"An Arrangement of Convenience"

[Perverse]

That's what it had been in the beginning, at least

Steve had inherited the three story house from an uncle he never knew he had, and since he was between jobs (and girlfriends) had decided to say the hell with his present life and move to Colorado to see what life had in store for him next.

It was an abrupt decision and move, but then so was his ex-Lady's announcement she was leaving him (after a three year live in relationship) so Steve found himself the new owner of a once great home that would require a lot of work. Still it was exactly what he wanted, he threw himself into the work, rising at daylight and falling into his bed exhausted each night, keeping his mind on the job at hand and OFF the woman who had broke his heart.

In a month he had the top floor restored and livable, then had placed an ad to rent it out, moving to the floor below to do the same while waiting for someone to answer the ad. Time passed and no one did, Steve discovering his old house had a bit of a "legend" around it and that it was still rumored to be a place where things went "bump in the night"

He was resolved to finish the project though and after a month had almost forgotten the ad when a knock came at the front door, and he opened it to find.........................

 

[curiouslittle1]

I'm not exactly prolific...in fact I'm brand new to this site, but I'm not brand new to rping, having done so on other sites, and yahoo groups for several years now. I'm probably not the sort of person that you have in mind, but got to admit, I'm curious as to what you have in mind for your thread so hope you don't mind me posting this here. I know you said to PM, but I tried and it didn't work, so I figured I'd post instead, sorry if you'd have preferred that I didn't...don't want to annoy, just register an interest.

 

[curiouslittle1]

OOC: not exactly sure if this is what you had in mind, but feel free to say if you think it needs changing...

BIC

Mia had very nearly chickened out upon seeing the impressive old building which the advert seemed to indicate was the palce she was looking for. It certainly wasn't what she had expected, and immediately she had a feeling this was going to be a wasted journey. The basic fact was that she needed some cheap accomodation. After graduating highschool the previous year, she had been working hard and saving to be able to afford to go to college away from home, but that didn't mean she had money to spare.

On the contrary, her finances were extremely tight. Having irregular hours thanks to her courses, the best job she could find had been waitressing at a local cafe, and it didn't exactly leave her rolling in dough...

Given the right place though, she should be able to get by, to show she could manage and make her parents proud...or so she hoped...

This place didn't look like it was going to be within her budget, but then appearances could be deceptive, and she was pretty desperate... Telling herself there was no problem in at least asking, she walked up to the door and knocked before she could change her mind, shifting her weight from one foot to the other and twirling a strand of long brown hair around her finger somewhat awkwardly as she stood waiting.

She didn't have to wait long, and as the door opened, she offered a nervous yet bright smile to the man who had answered. "Hi...I'm uh...here about the ad in the paper about accomodation to rent..."

 

[Perverse]

OOC: works good for me, sorry for the delay in posting

IC:

Steve opened the door and was surprised to see such a good looking and young woman standing outside.

"Come in, I assume you're here because of the ad? What can I do for you?"

He smiled pleasantly and showed her to the dining room and offering her a chair.

"Can I get you anything, a cold drink, perhaps coffee?"

He's looking at her and judging by her age assumes she's a student, and makes a quick decision...

"The rent is $800 a month, I know it's steep, but actually cheap for the area, if you need help maybe we can work something out, say painting or something for part of it?"

He smiles and leaves to get the drink she asked for, then returns and smiles in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, I've forgot my manners, my name is Steve Trevor and I'm in the process of fixing this house up, I've just begun and have the third floor ready, though it's an old home and has only one bathroom per floor. And your name is?"

 

[curiouslittle1]

"Thanks..." Mia smiled and nodded, looking around as she stepped into the house and taking him up gratefully on his offer of a drink. "That would be great, thanks, just a water please..." She assured him, shaking her head as she sat down in the chair offered. From what she had seen so far, it was a nice house, but she couldn't help being somewhat worried about what sort of rent he would be asking therefore. Once again, she wondered if this was a complete and utter waste of time, and as he told her the rent, it seemed it was indeed.

