Chapter 6: New Apartment

Renée took me to Davis Hall and the administration office. After I mulled over some choices, I signed up for a few classes: Psych 101, College Algebra, English 101, History 101 and Basic Art. Most of them were required for most college degrees. I chose the art course just for something relaxing. I'd always enjoyed drawing; maybe a course in it would allow me to explore other mediums.

After looking over my arrangement of classes Renée asked, "Why Art? I thought you would be majoring in engineering."

"I never said that. I was looking into engineering because math comes really easy to me, but I've also always enjoyed drawing and thought it would be fun. It shouldn't interfere with my true goal and even if I do become an engineer, it helps to have an artistic view to come up with the concept drawings."

As we walked over to the housing department she asked, "So what kind of drawing do you do?"

I just shrugged my shoulders. "All kinds, I've drawn comics, animals, scenery, and even portraits. Bringing an image to life on paper is a very calming and relaxing thing for me, and something I greatly enjoy."

"You said you've drawn portraits. Were they of models?"

"You mean has anyone ever posed for me?" She nodded. "No. I normally use a few photographs because it takes me so long to get all the details right. I wouldn't want to pose someone for hours on end just so I feel good about the drawing. They'd have a hard time straightening stiff muscles and joints afterwards."

"What if someone was willing to?"

I shrugged again. "I don't know. No one's ever offered."

She took my hand. "What if I offered?"

I looked at her. I didn't know what to say. I'd love to draw her, but I really didn't believe myself good enough to do her justice. "I wouldn't force you to do such a thing."

She grinned. "You wouldn't be forcing me. I'm willing to pose as you work. I can be patient too, especially if I know that what I'm waiting for is worth it."

I'd always thought of myself as a decent artist, but not that great. None of my family knew that I liked to draw, but it was a private thing with me, not something that I mentioned in public. I enjoyed doing it because I wasn't pressured to. I could choose what I wanted to portray and took my time doing it.

Noting my hesitation she offered, "How about if we get you settled first? We can talk about this another time when we both have an entire day to ourselves. That way you have all the time you need and I can practice sitting still."

All I could do was nod. She smiled and I wondered if I could actually capture that radiant look on paper with a mere pencil.

We turned a corner and spotted the housing sign hanging from the ceiling. At the counter, we found out that there were no single dorm rooms left.

"What about one-bedroom apartments?" Renée asked. Again, I struck out.

We left and headed over to the complex where she was living, Sweet Tree Apartments, situated just west of the campus. The buildings had white trim and siding that looked like wood to help blend in with the planted trees and grass. Renée told me that most of the buildings were one- or two-bedroom flats and a collection of buildings on the west side of the site were duplex apartments for small families.

Renée introduced me to Helen, the manager of the property who had helped Renée get her apartment when she started school. Helen explained that they offered reduced rates for students. All that was required was a copy of any financial documents from the school to help determine what my rent would be. I let her copy my student ID and she called the finance department at the school. They faxed over the requested documents after I let them know that I was present. Helen told Renée and me to come back in an hour and she would have all the paperwork necessary. Stomachs growling and with some time to kill, Renée suggested we have a quick lunch.

We got in line at a Burger King and I had to bring up a concern, "I'm worried about having an apartment, Renée."

"Why's that?"

"Money; I don't have a job and only the Pell Grant has gone through. It's paid my tuition for this semester and left me enough to eat on, but not enough for anything else. The apartment is going to break my budget; I need to find a part-time job to help make ends meet, and fast!

"No, no! What you should do first is apply for several more grants.

"School's already paid for..." I began.

"I understand, but that's what you apply for. Asking for grants and loans to pay bills doesn't get much of a response. However, if you represent that you need the money for school, then companies are far more willing to provide the amount you request."

"Just how much money were we talking about?"

She looked at me and smiled, and then she stepped over to the cashier to order her food. I ordered too and we found a table while waiting for our meals. When we sat down she continued, "How much do you think you'll need to live on; Not only during school but for Christmas break between semesters?"

