As he sat outdoors and enjoyed the California sunshine – only 75°, mild for Los Angeles – Trace Winston didn't have any regrets about moving from Toronto a decade earlier. It was likely about 45° there right now and would soon be colder, he had never liked winter. Trace was a very proud Canadian and always would be, but they could keep their winters. Trace was happy that his Science-Fiction writing had afforded him the opportunity to pack up & move to the West Coast shortly after his first novel went into its 3rd printing. Twenty books later, Trace was living the good life and owned a small Condo in Toronto he used when he went to visit his family.
He looked over at the home next door and was sad that Mr. Adams had moved out a month earlier, the older man had been the perfect neighbor, friendly and helpful. However, after his wife's recent, sudden death, Jacob had found the home just too big for him. He accepted his son's offer to move in with him and his "roommate" in San Francisco. He told Trace all about it with a hearty laugh. "He's so funny; he doesn't think I know about him and his 'roommate'. My son is as queer as a 3-dollar bill."
Jake had sold his house to his daughter, but so far, she remained a total mystery to the entire neighborhood. Only a few of the neighbors reported seeing her, she seemed to come and go mysteriously. Trace had yet to meet her, despite living right next door.
Another reason Trace enjoyed California was the abundance of beautiful women. He'd left Toronto and a string of bad relationships behind, hoping he'd meet someone special in LA, but all he met were pretty women eager to hop into the sack for a quick fuck. He hadn't met anyone that truly got under his skin. Only one woman had done that and she was just an image. A beautiful image on DVD. Trace's "Dream Woman", the very sexy Jessica Swan.
What
was
it about Jessica Swan that got under Trace's skin? He really couldn't put his finger on it, but from the first time he saw her in film, in a very sexy film entitled "Swan Dive", he was hooked. Her beautiful brown eyes drew him in with every scene she appeared in. Her 34-24-33 body commanded you pay attention to her. Her sexy, sweet voice sounded like warm honey to Trace's ears. At 5'9" and 115 pounds, she was the sexiest woman Trace had ever seen. Even when she was getting the holy hell fucked out of her on camera, Jessica appeared to Trace to be the perfect woman. He had almost every movie she'd ever appeared in and had tried in vain to meet her for several years, going so far as to ask his Agent to see if she could be contacted and perhaps a lunch arranged. Jessica Swan rarely made public appearances, although there was a rumor she would be appearing at the Consumer Electronics Trade Show in Las Vegas this year. Trace already had a first-class ticket and hotel room bought and paid for.
He'd made himself horny and was about to go indoors and watch "Swan Dive" again for the hundredth time – or thereabouts – when he heard some very loud, very angry cursing coming from next door. It was most definitely a woman's voice.
"Damn, fuck, damn, I can't believe I fucking DID this!" The voice cursed.
Trace threw on a shirt and went next door to see what was going on. He found a woman he would have estimated to be around his age, perhaps a bit younger, standing in front of the house next door, pounding on the door, kicking at it and looking very frustrated.
"Hi there ... obviously something's wrong, is there anything I can do to help?
The woman turned around, she was wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, a baggy shirt and sweats. She gave him a weak smile.
"I doubt it, but thanks. I left my keys in the house and closed the door behind me. I've locked myself out and I don't have my car keys either and I have to be at work in 40 minutes. Shit, shit, SHIT!"
Trace smiled. "Okay, just calm down. You're in luck, I'm your next-door neighbor and I still have a key to your house from when I'd water the plants for your folks. Give me a minute and I'll be right back."
"Oh God, thanks very, very much," She said.
Trace went home and got the extra key Jake had given him. Within 5 minutes, his neighbor was in her home and had retrieved her keys.
"I owe you one," the neighbor said. "I don't even know your name, I'm JJ Adams."
"Yes, Jake's daughter, he's mentioned you. I'm your neighbor, Trace Winston."
"You're a lifesaver, Trace Winston. I've got to get going or I'd make you a cup of coffee, but talk to you later, okay?"
"Sure." There was something familiar about JJ Adams, but Trace couldn't put his finger on it. He went inside and looked at the clock, he couldn't goof around any more, he had some writing to do and then he needed some dinner. Before he knew it, it was almost 7 PM. He fixed a light dinner, then decided as it was a very nice evening, he'd go for a swim and relax. He slid the glass door leading to his patio open and heard cursing yet again.
He leaned over the fence separating his house from his neighbor's and saw JJ standing by her own pool, quite obviously upset.
"Hey there, neighbor. What seems to be the problem, anything I can do?"
"Hello Trace. No, not really." JJ smiled weakly. "The pool guy was supposed to come this afternoon and clean the pool, but he didn't show and this thing's a gunky mess. I can't swim in it and after work today, I really need a swim."
"I have days like that, so I totally understand. Listen, I was about to go for a swim myself, why don't you go put on a suit and join me. Come on, I don't bite."
JJ lowered her sunglasses and looked at her neighbor and sighed. "Okay, all right, that's very kind of you. I'll be back in 5 minutes, thank you."
Trace figured it didn't hurt to get in good with his new neighbor, she seemed quiet and a bit reserved, but she certainly wasn't unfriendly. JJ Adams might just be someone worth knowing, so why not make friendly overtures, what could it hurt?
When JJ walked around the fence and through the gate leading to his patio, Trace saw a body that was leggy, tall and sexy as hell, clad it a tiny black bikini and sandals which she kicked off. Trace couldn't believe it, but when she took of her floppy hat and sunglasses, that confirmed it. JJ Adams was
Jessica Swan!
She turned around and caught Trace looking. Jessica sighed.
"I guess you recognize me, huh? Damn. That's why I've been keeping such a low profile. Either people want to ask me a million questions or they want to hit on me, those that don't do that aren't exactly thrilled about having a Porn Star living next door."
"Sorry. Yes, I'm a fan, but I promise not to bother you and as for your living next door, you seem nice enough and your Dad was a friend. Is it okay if I say that you're a very beautiful woman, JJ Adams?"
The first full smile he had seen JJ make crossed her beautiful face and he thought he detected those brown eyes dancing just a bit. "Yes, it's very okay, Trace Winston, thank you. You can call me Jessica. You know what it is I do, what do you do?"
"I'm a writer."
Jessica's hand flew to her mouth. "You're
John Tracey
Winston?! Hell, why didn't I make the connection. I'm a big fan, I love the
Jessalyn of Gamaron
series, I've read them all."
"Thank You."
"You're welcome, I absolutely love your writing." Jessica sat at the edge of the pool and dangled her feet in the water. "You write some very sexy books."
"I'm glad you enjoy them, again, thank you. Would you like to know a secret?" Trace said as he sat down next to her, still caught in her dark, brown eyes.
"Sure." Jessica replied. Trace heard that voice he had listened to so many times at close range and he was sure his heart was beating through his chest.
"I based Jessalyn ... at least
visually
... on
you
."