$800 a month! Really there was no way she would be able to afford that... Ideally she had been looking for something around $500-600, with $650 as an absolute limit which would be eating away at her savings to the point of disaster, and leaving absolutely nothing left from her paycheck after food. She couldn't dispute the fact that accomodation seemed to be expensive though, and if he said maybe they could work something out...

She didn't mind hard work, that much was for certain and she allowed a small spark of hope to lit inside of her as he headed off to to get her drink.

"Thanks..." She murmured softly as he handed her the glass, a small smile flickering on his face as he spoke of having forgotten his manners and finally introduced himself. She listened carefully to his explanation, and then, as he asked her name, she smiled again and looked back at him. "Mia Sante...nice to meet you Steve..." She paused a moment and swallowed, hesitating about saying anything more but then deciding that really she was going to have to take the plunge - afterall, what was the worst he could do, tell her no...?

"You look to be doing a good job...fixing up the house I mean..." She started off awkardly. "A-and I am looking for somewhere to stay, but really I have to be honest, and $800 would be way over my budget...if you're serious about figuring something out though, I'd be happy to try and help you out...I worked as a cleaner my last couple of years of school if that would be of any help, or if there's anything else..." She paused a moment before finishing nervously. "I-I'm a hard worker, I promise, and I really like what I've seen of the house so far, but I just don't have that kind of money available to me..."

 

[Perverse]

"No, I didn't think you could afford it all"

Steve admitted and drank from his own glass.

"Neither could I when I was in my college days"

He grinned as he finished and set his glass down.

"Look, I need someone to help paint, I hate painting with a passion and there's a ton of rooms to go yet, if you could help me I'll cut your rent in half, so you can eat?"

Again he grinned as his prospective guest lifted her eyebrows at his hazarded guess.

"You'll need time to study and no doubt you have a part time job, as well as a boyfriend to pay attention to? But if you have more time I'll pay for help cleaning, when we get that far, and if you care to. So shall I show you your new "digs" or do you want to check out some other places?"

He didn't want her to, but then he wasn't a "pressure salesman" and thought it only fair to offer.

 

[curiouslittle1]

Mia took a small sip of her water, swallowing slowly as she listened to see how Steve would respond. She smiled softly in response to his grin, but never in her wildest dreams would she have thought he would offer her what he did... To half the rent... That meant she'd be paying even less than she had budgeted for...it was... "Are you serious?" She questioned after a moment, uncertain what to think of this.

It was without a doubt the best offer she was likely to get, of that she was sure, yet...

His next words caused her to blush now though, as he mentioned a boyfriend... "Actually no...no boyfriend..." She murmured softly, pushing some hair back from her face, her cheeks flushing slightly and nodding as he continued.

There was a part of her that knew perhaps she should agree that she needed to check out some other places, but then this place was pretty amazing from the little she had seen already, and there was no doubt that low rent would be a major help to her in not starving that year...

Plus, Steve seemed like a nice enough guy...

Considering for another moment, finally she gave a slight nod. "Well, if you're serious, and you wouldn't mind a college student being your first tenant I uh...think I'd like to see a little more...if that's okay...?" She looked up at him briefly before returning her gaze to the top of her glass as she continued to cradle it in her hands.

 

[Perverse]

"The grand tour then"

Steve stood straighter and took the glass from her hands, swinging his hand in a grand manner to point out the stairway on the far wall.

"If you will my pretty Lady"

He spoke in a tone he had watched used in the old English movies, smiling as she held his hand and rose from the table, then walked to the steps to climb them one step ahead of him.

"There's an elevator, but broken, it's "on the list"

Steve explained, enjoying the feel of her hand on his and the sight of her firm buttocks moving under her jeans.

"Just like a hundred other things in the house, maybe more, I haven't explored it all"

He continued with his list of things that did and didn't work as they climbed the three flights of stairs, Steve thinking it a miracle he didn't trip over his own tongue as he ogled his new guest.

"Here we are. A south east bedroom, you get the sun and warmth, plus a view of a once grand courtyard, still in need of repair"

"It's on the list?"

Mia offered for him and he agreed with a laugh, then moved to a pair of French doors.

