Lost then Found

4 - The Neighborhood

Avery’s POV

Seeing Ellen, or Ellie as she likes to be called, this morning did all kinds of things to my body. Her jeans hugging her long lean legs and that fitted vest that accentuated the curve her breasts, their generous swell peaking out of the top edge, it all had me hard in an instant. I had to keep my back to her so I could calm my c*ck down while I cooked.

The thing that I noticed this morning though, is that I wasn’t the only one affected by us being in the same room. Ellie seemed to have the same problem looking at my body, I kept seeing her sneak peeks at my bare chest. I never really thought about needing to put a shirt on for her. I have never covered up before her, not planning on it now. At least I pulled sweatpants on, I would normally walk around in just my boxer briefs. Not only was Ellie looking at my chest, I even noticed that her eyes would dip below the belt line a few times. God, if that thought, the thought of her wanting me too, isn’t just hot as hell.

As much as I would love to lift her tight little body onto the counter and pound into her sweet p*ssy hard, that isn’t the kind of thoughts either of us should be entertaining. I can only imagine what that would do to our relationship as flatmates. Those damn thoughts are downright dangerous.

This thing between us needs to be a friendship and nothing more. The last thing I need is to make living together awkward and uncomfortable all because we couldn’t control our s****l urges and ended up in bed together. No matter how amazing I’m sure she would be. I bet she is a screamer, she seems like a screamer. Damn, I wish I could hear her screaming my name while my c*ck is buried deep inside her.

We will be living together for a year, maybe more, I need to eliminate these thoughts from my mind. It would never work to have a friends with benefits arrangement when we live together, with no place to escape to, nope that wouldn’t work. After going through the long process of finding a new flatmate, I definitely don’t want to jeopardize what we have. Nope, just friends, nothing more.

I am really glad that she isn’t just a pretty face with a banging body, she is actually really fun to be around. I already feel like we have known each other for years, I am that comfortable around her.

I offer to show her around the neighborhood and felt a burst of happiness when she accepted my offer, as cheesy as that sounds. Being around her just makes me feel good I guess.

I hadn’t actually planned to take Ellie around, I was planning on having a workout before my meeting with the planners at Southall, but I just didn’t want to leave her. Plus, remembering how vulnerable she had been last night, knowing how that felt for me. That made me want to make her feel comfortable in her new neighborhood. I mean she moved all the way from Durham not knowing a single person here from what she told me in her correspondence when I was interviewing potential flatmates.

That was one of the reasons I chose her, it was a bold move that I could respect. I also felt relieved, knowing she wanted a flatmate for security purposes more than financial reasons. I didn’t need to worry about rent arrears.

As I walk out, she follows me out of the door and down the exterior stairs to the pavement below. I turn and smile down at her before asking, “So what do you want to see? We can just take a bit of a walk and I can point things out or you can tell me what you want to be able to find…” I trail off waiting for her to interject with what she was thinking.

“Hmmm, I supposed a proper stroll around would be nice. I would like to know where the grocery is so I can nip on by later for replenishments. Besides that, I’m looking for a studio space to set up shop, I really want to start getting into my art,” she says with her face all scrunched up like she was thinking of what she wanted to see. She looked adorable, she has this innocent, vixon vibe that is so hard to ignore.

I slung my arm over her shoulder and chuckled. “Then a proper stroll we shall have,” I responded in my best regal accent and she giggled. “What kind of space are you looking for your studio?”

“I need a wide open space, preferably zoned so I can open up a public gallery at some point…hmmm good lighting, I’d love to be able to snag 100 square meters space, but I’m flexible for now.”

“Well then, before we stroll why don’t we look at the space here,” I motion to the doors to the vacant space below our flat. “It might not be exactly what you are looking for, but you are welcome to the space until you find what you want.” She looks up at me with confusion marring her face, until I put the key in the entrance to the space.

She lets out an audible gasp and says, “Wow, this space is huge.”

“Yeah, it has the same square meter footprint as the flat we live in, so about 250 square meters. I was renting it to a bloke that worked on automobiles so it may need a proper clean up, but you are welcome to use the space,” I say while walking forward with my arms out to my side a bit as I turn around to face her and get her reaction.

