Man Needs a Maid Ch. 05

MAID Chapter 5

Elise was glaring at me. I had to provide some answers, and that right quickly. I chose the truth.

- "Let me explain, Elise. Give me a minute, and if you're still mad at the end of that... well, okay."

She thought about it for a good five seconds. That's a long time when you're standing there sweating.

- "One minute. Starting now."

- "There were two of you in the running for the job. I had you both checked out, in case there were some major red flags. Criminal record, drug use... I don't know. I wasn't about to invite you into my apartment without knowing more about you. You might have been an axe murderer, or something. That makes sense, doesn't it?"

Her expression didn't waver. "Go on."

- "So I found out about the loan you co-signed. And how much you owe."

Elise was looking at me as if she'd caught me pawing through her underwear drawer.

"Due diligence. Look, I'm being honest. I admire you for trying to help your cousin. At the same time, I'm appalled at the decision you made. It was really, really..." I paused, because I'd been about to say 'stupid'. "Unwise." I said, instead. "Your rival for the maid job had..." I stopped again, because I'd been about to say 'all of the qualifications'. "She had no real need for the money. You did. Plus you seemed more genuine."

- "Genuine?"

- "Honest? Sincere? I never get the feeling that you're faking anything. Well, I'm not faking, either. Yes, I want to have sex with you. But I also want to help you get out of debt as quickly as possible. So, on that subject: how much of your loan have you paid off since you started working for me?"

She frowned. "What does that matter?"

- "Elise, they're charging you 22% interest. Only fucking Organized Crime charges more."

She'd been with me nearly three months. That was a quarter of a year. Up to this point, I'd paid her $12,500 to cook and clean, and $24,000 to have sex with me twice a week.

"You never seem to bring home new clothes, or shoes, so I assume that you haven't been shopping or splurging. I imagine that you've been putting every dollar down on your loan. Right?"

Elise's face changed. Her frown disappeared. Now she looked... embarrassed.

- "Umm... no."

- "No? Well, how much have you reduced it?"

- "Umm... I haven't."

- "What?" It was my turn to flip out. "Elise, do you know what they're charging you in interest? Each quarter, they add over six thousand dollars to your debt. If you'd paid them $30,000 of the money I gave you, your debt right now would only be $87,000. What are you doing?"

She frowned again. "You don't understand."

- "Try me. Explain it to me."

- "You don't know what it's like. I'm at your mercy. What if you kick me out? What if you decide to replace me with Poppy? Where am I, then? Out on the street. I'm keeping the money you paid me as a nest egg - against the day that I have to find a new place to live, a new job - or two new jobs."

I was aghast. "Elise - I would never kick you out. We have a contract..."

She snorted. "Right. Like that would stand up in court - even if I could afford a lawyer."

- "This is crazy. You're going to pay those bloodsucking vampires another twenty-five thousand because you don't trust me? Jesus Christ, Elise. That's just... foolish!"

Her eyes narrowed. "You were going to say 'stupid', weren't you?"

- "You're not stupid. You made a mistake, trusting your cousin. Now you're making another mistake, not trusting me. Okay: here's what we're going to do. We'll pay off your whole debt."

- "What?"

- "I give you $112,000. You pay it off, and you're free of them."

- "No! Then I'd only be indebted to you!"

- "But I wouldn't charge you interest, Elise. You would save $25,000 in the first year alone. Plus you keep your nest egg, if you like."

- "But I would owe you over a hundred thousand."

- "Oh, come on. What could I make you do? Have sex with me?"

For some reason, Elise didn't find that funny.

"Look, we just draw up another contract. You pay me back... say, ten percent of the principal a year. That's $11,200. You would also have the option to pay back all of it at any time. Wait until the whole year goes by, pay me $112,000, and walk away with $38,000. Or stay longer. I know what I'd prefer."

- "Why can't you just take 'no' for an answer?"

- "Why are you so determined to pay these creditors so much interest? So far, you've probably paid them two or three times as much in interest as you have reduced the principal. Why didn't you just declare bankruptcy?"

- "It doesn't work that way." she said. "I looked it up, okay? I got credit counselling. Most of the options didn't apply to me. I want to be free and clear of this, but..."

- "But you just have to do it the hard way." I said.

- "Aaargh!" she shouted. Then she stomped off to her room and slammed the door shut.

***

I looked up bankruptcy. On the surface, it sounds like a good idea. In reality...

You can keep your house, if you have less than $10,000 equity in it. Who the fuck has that little? You can keep your car, as long as it's worth less than $6,600. You can keep household furnishings and appliances, and the tools of your trade, as long as they're valued at under $13,000 and $11,000, respectively. You get to hold on to 'necessary' clothing and your registered retirement savings plan - except for contributions made in the last twelve months. No stashing your money there at the last minute.

Your credit rating is crushed, of course, for six to seven years, or even longer. Worst of all, bankruptcy doesn't eliminate all debts: just secured loans, mortgages, and car loans. Elise's cousin's loan was unsecured - hence the extortionate interest.

Bankruptcy also costs time and money: there are trustee fees that add up to nearly $2,000, and other 'administrative' charges. Isn't that insane?

Me: "I have no money."

Them: "Very good, Sir. That'll be $2,000."

You have to submit monthly income reports for almost two years, and attend two credit counselling appointments, so there's humiliation added on top, like some kind of special sauce.

I had even more sympathy for Elise after learning all of that.

It was enough to make me go to my lawyer. I had him do some research, but in the meantime draw up a simple contract, and make two copies. Then I took Elise to lunch at one of my favourite upscale places. Of course she ordered the second-cheapest thing on the menu.

- "Don't do that." I said. "I'm paying, and this is something of an apology lunch. Please don't make my apology a cheap one."

She hesitated.

"They're famous for their prime rib. The seafood pasta is also excellent."

She finally gave in. "I'll have the prime rib." I got the seafood pasta, and made her try a taste of just about all of it.

- "Thank you."

- "I'm sorry, Elise. I know that I violated your privacy, somewhat, but I did it to protect myself. I'm a bit paranoid, on top of being an asshole. I have security cameras in the apartment, but there are none in your room. Or your bathroom."

She'd gone pale. "You have..."

- "Don't do anything in the kitchen or living room that you want to keep secret. But your room is entirely private. I promise."

- "But your room..."

