Kes
I wake up to the smell of something savory wafting through the house and assaulting my senses. I roll over and check the time–6:30am. Joel is already awake and cooking something delicious downstairs.
I lay back down and stretch out the length of my body, paying careful attention to all the parts that feel amazing. I glance at my wrists–rope marks line the delicate skin, shining like a badge of honor. I hoped that I would have evidence of last night, just to remind me that it actually happened. We didn’t have sex, unfortunately, but last night elevated our relationship. Whatever that meant.
I stretch one last time, taking note of all the places on my body that feel relief. It has been months–no, years– since I have felt this satisfied. What is astonishing to me is that I can feel this remarkable after a night of anything-but-sex.
I grab my phone off the nightstand to check my emails. Instead, I am barraged with multiple texts from DO NOT ANSWER. Fuck, that was my ex-boyfriend Jax. I steady my breath and prepare to open the messages.
(12:32am) DO NOT ANSWER: Baby, let’s work this out, I miss you.
(12:56am) DO NOT ANSWER: Kes, don’t ignore me. I need to hear from you.
(1:20am) DO NOT ANSWER: Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me?!
(1:45am) DO NOT ANSWER: Fuck you, fine. I will find out where you live and we can work this out face-to-face.
(1:46am) DO NOT ANSWER: You won’t be able to ignore me forever, Kes. I’ll make damn sure of that.
I throw my phone across the room. I do not need this ruining a perfectly good morning. Still, his threats do not feel empty. If there is one thing I know about Jax, it is that he is resourceful as hell–he will find a way, it was just a matter of how long.
I shake my head trying my best to suppress these thoughts. It is too much to handle. A stray tear escapes my waterline and I quickly wipe my eyes so that I look presentable before I head downstairs to find Joel.
He is downstairs in the kitchen, chopping up spring onion and sprinkling some on top of a gorgeous omelet. He is wearing nothing but black boxer briefs and my kitty apron–which is two sizes too small. I try to stifle a laugh, but am unsuccessful.
My outburst alerted Joel to my presence, and he turns to gaze at me with his signature half-smirk.
“Good mornin’, Darlin,” he says cooly. His smoothe southern drawl seeps into my bones. I could listen to it all day long. “Did you sleep okay?” Joel asks cautiously.I smile, “Yes, actually. I slept really well. Thank you.” I know my smile does not reach my eyes because he looks at me unconvincingly. I don’t really want to bring my baggage into this conversation, especially so early in the morning. All I can hope is that Joel leaves it alone, for now. I will tell him eventually.
He looks at me a second longer before motioning towards the bar stools. “Sit,” He says sternly.
He doesn’t have to ask me twice, I’ve learned that he likes it when I’m obedient. I sit down and patiently wait for my breakfast.
“I hope you don’t mind I raided your fridge,” Joel says as he sets down a magazine-worthy omelet dish with peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms, bacon, tomato, and fresh herbs.
YOU ARE READING
My Neighbor Joel
RomanceKes finally is free from her emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend. At 25, she has successfully purchased her own home far away from anyone she knows who might cause her trouble. What she doesn't know is that her older sexy and single neighbor, Joel, is...