Fucking finally. It had taken me about thirty tries, ten sore fingers and over an hour, but I had finally managed to screw my bed into place.
I stepped away from my handiwork and assessed it proudly. Even though a part of me regretted not calling the movers as my mother had proposed, I was happy to have done it on my own.
I had finally moved away from my hometown and I was happy about that. I was far away from my mother and far away from the stupid small town and it's issues.
I'm probably making it sound like my life was a nightmare before. It wasn't. But after a while (twenty one years), routine gets so fucking monotonous.
I went to living room and dragged my heavy mattress to the bedroom. The bed was the last thing I had done and I was happy I was finally done and for the first time in three nights, I was going to sleep on a real bed.
I decided to curl into my bed with a good book and went straight to the shower. Sweat was not a good deodorant. And I was fucking drenched in it.
After taking a shower and changing into a short silk nightie, I climbed on the bed, ready to take on the world one book at a time.
But as soon as I got comfortable, I heard pounding noises. I stopped reading for a moment, hoping whoever was doing what was going to stop and I was going to be in peace.
I waited for about ten minutes and the sounds continued, intensified even. Maybe the neighbor was doing some work in their home. I decided to investigate.
Forgetting all I had on was a short nightie and panties underneath, I passed barefoot to the neighbor's door and knocked, then waited patiently for them to come and open.
On my third knock, the door was opened brusquely and a shirtless and sweaty man was standing there.
He was tall. I had to crane my neck up to see him and that was saying something because I was tall as well. His hair was tousled and his skin was glistening with sweat.
I swallowed so as to wet my incredibly dry throat. I realized I had been silent until he raised a brow at me making me blush.
"I.. sorry to interrupt, uh, whatever you're doing, but I was trying to, erm, read. So please keep it down," I said and when he raised his brow higher than I had imagined possible, I rushed to add, "I know DIY's take a lot of time and make a lot of noise. But please just keep it down."
His brow came back down and the corner of his lip lifted a little. I frowned. Why was he smiling.
"That's what you think I was doing?" He asked with a small chuckle.
I frowned even harder. What the hell. "That wasn't what you were doing?" I asked in confusion.
As he was about to answer the question, a really pretty and fucking sexy woman draped herself behind him. She was scantily dressed and even to a clueless person like me, it was obvious what had happened.
"She wants to join us?" the woman asked and my cheeks were so hot I thought they were going to fall off.
I widened my eyes, stuttered out and apology and ran to my apartment. I put my hand on my chest and slapped myself a little.
I was such a fucking fool. How could I ask him if he was going DIY's. Fucking DIY's. I couldn't think of anything better? Lord, was I a fool.
I carried my book and a blanket to the living room and sat on the couch. Now that I knew what the noises were, it would be even more awkward to stay in the room. Bye bye comfort.
A few hours later, I was woken up by knocks on the door. I woke up groggily and walked to the door, trailing my blanket along with me. I was too cold to leave it.
I opened the door and was surprised to see the hunky next door neighbor. He was dressed this time around and a small part of me regretted it. His and were too yummy not to be exposed.
"Hi," I squeaked. It's like magically, the sleepy feeling in me suddenly disappeared.
"Uh hello," the man said with a chuckle. I was sure I was a big joke to him. After the incident earlier, it was no surprise.
"I'm sorry for before–" I started but he interrupted me.
"No. You have nothing to be sorry for. I apologise for inconveniencing you," he said with an easy smile and I blushed. Why was I acting like I had never seen an attractive man before in my life goddammit.
"I– uh, yes. It's alright," I said, stuttering like an idiot.
"I didn't know you had moved it. I usually do my... activities in a more discreet way," he continued and I held in the urge to groan. Could he please stop? This was way too awkward.
"I'm Harry by the way," he said, stretching his hand out. I looked at it dubiously. Who knew what he had done with that.
I sent my hand and shook his hesitantly. Could I contact herpes through hand contact? You never know.
"I'm Iris," I responded awkwardly. I was a mess.
"Welcome I guess," he said, looking at me fixedly. I dropped my gaze for a second, then looked back up and he was smiling. This man.
"Thanks," I said, then added, "I guess"
Harry smiled, then said, "I think I'll like you more than I did the previous neighbor. He was a boring one. And definitely not as pretty as you"
He turned around and went to his apartment, but not without shooting me a sly wink.
As soon as he was out of sight, I locked the door and make a quick sign of the cross. God help me.
1. Prologue