“How much do you rent the space for?”

“You don’t have to pay anything, just use it until you-“

I am cut off mid-sentence. “I could never take advantage of your kindness. How much-“

Now I cut her off. “Seriously, just use it. I didn’t like being a landlord so it is just going to sit here vacant. Might as well be of use. So why not have it be you. Plus, I know where to find you if you break anything,” I say winking at her and giving her a cheeky smile.

“I don’t feel good about all this kindness you are showing me, I mean you hardly know me. What if I end up being a horrendous flatmate and you want to kick me out?”

“Then I will kick your arse out of two spaces instead of just one,” I laugh out.

“Not funny,” she shoves me in my side, still eyeing the space with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Look, the space is vacant. I don’t need the space, I hated having a tenant. He would come after his day job make noise at all hours. Revving engines at all hours of the night, break things and then complain that they were broken. I don’t have the time or patience for another tenant,” I try to explain.

She sigh and gives me a meekish smile and nods softly. “Alright, I’ll take you up on your generous offer, but I want to make it up to you…maybe I can cook you dinner or I’ll do the cleaning,” she says in an almost whisper, but then she rushes to add. “But, if at any point you want me to stop using the space, just say so and of course I will keep looking,” she keeps rambling on. I wish I could just smash my lips to hers to shut her up.

Since that is not an option, I stop her by putting my hands on her shoulders and bending down a bit so we are eye to eye. “Look, I got you. No worries. I’m not one to not communicate, so if I need you out I’ll let you know. It has been vacant for over three years though so,” I finish with a chuckle.

Her head whips up to me. “Really, you never use the space?”

“No, not really. I mean when I first bought the building I used this space to store supplies and work out of for the renovation. Then I had Conner and he ruined the whole tenant idea for me. I have a feeling you are not the type to keep me up all night with your noise down here,” I say with a smirk, noticing her blush when I mention keeping me up all night. I guess that little innuendo didn’t slip past her.

She shuffles her feet and she looks down, obviously feeling uncomfortable. I cannot have that, so I grab her hand and pull her out of the building. “Come, let’s get this proper stroll you chatted up started.” That seemed to do the trick because she scurried after me with a giggle. “So, Shoreditch has a thriving art scene, loads of pubs and food, there are a bunch of vendor fairs that come out on Sundays so loads to see and do.”

I see her looking all around as we walk about, taking in all the street art that makes up shoreditch. “I am just loving how lively it is here.”

“Yeah, that’s what I fell in love with too. It helps inspire me. So for produce and pantry items, I like The Grocery up on Kingsland Road, it will have everything you need and good quality and it is not too far off,” I explain.

She nods her head as she listens, but seems distracted by everything there is to see. I point out a few pubs and the tube station on Old Street. We walk down Brick Street and I point out my favorite curry spot along with Beigel Bake. She was surprised when I told her it was open 24 hours, the long line spoke for itself for how popular and good the food is there.

My phone pings in my pocket and when I pull it out I realize that I am now running late for my meeting in Southall. I make eye contact with Ellie and I can tell she already knows what I am going to say and I cannot help but smile at that. “As much as I would love to show you more, that will have to wait. I have a meeting in an hour and it will take me that long to get there.”

“Oh no, I’m so sorry that I took too much of your time,” she rushes out.

“Don’t be silly Ellie, I had a great time with you. Some of my mates and I are going out tonight, you should join us, get to know a few more people and all,” I suggest.

Her face lights up with a bright smile,” I just might take you up on the offer Mr Harris.” I love her cheeky smile and why did her calling my Mr Harris go straight to my c*ck? Gods, what is she doing to me.

I give her a slight bow and say, “glad to be of service Miss Bell. Be ready at 7 so we can eat dinner on the way.”

“Will do Mr Harris, I look forward to it,” she says and then turns to continue her walk. I couldn’t help but watch her arse move as she disappeared around the corner.

My phone pings again bringing me back to the present, I adjust my c*ck in jeans, and I make my way to the tube. I’m hopeful that I will still make it on time.