Neighbour. Erotica

Юрий Буреве

Neighbour. Erotica

Chapter 1. The Knock

– "I'll take this one."

– "Which one?"

– "This one right here."

– "Sir, can you just say clearly what you want?"

– "Vanilla ice cream."

– "Why didn’t you just say so from the start?"

– "I pointed at it right away."

– "Sir, now you’re arguing like a woman."

– "What?"

Maxim didn’t bother continuing the conversation with the ice cream vendor, sensing it wouldn’t lead anywhere good. The heat was unbearable—not record-breaking, but impossible to get used to. You could only endure it or ignore it. Maxim was trying to cool off because his patience was wearing thin, and pretending everything was fine wasn’t working anymore.

The taste of vanilla ice cream, as it touched his tongue, took him back to childhood. He remembered how his father used to buy him ice cream on weekends, too busy during the weekdays to spend time with him. July was rightfully considered the hottest month in the northern hemisphere, and right now, it was living up to its reputation.

Girls passing by openly stared at Maxim. It was hard to miss a tall guy in a tight T-shirt that highlighted his athletic build. Maybe the sight of a grown man holding an ice cream cone made them smile with a touch of amusement. Sometimes he tossed out casual lines like “Hey” or “Wanna get to know each other?” but more often than not, he either got no response or a rude brush-off. A smile was rare, and an actual conversation even rarer.

His height and muscles seemed to intimidate girls. This surprised and frustrated Maxim, especially in the beginning, when he first started hitting the gym after a run-in with some local punks. He’d dreamed of getting strong and getting even with those who’d messed with him, but he quickly realized strength doesn’t come overnight. Year by year, as he grew more muscular, he noticed girls avoiding him more and more. At first, it stung, but later it started to amuse him. He’d smirk at guys who clearly had no idea where the gym was but probably had a “membership card” to the nearest liquor store.

This was a residential neighborhood, where the same faces strolled around every evening. Everyone recognized each other, but no one bothered to greet by name or get to know anyone better.

– "Hey, where you headed? To the library?" Maxim joked, spotting two friends walking by.

– "Yeah, then to the theater, and after that, a club," one of them replied playfully.

From her tone, Maxim sensed a connection forming, and one of the girls didn’t seem opposed to continuing the chat.

– "I’m Tanya. And this is Masha."

– "Maria," the second corrected.

– "Alright, I’m Maxim, or just Max. So, you’re Tanya, and you’re Maria. Or should I say Tatiana and Maria?" he clarified.

– "I’m Tanya, she’s Maria."

– "Got it. So, where do we start our journey?"

– "What journey?"

– "Into the world of love and romance."

– "Oh, isn’t it a bit early for that?" Tanya teased, while Maria stayed quiet.

– "It’s never too early or too late for that, as a certain movie character once said."

– "Sure, but I think you’re rushing things. Your wife won’t scold you if she sees you with us, will she?"

– "No wife, so I’m free to do as I please."

Those words clearly piqued Maria’s interest, who had been silent until now. Maxim wanted to call her Masha, but he held back, not wanting to push too hard. The conversation was just getting started, and he didn’t want to come off as overbearing.

– "Are you an athlete?" Maria suddenly asked.

– "No, not really."

– "Could’ve fooled me," she continued, while Tanya stayed quiet.

– "I used to train, now I just keep in shape. Never competed professionally."

– "You look so strong, you could probably lift a car with one hand, right?" Maria added with a smile.

Maxim realized she wasn’t the “grumpy” type he’d initially thought. Maybe she just didn’t want to flirt with a married guy, but now, believing his words, she was opening up.

– "So, are we going to the library? Or wherever you were inviting us?" Tanya chimed in with a sultry voice.

Tanya was a bit fuller-figured, but it suited her. On the contrary, her curves were attractive. Maxim had just turned twenty-five, and at that age, almost every girl seemed beautiful to him, especially if they showed interest in return.

– "Let’s go ride catamarans or boats on the bay."

– "Do you know how to ride one?"

– "Challenge accepted. So, are we going or not?" Maxim pressed lightly, immediately regretting if he’d come on too strong.

