Princess Next Door Read online

  “These are my friends. Jones is the big guy at the back, there’s Riot, and that one is Silas. They helped me move in.”

  She offered a little wave. “Wynter Griffin.”

  All three of his friends came out, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.

  “You’re a delight,” Silas said.

  “You wouldn’t have thought that last night,” she said.

  “Which has me wondering what keeps you busy all week?” Jones asked, and Zane didn’t like that any of them were taking an interest.

  “I’m a school assistant. Young children eight and nine years old.”

  His friends were impressed. Her gaze turned to his. “What do you do?”

  “I work in a bar, and on the weekends, we like to pretend we’re a rock band.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “We play a couple of gigs, not a big real rock band, but we get by,” he said. He didn’t want to brag.

  “Maybe one day I’ll see you guys perform.”

  And one day I’ll sing for you naked, just the two of us.

  Chapter Two

  After her embarrassment on Friday, Wynter didn’t know if she should bake a pie for her neighbor or if that would be considered a little … too showy. They’d not gotten a chance to talk with his friends around, and she saw easily that it pissed him off, which she found adorable.

  “That’s a nice big smile on your face,” Tammy said. Tammy was the teacher in the class she assisted. Forty years old, kids, a family, and so nice.

  “My neighbor.”

  “The very same one you were complaining about last week about constantly listening to rock music?”

  “Yep, the very one. I totally went crazy at him when he invited me to join, and I felt bad because he broke everything up.”

  “He did? Sounds like a decent guy.”

  “I threatened to call the cops.”

  Tammy winced.

  “Then the next day I mowed his front lawn, and I met his friends. He’s in a rock band, or they’re a rock band.”

  “What are they called?” Tammy asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “You didn’t ask?”

  “It’s not like I would know. I don’t listen to rock music ever.”

  “So what’s got a smile on your face?”

  Wynter sighed. “I don’t know. It’s crazy. Thinking about him makes me smile, and then I think about what I said, and how I reacted. Should I bake him a pie? Then I’m nervous because pies are like a sign, right, that you want something?”

  Tammy’s brow rose. “You’re really thinking about this?”

  “I really, really, really don’t know what to do. I’m so confused.” She dropped her head to the table in time to hear Tammy’s snort of laughter.

  “Is he hot?”

  Lifting her head up, she stared at her friend. They’d met at a barbeque over five years ago, and even though there were fifteen years between them, they’d really hit it off, and been best friends ever since.

  It was Tammy who’d suggested she find her own way, move out, and stop putting up with the pressure from her family.

  Wynter had been complaining daily about the constant hints of babies and marriage, and she was tired of them throwing up her sisters and her friends. It was all just too much.

  Tammy had understood, and once a new place was mentioned, Wynter felt it was a lifeline, a chance to live her own life exactly the way she wanted to without anyone tell her what she could and couldn’t do.

  “Maybe.”

  “That’s a yes.”

  “You’ve not met him.”

  “And you’ve not said he’s not either. What’s he look like?”

  Looking past her shoulder, Wynter nibbled her lip. “Short hair, lots of tattoos. I’ve seen them going around his neck and across his entire chest and back. They’re not ugly either, quite beautiful, mesmerizing.” She wanted to trace those tattoos, but she shook that thought from her mind. “That’s about it. Brown hair, you know.”

  “He looks like your average bad boy?”

  “In a way, yes, but he’s really, really nice. I think. You have to be nice right to, erm, to completely break down your party for your neighbor?”

  “I don’t know, Wynter. He sounds like a sweet keeper, and someone your parents would completely throw a fit over.”

  “Nothing like that is going to happen.” She tucked some of her hair behind her ear. “The pie?”

  “I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable doing.” Tammy stared at her. “Have you ever been in a relationship?”

  “There was Carey.”

  “He doesn’t count. He’s not even in the same league as boyfriend material.”

  “He was a boy and my friend,” she said.

  “You put up with him to get your parents off your back. Okay, have you ever just been with a guy?”

  Wynter glanced around the room hoping no one could overhear them. Tammy wasn’t known for having much of a filter, and she herself loved her for it. After being around her mother, who was a constant advisor for keeping feelings at bay, she found Tammy refreshing.

  “It’s just us. No one will talk.”

  “I’ve never … been with a guy.”

  “You’re a virgin?”

  She nodded.

  “What? How?”

  Wynter frowned. “Because I’ve never had sex with a guy, that’s how. That’s the scientific way of not having sex and staying a virgin.”

  Tammy waved her hand in the air. “Not even with Carey?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Ew, no. He was fine, but he was always talking about marriage and kids, and to be really honest I zoned out half the time. I knew what I wanted.”

  “Your parents are so weird.”

  Wynter leaned forward. “You were married at eighteen, and had a child on the way.”

  “I know, but that’s because I was married to my childhood sweetheart, and even after all this time, we’re still together.”

  They leaned over the table, whispering.

  “I’ve never been interested in just sleeping with random guys.” She shrugged. “Call me weird.”