"But this isn't"

He stated proudly and stepped out onto a balcony, the fresh air and sounds of birds filling the room.

Stepping back inside he continued with his dialog

"Another room to use as a study perhaps, and another that's attached to the bedroom with a huge walk in closet, a kitchen and a dining room."

"No bath?"

Mia questioned and he cringed, then bit the bullet and explained.

"It's an old house, the bath was for the use of the man and woman who owned the house, the next bathroom is on the main floor and no shower or tub, You're free to use it, but the only way to get to it is through my bedroom. I hope that's ok with you?"

 

[curiouslittle1]

Mia smiled as Steve took her glass, laughing softly at his antics as she followed him up the stairs, hand in hand. He seemed like a nice guy, fun to be around...she could certainly see worse things she could be doing with her time rather than spending it painting with him...

As he explained what was and wasn't working, she nodded repeatedly, listening attentatively as she continued to look around at the same time. The building sure was impressive, and of course it was hardly surprising that some things didn't work considering...

As they reached the third floor, she struggled to hide her surprise as she took in the bedroom which, she had to admit, looked wonderful. "What a lovely place..." She commented lightly before falling silent as he went on to say more, laughing at his comment about the courtyard and adding "It's on the list?" The comment was made in an offhand manner, and she was pleased to find that he didn't take it the wrong way.

By the time he was showing her the balcony though, it seemed as though there was little question as to whether this place was going to be for her, as she immediately fell in love with the lovely outside space. Steve's further explanation as to which other rooms there were, as he showed them in turn, only seemed to confirm what she already suspected she knew - she loved this place. It had a bit of character, was spaceous and clean, and she couldn't say she minded the landlord either...

There was just one thing she noticed was missing in his tour though... "No bath...?" She questioned.

She had to admit, as she listened, that his response took her by surprise, leaving her unsure how to respond. It was a little strange...and more than a little uncomfrotable thinking about it, but then again they were both adults she was sure, and it wasn't as though she was going to find anywhere like this for the amount he was asking afterall, and she couldn't go without a bath and a shower either...

Still, the thought of walking through his bedroom... Her cheeks flushed deeply as she looked down and swallowed, hesitating a moment before nodding. "S-sure...it'll take a little getting used to, but I'm sure it'll be okay..." She shrugged and looked up at him with a smile. "I'll just have to make sure I'm not in your way then, but I'm sure I can make sure I use it when you're out and about or something..."

She trailed off slightly and bit down on her lip nervously. "T-that's if it's okay with you of course...If you'd rather find a guy to rent to I would understand...if you're not comfortable with the idea I mean...?"

 

[Perverse]

"NO"

Steve answered almost too quickly, then turned to hide his embarrassment.

"I mean you're perfect"

He tried a second time and failed, then took a deep breath and smiled.

"I mean I'd like you to stay."

That off his chest he laughed and grinned.

"I'll try and be on my best behavior, I promise, now shall we go show you where the bath is and then I can give you the keys?"

Waiting for her reply it struck him just how pretty she was, and in an odd sort of way how familiar, the reason why not coming to him and making him wonder if he had met her before.

"When you need help moving in call me, I have a truck and carts, and would be happy to help, if you need"

He offered as they moved down the hall and across to his rooms, and he opened them to show her a duplicate arrangement of her own, less the walk in closet.

"I guess they thought this was "proper" in the olden days, to me it seems...lonely"

Steve spoke of the arrangement and found the keys to the house and her apartment, once again touching her hand as she took them from him.

"So when do you think you'll be moving in?"

 

[curiouslittle1]

OOC: Sorry not to have posted sooner, hope this is okay for you

BIC


Mia smiled as Steve said he'd like her to stay. She was pleased... It was a nice house, and he seemed like a nice guy too, she doubted she'd find anything better anytime soon, and she had to admit she was getting pretty desperate now, starting college in a couple of days as she was. She grinned as he said he'd be on his best behaviour, and then nodded as he offered to show her the bath and give her the keys.

Taking the proffered keys a few moments later, she nodded as he commented about the arrangement being lonely. "Well I it was probably a married couple living here...so they would have had one another..." She commented in a light tone, taking the keys he offered with another small smile as toyed with them in her hands for a moment.