He worried that one wrong word could send the girls running, finding someone more “refined.” At that moment, he even felt jealous of imaginary future guys they might meet.

– "How about some ice cream? Or drinks? I’ll grab something from the kiosk over there."

– "I’ll take ice cream, thanks," Tanya said.

– "And I’d like still water, if that’s okay," Maria requested shyly, almost embarrassed.

*What a modest girl, she could be my wife,* Maxim thought.

He returned with the purchases, feeling romantic despite the heat, which he barely noticed at that moment.

– "Thanks," the girls said in unison, sounding like a tiny choir.

– "You’re very kind, Maxim, and thoughtful. It’s so hot today, and we’re exhausted after work, barely made it through the day," Tanya added, adjusting her T-shirt.

They were dressed almost identically—T-shirts and skirts, just in different colors. *If they wear similar clothes, they’re probably really close friends,* Maxim thought, sneaking a glance at their figures.

Maxim started the car and offered the girls a seat inside, where the AC was running. They gladly accepted. Maria adjusted the waistband of her skirt, which seemed to bother her, and as she ran her hands along her sides, she looked at Maxim. Something new flickered in her eyes, as if feelings she’d tried to hide were starting to surface.

The girls worked at the same hotel: Tanya as a linen keeper, Maria at the reception desk. Their shifts aligned, though they used to work at different times. One day, when Tanya covered a shift, they struck up a conversation and quickly hit it off. Despite their outward differences and varying levels of sociability, shared interests bonded them.

At the bay, Maxim suggested taking a boat instead of a catamaran—it felt more romantic, and sitting across from them, he could get a better look at the girls. They didn’t object. Tanya agreed right away, while Maria just nodded, her button nose bobbing slightly like a clock pendulum.

– "Have a seat, ladies," he said, offering a hand to steady them as they stepped down from the shore.

They decided to row for just half an hour. Despite it being evening, the heat lingered, with only the proximity of the water offering a slight coolness.

– "Aren’t you hot in those pants?" Maria asked out of the blue.

– "It’s fine, though I feel like I’m burning a bit."

– "Why don’t you take them off?" Tanya added, her words sounding more like a suggestion than a question.

Maxim, trying not to show too much enthusiasm, took off his pants, leaving him in oversized family-style boxers that were clearly too big.

– "Nice boxers," Maria said, barely holding back laughter as she glanced at Tanya, who seemed to share her opinion.

– "I like loose clothes," he replied.

They glided along, Maxim handling the oars, maneuvering between fountains set up in the middle of the bay. Water splashes hit the girls, slightly wetting their T-shirts. Noticing this, they didn’t seem embarrassed and kept looking at the surroundings and other people relaxing nearby.

– "Doesn’t fit?" Tanya asked with a smile.

– "What are you talking about?"

– "You know what," she grinned broadly.

– "Oh, that? Just airing out, getting some fresh air," Maxim joked, glancing down.

– "Is it sleeping now, or checking us out?" Maria perked up.

– "He’s not talking, it’s a secret. Lives his own life, I live mine," he quipped.

The conversation grew more playful. The distance between them was small, but they hesitated to get any closer. Fantasies began forming in each of their minds, remaining just thoughts full of hints and unspoken words.

– "I’m getting hungry," Maria said.

– "Me too, I think," Tanya agreed.

– "We could hit a café or restaurant, but it’s stuffy in this heat."

– "Do you live far?" Maria asked.

– "Not at all, right here in the city, ten minutes by car."

– "If only…"

– "I’ve got AC at home too."

– "Perfect," Tanya brightened.

– "We’ll finish rowing and head over. We’re not scared of you," she added with a flirty smile.

– "Well, I’m scared of you," Maxim joked, making the girls laugh.

They decided to go to his place, agreeing to cook dinner together. On the way, they stopped at a store, grabbing groceries and drinks, steering clear of alcohol. All three agreed that love is more intoxicating than booze, but finding true love is far harder.

At home, Maxim showed the girls where the bathroom and shower were, then got to work on the food. Dinner was simple, and the running AC cooled the space nicely. Conversations flowed easily, but tension between them was building. Strange noises—moans and cries—came from upstairs, impossible to ignore.