Mr. North (Prequel)

Casper North had been going to "The Harmony" since he was old enough to buy himself a beer. It's a bit of a dive, but the bands they book are good for drawing in crowds, and Casper liked the rustic atmosphere. His friend, Teddy, had always enjoyed taking part in the "man's wager" since the first time he visited and had taken Casper for plenty of scotch over the years. Today, though, the stakes were especially high. A bottle of Glenlivet XXV rested up on the shelf behind the barkeep, unopened.

Teddy said, "No matter who walks through that door next--as long as they're not with anyone else--you've got to bed her tonight. Or else that £500 bottle of Scotch is mine."

Casper nodded, took a swig of his beer, and looked over at the stage. The band was playing some old-timey folk music, and there was a crowd around them, swaying along with the beat.

Casper felt the familiar tingle in his belly, and tried to push it down. He didn't need this distraction right now. He needed to focus on winning Teddy's bet.

When the door opened, an older woman walked in. Her long, slender legs were highlighted by modest heels rising up to an incredibly stylish short dress that hugged her curves at just the right places. Featuring a silver quaff of hair done back severely, her neck was exposed in a manner more than befitting for a woman much younger than she appeared. With her body and class, she could have enraptured any man in the entire city - here she stood in this small dive bar.

Casper swallowed hard; his face had gone ghostly white. Teddy elbowed him, "What's up with you? You aren't copping out already, are ya?"

Casper shook his head, and smiled weakly. "No, I'm good." He took another sip of his beer, and watched as the lady glided towards the bar; her hips rolling in a way that made Casper's heart thump wildly.

"Why hello, Mr. North," the woman smiled, with a hint of seduction and a ton of mischief in her tone.

Casper once again swallowed hard, and replied, "Hello, Tasha, fancy to find you here."

... Three months earlier...

Casper North had just finished lugging the last of his boxes into his new flat when he heard a noise from next door-a soft clinking of wind chimes. Curious, he stepped out onto the shared balcony and spotted her. A woman, perhaps a decade or so older than him, was watering her vibrant potted plants. She had a head of silver hair, pulled back into a ponytail, and an air of self- assuredness about her.

Casper cleared his throat. "Um, hello there. I'm Casper, your new neighbor."

Tasha looked up from her watering can, her eyes meeting his. "Well, hello, Casper. I'm Tasha. Welcome to the building." Her voice was warm but had an edge of caution.

"Thank you, Tasha. It seems like a lovely place."

"It is. Quiet, mostly," she said, arching an eyebrow, as if silently telling him she hoped he wouldn't disrupt that peace.

"I won't be much trouble. Just moved in from two blocks away, needed a change of scenery," Casper assured her, trying not to look too awkward.

Tasha chuckled. "Well, we all need a change sometimes, don't we?"

"Yeah," Casper nodded, "I guess we do."

Just then, Tasha's eyes narrowed as she glanced behind him. "Are those your cigarette butts in the common area?"

Casper flushed. "Uh, yeah. I wasn't sure where the trash was,"

Tasha sighed. "Next to the elevator. And we prefer not to smoke in the common areas."

"Right, I'll make sure to remember that," said Casper, feeling like a chastised secondary schooler. For a moment, there was a silence, filled only by the wind rustling through the leaves of Tasha's plants.

"Well, nice meeting you," Tasha finally said, returning to her watering.

"Nice meeting you too," Casper replied, feeling that he had already managed to put a foot wrong. But as he turned to go back into his flat, he couldn't shake the feeling that his new neighbor intrigued him in a way he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Over the next couple of weeks, Tasha couldn't help but notice the pattern. Different women, always significantly younger, entered and left Casper's flat at various times. Each occasion was accompanied by similar noises- the laughter, the suggestive conversations, the increasingly intimate sounds that left nothing to the imagination.

The first few times, she'd tried to dismiss it, to mind her own business. But the feeling of disappointment had curdled into a more complex mixture of annoyance and resignation. It wasn't just about any romantic prospects between them; it was about respecting community norms, about decency in a shared living space with thin walls.

One evening, after yet another such episode, Tasha decided she'd had enough. She wasn't one to stew in silence. The next time she saw Casper, she would confront him. Not in a confrontational way, but she would make her feelings clear.

The opportunity presented itself sooner than she expected. The next morning, as she was leaving for her daily errands, she found Casper fumbling with his mail at the communal mailbox area.

"Morning, Casper," she greeted, her tone neutral but firm.

"Ah, morning, Tasha. How are you?" Casper responded, looking slightly flustered as if sensing what was coming.

"I'd be better if my evenings were quieter," she began, locking eyes with him. "You know, these walls are pretty thin."

Casper's face turned a shade of red, a mix of embarrassment and surprise.

"I thought you should be aware," she continued, "that whatever happens in your flat doesn't exactly stay in your flat. We all share this space, and a little consideration would go a long way."

With that, Tasha picked up her own mail, gave Casper a curt nod, and went on her way. The ball was now in his court.

A week later, Tasha decided it was time to reclaim the narrative. She chose an outfit that was both elegant and provocatively understated. Just as Casper was returning home, she "accidentally" dropped a letter near him.

"You look amazing tonight," Casper said as he bent to pick up the letter for her.

"Do I?" she replied, her eyes twinkling. "Well, they do say clothes make the woman."

"Or unmake her," Casper retorted, eyes alight with the challenge.

