“Hello,” she said, tensing up.
“Look, we got off on the wrong foot, and I don’t want to be known as that kind of neighbor. I’m having a party tonight, a few friends, why don’t you come over. We can have a few beers, chat, some food—”
“I don’t drink.”
“You do eat though, right?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want a rift to start between us. I like where I live, and I have no intention of leaving.”
Silence fell between them.
Elisha stared at him, her blue eyes assessing yet keeping everything back from him. He didn’t like it when he was the one on the receiving end of being watched.
“Sure, why not?” She gave him a forced smile.
“Really? You’re going to come?” he asked.
“Yes. I’d like that, and I want to apologize for being so rude to you last week. It was my own fault.”
He smiled. “No problem. No harm done.”
“What time do you want me tonight?”
“Turn up whenever you want.”
“There’s no time restriction?”
“None.”
“Yay.”
He was sure she was being sarcastic, but decided to let it slide. “See you tonight.” Brant left, making his way toward his own home.
“Well, what happened?” Sean asked. “Did she shoot you down?”
“No, she’s coming.”
“She’s coming here?” Sean asked, looking up from his cell phone. “Why?”
“I invited her.”
“She never comes.”
“Tonight she is.” Brant couldn’t help but think of how she would actually look underneath him as he made her come with his tongue. Damn, he needed to get his head together before tonight.
Chapter Three
“Do you have some tit showing?” Beth asked.
“No!” Elisha snapped at the phone. She had her sister on speaker phone in an attempt to make the most out of tonight.
“Why not? It’s a party.”
“I’m not going over there to advertise anything.”
“Aren’t you looking for a man to scratch that itch?”
“I don’t have an itch, Beth.”
“Puh-lease, every woman has that kind of itch. You’re in serious denial, and it’s dangerous.”
Elisha fluffed up her curls and shook her head, recalling that her sister wasn’t actually there. “No, it’s not. Not every woman needs a release from a man.”
“If you don’t find a man soon, you’re going to explode, and when that happens, there is going to be chaos everywhere.”
“I’ve got a lot more control than that.”
Beth groaned over the line. “You own a business, and you think you’re above needs. You don’t scratch that itch, it’s going to cause you problems when you least expect it. Before you know what is happening, you’re screwing men you’d never even consider.”
“I’ll worry about that when it happens. I’m happy with my life.”
Another unwomanly noise came out of Beth.
“You’re supposed to be helping me.”
“You won’t show any tit, and you’re acting like it’s more a social event. It’s a party, and from what you’ve described, it’s not about sitting around a table tasting wine and cheese.”
“This was a total mistake,” she said, staring at her reflection. “I’m wearing a cocktail dress as if I’m going to dinner. I’m out of my depth.”
“Wear a pair of tight jeans, and a shirt that hangs low over your breasts, enough to show cleavage, but not nipple.”
“You’re sounding like my pimp.”
“It’s what sisters are for.”
Removing her cocktail dress, Elisha rummaged through her wardrobe to find a pair of jeans and a black shirt. It was bland, and rather boring, but it would suit going next door. Parties were always hard for her. Unless she was having a good time, she struggled with the urge to clean.
Quickly tugging on her jeans and shirt, she turned toward her reflection, satisfied. “I’m done.”
“Tell me all about it tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear that you’ve fucked some guy.”
“I’m hanging up right now. I don’t need to hear any more of this,” she said, grabbing her cell phone.
“Remember you only live once, and you may as well live it to the fullest.”
Disconnecting the call, Elisha smiled. Her sister was always looking out for her, even when she didn’t need to.
Pocketing her cell phone, she made her way out of her house. She made sure to turn off most of the lights, and to lock the door. Her neighbor’s front yard was already filled with cars, and empty beer cans. A quick glance at her watch, she saw it was after nine.