In a manner of speaking

As you drive through the gates of Pennystone lane, you hear your rear-seat passengers let out a simultaneous low whistle and an “oh fuck”

As the car glides across the winding cobblestone road, you spot In the rear view mirror both Maddie and Eileen looking around, taking in the luxury townhouses that line the street with equal amazement and envy.

You hear Maddie unclasp her seatbelt, and she leans forwards between the front seats, resting her elbows on the centre console “Okay, i gotta ask, what’s the deal dude? Who the fuck rents in a neighbourhood like this?”

You glance at her, trusting a straight section in the road ahead. In this position her loose crop top hangs freely, providing you an ample downblouse view. Her heavy round breasts are squeezed between her lightly muscled biceps, and from this angle in the low light you can see her nipple piercings glint occasionally out of the shadow.

“Uh…” you forget her question for a moment, and she gives you a smirk before nodding her head up, gesturing forwards “plenty of time dude, eyes on the road.”

You blink a bit, and refocus your attention on driving. “Right, well, to be honest I’m just as confused as you are, landlords kinda an elusive figure, lives out of the city. We get a killer deal though so i mean-“ you shrug simply.

Eileen calls out from the back, “and what exactly is a killer deal in rich person terms?” You can’t help but chuckle at that, “just a normal good deal. Im not exactly rolling in cash, trust me.”

As No.57 comes into view, you slow down and pull into the parking space. As if to confirm your financial status, your cars brakes screech and the transmission grinds concerningly as you come to a halt. You let out a groan at the expensive noises, echoed by an “ouch” from Maddie.

Looking to the side, Maddie has already sat back down, and you see Samantha is still sound asleep, her head resting against the B-pillar.

You reach over and rest your hand against her shoulder, giving it a gentle shake as you softly call her name “hey, Samantha we’re home.” She shifts slightly, and mumbles in her sleep “nnfm- Arthur, mmmm” she lets out a low moan, and you find yourself flush slightly as both of your other passengers grin.

“Samantha!” You call out to her louder this time, and she awakes with a start, blinking dumbly in your direction. “Oh- Arthur we were…” her eyes go wide, and she blushes suddenly, shutting her mouth.

There’s only a brief pause before Eileen pokes her head out from the rear seats, smiling at Samantha sweetly “have a nice dream?”

Samantha gasps and jumps a little, startled at the unexpected passenger “wha- what?!?! What are you-?” You interject quickly, before anyone can exchange harsh words “Sorry, you fell asleep. Uh, they were kinda stranded at the field, I’m giving them a ride home.”

Samantha face cycles through a number of emotions, but she eventually forces a smile onto her face, and reaches out to pat your knee a couple times. “Thats… really nice of you Arthur! Thank you for driving me tonight, i…” she rests both of her hands in her lap, blushing again, before she gives you a more authentic, warm smile “just, thank you.” You wave her off, “it was my pleasure”

You get out, into the cold night air, and make your way to the passenger side door, opening it for Samantha and helping her out. She nearly falls over, and you find yourself once again with your arm firmly around her and helping her walk.

You both eventually make it to the door, having struggled some up the front steps. “You okay to go upstairs?” Seeing her completely exhausted, dead on her feet to this degree is actually getting concerning. She only smiles, and you’re shocked when she suddenly nuzzles her face into your chest… before you realize she’s just tipped over a bit, leaning on you for support.

“I- I’ll be fine, lights are still on… Marys awake.” You nod, “alright then, I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight Sam.”

She opens the door, lingering on the handle and swaying a bit. She rubs an eye, and it takes a moment for her sleep deprived mind to catch up. “goodnight Arthur, I love you.”

“…”

You freeze, your mind drawing a blank as you process what she’s just said. You see Samantha too slowly realize it, as the closed fist she’s rubbing her eye with slows, and her other eye widens, an expression of horror slipping onto her face in slow motion.

You you need to break the tension somehow, you can’t let this awkwardness grow overnight.

you act quickly, before she can speak or react in any way, you place a hand under her chin, gently tipping her head towards you, and you plant a kiss on her cheek, barely avoided her lips.

Her skin feels boiling hot against your mouth, and you find yourself surprised at the way your heart skips a beat, and your stomach fills with butterflies.

You linger for a few seconds, considering sliding your lips a few centimetres and going all-in on her affection, but instead you pull away, and rub her shoulders in a reassuring gesture.

Again, you give her no time to respond, and you bound down the front steps, quickly getting in your car.

Following the directions of Eileen, you pull away, and make towards your second destination for the evening.