What Good Neighbors Do

Jack stared at the blinking cursor on his phone. Only a few hours earlier, he had shared a semi-drunken kiss with his neighbor Rachel and now he was trying to figure out how to handle things.

He typed out a text to her, stared at it for a minute, then deleted it all and sighed heavily.

Hey Rachel, please don't be embarrassed, I think the alcohol got to both of our heads. No pressure or anything but I'd like to talk again when you're ready.

After staring at the screen for what felt like hours (but was actually more like 30 seconds), Jack hit send. And then put his phone face down and walked away.

Jack let out another sigh and sat down on the bed, the frame creaking as he tossed his weight onto it. He slipped under the sheets and rolled over, closing his eyes and trying to drift off to sleep. Unfortunately, his mind was still reeling from the events earlier. It could be a long night.

Rachel, meanwhile, was back in bed already at home. She also couldn't sleep. She saw her phone light up and heard the familiar buzz of a text message. She was afraid to look. She knew it had to be Jack, who else would be messaging her at this time of night?

She picked up her phone and peeked at the screen. She was right, it was Jack. She swiped the notification away without reading it, put her phone back down, and rolled away.Nope nope nope, I'll deal with that later,she thought. And then, like Jack, tried to close her eyes and will herself to sleep.

The next day was uneventful for the most part. Jack went to work. He did his best to be productive but had other things on his mind. He kept checking his phone, hoping to see a response from Rachel, but nothing. His phone would buzz and he'd quickly grab it, only for it to be another useless email or reminder about his next meeting (that probably should be an email).

He managed to make it through the day by sticking to his usual routine. After work, he got home, made dinner, and had just sat down with a glass of whiskey. But as he sat there, he realized he couldn't focus. The restlessness was eating him up. He was unconsciously bouncing his leg, checking his phone, checking his watch. He knew he couldn't just sit there, so he downed the drink, grabbed his keys, and headed out the front door.A walk would help, I'll burn off some of this energy, distract myself a bit,he thought as he locked the door behind him.

Rachel sat on the bench, looking out over the water. The same bench she had talked with Jack about just last night. Right before she... well, right before everything got really complicated. Maybe not the best place for her to be while she was avoiding Jack, but what she had told him was true. This was her comfort place, where she came when she needed to sort out her thoughts.

And she had a lot of them at the moment. Had she messed this all up? Was it just because of the wine? Did she want something more? Was that even an option? Would he even want her?

Lots of questions, not many answers. But the longer she sat with them, the longer she knew one thing for sure. She was attracted to Jack and she enjoyed his company. All the other stuff? That might take some time to figure out.

The sun was getting low on the horizon, bathing the park with a gentle orange glow, and a chill was starting to set in. Rachel pulled her jacket a little tighter around her body when a voice startled her from her thoughts.

"Mind if I sit here?" the man asked.

Rachel started to rise from the bench, planning to excuse herself and head home before it got too dark. "Oh, of course. Sorry, I was just about-" her breath caught in her throat before she could finish her sentence.

Because as she looked up, she realized it was Jack. "Oh.. hi. Hey. Um, yeah, I was just about to go home, so it's all yours."

"Are you sure? I could use a bit of company, if I'm being honest. I've got a lot on my mind, maybe you can help me sort through some of it," he said, taking a seat on the bench and looking out over the water. Mostly still, just some gentle waves lapping at the shore. A handful of ducks meandering across the surface.

Rachel stood there at first, looking out over the water as well. After a few moments, she responded. "Well.. you've always helped me when I need it. What's on your mind..?" she asked, a little hesitancy in her voice, asking a question she was sure she knew the answer to already.

"Well.. there's this girl I know." He kept his eyes focused out over the water as he spoke. Rachel swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded, though also still staring out at the lake. "She's a nice girl. Sweet, charming, funny. Really pretty, too. I think you'd like her," he said, a small smirk playing across his lips.

Rachel slowly lowered herself back onto the bench as Jack continued to talk. "Something happened recently and things got a little weird between us, though. But I like this girl and I don't want to lose her. As a friend.. or possibly as something more. I'd like to know what she's thinking, but I think she's avoiding me. Got any advice?" He sighed as he leaned back against the bench, placing his hands on the wood slats of the seat, a finger idly stroking against the grain.

Rachel gripped the edge of the bench, her fingers pressing tightly against it, trying to keep herself grounded and to think straight. "Jack, I-" she stopped herself, shook her head, stared at the grass. She took a deep breath, letting the crisp evening air flood her lungs, then letting it all out.