"Uhh ... I have no idea. I've never had to worry about much."

"You still don't have to worry about much. All utilities are rolled into the monthly rent payment at the apartments, so all you have to do is feed yourself and have some way to get around. In other words: a car."

"I don't have a car."

"No, but if you got a big enough grant you could buy one. It would also help your credit rating if you left it on payments."

"I'll have to think about that. I'm not certain I need a car at the moment. I'd like to focus on just the apartment."

At that point our order number was called. I retrieved our food as Renée got our drinks. We sat and ate for a bit, and then I asked another question: "How do I apply for school grants?"

"I've already gotten grants like this. Once we decide on how much you need, we add a zero to it and apply. I already have the paperwork, because you have to reapply every year, just like financial aid."

"How much can I get?"

She grinned, "Don't get greedy. If you ask for too much the companies start looking into what you have already. If you apply for like a thousand dollars from several companies, you're more than likely to get all of them, but if you apply for one large grant from a couple of companies, you might get nothing."

I nodded my understanding as I finished my fries.

We left the fast-food joint and headed over to a local Wal-Mart Super center. "Why are we here?" I asked.

"To get you some basic necessities," she responded as we walked toward the entrance.

We got a shopping cart and walked up and down the food aisles. We grabbed some basic stuff to get me through a few days. None of it required refrigeration (just in case I didn't get the apartment), but some stock stuff that I could eat. When we left the food aisles and she lead me to the appliances, I waited to see what she had in mind.

After talking about microwaves, Renée actually grabbed one and began to put it in the buggy. I stopped her. "What are you doing? I can't afford this." I began explaining my limited budget and reiterated the fact that I needed a job.

She stopped me by placing a single finger on my lips. She stepped up dangerously close, pulled her finger down my lips and over my chin. "You can pay me back later," Renée said as she winked at me and ran her hand over my crotch.

Looking around wide-eyed, I reached down to grab her hand. I looked back at Renée who was smiling at my modesty. Needless to say, I didn't argue with her about it anymore.

She started loading the buggy with various things that I, in my ignorance of what might be needed, hadn't thought of: some dishes, glassware, silverware, a shower curtain, a few towels and washcloths. After checking out and loading it all in her car, Renée pulled me to her to remind me that I was going to owe her later.

We got back to the office of the apartment complex and Helen was waiting for us. She went over the contract which was for only one year. She informed me that they usually reserved bigger apartments for older students and I would have the opportunity to get those as I continued my schooling.

We went over to see the apartment I would have. The living/dining room was nice with off-white walls and light gray carpet. The kitchenette was modest and furnished with a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and garbage disposal. There were more cabinets and a larger pantry than I probably needed. The bathroom was humble if nondescript with the typical bath/shower, toilet and sink with a cabinet underneath it. The bedroom felt absolutely huge with nothing in it, but I got a look from Renée that suggested she would have fun in there with or without furniture. The feeling of having my own place to cook, bathe and sleep filled me with a joy I didn't think I'd ever experience. I turned to Helen, asking when I could sign the papers.

Renée and I put the few things we bought in the apartment, and then went back to my dorm room for my clothes and stereo. I didn't even have a stand for the radio and the apartment looked truly empty. There wasn't anything to even sit on. I also realized I was out of a bed; my sheets and blanket were piled on the floor in the bare bedroom.

Renée took me over to a couple of used furniture stores. We found a few small pieces along with a loveseat. I wondered how we were going to get it all transported since Renée's car was a '97 Buick Century. It could handle smaller pieces but not anything bigger than a footstool. She pointed out that most of the stores would deliver.

For a final touch, she took me over to a mattress store. I asked why we didn't just get a used bed along with all the used furniture. She just smiled. I was beginning to both enjoy and wonder about that smile.

We enjoyed lying on a few of the mattresses, and she entertained me with some bouncing. I watched as her chest threatened to escape her tank top but it never got that far. After bouncing a little on each potential bed, she would stop and state a number.

