What Skylar Needs Read online

  Candace gave Melanie one last look before turning to Skylar. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  “Don’t be long,” she said releasing his neck and retreating into the apartment. Skylar turned his gaze back to Melanie.

  “What do you want?”

  Despite his attitude, she smiled. She wanted to take the cupcake and shove it in his sexy face but refrained, knowing that it would not solve anything. Instead, she decided to woman up and apologize. Even if she didn’t think he deserved one.

  “I thought we got off on the wrong foot. I wanted to bring a peace offering as an ‘I’m Sorry’ gift. We are going to be neighbors, and I don’t want you hating me the entire time. I brought you a cupcake as my white flag.”

  He looked at the cupcake and back up at her. He wondered why she cared if he liked her or not. This was life, and not everyone was going to like you. When he looked at her she seemed so hopeful and sincere. Being mean to her now felt like being mean to a puppy.

  “Fine, I accept your peace offering. Just keep it down from now on; at least on game nights.”

  “No problem. I’ll be as quiet as a mouse.”

  She smiled up at him and lifted her hands to offer the cupcake. Her smile was beautiful. It wasn’t manufactured by thousands of dollars of dental work. A small gap in her two front teeth gave it character. He accepted the cupcake and waited for her to end whatever it was they were doing.

  “Ok then,” she said, “I guess I’ll let you get back to your date. I’ll see you around, neighbor.”

  “Yeah, see you around.”

  She spun on her heels and made her way up the stairs.

  CHAPTER THREE

  "Oohhhh, Skylar!" Bang, bang, bang. "I'm so close."

  This had been going on for thirty minutes and Melanie had had enough. To think she had been worried about being loud and disturbing Skylar. She brought him a peace offering for goodness' sake and this.... THIS was how he repaid her? Loud monkey sex with, she assumed, the buxom blonde from earlier. Didn't he know people had jobs and wanted to sleep?

  Their grunts, moans and overall screeches were distracting. Not to mention that it sounded like the man could go all night. Couldn't he get off already so she could have some peace? She picked up her phone from the bedside table and sent a group text to Claudia and Jade.

  Melanie: My neighbor, Mr. Grumpypants, seems to be having a party of his own tonight.

  Claudia: You should go crash it.

  Jade: Claud, that would be rude.

  Melanie: It's not that kinda party. He and some blonde bombshell type are going at it like rabbits. I've heard her scream more times than I can count. #barf

  Claudia: Then you should definitely crash that party. Mr. Grumpy pants is sexy. Ask to join the fun.

  Jade: How do you know she is a "blonde bombshell"?

  Claudia: Good point J. How do you know this?

  Melanie: Long story, but I saw her at his apartment earlier today.

  Claudia: Well if he has her screaming like that then maybe you should get in his good graces. You could use a little ride on his motorcycle.

  Jade: Really?!

  Melanie: Goodnight creeper.

  * * *

  Skylar plopped down on the couch. He'd just walked Candace out. He could tell that she wanted to stay overnight, but he didn't want to give her the wrong impression. They both agreed from the start that this would only be about sex; no commitment, and no sleepovers. He was afraid that she had forgotten the rules and was getting attached.

  Skylar enjoyed the sex they had, but he wasn't looking for anything serious. His career was his main focus. Love and relationships just didn't fit into that right now. He had a feeling it was time to cut things off with Candace. It would suck because what they had worked for him, but he didn't need her catching feelings. If she did that, then he’d never get rid of her.

  After flipping through the channels, he turned the T.V. off and headed to bed. He had to be up early. He was visiting a new business tomorrow that he would begin consulting work with. The company he worked for, Brenshasw Consulting, helped many businesses and focused on start-ups and newer businesses.

  While he lay in bed, his neighbor popped into his head. She brought him a cupcake. Who did that kind of thing? Who went out of their way to give someone a peace offering? Especially someone who had been as cold as he had been to her? He kind of felt bad for acting like such a jerk. She looked so innocent standing there with a cupcake in hand and what seemed like sincere intentions.

