Desperation (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Things hadn't been good in a while. In fact, Tara couldn't really remember a time when things were good. She had moved away from home the first chance she got, setting her sights on a larger city with more opportunities than the little cow town that she had been born in. She talked to her parents about once a week and in their eyes, she was doing fantastic.

First, her modeling contract had gone bust. The agency was a fraud and had closed its doors shortly after she moved to the city. Now, she was stuck waitressing part time at a restaurant that she hated. It was bright and colorful and full of children and soccer moms who didn't like the way that she looked or reminded their husbands of the women that they had once been. Not that any of her natural form could be seen in the drab uniform that she wore every day.

Her friend, Chasity, had suggested moving in with her when she heard that Tara was about to be kicked form her own place. Chasity made more than enough money to cover them both for a while and she was simply ecstatic that she had someone to watch the apartment while she was gone at night.

That was how Tara had found herself at an apartment that was really out of her league. It was home to a lot of middle class people. There were a few families, older single men and women, not many people her own age of 21. She felt like an oddity among her neighbors and kept mostly to herself.

To take advantage of a rare day off and the nice weather that had moved in, she sat out on their balcony to soak up some sun. She had made a pot of macaroni and cheese to drown her sorrows and a nice microbrewed beer to complete her trashy meal. Her long red hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, her porcelain skin nearly blinding in the bright sunlight. She was wearing a borrowed bikini top from Chasity, the red one that she always coveted. A pair of cut off denim short completed the look, but she had absolutely no one to impress that day.

She was just taking a bite when she heard the door on the balcony next to them open and their neighbor stepped out, cell phone to his ear. He was a handsome guy, older than her, someone that she had met a time or two in the hall on her way home from work. He kept mostly to himself. The conversation seemed somewhat serious, his face showing concentration as he leaned against the railing. She tried so hard to not listen to what he was saying, but the amount of money that was being discussed was mind boggling. She had no hope of ever making that kind of money in her entire life. It made her immediately wonder just what he did for a living.

 

[LordUsagi]

Steve was enjoying his life, since moving from England for his company. He discovered there was a thing called the sun, well not that there wasn't sun in the Northwest of England, but you wouldn't see it break through the rain often. The company he worked for had relocated him shortly after his fiancé had died, and now years later, he was a citizen and travel back to England was limited to family visits.

He made a decent living and lived in a fairly nice apartment complex. He got on with most of his neighbors, especially the soccer moms and the young woman that lived next door to him. The mothers, when hearing he was from England assumed he could give their children some advice about soccer, which he could. They didn't know it but he had been so close to almost making it as a professional. But that was years ago, and now he just gave some tips to their kids. Maybe some of them mothers were pretty and people would have suspected ulterior motives, but married women was not a path he would pursue.

Some of the older residents would ask him for tech support, because he was in that field, though it was usually basic stuff that any competent teenager would be able to do, but Steve wasn't young and people older than him could be technophobes. Chasity who lived next to him, also used to ask for help, and he was more than willing. She was sexy as all hell, single from what he could tell, and a really friendly, flirty girl.

Now Steve listened intently to his financial advisor explaining what he should do. He was so engrossed in the conversation that he did not notice Tara, Chasity's friend who he Thought was drop dead gorgeous, tanning on the balcony next to him.

"So you are saying, I would have enough income to send money the my family, and not have to work."

He stared out across the city, still hardly believing his luck at winning one of the largest lottery payments in history.

"Two million....okay slightly under....oh a year.....pounds."

He continued to listen as his advisor explained various ways to keep his capital and draw on a monthly stipend to live on. Basically he was ridiculously wealthy and his family would never have to work a day in their lives, and if they were wise, probably future generations as well.

The call ended and Steve just stared out into the distance, thinking of all the places he could visit and all the things he could do, that he never quite had the means for.

 

[heartofcourage]

Tara nearly choked when she heard two million a year. She glanced towards their neighbor, wondering just what he had done for a living to have made that much cash. God, she would have killed for that amount of money for even just a fraction of the time that he was talking about.

As he ended the call, she tried to go back to minding her own business. It was incredibly hard as she thought about the unfairness of everything. She was struggling and scraping to get by and this guy had more money than God. That made her feel incredibly shallow which made her feel more miserable than she already was.

"Care for a beer?" She finally asked, offering him one of the bottles that she had sitting on the table in front of her. "Sounds like you got some news that you weren't really expecting. Maybe a beer would help."

