Bang. Bang. Bang.
A muffled “Oh, yes,” comes through the thin walls of my new apartment. “Right there…”
A loud growl comes from a man as he gives it his all. “Fuck yeah, beautiful…”
Bang… Bang…
I swear if he gives it to her any harder, they’ll join me in bed.
I’m not a prude, but I’m not interested in the company either.
Jesus. Fucking. Christ.
Haven’t they heard of putting a pillow between the wall and the headboard?
I haven’t met my neighbors since moving in last week, but they’re leaving one hell of an impression. They’ve been going at it all night like rabbits, and this is beyond ridiculous.
One perk of having this new client is that he’s letting me stay here for one hell of a deal, but waking up at the ass-crack of dawn to someone’s sexcapades may be more than I bargained for.
Bang. Squeak. Bang.
“Ahhhh… So close…” she moans again, completely in the throes of passion. It’s like a bad porno scene is playing out beside me, and I can’t fucking get away from it. Not only do I get to hear the thumping, but she’s a talker and loves giving the play-by-play.
“For the love of Pete, finish already,” I grumble to myself as I flip my pillow and cover my ears with my other pillow.
“Hold on… beautiful,” he grunts in return.
“No… don’t hold on.” Why can’t you be a three-pump chump?
Hell, I’m all for getting lost in a woman. Trust me, but this Pete fella is working my last nerve. If I hear about how big his cock is one more time, I’m gonna scream, “Then show her how you fucking use it. Get the job done, man.”
“So big…”
We all get it, lady. The man’s got a magic Johnson.
There are some things I just never need to know, especially about my neighbors.
Tossing over, I glance at the clock. It’s almost six. There has to be a café open by now where I can grab some coffee and get a break from the fuck bunnies. I have a big project and a tight deadline. I can’t afford to be dead on my feet.
“Oh God… Oh God… Oh God.”
“That’s it,” I grumble, tossing back the covers and clamber out of bed. “I’m outta here.”
Needing to make a quick escape, I pull on my jeans from yesterday and grab a clean shirt before making my way to the bathroom. Normally, I’m the type who won’t fully wake up without a shower, but thanks to my nympho neighbors, I’m high tailing it out of here like my ass is on fire.
Fuck, I miss my house, I miss my privacy, and most important, I miss the fact that I never heard my neighbors.
Stopping at the bathroom, I realize I’ve made the right choice. Even through a closed door, there’s no escaping her fucking screams. After splashing some water on my face and slapping on some deodorant, I run my fingers through my hair to tame my bed head.
They’re still going hot and heavy when I get to the kitchen, grab my keys, and bolt out the door. Hell, I can still hear banging when I get outside my four-plex and make my way to the stairs.
Did she slip the dude a little blue pill or something?
The man’s a fuckin’ machine.
When I reach the bottom, a door opens and out steps the sexy woman I met the day I moved in. A dark hoodie covers the half-sleeve tattoo that drew my attention to her earlier.
When her electric-blue eyes dance, she smiles. “Mornin’, Derek. Fancy meeting you here. Couldn’t sleep?”
Rolling my eyes in the offenders’ direction, I mumble, “Uh, yeah… that’s an understatement.”
Tessa adorably covers her mouth to hold back a laugh as she quickly adds, “You’d think Pete was hung like a God, by the way she’s goin’ on about him. For the love of fuck… get ‘er done, dude.”
“No kidding,” I agree. “I’m all for going at it all night long… but usually I’m not banging on my neighbor’s walls either.”
“Ouch… that must’ve been rough. It was bad enough downstairs.”
“No kidding.” But I’ve given the nymphs too much of my time already and would rather turn my attention to her. “Where are you heading off to?”
“Anywhere but here.” She smirks adorably, and I grin.
“Is there a place in town to get some decent coffee?”
“Oh… coffee sounds so good right now. I didn’t get home until after three, and I could use a cup about now if I have to survive today.”
Whoa. Late night. But instead of prying, I suggest, “You’re welcome to join me. I’ll drive if you navigate.”
Her dark lashes blink a few times as if she’s hesitating.