Oh, yeah. I did like to re-watch some of our performances. Lately I'd been watching more of Poppy's greatest hits, but there were a few Elise sessions that still did it for me.

- "Nobody sees those. Only me. I swear it."

- "Oh, Jesus..." She was already quite pale, but most of the blood seemed to leech away from her face.

- "Elise, I'm telling you the truth. You get that, right? Even if you don't like it, I'm telling you the truth. And that's why I'm talking to you about your debt. The more you let the interest accumulate, the longer you're stuck with me. If your plan is to get free as soon as possible, you're going about it the wrong way."

- "Mark, I really don't want to talk about this any more."

- "Fine. I won't say anything else. But please read this. Read it slowly, and carefully. And don't throw your coffee at me." I added.

I passed her a copy of the new contract.

It wasn't very complicated. It simply said that she owed me $112,000 - without interest. I would pay off her outstanding debt to Bloodsucking Bastards Inc., and she would owe me instead. She had ten years to pay it off, and she had to pay a minimum of $11,200 each year. She was, of course, free to pay off the entirety of the loan at any time.

She didn't scream, or stab me, or throw anything. She cried.

I came close to crying myself. It might amaze you to hear, but I do have a heart, buried under all of that scar tissue. Elise was reasonably attractive, and she had a great body, but I liked her - the person. I wouldn't have taken her as my maid if I didn't.

- "Don't say no right away." I said. "Please think about it. This will save you a ton of money."

- "I... I can see that." She had to pause, to blow her nose in the napkin. She used the edge of the tablecloth to wipe her eyes. My kind of girl. "What I don't understand," she continued, "is why you would do this."

I've said several times that Elise wasn't all that pretty. I'm an idiot. Even with tears in them, her eyes were a striking blue. The contrast to her black hair was striking. She might be part French-Canadian, but there was some East European ancestor in there, too, judging by her cheekbones. Her eyebrows needed a trim (or a weed-whacker). But she was an attractive woman.

But what originally attracted me to her hadn't changed. It was what she had been through - the hardship she'd experienced.

- "Your life is a travesty." I said. "You tried to do something good, and got trapped with this awful debt. Your family abandoned you - I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's true. You don't seem to have a lot of friends left, either... and that's wrong, too."

She swallowed, nervously, but her eyes didn't leave my face.

"My family didn't abandon me." I continued. "I wish they had. I don't have any friends. Never did. I worked like an idiot to get to a place where I could be free of my family, and of grasping employers. I'm there, now. And it's not nirvana."

Elise sniffled again.

"I don't trust anyone. Still don't have any friends, and I'm not sure that I deserve any. I like you, though. In some ways you remind me of myself. And I think of how I might have turned out if someone had come along and given me a hand. I'm trying to help you out, Elise. Please take advantage of it."

Now the tears flowed, and her nose ran. I didn't know if she was crying for herself, for me, or for both of us.

I gave her my napkin.

***

Elise's creditors knew who I was. When I made an appointment, they looked me up. When we showed up with my lawyer and her factotum, they sat up and took notice.

I didn't have to say shit. Roberta (my lawyer) was a shark; she went over the recent changes to bankruptcy law, and suggested that Elise might take advantage of them, just to screw over the scumbags who'd lent her cousin money at predatory rates of interest.

They'd already made almost a 50% return on their investment. But they could lose most of the rest if she defaulted. Roberta pointed out that Elise could pay off the remaining $112,000 of her debt - except that it would be with my money.

- "Litigation is always an option." said their asshole legal counsel.

- "Agreed." said Roberta. "My client has indicated that he would be willing to spend six to seven million. For some reason, this case has affected him personally."

It took two hours, and Roberta said that it resembled buying a car in many respects (not that I'd ever had the pleasure, firsthand), but they eventually sold me Elise's debt for $102,000.

Elise shook Roberta's hand, and thanked her.

- "Don't thank me." said my lawyer. "Thank Mark."

My maid couldn't quite bring herself to do that, though. We rode home in silence, and went up the elevator without a word. It wasn't until I was unlocking the front door of the apartment that she finally spoke.

- "Thank you, Mark." she said.

- "You're welcome. It doesn't really change anything, though. Just saves you money in interest."

Elise shook her head. "I think it changes everything."

- "I don't -"

I didn't get to finish answering. She disappeared into her room.

Well, she might have been half right. It didn't change much for me. I'd dropped a hundred thousand on her loan, which might have earned me five to ten percent if I'd invested it. I like to keep cash on hand, though, so it was probably going to bring in far, far less.

Okay, I'd spent a chunk of change on Roberta's fees (an unconscionable amount, really), but Elise was going to save over twenty thousand in interest, and ten thousand on the principal. That had to count as a win for our team. The money didn't mean that much to me, but it was critical for her.

Elise emerged from her room an hour later, and started preparing dinner. I left her alone, figuring that she'd talk when she was ready. It was a Friday, so we wouldn't be having sex again until tomorrow. I did spend some time wondering how that would go. Would she be any different?

She served me an excellent stir-fry on rice. It was one of my favourite meals, so I thanked her.

- "If... if it's okay with you," she said, "I'd like to try something a little different tomorrow."

- "Oh?"

- "I have some shopping to do, which may take a while. Could we try a late lunch or early dinner?"

- "What - like in the middle of the afternoon?"

- "Yes. Please? I... I have a few things I might like to say."

Might? That was intriguing. "Okay." I said.

I went out with Poppy that night. We went to see Japanese Kodo drummers at Roy Thomson Hall. The show was excellent. My accountant, Gary, had recommended it, and he hadn't steered me wrong. I was impressed by their power and stamina; Poppy squealed throughout the performance, and laughed at their clowning. I think she enjoyed the sight of the shirtless drummers flaunting their muscles and their abs. I didn't mind: I was going to be the one to reap the benefits.

Sure enough, she was affectionate in the taxi on our way home. She cuddled close, and held onto my arm.

- "You're so good to me." she said. "I love that you look after me like this."

Poppy was changing. She used the word 'love' more often (though she had yet to say 'I love you' - and I would have been shocked if she did). But she was more clingy when we went out, and more prone to murmuring endearments when we had sex. I didn't mind.

When we got back to my apartment, we went straight to my room. I didn't want to do anything to set Elise off, like fucking Poppy on the couch. I closed the door behind us.

