Chapter 3: More than a Spark

It was just like they say in all the old-time movies. When love strikes, it strikes hard.

And Boy! They’re not kidding. What’s shown in those old movies, that’s not the half of it.

Bennett Orloff, neighbor extraordinaire, stood alone in the driveway, having left Dana to take care of other matters. He was on his way to meet his realtor. So many properties to acquire. So little time.

His sharp eye cut along the edge of the driveway. The narrow strip of land connecting his property the one next door could use some landscaping. The house in which the perky blonde with all those wild curls lived.

The cute, looked like she just dragged herself out of bed, with curves even ratty sweats couldn’t hide, blonde woman who was walking directly towards him. His neighbor. Eyes on her mail. Not where she was going. The friend he’s seen her with before must have left.

Before she even saw him there, Stella felt Bennett nearby. Only it was about three seconds too late. She’d already crashed into him. Literally.

Not yet fully aware of what was happening, Stella discovered herself hurdling, bottom up through the air. Landing headfirst, at the feet of Bennett Orloff. All while wearing her pajama sweats and an old tank top she’d had so long she couldn’t even remember where it came from. Or what color it was supposed to be. Not exactly the striking impression every girl dreamt of making.

As Stella stood to face him, she couldn’t help but wonder if at least she’d managed to fall gracefully. Though, considering the stabbing pain in her knee, she was pretty sure the answer was no.

Bennet was like a brick wall. Rock solid. Every inch of his over six-foot frame was pure, harder than granite, muscle.

She eyed those arms of his. The ones she couldn’t help but imagine wrapping around her, pressing her against his broad and clearly powerful chest.

Stella felt her own chest grow heavy. She was lightheaded. Her heart beat against her ribs like a drum. She silently prayed he couldn’t hear it.

That was the last thing she needed. As if she wasn’t already embarrassed enough. Running into him like that. Spilling her mail, his keys, coffee, and everything else he’d been carrying.

Her breakfast, consisting of a stale donut and iced coffee, clawed at her throat like the walking dead. Insisting on a foul re appearance.

What was happening? Did she have a concussion? From bumping into her neighbor?

Stella swallowed hard, refusing to be sick in front of this man. Bennett Orloff. Who somehow managed to both completely fluster and utterly excite her without so much as uttering a word.

“Sorry.” He said.

He spoke! His voice had a velvety quality, instantly calling to mind images of lush duvets and silk sheets. Strewn around a king-sized, four poster bed.

“Didn’t expect that to happen.” Bennett continued. His voice edged with concern. Apology. Surprise.

Stella felt she’d caught a glimpse of the man behind the rock-solid façade. A softer, kinder, far more approachable neighbor. A man any woman would feel comfortable talking to. A man she could talk to. Go grab a coffee with or share a bottle of wine. Very different from the one one who tied her tongue into knots.

Stella squinted at him. Taking it all in. Weighing what she thought she knew about him. Which wasn’t much. She compared that with what her feelings, her intuition, told her about him.

Yes. She decided. Definitely. Bennett Orloff was a complicated man.

While she watched, Bennett stooped down. She saw a ripple of muscle flex through his designer trousers as he bent over.

Stella scrambled to help him pick them up. Her unruly curls pulled back into a messy bun. Grateful she’d thought to do that much. Wishing she’d had the foresight to brush on some lip-gloss at the very least before running out in sweats to grab the mail.

But how was she supposed to know this was the morning she’d be meeting the man of her dreams? Was she really supposed to go around always looking totally presentable? At all times? Just in case? Seriously who could manage that? They were barely past a worldwide pandemic. Her bank account had an absolute balance of zero. Life was hard. There were priorities to sort out. Applying lip-gloss didn’t always make the cut. Not that morning. Not most mornings.

Bennett’s hand, with five perfectly buffed and polished fingers passed her back the letters she’d dropped. Of course, he had a perfect manicure. While her nails… Well, they were a little less shiny.

She took the letters and his fingertips brushed against hers. Some kind of charge she’d never felt before passed between them. Like electricity. But more. Much more. Stella’s heart lodged itself in her throat. Again, she had to swallow hard. It took every effort to steady herself. Slowly she rose to her feet.

Those eyes. Bennett had the most perfectly shaped periwinkle blue eyes she’d ever seen on a man, edged with long, black lashes. Was a man allowed to have eyes so beautiful? It hardly seemed fair to the rest of humanity. She caught herself, stopping her thoughts short before completely going over the rails.

Sure, the man was handsome. He was also her neighbor and they’d’ run into each other lots of times, as neighbors do. Hopefully not as literally as this time, but still. Maybe she’d left an impression?

Stella straightened. Brushed the gravel from her hands, her clothes. Willed herself to look at him. After all she was a full-grown woman she reminded herself. Why was she suddenly feeling so darn awkward? She was standing in front of her own house, her own home territory.

Normally she never thought twice about how to present herself. How to connect with a new person, lend a helping hand.

She glanced down. Embarrassment spread like wildfire from her belly to her cheeks. Singing them a bright ruby red. It wasn’t like her to let someone else do all the work. Especially when it was her mess being cleaned up.

“Let me help you.” Stella insisted. Swooping into action. Before he had a chance to say anything at all she’d gathered up his keys, coffee cup—a refillable and apparently unbreakable coffee cup.

Nice, she thought, making a mental note to find something like that. Though, judging by his expensive fountain pen named after a mountain in the Alps, and designer attire, she might not be able to afford a cup like that. Remarkably unbreakable or not.

He was staring at her. Wow were his eyes intense! They seemed to shift like clouds over the ocean. Just as blue. Just as stormy.

Was he… angry?

“Thanks.” Bennett said curtly. “I’ll take it from here.”

Stella nodded. Mentally kicking herself, trying to jump start her brain. Desperately hoping to think of something to say. Anything. No such luck.

Stella froze as he briskly grabbed his things from her hands. The spark of electricity from before still burned on her skin but now it felt more charred than smoldering.

“I have a meeting across town I must get to.” Bennett said as he walked away.

Leaving her standing alone, in stunned silence. She watched as he walked to a shiny red sports car parked along the street. Where he quickly disappeared behind blackened windows and drove off.

Without so much as a backwards glance in her direction.

Taking a quick cursory glance around, Stella surveyed herself and the driveway. Seemed they’d collected everything from their brief encounter. No real damage from the crash.

Except, maybe, the bruise that was beginning to bloom on Stella’s heart. She was sure she hadn’t imagined the surge of electricity she felt pass between them. He had to have felt it too. Didn’t he? Then why’d he acted as he had? So abrupt.

And why had she? Swooning over a man was just not her style. So, what gives? She chided herself. Though the answer seemed obvious.

Yeah. So, I’ve got it hard for my neighbor. Stella finally admitted to herself.

Now what?