“Or you can drive yourself if you’d rather fly solo.” I offer as an out.
“No…” she spits out. “Sorry, I… uh, would love to join you. Obviously, I need a caffeine drip for an IV if I can’t even answer your simple question. Steaming Cups has the best coffee in town. There’s also a breakfast sandwich that’s to die for. I hope you’re hungry.”
With each of us having designated parking spots, I point to my trusty Land Rover and click the button to unlock it. It was my first new-to-me purchase after college and has done me well over the years. I wouldn’t think of trading it in anytime soon.
“So you’re from Washington?” Tessa asks once we get out of the parking lot.
“Uh, yeah?” How does she know?
I see from the corner of my eyes Tessa shake her head. “Make a right at the next block. Your plates gave you away.”
Ah. Makes sense.
“What brought you to Bear Creek?”
“My latest client needs me here to help him with branding as he gets everything ready for his presentation to his angel investor.”
“Must be a pretty big client if you’re willing to relocate.”
“Oh, this isn’t permanent. I’ll head back to Seattle in October.”
“Make a left, then go two blocks. Steaming Cups is on the next block. Just park out front on the street. Do you relocate for all your clients?”
“No, this is a first,” I admit as I pull into a parking space.
“Sounds like there’s a story.”
Shrugging, I admit, “Not really. I’ve been a freelance graphic designer for some time now, while working full time for an advertising company. As of this week, I’m officially on my own. What’s funny is when I put in my notice, they agreed to pay me more to keep me on as a consultant than when I was on salary.”
“That must be nice,” Tessa says as she opens the door and hops out before I have the chance to move from my seat. “I like being my own boss, too.”
Once we’re out of the vehicle, I ask, “What is it that you do?”
Her smile widens when she announces, “I’m the proud owner of Bed Knobs & Brews, a local microbrewery here in town.”
“Bed Knobs?” Interesting choice for branding.
“The storefront is three blocks over just off Main Street. The site used to be an old B&B, so I played on words to remind people where it’s located. Being in a tourist town, you gotta stay creative to be remembered. All the booths in the restaurant look like old headboards.”
Sounds like something right up my alley. “I’ll have to check it out sometime. I love a good microbrew.”
“Oh, we’ve got the best in town,” Tessa praises.
Walking into the diner, a friendly older waitress greets us. “Mornin’, Tessa. Who’s this fella you’ve brought with you?”
“Mornin’, Miss Mable. This is my neighbor Derek.”
“What brings you all in so early? Normally, I see you in for the lunch rush.”
Tessa sighs as we’re shown to an open booth. “A noisy neighbor.”
“Oh, those are the worst. I haven’t lived in an apartment since I was your age, but I do remember how thin those walls could be,” Miss Mable says as she punches her hip with her fist.
“Our walls are definitely too thin,” I grumble under my breath.
Mable’s brows shoot up to her graying hairline. “You’d call the cops if domestic violence was involved, right?”
Tessa looks to me, then tries to hold back a laugh. “Oh, I don’t think anyone was being hurt, Miss Mable. From the sounds of it, the bed was rockin’, and I wasn’t about to go knockin’… If you know what I mean.”
Did Tessa just say that? Mable’s practically my mother’s age. There’s no way I’d talk about the sexcapade we heard in front of her.
“I suppose you’re right. Everyone needs a little action now and then. Good for them.”
As my jaw drops to the table, Tessa and Mable burst into laughter.
There goes my impression of sweet and innocent Miss Mable.
When Tessa regains control enough to talk, she demands, “Derek, don’t be such a prude. That was some funny shit right there, and you know it.”
The moment she smirks in my direction, I lose it, and the three of us fill the room with laughter.
Holy shit, I’ve gotta stay on my toes with this one.
Once we reclaim our composure, we put in an order for our caffeine fix in to-go cups. Tessa with a tall vanilla latte and myself with an extra-large americano. When Miss Mable returns, I follow Tessa’s suggestion and order the breakfast sandwich special.
As soon as we’re alone, Tessa asks, “So what do you think of Bear Creek so far?”
