Chapter 4

Monday morning found Deniece in the kitchen earlier than usual, setting the table with two extra plates alongside David and Wendy’s colorful plastic ones. She’d made a larger batch of pancake batter, unsure if her new tenants would join the family breakfast or prefer to fend for themselves. The coffee maker gurgled soothingly in the background, filling the kitchen with its rich aroma.

She heard movement in the basement—the familiar sound of her treadmill running. Paul had asked before the storm hit if he might try out the home gym before heading to his early morning statistics class. He’d seemed genuinely excited about not having to run in the pre-dawn darkness as he had at his previous apartment.

As Deniece flipped the first batch of pancakes, she heard the upstairs shower running. Pam was an early riser too, it seemed, despite her artistic appearance suggesting otherwise. Last night over dinner, she’d explained her morning routine—up by six, shower, then a thirty-minute meditation and sketching session to “set creative intentions for the day” before heading to campus.

The basement door opened, and Paul appeared, looking energized after his workout. His hair was damp with sweat, but he had a satisfied expression on his face.

“Morning, Mrs. D,” he greeted her cheerfully. “That treadmill is fantastic—much better than dodging cars at 6 AM. Is that coffee up for grabs?”

“Help yourself,” Deniece replied, nodding toward the mugs she’d set out. “And there’s breakfast if you want it. Nothing fancy, just pancakes.”

“Are you kidding? Homemade pancakes are a luxury in student life,” Paul said appreciatively, pouring himself coffee. “I’ve got just enough time for a quick shower and breakfast before my 8:30 class, if that’s okay?”

“Of course,” Deniece assured him. “That’s why I made extra.”

As Paul headed upstairs, passing Pam, who was descending with her hair wrapped in a towel, Deniece realized she’d been holding her breath slightly. The morning routine—her sacred time with the children before school—had been her biggest concern about having tenants. Yet somehow, Paul and Pam seemed to be finding their natural places in the rhythm of the household without disrupting the core melody.

“Good morning!” Pam said brightly, clutching a sketchbook under her arm. “Is it okay if I grab some coffee and sketch at the table? I had this amazing dream about a design project, and I need to get it down before it evaporates.”

“Make yourself at home,” Deniece replied, surprised at how much she meant it.

By the time David and Wendy stumbled downstairs in their pajamas, still rubbing sleep from their eyes, the kitchen had transformed from Deniece’s quiet morning sanctuary into something new—a bustling, collaborative space where Paul ate quickly while explaining a chess strategy to a fascinated David, and Pam showed Wendy how to draw simple flowers in the margins of her sketchbook.

Paul sat there engaged in a conversation with David, but his attention was momentarily diverted as he noticed that Pam, who was sitting across from them, showing Wendy her sketchbook, didn’t appear to be wearing a bra under her thin, pale yellow blouse. The fabric of her shirt was slightly sheer, and the outline of her nipples was subtly visible, especially when she leaned forward or shifted in her seat. As the light caught her at a certain angle, Paul could see the faintest hint of the shape of her breasts beneath the fabric, and for a brief instant, he found himself distracted from the conversation with David.

After breakfast was over and the children were bundled off to school—backpacks filled, lunch boxes packed, and hair hastily combed—Deniece turned to her new tenants who were helping clear the breakfast dishes.

“I’m heading upstairs to change for my morning workout,” she said, gesturing to her well-worn flannel pajama pants and oversized t-shirt that had served as breakfast attire. “I usually do about forty-five minutes in the basement gym after the morning rush. Would either of you like to join me? There’s enough equipment for a couple of people.”

Paul glanced at his watch. “I wish I could, but my first class starts in an hour. Maybe another day? I’d love to see your full routine sometime.”

Pam looked up from rinsing her coffee mug. “I don’t have studio until eleven today. I’ve been meaning to start some kind of exercise routine that doesn’t involve hauling art supplies across campus.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking slightly hesitant. “Fair warning though—I haven’t done anything remotely athletic since mandatory gym class in high school.”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing intense,” Deniece assured her with a smile. “Just some cardio and light weights to start the day. Wear whatever’s comfortable—I’ll be in my glamorous ancient sweatpants and a t-shirt that’s seen better days.”

