I was looking for a new place to live. I had one week left on my tenancy agreement and having left everything to the last minute I was getting desperate. Hunting for a new home was much harder than I'd anticipated: I'd seen three rooms already that evening, in different parts of the City, and they were either damp, falling apart or the size of a shoebox. I had one more place to see and I really didn't want to have to spend another evening traipsing through the streets of London looking for a dream home that didn't exist.
I found my next address and rang the bell. The landlord answered the door. "Hi, I'm Alex" he said. He was tall, a few years older than me; rather rugged-looking and seemed friendly enough.
"Hi Alex, I'm Kate." I took my cue and entered the house. He showed me around the communal areas; kitchen, living room, shared bathroom. They were all clean, tidy and homely; so far so good. We found plenty to chat about and I even felt like he was flirting with me a little. He walked behind me as we ascended the stairs to the 2nd floor and I was sure he was catching glimpses up my skirt. Not that I minded, I was starting to feel quite attracted to him. Since it was the height of summer I had dressed light. I wasn't wearing tights; just a pair of pumps, a cute denim skirt that scraped the tops of my knees and a pair of flowery-patterned satin knickers underneath. I was glad that I'd chosen my favourites that morning, if he really was checking them out! I was also wearing a light cotton blouse, with the top few buttons undone, and a balcony bra, so my cleavage could make a subtle appearance from time to time.
It was a good-sized bedroom, with a double bed and nice furniture, overlooking the quiet garden. Perfect!
"There were 2 rooms advertised, but the other one was taken earlier today." Alex explained. "It's a little more rent than the ad said - £700 a month including bills".
"Oh, that is more than I expected" I said, struggling to hide the disappointment in my voice. "I really love the room and I'd like to be able to take it, but I'm not sure I can stretch to that - my budget is £600. Also, I don't get paid until next week, but I really need to move before then". I was trying my best to flirt in an attempt to appeal to his softer side. I gave him the doe-eyes and slightly puckered my lips.
Alex paused for a few seconds "You do seem like you'd really fit in here and I want to get the room rented fast. Perhaps we could come to an arrangement."
"Great!" I said, "Anything at all, I would really love to live here. So, what sort of arrangement are you thinking?"
"Well..." said Alex, thoughtfully, "I've been single for a long time and it will be really nice to have such an attractive young woman around the place... But I'm not sure I'll be able to hold back from wanting to do all sorts of... things... to you if you were to live here. So here's the deal: If you move in, you help me satisfy my sexual urges and I'll reduce your rent accordingly. What do you think?"
I was a bit taken aback. I'd been flirty in the hope that Alex might negotiate with me on the rent and the date of my first payment. I'd run with his suggestion of an arrangement because I really did want to live in his house and I was intrigued by what he was going to suggest, thinking that it might involve extra housework or something. But hearing him being so blunt about his sexual needs was unexpected! I felt my cheeks flush as I realised I'd been staring at him with my mouth open, in stunned silence, for at least 30 seconds, which was feeling like a really long time. I quickly pulled myself together.
"Well..." I said, with a sly glint in my eye, "will you be wanting a deposit?"