Upstairs and Then Downstairs

The sun was rising over the mountains and creating patterns in the grove next to my backyard. I tried making out the patterns without getting up but it was too exciting. So I got up and went out on my new balcony to breath in the air. A breeze floated up from the river and brought with it a cool smell of dust. At least that's what I imagined it was. Driving into the valley from the airport the day before I had noticed how the fields alternated between groves of nut trees and the low fields where the tomato harvest was well underway. The trees looked so lush in the blistering heat and then contrasted with the plumes of dust from the tomato trucks zipping recklessly back and forth on the narrow country roads.

I was divorced now a few years so when I got invited to take a job here, I jumped at the chance. My son was in college back east so there was nothing anchoring me anymore to that place.

I relished the new climate even if it was foreign to me. Hot, dry, bright, and no more humidity. I bought myself a little townhouse in one of those housing developments where the houses were packed together like sardines but the interior was open and spacious. I had made the purchase over many video calls with a realtor without ever setting foot here, so waking up in this new place without furniture was even more odd than the first night anywhere else I had moved before in my life.

The whole upstairs was a master suite, with a bathroom larger than my bedroom in my former house. There was a small guest bedroom downstairs but otherwise the main level was one giant space for living and cook. I could imagine it would be tough with kids running around but it felt perfect for me at this stage of my life.

Out here on the balcony from my bedroom, I enjoyed the cool breeze knowing it would be 50 degrees hotter by mid afternoon. Looking around I could see nearly every backyard down the block. Despite the similarities, they were all had noticeable differences, some had small pools, some had fake grass and some looked like desert gardens of small spiky plants. Mine was brown and scorched as the previous owner ignored it, but the realtor had said enthusiastically, "it's a blank canvas!"

A woman next door was out watering her patio plants under a pergola covering well established plants. She was wearing a short robe and while I couldn't discern much about her from my vantage point, I could see she was shapely in the right way, tanned legs, and auburn hair. Her house must have been the choice lot since it was on the corner with a field on the far side in addition to the grove that lined the backs of our houses. Her yard seemed a little more designed than the ones to the other side of me like she had been her longer.

She saw me and waved as if my watching her was the most natural thing in the world. I guess the stereotype of this being the most friendly state in the union were correct. I waved back and headed inside. The moving truck would arrive soon and I remembered seeing little coffee shop on my way into town which was just what I needed.

...

Later that day, the moving truck came and went. There wasn't much to unload but I wouldn't have to sleep on the floor tonight. I went to the grocery store, it was a local chain--at least I'd never heard of it--and I was taking my time trying to figure out where things were, the long aisles reminding me of the view into the grove out my back deck. Surprising no one, the produce section was full of large colorful items that would put any place in the east to shame. I spent the most time there wondering how deep into the winter I would be making a fresh things for dinner.

As if reading my thoughts, a voice next to me said, "these are all local, you should see the peppers over there."

I turned and was met with a smiling face. She was likely my age but glowing as opposed to the toughness the east coast wore on people my age. Her hair was highlighted in stunning shades of auburn, either from the sun or from lots of money. Having been here only 24hrs I didn't know the difference. While a little shorter than me and by no means large, she had a curvy and soft appearance that I had grown to appreciate as I aged. And a delightful flowing sundress that highlighted her skin tone.

I smiled back reflexively, "thank you! I'm thinking of making a salsa tonight."

"Can't go wrong here." She reached in front of me and took some giant plum tomatoes, put them in her cloth bag and moved on. She gave me a lingering look as she went back to her cart. I watched her as she walked off and once she got to the other side of the section, I realized that this was likely my new neighbor. Her breezy light perfume lingered behind teasingly begging me to follow.

We moved through the aisles opposite each other so we kept passing. At first barely an acknowledgement but by the time we both ended up in the wine section at the far end, we had spoken several times--it would have been awkward not to.

Pulling up next to her cart where she was standing studying the reds, I said, "since I'm new to this area, can you recommend something local?"