 

[LordUsagi]

"Umm...a beer...oh, yeah sure," her voice had pulled him from his thoughts.

He turned towards her, noticing her for the first time. For the briefest second his eyes darted over her body, taking in the legs that protruded from the denim shorts, the curve of her hips and waist, and the full breasts. It was everything he liked but he forced his eyes to return to her face.

"Thanks, Tara is it," he smiled and took the offered bottle.

He remembered her name, how could he forget it, the few times they had bumped into each other, had been memorable. He had helped carry some packages the one day, and she had thanked him with a friendly smile.

"It's not bad news actually," he took a sip from the bottle, "actually the opposite, but it was surprising. So guess this beer will be more of a celebration."

It was hard to continue to look at her without ogling. She was clearly basking in the sun, and laying out on a lounger didn't give your eyes much room to drop eye contact without wandering.

He took another sip of the bear to distract his eyeline, it was good he thought, beer wasn't his thing but this was tasty. He wanted to say something, to ask her about her day, to see if she was going to the complex's Halloween party on the weekend. But those might sound creepy, he had already noticed how all the guys payed attention to Chasity and Tara whenever they could, and he didn't want the girls thinking he was like every other guy.

His attention drifted back to her and this time his eyes did give her curvaceous figure a quick survey and he had to bight back commenting that with her fair skin tone, she should watch her time spent in the sun.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Yeah. Tara." She commented as she handed him a beer from the table beside her. "Steve, right? I don't know that we've spent much time talking. I know you and Chasity talk a lot. I guess I haven't been very social since I moved in."

She watched as he took a swig of the beer, contemplating either it or her. She wasn't really sure the way that his eyes darted around for a moment before he seemed to focus back on her. What did he see when he looked at her? Did he see a hard, right body or did he see her? Probably a healthy mixture of both.

"So, what kind of news was it? You said a celebration. Did you get a new job?" She asked, knowing that he must have come into some quick money if it was unexpected and he was talking about millions to live on each year.

 

[LordUsagi]

He was a bit reluctant to mention his good fortune, knowing what Chasity did for a living and suspecting her flatmate might be similar. But then he thought, Tara did not seem to go out a lot, so perhaps she wasn't in the same profession as Chasity.

"A new job, umm kind of," he smiled reluctantly, "let's just say I have had a windfall and have a bit of cash to burn." Ah what the hell, no need to be deceitful. "I won a big lottery payout."

Part of him wished she was like her friend, he would be more than willing to pay for her time, but he didn't want to think of her like that. She seemed down and he thought maybe she just wanted a sounding board to listen.

"Tara, you seem a little down, is everything alright?"

Maybe he was being a little forward for asking about her personal life, but it was better than being forward and hitting on her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Alright?" Tara asked, taking another swig from the bottle. "Define alright."

She shrugged her shoulders and turned more towards him. "Not enough to go around and not enough to do anything fun. Chasity's been trying to get me to try new things. Maybe I'm too lazy."

The idea of being an escort wasn't a terrible idea, but she didn't want to put forth the effort to keep up with it all. It was probably better than working a part time job at a dead end restaurant.

"Are you going to be my knight in shining armor, Steve?" She teased him, chuckling softly. "I've always had a thing for guys with a nice, exotic accent."

 

[LordUsagi]

Steve almost choked on the beer he was in the process of sipping. This beauty was flirting with him, well he thought she was, it certainly sounded like she was. Maybe he should have kept his windfall secret, would have been interesting to see if she flirted with him if she thought he was just an average guy.

"I never regarded my accent as exotic, but I will take the compliment from you..." there was as pause as he considered wether he was being charming or cheesy, "princess." Only her reaction would give him the answer.

"Maybe I could help you out, if you want me to."

Did that sound like a proposition, she obviously knew what Chasity did. He had only meant it with genuine concern, but he now realized he may have just hinted at something else.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Princess?" She asked, looking at him with a chuckle. "Yeah, Princess of beer and pasta."

She placed her beer bottle on the table and considered that he was offering her money. She would have taken it in a heartbeat, but that would have made her nothing but a whore. She wasn't a white. Not really. She enjoyed sex. She enjoyed being kinky from time to time, but nothing too over the top. Chasity had been telling her that being an escort was awesome. Good food, fun trips, nice guys...most of the time. She still wasn't convinced.

