Naughty Neighbor: Falling for a Libra (Falling for the Stars, #1)

by Jeannine Colette

“Do you think I romanticize my heroes?” “I think for someone who pretends she doesn’t believe in love, deep down, you know it burns brighter and hotter than you’ve ever experienced.” He places the softest of kisses on my cheek and backs up toward his door. “Now, go back to work, Lacey girl. You have a deadline.”

I don’t realize I’m crying until Jake lifts a knuckle and wipes a tear from my cheek. I turn away, embarrassed, but he pulls my face back to his. “Not only are there good men out there, Lacey Rivers, but there is also a man who wants nothing more than to be the best one for you.” His words are like candy for my aching heart, yet I deny it, turning my cheek because I’m afraid. Not by what he’s saying. No, I’m absolutely petrified by the way he makes me feel deep down. I feel like he might be good. Too good.

I never, ever share myself like that with anyone, and there I was, shoveling my past from the grave and tossing it at his feet, burying him in it. No wonder I don’t go out. There’s a reason I’m only with fictional men. I can delete the words on the page. I can’t delete my mouth. No. Who am I kidding? I might not share myself that often, but I certainly won’t delete my words. I’m not ashamed to be me. I just want to meet a man who isn’t the kind of man my mother raised me to be cautious of, and what the men of my past led me to accept as normal. I want a man who is honest and sweet. Someone who keeps his promises and isn’t afraid to have the uncomfortable conversations. A man who will stick around. A man like Jake.

I’m not mad, nor am I upset. No, my lack of a smile is because I’m so touched, shocked, and beyond speechless. Jake wasn’t climbing up here on a whim. He’s here on a mission. “ ‘So, what happens after he climbs up and rescues her?’ ” I recite the line from the film. Jake grins that damn gorgeous smile that makes me weak in the knees. “Well? What is it?” His chest is still heaving, but it’s not from exertion. He’s staring at me in anticipation. In want and need and lust. He’s here to save me. I take a step forward and place a hand on his chest. His head rises with a quick inhale at my touch. His heart pounds wildly against my palm as I lean closer and say, “ ‘She rescues him right back.’ ”

I rise on my toes and kiss him in that slow, deep way that awakens every dormant, lust-filled cell in my body. His hands grip my waist and pull me in as his tongue glides along mine, stroking me tenderly. Through his jeans, I can feel the hard length of him, so I lift my arms around his neck and push myself against him, wanting every inch. His mouth moves down my neck and up to my earlobe, biting lightly as I grip his shirt while tingles run down to my core. I lift my head, and he claims the kiss again, hungrier than before.

His hand fists my hair as I run mine up the back of his shirt, anxious to touch his skin. We struggle as we move toward the window and have to break apart to crawl inside. I go first and watch as he bends his large frame through the open window and stands before me in the dark. The kitchen light is the only one on in the apartment, and its faint glow casts a heavenly brightness on his face. His sharp jaw, smooth skin, and th...

I lift my sweater and remove it, dropping it to the ground. Next, my jeans are unbuttoned. He steps forward and has his hands on my cheek and in my hair, pulling me close. His mouth crashes into mine. Kissing and loving on me, he lifts me in his arms and walks me to the bed. I’m lying down, propped on my elbows as I watch him remove his henley. His ripped chest is on display. It’s even better than when I got to ...

Placing my palms on his pecs, I glide my fingers over his skin and let my thumbs graze his nipples. He sighs at the feeling of my hands on him and leans down to climb onto the bed, joining me. “You know, if you wanted to get me in bed, you could have just come in through the front door,” I tease, continuing my exploration. He stops his kisses and looks down at me. “Lace, I didn’t do that to get you in bed. I climbed up here to show you that you’re worth more than three bad memo...

He takes his time in savoring my body. Starting at my clavicle, his tongue caresses my skin, moving down my chest, my stomach, and along the edge of my panties, eliciting a hiss through my teeth. “Tell me if I’m going too fast,” he says. “Not fast enough,” I respond impatiently. He moves his head between my legs and kisses my core first on the outside of my underwear, making me squirm in anticipation. Then, he removes them from my legs, flinging them to the floor before placing his mouth ...

