Wednesday 6th June
When I first set eyes on Ryan, I thought his clothes were a size too small, but on the day we finally met and spoke, I was to find out otherwise. He’d moved into one of the three empty houses in our little neighbourhood. Our cul-de-sac had six houses, and in one way at least, it was good to see more people around.
Even if the houses are in reasonable condition, it starts to feel strange when only two out of six have anybody living in them.
I’d been seeing my new neighbour from about the middle of May. I’d had glimpses of his wife or partner a few times when she was getting into her car and leaving the street, or getting out when she came home. I had to assume she was working full-time.
It was mid-morning when I saw the big guy bring out his lawnmower and look back at the cable, shaking his head. I didn’t know where he’d plugged in the machine, but it didn’t look like it would reach the far corners of his lawn.
“Hi there.” I approached with a twenty-metre extension cable on a reel. “You’ll find it difficult to reach the large corner section on your lawn, so this might come in handy if you’d like to borrow it?”
“I’d appreciate that very much.” He recovered from the slight squint as he reached out a hand. “My name is Ryan.”
“I’m James—I’m pleased to meet you, Ryan.” I nodded to the cable, now in his hand. “You can bring that back whenever you like—I dealt with both front and back gardens yesterday.”
“Thank you … James. I’ll make sure to return this sooner rather than later.”
“There’s no rush if you can get the job done.” I smiled and turned to go back into my house, which was separated from the neighbour’s house by my driveway.
I was upstairs a few minutes later and looked down at the hunk who had now stripped to his denim shorts and sandals. Ryan’s pecs were toned—like his rippling abdomen. He was about my age I thought—early thirties. His light brown hair wasn’t quite shoulder-length, but he would suit it that way if it grew.
I wasn’t sure of the emotion I was feeling: jealousy maybe?
Our new neighbour had it all going for him; young, tall, muscular and good-looking.
Me, on the other hand—I stood 5-10 in my bare feet, and although not skinny, my build wouldn’t win any body-building contests. Depending on your outlook my asset or my curse were my features. I suffered from a peculiar condition which tended to cause strange looks and occasionally unkind comments.
My lashes were naturally long and dark, my cheekbones high and I had a fair complexion. Apart from my long, platinum-blond hair, my fair brows, and dark lashes, I hardly had a hair on my entire body. I was sure it had been my features which had caused Ryan to have a double-take as I approached and introduced myself.
People always tried not to look surprised when I spoke, but I’d looked at myself in the mirror often enough in my thirty-two years to know how difficult it must be. Looking at somebody who wasn’t quite masculine or feminine in appearance and waiting to hear a voice had to be confusing.
*
Friday 8th June
It was two days later when I saw Ryan again. I was upstairs when the doorbell sounded.
“Hi, Ryan. Did you reach into every corner?”
“I did, James, and thank you. I kept in mind what you said, and yesterday I did our back lawn as well while I had your cable.”
“Anytime you need a bit more reach for anything electrical feel free to come and let me know.”
“That’s very good of you. I’d like to improve my do-it-yourself skills, so until I have a shed full of tools I might take you up on your offer.”
“What sort of jobs will you tackle around the house?”
“Anything really, from carpet-fitting, and decorating to roof repairs and suchlike. I have a new aeriel to fit on the chimney breast, but that can wait until next week. These few houses down in our little corner are in decent condition, but I’ve noticed that only one has a roof aeriel.”
“I’ll tell you what—keep a hold of that extension for another week or two if you like, and when you have the opportunity you can get straight into other jobs.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Maybe we could get together some warm evening for a couple of drinks out in one of our back gardens?”
“I’d like that—we haven’t socialised much since we’ve been living here.” I paused. “Actually, are you on your own today?”
“I am mate—Katrina, that’s my wife, works five days a week.”
“Would you like a coffee?”
“I’d love one—white, no sugar, thanks. Give me two minutes to drop this inside the back door, and I’ll lock up.”
I went to the kitchen, and by the time I’d organised two coffees, there was a light tap on the back door.
“I’ll be right there, Ryan—grab a seat.” I lifted the two mugs.
“Great. We might as well enjoy the nice weather while we have some.”
When we were sitting at the table with our drinks, I glanced at Ryan as he looked around our large back garden. The man’s body was sculpted above and below the waist. His shoulders and chest were straight off the front page of a health magazine, and his thighs and calves were toned—all of it was tanned.
“I have to apologise for something.” Ryan had turned to face me and spoke quietly. “About when we first met.”
I held up a hand. “Please, Ryan, there’s no need. I’m not totally immune to it, but I’ve become accustomed to new people in my life being thrown a bit at first.”
