Glancing into my cup as I minimised my story I saw the few cold dregs remaining, I debated making another pot but I decided to get the next chapter submitted first, then I could take a break.
Bringing the browser up I switched tabs and spent a busy five minutes loading my work before hitting the submit button. I sat back satisfied that I was on schedule to have the whole story up in a couple more days.
Just as I was switching to my submissions to check the ratings on my previous chapter the bell rang. I glanced at the time, I wasn't expecting anyone and ten pm was getting a bit late for any casual caller.
I minimised the browser window and walked warily but still curious to the front door. Looking through the spyhole I saw Heather waiting outside in the drizzle.
Hurriedly I unlocked it, pulling it wide and standing aside to let her in.
"Are you alright?" I asked concern showing in my voice.
"Yes," she said, looking a little sheepish as she stepped in. "I've had an argument with Sandra."
My puzzled look led to a fuller explanation.
"She was my lift home and it's raining," she carried on. "I was passing your door and I thought...."
"And you were wondering if I could give you a lift home," I said finishing her thought.
"Yes," she said giving me a smile.
Her face belied her state, her bedraggled curly red hair and her rain streaked makeup marring her pretty face instead of enhancing it.
I smiled back and flicked my head down the passage. "Come through; turn left at the first door."
Shutting the door behind her I followed her down, admiring her figure as she swayed slightly on her six inch heels and left the feint aroma of her perfume in her wake.
She was Samantha's daughter, my kind of 'friend with benefits' girlfriend. Home for her was a stables and farmhouse on the outskirts of our small town, a half hour walk with most of it uphill.
She was peeling off her wet coat as I entered, her face expressing her displeasure at the clingy wetness of the rest of her clothes.
"I'm soaked through," she said, looking back from me to the coat now suspended by her finger and thumb.
"You can use the dryer if you want," I said. "It's through in the kitchen."
"Can I dry my jeans as well?" she asked looking down at them and swaying a little.
"Yes, if you want," I said nodding. "Wait a minute and I'll get you a bathrobe,"
I turned back to the door. It was a double surprise seeing Heather, this was a rare night out for her, she was normally at home taking care of the baby. I wondered how she had persuaded her mother to babysit for her.
I went up to my quaint little bathroom, an add-on to the original centuries old gatehouse I'd grown up in, and grabbed a towel for her hair and my robe.
I hurried back down and peeked around the door before walking in. She was sat on the coffee table, her bag next to her and her shoes on the floor next to her.
"Here," I said, "I'll make us both a cup of coffee. You can bring your clothes through when you're changed."
She took the robe and towel from me and I turned and left. She followed me in after a couple of minutes looking swamped in the robe, one hand holding it closed while holding out her clothes in the other.
"Go and turn the fire on, warm yourself up," I said taking the offending garments from her. "Coffee will be five minutes."
She smiled at me. "Thanks, I will."
She turned and I watched her walk out wishing I was twenty years younger, cut the age difference down to four years, my twenty two to her eighteen.
I felt a little sorry for her, her mother was a bit too strict I thought, I know she got pregnant at sixteen but that was only part of it. Her father had committed suicide only six months or so earlier.
I can't blame her mother for insisting she take responsibly but she could be a little more generous with her time, it was almost like she was a single mother just living there.
"Do you take sugar?" I shouted.
"Yes, just one." I heard her feint answer.
I brought it out and sugared her coffee, taking it through. As I walked in I could see her perched, back to me, on the coffee table, robe hanging open as she sat warming herself with the fire full on.
She hastily wrapped the robe tight when she noticed me, quickly standing and turning to face me. With my oversize robe on and the towel wrapped around her head she looked small and vulnerable.
"Sit down," I said putting the coffee in front of her.
I sat in my chair as she sat back down. I lay back and began to develop a story from the circumstances, looking for a way to us having sex. Could she have been planning on having sex tonight, she was horny for a real cock after weeks of being stuck at home.
It was a shaky plot and I passed over it, I was still thinking when she broke my reverie with a question.
"How long did you set the timer for?"
"Twenty minutes," I said focusing my attention back on her.
"How long has it been now?"
"About ten minutes I should think. You want me to check them?
"No, I was just thinking of getting home," she replied.
"You want me to give your mum a ring and tell her you're here drying off?"
"No, that's alright, I've got till eleven 'o' clock."
"Oh plenty of time then," I said glancing at my watch for confirmation.
"Mm," she said glancing at the wall clock
My mail chimed. "Ah," I said leaning forward to put the cup down. "Excuse me while I check that."
She nodded, turning back to face the fire.
I sat and waited as the computer stirred itself back into life and clicked up my mail, it was on the alt account I used for lit. After a quick glance over at Heather I opened it, it was a PM on my last chapter.
I skimmed the message before I closed it down again, giving her another surreptitious glance before I stood. I walked back but before I could sit she turned to me.
"Do you think they'll be dry yet?" she asked.
