Page 31 of Confined Space

I'm pissed when I take the short hike from my house to hers through the trees, Blu on my heels. The sun is shining, and it's almost noon. Maybe I'll pick up Coral and Archer and bring them here to play in the pool. I know he's too young, but we can bring that portable bed of his, and he can play while I check out his mom's body in a swimsuit. There's a slight skip in my step now as I think about Coral's delectable little body in a bikini and only me to see it.

When I step onto the porch, I hear music playing from inside, but the alarm is engaged and the doors are locked. Mom locks up when she leaves or is asleep. Blu protects both our properties. I use my phone to disarm the system, then I open the door and step into the house. Why did my mom leave music playing when she’s not here? I round the corner and come to a stop. Moving around the kitchen is my little Mouse. She's barefoot and wearing even skimpier shorts than normal and a blue bikini top. She's dancing around and singing “Lady Marmalade” to Archer, who is in a T-shirt that snaps between his legs. He's in a seat I've never seen before, kicking his legs and watching his mom. She's moving her hips and singing along like she's Christina Aguilera herself. She spins around and sees me leaning against the wall watching her.

"Well, hello, Mouse. Although, I think you're more of a little fox right now." I chuckle. "What are you doing here?"

"Um, well. Just a moment." She picks up the remote from the counter and pauses the music. "So, I wanted to talk to you." She shuffles from foot to foot, looking nervous.

"Yeah, I got that message." It's taking every fiber of my being to stay here and not advance on her. She has a tattoo on her back that I want to get a better look at. My little Mouse has a touch of bad in her and it turns me on more.

"Well," she starts again but pauses. "I don't know how to tell you this."

"Just spit it out before I tackle you and get my kisses I've been missing." She blushes at my words.

"I went to the bank yesterday. I didn't know your mom worked there. But my inheritance allotment didn't deposit again, and I was getting evicted. The CPS lady said if I got evicted, they would take Archer from me. Your mom offered to let me stay here until I can get everything figured out." She barely breathes as she gets everything out. "I swear it wasn't my idea. Your mom said she was going to talk to your aunt to find out if she could help me too."

"Oh, I know it was her idea. Aunt Char would be the perfect person to help you. I’m surprised I didn’t think of asking her when I first saw that notice."

"I didn't see you pull up on the camera." She points over to the television that is projecting the security feeds by the driveway.

"I walked across the yard." She has no clue where I live, and it’s obvious my mom didn’t tell her. I smile because I know what my mom was up to. She was making sure that Coral was close by me so I could continue to try to win her over.

"But your truck isn't there." She points at the security feed again.

"No. Come here," I order her.

She shakes her head, and I'm on her. I lift her up into my arms and carry her back to the front door.

"Wait! I can't leave Archer." She struggles.

"You're not leaving. See that house?" I point across the large lawn and over the top of the trees. In the near distance is the peak of my house.

"Yeah." She takes a second. "Oh my goodness! You live there?"

"Yep, little Mouse."

"Your mom said you lived close but not next door."

"I bet she did."

I carry her back into the kitchen, sit her on the counter next to Archer, and pull her face into mine to kiss her like I've wanted to do for days. She opens immediately and our tongues slide across each other’s, hers always following mine. My hands are all over her smooth skin, loving that I can touch her. Archer lets out a loud yell, and we pull apart.

“Buddy, I discussed this cockblocking with you already." I chuckle at him and then pull away from her.

"I was making a sandwich. Do you want one?"

"Sure, baby."

After she makes us each a sandwich, I carry Archer in his seat out the back door to the rear lanai, as my mom calls it. The fence around the swimming pool is in front of us. My mom had the slat wood fence installed around the pool to keep her future grandbabies safe and as a deterrent for Blu. On cue, Blu comes running around the house and meets us on the back deck. He walks right up to Coral and plops down at her feet. She giggles and sets the plates on the table before kneeling to give him love.

"What breed is he?"

"He's a French Mastiff, or Dogue de Bordeaux. His name is Blu."

"He's so pretty." She turns back to him. "You're such a pretty boy." My dog isn't stupid. He takes all the love Coral's willing to give him, just like his sucker owner. He's taken with her too.

"Come sit down, Mouse." I pull out her chair. She grabs a wipe off the table and wipes her hands before she picks up her sandwich and starts eating. I watch her as I eat, taking everything in.

"It must have been so cool to be raised here. This house is amazing, and you have your own pool."

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