Cinnamon Hearts

Chapter 1

When Nick arrived back home, he was surprised to see a large box truck backed up to the neighboring home's front door, "Big Boyz Moving" was printed in massive block letters across it's side. Below the company name were shadowed silhouettes of men in a line carrying impossibly large objects with ridiculous ease. Amongst the more notable items, Nick picked out a piano, a couch, and an elephant each carried by individual shadows. He snickered to himself and read the the slogan as he pulled into the drive, "If Big Boyz can't move it, nobody can!"
An enormous man with a large gold earring stepped out of the back of the truck and it appeared glad of his leaving. He was carrying a small house plant in two hands and Nick had to laugh. Big Boyz indeed. His massive arms looked cheated by the small load but he treated it carefully all the same. As he made to enter the house, a second large man with darker chocolate brown skin left. He also seemed to see the humor in the small load and took the opportunity to ridicule his co-worker. From the first man's response, Nick assumed they were also friends.
Nick was intrigued. Apart from the week or two a year when the aging owner of the home would come to check on the house and make sure everything was clean and in good working order, the Jensen house had been empty for years. Since before Ali and he had purchased their home, Charlie Jensen, the owner, had informed them once. The list price of the home seemed crazy high and it gave Nick the impression that Charlie didn't want to sell it. Nick had begun to believe it would never see a real resident, perhaps until old Charlie kicked the bucket anyway.
Stepping out of the car, stretching and yawning, Nick looked beyond the moving van and saw a black crotch-rocket. Could it be? He shook his head. Of course not, he thought, what were the chances. However, despite his attempts to dismiss the vehicle, he decided to indulge again in his fantasy and strolled out onto the side walk to get a view of the bike from behind. His stomach jumped and his throat went dry. A red rounded heart sat off-center and askew on the back of the bike. He tried to swallow. He shook his head again and couldn't help but grin. Maybe his luck was changing... What a treat it would be to follow her home every day, or see her working her garden, bent over and glistening in sweat.
He went back to his car, retrieved his bag and entered through the front door. He kicked off his shoes and was about to call out to Ali when he heard her talking from the kitchen.
"... oh I don't know... Months for sure," she laughed. "I just don't feel like it most days now."
Nick felt suddenly sick, is she telling that woman about our sex life?
"Well if you want help with any exercises, let me know," another women's voice answered.
"Oh!" Ali cut in and continues in hushed tones but Nick heard her easily enough, "I think that's my husband." Then she called out, "Nick? Is that you? There is someone here I want you to meet!" She sounded bubbly.
Nick rounded the corner into the kitchen, and saw in the warm sunlight, shed though a skylight above them, Ali and the gorgeous woman from the traffic jam standing across the island from eachother. Nick couldn't believe his eyes, and had to make note not to let his jaw drop involuntarily.
Ali smiled. She stood at about 5'4" and would be as likely to be called adorable as she was to be declared beautiful, which turned out to be fairly regularly. Her straight, light blonde hair flowed over her shoulder like water as she turned her head to look at him. Nick noticed she was giving him her don't-make-me-look-bad smile. He couldn't help but admire her when he looked at her, and longed in his heart for the return of the passion they once shared, of days gone by. She cocked her head a bit, and her beautiful brown eyes widened a little, a hint that he was misbehaving, "this is our new neighbor, Melissa," she introduced through partially gritted teeth.
Nick paused for a moment before making to reach out and shake her hand. He caught her eye as she extended her hand towards him. Something about his expression must have given him away, in part at least, because she too paused for a moment and he could tell she was searching his eyes for an answer. Their hands touched and Nick found himself begging silently, not to be recognized from his car.
"So you bought old Charlie Jensen's house, hey? I hope he gave you a better price than he'd been asking," Nick laughed dryly.
"Oh, I had him come down probably a quarter of his asking price." She replied with a nostalgic smile. Nick was surprised and it obviously showed. Melissa laughed and smiled beautifully, "I understand men pretty well," she explained. "He gave me a fair price, and he walked away happy... Have we met?" Melissa asked suddenly. Nick had the feeling she was looking right through him into his soul. It made him feel strangely naked.
"No Melissa," he managed a chuckle, "I don't believe we could have." The new neighbor smiled at him and it made his heart sink and jump at the same time.
"Call me Mel," she said.
"Pleasure to meet you Mel, what brings you to us?" Nick felt awkward. His fantasy woman was still holding onto his hand.