Poppy did a slow striptease, which was phenomenal. She could certainly be a model, but she would have made a fortune as a stripper. The slow reveal of those big breasts, the glide of her hands over her fairly taut stomach... and then she belatedly brought up her hands to cover her nipples, as if she'd had a late moment of embarrassment. Actress, model, stripper; she had all those bases covered.

I went to her. I pulled her close, and kissed her. I held her by the ass, with one hand, while I squeezed her breast with the other. Poppy shoved her tongue halfway down my throat, and steered us to the bed. She climbed up on it, and went to her hands and knees.

Now, generally I preferred to fuck her in a position where I could see her face, and see and play with her magnificent boobs. But doggy style made for really good video recordings.

My stamina was improving (plus I'd jerked off before our date), so I lasted a good, long time. I was able to pummel her backside pretty thoroughly. As I felt my orgasm approaching, I wet my finger, and stuck it in her ass - gently.

- "Whoa!" she exclaimed, even as she bucked like one of those riding bulls. I came immediately, flooding the condom.

We cuddled for a while. She nestled close, burying her head against my chest. She pretended to be mildly upset, and playfully punched my shoulder.

"You're bad." she said.

- "I think you liked it."

- "Maybe. A little."

- "I won't do it again, if you don't want me to."

- "I didn't say that..."

We cuddled for a little longer.

"Mark? Can I stay over tonight?"

- "If you like."

- "It's just... I don't like going home by myself, late at night."

- "It's fine, Poppy. I understand."

- "Plus I like having breakfast with you. And you have a nice shower. And I like the possibility that we might... you know..."

It wasn't just a possibility; it was more of a likelihood: if Poppy slept in my bed, she was probably going to get fucked again in the morning. What kind of percentage is a likelihood? In our case, it was about 80%.

I slept very well. When I woke up, she was lying beside me, with her ass pressed up against my morning wood. I caressed her breast a bit, and then began stroking her pussy from behind.

- "Mmm..." she moaned.

She was awake, then - or almost awake. I took her spoon fashion, which left my right hand free to reach around and squeeze her tit, or go lower, and strum her clit. It was a glorious way to start the day.

It was Saturday morning, too, which gave me a bit of a rush. Saturdays were Elise-days. I would be having sex with two different women on the same day. Amazing. The thought of that was enough to send me over the edge.

Elise was in a remarkably good mood. After I showered, I found her chatting with Poppy while making us a light breakfast.

- "Smoked trout?" I said. "Wow." Elise had added raw onion and capers. We could have them on bread, or on three different varieties of crackers.

- "This is amazing." said Poppy.

- "You're not kidding. Thank you, Elise."

She just smiled, and went back to work.

I sent Poppy home in a cab, and did a couple of hours of work. But I got a bit antsy, and went into the kitchen. Elise was working up a storm.

- "No!" she said. "You can't see! It's a surprise. Out. Out!"

- "Is that our lunch?"

- "Out!"

I retreated to my den. I worked out for an hour or so, and then watched the video from last night with Poppy.

Elise popped her head in. "Late lunch early dinner in an hour." she said.

- "Okay."

She froze. From where she stood, she could just see the screen of my laptop.

- "Is that...?"

- "Sorry." I said. I closed it.

Elise hesitated in the doorway. "Are you... watching yourself? With Poppy? Is that video from last night?"

- "Yes." I admitted. And then it was like I'd been struck by lightning. I said something that I would have bet you a million dollars that I would never have said.

"Would you like to see it?"

- "What?"

In for a penny, in for a pound. "Would you like to watch it?"

Elise blushed. "I... I have to finish getting lunch ready." There was an odd note in her voice. Her chest was moving, too. Was she breathing heavily?

- "You could watch it later. If you want."

- "Do you..."

- "Yes. Sometimes I masturbate when I watch the videos."

- "Do you... watch the ones... with me?"

- "All the time."

- "And do you...?"

I nodded. "Oh yeah."

Elise flushed again. "I have to... get ready."

- "Okay. I'll get a shower."

Actually, I needed some time to resume normal breathing. I'd never had a conversation like that. I'd never admitted to masturbating, or watching porn, even if I was one of the stars. Can I call myself a porn star?

Elise served lunch in the living room, next to the largest window. Sunlight was streaming in. She was wearing cutoff jeans shorts, and a white halter top. That was it. No bra. Her legs and feet were bare, as was her midriff. Her breasts... she wasn't quite as top-heavy as Poppy, but on her slender frame, her boobs looked incredible.

She'd spread a blanket on the floor, and placed a couple of pillows for us to sit on. On the blanket, she'd laid out a variety of dishes, bowls and baskets. There was a whole variety of food there.

- "Holy cow." I said. "What is this?"

- "I went to Britain after I graduated from high school." she said. One of my favourite teachers recommended that I try a Ploughman's lunch. This is my attempt to replicate it."

- "Ploughman's lunch?"

- "Imagine you're working in the fields. You can't cook, and your wife can't carry a cooked meal out to you. So she packs you a selection of uncooked food."

Elise pointed at the various dishes. "Bread, obviously. Preferably a baguette, or some crusty bread. Smoked sausage. Slices of ham. Pickles. Pickled onions. Pickled beets. Pickled herring. Cheeses, of course. Hard-boiled eggs. Radishes are nice. That little bowl has chutney in it."

- "You are amazing." I said.

- "I wanted to do something nice for you, after..."

- "After I did something nice for you? You're talking about the loan?"

- "I guess you have a lot of money." she said. "It might not have been a huge deal for you. But... for me? That was enormous. I can actually see light at the end of the tunnel."

- "I'm glad."

- "Can I ask? Why did you do that, Mark?"

- "Pay it forward." I said.

She hadn't seen the movie, so I had to explain the concept. I made sure to let her know that that wasn't all of it.

"I told you: I like you. I see myself in you. And I'm in a position to help."

- "You aren't going to kick me out."

- "Are you nuts? Of course not."

- "What about Poppy?"

- "Poppy won't be moving in with us, Elise. Can we eat now?"

- "Oh! Of course."

It was delicious. Okay, not the pickled herring. That was disgusting. She had herself a good laugh after seeing my face, just before I spit it back out.

