About this ebook
When the woman of your dreams only sees you as her geeky neighbor, sometimes you have to go to extremes.
Computer nerd, Dylan Crane,has been in love with Erin since she moved next door two years ago. Unfortunately, she's never seen him as anything other than her best friend - until one afternoon when her world flips upside down and everything changes.
Erin Sharp learns first hand just how sexy a man with a brain can be. She already loved Dylan, her friend, but as their relationship evolves, she wonders if she could finally have it all.
When her career ambitions get in the way of their relationship, Erin has to decide what matters most to her - getting the job she's always wanted, or the man she needs and desires.
Lauren Fraser
Lauren writes about love and relationships in many forms, but in the end, she's a sucker for a happy ending. She's multi-published and loves to hear from readers. For the latest updates visit http://www.laurenfraser.com
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The Geek Next Door - Lauren Fraser
Lauren Fraser
The Geek Next Door
Copyright © 2010 by Lauren Fraser
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Lauren Fraser asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
First edition
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Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Excerpt from Too Hot- A Steamy Firefighter Romance
Titles by Lauren Fraser
About Lauren Fraser
Chapter One
Chapter SeparatorMan, I am pathetic. Dylan Crane pushed his Buddy Holly glasses up his nose, took a sip of his beer and turned away from the window. The last thing he needed to do was watch his neighbor leaving for another date. In the two years he had lived in the townhouse complex, Erin hadn’t noticed him as a man. He was the geeky neighbor. The guy who watered her plants and fed her cat. Not the object of her lust.
The purring of a sports car pulling away from the curb let Dylan know that Erin and her date had left for the evening. A typical Saturday night, Erin was out on a date with a poster boy for up–and-coming-corporate-exec.com and he sat at home with his Star Trek reruns. How had he let things come to this?
He had plenty of money and he was a reasonably good-looking guy, or so he’d been told. He could get a date. The problem was the more time he spent with Erin as friends, the more he wanted her to be his alone. Other women just didn’t hold the same appeal. The idea of suffering through a mind-numbing date just to say he did seemed ridiculous.
The steady clicking of the clock on the mantel mocked him with its constant reminder of how long Erin had been on her date. What was she doing? Was the suit enjoying her curves in that sinful dress?
Dylan growled. God, I need to get a life. Slipping his feet into his sneakers, he grabbed his ID and house key. A nice long run ought to take his mind off Erin and her date. He slammed the door shut behind him.
His feet pounded on the pavement. The heat from the Las Vegas desert instantly made him sweat. In minutes, his shirt would be soaked. For the first couple of miles, thoughts of Erin plagued him, but by mile three his mind emptied and he hit the zone. An hour later, he rounded the corner of his block, tired, relaxed and feeling completely less pathetic. Until he saw Erin slamming the door of the BMW roadster she had left in only a couple of hours ago. Her date scrambled out of the car and chased her up the walkway. Dylan pushed himself harder, racing to get to his house. When he reached the driveway, he could hear their conversation.
I told you to leave,
Erin told her date.
Come on, you know you were sending out the vibe.
Yeah, ’cause I’m just stupid enough to think a five star meal is worth a roll in your bed.
She placed her hands on her hips, outlining her curvy body in the spectacular blue dress. I’m worth a hell of a lot more than that.
The smarmy suit stepped toward her, his jaw clenched. Anger emanated off his body.
Hey, Erin,
Dylan called, making his presence known. She visibly relaxed when she saw him and a fist clenched in his chest. She was magnificent, strong and confident.
Hi Dyl. My date was just leaving.
Whatever.
The suit waved his hand in the air and turned on his heel to storm back to his fancy car.
Dylan didn’t take his eyes off the man until his car peeled away from the curb. With the loser gone, he turned his attention back to Erin. Looks like your date went well.
Yeah, it was a real hit. I should know better than to date an investment banker. In my experience, they’re all about the bottom line.
She shook her head sadly. I don’t know why guys think just because they paid a lot for your date, you owe them payment.
Not all guys think like that, Erin. Maybe you’re dating the wrong kind of guys.
She didn’t answer then raised her head to look at him. How was your run?
He looked down at his soaked gray T-shirt. It was good, but I need to hit the shower.
He moved to walk past her but the sadness on her face pulled him up short. Look, why don’t you change into something more comfortable and come upstairs for a movie? I’ll leave the door unlocked while I jump in the shower.
Her eyes widened hopefully. I won’t be interfering with your plans?
Nah. You know me. The life of a computer guy, it’s action packed.
She laughed. If you’re sure?
Of course. But bring some microwave popcorn, since I think we ate the last of mine after your last dating disaster.
She touched her hand against his damp T-shirt, and he was surprised steam didn’t fly off it. Thanks Dyl. You’re a great friend. I don’t know what I’d do without you.
Right, friend. Story of his life. He certainly didn’t feel like her friend
with her warm touch on his body. He clenched his stomach muscles, praying she’d finally notice him. Her hand rubbed against him and a surge of hope shot through his body. Finally.
No problem.
She dropped her hand from his stomach. Damn, he really wished she’d kept it there.
See you upstairs.
* * *
When Dylan came out of the bathroom, he followed the sound of popcorn popping into the kitchen. The sight of Erin with her hair pulled back in a pony and her flannel pj’s in his kitchen almost stopped his heart. He should be used to it by now, but every time it hit him square in the chest.
What kind of perv was he that flannel pajamas with cows on them did it for him? He walked into the kitchen and gave her pony a little tug. Love the jammies.
A blush stole up her cheeks. Thanks.
She busily grabbed some napkins and placed them beside the soda on the counter. Popcorn’s almost ready.
Sounds good. What movie did you want to watch tonight?
She glanced at him. I noticed Avatar on your coffee table. I haven’t seen that yet.
Dylan’s mouth dropped open. How can you not have seen Avatar?
Her blue eyes glittered with amusement. Sorry, I’m not the sci-fi geek you are. Three hours in a theatre just didn’t appeal.
But still? How could you not have rented it the second it came out?
She laughed and raised her hands in the air. I don’t know. I just don’t get the whole thing.
Oh.
He grabbed his heart. You’re killing me. Well, you are in for a treat.
Dylan put the movie in and flopped down on the couch beside Erin. As the movie progressed, she curled into him like she always did. Part of him loved that he got to hold her against his body. The other part hated that she had relegated him to this friend role where she was comfortable cuddling him as if he was asexual, while he was battling a hard on.
When the movie finished, Erin sat upright, her eyes glazed with excitement.