  “You’re very weird.” Tammy ate a potato chip as Wynter ran a hand down her face. “Make him the pie.”

  “You think so?”

  “Have you heard the rumors about the houses you and your neighbor are in?”

  “His name’s Zane. Rumors?”

  “You know, about the last few single people that moved in, living together.”

  Wynter frowned, trying to think about it, and finally shook her head. “Nope. Can’t say that I have.”

  Tammy whistled. “For the past couple of years, every single couple that has lived in those two houses have always ended up together.”

  “Yeah, okay. I’m not a child.”

  “I’m being serious here. I’m not joking around. The guy who sold you the house, he was leaving right?”

  Wynter paused recalling Slade telling her that he was married to the girl next door. “Yeah.”

  “Maybe it’s fate and you and Zane are destined to be married?” Tammy held her hands up. “If not, you could probably lose that V-card and find out why I love my husband so much.” Tammy winked at her. “Enjoy your lunch.”

  Wynter watched her friend walk away, and she blew out a breath.

  Being a virgin wasn’t exactly her plan.

  She didn’t want to remain one either.

  Sitting back, she pulled her hair out of the tight band and ran her fingers through the length, closing her eyes, and tried to think.

  Slade had been a nice guy, but she’d also seen his wedding photo. So much in love.

  There was no way the houses brought people together, and as for her and Zane, it was an absolute no.

  She needed to go on a date, or do something.

  There was no way she’d get hung up on her neighbor.

  Dating sites were out of the question, as she’d heard way too much b
ad stuff about them. How was she ever going to meet a guy of her own choosing?

  Going to a bar!

  Finishing off her lunch, she made her way back to the classroom where Tammy was setting up. She’d scrubbed all the chalk off the board, and was joining up some letters.

  “I’ve got it.”

  “What?” Tammy asked.

  “How do you feel about going to a bar Friday night?”

  Tammy looked at her once again, brow raised. “You know I’m forty, right, and married?”

  “That doesn’t mean you’re dead. Get a babysitter and bring Marshall.”

  Tammy laughed. “You are my babysitter. My kids have blacklisted all credible babysitters because they’re terrors and they only like you. If you want me to go out, you’ve got to talk to my kids.”

  She loved Tammy’s kids. They were a bit of a handful, but she found bribery with food worked every single time.

  “Deal.”

  “Wait!” Tammy held her hand up. “Where did we go from pie to Friday night? You don’t need Marshall and me to be your wingmen.”

  “I can’t go to a bar on my own. Besides, you could totally give me a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down on potential dates.”

  “I’ve confirmed that you’re a weirdo, right? I say this with all the love in the world.” Tammy placed a hand over her chest.

  “Come on, you’ve got to help me with this. I’m not good with dating and talking to men.”

  “Then you need to use your neighbor. He’ll be a good one to practice on.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t practice on him, and besides, this is totally not practice. This is the real thing. I know I can trust you.”

  Tammy groaned. “I hate doing these things.”

  “Please, please, please, if you love me. You’re my best friend in the whole wide world, and no one would take care of me like you.” She wrapped her arms around Tammy, hoping her friend would cave.

  “Yes, fine!”

  ****

  Serving up beer, Zane looked around the crowded bar and nodded his head to the beat of the heavy rock music the live band was playing.

  His friends were in one corner, tuning up his guitar for him. He sang, played the guitar, and occasionally smashed the drums.

  “You playing tonight, Zane?” a brunette asked.

  “You betcha.”

  There was a time the pussy in the bar would have appealed to him, but for some strange reason he couldn’t get a little blonde in conservative shorts and tank top out of his freaking mind. Even last night he’d woken up with some serious wood, and it had taken him half an hour to deal with that shit.

  Every single morning, he was awake in time to watch her climb into her car and drive away. His life was becoming stalkerish with his obsession to know more about the princess living next door.

  “Three beers,” Jones said.

  “You driving?”

  “Nope, you are.” Jones winked at him. “It’s a big crowd tonight.”

  “It’s always a big crowd.”

  “I don’t mind. We’re going to smash the shit out of it either way.” Jones took the beer, handing him some cash. “Well, well, well, it must be your lucky night. Look who just walked in.”

  Zane looked toward the door and gritted his teeth.

  He shouldn’t have thought about her. Work was the only place he wasn’t tempted to see her, and now here she stood, in his damn place of work, the bar. She wasn’t alone either. He saw a much older woman and man beside her.

  “I wonder if she’s stalking you,” Jones said, winking at him.

  His friends had been riding his ass over his little obsession with her. Not that it was all that much of a problem or anything. Watching someone wasn’t a crime, or at least he fucking hoped not.

  Wynter headed toward the bar, and Zane ignored Jones, making sure he was the one to serve her.

  Princess spotted him first. “Zane, I had no idea you worked here.”

  “Yep, been working her a few years now.” He nodded at her and glanced at the other two people.

  “Stop being rude, honey. Introduce us,” the woman said.

  “Zane, this is Tammy and Marshall. They’re both really great friends. This is my neighbor I was telling you about.”