The sight is pretty damn spectacular as he kneels before me, lapping up my sex and gazing up at me with a loving expression, asking if I’m okay with what he’s doing. I nod, looking him square in the eye as my orgasm swarms low in my core. He’s soft and gentle yet rough and dangerous. Even his shoulders are beautiful, and they flex as he wraps his arms around my thighs and pulls my core closer to his mouth. He’s sucking on my clit and then pushing his tongue inside...

My head falls back as my back arches. “Oh God,” I cry. He growls against me and sucks harder before gently licking with his tongue, causing my body to tremble from the inside out. Ripples of pleasure throb between my legs. I yank on Jake’s hair as intense waves of ecstasy hit me hard. I cry out again and again, chanting his name as I fall back to the bed. Tears well up in my...

As he works his way up my body, he takes in my face. “Hey there, Lacey girl. I told you, if it’s too soon, we can wait.” He lovingly strokes my hair as he looks down at me in concern. I smile. “It’s not that. I’m happy actually. And it scares me.” His shoulders fall in relief. “I have a secret,” he says, and I’m all ears. “I’m scared too. I’m crazy about you. Maddeningly...

Maybe it’s because he’s so damn good-looking or because he climbed my fire escape. Hell, it could be because I just had an intense orgasm, but in this moment, something about Jake has me lowering the barriers that protect my heart, and I’m completely honest with him. “I’m crazy about you too.” “Really?” I nod and fe...

He doesn’t waste any time. He takes a condom out of his wallet and tosses it onto the bed. His pants are discarded and pushed onto the floor. His boxer briefs are next. As he settles on me, his cock hits me inside, and the sheer proximity of it has me reeling in anticipation. I reach down and grasp it in my hand. It’s hot and heavy as I slide over the hardened shaft. His forehead falls to mine. “Fuck, that feels ...

He sits up on his knees, and from this angle, his cock looks massive. As I slide the rubber on his erection, I get excited at how incredible it will feel once it’s inside of me. “I’ll go slow,” he says as he settles between my legs. “Don’t you dare.” My words are rewarded with a kiss as he slides himself inside my core, and I gasp at the foreign feel of it. It’s thick ...

My hips and legs are practically vibrating as he slides in and out. He leans down to take a sensitive nipple in between his lips and then lifts up to claim my mouth. His jaw is tight as he fights the urge to come, and I give him his out. “Come, baby. Let it go.” “No.” He shakes his head. “This is for you.” He raises one of my legs and pushes in further. The sensation is incredible, and coupled with his dedication to making me come, I’m in a lust-filled haze, writhing ...

Our eyes lock as we surge past every barrier I have up. Beyond my past, crashing into my present. I come with a cry in the dark, clenching around him. His weight falls on me as he pumps into me like a machine, chasing his own orgasm as he grips me, kisses me, claims me, and absolutely owns me. When he comes, it’s with my name on his lips. His hands are on my hips, and his mouth finds mine again. I wrap my legs around him, and we fall to the side, kissing, gasping, and grasping on to one another like teenagers in hea...

I wake to the sun shining through the window and the heat of a warm body. My first reaction is to flinch before I remember who’s lying next to me. Staring at his back, I admire the pristine form of it. Broad shoulders. Tapered waist. He has a birthmark on his spine and another at the top of his ass. I run a finger from one to the next, connecting the dots and watching as his body shifts with the touch.

I lean up to look at the clock, noticing it’s almost eight. It’s early for me, but I remember him saying something about having to be up at six for work. I guess that’s what we get for staying up way later than we should have, but after we had sex, we sat and talked for hours before having sex again. It was the best night I’d had in a long time, and the sex was the cherry on top.

“Lacey Camille Wampo. I didn’t think Wampo was romantic enough for a writer, and Rivers sounded so beautiful. And if I’m being completely honest, I kinda like having my own name. Something that’s not associated with my father or my mother or anyone for that matter. I’m my own person. That must sound crazy to someone like you with strong family ties.”

She could say she was born in the Riverlands.

