Soul Temptation (Souls Entwined) (25 page)

All was silent on the other side of the bedroom wall, and Leela closed her eyes again, releasing a deep sigh. She was hot and tired, yet falling back to sleep was the last thing on her mind as her fingers slipped inside her panties past the trimmed curls to the silky flesh starving for attention.

She was so wet, so desperate to assuage the building need for release as her fingers dipped and swirled around her clit and the sensitive inner folds drenched with her juices. Reaching into her nightstand, she took out her favorite vibrator, slipping the molded plastic under the bedcovers as she turned it on. She lifted her hips, tugging her black panties down and off. Then she was completely naked, opening for her softly vibrating lover.

Avoiding her clit, she ran the tip of the toy along the inner lips of her pussy, moaning softly as she pushed the contoured dildo deep inside. Rocking her hips, she bit her lip as the powerful vibrations reverberated within her. She continued to penetrate herself, pushing the plastic cock into her hungry wet pussy while simultaneously pressing the palm of her other hand against her engorged clit as exquisite sensations raced over her body. Her nipples tingled, her skin heating up as she skillfully orchestrated each touch for maximum pleasure. She climaxed hard, letting a small moan escape from her lips as ripples of bliss spun wider and wider, giving in to the delicious aftershocks of a perfect orgasm.

When her breathing returned to normal, she sat up sated but not really satisfied. She swung out of bed, padding into her bathroom to clean the toy in the dark, observing the reflection of her clock in the mirror. It was three o’ clock in the morning, and she had to be up in three hours.

After finishing in the bathroom, she crossed the carpeted floor to her bed and picked up her panties. With a restless sigh, she pulled the low cut briefs in place and climbed into bed. Her eyelids fluttered closed and she yawned. She wished she could stop thinking about her new next door neighbor and his multi-orgasmic lover. He couldn’t be that good in bed…or could he?

* * * *

Leela turned her key in the lock, opening the door to her home with a weary groan. Kicking off her heels, she made a beeline to the air conditioner, turning it up on high before going into her immaculate kitchen. The blast of cold air erupting from the open freezer door was pure heaven as she sorted through a plethora of frozen options for her dinner.

“Boring lasagna or baked chicken and rice…decisions, decisions.” She stared at the small rectangular boxes with distaste, wishing she had the knack or desire to cook, but even the simple task of boiling eggs could turn into a kitchen nightmare. Her sister, Jolie, had gleaned all of their mom’s cooking expertise, while she had been content to simply sample their tasty dishes.

On impulse, she pushed past the cold entrees to the half pint of chocolate ice cream instead, collapsing on her couch as she flipped on the television. Three bites later, she turned the montage of dreary news shows off and let the creamy cold chocolate dessert cool her off as it soothed her nerves.

With less than three hours of sleep, she was amazed at how well her day had gone at the radio station. She had hired a new DJ, held the end of the month meeting with the rest of the staff and convinced her VP to implement a new program for interns interested in the business. It had been a productive day despite her restless night from hell.

Her spoon hit the bottom of the cardboard cup and Leela frowned. “I needed just one more bite.” With a sad smile, she placed her impromptu dinner on her wood coffee table, settling back against the soft leather cushions of her sofa.

Family pictures lined the mantle of her gas fireplace, and her eyes fell upon a snapshot of her sister. On impulse she picked up the phone, happy to hear her sister’s voice after the first ring.

“Hey, Leelee, I told Vaughn I was just thinking about you.”

Leela smiled. “See, that’s why I picked up the phone. What’s shakin’ over there, Jolie?”

She laughed while listening to her sister vent about what her twin two-year-old nieces were tearing up and getting into. Talking to her older sister always made her smile. The two of them remained close despite being four years apart.

“So what’s new with you?” Jolie asked.

“There’s nothing new with me. Just work and more work, unless you wanna talk about my new rude neighbor.”

“See, I told you to move out to the ‘burbs with me.”

Leela stood up, shimming out of her skirt. “I am not about to commute all the way from the suburbs to the city every morning.”

Jolie laughed. “I know, but I wish you would. You could spend more time with your nieces.”

Leela snorted. “You mean babysit for you and Vaughn.”

“Yeah that too. So, what’s up with your neighbor?”

“He’s—”

Jolie sighed. “Hang on a second.”

Leela shook her head as she listened to Jolie give Vaughn detailed instructions on what to dress the twins in for bed.

“Ok, go on.”

“He’s bangin’ chicks at all hours of the night, and I can hear it all. It’s crazy!”

“Oh, the good ole days,” Jolie said, her voice trailing off.

“What?”

“I remember when I wanted to have sex in the middle of the night. Hell, anytime of the day, but right now it seems like we have to schedule time alone together, and even then something always goes wrong.”

“I’ll come over and babysit this weekend, how’s that?” Leela asked, unbuttoning her white blouse.

Jolie laughed. “Feeling bad for me now? You know you wouldn’t hear lover boy next door if something was going on in
your
bedroom,” she teased. “What happened to Michael? I thought you two were still talking.”

Leela scoffed. “No, Michael is only into Michael. Thank god, I figured that out after three boring months. And trust me, I think I’d still hear Mr. Lover Boy,” she said, taking a sip from her bottle of water.

“Well, the next time it happens, go over there.”

“In the middle of the night, Jolie?” Leela asked moving to her bedroom. “And say what exactly?”

“I don’t know,” Jolie admitted with a chuckle.

“Yeah, didn’t think so.”

“Just pound on the walls or something. He’ll get the idea. Is he good looking?”

Leela flopped onto her bed. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him yet.”

“Oh, well if he’s cute, maybe—”

“Goodnight, Jolie,” Leela said with a laugh.

Jolie giggled. “‘Night.”