It took a few minutes to get the taste out of my mouth. But in every other particular, it was a wonderful meal. There was such a variety of tastes and textures. And eating with my hands or just a fork was fun.

- "This is phenomenal."

- "I'm glad you like it. It's easy enough to prepare."

- "Good."

We ate a little more. Then Elise surprised me.

- "Can I... begin my apology now?"

- "Your apology? For what?"

- "I think I misjudged you. I know that you wanted a maid, and fifty thousand a year plus room and board is pretty generous. But you also wanted... sex. And it doesn't matter how much you pay for that. It made me feel like a prostitute."

- "Elise..."

- "Let me finish. You were upfront about what you wanted. I didn't have to accept. I figured that a year of prostitution would be worth it if it got me out of debt. And I told myself that it was only twice a week."

I didn't interrupt her as she gathered her thoughts.

"That doesn't mean that I liked it. I had sex with you, but that's it. I treated it like going to the dentist."

- "Ouch."

- "I've had orgasms, when... when you go down on me. I didn't really want too, though."

- "You're still punishing yourself."

She nodded. "That's pretty perceptive. Yes, I guess so. I figured I deserved to be humiliated and - well, let's call it what it is - to be fucked, for being so stupid and putting myself in this situation. What I didn't understand was that you really were trying to help me."

She smiled. "Don't get me wrong: you're still an asshole, and you have a lot of nerve making a girl have sex with you for money. But I have some hope now, and... and that's thanks to you. It makes me feel less like a hooker, and more like..."

- "A maid."

- "I was going to say 'a mistress'. Or a kept woman. But if that's what 'maid' means to you, then... okay."

- "Thank you for telling me this, Elise. I appreciate it."

- "I'm not quite finished, Mark. I wanted to say this, too." She took a breath. "I think that a thousand dollars for an orgasm is... really expensive. I wanted to tell you that from now on, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you don't have to limit yourself to one orgasm." She flushed a little as she said this.

- "So we can have sex in the morning, and again at night?" I said, cheerfully.

- "No."

- "One encounter, but it can be more than one orgasm."

- "Yes."

- "Is this you punishing yourself again?"

- "No, you stupid man. I'm rewarding you. You're actually helping me to free myself from this debt, even if it means I won't have to spend as long with you. It took me this long to realize that you really do have my best interests at heart. Shouldn't I do the same for you?"

- "Wow." I couldn't think of anything else to say. What a fascinating concept. Pay it back.

- "I know I'm not Poppy..."

- "Don't." I said. "Don't compare yourself to her. I like you for you, Elise. And I find you very attractive. Can't you tell?"

- "Let me clear some of this." she said. Her voice had suddenly gone a little husky.

- "I can help."

- "Nuh-uh. Lie back on that pillow. I'll be right back."

She carried the charcuterie board into the kitchen. She made a second trip with the large tray she'd used. It took her just a little bit longer to come back.

Because she came back naked.

Elise leaned back against the divider between the picture windows, and let me drink in the sight of her nude body. Poppy might have had bigger breasts, but Elise was no slouch in that department. Her nipples stood up prouder, and the rest of her body was just... superlative.

- "Clothes off." she said. "Pants, anyway."

- "You look amazing." I said.

- "No more talking. Lie back."

Elise was taking charge, and I found that I liked it. Once my pants were off, she came and lay beside me. She kissed me - just once, but there was more of her there than I had experienced before (if that makes any sense). Then she rested her head on my chest, and reached down to stroke my erection.

She carefully cradled my balls, and then wrapped her fingers around my cock. Finally. She leaned a little lower, and took me in her mouth.

- "Damn, Elise..."

She had performed fellatio on me before. Multiple times. This was different. She wasn't just trying to make me come as quickly as possible. It was like she wanted to please me. And she did.

Elise reached between our bodies, and found my hand. She drew my arm out, wrapped it around herself, and pressed my fingers to her breast.

I groaned aloud.

This... it was what I'd dreamed of when listening to Neil Young's song. A maid who was also a girlfriend, a lover who had sex with me enthusiastically. Never mind that it was a completely unrealistic dream (or even a stupid one); it was close enough that afternoon.

She licked around the head, and flicked her tongue just underneath it. Her hand stroked my shaft, then returned to gently rolling balls between her fingers. I groaned aloud, and continued squeezing her soft breast, running my thumb lightly over her hard nipple.

- "After you come, I'll get you hard again. Then we'll fuck in front of the window. I've always wanted to to do that."

- "Ohh..." That kind of talk was pushing me very close to the edge.

- "And there's a camera in here, right? Can I watch the video afterwards? You can probably get rid of the old ones; we're going to make much better ones from now on."

When she resumed sucking, and took me deep, I lost control. It was like a truck running over a fire hydrant. It felt like I was gushing into her mouth.

"Mmm..." she said, as she swallowed it all.

- "Oh my God..." I got out. "Who are you? What have you done with Elise?"

She grinned. "I'm just happy today. Tired of feeling guilty and punishing myself. And you helped. A lot."

- "On your back."

- "What?"

I kissed her, tasting my own semen. I pushed her down on her back, and kissed her again. Then I lowered my head, and licked her nipple. I kissed it, sent my tongue in circles around it, and finally sucked it into my mouth.

Elise cooed, and gently stroked the side of my head.

- "You can even bite them a little." she said. "Gently. I like that. Mmm-hmm. Just like that."

I could have stayed there a long time. She had great tits, and superb nipples. But I had plans for her. I moved south.

When I'd eaten her pussy, I'd been gentle, and exceedingly patient. I always wanted to warm her up, to put her in the mood, or at the very least to get her well lubricated so that intercourse wouldn't be uncomfortable for her.

But now I felt liberated. I could simply feast on her. Try things, and see how she responded, what she liked. Elise was remarkably vocal. I discovered that she wasn't shy at all. She had never told me what she liked and what she didn't, because she hadn't wanted to enjoy it.

Now she made encouraging noises, and stroked my hair. She flat out told me what I was doing right, and made some helpful suggestions.

- "You can use fingers, too. Just one, at first. Mmm... yeah. Then you can work up to two. Oh, this is going to make a great video."

Her orgasm was preceded by a little chorus of 'Oh, oh..., oh'. Then she let go and thoroughly enjoyed her climax.