Without looking up at me she reached out and selected one and handed it to me. "It's a Zinfandel from near where I grew up a little ways from here. They might only have like a decade left growing this type of grape since it can't handle the rising temps. But it's one of my favorites."

I looked at her and then the bottle. "Thanks, and some local knowledge too." I paused, "that makes this a pretty special bottle then."

"You get attuned to the landscape living here," she smiled.

"My name is Eric," I held out my hand.

"Sandra." Again the broad smile as she took my hand.

"I think we might be neighbors actually?" I offered hoping I was right.

"Ah my watcher from the balcony, did your furniture get unloaded ok?"

"Mostly, Yes thank you. Still need to put some... actually most of the stuff together really. "

"Well look, I need to get on with my errands but why not swing by later? I can tell you all about the area." She winked, "bring that wine. I probably have more places to sit than you."

...

The sun was still blazing hot despite its low angle as I walked the short distance from my front door to Sandra's later that evening. The breeze was back and compared to what I was used to on the east coast, this was downright pleasant.

I knocked.

Sandra opened the door without too much delay and waved me in. Her house was cool and shaded, the AC of these new houses easily keeping everything under control.

"I got some glasses out already." As if that was going to be a concern of mine.

She brought me out to the patio I had watched her work around earlier this morning and gestured to a chair in the shade while she uncorked the wine. "So Eric, what made you move here?"

"Work. Mostly, and I needed a change." I paused briefly, "you grew up around here?"

"On the other side of the valley, in the shadow of the mountains."

She brought over a plate of cheese with bread and sat down, putting her chin on her hand and giving me a long look. It had been a long time since I had been alone with a woman, I hadn't dated since the divorce and aside from work functions really hadn't interacting with anyone outside my group of friends. Her eyes were a penetrating blue and I felt like I was melting a little.

We talked for hours. The sun dipped behind the coastal range, the lights came on and the bugs came out with them, so we moved indoors. Sandra threw a salad together and we continued on.

I learned we were both divorced. Myself just two years compared to her over ten. We both had kids in college, hers was named Eva and was only about an hour away. Eva was a little older than my son--mid-twenties--finishing a double major and sounded like a real firecracker, Div 1 swimming on top of economics and sociology. Sandra had bought this townhouse after her divorce and was one of the first in the development, so she got her pick of lots, confirming my suspicion this was the best spot here.

There was a sense of a spark in the air. I'm not sure if it was the newness of everything, the fact that I hadn't been with anyone in forever or if it was real, but I didn't want to look at my watch or leave. I did notice that Sandra also never looked at her phone or check the time. Her body language was inviting, she played with her hair while looking at me steadily when I spoke and I began imagining getting very close to her. I was going to love it here I thought.

Then there was the bang the front door flying open.

"Mom, why don't you answer you texts?!!" In flew a young woman who I guessed was Eva. She was nearly opposite Sandra in every way, slender and toned with bouncy curly hair. The same penetrating eyes as Sandra's though as she zeroed in on me quickly as the one thing that didn't make sense in this situation. She looked at her mom with a raised eyebrow.

Sandra jumped up, "Why are you here? Don't you have class in the morning? What happened?"

"Well if you read your texts, you would see that I left that asshole. I caught him with another girl... in my fucking bed!" Her voice rising again. "Fucker!"

Sandra took Eva into her arms. "Oh sweetheart."

"Look, I just want to go to sleep but I have that awful thing of dad's that I couldn't leave behind out in the car. I should get that out so I can leave early to get back to campus."

I stood up, "let me help and then I will leave you two."

They both looked back at me and Sandra said, "Eva, this is my new neighbor Eric."

Eva wiped a tear from her cheek and nodded. I smiled in return a little unsure what to say. But Eva turned and headed for the door and said "sure, come outside."

We walked out into the still warm night air, the gate of her small suv was already open. I looked in and saw what seemed like a giant concrete planter shaped like a dragon wrapped around a ball.

"This?"