  He held his hand out. Marshall shook his hand firmly. “Nice to meet you.”

  After he nodded at Marshall and then at Tammy, his gaze returned to the blonde bombshell. Her hair fell down around her in ringlets, looking sexy as fuck. She reminded him of sin and sweetness mixed together. The things I want to do with her.

  Tammy took the lead, ordering a round of beers, and he got them in the nick of time.

  “Enjoy,” he said.

  He couldn’t linger as another customer was already signaling to him that he wanted a refill.

  For the next hour he kept them all in his sights. They took a booth, and he watched as they all talked, leaning over the table and looking out onto the dance floor.

  Finally, after about half an hour, Princess and Tammy got up and joined the others in the center of the room. He saw a couple of men interested in his very sexy neighbor. He understood exactly what they were all seeing … fresh meat. There was no way anyone else could deny she was temptation in their midst, and he felt like calling dibs first. Ignoring his instinct, he kept on serving at the bar, noticing Jones, Silas, and Riot all kept an eye on her as well.

  He wanted to be out there to ask her to dance rather than the stuck-up prick that actually approached her. Watching the scene, he wondered if that was Tammy’s idea all along. To get out there and dance until someone hit on Princess because her husband was there to take her in his arms the moment Princess smiled up at the other man.

  “You okay, man?” Riot asked, stepping up to the bar.

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You’re holding those scissors like your life depended on it.” Riot nodded at his grip. Zane hadn’t even realized he’d picked them up. Putting them down, he grabbed three beers and placed them in front of Riot.

  “Make sure no one else dances with her,” he said.

  Riot glanced behind him just as another man stepped up, and he had to watch as she laughed and began dancing with another guy. He didn’t like it. No one should be dancing with her.

  Why not?

  She’s young.

  Free.

  Single.

  Ugh, he hated that word.

  “Get up, rock your thing, and she won’t be looking at any other guy by the end of the night.”

  He simply shook his head. “Do this favor for me. Please.”

  “Holy shit, are you begging right now?”

  “I asked nicely.”

  “Yeah, and I’ve known you for years, and in all that time I can’t recall you ever, ever, saying please. Give me one good reason why.” Riot held the bottles in his hands while also having that no-nonsense look about him, which only served to piss Zane off more.

  “I like her. I don’t want any other man to be with her. Is that enough?”

  “It’ll do for now. I’ll let the guys know.”

  He noticed her coming toward the bar, and he quickly urged Riot away. When the two passed she gave Riot a big smile.

  “Three more beers please, Mr. Bartender.”

  “You having fun?” he asked.

  “Yeah, a whole lot of fun. I had no idea how amazing this would be. It’s not weird though, right? Me being here? We’re only like neighbors and stuff.”

  He smiled. “It’s fine.”

  “Totally awesome.”

  She jumped up and down a little, the action making her tits bounce just a bit more, and his dick really liked seeing it.

  Three beers, she handed him some cash, and before he could make her linger, she was already gone, heading back to the booth to sit with Tammy and Marshall.

  So, once again, he watched the same routine. Tammy and Princess would head out onto the dance floor. Only this time when a guy meant to approach to dan
ce, Riot slid in and asked to.

  He saw Princess’s sparkle, and she danced first with Riot. Silas didn’t get there in time, so Zane waited as another guy took the lead and danced with her. Glaring at Silas, he watched his friend hold his hands up in surrender.

  “Not good enough.” He mouthed the words, and unfortunately, he had to keep serving others.

  This time, Tammy came up to the bar to order beer.

  “Did she make you a pie?” Tammy asked.

  “What?”

  “Oh, nothing.”

  Confused by her question, he looked toward Marshall, who was dancing with his neighbor, only they were not close, just two people enjoying the same space.

  Tammy glanced behind her. “You like her.”

  “Why did you bring her here?” he asked. Friday nights always had the guys looking for a fuck, and Princess looked like the kind who was also looking for that, too. In the few days he’d known her, she’d not struck him as the kind of girl who liked to fuck and leave, so it stumped him seeing her dancing with a bunch of random men.

  “This was her idea. You want my advice? If you like her, take your shot, because you may never get another chance.” She winked at him and left.

  What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

  By the end of his shift, he was really pissed off, and tired of seeing a bunch of horny men hitting on her. They didn’t have a right to be drooling over her, and he hated the jealousy that kept slipping through.

  His friends intervened when they could, and instead of demanding they go straight up on stage, he hit the dance floor, taking a seat with his buddies.

  “You’re totally whipped. You know that,” Silas said.

  “Bite me.”

  “You look like you want to bite a certain someone. I think you really need to talk to someone you feel that possessive over rather than just glaring at them. If she looks this way, and sees your face, you’re so not getting any,” Riot said.

  He wanted to know why she was there at the bar. Why she was dancing with a bunch of random men, and also why it really fucking bothered him.

  Chapter Three

  On the way back to the dance floor from visiting the ladies room, Wynter hit a hard, muscular chest, and when she looked up, she saw that she’d bumped into her very hot, very delicious neighbor.