We fucked in front of the window, with her on her hands and knees, and me kneeling behind her. She looked glorious, and I was thrilled to find her pushing back against my thrusts. She was totally into it; I could see the reflection of her face in the window.

- "Oh," I said, "this is going to make a superb video."

That set her off. I'm pretty sure that she came again, and that did it for me, too.

Best sex of my life.

I took her up on her offer and led her straight to my bed.

***

Sunday was Elise's day off. She got up early, and was out the door before I finished showering. She'd left me a few things for breakfast. That was considerate, but I'd been hoping to see what the 'new' Elise was like when we weren't having sex.

She was perfectly entitled to go out, though. I was just a little disappointed. She was gone the whole day.

I had a dinner date with Poppy. She talked about one of her modelling gigs. I brought her home, and took her to my room.

It might sound perverse, but I wanted to do a kind of taste test comparison. So I put her on her back, and ate her pussy even more enthusiastically than usual. Then I put her on hands and knees, and took her from behind. We stayed away from the living room. I didn't think that Elise would appreciate coming home to find us fucking in the same spot she'd been in yesterday.

Poppy had a very pretty face, a great body with fabulous tits, and a great ass. I loved her rich skin tone. It was a crazy power trip each and every time I got to fuck her. I didn't mention videos, and of course she wasn't facing the window. Whatever Poppy was thinking or feeling, it didn't translate into active participation in this position. She let me fuck her.

She did cuddle up to me afterwards, and told me how great I'd been, how forceful, how demanding. It was nice to go to sleep that way, with her back and butt pressed up against me, my arm around her and a big breast in my hand.

She stayed over again. We woke up together, and Poppy initiated morning sex, which was slow, lazy, and very nice. It was her way of rewarding me for not sending her home at night, or maybe she was grooming me to let her stay over even more often.

Poppy let me shower first, but I did get to see her parade around my room naked. She left the bathroom door open so that I wouldn't miss the view.

Mondays were Elise's second day off. I wasn't surprised that she'd left early again. I made breakfast for Poppy and myself.

- "This is so nice." she said, with a big smile. "I love waking up next to you. And then getting busy..."

- "Mmm-hmm."

- "Don't you think so? Wouldn't it be nice if we could do this all the time?"

- "What do you mean?"

- "Well, I've been thinking. I'm already here three or four nights a week as it is. And you know I don't like going home by myself late at night. So... I was thinking that maybe it's time that we took our relationship to the next level."

I made a face. "I'm really not into anal, Poppy. Or bondage stuff. I mean, if it's a harmless fetish, then maybe..." Told you I'm an asshole. This time, though, I was doing it deliberately. I had been expecting this little speech of hers for a while now.

- "What? That's not - that's not what I meant."

- "What did you mean?"

She made a pretty face. "I was thinking, y'know... maybe it's time that we moved in together."

Aha. There it was.

"I could pay rent, if you wanted me to. And we could wake up together every day. Shower together to save water..." She smiled.

Morning sex. Sex all day long.

- "I don't know, Poppy. That's... that's a big step. I don't know if I'm ready for that. I would have to really, really think about it."

- "Will you think about it?"

- "Absolutely."

***

Elise came home late that night, too. Tuesday was a work day for her, though; sure enough, she was up making breakfast when I came out of my room. I went straight to the point.

- "How are you feeling?"

- "I'm fine." She hesitated just a beat too long. "You?"

- "Curious. Wondering why you went out of your way to avoid me for the last two days."

- "I wasn't... I was trying to give you and Poppy some privacy."

She usually just went to her room and closed the door. "You sure this isn't about Saturday? Are you feeling that you went overboard, or something?"

Elise wasn't comfortable lying, but it was clear that she really didn't want to have this conversation.

"I e-mailed you a copy of the video. There are two of them; two different camera angles."

That said, I took my breakfast and retreated to the den.

Elise had cleaning to catch up on, and then some shopping for groceries to do. She avoided eye contact for most of that day. She served dinner a tad earlier than usual, cleaned up afterwards, and then retreated to her room, closing the door.

I'm not a hundred percent sure what she was doing; I didn't have any cameras in her bedroom. But I was about ninety-eight point five percent certain that I knew what she was up to.

On Wednesday morning, she looked a little tired (though that may have been my overactive imagination). She immediately came clean.

- "Okay. So... we talked about this. I was holding back. Punishing myself, I guess. Or at least not letting myself even try to enjoy it. And on Saturday, I... went a little crazy in the opposite direction."

I didn't interrupt her. I just listened.

"I'm not saying that it was all bad, okay? Parts of it were..." Then she put a hand to her forehead. "I'm just not sure that I'm comfortable with... with all of that."

- "All of what, exactly?"

- "I watched the video. Both of them. I was... kind of out of control. And I realized that you, at least, have been more consistent. You've been... attentive. And considerate."

- "You mean in trying to make sure that you have orgasms?"

She gave a long sigh. "Yes... do we really have to talk about this in such detail?"

- "I think so. Yes. To avoid misunderstandings, at least."

- "Fine. I want to be more like Saturday than before, but I'm not sure that I want to be quite that crazy. I have to find..."

- "A happy medium?"

- "I was going to say, something I'm more comfortable with."

- "Should we strike while the iron is hot?" I said.

- "What?"

- "You have a tendency to overthink things. That's not a criticism. I think that I do, too. Why don't we just put ourselves in a sexual situation, and see how you react?"

- "A sexual situation?"

- "I'm going to take a bath. Why don't you come in and see what happens. The very first moment you feel uncomfortable, you leave my bathroom. I'll still expect to have sex later in the day, but... who knows?"

She thought about for a second. "Join you in the bathtub?"

- "I'll wash your back. And you have to know that I've wanted to soap up your breasts from day one."

Elise smiled at me. Well, it was half-smile, and half-smirk. But it was immeasurably better than a scowl or a frown.

- "Run the water." she said. "I like it hot."

***

I strung Poppy along for a couple of weeks. She couldn't help herself: she kept asking if I'd 'thought about it'. I would say that I was still thinking. Sometimes I would hint that I was beginning to lean her way, and then revert to a more undecided stance. Then I would take her back to my apartment and fuck her.

I couldn't get enough of that incredible body. She wore a little too much eye makeup, but her latest hairdo was a roaring success, in the sense that I got hard as soon as I saw her. Honestly, I think any guy would have given his left nut to be in my position - and I was determined to make the most of it.