When would she move in...? The young brunette thought for a moment as she stuck the keys in her pocket and instead began to toy with a strand of hair which had slipped over her shoulder. "Well I start college at the beginning of next week...and I'm in a motel at the moment to be honest while I'm trying to work things out, so maybe tomorrow...if that's not too soon...?" Her cheeks flushed again as she realised she might be sounding a little pushy. "B-but I can wait longer if you want me to...I mean it's not like i have a lot of stuff, and I could stay on at the motel a little while longer if that's better..."

She was eager not to cause problems, and almost tripped up over her words as she backpeddled furiously, hoping to avoid annoying him as she looked up. "Basically just tell me if it's not convenient and I can sort out another time...I'm pretty open..."

 

[Perverse]

"Tomorrow is perfect, I'm waiting for wood and paint after this anyways, and the faster you move out of the motel the less high priced rent you have to pay, correct?"

Steve tried to wipe the worries away and smiled as Mia's eyes lit brightly, her face a beautiful and somehow erotic thing to enjoy looking at as he moved to a paper pad and pencil.

"Write the address down for me and your current number, I'll gas the truck up and load my carts, so I can be over bright and early to help you, alright?"

They said goodnight and Steve held the door, watching Mia walk to her tiny car and enjoying the graceful sway of her body, his smile genuine as she turned and waved him goodbye.

*********************

The next morning Steve was there as promised, bright and early, his wrist watch showing 7 a.m. as he swung out of the trucks cab with a pair of coffee's in his hands and a bag of "fritters" clenched in his teeth. It was ironic he thought as he knocked on her door with his foot, that the number of her room was "69", and how lovely she looked in a pair of tight blue jeans and t-shirt.

"Don't tell me you stayed up the entire night packing?"

He guessed after she took the bag from his teeth and looked over her shoulder to the boxes piled in one corner of the room.

"I didn't know if you drank it, but thought coffee and "fritters" would be a good way to start the day before we move you?"

 

[curiouslittle1]

OOC: sorry, my e-mail decided to put the notification for this into my spam box :-S so I didn't know you'd replied... Hope this works though.

BIC

Following the arrangement with Steve, Mia made sure to set her alarm especially early, thinking it unwise to risk being caught unawares, and aas it happened, that was probably a good choice. No sooner had she gotten dressed, choosing a simple outfit of an old t-shirt and jeans, did there come a knock on the door. Glancing at herself in the mirror for a second, she smoothed a couple of stray hairs, laughing at herself as she did so since there was no reason to really, and using the peek hole to check who was outside.

This last was a formality really, and as expected, it was Steve. Opening the door quickly, she took the paper bag which he had clamped between his teeth quickly, doing the same with the coffee and setting them down on the bedside table quickly. She laughed as he suggested she had stayed up all night, shaking her head, and then grinning as he mentioned the coffee. "You are a legend!" She responded eagerly. "Coffee is how I always start my day, I'm a coffee fiend or so I got told at school..."

The covers on the bed were somewhat muddled, and she attempted to tidy them quickly, smoothing them out as she gestured towards Steve for him to sit down. "Please, sit down, I'm afriad there's not much space, but then I don't have to worry about that really anymore so that's all good..." With a smile, she reached for one of the coffees she had set down a few minutes before, handing it to him politely before then turning her attention to the bag of fritters, grabbing a couple of paper napkins she had left from the previous night and laying them out side by side as she juggled with the contents of the bag, removing a couple for both of them, putting them on the napkins before passing one over to him, waiting to check he was okay before starting on her own.

 

[Perverse]

Steve watched the obvious nervousness as he sat next to her and smiled gently as she handed him his own.

"Thank You, It sounds like you're looking forward to the move and that makes me happy, I'm looking forward to it as well and the minute we put your last piece in place at your NEW apartment."

Smiling he ate the fritter and enjoyed the sweet dough, washing it down with the fragrant, hot coffee as he watched Mia do the same.

"Ready?"

He grinned and rose to his feet, then looked at the piles of boxes and belongings.

