Page 17 of Rose and the Grouch Next Door

"Must be nice," I sigh. To be loved like that, to be wanted with such intensity. Age difference or not, Lila and Ash seem to have found their happily ever after, while Braxton remains a stubborn mule.

My jerk neighbor has proved he can set every one of my nerve endings on fire, yet keeps himself just out of reach after giving me a taste of what I want so desperately.

"Stubborn idiot," I grumble. “I hope he’s as horny as me. And I hope that baseball bat in his pants gets so hard he needs an emergency room visit. Would serve him right!”

Groaning at the incessant pain in my head, I decide to lie down next to Honeybun on the couch. It's as if every part of my being has conspired against me. The throbbing in my head is like adrumbeat, my throat raw and scratchy, each muscle protesting with an ache that seeps deep into my bones.

"Sorry, Honeybun," I croak, scratching behind his ears. "No beach walk today." The words feel like sandpaper against my vocal cords. He tilts his head, those brown eyes not masking his disappointment.

Of course, he doesn't answer. Instead, he edges closer, pressing his warm, furry body against mine to offer comfort. "Just a few minutes. I need to just close my eyes for a few minutes, then I’ll get up and finish my chores and try to go for a walk. I promise."

"Just a few minutes," I repeat, closing my eyes. The quiet, humming air conditioner in the cottage surrounds us, lulling me to sleep.

Chapter Thirteen

Braxton

I tap the keys of my laptop,reading back the last sentence. I’ve worked night and day since I visited Salty's, attempting to gain some objectivity on my feelings for my sweet young neighbor.

Feeling like I had been stalkerish lately, I figured it was time to give her some space. Maybe allow myself time to get my head on straight. It’s been impossible.

I’ve been consumed with memories of the desire and need in her eyes as I kissed her soft lips and stroked her lush curves that night on my couch. I can still hear her moans of pleasure as I kissed her pretty pink rosebud nipples and played with her tight, bare pussy.

Or even more disturbing, is the lusty stairwell encounter when Rose went to her knees, sucking my cock like a fucking champ. I know in my heart it was her first time to give a blow job, but damn, she has the mouth of every man’s dreams.

Groaning as the images play out in my mind, I reach into my shorts and pull out my cock. Feeling desperate for anyconnection to Rose, I open my desk drawer and pull out Honeybun’s latest “gift” left on my porch yesterday.

Yeah, I’m a sick fuck.

Holding the pink cotton decorated with tiny yellow bunnies to my nose, I inhale deeply. Her scent lingers, making my cock harden painfully within my grasp. Wrapping the tiny piece of fabric around my length, it only takes a few strokes to make me erupt over my bare abs. This has become a morning ritual. Hell, a nighttime one as well, just a different location.

While jerking off to memories of Rose, takes the edge off, it only makes me want her more. Makes me want to be the first to slide into her tight, innocent body, making her mine. Claiming her.

I sigh, cleaning my mess and placing the pink panties back in the drawer.

Trying to distract myself, my mind wanders to my conversation with my publisher this morning. She was excited about the changes to my novel and main character.

“Braxton, this is unexpected," my publisher had said over the phone, her voice full of excitement.

"This new direction for your character. It's bold. It's intimate."

She’s right. The layers of desire and conflict I've written are some of my best writing to date.

"Think about the potential here," she'd continued, "More bestseller lists, another movie deal. You're tapping into something. Women will swoon over this shit."

There's only one woman I want to touch with my words. And that’s Rose. I miss her.

I miss her feminine beauty, her infectious sunny smile, her wide-eyed innocence, and the way her eyes spark with mischief and sassiness when she greets me at Salty’s.

I miss her bubbling laughter, sweet Southern drawl, and even those God awful mixed up sayings she’s constantly using,clueless as to the real saying or message. I want to hear her use them every day.

Fuck me, if I don’t miss that damn canine nuisance, Honeybun. Even the animal has grown on me.

With a deep breath, I close my laptop. It’s time to stop hiding. Rose has created the romance for my character, and now, it's my turn to step into his shoes. To be as brave with my own heart as he is with his.

Chapter Fourteen

Braxton

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