“Honestly, I’ve spent most of my time behind a computer screen or with clients,” I admit, hoping that will change soon. Otherwise, what’s the point of relocating?
“You’ve been here a week, right? That seems fair. What’d you do for fun in Seattle?”
“Hmmm… let’s see… I spent a lot of my free time doing freelance work, but when I’d take a break, I’d hang with my friends or family in the city. We also hike, kayak, ride bikes along the trails, and fish when I visit my grandparents or sister on the island.”
“Island?” Tessa asks with interest.
“My grandparents and now sister… I guess… have a place on Anderson Island. It’s a small Island in Puget Sound, just south of Tacoma.”
“Are you close to your family?”
“You could say that.” I smile at the memory of Dani’s latest surprise. I may be out a hundred bucks, but she was right—her plans were worth it.
Tessa cocks her head to the side as if she’s studying my features. “What’s so funny?”
Shaking off my thoughts, I chortle. “I lost a bet with my sister the last time we were together. She’d made us dress up—under the premise of family photos but threw in a surprise wedding. My brothers and I were shocked, but we had fun all the same—that’s a hundred bucks I’m happy to part with.”
“That would be shocking,” Tessa agrees before Miss Mable interrupts to bring our food.
“Here ya go. If you need anything, you just holler.”
“Thank you, Miss Mable. We will,” Tessa assures her.
We take a moment to enjoy the mouthwatering breakfast sandwich. It’s the perfect combination of eggs, bacon, pesto, and cheese. Just as I take another bite, Tessa reminds me, “You said brothers. Do you have a big family?”
Nodding, I finish chewing. “Yeah. I’m the oldest of four. Dani is next in line, then Damien, and Davis.”
“Wow, your mom had her hands full.”
“You’d think the biggest problem would be us boys, but Dani gave Mom a run for her money. She always had to out-do us and prove she could best us at anything she set her mind to. That is, until she discovered books. Once she got lost in those, she, for the most part, left us alone—until she felt the need to be competitive. Then all bets were off.”
“Oh my,” Tessa says, placing a napkin over her face, holding back laughter.
“Mom. She was fine. It was us boys who were in for it. That girl may have been scrawny, but she sure was scrappy. Thank God, she’s grown out of it for the most part.” I laugh as I realize how she’s still tenacious and won’t let anything get in her way, but she’s more refined in her approach.
“I’m an only child.” Tessa lets out a sigh as she admits, “But being raised by my dad, I suppose I was scrappy, too. In first grade, I punched a boy for tugging on my ponytail, and no one bothered me since. Benefits of living in a small town, I guess.”
“Dani would’ve done the same,” I admit. Though she didn’t need to punch anyone. Having three brothers, word got around quickly in our small town not to mess with her—though she’s feisty enough, we never needed interventions.
But enough about Dani. I’m more interested in the woman across from me right now. “Have you lived in Bear Creek long?”
“I grew up outside of town, but other than attending the University of Colorado, yes.” Her lips pull into a beautiful smile at the end, helping an unknown dimple make its appearance. For a moment, all I can do is stare.
This woman’s natural beauty runs circles around the glamour magazine girls. From her dark pixie cut, to her long, thick lashes, she doesn’t need a stitch of makeup. As I look closer, there’s a light dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her most mesmerizing feature though, are her eyes. I’ve never seen a shade similar. There’s a navy ring around a brighter, almost cobalt blue in the center, that has me staring longer—just to decipher the color.
God, I’m a graphic design artist, and I can’t get it right. Thankfully, she doesn’t notice and continues chatting about her life.
“When I started my business, I moved to town so I could be closer. Besides—even though my grandparents have passed, and Dad’s still on the road a lot, at twenty-six, I’d rather not live at home… if ya know what I mean.”
“Same. I haven’t lived at home since summers in college. I love my family, but I was ready to be on my own, too. What does your dad do if he travels a lot?”
“Oh. He’s a long-haul trucker. Has been his entire life. It’s how he met my mom before I was born. She was from Phoenix and worked as a waitress. He kept going out of his way to see her often and eventually, they fell in love and got married. I came along about two years later, after she’d traveled with him for a bit…” Tessa’s casual posture stiffens as she trails off.
