Dude, do not stare.

My eyes move on their own as they shift back to the blonde bouncing on the balls of her feet, I think she said her name's Brooke, nattering away about the friend that's ditched her. Jesus, she is something to look at... Ah hell...    

She's shorter than me, and a small little thing, but damn if she isn't built in the right kinds of ways. I mean that ass... Truth be told, I full on saw her coming towards me, but I couldn't look away from her ass in those damn shorts. They're so damn tiny, and showcase her long legs perfectly. My hands just cupping her hips before I even knew what I was doing... and also to save my crouch from her ass hitting me. Her hair's bundled up on her head in a bun that's half falling out, while the simple t-shirt she has on, lifts as she waves her arms around. Giving me a brief, and bloody tempting glimpse of the body under it. Fucking, damnnnn.

She turns her head, and the smile she gives me half knocks the air from my lungs. The sunlight's gleaming brightly behind her, making the strands of her hair shine all the more. She's utterly gorgeous....

Hell, I'm going to be living next door to that....

Fuck, I'm in trouble.

I'm somewhat saved by the car that pulls up behind us, and the two guys that get out. Ty's eyes flick from me to Blondie quickly, before he raises his eyebrow and stuffs back a chuckle.

"Well, well, well... I feel like you only gave us half the story, mate... Hey beautiful.."

I already know I'm going to cop so much shit for this, just by the look on his face. That wide grin of his, has never lead to anything but a serious ribbing for as long as I've known him.

She smiles over at them, her eyes gliding down quickly before coming back up, and I find myself studying her survey of them way more than I really should be. The two in front of us aren't as big as me, but are still fairly toned. Their physique easily made out through their choice in clothes today. I swear Ty basically lives in shorts and a singlet, unless he's on the verge of freezing to death, whereas his brother is all about jeans and a t-shirt. Even when he's roasting...

The moment the corner of her lip comes in to bite, her teeth sinking into it, I both love it and stop breathing.

Yep, I'm in so much shit...

"Hey, rather ripped gentlemen. Feel like giving a girl a hand?"

Both Ty and his twin brother, Seth's, eyes go wide, as their heads swing to each other. She has them both hook, line and sinker, even before she winks playfully at them. Hell, this woman... Ty's moving before Seth can get round the car, grinning ridiculously wide back at her.

"Hell yeah, I do."

Spinning around, she reaches for a box off the back of the truck and I slide in front of her, grabbing one marked 'a sheet, Tupperware/tea towels'.

There seems to be absolutely no system here at all...

Her eyebrow quirks up as she looks up at me while she takes it, and I shake my head back at her.

"Light ones only for you, short stuff."

Her face scrunches up, fucking adorably, as she squints at me while trying her best to look menacing, before taking the box and bouncing off towards the doors inside. His hand slaps me on the back, and I shake my head out as I tear my damn eyes away from her. I really need to stop staring, shit.

"So ahh, you needed some help?... I honestly thought you would have been more than fine, dealing with this particular situation on you own..."

Choosing to ignore him and the obvious jab, my eyes take a good look at the truck and what's been crammed inside it, trying to decide on what we should start with.

".. You Sir, are in deep trouble... I mean damn dude, she's... wow.."

Yeah, tell me something I don't know... but I ain't going to admit it. I don't date, and with damn good reason. And that women.... She looks like the kind of one that you don't ever hit it, and quit it.

" I don't date, man. You know that. She's just something nice to look at.."

"Sureee. Well, she is definitely that... Right, I'm up to play hero. What are we starting with?"

Glancing back, I catch her disappear through the doorway, before jumping onto the back of the truck and pointing at one of the couches wedged in there.

"That one."

She sure has a lot of stuff, and takes us a few trips, some interesting maneuvering, and a shameful amount of swearing to get her couches, fridge, dresser and bed frames up the damn narrow stairs. Thank god she had a sack truck in there too. I mean I'm big, but I would not have got it up there delicately on my own.