After the fourth bed I couldn't stand it anymore, and asked, "What are you doing?"

Once again she smiled at me and winked, "I'm rating how much sex it might withstand before breaking down completely. This one, I think, is a five. It'll be fun but lose its firmness too quickly."

She ended up giving the highest rating to a couple of twin sized mattresses, but went back to a king-size instead. She purchased it with matching box springs and mini-frame. She arranged for delivery and astonished me by paying the extra fees to have it arrive the same day.

"Why do I need a king-sized bed? I'm the only one living in the apartment," I asked as we left the store.

"You may be the only one living there, but..." She linked her arm in mine. "Do you really believe that you'll be the only one sleeping there every night?" She looked at me as we approached her car.

I just looked back. "But you have your own place."

We got to her car and stopped to talk in the afternoon heat. "Yeah, and I'll sleep in my own bed occasionally. But tonight you have a date with Erin. Do you really want to take her back to that dorm room and end up cracking a rib on those boarded sides that keep the mattress in place?"

"Wha-What?" I did a double take to make sure that she actually asked the question. "I'm having dinner with Erin tonight. It's not a date. Besides just because we eat a meal together doesn't mean that I'm expecting anything more. If we do go back to my place, it'll probably be so she can drop me off before going home."

Renée pressed her index finger against the tip of my nose. "You're in denial."

"What do you mean 'denial'?"

That same love/hate smile returned, "Don't you remember the kiss she gave you when she left the café?"

Oh, yeah ... her kiss ... feeling her pressed against me ... the way she teased me with her cleavage ... those soft supple breasts that begged for me too ... Wait a minute! I didn't need Erin. Renée had breasts that she let me enjoy. Certainly Erin had been happy that I helped with Mike and offered to assist her should he continue to harass her, but why would Erin want to pursue me if she had even thought I belonged to Renée? I even understood her wanting to get to know me to make sure her friend wasn't getting into trouble with some jerk. I was certain I could pass such a test and get her approval, but to suggest that she wanted me in the way Renée implied was almost as crazy as my luck at getting together with Renée in the first place.

Aloud I said, "I won't believe it."

"You say that now, but how will you feel tonight when you see Erin dolled up for your date?" She grinned slightly.

I just looked at her dubiously.

"How about we agree on a couple of things?"

I nodded, waiting to hear her suggestion.

"I won't be upset if you don't end up in bed with Erin, and you don't get upset with me if you do?"

"I think you've got that backwards."

She just shook her head.

"You're saying that you'll be upset with me ... I don't understand."

She smiled, "I won't be upset with you either way. I'm asking that you not be upset with me if you do. I also hope you won't be all smug if you don't. Any way around it, I don't want us getting mad at each other regardless of what happens."

I nodded again, "Okay. I can certainly agree to that."

"Then agree with me on this." She leaned into me more. The sweat from her body dripped onto mine. "If you do end up having sex with Erin, I want you to enjoy it. Don't worry about what I would say or any high morals you might have. We're not an item as you seem to think. We're friends..." she leaned in and gently kissed my lips, " ... with benefits." And she kissed me deeper. Her tongue rolled into my mouth and explored me like a snake would a new cavern.

I was disappointed that we weren't more than just friends. But she wanted to maintain the benefits, and apparently the biggest benefit was sex. Whether that was a good or a bad thing remained to be seen, but I wanted to keep those benefits too. I certainly wanted to make Renée happy and to spend time with her. I knew that with school and work we wouldn't be together that much all the time, but that didn't mean I necessarily wanted to pursue anyone else. By the time she pulled from our kiss, I had made up my mind.

"Okay."

"Okay what?"

"I'll agree to letting dinner with Erin flow however she wants it to. I won't resist, but I'm not going in there with the expectation of anything more than pleasant conversation and a good meal."

Renée beamed at me, "Then you should be very happy tonight."

