.

Am I setting myself up for more heartache? More importantly, am I risking hurting Cole? She's been through enough already with her cafe troubles. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with someone as emotionally stunted as me.

I sigh, running a hand over my face, wiping the sleep off. This is exactly why I should stick to one-night stands and casual flings: no complications, no messy feelings, no risk of royally screwing things up.

But as I look at Cole again, peaceful in sleep, I can't bring myself to regret being here. Something about her draws me in and makes me want to be better, to try harder. Is that something real, or am I clinging onto her to save me from my current torrent?

Doubt lingers. Am I ready for this? Or am I just setting us both up for disappointment?

I decide I need to go to the gym after all. My mind's racing and I need to quiet these thoughts. Plus, Madeline will be up soon. The last thing I want is to deal with the awkwardness of her finding me in her mother's bed.

Carefully, I slide out from under the covers. Cole doesn't stir as I quietly gather my clothes and slip them on. She's sleeping soundly, her chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm. For a moment, I'm tempted to stay, curl up next to her warmth, and forget about my doubts.

But I can't. I still need to clear my head, and the gym still calls my name.

I take one last look at Cole before I slip out of the bedroom. In the living room, I pause, listening for any signs of Madeline stirring. All's quiet. I breathe a sigh of relief and head for the door.

Stepping into the hallway, I'm hit with a mix of emotions. Part of me feels like I'm running away, but another part knows this is the right call. I need space to think, to figure out what I want.

I make my way to my apartment, grateful for the early hour and empty hallways. Once inside, I change into my workout gear, lace up my sneakers, and grab my gym bag. The familiar routine helps settle my nerves a bit.

As I head out, I can't help but glance at Cole's door. I shake my head, pushing away the urge to go back into her room. The gym is what I need right now, I remind myself. A good workout will help clear my head and hopefully give me some perspective on this whole situation.

6:02 am

I push through the glass doors of the gym, the cool air conditioning a welcome relief from the muggy morning. The familiar scent of sweat and disinfectant hits me as I scan my membership card. It's early, my gym jam. There isn’t another soul on the spacious, black and white speckled floor.

The rhythmic thud of weights and the whir of treadmills create a steady backdrop as I make my way to the locker room. I stuff my bag in a locker and head out, my sneakers squeaking against the polished floor.

I start with a warm-up on the treadmill, gradually increasing the speed. As I run, I pull out my phone and queue up my playlist. The opening chords of "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozy fill my ears, and I feel the energy pulse through me.

Someone pour me up a double shot of whiskey.

But even as I push myself harder, increasing the incline, my mind wanders. I can't shake the memory of Cole last night. The softness of her skin under my fingertips. The way her hair smelled like lavender and something uniquely her. Her breath was soft and steady as she slept beside me.

I shake my head, trying to focus. I move to the weight area, loading up the barbell for squats. The heavy metal clangs as I position myself. With each rep, I try to push thoughts of Cole out of my mind, but it's useless.

The burn in my muscles intensifies as I switch to the bench press. The pleather of the bench sticks to my back as I lift, the bar cool against my palms. But all I can think about is the warmth of Cole's body pressed against mine.

Something about pushing my muscles now, early in the morning, is stirring up excitement inside me. A need for a sexual release rises from my middle, my cock engorging.

I move through my routine, the gym slowly filling up around me. The clink of weights, the grunts of exertion from deep inside me, and the steady thrum of “A Bar Song” on repeat blend into white noise as my mind fixates on Cole.

The hot water from the gym's showerhead cascades over me, washing away my workout’s sweat and tension. But it's not just the physical exertion that's left me wound tight. It's the memory of Cole, the feel of her soft skin, the scent of her hair.

I close my eyes, and there she is, her image burned into my mind—her body, a perfect blend of strength and grace, curves that fit perfectly against my own. I can't shake the thought of her, the way her eyes spark when she's amused, the way her lips part slightly when she's deep in thought.

My hand finds its way to my aching cock, the need for release overwhelming. I'm alone in the shower area, the early hour keeping most gym-goers away, but I still glance around, the thrill of the forbidden adding to the moment’s intensity.

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