  Melanie was a stark contrast to Candace. She was petite. He doubted she was much more than five feet tall. Her skin was a warm brown color, her hair a mass of tightly coiled curls, and she had curves for days. Despite having had his fair share of model type women, he definitely could acknowledge that she was beautiful. What man didn't appreciate full hips, breasts and a round behind?

  Skylar tried to shake her out of his head. He had no idea why he would be thinking of her in the bed that he had just had sex with Candace in. Melanie was his neighbor, and he was never going there with her. As a matter of fact, he didn't plan on even seeing her except in passing. Closing his eyes, he waited for sleep to take over.

  The next morning, Skylar headed out of his apartment to his car and was running through his talking points on a presentation he would be giving later that day. As he neared the car, he saw Melanie standing by hers. She had the hood open and was just staring at the engine block. The urge to avert his eyes and act like he never saw her was strong. He didn't have time to deal with whatever her issue was, but his manners got the best of him and he walked toward her.

  "Car trouble?"

  "You could say that," she replied without looking up at him.

  "What's going on with it?"

  "I don't know. If I did, I wouldn't be standing here staring at it."

  So, the sweet neighbor has a bit of a snarky side, he noted.

  "Obviously," he rolled his eyes even though he knew she wasn't paying attention. "What happens when you try to turn it on?"

  "Nothing. It makes a revving sound and then nothing."

  "I can try to jump it to see if that works. Maybe it's just the battery." She finally gave him a sideways glance.

  "Ok. Thanks."

  "Do you have jumper cables?"

  "Um, no. I don't think so."

  Skylar huffed out a breath. "You should always have jumper cables. It should be a part of your car essentials kit."

  "Car essentials kit? I put gas in it when it gets low. What more do I need to do?"

  Instead of answering her question, Skylar walked toward his car. He pulled it up beside hers and pulled the cables from the trunk.

  "Come over here and pay attention," Skylar said over his shoulder.

  He heard her mutter something about ‘bossy’ under her breath, but he ignored it. Everyone needed to know the basics of a car if they were going to drive one, and jumping a car was an essential. Mustering all of his patience, he talked her through how to do it. To his surprise, she seemed really receptive to learning. Their attempt to jump the car was in vain. The car was still reluctant to turn over.

  “Hmm, must not be your battery then. You're probably going to have to get it towed to a shop."

  "Great. Just great." She kicked her foot against the car.

  "Whoa, there. Wouldn't want you to do more damage than you've already done."

  "I don't have time for my car to be breaking down. I have a job that I have to get to every day."

  "Do you have Triple A?"

  "No."

  "Where do you work?"

  "Downtown, at a boutique."

  Skylar looked up at the sky and heaved out a breath. "Ok, I can drop you off at work. It's on my way. You can figure out what to do about your car tonight or something."

  "I can't ask you to do that. I can take an Uber."

  Skylar pressed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. Why couldn't she just agree and make things simple?

/>   "Melanie, it's fine. It's no trouble. Please, just get in the car."

  She crossed her arms over her chest and stalked to the car. He walked around to her side and opened the door for her. The frown on her face deepened. Geez, he tried to be nice to the woman and she radiated disdain. This was exactly why he didn't want a relationship.

  He walked around to his side of the car and braced himself for the ice storm. Inside the car, he turned on some music and started to back out of the lot.

  "Thank you."

  He turned and looked at her briefly. She had loosened her arms from around her chest. If he was honest, he was kind of glad she’d stopped that. She did have a really nice rack, and her crossed arms only brought more attention to it. Not that he would ever act on any of his thoughts.

  "You're welcome."

  They drove in silence. Melanie looked out of the window at the passing buildings. She couldn’t help but think that this day was shaping up to be terrible already. She was thinking about when she would have time to call repair shops. She only had a few appointments today, so that should leave her time to call around.