I was pretty sure what she meant. It almost suggested that Renée knew what was going to happen, but even she couldn't possibly know exactly how her friend felt. True, Erin just broke up with Mike and she did say that she'd moved on. I even had to admit that dinner with Erin was a date, mainly because that was what I told Mike. Erin even kissed me when she left. But none of that meant that she wanted me. I wouldn't hold my breath, and I wouldn't expect her to do anything she didn't want to.

"Speaking of being happy tonight: we need to get you dressed." She didn't give me time to respond as she pulled me over and put me in her car. She got in on the other side and we were off.

We stopped at a Men's Warehouse and Renée dragged me inside. She didn't put up with any of my attempts to turn down her suggestions. She put me in a dressing room and started handing me shirts and pants. Grudgingly I tried each one in turn. Then after she filtered some of them out, she had me put on combinations. With all of the dark fall colors available, she ended up settling on dressing me all in black. I wondered just how much I was going to sweat during dinner. Black clothes in Texas heat could burn you just the same. As we approached the cashier I tried to convince her that the clothes I already had would be fine and they would reflect the real me.

"I've seen your wardrobe, and we are going to have to work on that." She shook her finger at me.

"What do you mean? You didn't say anything last night when you had me change my pants for the party."

"That was because we were in a hurry and I really couldn't bring myself to make you wear only your underwear. As wonderful as I would think of the sight, other people might have found it offensive for some reason."

The clerk looked up at that comment. He looked me over and I just turned away from him. Having a beautiful babe check me out may embarrass me, but having another guy check me out was downright sickening.

After paying for a full outfit and a new pair of shoes, Renée took me over to a stylist to have my hair taken care of.

Sitting in the chair with the stylist giving me a trim, I had to give Renée at least a bit of ribbing. "Oh, I just figured it out."

Renée, standing next to the mirror and watching as the stylist worked on my limp rug, looked at me, "What?"

"You wanted a live Ken Doll, right?"

She smiled at me and leaned over. Her cleavage came into view and my eyes went right to it. She straightened her stance with a smile. "Dressing you up may be fun, but it's the reaction I get from you that I really enjoy."

We left the stylist and headed back to my new place. We got there just as a moving truck pulled up. The guy driving asked if we were in apartment 106. I nodded and he and his partner got out. I opened the door for them and pointed out the bedroom. They set up the bed where we asked and as they left another truck pulled up. They were delivering the loveseat and tables. After they left, Renée called me from the bedroom.

"Help me," she said as she pulled out the bed sheets, pillows and cases, and a very large comforter. I didn't bother asking where she got them and helped to make the bed.

She even pulled out an alarm clock and plugged it in, "This clock has two alarms. I'm setting the first one to go off at six. That'll give you an hour to shower and get dressed. The second alarm will be set for ten till seven so we know when to leave to get you there on time."

I just shook my head again. Was that what a friend really was? She not only cared about my feelings, and getting me into bed, but she actually endorsed dinner with Erin. I didn't mind the date; in fact, I'd feel like a heel if I let Erin down. But there was no way Erin would want anything more than to make certain that I wasn't a wolf in a sheep's clothing. Yeah, she hugged me and gave me a kiss, but I guess that could be expected.

In my bedroom the bed, the nightstand and the alarm clock were all from Renée. I stepped out into the living room; the loveseat, end tables, entertainment station (my stereo sitting on a 3 foot tall bookshelf), and floor lamp were all from Renée. And in the kitchen, the microwave, dishes, silverware, glasses and food in the fridge were also all from Renée. I really didn't know what to say. Looking around, I found her sitting on the loveseat surveying the living room. I couldn't help but feel gratitude toward her, but there was also something else. Lust may be one thing -- and she easily inspired that in me -- but the new sensation was just too foreign. I'd have to take my time with it.

