Those Emerald Eyes

Chapter 4 - Veronica's P.O.V.

True to her word, Mel arrived. The younger one might have been a stripper in disguise: well-muscled, tall, sun-kissed, chiseled jaw, full lips, and beautiful brown eyes. I guessed he might be young, in his 20s, at most 21. Rolling my eyes when she coiled her red locks around her fingers and giggled, I stood in awe of her magic and also at how ridiculous I’m sure I would appear if I attempted the same giggly tactic.

“Mel, can I borrow you for a second?” I frowned.

She whispered something to her target and swayed her hips as she strolled in my direction. Smirking, I nodded as she mouthed, Is he watching my ass? She lassoed the stud in minutes. She spun around, continuing toward me but backwards, so she now faced him.

Seconds later, the young man’s mouth dropped as she turned to face me again. His eyes practically popped out of his head and I swore I noted drool in the corner of his mouth. Giggling, I imagined his tongue hanging out next and then someone tugging on it as it rolled up on itself, like a window shade.

“Girl, snag his digits so they can unload this truck, and we can proceed on with our night. Please put him out of his misery.” She laughed at my statement.

“Yes, my captain. It should take me about five minutes for that number to be offered to me. She looked over her shoulder, winking at him, and the tub of games in his arms slipped and almost fell to the ground. Jesus, has this guy never touched a woman before?

As the young man locked eyes with her, his widened to the size of saucers, his face flushed bright red, while radiating pure desire. I held back the impulse to check out his khaki pants to confirm. Mel can handle that, which I’m sure she already has. Come on, Mel, stop teasing the poor kid.

“Would you cut that out before he breaks something? And what the s**t did you do? Cause his shock proves you’ve ruined him for all other women, and you haven’t even touched him. You must teach me your ways, Yoda.” I teased.

“Ronnie, leave the nerd s**t at home tonight, please. We aren’t looking for your soulmate, we are looking for a quick f**k, remember. Well, not too quick,” she said as she smacked my tush.

She stalked back to him like a predator and placed a delicate touch on his bicep, reaching up to whisper. She stroked his arm as she murmured something, his eyes closed in reaction.

A movement to the left of the couple drew my scrutiny. The young man’s older partner hung back by the driver’s side door and shook his head. Our eyes connected before he raised his shoulders, laughing inaudibly. Nodding in agreement at the horny pair, I gawked in fascination. Ridiculous, the lot of them.

Mel removed her lips from his ear and began to pivot away, but the now aroused and determined demigod put the bin down. Grasping her hand, he yanked her back, flush to his hard body. I almost burst into laughter as she wore her best surprised demure expression. Impressive move. Perhaps not as young as he appears.

And innocent little Mel, that woman owns the game. No matter his age, she would eat him alive. Poor guy. I grabbed another item from my car and headed up without her. She will be more than fine.

She wouldn’t be far behind me with the remaining stuff in my vehicle. I also avoided the urge to pluck my own eyes out if I witnessed any more of the soft-core porn in the parking lot. At the bar, she can recount in disturbing detail what transpired between them, enthralling me with her enthusiastic sweeping gestures and comedy.

Once the moving truck was unloaded, I had one last box with me and Mel had one as well, but she was once again talking to the buff moving guy outside before he left.

As I approached my door, light spilled onto the carpet floor opposite my condo. My curiosity piqued to see my neighbor. I prayed the angry blonde didn’t reside there. And like a tricky genie, my granted wish taught me to be careful what I asked for.

Colton lived on this floor, but when he stepped into my view, my belly swirled, releasing butterflies. No, not that, it’s nausea. Yeah, that’s what it is. Him. The resident hustler. Dubbing him a player kept me safe, distant from his woodsy and leathery fragrances and pillowy lips.

The immature me fought to unleash my sarcasm, but the adult me rationalized to suck it up and aim for sweet. That is the best course of action. I plastered a gentle smile on my face, with an approving nod. Here we go...

He turned to lock his door, spinning around, he locked eyes with me. I spied a mischievous glint in his blue eyes, self-importance painted on his lips. Well, I tried. Now, now. Give him a chance, Ronnie. Give him a chance.

He arched an eyebrow, “Hey, Green Eyes.” Okay, he is clinging to that nickname. Not terrible, and I never did introduce myself to him. Say hi back. Throw out your name, and give him a chance for neighborly friendliness.

“Hey there,” I replied, grabbing my keys and balancing the box on my knee. Sensing him lagging behind me, I peeked over my shoulder to witness his eyes heating my behind. I cleared my throat, and when he lifted his gaze, he shrugged with indifference.

“Ugh,” I grunted, rolling my eyes before pushing the door open. I stormed over the threshold, growling about the insufferable dickhead.

