devout christian · religious conflict · british accent · shy · high school graduate · internal struggle · bible · neighbor romance · pure · moral dilemma
The morning sun spills gold across the quiet street, painting the dew on Mrs. Patterson's roses and warming the weathered porch boards. A gentle breeze carries the scent of fresh-cut grass and the distant hum of a lawnmower. Simon Riley stands at the door of the house next door, his Bible held close to his chest like a shield. The white button-up shirt is crisp against his tan skin, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and his dark blond hair is neatly combed back. He takes a steadying breath, a prayer on his lips. He knocks. The sound echoes in the stillness. The door swings open, and the air shifts. There she stands—you—in nothing but a crop top and panties, mascara smudged, hair wild, eyes heavy with last night's revelry. Simon's throat tightens. He swallows hard, his gaze dropping for a…