“I hate to sound ignorant, or blunt, but there is a name for your condition, isn’t there?”
“Yes, it’s called androgyny. It basically means that a person can be a mixture of both genders. In my case, as you’ve seen, I’m mainly affected in my features, and I have very little body hair. Fortunately, my build is average rather than skinny. If the condition is extreme, it results in a person being labelled inter-sexed—which used to carry the name hermaphrodite.”
“I’m not a big fan of social labels, but they’ll always be around.”
“Yes, but like most things these days the conditions continue, and the labels change.”
As we sat drinking our coffee and chatting, I was hoping that I could maintain eye contact and keep the conversation flowing. It would mean not being caught looking at his amazing half-naked body. Merely looking at him made me feel like less of a man.
We chatted about our past jobs and how things were for us both now. It made a pleasant change because in two years I’d seen people come and go from our tiny community, but there was hardly any socialising—no good mornings or good evenings. Usually, they were all nodding acquaintances, and then, of course, they moved on. So many people in such a short time.
*
Monday 11th June
We were sitting at the breakfast bar having a post-breakfast coffee.
“I forgot to mention it,” Ashley said. “I got a good look at that new neighbour of ours on Saturday morning when I was heading out to work. He’s a bit of a hunk, isn’t he?”
“Was he fully-clothed?”
“I bed your pardon?”
“Was he wearing a shirt and suchlike?”
“Yes, a shirt and jeans—why do you ask?”
“You’ll know why when you see him without a shirt.” I grinned.
“His wife, if that’s who the woman is, was already in the car, so I haven’t seen her properly yet.”
“Well, it’s not surprising since you both work most of the week.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Ashley sipped her coffee. “Did you say that … what’s his name … Ryan, is still looking for work?”
“During one of the chats we’ve had, I found out that he is ex-Royal Navy. He was only at sea for about twelve years, but he’d seen enough of the world and came out to use his interest in physical fitness as a new line of work. He’s trying his hand as a personal trainer. He said he might also get deeper into photography.”
“What’s his line in photography?”
“Actually, he said that he liked natural history, and helpful it’s helpful for his aims in photography. He already sends pictures to a few publications. It means he can be out early in the morning or late at night if he has something he wants to catch on film.”
“I wonder if he’s ever considered one of the local newspapers—they sometimes hire freelance photographers.”
“I’ll remember to mention that to him, although he’s probably aware of that sort of thing.”
“How did they end up down here in the York area?”
“They lived on the west coast of Scotland near the naval base until recently.”
“I suppose they might have come this far south for work or to buy a house or both.”
“I think the move was connected to the wife’s work.”
“Did he say what his wife does for a living?”
“Yes, whatever she does, she’s based in a store in town, although I can’t remember him saying which one.”
“I’ll be interested to see how she shapes up in the looks department if he is anything to go by.”
“I’ve only seen glimpses of her in the mornings going out to her car, so I know she’s blonde, about 5-10, but nothing to compare to you.”
“You keep that in mind, just in case she’s bloody attractive.”
“Well, I’d hardly be taking an interest in her while I’ve got you—besides which, if I did, Ryan would probably break me in half.”
Ashley laughed so much she had to put her cup down. “Don’t worry, James, darling. I trust you.” She stood and lifted her jacket, and laptop bag before heading to the door.
“Will you find out today when you have to be away?”
Ashley smiled. “Yes, hopefully, the dates will be confirmed. Remember, my love, the travel agent conference is a big annual affair, so they book rooms in the hotel and expect the prize winners at least to be staying overnight.”
“Have you been told that you’re a possible winner?”
“Well, there were a couple of strong hints dropped into the phone conversations I’ve had recently. I’ll make a call today and say I have to get my diary updated.”
“If you win because of your area sales, it’s got nothing to do with those figures—it’s got more to do with the figure under your nicely tailored outfits.”
“Oh, that’s a terrible thing to suggest.”
“If I weren’t living with you, I’d come in to your place and book a holiday just so I could check out your chest.”
She kissed me softly on the lips. “I’ll see you later this evening. Remember, I’m away visiting the Newcastle and Sunderland branches today.” Ashley paused at the door. “I know you didn’t say anything about it yesterday, but if you felt able, at some time, I’d like to talk more about what we discussed the other night.”
“I haven’t thought about it, but I might think about it today—have a good day, and I’ll see you later.”
I closed the door behind Ashley and went to the window to watch as she reversed out of the drive. I fixed myself another coffee and took it upstairs. I hoped I could resist my desires.
***
Katya Cumming Erotica 