She smiled anew. A dazzling smile. Her teeth were perfectly aligned, and her lips were full and red. Her skin was a naturally darker olive-tone, but she was visibly well tanned. She wore a nice border of black eyeliner that suited her perfectly, and very little mascara on her long, naturally curled eyelashes. She stood a little taller than Ali, and one could tell through her leather coat and pants that she was in good shape. Her curves were throwing Nick for a tail spin, and as she took a step towards him, he was stunned by the grace she portrayed in a single step. "Work," she said and it felt to Nick like there was great meaning in that monosylabic word. She was everything a woman might want to be, and everything a man would want to hold.
"Mel is a personal trainer, and sexual therapist. She was just giving me some exercises to try!" Ali was bubbly once more, as she often was.
"Exercises? Exercises for--I mean, which kind of exercises?" Nick sputtered. Ali looked instantly mortified.
Melissa burst out laughing, "Physical training exercises, Nick. Your wife and I just met. Would you like some tips?"
Nick had the feeling she was implying the tips she'd be giving him were not merely the physical kind. From the way she looked at him as she asked, he felt she was challenging him, and in doing so, inviting him into participating in a very sexual endeavor. He tried to chuckle it off as if he'd intended it as a joke, but his laughter sounded nervous even to him, and it was obvious by her expression, she was looking right through him.
Mel released Nick from her firm but somehow pleasant grip finally. Though he was relieved, he felt at a loss as her warm slender fingers left his hand.
"Well, I should get back to the move, but that was a wonderful chat Alex."
"Thank-you so much for stopping in," Ali replied, "come by anytime!"
Nick tried not to wince at the thought of trying to act normal around this raven-haired goddess anytime she happened to wish to drop in. Mel made for the door, her wavy black hair twisting and bouncing as she glided to the entrance. She turned and looked at Nick again. Her eyes narrowing slightly, level with his own. She was trying to place him or his motives, Nick could tell. "And nice to meet you too, Nicholas" she paused again and shook his hand again. She couldn't place him. He felt a wave of relief.
"And you," he replied, with what he hoped was a warm, friendly smile. Mel opened the door and took two steps outside and paused. Nick leaned around the door frame to see what made her halt. She turned around and looked Nick straight in the eyes. Ali walked up beside him and wrapped her arms around his waist in a very "loving-wife" type gesture. Melissa smiled another gorgeous smile, and Nick saw something flash across her eyes. Amusement? Mischief?
"Nice car Nicky!" Nick felt the colour drain from his face. She new exactly who he was, and what she was doing to him. "I just gained a new appreciation for this particular model today." She winked and turned around, her face glowing with delight. She proceeded to walk next door, her hips swaying as she drifted effortlessly to her new property. There was an air of confidence with her every step, as she walked away like she had just won some victory.
The big boyz were standing outside on the front step talking. Sweat beading on their bald heads. Melissa walked up to them. And they had a brief exchange. Nick couldn't hear what they were saying but he saw her tuck a roll of bills into the bigger, darker man's front shorts pocket as she stood on the tops of her boots to kiss the other man's cheek. She flashed a smile and held her arms out like she was waiting for and answer. Mel dissapeared into the house and the two men had a brief exchange.
The one with the earring seemed to be explaining something obvious to the other, grasped him by the shoulder, then promptly followed Mel into the house and shut the door. The larger man stood ther chuckling and shaking his head. He looked at the moving truck. Then at the house. He chuckled again and shook his head once more before following his large friend.
Nick turned away, confident he knew what was happening inside, with mixed feelings of disgust and jealousy. He thought of the way she left, her hips swaying to the beat of a song she only knew. He felt a disturbing mixture of fear and arousal. With a simple sentence and a wink, they had gone from a simple strangers to goddess and prospective acolyte. And they both new it.
Ali chucked to herself and turned to go back into their air-conditioned home, "Alex... I like that. What a fun woman..." smiling to herself, she left Nick, stationary, stunned in the doorway.
Nick frowned, "Nicky?" He thought. Somehow, coming from her, it sounded good. Almost like a term of endearment from a lover. Nick smiled and closed the door. His luck was about to change, he decided. He had a feeling that his sexual frustration would soon be appeased. She's inviting me to a sexual game, she made that obvious. And I already know she likes to play games...
He adjusted the inseam of his pants to better conceal his erection and Ali called out to him, undoubtedly to discuss their new neighbour. Nick felt as though he was walking on air, while, at the same time, consciously ignoring a lingering sense of dread.