"Yeah, it was my dads favorite thing and gave it me when I went to college. I hate it but never had the heart to tell him. Juan loved it tho..." her voice had an edge to it. I assumed Juan was the previously mentioned asshole/fucker.

"How did you get it in?"

"My friends on the team came."

"Ah, your mom said swimming, what's your speciality?" I asked trying to make some polite small talk while sizing up how I was going to lift this thing.

"Breaststroke." She said. I could see her cross her arms in front of her out of the corner of my eye, lifting her own chest in its sports top. She stared right at me when she said that. It didn't sound like flirting but more like a test. Like she was suddenly being protective of her mom with a strange man in the house and wanted to see where my morals were.

I simply said, "nice" and returned to the monster concrete object. I wrapped my arms around it, there was just no good way to hold it so I gave it a bear hug and lifted. It was pretty heavy but not undoable, maybe like couple of book boxes with unforgiving edges.

Eva led the way into the open garage and gestured to the corner. I had to splay my legs out to lower it down carefully due to how I was holding it, and my upper body screamed at me briefly but I managed not to break it. When I stood up the veins in my forearms pulsing from the work and the skin was red and pot marked from the edges of the planter. I rubbed them to massage the skin back to shape and realized Eva was watching my hands intently, seemingly lost in thought momentarily.

"Right. Thanks." She spun on her heel, grabbed a bag from the front seat of her car and went inside, slamming every door she came across and the house reverberated with anger.

I went back into the house through the door in the garage, tapping the door button to close. Sandra was hand washing the wine glasses but still managing to look radiant though a little more solemn.

"I should go, but I had a lovely time with you. Thank you."

She looked up at me and carefully set the glass she was washing down, but her face was a little clouded like she was working through something. Her look drew me closer so I stepped around the counter to her.

"This is going to sound really strange, but please stay," she said.

I looked in the direction of the hallway where Eva's room would be.

Sandra stepped even closer. "Don't worry about her, she and Juan break up every few months. Although... not sure he has cheated on her before." Her voice trailed off like she briefly thought that through. But she was close enough her perfume was embracing me and was making my brain lose its sense of logic. "She will survive, she won't want to talk til morning anyway."

"Sounds like the last thing she needs is a stranger In the house. And besides," I winked, "we are neighbors now, we can have drinks anytime."

She returned, "I'm not being clear, I've got

my own needs." Her voice dropped, "I'm just want you in my bed. It's been a really long time for me and I want to be desired again."

I tipped my forehead to hers and whispered, "it's been really long for me also but still this feels like not the night."

She took my hand and placed it on the side of her face, then looked up at me. "So what, we're adults aren't we?"

...

We quickly got up to her room and didn't bother with the light. I slipped her sundress over her head and she wiggled out of her panties. Kissing fervently, we fell onto the bed after I practically jumped out of my clothes. It had been so long for me, I wanted her in every position and wasn't sure where to start.

Her eyes shut as she was waiting for my next move so I took a moment to study her. Her ample breasts had softened against her frame as they lost their fight with gravity. A soft line of skin formed around her waist and I could see a shadow of her bush rising from where her legs were pressed together. Overall, so inviting, I wanted to treasure her body and make her feel special.

I leaned down and nuzzled gently between her breasts. Kissing gently and tenderly, there was a slight saltiness to her skin but also found she had applied her amazing perfume to this very spot. She lightly exhaled as I let my lips play on her skin. My right hand slid up her soft side and pressed the soft flesh of her breast towards my mouth and my lips took her nipple and began to swirl my tongue.

She lightly sucked in her breath and placed her hands on my ears, gently massaging my scalp through my hair. I could feel her whole body begin to respond, her nipple began to stiffen, and her hips relaxed under my weight. Her thighs were still together but her tension was ebbing.

While still supporting her breast with my right hand, I did the same with my left, bringing it up and caressing her soft flesh as I brought it up to my mouth. I watched her face as I proceeded to suck and kiss one nipple and then switch to the other. Her eyes remained shut but her mouth had slightly opened and I could feel her breath deepen under me. I still wanted her bush on my face and now that she was relaxing, I plotted my descent down her front.