  When they pulled up to her job, she was ready to bolt from the car. She was thankful for the ride, but she still wasn't Skylar's biggest fan. Another ‘thank you’ was on her tongue, but he spoke before she got a chance.

  "What time do you get off?"

  "Six. Why?"

  "I'll be here."

  Melanie was surprised. She didn't expect him to pick her up. Heck, she hadn't expected a ride to work.

  "Oh, no. That isn't necessary. I'll have Jade or Claudia pick me up or catch an Uber. You've done enough."

  "We're going to the same place. I'll be here at six."

  Melanie stared at him. His jaw was set, and it looked like he was clenching his teeth. His hands had a death grip on the steering wheel. She wasn't sure why he insisted if he was going to look so angry about it.

  "Fine. Thank you again."

  She hurried out of the car. He sure seemed grumpy all of the time. Or maybe he was just grumpy around her. Who knew? Honestly, at that moment, she didn't have much time to care.

  Once she was in her office, she turned on her computer to check her appointments for the day. There would be working the floor, and doing follow-up calls with clients.

  Since it was a little before nine, she decided to search Google to find a few auto repair places to call. Several calls later, she settled on a shop that had good reviews and could tow her car for a reasonable price. The tow truck would be at her house at seven the next morning. By the time she got home that night, the shop wouldn't be open anyway.

  Jade walked into her office as she was hanging up with the auto shop.

  “Morning," Jade said plopping down on the chair across the desk with her signature caramel latte in hand.

  "Hey, girl. What's up?"

  "Nothing really. Trying to suck down this coffee so I'm not a zombie all day."

  "I could bypass the coffee and go straight for shots after the morning I've had."

  "Oh, no. What happened?"

  Melanie gave her a recap of her morning.

  "That really sucks, Mel. I hope, whatever it is, it’s an easy fix. I could take you home. If you want me to pick you up for work in the morning, I can do that too."

  "I hate to have you come all the way to get me, but that would be really great. I have no idea how long it will take to fix my car."

  "No problem, I don't mind at all."

  The day went by quickly. When the time rolled around to a quarter to six she heard Jade greet a customer. It was getting close to being time to leave, and since she was catching a ride she couldn't really help any last-minute customers.

  "Is Melanie still here?" she heard a deep voice ask.

  She made her way to the counter where he was standing with Jade.

  "I'm here, but I still have fifteen minutes," she said as she approached.

  "I'm aware of what time it is. I wanted to make sure you didn't run off early so you didn't have to ride with me."

  "Although that is a good idea, kudos to you for thinking of it, I did not run off." She rolled her eyes. He really pushed her buttons.

  "I can see that."

  “Jade here could have taken me home. She is going to pick me up in the morning, so you will be relieved of your duties."

  He arched a brow at her and gave her a look like she was crazy.

  "Why?"

  It was her turn to give him a look.

  "Why what?"

  "Why would she give you a ride in the morning when we live in the same building?"

  "Because she is my friend and you and I are not friends. I don't want to keep asking you for favors."

  "You aren't asking for favors," he replied, and she resisted the urge to stomp her foot.

  "Whatever, you know what I mean. I don't want to burden you or owe you."

  He stared down at her. She returned the stare, refusing to back down from his intense gaze.

  "Has anyone ever told you that you are exhausting?"

  A smile crept up on her face. "All the more reason not to drive me."

  He ran a hand down his handsome face and then looked to Jade.

  "Don't worry about picking her up in the morning. No need for you to go out of your way. I'll bring Crazy to work tomorrow."

  "Hey, I resent that," Mel protested.

  He ignored her and waited for Jade's acknowledgment. She looked back and forth between Melanie and Skylar. Skylar kept a stone cold face while Melanie kept motioning with her thumb across her neck.

  "Ok," Jade finally said.

  Skylar looked at Melanie. "See, it isn't that hard to be agreeable."

