The Neighbor #3 (The Neighbor #3) by Claire Adams Read Free Book Online Page B

Eric.”
    “Cool. Diane’s birthday is coming up and I
think it will be a nice treat.”
    I toweled off as I thought about my encounter
with Eric. I would ask Max if he had made a visit to an adult store recently.
My other option was to do my own research and I could take Ryder along. It
would be the neighborly thing to do, helping Eric. Nothing
wrong with helping a brother out. I walked back to my room.
    “Hey, Kelly. Good morning. What ya reading?” I asked my roommate as she lounged on her bed.
    “Not cramming for my mid-terms. I picked up
some travel guides on France. Many of the films I recently watched were French
and I am mulling over a visit. I might look into the foreign exchange program.
Who knows? But it’s a dream,” Kelly said.
    “It’s a worthy dream. I dream I won’t flunk
out of school.” I laughed.
    I figured I would change things up a little. I was tiring of neon and I thought it was a trend that was
on the way out. I pulled on a red and white patterned skirt and a white sweater
with a deep V-neck. The skirt was short with a dangerously high slit. I figured
it wouldn’t work for a trip to Magnolia but it would be perfect for putt-putt.
It would be perfect for Ryder—easy access. I threw on my signature silver
bangles and my red Toms. I was overdressed for an early morning class but I
didn’t care.
    I met Max before class. We took our usual
seats behind Rozi, Rosemary, and now the ever-present Valerie.
    “What’s the deal with Valerie?” I whispered.
    Max rolled his eyes.
    “How was your long weekend at home?” Max
asked.
    “Fine. I’m sure you had a crazy weekend. I can’t wait to hear the details.”
    “I didn’t hit The Spot or anything like that.
I am pursuing other interests. I’m not as old as you know who , but I am maturing. I can’t burn the candle on both
ends and expect to keep it up.”
    It was a herculean task to keep from laughing.
Max went through phases. It was part of his charm and I expected him to hit the
party circuit again soon.
    “What are these other interests you are
pursuing, Max?” I asked.
    “Foreign films. French films in particular. It’s a beautiful
language and those French know how to handle a love story.”
    I was about to mention to Max that my roommate
Kelly had a similar interest, when Ryder walked into the room. The look he gave
me directly was mischievous. He had been playful since our morning
conversation. It was a side of him I liked.
    “Today, we will begin our third unit, which
deals with the history of sex. I think you will be surprised how it all
started.”
    Ryder was delivering a lecture, which was a
departure from the way he usually conducted class. There was no Q&A. He
roamed among us as he spoke of Eve to Cleopatra. He talked of Helen of Troy as
if he knew her, and famous Hollywood couples, such as Bogie and Bacall, Hepburn
and Tracy, Jolie and Pitt, etcetera.
    He walked down the aisle behind mine. He was
babbling on about the history of love and of sex, and how one could not exist
without the other. He faked dropping his pen. When he reached down to pick it
up, he dropped an envelope on my desk. I waited until he was further away
before I opened it.
    You got me going this morning, Walsh. I hope
you’re planning to pick up where we left off. I always repay my debts. I
believe this is your size.
    There was a black lace thong neatly folded in
the envelope. Ryder looked in my direction and winked. I began to sweat. I took
off the jacket I was wearing over my plunging white sweater giving Ryder a
clear view of my breasts as they rose and fell with my quickened breaths. Ryder
paused to clear his throat. I shoved the envelope in my purse and Ryder
continued his lecture. I didn’t take notes or listen for the remainder of the
class.
    “I thought the history of love and sex would
be a bore, but I liked it. Does Ryder talk to you like that when the lights
dim?” Max joked.
    I rolled my eyes. “I will catch up with you
later, Max.