Forbidden Desires: The Neighbour Next Door

Lingering Thoughts

Ethan returned home, still slightly damp from the incident at Isabelle's house. The shower mishap had left him rattled in a way he didn't expect. It wasn't just the unexpected burst of cold water or the surprise of being soaked in someone else's bathroom—it was the brief moment of tension between him and Isabelle that clung to his thoughts like wet clothes. He couldn't shake the way her eyes had lingered on him, or the undeniable attraction that sparked between them, even if neither of them would dare to acknowledge it out loud.

As soon as he stepped through the door, Sarah greeted him with a smile, her arms wrapping around his neck before pulling him into a kiss. "There's my hero," she said, her voice light and teasing. "How was the big shower rescue?"

Ethan chuckled, trying to push the memory of Isabelle out of his mind. "Well, let's just say we both ended up getting a little wetter than planned."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, stepping back to look at him. "Oh? What happened?"

"Shower decided to spray water everywhere. But I got it fixed," Ethan said, brushing off the awkwardness he still felt. "Just your average day in the life of a neighborhood handyman."

"Well, I'm sure Isabelle appreciates it," Sarah said, heading into the kitchen. "You're always so good at helping out."

Ethan followed her, watching as she poured two glasses of wine. Sarah's back was to him, her long hair swaying gently as she moved, and he couldn't help but notice the way her body still captivated him after all these years. She was beautiful, no doubt about it—loving, kind, everything a man could ask for in a wife. Yet, as his eyes followed her, the thought of Isabelle crept in again, unbidden and persistent.

Sarah turned, offering him one of the glasses. "Cheers," she said, raising her glass. "To our handyman and the best husband ever."

They clinked their glasses, and Ethan took a long sip, trying to focus on the woman in front of him, not the one from next door.

After dinner, they made their way to the bedroom, a familiar routine that usually ended with them cuddled together, talking about their day. But tonight, there was an electric tension in the air. Sarah slid her arms around him as they undressed, her eyes heavy with desire. She leaned in, pressing her lips to his neck, her breath warm against his skin. "I've been thinking about you all day," she whispered, her voice low and inviting.

Ethan felt a surge of arousal, but even as he kissed Sarah back, his mind drifted—back to Isabelle, back to the way she looked at him earlier, the way her wet clothes had clung to her body. He tried to push the thoughts away, but the more he resisted, the more they crept in.

As Sarah guided him onto the bed, her fingers trailing down his chest, Ethan closed his eyes, letting the sensations take over. But instead of focusing on his wife, his mind conjured an image of Isabelle—her long, damp hair, the curve of her hips as she stood so close to him, and the tension that had sparked between them. His body responded, and soon he was lost in the moment, his hands gripping Sarah's hips, his breath ragged as their movements quickened.

Sarah moaned softly in his ear, her body arching against his, and Ethan's mind flickered between reality and fantasy. He was here, with Sarah, but in his mind, it was Isabelle. The guilt gnawed at him, but the heat of the moment drowned it out.

When they finally collapsed together, breathless and tangled in the sheets, Sarah curled up against him, resting her head on his chest. "Mmm... I'm going to miss this while I'm gone," she murmured sleepily, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his skin.

Ethan blinked, his mind still spinning from the intensity of their encounter. "Gone?" he asked, his voice thick with exhaustion.

Sarah lifted her head, propping herself up on one elbow. "Oh, didn't I mention it? I'm going away for a few days. Business trip."

Ethan frowned, his mind slowly catching up. "Where are you going?"

"Just a quick trip to Chicago. I leave tomorrow afternoon," she said, stretching lazily. "I'll only be gone for a few days, but I'll miss you. And this." She smiled, leaning in to kiss him softly. "You'll survive without me, won't you?"

Ethan chuckled, pulling her closer. "I'll try my best."

Sarah nestled back into his chest, but after a few moments, she spoke again, her tone more thoughtful. "You know... Isabelle seems really nice. It must be hard for her, being a single mom and all. I've been thinking..."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat, though he wasn't entirely sure why. "Thinking what?"

"Well, while I'm away, maybe you could check in on them? I know it's silly, but I just feel like we should be good neighbours. You know, make sure they're settling in okay, see if they need anything." Sarah's voice was light, but there was an underlying suggestion that made Ethan's pulse quicken.

"You mean, like invite them over?" Ethan asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Yeah, why not?" Sarah said, smiling. "Or just head over there and see if they need anything. I used to do that every once in a while, you know, check in on the neighbours. I'm sure Isabelle and Chloe could use a little extra kindness, especially since they're still new here."

Ethan swallowed, trying to mask the sudden nervousness that bubbled up inside him. "Yeah, I guess I could do that," he said, though the idea of being alone with Isabelle again—after everything that had happened today—felt dangerous.

"I know they'd appreciate it," Sarah continued, unaware of the internal conflict stirring inside him. "It's not easy being a single mom, and Chloe seems like a sweet kid. Maybe they'd like the company."

Ethan nodded, his mind racing. "Yeah, you're right. I'll check in on them."

Sarah smiled, content, and snuggled closer to him. "Thanks, babe. I'll feel better knowing they have someone looking out for them while I'm gone."

Ethan stared up at the ceiling, his arm wrapped around Sarah as she drifted off to sleep. But sleep didn't come so easily for him. His thoughts were a tangled mess of guilt, desire, and confusion. What was happening to him?

He had always been the perfect husband, the perfect neighbour, but now, with Isabelle and Chloe next door, he wasn't sure how long he could keep pretending that everything was the same.