"I'm poor but too proud to take a handout." She commented. "Thanks for the offer though."

 

[LordUsagi]

"Oh sorry I didn't mean to offend, I wasn't expecting anything in return," he smiled to hide his embarrassment. "But I guess that is even more insulting."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're a jumpy kind of guy, aren't you?" Tara said as he quickly backtracked about what he has said. "Chasity said that you were nice. Not the kind of guy that would get involved with someone like her. Are you really that kind of guy?"

 

[LordUsagi]

"what do you mean a girl like her, if you are asking if I have ever requested the services of a professional woman, then no. But if you are asking if I treat her any differently because of her profession, then it is also no."

He looked at Tara properly for the first time since she had alerted him to her presence.

"So if Chasity meant I was a nice guy because I never judged or assumed things about her, then she was right. I always treat her with respect but that doesn't mean I don't think what it would be like spending time with her."

He knew his eyes were not saying this as they roamed over Tara's body, "not necessarily in a sexual way, I have considered asking her to accompany me to a work function, I mean paying for it of course, as a date not a call girl."

His eyes met Tara's again, "but I backed down, thinking it probably would seem creepy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She's probably say yes in a heartbeat." Tara said as she turned towards Steve, noticing that he was opening up. "I think she might have a crush on you, honestly. You should take a chance a see where it took you."

She liked Chasity and knew that she had fun doing her job, but that she often talked about finding a guy to treat her well and take care of her without expectations. Maybe she could play matchmaker between Steve and Chasity. A happy ending might make her feel better about the shit show that her life had turned into.

 

[LordUsagi]

Steve looked at Tara, "that is nice to hear, but in all honesty I don't view her that way and I think she knows." He recalled some of their conversations they had, "I think she enjoys her job quite a bit."

He took a long swig from his beer, "I also think I may be a little old for her. Make no mistake if you are willing to pay her price and follow her rules, Chasity will entertain anyone. But I have seen some of the guys she has dated and they are a lot closer to her age than mine."

He studied Tara, her long legs, her fiery red hair, the breasts he couldn't help but notice. Now she was exactly what he would want, tHe only problem was that Tara was about the same age as Chasity.

"That doesn't mean we don't get on, but I think it is more a fun way. She did offer to go with me to the Halloween party, we were going to pretend we were dating. But unfortunately she had to cancel, one of her favorite clients wanted her time."

He finished his drink, not realizing how quickly he had drunk it.

"What about you Tara, you know I have no idea what your dreams are, only that you seem to have lost them."

He tried to remember something, "I am sure Chasity once mentioned you want to be a model, or was it actres Not that I know anything but you certainly have the looks, though I think you should be a bit more careful in the sun with your fair complexion."

He blushed realizing that his admiration was probably very noticeable now.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She'll be disappointed." Tara said as she finished off the last of her beer and stretched out, relaxing as Steve mentioned that he was a little old for Chasity. "Trust me. You're not all that old. You haven't even started going grey."

"My dreams are no one's concerns. I wanted to be a model, but that didn't work out. Simple enough. I didn't have enough money to get back home, even though I really don't want to have to go back home." She shrugged as she looked over at Steve. "And I'm sure that we can find you someone else to go to the Halloween party with. Chasity probably has a long list of ladies that would love to be seen on your arm."

When he commented about her fair skin, she realized that he was looking at her as more than just his neighbor. A neighbor would not simply take notice of how she looked. It seemed that Steve had a little more in mind than just a simple conversation, even if he didn't want to admit it to her.

 

[LordUsagi]

When she stretched out, he turned away. He was sure a woman as attractive as Tara was well aware of the attention she garnered, and some probably even thrived on it. But that still didn't mean he could leer for too long. She had caught him by surprise, he had tried not to notice but had and his comment about the sun had been intended with concern. Now it was best to look away and pretend she was just a normal woman he was talking to.

"Your compliments are very sweet, and I am sure Chasity has a lot of willing friends, but I will be alright." He shrugged, "maybe I will go to the party, maybe I won't, it is not as if the costume hire will bankrupt me..." He realized his comment might be a bit cruel to someone who was obviously struggling financially, "I am sorry I didn't mean to say that."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You have the money. Why not spend it?" Tara asked, not really effected by the comment that he had made about not going broke over the costume rental. "And just what kind of costume did you end up with?"

