Modern - Chapter 2

I looked around my new apartment with satisfaction. It needed a little cleaning. I had arrived earlier than expected and thankfully, the other resident had departed ahead of schedule, but there was no time between us for the building manager, a friendly older woman named Christine, to arrange for professional cleaning.

Nothing I couldn't handle myself, I decided, rolling my luggage into the bedroom. Before I started unpacking the boxes and suitcases I had stuffed into my car for the long trip, I would give the apartment a nice, deep clean.

With lots of driving, a few energy drinks, and grit, I had managed the 28 hour drive from New York City to San Antonio in two days. I had spent the previous night at a hotel, too tired to deal with sorting out my apartment situation, and had arrived late this morning to find that, thankfully, the opening advertised as being a week or two out was actually immediately available.

After three hours of rigorous cleaning, I spent almost another three hours unpacking and was grateful I had only brought the barest necessities with me. I was only going to be here for a month, two tops, God willing. Just long enough to clean out a few dirty employees.

I sighed and sank back on my bed to rest for a moment. Outside, the sun was setting, leaving a beautiful tapestry of brilliant colors in the sky. I watched with a feeling of calm. It was good to be here, to be settled. And it was nice to be away from the crazy bustle and noise of New York. I loved the city, but it could get a bit overwhelming sometimes.

I was just stepping out of a refreshing shower when I heard something unexpected. From the apartment above me came the unmistakable sound of "Knock Three Times", one of my favorite songs, but one that was not terribly common. I smiled. My upstairs neighbor apparently had excellent music tastes. I wondered if I had anything else in common with them. I wasn't planning on having a swinging social life or anything, but it would be lonely if I had to spend my time here completely alone outside of work.

Deciding to do something a bit daring and a lot unorthodox, I reached up and gave three sharp knocks on the ceiling. When there was no response, I did so again. Still nothing. I decided that I would give it one more try.

When I didn't receive an answering knock, I gave up and lowered my arm in defeat. A strange movement out the patio doors caught my eye. Was that. . . ? Yes! It was a note tied to a stretch of yarn. I hurried out and grabbed it, looking up for a glimpse of my very interesting neighbor. I couldn't see anything, so I turned my attention to the note.

"Meet me by the pool in 30 minutes. -E"

I smiled. I hadn't had this much fun in longer than I could remember. Heading back into my living room, I quickly gave another three knocks, then headed to my room. I would change into my swim trunks. Then, if my neighbor proved to be a disappointment, at least I could fit in a nice evening swim.

While I watched the clock, I wondered about the name. What did the E stand for? Elizabeth? Evan? Evangeline? Eric?

Finally, thirty minutes passed and I made my way down to the pool area. This was one of the main reasons I had wanted this apartment. I loved swimming and knew it would be a great relief when the stresses of work started to pile up.

As I walked down a hallway to the pool, I passed a shadowed alcove. A dark figure snatched my arm.

"What the-" I managed to get out before the obviously feminine figure pushed me against the wall, wrapped her arms around me, and caught my lips in a warm, surprisingly gentle kiss. I let her lead until I felt her fingers stroking my hair.

I responded by deepening the kiss and pulling her soft, full figure against me. I tangled my hands in her long, soft curls.

Finally we pulled apart, though I kept my arms loosely around her waist. The lighting wasn't great, but I was able to make out a sweet, pretty face, full lips, sparkling eyes, and dark hair. "You really pack a punch," I said, touching her soft cheek. "But I feel like I should know your name before I kiss you again."

She laughed and introduced herself as Emmy. Ah, so she was probably the mysterious E who had sent me my note.

"Emmy. I like that. I'm Derren."

Her face fell when I said my name and she looked closely at my face, then looked anxiously over her shoulder. I'm not always such a prideful man. At least, I don't think I am. But something about the realization that she mistook me for someone else and that she perhaps regretted our kiss pushed me to an act of desperation.

In an attempt to divert her thoughts from whatever other man she might have been expecting, I tightened my arms around her, turned so I was pressing her against the wall, and captured her lips in a kiss that was all heat and passion. It was an aggressive kiss, but she returned it just as energetically, wrapping her arms around my neck and running her hands through my short hair.

I growled, enjoying the feel of her fingers in my hair. She was, without a doubt, driving me crazy. This embrace lasted even longer, and by the time I pulled away, I was worried that my heart might beat right out of my chest.

Emmy looked just as affected by our kiss and I felt a strong surge of pure masculine satisfaction as she stared at me with a slightly dazed expression of wonder. "I don't ever want to let you go," I whispered, pulling her into a soft hug.

"Mmmmm," was all she said, but it was enough. I wasn't going to let this girl slip through my fingers, that was for sure.