Her face is glowing as we deposit the last box on the floor of her soon to be lounge room, and I reach my arms up to stretch out my back.

"That's the last of it, short stuff. You're officially moved in."

She's opens her mouth to speak when a voice floats in from behind, and the three of us spin to see a brunette standing in the doorway, a six pack of beer and 2 bottles of wine clutched in her hands.

"Damnnn, if I had known the quality of the moving help you had, I would have hustled faster to see them in action.. Hi, fellas.."

She winks at us and moves forward, before side stepping to get to Brooke. Her arms open in a brief hug, while the three of us just stand there and watch them. The brunette is something to look at too, but holds nothing to the energy that flows off her friend. Their similar in height and build, with the brunette's hair flowing loose down half her back, while her clothes scream office job. The tailored pants, high heels, and the flowing blouse...

"Your ass is epically late, girl... Ah guys, this is Penny. My 'suppose to be' moving help."

My eyes flick over Penny, and wonder not for the first time, what exactly short stuff's plan was. Neither one of them would have been able to move even a fraction of the stuff she had, without a bit of extra help.

"Hey, I'm Ty. This is the less attractive one of us, known as Seth, and that mountain is Deacon."

"Dude, we're identical."

My eyes begin to roll at the description, and I catch short stuff running her eyes over me once more. I can't say I'm mad about that, and a part of me deeply loves that she can't stop checking me out. Hell, my eyes have barely left her... Penny extends her arms, and smiles widely at all of us.

"Such gentlemen, so which will it be boys? A beer, or a wine, as a thank you reward?"

Ty and Seth lunge for a beer, and I laugh as the two of them twist the cap, before reclining on one of the couches we placed down earlier. Brooke's eyebrow lifts as she watches them, and I almost feel sorry for her.

"Oh, you're not ever getting rid of them now... especially if you feed them."

The guys nod in unison, and I shake my head out as I take the beer Penny's offering me. Setting the rest of the booze on the floor, her arm runs fondly around Brooke as she pulls her in close. I smile gently at them, before returning my focus to my beer, and try not to pay too much attention when they begin to talk between themselves. I almost don't hear Penny's words as she drops them down, but I still catch a glimpse, and it has me so much more than just a little curious about my new neighbor.

"This is going to be amazing. Fresh start Brookie."

Taking a deep swig, I clear my throat out, attempting to shove myself away from asking what she meant by that.

"So do you want me to put your bed together now, or later? Thing 1 and Thing 2 over there, can take the truck back on their way home for ya, so that's covered."

Both women stiffly shift to stare at me, and I'm beginning to wonder if my words didn't come out as I thought I heard them, when Penny nudges Brooke in the side.

"You heard him, hun. He wants to know weather you want him to 'assemble' your bed now, or wait until later on. I'd honestly vote for option one, have it ready and able at a moments notice..."

Her grin is huge as she leaves a stunned Brooke still just staring at me, while she sashays to the couch and plonks herself down between the brothers. She's still eyeing me suspiciously when I move towards her, stopping myself just before I'm at risk of touching her. The challenging flicker in her eyes in damn something to watch, if not slightly addictive, as I take a casual sip of my beer.

"So which will it be, short stuff?"

She straightens herself, completely holding her ground, and the urge to grin is so strong that it's almost over powering while I watch her do it.

"Brooke. And I feel like my mind is saying 'danger Will Robinson'. I mean I'm starting to wonder what you're getting out of this?.. Three strangers offer to help out of the goodness of their heart? Really??... Or is it more like, luring you in with candy before the van pulls up?"

I almost choke on the sip of beer in my mouth, and try to swallow it quickly without the excessive coughing. Shit, the mouth on her.. Ignoring Penny's comment, of happily volunteering if we're offering candy, my focus stays on the woman in front of me as I step in closer. My chest is almost touching hers now, the look in her eyes feeding something inside me, and urging me to keep going with her.

"Or, I can't just be neighborly?.. You have to sleep somewhere, short stuff, and I'm willing to bet actual money, that neither of you two have the first idea of how to assemble that bed in there.. It looks brand new."