She had thought about going to the Halloween party, but she didn't have anything to wear. Nor was she feeling particularly social with many of the people who lived in the building. However, if Steve was going to be there, she might very well change her mind about the entire situation and go.

 

[LordUsagi]

"My costume, oh nothing special," he turned and grinned at her, "really silly actually. A wolf man costume. It's really quite simple with claw gloves and a full fake wolves head, the rest is a fake college jacket and jeans. A bit of a Teen Wolf vibe."

 

[heartofcourage]

"A wolf, huh? A little cliche, but I guess it's just as good as anything else." Tara said with a chuckle. "Maybe I'll think about going. I don't think that many of the women who live in this place really care for me. They haven't been welcoming, to say the very least."

 

[LordUsagi]

Steve smiled, imagining how pleasant it would be if Tara went. She would be someone for him to talk to, well someone that he enjoyed talking to. He found that most of the guys in the complex spoke about American sports, not really his thing, or cars. He found it amusing that he could now afford to buy a sports car, that would make them sit up and think.

"I guess they they are just jealous of your looks. Well jealous of how their husbands look... at ...you." His voice trailed off as he realized he may have admitted to something.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Yeah? I notice that you're sure looking." Tara teased, glancing over at her phone as it suddenly started to ring. "Excuse me."

She picked it up and answered the call, frowning as she heard her boss asking her to come in early. Rolling her eyes, she agreed, knowing that she needed the money. Once she hung up, she looked over at Steve with a long sigh.

"Duty calls. Have to go in to work tonight." She commented as she stood and gathered all of her things from the table. "Maybe I'll see you at the party. Or maybe I'll see you out here sooner or later."

 

[LordUsagi]

He thought it best not to comment about his obvious appreciation of her, it would just seem like an excuse.

"Sorry to hear," he decided to rather stick to the topic of her having to work, "that is unfortunate." She could decide if he meant it was unfortunate that she had to stop tanning, or work on her evening. It was a bit of both actually.

"Ummm...I don't know where you work, but I could give you a lift if you want." He smiled to cover up his embarrassment, "would give me a chance to give the new car a run out."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I guess I could let you take me to work." Tara said as she turned to look at him. "Give me like fifteen minutes to get ready and I'll meet you outside. You probably will want to run in terror when you see the place."

With that, she turned to head inside, putting her things away before she stripped and soon pulled on her uniform. She wasn't joking. As soon as Steve saw the place, she was sure that he would think less of her. It was a cheap family pizza place that also housed an arcade. Not exactly five star cuisine.

Grabbing her backpack, she showed her purse inside and slipped into a pair of comfortable shoes. Then she grabbed her keys and stepped out the door.

 

[LordUsagi]

He was already waiting for her when she left her apartment, and thus greeted her with a warm smile, when she turned to face him. Her work uniform was not very flattering but he was well aware of the magnificent body it tried to conceal. Besides it still could not hide her pretty face and the friendly person that he was sure was just beneath the surface.

"So it is a pizza parlor," he said reading the logo that her breast stretched out. There was no point hiding his glances anymore, she had already caught him admiring her today.

"Not to be rude but just give me a quick moment," he quickly sent a message on his phone before storing it away in his pocket.

Steve wasn't sure if the message would intrigue her, or make her jealous, but in the end it was innocent enough. He had contacted the lady at the youth center where he had given some soccer coaching before, offering to buy all the kids a treat. Now he was just letting her know it was a pizza place, so she could determine how many pizzas he should buy and make sure she had parents consent.

"I hope you won't feel I am too pretentious when you see my car, but ever since I was going to be a professional foot..soccer player...I always dreamed of owning one."

The elevator arrived and he followed her in, "it has been on order ever since I won the lottery, and she finally arrived today." He smiled at her, "you may have to think of some story for your colleagues at work, because I guess the car is a bit posh and pretentious."

They arrived in the basement parking and he lead her to a black Aston Martin. Opening the door for her, he offered to take her backpack. "We may have to buy you a new bag if I am going to drop you at work more often."

 

[heartofcourage]

"An Aston Martin?" Tara asked as she paused in front of his car and took a good long look at it. "It's a nice car. Nothing to be ashamed of. If it's what you wanted to buy, then I say go for it."

She looked at him with a grin, glancing at her backpack as he commented about buying her a new one. "You only just got to know me and now you're wanting to buy me things? I think someone has a little bit of a crush."