I sat on the loveseat with Renée to relax and allow the air conditioner to wash the heat off us. She leaned over and snuggled up to me. I held her close and quietly told her thank you. She smiled up at me and I couldn't help myself. Leaning down, I gave her a soft kiss. Her hand glided over my chest and down to my lap. A whimper abruptly escaped me at her touch as I recalled the change I discovered that morning. I didn't try to stop her, though. If she didn't approve or was scared of what was happening to me, then there would be nothing I could do about it. If she left because of it, then maybe we weren't supposed to be together. I relaxed as she rubbed me and let her find out about the change of her own volition.

I opened my mouth and let our tongues meet. Her hand clutched my crotch and I gave her a deep moan. Without thinking, I slid a hand under her shirt and directly to one of her heaving breasts. She moaned back.

Pulling back from our kiss, I looked into her eyes. I saw the same look of desire I had discovered the night before and I only nodded.

Her smile was playful as she said, "You're welcome." She licked her lips, and her eyes drifted down to where her hand lightly rubbed my growing cock. She then looked to where my hand was playing with her nipple under her shirt. She looked back up to my eyes. "You don't like my breasts, do you?"

I nodded and smiled. "Though I've only ever had the opportunity to see and enjoy yours, I can't imagine ever encountering any others that I would relish more."

"You say that now," She responded, "but what will you tell Erin when she's rubbing her big boobs in your face?"

I paused only because I still didn't think it would happen. "If it does, I can only hope to come up with a compliment that won't detract from what I've just told you but still endear her to the appreciation I'm sure I'll have." I smiled at her, "Besides, I enjoy so much more than just your breasts."

"Such as?" she asked as her rubbing of my cock became more vigorous.

"Your smile: it inspires such excitement and at the same time, a touch of suspicion. Whenever you smile, I wonder what you're thinking and whether I'm going to enjoy it or be embarrassed by it. I like the way you look at me; I've never seen such expressions from anyone. I enjoy your simple desire for me; no one has ever held me in such regard. And then there's the bonus of your incredible body ... every inch of it. I've never seen anyone so attractive other than maybe models or some movie star."

She gave me the same look that I had just described; I had to ask, "What are you thinking, right now?"

"I don't know how to explain it. Just a deep appreciation for who you are."

"We only met last night. I know something about you. How could you say you know who I am?"

She straightened up more, putting her eyes level with mine. "You've been honest with me; you were protective of Erin when it came to Mike this morning; you haven't pulled any of the macho bull that so many other guys do; you're sweet and thoughtful, if a bit bashful, and you have a desire to make others happy. How's that for knowing you?"

I just sat there for a moment looking into her eyes. I searched them, looking for something that would clue me in to why she didn't see me in the same light every other person I'd ever met did. I very much appreciated her unbiased opinion. It was certainly refreshing to hear what she said instead of all the crap everyone I knew from high school would say, or worse: nothing. As for answering her question: "Better than anyone else has ever offered."

She leaned over close to me, putting her lips a hair's breadth away from mine. "How about we go find out whether my assessment of your new bed is correct?" I couldn't help but smile and let her drag me to the bedroom.

We started making out standing next to the bed, hands roaming all over and gripping at the hems of clothing. Neither of us said a word as we undressed one another. My shirt went, followed by hers. Just as I had thought, she wore no bra and the feel of her hard nipples against my chest was fantastic.

While I played with her mammoth tits, she pushed away her own shorts. I felt her hands unbuttoning mine and then they were kicked away. We were only two garments away from enjoying some of the possibilities I vaguely recalled from my dreams.

Finally pulling my hands away from her chest, I pushed her lacy panties down her hips. She stepped out of them and knelt. My nerves bristled as she reached for my last bit of cover, but I allowed her to do away with them. That was when she stopped and looked up at me. I stood there with a very impressive bulge in my underwear and my anxiety peaked as I wondered what stopped her.

She pulled at the elastic saying, "This is the last time I want to find you wearing anything under your shorts." She allowed my extended tool to spring out and lightly slap her cheek. With a smile she explained, "I want to have easy access to your beautiful cock at any time. Wearing underwear will only delay our enjoyment together."

