I'm a 32-year old Californian woman living in London, England, where I've worked for the past few years as a college lecturer. I should say right away that I'm nobody's image of the stereotypical California babe – I'm tall, skinny, with wiry ginger hair but, if I say so myself, a youthful, pretty face. I came to London years ago to study, and to escape my vicious right-wing Republican family, fell in love with the graciousness of the place and just made it my home. I'm currently unattached and, although I did the usual experimentation with other girls at university, I would describe myself as straight. At least, I would have until recently.
A couple of months back I finally found the strength to end a long, messy relationship. The experience left me emotionally drained, and I felt I needed a complete break. As the college semester had ended, completely on a whim I booked a vacation to a small seaside town in Mexico. It was far from being a big fashionable resort, just a place I had been as a kid and of which I had fond memories.
After a 12-hour flight and a long, hot bus journey I checked into my half-empty motel and collapsed into bed. The next day, however, when I went to explore the place, my rose-tinted memories were soon dispelled. The old town around the beach was pretty rundown and shabby, as was my accommodation, and beyond that it turned into just another concrete city with hordes of murderous, horn-blowing crazy drivers. Still, I comforted myself, the beach itself was pretty enough, and the motel backed onto the boardwalk that ran alongside it. I figured that, on balance, this was a good place to lose myself, recover my emotional strength, and enjoy sun, sea, sand and...well, who knew what else?
That first day I just dozed on my balcony, recovering from the journey and, being a lone woman, fended off the inevitable heavy-handed attentions of the local Lotharios in the motel bar. The next morning I slept in then went for a long, relaxing run along the beach. When I returned I stripped off my sweat vest, sports bra and jogging pants, and crossed the room towards the shower in just a very brief pair of thong panties. As I did so, to my surprise the bathroom door opened and a maid stepped out. She gasped in shock and stared open-mouthed at my near nakedness. I in turn stared at her. Straight or gay, I didn't need anybody to tell me what a stunning creature she was – about 23 I'd have guessed, the same height as me – 5 feet 8 inches – with an almost aristocratic face, high cheekbones, arched eyebrows, huge dark eyes and full lips, a deep red despite her lack of any make-up. She had beautiful skin the colour of white coffee, and her jet black hair hung down to the small of her back, held in place by a leather band. She wore a short nylon overall, beneath which I could see a considerably larger bust than my uncovered 32Bs, and long, muscular legs. I spend my life at college surrounded by nubile young women without a second thought, but for reasons I couldn't have explained at the time the sight of this beauty made my mouth turn dry.
Her cheeks blushing, she apologised profusely in broken English for being in my room before I had left for the day, while I, still all but naked 9I've never had an issue about nudity), replied in broken Spanish that it really wasn't a problem and I was sorry I had startled her. She looked about to burst into tears – I guess through fear of losing her job – so I placed a calming hand on her shoulder and, on a complete impulse, asked her to join me for coffee. She backed towards the exit, saying that she had other rooms to clean, but I pleaded that she could give me some hints about things to do around the town and, still very reluctant, she agreed to come back after she had finished her rounds.
I quickly showered, pulled on my silk robe, and set out the coffee on the balcony. I had just finished when the girl returned. She was pretty tense at first but gradually began to relax, slipping off her shoes. She told me her name was Lupe, and that she was separated from her husband of five years and lived with her parents and siblings. She showed me photos of her two delightful kids. As it turned out we hardly discussed the town at all, but as Lupe became more at ease she crossed her legs and her foot began to brush against my leg under the table – accidentally, I assumed at the time (not that I moved my leg away!) After about half an hour she told me she had to go, as she had another job in a supermarket in town. After that I spent a relaxing day sunbathing and strolling around the old town, and several times thoughts of Lupe drifted unbidden into my head.