"Thank you Kyle," the real estate agent smiled and held the house keys up, "It's been a pleasure and I am sure you will love living in Grass Valley."
Kyle takes the keys, shoving them in the pocket of his well worn jeans, "Thank you Mr. Wilks, I hope so." He turned on his heel and stepped toward the door.
"You'll like the Richards too," the agent added, "They live next door, white house on the right."
Kyle stopped and looked at the agent, his blue eyes reflecting a deep sadness. With a nod, he was out the door and to his truck. He jerked open the door and slid into the driver's seat.
He sat there a few seconds, contemplating his choice to purchase a house, "I have probably made the worst mistake of my life." With that, he turned the key in the ignition and the Ford's engine roared to life. "Guess it's time to find out." He thought as he backed out of the space and headed to his new home.
Audrey Richards rearranged the load of clothes in the washing machine hoping it would stop the uneven load buzzer this time, "Piece of shit machine!" She swore angrily and slammed the lid down again.
Hearing the sound of a truck in the driveway, and thinking it was her husband, Hank, went to the front door to look out.
"Well, that's not in our driveway, looks like we have a new neighbor." she mused, watching the tall form exit the vehicle.
She couldn't see his face, but she knew a fit body when she saw one, and this one made her belly flip flop. "Have mercy!" she said with a low whistle, "Looks like it's going to be interesting around here!" She continued to watch as the young man entered the house.
A few minutes later a moving van pulled up to the curb and Kyle went to meet the driver. He didn't have much in the way of furniture or belongings, but he was glad to see the van anyway.
"Glad to see you didn't have any trouble finding the place." He said to the driver.
"Naw, pretty easy really." the driver replied, handing Kyle a clipboard for his signature, "Just sign on the dotted line and we'll get this stuff unloaded and be on our way."
Kyle nodded and signed, handing the clipboard back to the driver. He stood out of the way, watching the two men carry his meager furnishings into the house.
He turned at the sound of a large truck turning into the driveway next to his.
A large man exited the vehicle and walked toward him, holding his hand out in greeting, "Hi, I'm Hank Richards, you buy the Pritchett place did ya'?" Kyle took his hand and shook it, noticing the callouses, "Kyle James, yea, signed the final papers today."
Hank looked over the younger man, his short cropped hair, ramrod straight stance with feet apart, his hands clasp behind his back in the standard "at ease" position, "Military huh? What branch?"
Kyle stiffens slightly, and changed his stance, realizing how he was standing out of habit... this isn't a subject he wants to get into. "Army sir." He states flatly, hoping to end Hank's interest.
Hank looks Kyle square in the eye with a penetrating gaze, "I understand... completely. Just know that if you need someone to talk to, I'm here." Hank places a large hand on Kyle's shoulder and squeezes firmly, then gives it a gentle slap. "Welcome to the neighborhood Kyle, don't be a stranger or my wife will be over there to drag you out."
Kyle gives a quick nod, "Your wife sir?"
"Audrey, and she's a firecracker, so be warned." Hank laughs, "And don't be fooled by her size, she's taken me down a time or two."
The young man smirks at the thought, but quickly dismisses it. He doesn't need or want to get involved with neighbors, and certainly not the neighbor's wife. Best to keep the beast inside him at bay.
"I'll keep that in mind sir." And with that, he heads into his house to begin the chore of stowing gear and settling in.
A few days later Audrey is in the backyard, tending the flowers and shrubs, trying to keep them from dying in the summer heat.
The 5 foot fence around the yard offers visual privacy, but doesn't do much to block sound, and she has been curious about the persistent, unrelenting noises coming Kyle's yard the past hour.
Loud grunts, the sounds of hard slapping, possibly punching... curiosity finally gets the best of her and she sneaks a peek over the fence in the direction of the noises.
HOLY SHIT.
Audrey is frozen to the ground, her eyes glued to the sight before her. A large punching bag is suspended from the sturdy rafters of the patio, and Kyle, clad in only a pair of boxer style shorts, very short shorts at that, is kicking, punching and otherwise abusing the bag with a ferocity that has her almost frightened.
His tanned skin is glistening with sweat, his shoulder and back muscles bulging with exertion, the ripped six pack abs clearly defined, his heavily muscled thighs and calves deliver aggressive blows... she is mesmerized.
He is magnificent.
Suddenly, his movements stop, and Audrey realizes that he has seen her watching him. His blue eyes are locked on hers like lasers. She can't move, unable to speak, she can only watch as he approaches the fence.
"Like what you see?" Kyle asks, knowing he sounds angrier than he actually is.
"Y-yes...no...yes!, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to stare..." she stammers, "I heard the noise, I didn't know what it was... I am sorry, really."
He can't see anything more than her head above the fence, but her green eyes, auburn hair and delicate features have his senses peaked, "You must be Audrey."
"Yes, that's me." she offers, meekly, still embarrassed at getting caught staring. "I really am sorry to have been staring... you're just so... amazing."
Kyle huffed in reply, strode back to his house and went inside. His battle with PTSD is getting the best of him. He is feeling trapped, plagued by nightmares, and his workouts aren't helping. He needs something, but he isn't sure what.
Audrey wasn't sure whether to be sorry, upset or just plain mad. He hadn't even responded to her compliment. Hank had said the soldier seemed closed off, but really?? The longer she thought about it, the madder she became.
By the time Hank got home, she was fairly well fuming. "He didn't even respond when I said he was amazing, AMAZING!" She was pacing the living room and all Hank could do was watch, amused by her anger.
"Over reacting much?" he asked.
"I don't think so." she snapped.
"I do." Hank grabbed her by the shoulders, holding her at arms length in front of him and looked into her fiery eyes. "What is it that has you so upset?"
She was silent a few moments before speaking, "I don't know." She cast her eyes to the floor.
"I think you do, and I think you had better tell me."
Audrey knew she had better do exactly as Hank said. Not only had they been married for almost 20 years, but as her Dom, he meant business.
He'd let her fume long enough, now it was time to shut her down. He placed a hand on her head and pressed firmly, and she sank to her knees before him. "Naked, now." He watched as she began to undress.
Hank left her there, went to the kitchen and pulled a soda from the fridge. He'd have liked a beer, but not when being Dom to his cherished sub. He returned to the living room and sat in his recliner. "Come pet." he stated in a no nonsense tone.