by Roz James
On the way back to the hotel Adrienne invited Katherine to see her house. I’m not ready to let her go yet. “Look if you’re tired just say and I’ll take you home.”
Katherine smiled. “As long as you aren’t tired?” She had slept on the way back from the beach, unable to keep her eyes open after good food, wine and all that fresh air. Adrienne had been driving. “You work really long hours, and it’s not as though you know what the day will bring, you have to fill any gap plus doing your own job. You must need to catch up on your rest when you’ve got time off.”
Adrienne liked that Katherine was concerned about her. It had been a while since she felt looked after. “I slept from 10 last night to after 9 this morning, believe me I’m rested. Anyway, here we are.”
Adrienne watched Katherine’s expression as she showed her around her property. It resembled a Victorian stable block in shape, they entered through an archway into a square, with building on three sides. There was a wall straight ahead, composed of large stones which were in a poor state of repair, as she walked towards it what struck Katherine most was the stunning view. Looking through Katherine could see a cove leading down into a small sandy beach, and azure sea beyond. “Wow this view is stunning, is the beach private, is it yours?”
Adrienne smiled. “Yes, I’m very fortunate.” Adrienne had already explained that her parents had gifted the house and its 4 acres of land to her. They had paid for her sister’s wedding and some of her house in Athens, this was Adrienne’s share of the inheritance.
Adrienne showed her around the buildings in the courtyard. There were ten doors into different sized outbuildings, some with one and others with 2 floors, all had windows facing into the courtyard, and were in various state of repair. In some she could see the sky through the roof, where others seemed in better condition. A few were empty and some full of old farm equipment. Adrienne told her that they would have been used to house food, produce or animals. All were larger spaces inside than they appeared from outside.
Finally, after the tour, she took her through a door next to the archway, she looked nervous. “This is where I live.”
Katherine looked around, it was large, airy and homely, with wooden floors and windows, an open plan tiled kitchen, a large wooden table, 2 comfy blue couches and a log burner with a pile of logs next to it. “There’s a toilet downstairs, and three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.”
“Its great Adrienne, it looks stylish, yet at the same time very comfortable. It’s very you actually.”
Adrienne smiled, surprised. “I’m glad you like it, look if you aren’t too tired rather than take you back to the hotel I could make you something to eat here. It won’t be anything exciting, but I could barbecue some steaks or chicken and make some vegetable skewers and salad.”
Katherine smiled. I’m not ready to leave you yet. “That sounds fabulous. What can I do to help?”
“Well for a start, there’s some beer in the fridge, unless you would prefer wine?”
“No, beer is good, goes much better with a barbeque.” Katherine smiled as she walked to the fridge and took out 2 beers, seeing a wall mounted bottle opener next to the fridge which she used to open them. “Glasses?”
Adrienne watched her, enjoying seeing Katherine in her home. She showed her where the glasses were. Drinking their beer, Katherine followed Adrienne outside where she watched her set up and light the barbeque. Katherine could feel her arousal grow as she watched her. As she got to know her she liked Adrienne more and more, she was so capable and independent, intelligent and funny as well as beautiful. Her faded blue jean shorts hugged her shapely legs, and tight ass perfectly, while her white tank top accentuated her brown skin, strong shoulders, biceps and well-rounded large breasts. God I’d like to touch you, but it wouldn’t be fair to use you again, I’m not ready, and I’ve already scared you off. Looking around she took in her surroundings.
“Adrienne, have you ever thought of turning this into a hotel?”
“This place?” Adrienne looked astonished. “Look at the state of it?”
“Adrienne, it’s beautiful.”
“Are you serious, you think people would want to stay here?”
“Yes, I think people would jump at the chance.”
Adrienne shook her head. “Even if it was possible, it’s only a few miles from my family’s hotel, I couldn’t be in competition with them.”
Katherine smiled. “You wouldn’t be.”
“Why not?”
“This would be something completely different, this could be a boutique hotel. It would appeal to an entirely different clientele.”
Adrienne was astonished, her glass stopped before it reached her mouth. “Seriously?”
“Yes, god Adrienne, look around you. The buildings and courtyard are fabulous, and add to that a private beach. I can picture a plunge pool in the courtyard, the buildings could be single or family rooms.”
Adrienne laughed. “Even if that was possible, it would cost a fortune. I don’t have that kind of money Katherine, forget that I don’t have any money.”
“You could look for outside investment.”
“No, I want to be my own boss, this is my home.”
Katherine took a deep breath, an idea had been forming as she looked around. Something that could be beneficial to both of them. “Then you would need to develop it gradually, room by room. How about I help you with that?”
Adrienne looked wary. “What do you mean?”
“I love it Adrienne, it’s idyllic, the buildings, the setting, your house. I can see why you didn’t want to leave here. Look I know I can’t stay at the hotel forever but I’m not ready to leave Crete either.” Or you. “I always wanted to come to Greece and now I’m here... there’s just something about this place, it draws me in. How would you feel about having a lodger.... renting me a room in your home?”
“What?”
