The initial touch silenced her doubts and gave her the courage to press on. Her fingers worked her clit, rediscovering the joys she had long ago buried. She traced her lips lightly and made her way further back until she felt her fingers slip inside her pussy. She pressed one in carefully, and added a second more urgently, thrusting wildly.
When she was younger, she used to imagine she was with Willie Mansfield, the boy who lived across the street. He had been the sexiest guy in their graduating class. After high school, he had joined the service, she couldn’t remember which branch. Too shy to talk to him back then, she’d contented herself with imagining his penis buried deep inside her, while he whispered sweet nothings in her ear.
Years later, she knew a lot more about sex and her thoughts weren’t nearly so innocent. This time, it was Miguel’s cock thrusting inside of her and his teeth grazing her nipples. His fingernails dug into her butt cheeks, the pain vying with the pleasure.
“Yes! Oh God, yes!” Adele cried into the water. She could feel the orgasm coming; it was so close. She moved quicker, trying to hurry it up. To her dismay, the more she tried to force it, the more the sensation slipped away. With it went her image of Miguel and his large muscles.
“Agh!” she yelled in frustration. “God da—” She broke off mid-shout. She had already broken one rule tonight. She didn’t think God would be particularly forgiving about her taking His name in vain.
The next morning, Adele went downstairs earlier than usual. After the failed attempt in the shower, she spent a tormented night tossing in bed. When her alarm had gone off
, she’d already been up and dressed.
It was too early for the staff to arrive, so Adele went outside to check the previous day’s mail. She tripped over something on the doorstep and fell, scraping her elbows.
A pair of strong hands hauled her upright. “I am so sorry. I must have been asleep longer than I thought.”
Adele rubbed her arms. She wasn’t sure if she was more bothered by the fact that Miguel was sleeping in The Center’s doorway or that he had seen her sprawled over the walkway. “What are you doing here?”
“I work here, remember?” He offered a little smile. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. And I’m waiting for a real answer.” Her voice got steely. “Now.”
He sighed and looked away. “I can’t live at home anymore. The project doesn’t let you live there if you have a criminal record. I had to leave so my mom and my sister wouldn’t get kicked out.”
Adele nodded. She wanted to reach out and touch him, comfort him in some way, but she knew he would just pull away. “That’s a very noble thing you did.”
He turned to face her. “How so? Now I’m just a homeless bum with a record.”
“I remember this kid when I was younger who got out of prison and went back home. When they told him to leave, he refused and his whole family was kicked out. His grandmother, parents, siblings all forced out because he refused to leave and his mother wouldn’t make him go.” She stroked his arm gently. “You were being selfless.”
“Well, now I have to find someplace to live and money to pay for it.” He buried his face in his hands. “This sucks.”
She plucked him. “Stop griping. We just need to figure out how to fix it.”
He glanced at her incredulously. “You’d really help me? What do you care?”
“Yes. And because I do. Now come follow me before I change my mind. It’s been a long night.” She didn’t bother mentioning that he was the cause of it.
She walked back upstairs, past her apartment to another door. “I live there and this is an empty apartment. A friend of mine used to live here, but she retired last year.” She opened the door. “It’s small, it hasn’t been cleaned in ages, and the dust is lethal. But if you like it, it’s yours. Until you get on your feet. It’s got a kitchen and a bathroom.” She stood aside. “See for yourself.”
Miguel moved past her, taking in the apartment. “I can’t take this. I have no way of paying you.”
“I’m sure I’ll find something for you to do.” She winked at him. “Why don’t you spend the morning getting settled in? You can get cleaning supplies from downstairs.”
“Look, I want you to know.” Miguel fidgeted in the doorway. “I really appreciate you doing this. Thank you.”
Adele gazed back into his eyes. The raw emotion she saw melted something inside her. “You’re welcome,” she said simply, before walking downstairs.
Adele didn’t get a chance to check on Miguel until after closing. She took her shower, then knocked on his door.
He answered the door in boxers and a black tank shirt. “What’s up?”
Don’t look at the thighs, don’t look at the thighs. “Did you eat dinner?”
He nodded. “My mom gave me some food. She sent over some dessert for me to give you.” He pulled the door further open. “You want?”
“Sure, thanks.” Adele felt like a teenager, instead of the thirty-seven-year-old woman she was.