#304

#304 is home to a quartet of college seniors: Daria Grey, Leigh Black, Harper Hall, and Maya Lee. An Asian-looking brunette in yoga clothes answers the door. “Yes?” she asks, looking at me alertly.

I hand her my card. “I’m Iain Roberts—I’m the new building manager,” I say. “I’m just going around introducing myself to the tenants. My cell number is on there—it’s the best way to get a hold of me if you need me. If I had to guess, are you Maya Lee?”

She grins at me. “I am. We’re all home, so you can meet all of us; we’re just getting ready to go to the Y. You’re welcome to come in for a few minutes, anyway.”

I tell Maya I’m taking pictures of everyone and explain about the rig. She turns to face me and says, “Do me.”

“Oooh, that’s a lot better than I expected,” Maya says happily.

“I’ve been getting good results,” I tell her.

“Maya, what’s—wait, who’s this?” a voice asks. I turn to see a stacked blonde in a grey one-piece that manages to be revealing while still probably functional for swimming. Maya introduces us and explains my mission. The blonde looks me over and clearly likes what she sees. She favors me with a dazzling smile. “Harper Hall,” she says. “I already like you better than Mr. MacTavish.” She takes my hand and squeezes it gently. “I look forward to seeing more of you, and to seeing your . . . skills in action.”

“Oh, you slut,” Maya comments good-naturedly. “I swear you’ll screw anything with a Y chromosome if it’s available.”

“No, I won’t—he has to be hot,” Harper retorts in the same tone. “And like any of you are any different. Just try to tell me with a straight face you aren’t thinking the exact same thing.” Maya concedes defeat with an unashamed shrug. Harper turns to face me; I snap her picture and show it to her.

“Hey, nice,” Harper says in surprise. “Do I get a copy?”

“Sure,” I tell her. “I’ll be glad to send you one—probably this evening once I have everything copied to my laptop.” I give her a grin and follow Maya around a corner. Lying on the couch is another curvy blonde, this one wearing nothing but her underwear.

“Hey, Maya,” she calls out, “another boyfriend already? Where’d you find this hottie? He’s a lot better than you’ve done the last few times. I’m Daria Grey, by the way,” the blonde adds as an afterthought.

Maya is clearly annoyed. She says, “No, Daria, this is the new building manager, Iain Roberts. He gave us his card with his cell number. He’s going around meeting the tenants and taking pictures, so you might want to put a few more clothes on.”

“Why?” Daria asks mischievously. “He’s already taken Harp’s picture, I’ll bet, and she’s showing more skin than I am.” Maya glares at her, and she chuckles. “Thought so.” Daria lifts her feet and looks at me. “Where’s your camera, stud?”

I explain about the rig and take her picture.

“Wow,” Daria says, looking impressed. “I bet you get a lot of comments about how much better the pictures are than people expect, don’t you?” I nod. “That’s a really good shot. I may have to have you take my picture when I do have more clothes on so I have a picture I can share around.” She smirks. “This one, I can only give to boyfriends—and potential boyfriends.” Her eyes fixate on the bulge straining my pants. She licks her lips. “And potential fuckbuddies,” she purrs.

“You know,” I say hastily, trying to regain some control, “I’ve been surprised by the willingness of the women in this building to fuck at first sight. That hasn’t been my past experience.”

“Well, part of it,” Harper says from the hallway, “is that there are some in this building who actually are as slutty as Maya accused me of being. There are a few just straight-up nymphos, 200 proof.”

“That’s not most of us, of course,” Daria puts in. “But if there’s a woman in this building who isn’t undersexed, I haven’t talked with her about it. Whether it’s too busy to have a boyfriend, or an inattentive husband, or whatever, the stories are different, the result is the same. Having a hot guy in the building who’s available no strings attached—that’s a godsend for all of us, and I don’t think there’s anyone who’s going to feel any scruples about taking advantage of your presence.”

“But none of you know anything about me,” I say—not protesting, but playing devil’s advocate.

“Sure,” Maya responds, “but we know the old prude. Some of us like her just fine, some complain about her any time her name comes up, but we all know how she thinks, and we all know how particular she is. She may trust women when she shouldn’t—hell, we all know she does; we know the stuff some of the girls get up to—but not men, not for all she’s worth, and I think her background checks are more thorough than either the CIA or the Secret Service. If she hired you, you’re safe, you’re clean, we can trust you.”

“Huh,” I say reflectively. That’s a lot of trust to put in someone . . . but I can see how the old lady could have earned it. She’s a strong character, no mistake, and stubborn as the day is long.

Daria’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “Get in here, Leigh,” she calls. “Meet our new resident photographer and building manager—his name’s Iain Roberts. He’s going around introducing himself and photographing all the tenants—he’s got this experimental whiz-bang 3D camera setup, and he’s really good.” I turn to see a busty black-haired girl who’s about as undressed as Daria. She puts a hand to her hair and pauses a beat, clearly trying to evaluate the situation. I take her picture and hold out my phone.

Leigh takes my phone and smiles. “You’re not kidding, Daria,” she says huskily. She hands the phone back and looks me up and down, her eyes snagging on my crotch. She looks past me to her apartmentmates. “So, is he single?”

“Yes,” I say before anyone else can answer. “And straight, too, so the last 24 hours have been quite the experience.” They all burst out laughing.

“Well, I’m so fucking horny I’ve been climbing the walls, and my fingers and toys are not getting the job done,” Leigh says frankly. “I think I’d rather skip the Y and get my exercise here this afternoon.”

“Flip a coin,” Daria says immediately. The two of them then turn to look at Harper and Maya. “Or two coins?”

Maya looks exasperated. “I really need to get to my yoga class,” she says.

“And I need to go swim or my back will make sure I regret it,” Harper adds. She cups her huge melons smugly. “I love my girls, but they are hard to carry around.” She gives me a smoldering look. “Soon, tiger,” she purrs. “That big fucker and I need to meet soon.”

“Duly noted,” I murmur.

“I know how to pick locks,” Maya declares. “I’ll just show up naked in your bed some night at 2 am.”

My eyebrows try to climb above my hairline. “Really?” I ask.

“Wait and see,” Maya smirks.

“I have a coin,” Daria announces, ignoring the byplay. “Heads or tails?”

“Heads,” Leigh says promptly. Daria flips the coin and covers it with a slap of her hand.