“I don’t want to go back to London, I love it here and I’m not ready to go home. My writing is going from strength to strength, I’m writing in a way I haven’t for years, since I was young and idealistic about journalism and becoming an author. It’s so freeing, London restricts me. I can work from here too. Let me stay for six months and instead of rent I will refurbish one of your rooms for you, to rental standard. Get things started and show how it could be.”
Adrienne looked stunned.
“Look I know it’s a big ask Adrienne, and you’re probably wondering what you’ve got yourself into, think about it, I’m here for a few days yet. I’m pretty easy to live with.”
“God Katherine, I don’t need to think about anything, what an offer. We would need to agree the spend though.”
“I’d need some help, I mean it’s not as though I speak the language, plus some advice on the plans, what’s possible and allowed structurally. You said your sister is an architect, could she help?”
“I’m sure she would be glad to.”
Katherine suddenly saw Adrienne’s face fall. “What’s wrong? Look no pressure okay, I know you work hard and that you probably need your space.”
“You haven’t seen upstairs at the house yet, it’s pretty rustic, I’m not sure you’d want to stay there.” Adrienne thought about the hotel Orion, it was five star and Katherine had rented one of the best rooms, even her present room with its ensuite bathroom was far better than her bedrooms. The bathroom was basic in comparison.
“Then show me.”
Adrienne took her back into her house and showed her upstairs. The room was a good size, bright, with wooden floorboards, a carved wardrobe, a double bed with colourful throws, a matching rug and a large window with shutters which looked out over the courtyard. The bathroom was basic but had a good sized shower, white tiles and was spotlessly clean.
Katherine looked at Adrienne, her head was bowed and she looked embarrassed. “This is great Adrienne, I’d be happy to stay here. I’m assuming you have a good internet signal?”
Adrienne nodded, she looke
d up, her expression hopeful. “Honestly, you still want to stay? Look we could get you a desk, for writing.”
“It’s having a view of the sea that’s helping me write, so as long as you don’t mind me being on the terrace or the beach then I’m fine. So, can I stay?”
Adrienne was grinning from ear to ear. “Of course you can. The barbeque will be ready, let’s eat and agree the details.”
Katherine couldn’t stop smiling. “Just one more demand, teach me Greek, it’s bad enough being on holiday and not being able to converse with anyone, but if I’m living here that’s something different altogether.”
Adrienne had to admit that she loved that Katherine wanted to learn her language, to make the effort to immerse herself in the country. She held out her hand, smiling. “It’s a deal.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Katherine was extremely nervous about skyping Nicole. Nic had been surprised when Katherine had told her she was staying another three weeks, but that was still an extended holiday, six months would be something different entirely. She smiled as Nic’s face appeared on the screen, trying to hide her apprehension. “Hi babe, how’s things?”
“All work and no play as usual Kat. How’s things with you, did you manage to change your flight okay?” Nicole watched as Kat looked away from her gaze.
“Actually that’s what I’ve called about.”
Nic saw her expression and looked at her warily. “Go on, I’m listening.”
“I’m staying on Nic, for longer.”
Nic look resigned. “How long this time?”
“Six months.”
“SIX MONTHS? That’s not a holiday Kat, that’s serious. Where are you going to stay?”
“I’m renting a room in Adrienne’s home, the hotel manager I told you about. It’s just a few miles from the hotel. I can write here, not just for work, on my novel. Nic I love it here, there’s just something about it, I can’t explain it, I feel at home. I love the life, I’m not ready to come back, not yet.”
Nic took a close look at Kat, the bags that had been under her eyes when she left had gone, her blonde hair was bleached white and she had a deep tan, she looked relaxed and happy. “Are you sure you’re not just running away Kat?”
Kat smiled, she loved that Nic challenged her, she was her best friend. “Maybe I’m running to something rather than away.”
“Or someone?”
“I’m not ready for anything like that Nic, I rushed from a long-term relationship to being with Tanya. I realise I need a break to work out who I am before I can consider who I want. Does that make sense?”
“Perfect sense Kat and I’m glad you can see that.”
“Nic what have I got to come home to. London is mad, I can still work from here as well as writing, something I could never get around to at home. I love it here, even more than I thought I would. I really miss you, but other than that what else is there?”
Nic smiled. “Kat you know I just want you to be happy, if that’s in Greece then I’m happy for you. Stay safe okay.”
“I will Nic, look move into my flat please, with Kevin if you want him to, treat it as your own.”
“Kat no, I can’t let you do that.”
“Of course you can and I’d feel safer knowing it was lived in...” and that you were comfortable. Katherine knew that Nic could only afford a very small room in a shared flat, and that her chance of moving forward in her relationship with Kevin was limited. She had spoken about moving in with him, but they would need to share with others, and have no space to see whether things could work out. Whereas she had a three-bedroomed flat. “Treat it like your own please... I insist.”
Nic smiled. “At least let me pay you rent.”
“Nic cover the bills, that’s all I ask. Honestly knowing you’re looking after it will put my mind at rest. You need to save the difference, I expect you to come out and see me here, you’ll love it.”