Slowly.

I kissed again between her breasts, pressing her tits around my face and then kissed still a little lower. I moved my thumbs onto her nipples now slick from my tongue and gently rubbed them like they were joysticks. She slightly arched her back into my hands and I started a long trail down to her bellybutton with my lips.

I kissed it like it was her mouth, prodding it with my tongue, like this was an erogenous zone for me too. Her hands tensed a little on my head but I could tell by her breathing that this felt good. My thumbs still providing loving pressure on those nipples. Her legs began to part, letting my frame slide down to the mattress underneath her, I could feel her pelvic bone press against my chest and I began slight movements in my torso to transfer my arousal to her.

My cock was rigid by this point, I hadn't been paying much attention to it but the coolness of the sheets as I now settled between her legs heightened the sensation on my cock and I slid down a little more to orient it underneath my stomach and get a little friction.

I kept kissing her and moved just below her belly button. I could feel the tension return in her fingers. She wasn't massaging me anymore and it felt like any moment could end my fun downwards and steer my head back up to her face.

But she didn't. I stopped moving and just kissed and licked that space between her belly button and her waist. I had a feeling she was nervous, as she told me it had been years since she was intimate. I also was a little nervous myself but I wanted this.

Her fingers began to relax slightly so I moved a little lower, the top of her bush now tickling my chin. She sucked her breath in but I think she was realizing that I was determined and her legs parted slightly more. I moved down a little lower so I was kissing her pubic hair, my chin grazing her labia.

Scooting still further down, my hips were over the edge of the bed and my toes searching for leverage in the carpet. The tip of my cock was still pressed between the edge of the mattress and my stomach. It felt a little too good, and I had this thought that I could cum like this if I wasn't careful.

I brought my hands down and gently pressed her thighs to open more. They were so soft and hot, her desire beginning to circulate throughout her body. Her hands left holding my head and fell by her side, and she propped her ankles up on my shoulders. That was the green light I needed and but I still wanted this to last for a long time. I kissed up one thigh just to the fold of skin where it met her torso and then the other. Her pussy was emanating heat and I breathed in deeply and was rewarded with the delicious aroma of musky arousal.

Finally I moved from teasing around her pussy and pressed my first my nose right to her center with my tongue following along. This was moving beyond foreplay--I was going to eat her out and she was ready. My hands slid under to cup her ass and I began to make my kisses more insistent and probe her labia with my tongue.

She gasped but otherwise held still. My tongue aided by her damp arousal, slid between her lips and I began to gently slide up and down. Each stroke being a little longer and pressing a little harder.

Her breathing was deepening and becoming ragged. Not quite moaning but the volume was increasing. Her taste was arousing, my slight fear of not enjoying this was unfounded, quite the opposite, I wanted her more and more. Each stroke of my tongue I was now pressing my lips and trying to take more of her into my mouth and teasing her clit.

She then started pressing her hips into my face and rocking them.

"Oh baby," I murmured into her wetness. It was quiet, I didn't care if she understood. But she must have heard it at least felt the vibration of my voice because she moaned loudly. At this point I wasn't sure who was driving, she was so strongly grinding on me I just held my face still with my tongue extended and flat.

That's when I realized we weren't alone.

There was someone behind me, down between my legs. Was it her daughter? What was happening? I didn't want to break the mood with Sandra so I tried not to flinch but I could feel cool narrow hands snaking up the backs of my thighs.

I shifted my hips and pulled Sandra down a little, I'm sure she was unaware Eva was playing with my balls but I didn't think now was the time to stop and make sure everyone was cool with the situation.

My knees fully on the floor, my was cock fully exposed, and I felt Eva's hand wrap around it. This spurred on my desire to tongue fuck Sandra and she squeaked with my new intensity.

A garbled "yes" escaped her lips and I then felt Eva's lips take me in. It wasn't gentle at all, she sucked my cock into her mouth with an intensity that made me flinch.