"She's probably nervous. Scared. It sounds like she really likes you and just doesn't want to mess things up, either." She kept staring at the ground, holding the edge of the bench, using one hand to brush her hair behind her ear.

Jack slid his hands along the seat of the bench, to where they were resting almost directly next to Rachel's. "So.. maybe it's just two fools worrying over nothing, and they just need to be clear about their feelings.."

Rachel felt Jack's hand next to hers and tentatively reached out with her pinky, wrapping it around Jack's. When he returned the gesture, feeling him give her pinky a gentle squeeze in return, she finally managed to pry her eyes off of the ground and turned to look at Jack. And there he was, looking right back at her. Their eyes locked, everything seemed to stop for a moment, and then Jack leaned in and kissed her.

This time was different. There was no hesitation. This wasn't the alcohol talking. And this wasn't a gentle peck on the lips. It was deeper, more passionate, tongues intertwined and the two getting lost in that moment. Rachel could feel Jack's hand pushing through her hair as he held the back of her head. She had wrapped her arms around him, feeling the strength of his body, not wanting to let him go in case this moment wasn't real.

They eventually had to pull themselves apart to catch their breath, heads reeling from the kiss, the passion, the intensity. Jack turned his head toward the exit of the park, then back toward Rachel. "Should we-?"

Rachel quickly stood up, holding Jack's hand and pulling him up with her as she gave him a firm nod. "Let's go."

Jack shut the door to his house behind him as he and Rachel hurried inside. He tossed his keys onto the small table near the door - not even bothering to lock it in the excitement of the moment - and he and Rachel were all over each other again instantly. Breathless, moaning in between passionate kisses, kicking off their shoes and taking turns peeling the clothing off of each other as they made out.

Jack grabbed Rachel's hips and lifted her up, setting her on the kitchen counter. She spread her legs a little and then wrapped them around Jack as he took her face in both hands, gently cradling her cheeks, and kissed her deeply. He paused and looked into her chestnut brown eyes. "Before we go too far - you're sure about this?"

A big grin crept across Rachel's face at the question. She answered the way she knew best - she slid her hand up Jack's neck to the back of his head, firmly grabbing a handful of his short hair, and pulling him in close for a deep, passionate kiss. After it broke, Rachel looked at Jack and nodded sharply as she licked her lips, savoring the taste of their kiss.

Jack didn't need any more reassurance. He grabbed the bottom of her shirt and lifted it over her head, tossing it to the side, and let his hands explore her soft, warm skin. Rachel helped Jack out of his shirt as well and rubbed her hands up and down on his chest, stroking his short chest hair. Jack kissed her neck and her ear, his passion taking over as he gave her earlobe a nibble and let out a low growl - a move that sent a shiver down Rachel's spine and lit a fire deep inside of her.

With her hands still on his chest, Rachel pushed Jack away momentarily, creating just enough distance between them for her to hop off of the counter and quickly drop to her knees in front of him. She bit her lip as she looked up into his eyes and gave him a quick wink as her hands deftly unbuckled his belt and undid his zipper, letting his pants drop to the ground.

Jack felt her warm hand slide into his boxers and her soft fingers wrapping around his cock, feeling how it was already growing hard. She gave him a couple quick strokes, then pulled his boxers down and let him free completely. She grasped his shaft again, admiring his cock, then looked back up into his hazel eyes as she extended her tongue and gave it a playful lick.

Jack's eyes rolled back in pleasure as he felt the warmth and wetness of her tongue teasing the head, and then a deeper groan of pleasure escaped as she wrapped her lips around him and began to suck and stroke in unison. Skilled, eager, beautiful - it wasn't long before Jack was at full mast and more than ready. Rachel was taking her time, both of them wanting to savor every moment, alternating between licking, sucking, and stroking him, working from the shaft to the tip, playing with his heavy balls. She had fantasized about this moment many times before and now she was going to make sure she made the most of this.

"Oh fuck, Rachel, that feels incredible," he moaned. He held one of her wrists and gave it a gentle tug upward. "Here, stand up." She took him out of her mouth with a loud pop and gave the head an exaggerated kiss - along with a loudmwah!sound as she did - and continued to gently hold and stroke him as she got to her feet.

Jack reached behind her and unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor, and cupping her breasts in his hands. He leaned down to lick and suck on her nipples, feeling how firm they already were. As he did, Rachel unbuttoned her jeans and shimmied out of them, now in only her underwear. "Fuck..." Jack stammered out as he looked her up and down, and then quickly scooped her into his arms.