But Poppy wasn't thrilled with my vacillations and my stalling tactics. She cancelled on me at the last minute on a Thursday. That's fair - maybe. We got together on Friday, and we went out. She wanted me to meet two of her friends. I had to answer questions about how we'd met, what I did for a living, and so on. Most of the time, though, they were happy to talk about themselves. That was fine. Neither one was in Poppy's league when it came to looks, breastage, or overall hotness.

Poppy came home with me, and only then announced that she was on her period. She slept in my bed, cuddled with me, and blew me in the morning. That was nice, but I was now clearly reading her strategy.

I didn't ask her out Saturday night; I was far more concerned with how Elise was going to act.

The answer to that question was a disappointment: I got the old Elise. Reluctant, unwilling to let loose, feeling guilty if she enjoyed anything we did together. That afternoon sex in front of the window had been the best ever. Highlight of my sexual life.

Honestly, if I could have that Elise every day, I wouldn't have needed Poppy. But Elise had gradually slid back to her earlier ways, and I was still trying to figure out how to change that.

I did some serious thinking on Sunday, and watched more than a few of Poppy's and Elise's greatest hits.

On Monday, Poppy and I went to the grand re-opening of a steakhouse that had recently been renovated. The owner greeted us personally, and drooled over Poppy's hand, which he seemed to have trouble letting go of. I thought of the word 'unctuous', but this guy was truly greasy. He left a slimy trail, like a slug.

- "Friend of yours?" I asked her, once we were seated.

- "One of my early modelling gigs." she said. "You have to be nice to people, when you're just getting started."

- "Ah." Interesting philosophy. I'd once read that you should be nice to people all of the time.

We ordered, and enjoyed a complimentary bottle of wine from Southern Italy.

- "Mark?"

That wasn't Poppy; it was a male voice. My accountant's voice.

- "Gary?"

- "Wow. I wasn't expecting you to be here."

Gary was with a busty blonde who might have Poppy's sister (or cousin). He introduced her, I introduced Poppy. It was all very nice.

Gary frowned as he looked at Poppy. "Have we met before? I get the feeling that I know you from somewhere."

- "I certainly remember you." she said. "It was the first time I met Mark."

- "I'm still in the dark."

Poppy named the deli where she worked. Gary frowned, and then semi-blushed. "Oh." he said. "Yeah... I remember now."

We wished Gary and his date a good night. They got the hint, and left us alone.

- "Did you enjoy that?" I asked Poppy.

- "A little." she admitted.

- "You're a lot hotter than his date."

She grinned. "I am, aren't I?" Then she touched my hand. "I'm so glad I met you."

- "Me too."

Poppy claimed that her period was a little more severe, and lasting longer than usual. She did offer to come home with me and provide some oral relief, if I was okay with her sleeping over. I think she was actually surprised when I sent her home in a taxi.

Gary called me the very next day, fairly early in the morning. He went straight to the point.

- "Mark, what are you doing?"

- "Finishing my breakfast. Why?"

- "No. Not that. I mean, what were you doing with that waitress?"

- "Poppy? I've been... seeing her."

- "Since when?" Gary's voice was rising.

- "A few months."

- "Oh, God. Please tell me you've been using protection."

- "That's a bit personal, Gary. Don't you think?"

- "I've been trying to warn you about this. You have to protect yourself."

- "I know. I've been listening."

- "Have you? How much do you know about this girl?"

- "I know enough. And I'm being careful."

- "You can't be too careful. Look, I want to schedule an appointment with someone who can help you with this."

- "This?"

- "Your security. Home security. Personal security."

- "I'm not sure that I need help with that, Gary."

- "You do. Believe me, you do."

Well, that made me curious.

***

I bought Poppy some lingerie (I mean, it was the sort of gift that I could enjoy, too). It was black lace. The panties didn't do all that much for her, but the top lifted and supported her breasts, showcasing them even as it pretended to offer coverage.

Poppy loved it. It earned me a three-orgasm night (that's three for me), while she had (or faked) five. By the next morning, though, she wanted to know how close I was to a decision on us living together.

That Friday, I went to Gary's office, for an appointment. The two people he wanted me to meet were already there.

- "There he is!" said Gary, as if I was late, or they had been waiting for a while. "Mark, I'd like you to meet Eve and Adam."

- "Eve Caldwell." said the pretty woman with glasses, as she shook my hand. "And my partner is Adam Bettencourt." Adam was a huge slab of beef with a brush cut and absolutely enormous hands. I'd seen bigger, but they were on the Statue of Liberty.

Eve had long dark hair and, on second examination, a very pretty face. The glasses, somehow, added to her appeal rather than subtracting from it. Her features and her skin tone hinted at a mix of races. Her business suit was tasteful, but it suggested that she had a very fine body. I should have known that Gary would find an attractive female to deal with if at all possible.

- "Eve and Adam are private investigators." he said.

- "So you told me."

- "May I call you Mark?" said Eve. When I nodded, she continued. "Adam was a police officer for six years. I have a degree in criminology, and was with the police force for two years. We both found the atmosphere... stultifying. As I suspect you might agree, we much prefer being self-employed."

That was a not so subtle way of suggesting that they had checked out my background. It was hardly illegal, and probably not all that difficult if Gary had supplied them with my real name.

"We're not cheap, but we do good work, Mark. Plus we are very discreet. We offer a range of services, and I believe that several of them could be very beneficial to you. But before I begin, I wonder if I could ask you, Gary, to leave us alone for a while."

My accountant was caught off guard. "What?"

- "Could you give us some privacy for, say, half an hour? Mark can tell you as much as he wants to afterwards."

Gary shot me a look, but I was curious to see where she was going.

- "I'll be fine, Gary. Go ahead."

He didn't look too happy about it, but he did leave. Eve waited until the door had closed behind him.

- "First off, Mark, we do extensive background checks. Would you like to see the one we did on Gary? Obviously we wanted to know who we were dealing with before we agreed to take on work for him."

- "I know that he's from Nova Scotia, and that he graduated from Queen's. Is there anything else you think I should know?"

- "Your accountant is paying child support to a Miss Heather Towns, in Oakville. He has a weakness for the ladies - which may be why he is so worried about you. But he has what we call 'loose lips'; he provides far too much information. I would suggest that you have him sign a non-disclosure agreement where you are concerned. Or at least rap him on the knuckles."