"Funny, I brought a truck large enough for a house with ten rooms..."

And as Mia pointed him to which boxes she wanted loaded first they went to work, making quick work of the contents of the room until it stood empty save for the furniture it had came with.

"I've extra beds, dressers, chairs, tables...."

He offered as he watched her climb into the truck and closed the door behind her.

"You're welcome to use any and all of, I'm sure your tastes in decorating are better than mine and it'd make me happy to see you use and enjoy it."

It had turned out to a good day, Steve decided, the work promised to be quick and light, his passenger a delightful person to talk with as well as look at, and knowing she would soon be living under the same roof as he was only made it better.

"How about a king size...four post...canopy style bed Mia?"

He grinned and offered, thinking of how good she would look stretched out on it's surface, the idea quickly leading to the image of the two of them under it's covers.

"What do you think?"

 

[curiouslittle1]

"I'm just so pleased to have gotten everything sorted..." Mia responded with a smile. "It's a relief to know that I don't have to worry about finding somewhere to stay anymore, especially with starting college next week too you know..." reaching for her cup, she swallowed a big mouthful of coffee, closing her eyes for a moment as the hot liquid slipped down her throat. Soooo good...

She made quick work of the rest of her breakfast, expressing some appreciation for the thought by Steve and then shaking her head as he commented on the small amount of stuff she had to transport. "Yeah, well I have some bits still back home that I could have taken had I needed them, but really it wasn't practical transporting them, and it's not like I knew how long it was going to take to find anywhere, and with the hotel room I didn't exactly have much space to store stuff afterall...

As Steve then offered some spare furniture, she turned back with a smile and nodded as she climbed up and sat in the passenger's seat. "All gratefully accepted if you're sure you don't mind then...although I could get my own you know..." She assured him, adding the last quickly in the hopes that he wouldn't think that she was trying to take advantage of him. "I was going to sort out my own stuff, only it seemed a waste to do that before I had somewhere to stay really..."

Sitting back, she sighed as he closed the door, leaning her head against the headrest for a moment as she waited for him to climb in the other side and crossing one leg over the other casually. His voice caused her to open her eyes again though, his words resulting in a look of surprise on her face. "Are you serious...?" She looked at him, unsure what to think. it sounded like something out of a book...but kinda cool she guessed... "I think I could get used to it...although it might seem a little empty with just little me..."

 

[Perverse]

Steve smiled at Mia's words and wondered if the last were a musing of innocent thought or an actual invitation.

"If you feel more comfortable with your own furniture I'd be more than happy to help you move it, of course"

He offered and enjoyed how her breasts pushed against the shirt when she arched against the seat.

"But you'd be doing me a favor, really...I hate to see such beautiful furniture go to waste in a storeroom, when it could be of service to such a pretty Lady such as yourself."

She was a beauty, Steve decided, and felt his body twitch and harden at the thought of her on the top of the bed nude and spread open to him.

"I'll let you decide and abide by your wishes, my lady"

He quipped and drove through the streets, the radio playing an old tune he found himself humming to, then singing...

"We made love in my Chevy van, and that's all right with me...."

Then caught himself and grinned as they arrived at his house and he backed the truck to the side door.

"Sorry, I loved that tune when I was younger...never had a van but always imagined what it would be like to be that much in love..."

He blushed and ducked his head, realizing he was talking way too much about a tender subject, and glad for the excuse and distraction of having to move the furniture.

"I repaired the elevator...thought it might come in handy, though the motor gets warm and stops until it cools off at times, it should save us a lot of steps and allow us to finish before it gets too hot?"

Inside the confines of the elevator, the first load of boxes and furniture forcing them into one corner and nearly into each others arms, Steve smiled and pressed the button to the third and top floor.

"We'll have your stuff moved up in a jiffy, and then you can look at that furniture, ok?"

 

[curiouslittle1]

OOC: sorry, didn't mean to disappear but my modem on my computer went down, leaving my only computer access and net as being at work, and this site is one I can't come on from there so I couldn't leave a message to let you know. Just trying to get things sorted and catch up on e-mail and such so I'll hope to get to this today or by the weekend at the latest.