  Turning his back from the front counter, he headed toward one of the chairs in front of the window. He began scrolling through his phone like he didn't just come into her place of business and make demands. The man was infuriating.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Melanie took her time reorganizing clothes, cleaning the windows, and doing other closing duties. Maybe he’d get impatient and decide he didn't want to take her tomorrow. When she’d done everything she could think of, she went to the back and grabbed her purse. For added effect, she stood in her office an extra few minutes opening and closing desk draws just to take up more time.

  When she emerged, he was in the same spot. Now his arms were crossed, and his stare was pinned on her. She gave him an innocent smile.

  "All set," she said not letting the smile drop from her face.

  "Are you sure? Any more windows to clean?" The sarcasm in his voice was heavy.

  Batting her eyes, she replied, "Nope, all done. Let's go." She turned to Jade and gave her a wave and walked out.

  Skylar gave Jade an exasperated look before he followed behind Melanie. Jade offered a small smile and shrugged her shoulders. He knew then that Melanie was a lot of sass in a tiny package.

  He eased into traffic. A light rock station was playing on low. Melanie began flipping through channels until it landed on a pop station.

  "What are you doing?" His hands tightened on the steering wheel. Hadn't this woman ever heard that you don't mess with a man's radio?

  "What do you mean what am I doing?" Her head was bobbing to the beat of a popular boy band.

  "Why did you just change my station?"

  "Because I needed some jams." She snapped her fingers and sang along. Her voice was off key, but she was giving it her all.

  Skylar glanced over at her. There was no shame in her jam session. He'd bet she was the type of person who thrived at karaoke bars. Giving up on the radio battle, he focused on the road while trying to tune out the awful sound.

  "You hungry?"

  She didn't say anything at first, but when he looked over at her, he saw she had her head cocked looking at him.

  "What?" he asked.

  "I'm trying to figure you out."

  "What do you mean?"

  "One minute you can't stand me and you roll your eyes at me
constantly. The next minute you’re offering me rides and opening doors. I should say demanding to give me rides, but you get the picture. I don't get you."

  "There's nothing to get. Your car broke. I have a car. I need to eat. You need to eat. It's rather simple actually. I was raised to have manners. You, I'm not so sure."

  "Heeey! I have plenty of manners. It's kind of hard to know when to use them when you're dealing with a moody, bossy man."

  He scoffed at that. "You are delusional, sweetheart. I'm not moody or bossy. I’m chivalrous. You just seem to know how to push my buttons.."

  "Whatever you say, bossy-pants."

  Skylar pulled into a Chinese restaurant that was about five minutes from their building. As he was getting out of the car, he said, "Either come in or get whatever I choose." Then he closed the door.

  She wanted to strangle him, but she figured that explaining that he was a bossy jerk wouldn't fly as an excuse with the police. Instead, she got out and ran to catch up with him. Inside, he ordered several things off of the menu and then asked her what she wanted. She knew what she wanted, but she took her time looking. She knew that it would drive him crazy, and that had become her new favorite game.

  "Ok," he finally gritted out. "Pick something now or you get nothing."

  "No need to be so impatient unless, of course, you have another long night ahead of you with the blonde bombshell."

  Skylar's neck and cheeks started to turn pink.

  "My nights are none of your concern."

  "They are when I can hear every 'Oh Skylar, right there' from the comfort of my own bed."

  He didn't reply to her last comment. It wasn't like the ceiling was very thick in their building. He had heard some of his own neighbors during their tussles between the sheets. For some reason, he didn't want her to think that he and Candace were a thing.

  Deicing to put him out of his misery, she ordered. When the cashier gave them their total, he handed over his card. She tried to slip hers in, but he told her to put it away.

  "I don't need you buying my dinner. I have a job; the one you just picked me up from, in fact."

  "Do you have to argue about everything?"

  She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him an incredulous look. "I don't argue about everything. I'm just stating facts."