'So how long would you be planning to stay?' Louise asked, handing me a mug of coffee.
'I'm not too sure.' I replied. 'I can't see myself being in a position to afford my own place in the near future though.'
'Do you mind if I ask you what happened?' She said. 'I know you said in your email that your husband had left you, are you not able to stay in the marital home?'
'Unfortunately not. I'm unable to have children so he left me for a woman who could but it turned out that he also had massive gambling debts and selling the house was the only way to settle them.'
'What a bastard.' Louise said. 'Oh, I hope you don't mind me calling him that.'
'Why would I?' I replied. 'He's an absolute cunt!'
I'd seen a few apartments over the previous weeks and this one was by far the best yet and Louise seemed really nice.
'I normally ask people to commit to a minimum of twelve months.' She said. 'But I'm flexible and ask for at least a months notice before leaving, would that be ok for you?'
'Of course.' I replied.
'And strictly no smoking.'
'Not a problem, never touched a cigarette in my life.'
'Excellent.' She said. 'Just one other thing.'
'Yes?'
'I'm gay, would that be an issue for you?'
I was a little shocked that she even mentioned it. 'Of course not.' I replied. 'Why would it be?'
'Oh, you'd be surprised.' She replied. 'I once had a tenant walk into the kitchen and see me kissing my girlfriend. She moved out the next day, she'd been here less than a week!'
'Good grief!'
'Indeed. Anyway, the room is yours if you want it.'
'Wow, thanks.' I said. I wasn't expecting her to make such a quick decision but I was glad she did. I had less than a month before the house sale was due to be completed and I was beginning to get desperate.
'I'll take that as a yes.' She said. 'When would you like move in?'
'As soon as I can if that's alright.' I replied.
'Not a problem.' She stood up and went over to the dresser in the corner of the lounge. She opened a drawer and fished something out before handing me a key. 'Here you go.' She said. 'Just drop me a text to let me know you're coming, just so I don't think I've got burglars.'
'Will do.'
It had been a week since I'd moved into Louise's apartment and I couldn't have been happier. I was sad to leave my house but it now held unhappy memories so it was good to move on.
Louise and I pretty much kept to ourselves but, when our paths did cross, the conversation would flow as if we were old friends. She certainly had a way of getting people to relax when she was around.
'Evening Carly.' She said as she wondered into the kitchen. 'Something smells good.' I had a small pan of stew bubbling away on the stove.
'Would you like some?' I asked. 'There's plenty here.'
'Oh no.' she replied. 'I wasn't angling for an invite. I was going to get some fish fingers out of the freezer.'
'Here.' I said, dipping a spoon into the sauce and holding the sample of stew to her lips.
'Oh wow.' She said after swallowing. 'And the idiot left you when you can cook like this?'
'Yep. Now get two bowls out of the cupboard, no fish fingers for you tonight.'
'Oh god.' She said as we ate. 'This is delicious.'
'It's Keith's favourite.' I said.
'Doesn't it bring back bad memories?'
'I like to be reminded every now and again, keeps me motivated.'
'He must have been good once.' She said. 'How was the sex?'
'He was shit in bed!'
'Remind me, why did you marry him?'
'I was young and stupid.'
She put her hand on mine. 'Don't put yourself down.' She said. 'Now, I'll do the washing up, you go into the lounge and put your feet up.'
Louise joined me in the lounge a little while later and we watched television together for a while. It was the first time for a long time that I'd been able to enjoy the company of another human being.
Eventually, Louise stood up. 'I think I'll go to bed and read.' She said.
'I might do the same.' I replied, switching the television off. 'See you in the morning.'
I went into my bedroom and sat on the bed, picking up the novel from the bedside table. I placed it onto the bed and stripped my clothes of until I was down to just my knickers. I threw on a vest top and got onto the bed then picked up the novel again. The novel was rather raunchy and I found myself getting rather turned on by one particularly graphic sex scene so moved my hand down between my legs.
As opened my legs, I placed my hand on my crotch and realised that I was quite damp. I placed the book on the bed and closed my eyes, allowing my mind to drift, and pushed my hand inside my knickers. I began to stroke my pussy and, when I was wet enough, pushed two fingers inside.
I worked my fingers harder and faster to try to encourage an orgasm but it just wasn't happening. In fact, it had never happened. I had never been able to make myself come. Yes, Keith was shit in bed but I was able to have orgasms with him as long as I was on top and I'd make him have a wank before so that he would last longer. I eventually gave up and cried out in frustration.
'Are you ok?' Louise said as she stood in the open doorway. 'Oh!'
I looked down and realised that my hand was still inside my knickers. 'Oh shit!' I said.
'I'm so sorry.'
'Don't be.' She replied. 'Absolutely nothing wrong with masturbating, I do it all the time but you didn't sound as if you were enjoying it. I'm not the worlds foremost expert on masturbation but I'm pretty sure you're supposed to enjoy it.'
'I feel so embarrassed.' I said. 'What must you think of me?'
'I think that you are obviously frustrated and that's nothing to be embarrassed about.' She said. 'Would you like to talk about it?'
I nodded. I had no-one. I had no friends to speak of and I couldn't discuss my sexual frustrations with my parents. I had the chance to talk to someone who didn't appear to want to judge me.
'When did you last have an orgasm?' She asked as she sat on the edge the bed.
'I honestly can't remember.' I said. 'Must be about a year. The last time I had sex with Keith.'
'So he was able to make you come then?'
'Sort of. As long as I was able to dictate events and pace.'
'Ah, the human dildo.' She said.
I couldn't help myself and snorted a laugh. She picked up my book and opened it to where I'd stopped reading.
'Hmm.' She said. 'So this is what you were using for inspiration?'
I nodded.
'I've got some erotic fiction I can lend you if you think it will help.'
'Not sure.' I said. 'I've never been able to come by myself.'
'Really?' She said. 'That's tough. Have you tried erotic videos?'