I smiled. I liked this lady already. She was easy on the eyes, obviously intelligent, and didn't beat about the bush.

- "And what did you find out about me?" I asked.

She proceeded to reel off my net worth, my most recent consulting contracts, my address, the fact that I didn't have a driver's licence, and the names of six of my favourite restaurants.

- "You also have the habit of paying other people's bills, without them knowing who did it."

Eve knew all about my interviews for the maid position. She even knew about the second round of interviews.

"Your friend Gary is worried because you have a woman living with you, acting as your maid. You also have a very attractive girlfriend, who frequently spends the night. Either or both of these women could be a serious security risk. I say that without knowing your home security arrangements. If you have any, that is."

I sat back in my chair. "What would suggest?"

- "First, Adam and I could come over, at a time when your maid isn't there, and review your home security. You could probably benefit from some strategically-placed cameras; not only at the door, but inside your apartment. We would also do thorough background checks on your maid and your girlfriend. They would never know, but you could have the peace of mind of knowing that they don't have major skeletons in their closets."

I pretended to think about it. Then I decided to toss them a curve. "How much would this cost me?"

Eve adjusted her glasses. "You charge top dollar for your consulting services, Mark. So do we. Our services are first rate. We charge five thousand dollars for a background check, and two thousand for a home security review."

- "Twelve thousand?"

- "It wouldn't cost you that much, Mark. Gary has already offered to pay half of our fee. That's how concerned he is about protecting his investment. Or investor."

I could have said no. But I was curious. Really curious.

- "Then let's do it." I said.

***

I had Poppy over that evening. Of course, I didn't say a word about where I'd been or what I'd heard earlier in the day. I just banged her, doggy style. I enjoyed it; I'm not sure if she did.

After our fuck, Poppy informed me that she had a modelling gig in Ottawa the next week. She was going to be away for five or six days.

- "I could come up and visit you." I said. Ottawa is about a five hour drive from Toronto (not that I would be driving, of course).

She smiled, and gently caressed my cheek. "I love that you care that much." she said. "But we'll be working long hours. Unpredictable hours. And I'm absolutely exhausted after a day of shooting. I wouldn't be very good company."

Translation: don't bother coming up, because you won't be coming. No nookie.

- "I'll miss you."

- "And I'll miss you." said Poppy. "But maybe this little separation will help you decide if you want us to live together."

Ah, yes. That.

On Saturday afternoon, I banged Elise. On the floor, outside my room. Doggy again. I enjoyed it. I'm not so sure that she did.

She still had to prepare a meal. She did, and served it to me. As I'd hoped, she didn't shy away from what had happened in the afternoon.

- "You did that on purpose." she said.

- "Yup."

- "Was that to send me some kind of message?"

- "Yes." I said. Why deny it? I wanted her to be honest with me, so why wouldn't I be open with her? "But it wasn't 'some kind' of message. You know exactly what it meant."

- "Maybe I don't. Enlighten me, would you?"

I sighed. This week was really stretching my patience. "We both know that you can enjoy sex with me. You've seen the video of the day in front of the window. And the hot towel night was pretty good, too."

She flushed.

"We both know that you can reach orgasm when I go down on you. But you insist on fighting it. You're back to punishing yourself. I don't understand it, and I'm tired of it."

- "Guilt isn't rational, Mark." she said.

- "I agree. But I don't believe that you, Elise, should feel any guilt. I'm trying to get you out of the financial hole you're in as fast as possible. But apparently you want to wallow in a moral bullshit hole, too."

- "Moral bullshit hole? Are you fucking serious?"

- "Very."

- "See you Tuesday." she said. She slammed her bedroom door hard enough to shake the walls throughout the apartment.

***

On Tuesday, Elise appeared to be repentant.

- "I'm sorry." she said. "I am trying, you know."

- "I know you are. I just wish you could stop punishing yourself. You don't deserve that."

- "Hmm..."

She did make an effort that night, and let me take her in the missionary position. Again, I enjoyed it, but she was a little too tense.

Poppy returned on Friday, but pleaded fatigue. She promised to 'rock my world' on Sunday.

On Saturday morning, I showed Elise my latest online purchase.

- "A blindfold?"

- "It can't hurt to try it."

- "Really?"

- "If you trust me enough." I said. "Think it over. Let me know at dinner time what you think."

She made a wickedly good meal with fresh pasta, and about a hundred cloves of garlic.

- "You trying to kill us both? Or expecting a vampire invasion?"

- "It's good for you." she said.

- "I can see the headline: couple in apartment asphyxiated by garlic fumes."

She actually cracked a smile at that.

- "I... I'll try the blindfold."

- "Good girl. Do you want a safe word?"

- "What?" She was instantly alarmed.

- "Elise - relax. I'm not into pain, or restraints, or anything like that. But you will be blindfolded. If you start feeling insecure, you have to let me know. If you said something like 'Oh, no', I won't know for sure what that means. You need to clearly -"

- "Gargamel."

- "Seriously?"

- "Gargamel. What? I watched a lot of the Smurfs when I was a kid. He kind of freaked me out. I'm not likely to cry out 'Gargamel' in the throes of passion."

- "It's your word. Okay, I'll do the dishes while you shower."

- "What?"

- "I know that you showered this morning. Shower again. I'll clean up the kitchen."

- "You're serious?"

- "I know how. Go. Go, go."

I had her wear her fluffy bathrobe, the blindfold, and nothing else. Her mouth was partly open, and she seemed to be breathing a little rapidly as I led her by the hand to my bedroom. She was flushed, and a little excited.

So was I. Before this moment, I would have told you that Elise had nice eyes. Well, let me tell you: with a blindfold on, with her straight black hair pressed close to the sides of her head, she looked amazing. I was already hard, despite the fact that my dick wasn't going to be involved in the proceedings for at least an hour, if not more.

I gently removed her robe. She was naked underneath it. I appreciated the view, even as I directed her to my bed.

- "Lie down in the centre of the bed." I said. "On your stomach."

- "How will I know if I'm in the centre?" she asked.

- "You'll know."

- "Ohh..." she said. Actually it was more of a moan. I'd taken two fluffy towels out of the dryer only a minute before, and laid them in the middle of my bed. They were still quite warm. Elise made another sound of approval when I placed two more towels on her back and butt, and on her legs.