The feeling of her warm hands stroking my shaft put me at ease and a low moan escaped me. I watched fascinated as she rubbed and stroked me to full attention. The sight of my increased size wrapped up by her smaller looking hands seemed even more impressive and my hips began to respond with involuntary thrusts. I kicked off my shorts and underwear as her lips wrapped around the tip of my eager pole.

I could feel her tongue slipping over my head. She pulled back and asked, "You know what I want?"

I just shook my head slowly.

"I want you to fuck my mouth." She looked at my cock. "I want to feel you shove this big cock into my throat repeatedly." She looked back up to me. "Then I want you to cum on my tongue so I can taste the sweetness of your seed. I want to drink you down and then feel you bury this beast in me."

There was a sense of déjà vu about her actions and words. The feeling passed and I looked at her slightly worried. "I don't want to hurt you. If I begin to lose control and don't pay attention, you could end up needing to go to the hospital, or worse."

She reached up and patted my belly with her hand, "Shhh," she repeated with kisses to my head. "I won't let you do anything that might hurt me. If something like that happens, I'll let you know." She dug her claws into my skin to indicate how she meant to let me know.

Regardless of any other possible arguments I might muster, she pulled my hand to her cheek. She rubbed her face against my palm like a cat scent-marking an object for possession. Her soft skin felt good in the cup of my grasp and I continued rubbing her cheek as she pulled my other hand to her. Once she had me holding her face she opened her mouth wide and leaned forward.

The heat of her breath and silky smoothness of her lips and tongue greeted my ravenous rod as she pushed her mouth onto me. She slipped back and then pressed forward again, gradually taking in more and more. I watched as she got deeper with each move forward, and then allowed my glistening cock to slither from her mouth as she pulled back. The sight alone was so erotic I would never believe it was happening to me, but there it was in living color. Her movements continued and I rejoiced in the sensation.

Little by little I urged her movements, and occasionally she stopped moving all together, allowing me to slide my cock in and out of her mouth. Before I knew it, she was kneeling there looking up at me, her eyes gleaming with pleasure as I thrust into her mouth as I would other areas.

Her hands had rested on my naked cheeks since we began, but after having me rub on her tongue, she pulled me forward by my ass and forced her mouth onto my cock even harder. I felt the pressure of her throat as her tongue danced along the bottom of me. I felt like I had done this with her before as her nose nestled in my pubic hair and she began to hum. The vibrations shot right through me and I twitched, trying to not release my load so soon.

She pulled her mouth from my cock completely to say, "You liked that." I only nodded in agreement. "Don't be afraid to shove this lovely cock down my throat. That's what I want."

She opened her mouth wide, extended her incredibly long tongue and latched onto my dick again. Her eyes found mine and her cheeks caved in as she sucked me into her mouth. I began thrusting forward as before, and when I was certain she was ready, I pushed harder and felt the tightness of her throat again. As I pulled away, she moaned her approval with a long, "Mm-hmm."

I continued pumping in and out of her hot mouth, occasionally taking a deep dive into her throat. The need to release built and compounded with both the feeling of our fun and the sight of my tool slipping in an out of her oral embrace. I knew she wanted me to pour everything right down her throat, but I didn't know if I would be able to perform any more with her, much less with Erin. I slowed down and pulled from her warm lips.

"What's wrong?" she pouted.

"If I go now, like this, I don't know if I'll be able to go again with you much less with Erin; especially if what you've been hinting and suggesting all day is true," I tried to explain.

She smiled a knowing smile. "You're young. You have no reason to not be able to go as many times as you want. Just pace yourself, like you have here." She sucked on the tip again, "Don't doubt yourself; if you start believing that you can't do something then you won't be able to do it. Just like the date you got with Erin."

She took the head of my yearning cock back into her mouth and swirled her tongue around it as I retorted, "That was almost circumstantial. If I hadn't made a show in front of Mike he would have never gone away."

"Mmm," She moaned before releasing me. "Wrong. She asked you to dinner before Mike showed up. Now stop arguing with me about this. Give me that yummy cum!" And with that she pulled me back into her mouth.