“In that case, count me in,” Pam replied. “Give me ten minutes to change?”

Deniece nodded, feeling an unexpected flutter of pleasure at the prospect of sharing her morning ritual. As she headed upstairs to change, she realized how solitary her routines had become over the past two years. Perhaps having new people in the house would help her rediscover the simple joy of shared activities she’d been missing.

Deniece changed and made her way down to the basement gym, where she began setting up the bike. Just as she was getting ready to start her workout, she heard the sound of Pam coming down the steps. She turned to see Pam standing in the doorway, and her eyes widened slightly as she took in Pam’s revealing outfit. Pam was dressed in a tight, skin-hugging V-Neck Bra top that showcased her ample breasts, pushing them up and together in a way that accentuated her cleavage. The top was so tight that it seemed to be molded to her body, highlighting the curves of her torso. Below, she wore a pair of extremely tight Seamless boxer briefs that left little to the imagination. The fabric was stretched taut over her hips and thighs, and the seam of the briefs was clearly visible, tracing the outline of her vulva and emphasizing the prominent shape of her camel toe. The briefs were so tight that they seemed to be painted on, and Deniece could see the faintest hint of Pam’s pubic hair visible through the thin fabric.

She calmly returned to her stationary bike and mounted it without uttering a word. She focused on adjusting the resistance level, giving herself a moment to recover from her initial surprise at Pam’s workout attire.

Pam walked into the room and headed for the treadmill, seemingly unaware of Deniece’s reaction. As she set up the machine, she began explaining her outfit.

“I designed this workout set for my functional apparel class last semester,” she said, adjusting the treadmill settings. “It’s part of my portfolio—testing how athletic wear can transition between workout spaces and urban environments.” She tapped the display screen, setting a moderate walking pace to start. “The professor said my sketches were good, but the execution needed work. I figured I should actually wear it during workouts to spot the design flaws.”

The treadmill hummed to life, and Pam began a brisk walk. “I’m thinking about designing a dress for Wendy, actually,” she continued. “I noticed how she loves those spinning skirts, and I have this project coming up where we need to create a children’s wear collection. Would that be okay with you? I could use her as my fit model.”

Deniece found her voice as she began pedaling. “That’s ... thoughtful of you. I’m sure Wendy would be thrilled. She’s been begging me for a ‘twirly dress’ for months.”

“Great! I’ll sketch some concepts for you to approve first, of course,” Pam said brightly, gradually increasing her pace on the treadmill. “The theme is ‘Playground to Party’—pieces that work for active kids but still look special.”

As they settled into their respective workouts, Deniece’s initial discomfort eased. Her assumptions about Pam’s attire choice were replaced by understanding—this wasn’t about inappropriate clothing but about a student testing her design work. The conversation shifted to more general topics: Pam’s classes for the week, Deniece’s work schedule, and plans for dinner.

By the time Pam was cooling down on the treadmill, breathing heavily from her workout, they had established a comfortable rapport, with Deniece even offering a few suggestions for Wendy’s dress design based on her daughter’s preferences.

“I’m definitely feeling the flaws in the shoulder seams,” Pam commented, rotating her arm with a wince. “Back to the drawing board on that detail.”

“Design is like that sometimes, isn’t it?” Deniece replied, understanding the creative process from her own work. “You never know how something really functions until you test it in real conditions.”

“Exactly!” Pam agreed enthusiastically. “That’s why I love having you as a landlady—you actually get it. My last place, my roommate thought I was crazy for constantly remaking the same pieces.”

They both stood there cooling down, their breathing gradually returning to normal after the exertion. Pam wiped her forehead with a small towel as her eyes fell on Deniece’s gray sweatpants and oversized t-shirt, now showing dark patches of sweat around the collar and under the arms.

“Aren’t you burning up in those heavy clothes?” Pam asked, genuine curiosity in her voice as she took a sip from her water bottle. “I know my outfit looks a bit much, but the fabric is actually really breathable—it’s a technical moisture-wicking blend I researched for weeks. Those sweats look like they’re trapping all your body heat.”