“She’s on a Tom Hardy kick right now,” Jake says with a chuckle. “Yes, but Tom Hardy is my dream love interest. I can definitely write a sexy and savvy floral designer from Chicago who gets rescued by a fireman with piercing blue eyes and thick, dark hair,” I say with a smile, making him groan. “What is up with the light eyes and dark hair?” he asks. I laugh. “Even your mother agrees. It’s the preferred heartthrob look.”

It’s mine!

Louis looks back to me. “I’m glad you’re spending the day with us. If you need anything, just let me know. This guy here hasn’t quite mastered the needs of women yet.” He thumbs over to Jake, who clutches his heart. “Ouch. That hurts,” he fakes. “Just because I’m not married doesn’t mean I don’t know how to please a woman.” I elbow Jake’s stomach, and he laughs in response. Bobbi throws her hands up in the air, as if not claiming responsibility for anything that comes out of her son’s mouth, as Louis shakes his head and turns toward the back room. I hear his laugh as he walks back there, followed by Bobbi.

Oh, I’m pretty sure he knows how to please a woman. Just ask Lacey... 😏😏

“Well, this certainly makes an impression.” He quirks a brow. “Are you saying you’re now only interested in me for my family’s money?” I nod my head as I continue to stare at the shaker-style shingles and bright white molding around the windows. “You’re lucky you have a big dick because that’s the only thing more impressive than this house.” He blanches for a second as I step out of the car. “Wait. You can’t drop the ‘big dick’ comment and then just walk out like that!”

With a laugh, I head to the back of the car to get my bag. “You bring girls here a lot?” “I have, but I usually wait until we’re a few months in. I wouldn’t want her more impressed with the house than my cock,” he teases. I shake my head and kiss him on the lips. “Just so you know, you have nothing to worry about with me. You had me at the seafoam-green towel. Everything after that is gravy.” I walk toward the front door and hear him cheer behind me, “I knew it!”

There’s a sweet nature to Jake. He’s both caring and helpful. I’ve always seen him as this player from next door. Knowing now how charismatic he is in any situation paints him in a different light.

My face heats as I look at him. His hair is wet, slicked back with his fingers. His skin is glistening in the soft glow of the lights. He comes off as ethereal. A beautiful man massaging your feet in a hot tub is something women dream about. If I stare at him too long, I’ll never want to wake up.

His lips are warm as they place the softest of caresses against mine. My skin prickles with gooseflesh as his mouth lowers to my jaw and sucks lightly when he moves to the tender skin on the side of my neck. “You’re an introvert, but when you let someone into your world, you light up the darkest rooms.” He stops kissing me and looks in my eyes, as if his words shouldn’t be overlooked by his actions. “I mean that. You hide behind your computer, but when you step outside of your walls, you’re witty and entertaining. You’re bright, and I haven’t had this much fun, just talking to a woman, in a long time.” His tone is deep, and his face is serious.

“So, you like me for my brilliant mind,” I joke pathetically. He doesn’t flinch. “Trust me, I want you for your gorgeous ass and tits, which are so damn hot, even when they’re covered in an ugly-ass sweatshirt.” “They’re not covered tonight. Well, not by much.” “Is that an invitation?” His eyes grow dark as his chest rises. “It’s a demand,” I whisper centimeters from his mouth. He lifts me by the waist and settles me onto his lap. His lips are hard against mine as his hands glide gently up my sides.

Our tongues dance as I wrap my arms around his neck, pushing my breasts on him and grinding myself against his naked form. Without a suit on, his cock flinches up with the contact, sliding against me with the thin material of my bathing suit feeling like it’s going to burst at the seams. He undoes the strings of my top, and it falls to the water, bouncing and floating in the bubbles. There’s a shadow casting over his face so it’s hard to tell, but there’s one thing I can see clearly. Jake is happy.

“You’re beautiful, Lace. I don’t tell you that enough, but damn, every inch of you is drop-dead gorgeous.” “I bet you say that to all the girls.” “I might have, but I swear to God I never meant it as much as I do when I look at you.” His hands rise to each side of my face, caressing my cheeks and pulling me down for a kiss so passionate that I might combust right here. My breasts r...