CHAPTER NINE
After they ended the call Nic thought about Katherine’s life. She had met her just after University, working together on their first job in a small local paper. Nicola liked her from the outset, Kat was intelligent and fun, aside from being incredibly cute. She was also in a relationship, with Jack, her boyfriend from school, who she had continued to date all through University.
Nicola had liked Jack too, he had just qualified as a physiotherapist and was looking for a job. Seeing them together though they appeared more like brother and sister than lovers.
One evening, after a few too many drinks, Kat had confided in Nic. Her expression was serious. “Jack wants to get a job locally, and to move in with me... to get engaged.”
“Well there’s certainly room.” Nic looked around. Kat’s mother Diane had brought her up alone, she had never known her father. When Diane’s parents died when Katherine was six they left her their three-story end terrace house in Chiswick in London. Diane and Katherine had moved in, Diane had been clever, she had converted the house into three, two bedroom flats, one per storey, renting two out to pay for the conversion. This also allowed her to only have to work part-time, to be there for her daughter. They retained the garden flat to have a garden for Katherine.
Her mother was impressive, and she caught the bug for development. After she had paid off the development loan she used the rents to buy flats locally, flats in a poor state of repair, she then brought them up to standard and let them out. As she got older Katherine became involved in the business and by the time she left for University her mother owned ten flats in addition to those in the building where she lived.
When her mother died, unexpectedly after a short illness, Kat had been devastated. She was in the final year of her journalism degree at Durham university. Katherine returned home to London after graduation, she couldn’t face the garden flat, there were too many memories of her mother, and rented this out, moving into the vacant top floor flat. She hired a company to manage the properties.
Over time, she converted the attic, turning her flat into a three-bedroomed flat with a roof terrace. It was the roof terrace that they were sitting on when Katherine had told Nic about Jack. It was a warm evening. Nic knew it was all paid off and that she would be receiving a good income from the rented flats, she had been amazed when she learnt the extent of the properties. Katherine was set up for life, there was no reason Nic could see for her not moving forward. “I can’t Nic... I can’t move in with him, or get engaged.”
Nic observed Kat, there were tears in her eyes. “Why not, it seems the next logical step?”
“I love Jack Nic, he’s my rock, but sexually... you know he feels more like my friend.”
“Ah!”
“I wasn’t completely faithful when I was at Uni.”
“What?” Nic was surprised, she had never known anyone as caring and committed to her friends as Katherine. She didn’t see her as someone that would be unfaithful. “Who with?”
Kat spoke so quietly Nic struggled to hear her. “She was called Carrie.”
“She!” Nic almost choked on her wine. “Did you say she?”
Kat smiled. “Yes, Carrie was my flatmate at University. She is Irish, think long red hair, curves to die for. I wanted her from the moment I saw her.”
Nic was enrapt, in a few minutes she had gone from seeing her friend as a woman with little relationship experience to someone who had experimented and with a woman. “Well don’t keep me in suspense.”
“It turned out that she felt the same way. The first weekend we were there the 2 guys we shared with went home. Like me Carrie stayed too far away. That Friday we shared pizza and cheap beer, and her bed. Just as I was trying to work out how to get the courage to kiss her, she seduced me.”
“Wow.”
“Yes wow, god the sex, I was blown away. She was so soft, so gentle, it wasn’t like it was with Jack at all. Jack follows the usual three stages, kissing, touching breasts and then between your legs and not always as slow as I’d like, or for as long. Carrie, well, tha
t women invented foreplay. God she kissed and licked every part of me, and I mean every part, and believe me she took her time. For the first time foreplay didn’t just feel like a means to an end, how quickly she could get inside me. I found erogenous zones I never knew existed. By the time she entered me I’d already come twice and I was begging her to do so. I’d heard of multiple orgasms but I’d certainly never experienced them, I think I came five times that night but I might have lost count. From then on she was like a drug I couldn’t get enough of.”
Nic was captivated at her description, she was on the edge of her seat. “Go on.”
Kat laughed. “Touching her, wow. The feel of her skin, the soft moans she made, I never thought I’d want to go down on a girl, but oh... the taste and smell of her, knowing that I caused that wetness, that excitement.” She looked wistful.
“What happened Kat?”
Katherine tool a large gulp of her wine. “I fell, hard and fast, but it was just sex for her. She would go out with other people and I’d wake up with her climbing into bed with me. I still couldn’t say no to her, god I was putty in her hands. Even now I have to confess that sometimes I pleasure myself thinking about her touching me.”
“How did it end.... I’m assuming it has?”
“It has, for my sanity I realised I couldn’t stay with her, I moved out in 3rd year. I got a new flat with different flatmates.”
“And did you not see her again?”
Katherine blushed. “Only one occasion when I came across her at a party. It was unexpected, well let’s just say we fucked, in the bedroom under the coats. She wanted us to meet up but I didn’t see her again. I couldn’t let myself get sucked back in.”
Nic sat back looking at her. “God Katherine, was this just experimentation, you know that happens at Uni., or are you gay?”