The Stars in the Sky (Giving You ... #2) (31 page)

"Not yet. I have to get back to work. I stopped by here because I forgot something, and then I went to check in the laundry room—I guess we share the laundry room, right?" I nodded. "Well, I went to check it, and I figured that this was yours."

And he held out his other hand and there, dangling, were my red, lace, thong panties.

I grabbed my undergarment. "Thanks," I said, mustering up as much dignity that I could under the circumstances, my cheeks burning red.

Then we stared at each other. I bit my lip. He ran his fingers under his jaw and then behind his neck.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Lucy. I work a lot but I'm sure to see you around here."

"I'll have to bring you some tamales," I said, trying to think of an excuse to see him again. "Christmas is coming and we do that around here."

"That sounds good," he said absently, still looking up and down my body. And then he took a step backwards and brushed up against the large potted ficus that sat on my front porch, tripping slightly. Pushing it aside, he turned to leave, and said, "Well, I'll be seeing you. I have to go back to the office." And then he turned and left.

I stared at him as he left and then I closed my door slowly, depositing my panties in my bedroom.

A shiver of excitement ran through my body from top to toe. Of course I was short so this didn't take too long. But this thrill that I felt? I had not felt it in a long time.

And this guy was my new
neighbor
?

Life was about to get more interesting.

I needed to cook up a plan to get to know him better. He seemed just perfect - perfect looks, perfect manners, perfect voice. I wonder if he was perfect in bed, too.

Retracing my steps to my front door, I took my towel, sunglasses, and keys, now on a mission to think about not only my new book, but also this new romance hero, living next to me.