“Won’t someone hear us?” I ask, remembering what it was like as a teenager sneaking around. “Not if you’re quiet.” He dares me with his words and his actions as he sucks on my nipple, making me gasp as sensations ripple through me, down to my core. I grip his hair and pull. “I love it when you pull my hair.” He smiles against my skin and then gives a nip. I reward him with another tug as I grind against him. “And when you rub like that over the tip of my cock, it feels l...

His hands move down to my ass, squeezing it, and then they slide to the front, pushing my bottoms to the side. I lift up a little, giving him the perfect view of my breasts to nip and suck on as he runs his finger over my clit and rolls around. I arch my back and grip his shoulders, holding on tight. When his fingers...

As I roll my hips against his hand, virtually riding him, he tells me how wonderful I am, how he loves when I move my body like this, and how amazing I look against the stars in the sky. His words are like a waterfall, and I want to bathe in them as I chase my orgasm. His thumb rubs those vicious circles, and his fingers pump inside of me, eliciting heavy breaths and moans from me that need to be quieted by his kisses. I...

“Jake.” I close my eyes from every nerve on my body lighting on fire. I ride out my orgasm until he removes his hand and wraps it around my head, kissing me hard. “I need you inside of me.” He closes his eyes and mumbles under his breath, “Fuck.” “What?” I ask, grinding myself against him more. “I can’t believe I wasn’t thinking about using a condom in here. Can we take this to the bedroom?” I take a deep breath in, not wanting any of this to stop until he’s made me come and I’m floating from the high. “I’m on the pill.” His eyes dart to mine as he runs a finger down my cheek. “Are you sure?” I pull back to stare in his eyes. “That I’m on the pill? Yes, I’m positive,” I joke, but ...

He grins and leans up to kiss my lips once more. “You’ll be my first.” My heart swells as I pull him in, kissing him harder, chasing the sensation we nearly lost. As his hand moves to position himself at my entrance, I lift slightly before I slide down on his hardened shaft, feeling the fullness take over me. We both gasp at the intensity of the situation. Holding each other tightly...

The water moves around us as he grips my ass, guiding my movements and helping to lift me up. Feeling him fill me to the brim makes my head fall down to his shoulder. “Oh God,” I whisper into his ear as he slams into me once more. He pulls back, so he can see my face, wanting to catch every word, every gasp that escapes from me as he moves my body with h...

Words fill my brain of how I would write this moment but nothing’s fitting exactly what I’m feeling. Right here. How I would put to paper what he’s doing to me and how my body’s reacting. And that’s when it hits me. There are no words. I could string together every adjective of how to explain the way his cock slides in and out of me, but none would let the world know just how amazing it actually is. I’m going to try though. I’m going to try to shout it from the rooftops, letting my r...

He picks up his pace, and I have to bite my lip, gripping on to him for dear life so I don’t scream out my release as I clench against him, letting the orgasm ripple through me while the water around us splashes. His lips find mine again as his own release comes inside me. Listening to his gasps and gulps for air only makes the entire moment more special. Knowing I’m doing to him the ex...

An hour later, we’re in his car, and he’s following directions to the address I put in the navigation system. He looks handsome in his jeans, camel-colored sweater, and brown leather sneakers. The aviator glasses on his face make him the epitome of cool, so I lean over and kiss him on the jaw. Liking the affection, he places a hand on my knee. I’m pretty impressed with my own outfit I put together today. Skinny jeans—yes, I own a pair—and calf-height boots with a long sweater that falls off my shoulder a little. I have to wear a camisole underneath, and today’s has a hint of lace. I blew my hair out and am wearing a touch more eye makeup. I’m not dressing up to please a man. I just happen to like the way his eyes light up when he sees me dolled up. It makes me feel good inside.

Jake decides that since we have one bucket, we can only fill it with the world’s best, crispiest apples. So, we make it a game. If someone sees a good one, we will stop at nothing to get it. I sit on his shoulders to reach a Red Delicious. He climbs a tree to get a Honeycrisp I’m certain is going to be juicy. I jump like a lunatic until I can reach an Empire.