Deniece glanced down at her well-worn workout attire, suddenly self-conscious of the baggy material and faded college logo. “I guess I am pretty warm,” she admitted, tugging slightly at the damp collar of her shirt. “I’ve just been wearing the same workout clothes since ... well, since before David was born, honestly.”

Pam nodded thoughtfully, her designer’s eye clearly assessing the situation. “Workout wear has come so far in the last decade. It’s not just about appearance—the right fabric can actually make your workout more effective by regulating body temperature better.”

She hesitated for a moment before adding, “I have some extra pieces from my design projects that might fit you. Nothing weird or revealing, I promise,” she said with a light laugh. “Just some simple tops and leggings with better technical fabrics. They’re samples, so I’m actually supposed to get feedback on them. Would you mind being another test subject?”

There was something so genuine and enthusiastic about Pam’s offer that Deniece found herself considering it. When was the last time she’d bought anything new for herself, let alone workout clothes?

“I might be open to that,” Deniece replied with a small smile. “As long as they’re not as, um, design-forward as what you’re wearing.”

“Definitely more conservative,” Pam assured her, eyes lighting up with professional excitement. “I do different lines for different demographics. These are my edgy urban collection pieces. I have a whole ‘busy mom’ line that’s super practical but still makes you feel good while wearing it.”

As they gathered their water bottles and towels to head upstairs, Deniece realized that this unexpected living arrangement might bring more changes than she’d anticipated—and maybe some of them would be for the better.

As they made their way upstairs, Deniece trailed after Pam. As she looked up, she saw that the Seamless boxer briefs had ridden up, and the fabric was now wedged deep into the crack of Pam’s ass, showcasing the rounded curves of her buttocks.

Deniece could see the faintest hint of moisture visible on the fabric, and she knew that Pam must be feeling the friction of the briefs as they rubbed against her skin. The sight was intensely erotic, and Deniece felt a surge of arousal as she gazed at Pam’s backside, her eyes fixed on the wedged fabric and the sensual curves of her Pam’s body.

Deniece walked into the bathroom and began filling the tub with warm water, the sound of the faucet and the rising steam creating a sense of relaxation and calm. She climbed in and laid back, letting the water envelop her body, and closed her eyes, feeling the tension melt away.

As she settled in, her mind began to wander, and for some reason, the picture of Pam and her tight-fitting workout outfit began to form an image in her mind. She couldn’t shake the memory of the way Pam’s breasts had been pushed up and together in the bra top, the cleavage deep and inviting, and the way her pussy had been visible through the thin fabric of the Seamless boxer briefs.

Deniece’s thoughts started to get more explicit, and she found herself imagining what Pam’s breasts would look like without the top, how they would feel in her hands, and what it would be like to touch and lick her nipples. She also couldn’t help but think about Pam’s pussy, how it had looked in the briefs, and what it would be like to taste and explore it.

These thoughts played out in her mind, Deniece’s hands began to move of their own accord, and she started to rub her own breasts, feeling the nipples harden and the skin tingle. She let out a soft sigh, and her fingers began to tease her nipples, rolling them between her thumbs and index fingers, sending shivers of pleasure through her body. Her other hand slipped down, tracing the curve of her belly, and then dipping lower, into the warm water, where she began to gently touch her own pussy, feeling the soft folds of skin and the sensitive nub of her clit.

Deniece opened her eyes with shock, her face reddened with a mix of embarrassment, as she realized the explicit nature of her thoughts. She wondered why these images of Pam had suddenly invaded her mind, and why she was thinking about her renter in such a sensual and intimate way.

She thought to herself, “What’s wrong with me? Why am I having these thoughts about Pam? She just someone who is renting a room.” Deniece’s mind was racing with questions and doubts, as she tried to make sense of her own feelings.

Deniece climbed out of the tub and grabbed her fluffy towel. She dried herself off quickly, still feeling weird about the thoughts she’d just had about Pam. What was going on with her? She wrapped another towel around her wet hair and headed to her closet.

Standing in her walk-in closet, Deniece sifted through her clothes. Most of her wardrobe consisted of practical mom outfits - jeans, t-shirts, and a few dresses for special occasions. She couldn’t remember the last time she had bought something new just for herself. Maybe Pam was right about upgrading her workout clothes. Perhaps it was time to refresh other parts of her wardrobe too.