Yes - and everyone benefits

Charissa did indeed make me oatmeal, and we enjoyed a relaxed meal without kids around for once. We talked about her school, our families, even our exes. She opened up to me about Jason. Of course, I'd read about him in her diary and was therefore particularly thrilled to know that she was telling me the truth about him. She really liked him and she even liked him "that way" (she whispered delightfully), but he was too pushy and she had to break it off.

"I wonder if that was the right choice though because...."

I let her words hang heavy in the air.

After breakfast, I went outside to do some yard work. It wasn't my usual habit, but I took off my shirt and really worked up a sweat. Though it was hard to see inside the house with the sun shining so strong, I'm pretty sure I saw Charissa peeking out from behind a window curtain. I certainly hoped she liked what she saw.

I came in after a couple hours, wildly horny, and left my shirt off as I drank some water in the kitchen. "Looks like you've been working hard, Seth," she said.

"Yeah, and it's brutal out there. Still, a homeowner's gotta do what a homeowner's gotta do."

"My dad always hired people to do the yard work."

"You know what, so did mine. But I figured if I'm going to have a PhD in English, I need to compensate with some actual skills. So I taught myself gardening and handiwork. It's one of my proudest achievements!"

"I love that," she beamed. "Anything I can do to help?"

Taking a deep breath, I ventured, "Want to see if you can do something about this crick in my neck?"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I think I pulled something in my shoulder or neck while I was weeding. I can't quite reach it myself. Maybe you can help?"

"Um, I can try, I guess," she said with a slightly nervous waver.

"Great, thanks!" I said. I sat down in a dining room chair and turned my back to her. I pointed to the area between my right shoulder blade and my neck and back. "Could you massage me right there?"

"Sure," she said. Her fingers hesitantly brushed my skin and quickly pulled back. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I had a chance, she had replaced her hands on my back and had begun to rub my shoulder.

Honestly, it was the worst massage I'd ever received. It was clumsy with pressure in all the wrong places. But that's beside the point. My babysitter was rubbing my sweaty back, and before long, it seemed like she was really enjoying it. I pretended to enjoy it myself, letting out a slight moan of pleasure, and she (accidentally?) matched with a quick, surprised, delighted moan of her own.

After about five minutes, she said, "So, how's that?"

"Much better," I lied, turning to face her. "Thanks very much! You're a natural!"

"Oh I'm so glad!" she said.

"Yeah, you can massage me anytime," I flirted.

"I just might," she said and then, believe it or not, she actually blushed. It was the most adorable thing - her neck turned bright red and flushed up into her cheeks.

"I'm going to hop in the shower," I said.

"Oh, okay," she replied. "Do you think it's too hot for me to go for a run out there?"

"Well, it's past the hottest part of the day," I said. "I think you'll be okay. Just don't forget sunscreen."

"Yes, Dad," she sighed sarcastically, making me laugh (and reminding me of our considerable difference in age). She went into the basement, and I decided to wash the breakfast dishes before heading up to my shower. Charissa emerged a few minutes later in a pair of short shorts and a magnificent running bra.

"Have a good run!" I said.

"Thanks," she said, grabbing a water bottle from the kitchen. "Have a good shower!"

"I will," I laughed. "See you after for lunch?"

"Sure," she said. "And think about what movie you want to watch later, too."