I noticed it earlier when we retrieved it, and although it seems a little odd, I figure maybe she was in need of an upgrade.

Her face scrunches up for a moment, before sighing and spinning on her toes, the strands escaping her bun sailing around to hit me in the jaw. She's almost to the door of the bedroom, and I may be just watching her ass again, when she turns her head over her shoulder.

"You coming, big guy?"

Chuckling while I follow her, my laughter grows louder, as I hear Penny pip up.

"Is anyone else getting an, honest to god, porno vibe here?"

She's standing just inside the door when I enter, her arms crossed over her chest as she studies the assortment of parts on the floor.

"It's really not as bad as it looks."

The breath leaves her in a huff while she drops her arms, looking as lost as she feels right now.

"You're right, I have no idea where to start... or what I'm even doing... But, I'm going to help. So, what's step one?"

I smile at her, while I set my beer down on her dresser, before pointing to the larger piece leaning against the wall.

"That one. That's the back piece. Nice suite by the way."

Her smile returns in an instant, and it's my turn to huff out a long, slow silent breath when she bends over to take hold of the back piece.

Shit, maybe Penny was right...

"Thanks, it's a new one. Shopped it online, and ordered it two days ago. Only picked it up on my way over here this morning, actually. Weird I know, but I refuse to pay for overpriced delivery..."

Ignoring the urgent matter I feel creeping up on me below the belt, I come up behind her and grab the side piece to hold next to it. The tool kit she has is small, and looks brand new as well, but has just what we need to assemble her bed. I wasn't kidding earlier, she needs somewhere decent to sleep tonight.

".. So, your girlfriend caught herself a lucky one. Suspiciously chivalrous.. helpful... and appears to be handy, so far.. Although, that has yet to be proven.."

Real subtle, short stuff.

I continue on, pretending I don't see the way she's watching me while I screw in another screw.

"You really don't trust me, do you? Or believe in subtlety. Well, alas no girlfriend. I don't date."

She half stops what she's doing suddenly, and I'm thankful that I've already started securing the back piece, as it would've most likely crashed into the wall behind it if I hadn't.

"Really? Like at all? That must be lonely... and incredibly frustrating, with no release other than by helping yourself out. I mean the toys for chicks are practically endless.."

I almost insert the screwdriver into my hand at her words. Hell, woman. My first few words are gritted out through clenched teeth as I shake my head, before raising my voice a bit louder so she can hear me.

"Jesus, woman you're going to kill me... Ok, I didn't say that entirely, but you're concern is noted... I do go on dates. However, they're usually ones that end mutually at the end of the night, or sometime after dinner. I just don't do relationships."

I finish up the third screw before turning, to find her just watching me. The look on her face is not one I can read, and I'm about to ask what's up, when she knocks me on my ass once more the moment she opens her mouth.

"Wow, who pissed in your cup of noodles?..."

I'm utterly speechless as she continues to just look at me, and do the only thing that comes to mind.

I laugh, and I laugh hard.

She takes a moment, but ends up joining me as we change sides, and start attaching the other side of her bed frame. We're working quietly away for a moment, and I can't help but ask, the wondering itching at me.

Office Barbie out there isn't what I was expecting when she mentioned her 'help' that bailed.

"You know when you said your help bailed on you, I kinda expected them to be taller, and have more ahh.. muscle, than the snarky, overly sexual one out there currently sandwiched between the twins."

Short stuff giggles, as she stands to stretch out her back, before flopping herself on the floor beside me.

"Yeahhhh, nope. She's all I've got at the moment. It's not that I don't do relationships, like my present company, but guys seem to only want me for one thing. No one seems to enjoy the playboy bunny when she opens her mouth..."

Hell, I think her mouth is the thing I really like about her, but I'm not telling her that.

".. However, that's all over. Fresh start, and all."

I stop working at that, and turn to face her. Her eyes are on the ground as she stares solely at a random spot on carpet, and although I know I have absolutely no right to, I ask anyway.