Give him a chance. Pfft. Give me a break. Ugh. Oh crap! I hope Mel is still flirting with the mover, or she is going to run right into that jackass and likely hit on him. I’ve not told her about him. She will want to ride him all the way home. f**k!

I fumbled to empty my arms of my burden and, in a frenzy, scanned the room for my phone. Her initiating a fling with him set my teeth to itch. The idea of sharing her details of wild animal bliss with Colton bothered me a little. The gorgeous specimen living right across the hall created enough torment.

My heart raced with fear and self-preservation. I tried to put barriers between him and me. I chewed my lip, worried that the walls I built had a loophole. That loophole was my best friend playing with this d**k, and I still had to deal with him.

After spotting the phone and calling, I panicked when she didn’t pick up. I flung my door open to run interference. I halted my steps. My breath hitched. Dammit!

Mel! I need your help ASAP!” I yelled, the distress clear in my voice despite my breezy tone. In front of her feet was the last item from my car. She faced me, lost in animated discussion with the Adonis. His back was to me again, thankfully, at least for now. This day keeps getting better and better.

They both peered over at me before she threw up her hand, signaling me to wait. I pursed my lips. He flashed a cocky smirk and a definite condescending wink.

Can I hold up a finger this time? I have one on standby. I felt the irritation growing and an odd warmth spreading everywhere, which brought exasperation.

His attention returned to Mel. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, tightening the blue dress pants around firm mounds of perfection. After a few moments of drooling, I glanced up to find them both staring at me, amusement in their eyes. Color bloomed into every pore.

How many times can you want to die of embarrassment in one day? Asking for a friend.

I tapped an imaginary wristwatch, pretending nothing happened. They finished up the chat with a laugh about something, and they parted ways.

Maybe I’ll murder her instead. Oooooh, and that b***h better tell me what they talked about that fixated them on me. If I knew her, and I did, she caught me looking and ratted me out. I’m 100% sure, but I’m also sure she will brag about it. Argh!

As she headed toward me, he opened the door to the stairwell, giving me a two-finger salute as he went. I couldn’t stop myself. I lifted my middle finger to my lips, kissed it, and blew it at him. Mel stifled a choked laugh, and his jaw dropped momentarily before he winked again. And I swear I heard laughter echoing from behind the door he exited.

I wonder if it’s too late to back out of this deal. Why is this i***t so intent on pissing me off? Or am I letting him annoy me? Whatever.

“What’s up? What do you need? And wow, you two are like fire and ice. It’s super hot,” she said, walking into my condo with the box.

“Don’t try it. I see right through you. I am begging you not to talk to that guy. I will go down on my knees.... uh...I mean...I will buy you a drink every time we go out for a year. He is a total ass,” I pleaded.

“Hmmm...is an ass or possesses an ass that you want to bite? You stared at it like a snack you deprived yourself of for too long,” she shoved my shoulder. “Which you have, by the way.”

“I did not,” I floundered in horror.

“Girl, you licked your lips!”

“God, please kill me,” I groaned while pounding my head onto the countertop for the second time that day.

“Ronnie, he loved it. Seemed pretty proud of himself if you ask me.”

“No one did ask, Mel. And that smug, arrogant look, it’s his resting face. Trust me.”

“We only spoke for a few minutes, but he never cast that grin my way.”

Somersaults flipped in my stomach. I warred against the sensation that hummed inside.

“After Blake, I can’t handle someone like him and I... please pleaseplease with sugar on top, please don’t start anything with him or invite him out or any of it.” The desperation seeped into my cracking voice.

“Hmmmm...hot, funny, charming, and polite. He can’t be that bad,” she teased, and I sneered. She put her hands up in surrender.

“Okay, okay, I promise, I will not contact him and won’t bug you about it after I say one more thing. His arrogance and body scream someone who delivers earth-shattering orgasms. Now, I owe you a pinky swear to leave it be,” she swore, as we did our traditional allegiance. She engulfed me in a tight squeeze.

At that moment, the haulers entered with two dollies full of items; at this rate, they should be done in thirty minutes.

“Once they are gone, we will prepare for a night out on the town!” Excitement pulsed through my veins when we cranked the Alexa to some dance tunes. The Colton issue appeared solved for now.

“Yes, let’s go to our usual spot. The Tavern. We can Uber there so we can go nuts.” Mel twisted her hair. Pleading in her eyes and her lower lip sticking out.

“Is this what you do to men? Girl, that’s strange, but it worked. Okay, let’s do it. Temptress.”

We cracked up at our banter and poured another glass of champagne.

***

After years of our lives intertwined daily, I discerned a nagging tingle deep inside, whispering that she plotted something devious. Faint and damn near undetectable, lingering under the surface, suspicion scratched at my brain. I squinted at her with skepticism. With the men gone, we escaped to the bathroom and bedroom to dress for a good time.