Alright everybody, second ever story! Slow build, sexy end, light domination and bondage. Your comments and feedback help a bunch. I still don't know what I'm doing, so any feedback is appreciated!
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"Keep banging on my door like that and I'll make you bleed," my neighbor seethes, bearing down on me with both his blonde-tipped locs and drowsy hatred in his eyes. He looks rough, and hostile. And sexy. As much as I want to turn around and slam the door to my own place across the hall, I stand my ground and hold his lost dog out to him, watching his face turn to one of regret and relief.
"I'm already bleeding," I say, shakily. It's true- I had untangled his little lost Schnauzer from some barbed wire down by the pond I run past every day, and my arms are all hacked up. However, I'm about six foot on my good leg, and this guy has about three inches on me. So I back up a little, unwilling to incite any kind of wrath.
His dog, named Bella, judging from the collar I found nearby, whimpers in my hold. He simply holds his hands out for her to launch herself into his arms, which she does. I've only seen them do that from my window.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, thank you so much!" he says, holding Bella's wriggling silvery body as she licks whatever part of him she can get at. "Come in, I'll fix up your cuts!"
I'm already backing away smiling, happy to see them reunited. "I'm all good, I've probably got the same stuff back home," I said. "I'm glad I was in the right place at the right time. Y'all have a good night!" By the time the last word leaves my mouth I already have my keys out to open my door.
"Thank you again!" is all he gets out as I slide my door shut, waving goodbye to the little dog in his arms.
. . .
The next morning, and half a night's sleep later, I'm opening my door blearily to my neighbor and Bella, both looking a lot less pitiful than the day before. The dog snuffles at my feet.
"Hi," I say, hand on the doorknob.
"Heyyy, how's it going .....?" He wants my name. I sigh inwardly.
"Deena. Pretty good, thanks. Bella looks better!" With a few bandages, she looks a lot better than the quivering, scuffed up state I found her in yesterday.
"Yeah, that's... my name's Renny, by the way- I wanted to talk to you about that. Her, how you brought her home yesterday. Thank you so much, she means so much to me and I answered the door in the worst way imaginable. I am so, so sorry. And for waking you up, it looks like. This isn't supposed to be payback or anything."
This man is adorable. The rumbling baritone of his voice is unsure and apologetic, but still echoing in my chest like he's speaking into an empty cavern. I'd heard it through the walls before, with his friends over or on the phone, but now I'm getting hit head on.
"All's forgiven, man. I'm just happy I took the route I did yesterday. I found her way back in the reeds by the pond down the street, tangled up in some trash." I sure did. Bella and I have matching bandages.
He passes Bella's leash to his other hand, resting his weight on one leg. "Well I figured I wanna thank you, and kinda apologize at the same time. The first real conversation we've ever had, and I started it with threats on your life." I chuckle, he grimaces. "Let me treat you to dinner or something, it's the least I could do." His tongue flicks out between his lips and my hand tightens on my doorknob.
Pros and cons? Pros: dinner. Sexy chocolate man. Getting to tell Mom I've left the house for once. Cons: small talk. Nosy mother. And having to sit and eat in front of someone who has the ability to make my mouth go dry with just a smile.
"Alright, I think that's fair," I decide. Renny's face splits into a white-toothed grin, with a little gap between his front teeth. The thirst I feel in response makes it seem like I've made a mistake, but really I know this is just gonna be the easier route to take. Better than him feeling indebted to me, or thinking I'm rude. And I get to look at him for a little longer.
"Is this Saturday good for you? Around seven?" he asks, Bella's collar jingling as she tries to arch her stocky body around to get at a bandage on her back.
Two days from now? I'm helping my dad break apart some old cabinets for firewood in the morning, but I've got the rest of the day to myself. "Yeah, perfect," I say with a nod.
"Alright, I figure Charlie's down the street is pretty nice, so how about I just come knocking around that time and we walk together?"
My sister owns Charlie's. I curse inside my head, but I'm keen on the idea of a casual meal. Maybe she won't be in? She's never there on the weekend.
"Sounds good to me," I say. He smiles his smile again, rivaling the sun beaming through the window at the end of the hall. "Bye, Deena."
"I'll see you, Renny." I let my door close and lock it, listening to his fading whistle and Bella's tags as they start down the steps. And then I go back to sleep.
. . .
Saturday around seven arrives, and I have a busted knee from, not the strenuous firewood-chopping labor I did all morning, with a multitude of sharp things around, but from falling while walking up the stairs to my own home. I'm still wearing ripped-up, bleach-washed jeans, even if they showcase my banged-up knee, because they go nice with my outfit. Jeans and a nice shirt is my go-to, and I've never gotten any complaints. Jeans and a nice shirt is what Renny comes across the hall in, and we're out of the building and down the street shortly after.
Charlie's is well into its dinner rush, as it's a nice, casual spot for not only me and my neighbor, but for everyone else too. We wait outside for a few minutes until a new hire, Cleo, squeezes us in right outside of the kitchen. I'm a little nervous. Cleo is too new to recognize me, but the rest of the staff would.
Renny doesn't suspect a thing. We're talking, and laughing, first about how I ordered hot water and second about how I look like I'm recovering from a serious-not-serious car accident with all my wounds.
"I figured you were a singer, with the hot water and everything. I hear you from my place sometimes." He drizzles sriracha over his brioche bun.
"I'm so sorry, am I too loud? It's all showtunes and everything, I probably get carried away." I'm a dirty liar because I know, for a fact, that I do get carried away. The lady who lives underneath me requests Moana because it helps keep her newborn asleep. But I didn't know Renny was home at the same time as me.
"I mean, I listen when you do, you sound nice. I even rewatched Rent because of you," he grins. And of course, that goes right to my head, and I'm smiling back like a fool. Just in time to peak past him and see my lovely big sister drilling a hole into my forehead with her eyes from the host stand. Sheeeeeeeeit.
I crumple my napkin between my fingers to get rid of the oil. "I'm just gonna go use the restroom real quick," I stutter. Renny picks his steak sandwich back up.
"Sure thing, I'll be here. Just don't dine and dash on me," he says around a mouthful of food.
I know Charlie's still watching me, but I can't resist raising an eyebrow to say, "Impossible, Mr. My Treat." I hear him sucking his teeth and laughing behind me as I stride to the bathroom, my sister hot on my tail.
"So now we out with men all times of night, under our sister's nose, in her own restaurant, without saying a word, huh?" She's leaning outside of the stall I'm in. Now's not a good time to let her know somebody took a Sharpie to the back of the toilet seat.