Something’s not right.
“Does she still travel with him?” I ask, hoping I’m not prying.
“Unfortunately, she died in childbirth with me,” Tessa says with a matter-of-fact tone, making my stomach drop to my toes. I certainly didn’t see that coming. Tessa must notice my reaction because she quickly adds, “Don’t worry. I would’ve loved to have known my mom, but I’ve still had an amazing life. Dad brought me home to live with his parents, and my grandma helped me in every way she knew how.”
I’m at a loss for words. She seems at peace with everything, but I don’t want to say the wrong thing and come off sounding like a complete asshat.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to dump information on you.” Tessa shrugs. “Living here my whole life, I forget people don’t know.”
My mom was the center of our universe as kids, I can’t imagine never knowing her.
“No need to apologize. Does your dad get home often?”
“He’s home about every other week. I check in on the place while he’s gone, but since we live outside of town, and my employees from the brewery are there often, no one bothers the place much. The apartment’s much closer to work and with my long hours, I’d rather not make a commute, too.”
“Speaking of apartments… should I expect this thing with Pete to be a regular occurrence?” I cringe, wanting to forget about this morning, yet needing to be prepared.
A smile plays on her lips. “No. Thank God. That’s actually Hannah’s place. They just got engaged, and she’ll be moving out to be with him at the end of the month. So only another week or two, tops.”
Thank fuck. “That’s a relief,” comes out on a sigh. “Not sure how much more I could handle. I’ve never missed my house more than today. That’s for sure.”
“No kidding,” Tessa practically snorts. “I was willing to drive twenty miles out of town, just to get some peace.”
“At least you’ve got options,” I tease. “I’m not keeping you from sleep, am I?”
Shaking her head, “No. I have a meeting at ten, then I’ll be free for the day. Hopefully things will have settled down by the time we get back.”
“I’m meeting a client this morning, too. Then if my apartment is quiet enough, I’ll crank out a few other designs this afternoon.”
“We’ve got a live band tonight, so I’ll be back at work this evening. They usually start around eight. They’re just starting out and play mostly covers, but they’ve got a few originals that might take them a lot further than Bed Knobs & Brews. But I’m the one who discovered them first and gave them their first shot.”
“Ah… talent scout as well, eh?”
Rolling her eyes, Tessa grins. “It’s nepotism actually. My best friend Nita and I were hanging out earlier this summer, and her brother was home from college, practicing in their garage with his band. They caught my ear, and I offered them a short-term gig for Thursdays throughout the summer. It was a win-win. I have live entertainment, and they get experience. With the USA Music Festival happening in Bear Creek this month, it’ll give them exposure. You never know who will be in town looking for raw talent.”
“That’s true. Look at Ed Sheeran. He was discovered by Jamie Foxx at an open-mic night in LA.”
Tessa’s perfectly sculpted brow arches. “That’s an extremely specific fact. A big Ed Sheeran fan, are you?”
“Actually, I am,” I admit. The dude is fuckin’ talented. “I recently watched an interview that asked how he started. All I’m sayin’ is—you never know who’ll discover you when you’re working your ass off for your dreams.”
“Are you a musician, too?” Tessa asks with interest.
“Hell no. I can barely carry a tune in a bucket. But I know what it’s like to work for something.” Being here in Bear Creek is living proof of that. There’s no way I would’ve picked up and moved across the country, if branching out on my own wasn’t so important to me.
Tessa’s tinkling laugh is infectious. “Good to know. No karaoke nights for you, then.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love listening to music. I’ve even been known to dance—but people would pay me to stop singing if they heard me. You’re lucky with our walls being so thin, I don’t sing in the shower.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Tessa muses as she takes another bite of her sandwich.
We finish our meal, making small talk and getting to know one another better. By the time we return to our four-plex, it feels as if no time has passed. However, my watch says differently. I’ll barely be able to grab a quick shower and get to my first meeting on time. One thing is certain. I don’t care how tired I am. I’m making an appearance to hear the live band tonight—especially if it means I have a chance to see Tessa again.
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