I let her enjoy that for another minute. Then I sat on her legs, and removed the top towel. The massage oil was also warm, and she cooed when I began working it into her shoulders and the back of her neck.

- "That's so nice..." she said. "Did I have to be blindfolded for it, though?"

- "Sshh... just let it happen, Smurfette."

She giggled at that. "Do you even know what Smurfette looks like?"

- "Aren't they all blue?"

- "Yes. But she has white hair."

I pressed with my thumbs on either side of her spine, searching for knots and tense muscles.

- "I like your skin, Smurfmaid. And your hair. I think both are very beautiful."

Elise didn't answer. I didn't know how she was taking my comments. But she was relaxing as I kneaded and rubbed her back. I'm certainly not a trained masseuse, but I took my time, and worked her over pretty thoroughly.

I slid lower, and removed the towel over her her legs (which I'd been sitting on), using it to cover her back, to keep her warm. Then I began massaging her feet. Elise groaned again.

I didn't spend as long on her feet; I didn't want her ass getting cold. She moaned again when I started massaging her calves. She didn't make any noise when I got to her thighs, but she wasn't all that skilled at hiding her subtle hip shifts. She was grinding her pussy on the towel beneath her.

She was surprised when I slid an arm under her midsection, and lifted her just enough so that I could slide a pillow under her hips. That raised her ass just that little bit more. I finally began to massage those wonderful cheeks. My erection was resting on the back of her thigh; she had to know it was there.

I honestly think that she was trying not to show any reaction, but she couldn't help the little moans escaping from her mouth.

My original plan had been to massage her front as well, and then go down on her, but I had to re-assess. I wasn't going to last that long. Plus I could save all of that for another occasion. So I concentrated on massaging her lovely ass. Then I ran my fingers the length of her crack.

- "Nnh..." I wasn't sure what that noise meant, but it clearly didn't sound like 'Gargamel'.

The next sound she made was more like a 'Wah!'; that came out of her when I spread her ass cheeks and insinuated my tongue between them.

- "I'm not going to fuck your ass, Elise." I said. "You hear me, right? That's not going to happen. I'm just... exploring. Is that alright, Smurfmaid?"

- "Mmhmm..."

I took that as a green light. I went ahead and rimmed her (something I'd never done before), and then slipped a finger inside her pussy. Elise's ass rose another inch higher off the pillow. I switched to licking her pussy, from behind, while reaching underneath to gently strum her clit.

She was making a whole variety of noises now, despite her efforts to suppress them. Elise was also humping her pussy back at me.

The moment she began shaking, she let out a short, sharp squeal. I moved up quickly, and lined up my cock. She didn't move, or shy away. I slid half my length into her with the first thrust.

It would be nice to tell you that I rang her bells, that I brought her to a second thunderous orgasm, even better than her first.

The truth is, I got my dick fully lodged inside her on the third thrust, and then ravaged her for a total of six more strokes before exploding in glorious technicolor.

***

Sunday was Elise's day off. She let me know that she was going out for the day.

- "That, umm..."

- "Yes?"

- "The blindfold? It wasn't a bad idea."

- "Ah. Smurfmaid liked that part?"

Elise smiled. "Okay, we can try the blindfold again. But lose the Smurfmaid."

- "As you wish."

Poppy came back from her modelling gig with an all-over tan.

- "You look fantastic." I told her. It was true.

- "They had me in a tanning booth for days before they took a single shot."

I took my time with Poppy that night. After more than a week of going without, I wanted to re-acquaint myself with every inch of her gorgeous body. I played with her big breasts, sucked on her nipples, and fingered her pussy for at least half an hour. She kept climbing a little higher on the bed, trying to get my face closer to her crotch.

By the time I did get down there, she was thoroughly primed, and set to go off like a firecracker. Then I took her in the missionary position. After a fifteen minute rest, I entered her spoon fashion, so that I could fondle her boob or her ass as I leisurely fucked her. I certainly got my money's worth.

In the morning, she asked the question I'd been anticipating.

- "Have you given any more thought to it?"

- "It?"

She frowned. "To us living together!"

- "Actually, I have."

- "You have?"

- "Of course. I know that it's very important to you. I was considering some of the practicalities."

- "Practicalities?"

- "Yeah. Like closet space."

- "Closet space?"

- "Well, I assume that you have a lot more clothes and stuff at your place. If you brought them here, where would we put it?"

Poppy, being Poppy, hadn't thought that far.

- "There's lots of closet space in the second bedroom, isn't there?"

- "You want me to get Elise to give you most of her space?"

- "Well... do you really need a live-in maid?"

- "What? Are you offering to cook and clean?"

- "No, but... couldn't you just have a maid come in for the day?"

- "Wow, Poppy. You must think I'm made of money."

She shied away from that topic. "I'm just thinking of us, Mark. And our privacy."

Poppy tried to change the subject with a blowjob. It worked.

***

I met with Eve in her office. It was new, and spotlessly clean. Her framed diplomas were on the wall, along with pictures of her and Adam in police uniforms.

In the first minute of our meeting, I had to revise my opinion of her. I had originally thought that she was a pretty attractive woman. Now I realized that she was seriously good-looking. The glasses and the business attire did nothing to conceal that fact. Maybe I had some kind of fetish for women in glasses.

It was two weeks to the day since our first meeting. She slid a folder across her desk.

- "I'm sorry." she said.

There were pictures of Poppy in a hotel lobby, with a Mister tall dark and handsome. Pictures of her holding his hand as they entered the elevator together, and then of them entering Room 701.

Eve then turned her laptop around, and passed it to me. She came around to stand beside me, close enough that I could breathe in the subtle scent she used. She clicked on an audio file.

I heard the dialogue quite clearly, over the clash of dishes and knives and forks.

- "What about your rich guy?" said a female voice.

- "Oh, he'll never find out." That was Poppy.

- "You still think you can get him?"

- "Oh, honey, he's hooked. I just have to reel him in."

That was all of the recording.

- "Again, I'm sorry, Mark." said Eve.

- "You're just doing your job. Better that I know, right?"

- "I'll have the report on your maid in another week." she said.

- "Thank you."

I walked out of Eve's office. I kept a straight face.

*****