Red Delicious apples aren’t really that great. I like Honeycrisp or Gala or Fuji apples. Those are the best. Granny Smith apples aren’t too bad either. They’re especially good for baking.

As we drink our next glass of cider with spices, Fritz tells us—without oversimplifying the chemistry and steps involved—how ciders are made. Jake is fascinated by every word and asks a ton of questions. Our next glass is barrel-aged cider. I love it so much that Jake tells Fritz we’re taking a case.

Mmm, I love me some good hard cider.

We try pear cider and one with honey. Neither of us is a fan, but we still drink the entire glass. By the time we get to the brandy, Jake and Fritz are trading jabs back and forth like they’re longtime friends. He’s not drunk. No, Jake is just personable like that. I know that anywhere I go with him, he’ll see someone he knows or meet someone new. Everyone enjoys his company, and he seems to genuinely like people. I might not be as outgoing as he is, but boy, do I love watching him in action. His demeanor is so easygoing, and his spunk is spot-on. And even though he’s engrossed in conversation with someone else, he always has his hand on me.

Those deep brown eyes are staring at me with an intensity that holds me, wraps me in a warm blanket, and pulls me in closer. There’s a crinkle in his eyes as he looks at me with a demeanor that has me letting go of that breath I was holding. I rest my forehead against his, breathing in his air, drinking in his expression, and staring back into those damn eyes that make me melt. This is what he does to me. He doesn’t tear down my walls. No, he lets me keep them up. But he opens his own up and welcomes me and all of my issues into his world, holding on for dear life and letting me know he’s with me.

“My agent loved the book, and she’s having brunch with someone from Winston Arms, so I’m rushing to meet them, but before I left, Jake said it again.” “Whoa, wait. That’s a lot to take in after everything we drank last night. So, first, OMG! Congratulations. That’s super exciting. I’m talking about Winston Arms and Jake being candid with his feelings.” “Yes, but …” “But what, Lacey? Stop pretending you don’t love him too. I was there last night. I saw the way you two looked at each other. It’s obvious that he loves you. Even if you hadn’t told me he said so, I would have thought it. Stop fighting this. You’re getting your dream career the same time you found your dream man. You need to sit back and enjoy life, not worry about what might or might not happen.”

“It’s reality, and you’re scared. Admit it. You’re afraid of what this is. It’s love. It’s you and me, and it’s happening. Yes, couples fight. Yes, they probably even hate each other’s guts some days. But that’s the real world. Loving someone so damn much that you’ll weather through the storm is what I want. I’m willing to try that with you, but you’re not.”

“Sex is not love.” “It was for me. With you, it was love. I wasn’t even expecting for you to say it back. I knew you wouldn’t be able to. Not yet, anyway. Yet, you couldn’t even handle me expressing it. You can’t handle a man feeling love toward you.”

He stops and turns again. “You know what your problem is? You’re stuck in your own head. And I’m not talking about your stories. Your past and why you’re living this lie are totally bullshit. I’m not Michael. I’m not your father or that stupid fuck you lost your virginity to in high school. I’m Jake Moreau, and up until five minutes ago, I was convinced I was in love with you. Call me insecure, but, yeah, when I’m with a woman, I want to be her whole damn world, and I refuse to be punished for wanting so. Damn, you have so much to love, Lacey; it’s a shame you can’t even see it.”

As I got to know Lacey more, she was more than polite, alluring, and confident. She was funny and sincere. Her joy was found in things she loved and in what I wanted to do. I could experience life with Lacey. Conversations never had a lull, and when we were in silence, we were content. And the sex … fuck, the sex was amazing. Maybe I’m the fool. I should have just lived in her loveless bubble and had all the sex I wanted. That way, I could get her mind and her body. But I’d never have her heart.

She groans, annoyed. “But you love him.” With my hand on my chest, I steady myself and take a breath. “I care for him deeply.” I don’t know why I can’t just admit that I’ve fallen for Jake in more ways than just caring for him. The fact that I can’t breathe without thinking about what he must be doing right now shows I’m more attached to him than I thought.

Do I love Jake Moreau? Yes, I fucking love him so much, it hurts. I just don’t know how to dig my way out of this hole of self-pity.