Rachel let out a small yelp as he did, a mix of surprise and playfulness, kicking her legs a little as Jack carried her to the bedroom and set her down on the bed. He grabbed the waistband of her panties and slid them down her legs, tossing them to the side. Rachel had pulled her knees in together, still feeling a little shy and self conscious, but Jack gave her that reassuring smile as he rested his hands on her knees and she relaxed as he slowly spread them apart.

Jack moved between her legs and gently kissed her stomach, working his way down. He kissed her belly button, her hips, her thighs, and then inwards. He could feel the heat coming from her, see the wetness, the smooth skin and the small, trimmed patch of triangle shaped hair she left there. He kissed her pubic hair and then directly on her labia.

Rachel gripped Jack's head tightly, a mix of nervousness and excitement causing her to squeeze probably a little too hard. But Jack didn't protest, he just looked up at Rachel, peering across her body and towards her face, as he let his tongue stroke her folds, taste her sweetness, and massage her clit. Rachel could tell instantly that he was more experienced than the other men she had been with - or maybe it was the intensity of the situation - but either way, she could already feel her body craving the feeling of him inside of her.

It wasn't long before she managed to bark out a quick "Fuck, Jack... I need it, I'm ready," between moans. Jack kissed his way back up her body as he crawled further onto the bed and between her legs. He reached down to position himself, the head of his cock pressed against her entrance, and paused. He looked her in the eyes, and this time there was no need for words. They were both on the same page. They both wanted it. They both needed it.

Jack closed his eyes, kissed Rachel, and pushed his hips forward, moaning into her lips as he felt himself sink inside of her for the first time. Warm and tight and wet, as incredible as he had hoped and imagined.

Rachel inhaled sharply as she felt him enter, a little thicker than she had been used to, feeling a little stretched and filled up in the best way. She had to break the kiss, her fingers digging into his back and her legs locked tightly around his waist. She buried her face in his neck as she moaned "Oh fuckkk," gasping and trying to catch her breath.

Jack held himself up with his arms, looking down at Rachel, giving her a moment to adjust to the sensation of being filled. After a moment, she gave him a small nod, and he began working his hips. His moans started to grow louder as he rolled his hips, slowly at first, but building speed as he went. When he felt Rachel starting to push back against him, he knew he didn't need to hold anything back anymore. He felt his full length stroking deep into her with each thrust, pulling almost all the way out and then quickly slamming back in deep.

He leaned down and kissed her again, pushing in deep and grinding his hips against hers. He felt her stiff nipples pressing into his chest as they kissed, her heels digging into his butt as Rachel tried to hold him in as deeply as she could. Jack looked her in the eyes as he caught his breath. "Fuck, Rachel, you feel incredible. I won't be able to keep this up much longer."

Rachel nodded and smiled at him, the shyness gone by now. "I'm getting close, too, Jack, just keep going." And within moments he was right back to the quick, deep thrusts, groaning with pleasure, softly biting her neck. "Fuck, Rachel, I'm going to cum."

She leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "Finish inside me, Jack. I'm on the pill, it's okay," which was all he needed to hear. Her words flipped a switch in his brain and pushed him right over the edge. He pushed himself into her as deeply as he could as his cock pulsed and throbbed inside of her. She felt the warmth of his seed filling her, letting out an almost feeble moan as the sensation pushed her over the edge as well, trying her best to hold Jack tight but her body was too busy melting into a puddle of pure pleasure.

A few breathless moments later and Jack was collapsed to the side of Rachel, both of them breathing heavily. He brushed a strand of her long black hair behind her ear as they stared into each other's eyes. The room was silent beyond the sound of their panting, everything feeling still, neither of them entirely sure that what just happened was real.

Rachel opened her mouth to speak, but Jack placed his finger against her lips and smiled as he gave her a soft "Shhh.."

"We have lots of time to talk. For right now, I just want to live in this moment," he said. Rachel smiled back at him shyly, her cheeks blushing a little. Now that the act was over, she suddenly felt that insecurity creeping back in. She quickly closed her eyes and buried her face in Jack's chest, and whispered a soft "Thank you..." She wasn't even sure if he heard it, but she didn't care. In that moment, there was nothing else she needed.

She wrapped her arms around Jack, head still resting against his chest, and the two of them drifted off to sleep, basking in the glow of a long awaited and finally realized moment.