Leela hung up and got under the covers. With the AC on, she was actually chilled in the middle of an August heat wave. Although it was still early evening, exhaustion from lack of sleep the previous night took over, and she began to doze off when faint strains of music snapped her back from the brink of sleep. Opening her eyes, she listened for the sound again.

A saxophone!

The jazzy melody was seeping through the walls louder and louder as Leela swung out of bed and pressed her ear to the bedroom wall. He was at it again with his instrument. This was a new disturbance he liked to subject her to mostly on the weekends. She listened for a few minutes, irritated despite being impressed by his musical abilities. Maybe her sister was right. She just needed to go over there with a smile and ask for some neighborly consideration.

Enough was enough. With her mind made up, she pushed away from the wall and walked into the bathroom. She was happy to see her mascara and eye shadow still intact, leaving only a little lip gloss to apply to her full lips before pulling her straightened, dark brown hair back into a ponytail. Her warm honey brown skin contrasted beautifully with the pink tee and yoga pants hugging her curvy frame.

Satisfied her appearance would do, she selected a pair of jeweled flip flops and left her place to find the music even louder in the hall. Filled with righteous indignation, she knocked, but the sax playing continued.

“C’mon,” she breathed, pounding harder.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” came the deep male voice on the other side of the door.

Leela heard the lock turn and quickly plastered a fake smile on her face as the door opened.

“Excuse me…” Her sharp words dried up in her throat as her new neighbor lounged against the doorframe with the sax lying against his chest, the dark strap snug against his neck. Leela’s eyes moved up from the shiny gold instrument to the curious brown eyes studying her. Disarmed by his sexy smile, she blinked in surprise.

He was tall and tanned with thick dark brown hair that was a little too long, and defined muscles visible in the dark navy blue tank top he was wearing. He wasn’t cute…he was drop dead gorgeous!

“Yes?” he asked, his fingers playing silent notes on the shiny instrument.

Leela swallowed. “I’m your next door neighbor.”

“Ahhh… I’m Sam Ryan, nice to meet you,” Sam said, extending his hand.

“Leela Monroe.” She shook his hand, instantly noticing long fingers, clean fingernails and his strong grip. “Nice to meet you.” Nervous, Leela glanced down, noting Sam’s bare feet and his muscular, slightly hairy legs.
Nice.

“Was I making too much noise for you, Leela?” Sam asked, running a hand through his hair.

Flashes of the previous night raced through her mind. “I was trying to fall asleep, and I could hear you playing.” She couldn’t say anything else—definitely not what was
really
keeping her up at night.

Sam frowned. “I’m sorry about that. This place doesn’t seem to have the walls my last one did.” He flashed a boyish grin. “Listen, if I’m ever too loud, feel free to come on over or call. Can you remember my number or do you want me to write it down?”

“Uh…try me,” she said, mesmerized by his mouth showcased by his trimmed beard. He had perfect teeth, full lips and did he have the nerve to be sporting dimples?

Sam smiled again. “847-555-0749, got it?”

Those
were
dimples. “847-555-0715?” She was usually good with numbers, but standing in front of him, she couldn’t think.

“Why don’t you come on in? I’ll write it down,” Sam said, holding the door open for her.

She stepped passed him, taking in a deep whiff of clean masculine soap and something delicious wafting from his kitchen. “You got the place in order fast considering how long you’ve been here,” she said admiring the tasteful dark furniture and vivid black and white photos artistically displayed on the walls as she followed him into the kitchen.

Sam tore a piece of paper off his fridge. “Yeah, I don’t have a conventional work schedule so it’s been easy settling in. Here you go,” he said, handing her the slip of paper.

“Thanks,” Leela said, her eyes falling to the place setting for one with a wine glass and a bottle of red wine ready to go. “I should give you mine just in case, but I’m not really a noisy person—”

Sam laughed. “So, it’s that bad?”

Leela shrugged. “Well, I guess I’m just used to the lady who used to live in here. She was seventy-two, had an early bedtime and made the best banana bread.”

“Well, I don’t bake, but I do make a mean plate of spaghetti and meatballs.” He whipped around from her, dipping a wooden spoon into the saucepan on the stove. “This is better than
Prego
.”

“Yeah, it smells good.” She watched him stir the sauce, the savory smells of basil and oregano making her mouth water. What was she doing in this man’s kitchen?

Sam turned to her with the spoon. “Taste this.” He leaned over the counter, lightly blowing the sauce.

Leela wet her lips, aware of her nipples tightening as unwanted memories of Sam’s lover moaning with pleasure echoed in her head. “I really should go.”

Upon seeing the disappointment in his eyes, she leaned toward him for the taste test. The sauce
was
better than
Prego
, and her stomach growled in agreement as soon as she swallowed. “Umm…it’s delicious, thank you.”

“And you’re hungry. So eat with me,” Sam said with a laugh.

Leela waved her hands. “I just had dinner.”
And I don’t know you.

Sam cocked his head to the side. “What did you have?” He stared at her with an I-know-you’re-lying look.

“Ice cream.” She should have lied, but she wanted to stay. There was something about Sam’s easygoing demeanor drawing her in like a moth to a flame.

“Then it’s settled. A good neighbor doesn’t let another go hungry.” With a playful wink, he reached for another plate and began serving the food. “Would you like some wine?” He moved around to her, offering a chair at the bar before going to open the bottle of Merlot.

She sat down, watching him pour the ruby liquid into his glass. “Um…no.”

“Leela, that’s a pretty name by the way.”

“Thanks.” She took a meatball into her mouth, enjoying the bold flavors. His compliment pleased her, and she wasn’t sure whether the savory sauce or his deep voice was wreaking havoc on her core body temperature.

Sam poured a second glass of wine and handed it to her. “Do you always second guess yourself?” He took a generous bite and studied her while he chewed.