"What happened?"

Her shoulders shrug up and down, as she lets out a long breath, and I wait for her to decide if she wants to answer that question or not.

"It was a lot of little things really.... Like I said, most guys only want one thing from me.. Ok, scratch that as really it's a couple of things, but I thought I had found a good one... He, however, had other ideas. Like banging majority of my so called friends, and having me foot every bill for it. Guy completely mooched off me, and it wasn't until I finally caught him taking money out my bag, that I finally realized I had been paying for him to wine and dine those bitches too.."

Her face scrunches up at that, her nose crinkling as her eyes squint down, and I know she's pissed off about what she's just said, but I can't help the way I just see that as adorable once again.

".. So, I moved. In a box, in the truck, and gone. Start a new as it were, find someone worthy of my time, and energy. Less of the one night stand kind of thing... Don't get me wrong there, I've has my fair sure of fun with that one, but I'm a little tired of being everyone's amusement toy."

And that statement right there makes her completely off limits to me.

Not that I have ever treated a woman like dirt, or mooched off them. If anything I'm a gentleman till the end, but I avoid relationships like the damn plague. Although, it does explain the odd labeling of some of her boxes, if she packed in a crazy rush.

"I get that, and for the record that guy's a douche for treating you like that. Honestly... If he was in front of me, I would punch him hard in the face."

Her face breaks out into a blinding smile in an instant, and I spin quickly to find the end of her bed before I get caught up looking at it.

"Well, he most likely regrets it even more now... I planned and ordered my new bed well, so I could wait until he left to meet up with one of them, and utterly cleaned that place out. Worked out a deal with my landlord, plus his grown up kids for some help to load, and switched the jerks name to the apartment... That jerk will come back to a completely empty place, no bank roll, and a bunch of debt he can't pay.... I also may have destroyed a wall by ditching his gaming console into it too, that will require him to pay a pretty penny or three as well..."

My hands stop working, the same time my head swings to her. Damnnn... Her grin back at me is down right wicked, and hell makes that bend over ass view before seem like nothing, compared to what it's currently doing to my belt region right now.

".. Yeah, I'm a little evil and a vengeful bitch, but he deserved it."

Shaking my head out, I chuckle at the woman still grinning widely at me, reminding myself to definitely not mess with her.

Harmless fun flirting if it's reciprocated, but nothing other than that...

"Remind me to stay on your good side, short stuff... Can you hold this while I screw it in?"

"Brooke... and I'm fairly sure that's what she said, but yes, I will..."

There's laughter in her voice as she slides in next to me, holding up the side piece of her bed while I attach the end to it. Her shoulder brushes mine, and I try to ignore how damn good she smells. Shit... It's like a combination of coconut and mango, bloody good enough to drink, hell.

".. So, if you don't date, then will I be witnessing a parade of women on my way to work each morning? Each of them doing the walk of much shame?"

I incline my head towards the other side, and we switch the attach the last corner.

"Ahh, no. I actually don't bring anyone home, no one goes inside my place."

Her half scoff sounds out loudly in the quiet room, and I turn my head to raise an eyebrow back at her. She's so close, her face mere inches from mine, and I can't help but think how easy it would be to lean in right now. Her breathing hitches the longer I look, and I'd be seriously fooling myself if I didn't say I liked that.

Fuck man, off limits, remember...

I lean back, shifting myself to give her a bit more room, and she looks taken aback for a moment before turning her head away quickly.

"So, ah.. What's step two?"

We finish up the bed frame, and pop the mattress on top, before she moves to sift through a box in the corner to retrieve a quit and some sheets. Neither of us speak as I help her tuck the sheets on, before throwing the quilt and a set of pillows on top. The silent is weird, as usually with any other person I'd be itching for some noise, but right now.. It's damn comforting, and almost peaceful. Her back hits the bed as she flops herself down on the finished product, and I smile down at her sprawled out. Jesus, she looks