Page 7 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor
Shepherd gives me a soft smile and grabs my hand. It makes me feel a million times better.
And then, he dives right into mingling, shaking hands, and smiling at every person around. I know it’s an act but damn can he work a crowd. My smile is genuine, my brown hair bouncing around my shoulders as I nod along with each conversation. He comes up with a story on the spot about how we met and I’m impressed.
“I’m her next-door neighbor, you see,” he pulls me closer by my upper arm and puts his arm around my waist, “and when that jerk left her at the altar I couldn’t help but try to comfort her. I went over with one of my breakup baskets and the rest is history.”
“Breakup baskets?” Natalie, a co-worker asks. “How sweet.” She does the whole swoony thing, and I seriously think she might faint if she’s not careful.
Emmie’s listening intently. She knows this whole thing is a sham, and she tries to catch Shepherd up. “Breakup basket? What exactly is that?”
I’m glad she asked, because I’m curious too.
Shepherd doesn’t miss a beat. “I come from a big family. Four sisters and in high school, my dad taught me all about these. Chocolate, a box of movie theater butter popcorn, brownie mix, some great coffee, a soft blanket, some thick fuzzy socks, and a nice bouquet behind it all.”
“Really?” Emmie is hanging on his every word, “what happened when you brought it over?”
Um, is she really asking this? She knows he’s lying, yet she’s enthralled by his captivating smile and mysterious eyes. Or maybe it’s me who’s enthralled.
Ok, it’s definitely me.
“We watched some movies patented to make you cry your eyes out and I let her vent about what an ass that guy was.” Shepherd winks at me.
Emmie’s been joined by a few more of our other co-workers and they’re all standing here with eyes wide. My boss, Mr. Richards, stalks over and breaks the silence. “Felicity. So glad you could make it. You look wonderful.” His eyes linger on my breasts and I clear my throat to gain his attention.
“I feel wonderful,” I say back.
Shepherd is right by my side, arm wrapping around my waist.
“Who’s your guest?” He gestures at Shepherd and the two men lock eyes.
Somehow, I see a possessive streak come over Shepherd’s face and I’m completely caught off guard. Is this still an act? He shakes my boss’ hand and introduces himself.
“I’m Shepherd, Felicity’s boyfriend.”
Boyfriend? Did I miss something? We didn’t agree on that.
“I didn’t know Felicity was seeing anyone.” Mr. Richards appears confused.
That makes two of us.
“I asked her to keep it quiet because I know she just left a bad relationship. I didn’t want to seem like a rebound.”
How is he coming up with this on the spot? He’s still talking to my boss, but I’m not hearing any of it. His hand has migrated from the small of my back downward. The gentle touch is sending tingles throughout my whole body. Richards walks away, and I feel a tug on my side. Shepherd guides me toward the bar.
He grabs a bottle of bourbon from one of the shelves in a sly move. We rush down the hall, ending up in a small break room. He twists off the cap of the bourbon and swigs it straight from the bottle, then offers it to me. I take a swig and he pushes me up against the door, stepping forward as I step back with my mouth on the bottle.
The door closes, and he twists the lock. As soon as the bottle lowers from my mouth, his lips replace it and his hands are on my hips.
Chapter 6
Shepherd
I’ve wanted to fuck her as soon as I saw her in this dress. When she opened her front door I nearly dropped to the ground to worship her like the goddess she is. Fuck.
She’s breathtaking, and I want to lick every single bit of her. I haven’t felt this way in a really long time. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever feel this way again, but there’s just something about Felicity Lark I can’t seem to get enough of.
I played my part well and even came up with a bullshit story about consoling her after she was left at the altar. I never went over to her place. I don’t even have four sisters. Instead, I’ve got four brothers. But I knew that little tidbit would have her and all her co-workers drooling.
The real test was when that skeevy boss came over and practically undressed her with his eyes. I wanted to punch the ever-loving fuck outta him. Which made me realize these feelings bubbling up to the surface, these feelings I thought were long gone, mean something. Seeing Felicity in her long brown dress, her curves making my mouth water, and her eyes dazzling against the light of the moon, made me want to do things to her.