The domination in this chapter is more gentle in comparison to last time. Mum's turn to get to know the lodger better.
Thanks again to Amber Cummings for looking this one over! Any remaining mistakes are solely my own.
* * * * *
Renting out the spare room seemed like the obvious move. With just Jen and her daughter about the place the house felt a little empty, and the extra money coming in would be very nice indeed. Besides, she quite fancied the idea of taking a lodger. When she laid eyes on the first fella to answer the ad, she fancied it a lot more. Mark, his name was; it was a Monday that she met with him. He was a tall dark stranger-type, very dishy, one or two years younger than her which still made him probably double Charlie's age. Single. He had a seriousness about him that was intense, but he had a cracking smile; Jen felt lucky being treated to it when they first met. Maybe it was her imagination, but she got the idea he was checking her out ; fair dos, she was having a bit of a sly peek herself. The meeting went well; this'll do nicely, she thought. He asked when he could move in. She said tomorrow.
* * *
The idea of having a gentleman-lodger in her home made Jen feel dead posh, a proper respectable landlady. As they all got used to each other, it seemed like there were other benefits as well. He was neat and tidy, didn't make a racket, and of course there was that smile; a real dazzler. He was friendly enough to Charlie too, of course, but Jen got the idea that the smile was just for her. The thought let her forget for a minute that she was a single mum to a stroppy nineteen year-old, and let her think all sorts of other things instead; maybe it wouldn't hurt to be a bit less respectable after all. She thought she saw Charlie giving him the eye now and again, when she thought her mum wasn't watching, it could be her daughter had something similar in mind. She didn't get that smile though. Jen wondered what else he might have to offer. She wondered how she could find out.
It didn't take them all long to get familiar, they were always rubbing elbows anyway and he was really quite personable. The more she saw of him, the more she picked up on that grin; it felt like the two of them were building their own little private understanding. She wondered what else they might get going, some time when her daughter wasn't buzzing around. Jen started to think: Charlie had some night out coming up with her friends next Saturday; Jen didn't often make Saturday Night-type plans herself anymore, so she'd be around, and Mark had already said he was staying in too. That gave her her chance, and a few days to build up the nerve and think of something to do with it. Once she'd come to that realisation, it was trickier to meet that smile again without blushing; she hoped her daughter didn't notice. She got the feeling Mark might've.
* * *
Charlie swept out of the house in a bundle of energy when the evening came, heading off into town with her mates and breezily boasting how she wouldn't be home 'til after midnight, the brazen little madam. Ever the dutiful mother, Jen dragged a promise out of her to call for a lift if she needed, but still allowed herself a little sigh of relief and a smile when she'd seen the back of her. Turning back from the door, she caught Mark heading on his way into the living room with his laptop under an arm. This time when he grinned, it felt like she'd been caught with her hand in the biscuit tin, only guiltier. She prayed he wouldn't guess how giddy she felt when she smiled back. She gave him a quick nod and scurried off upstairs.
She'd been thinking over the last few days about how best to go about things; she didn't want to end up in a last-minute rush. She wrestled with herself particularly over dressing for the occasion. It wouldn't be the first time she'd got all done up for a fella, but before now they'd always known it was coming. She wanted to make the best first impression. For a while she thought about going full sex-kitten, wiggling her way inside a tube top and a little black miniskirt that she'd got to make an impression a couple of boyfriends ago. Then she realised that things might be awkward enough already without feeling like all of her was spilling out of some tiny little outfit; she didn't want any hint of mutton dressed as lamb. She wanted something comfortable, and maybe a little comforting...
She let time pass, didn't want to crowd him just after they were left alone together. It seemed like a nice brew would help her relax, and she decided to make him one too; it might help break the ice. With a steaming mug in each hand, she made her way to the living room. He looked up as she came in and took in the sight of her: in the end she'd just put on her big, comfy dressing gown; just that, and nothing else. She felt her boobs swaying about a bit more than she'd like, but otherwise she was loving the feel of the fluffy fabric on her bare skin. With the sash pulled tight at the waist, she thought she cut a pretty saucy figure. He'd seen her in her dressing gown before of course, but usually not done up so tight and always with something decent on underneath. She felt like he was staring a little bit more than normal.
"Fancy a brew, duck?"
He was tapping away at his computer, but stopped and made some more space so she could come and sit down next to him.
"Love one, cheers."
He was smiling again, and right now it was all for her. Jen raised the hot tea to her lips and tried to use it as an excuse for the reddening she could feel in her cheeks. She swallowed a mouthful and then gulped down a breath.
"Y'know, it's been lovely having you here, Mark. Really nice to have a m- another person about the place again. I'd really like for you to feel at home, feel welcome as can be. So, I just wanted to say," feeling self-conscious at the big moment she paused to brush a strand of dark blonde hair away back behind her ear, "If there's anything I can do to help you settle in, anything at all; will you let me know?"
She'd wanted to sound calm and casual, but with the glow of his attention right on her it almost made her want to beg. Now her offer was out there, she sat with her hands and her mug resting in her lap and didn't dare to guess what he'd say next.