Tasha laughed softly. "Is that an invitation or a forecast?"

"Could be either. Depends on the climate," he replied, his gaze holding hers.

Tasha felt a twinge of satisfaction at the banter. She was steering this ship now. "Why don't you come in? The weather's much nicer inside."

Tempted, Casper accepted. Inside her flat, Tasha poured them both a glass of wine, her hand accidentally brushing against his. "Would you like red or white?" she asked.

"I'm always partial to red," he said, looking into her eyes. "It's deeper, more complex."

"Ah, a man who appreciates the intricacies of flavor. You'll find this one has layers," she said, handing him a glass.

"As do you, I'm starting to realize," he observed.

They sat, each sip of wine seemingly adding another layer of tension and expectation to the room. Finally, Casper broke the silence.

"I've had a really nice time tonight, Tasha," he said, hesitating at the door as he was about to leave.

Tasha met his gaze. "So have I, Casper."

Casper took a step closer, his eyes searching hers. "Is it still a good climate for forecasts?"

Tasha felt the pull of the moment, aware that she had the upper hand but not wanting to push too far. "I think," she said, pausing for effect, "the forecast calls for more 'nice times' ahead. But it's always subject to change."

He looked at her, caught in the gravity of her words, and then took a step back. "It's getting late. I should go."

... Meanwhile, back at the pub...

Tasha smiled coyly, "I can't lie, I asked around. Seems you're a legend in this piece."

Casper smiled sheepishly, "I... Well I..," he stuttered.

Tasha took his arm gently, "It's not like I haven't heard your escapades through the wall, Mr. North. But I did notice you've been on a bit of a dry spell recently. Forecast been poor recently?"

Casper felt the tingle of goosebumps as she held his arm. He'd always been one for younger women, but this specimen, she had something that he'd never encountered, a confidence and power about her that controlled her surroundings. She was electricity embodied in a fantastic female form.

"You know," she said softly, "I've always wondered what

it would be like to be with a man who could keep up with

me." Casper gulped hard, "What do you mean?"

"My husband, God rest his soul, was a fantastic man, incredible provider, and terrific soulmate. But I am a woman of... specific and frequent needs. He never could meet my drive."

Casper swallowed hard, "And what are these needs?" "Well," she purred, "I have a very particular set of desires."

At that moment, Casper felt drawn in, as if a great force were pulling him to her. The gravity between them was palpable and he suddenly felt parched. "Would you mind if I got us a drink?" he asked, voice trembling slightly.

Tasha smiled knowingly and nodded, "Go ahead, I'll wait here." Knowing this could very well be the end of his dry spell, Casper swallowed hard and made his way to the bar. After ordering two glasses of wine for them both, he returned to the corner booth where Tasha awaited him.

As they sat down together with their drinks in hand, Tasha took one sip from her glass before speaking again. "Honestly," she said softly as she looked into his eyes, "I'm glad you were brave enough to take this step with me." Casper held her gaze briefly before taking a long sip from his own glass of wine and swallowing slowly; the feeling of satisfaction pulsing through his veins.

"It's real," he finally said, looking into her eyes. "It's deeper, more complex."

"Ah, a man who appreciates the intricacies of flavor. You'll find this one has layers," she said, handing him a glass.

Casper smiled in agreement and took another sip of his wine. "Yes," he said as the aroma of the wine filled his nose. "This does have some depth to it."

He studied Tasha intently before speaking again, "I can appreciate complexity in all its forms; and you my dear are no exception."

Tasha blushed slightly at Casper's words and looked away before giggling softly. Gathering her composure she spoke again "Well then tell me what I want to hear."

Casper smiled and moved closer to her, taking her hands gently in his own before speaking softly, "What do you need from me? What do you want me to give you?"

Tasha glanced at him briefly before lowering her gaze to the table. Taking a deep breath she finally replied, "I need someone to explore my wildest fantasies with me. Someone who isn't afraid of the dark side and can take me there, unafraid."

Casper gulped hard as her words sent a shiver down his spine. His heart raced as he considered this challenge, however exciting it may be, and he took another sip from his glass before responding.

"I think," he said slowly as his gaze focused intently on hers, "that can be arranged; whatever it may be." A small smile crept across Tasha's lips as Casper's words sunk in and she raised her glass in salute.

"To the unknown," she said softly before taking a sip of wine and looking out the window into the darkness outside.

Casper moved verbosely and gently until he reached Tasha's most intimate of areas, paying special attention to the details of each movement. His tongue dived in enthusiastically, expertly lapping circles and curves around her clitoris teasingly before slowing down to explore all nooks and crannies with tenderness, lulling her into a deep state of pleasure. He brought his mouth back up to hers in between movements, tasting her own pleasure as they kissed passionately while his hands touched her body.

suggestively, as she moved lower towards Casper's body. His cock begging for attention; erect and waiting with anticipation for the pleasure that was about to come its way.

Tasha gently kissed her way down Casper's stomach before finally coming face to face with his hardening member. Without any hesitation she used her lips to lightly encase it, teasing out a moan of delight from Casper as she swirled her tongue around in circles- each lick igniting a fire within him that seemed to go on forever. Dipping her head further still, she ran her hands up and down his leg- eliciting shivers of pleasure and breathy murmurings from him that signalled his utter enjoyment of the moment. Tasha continued this delightful ministration for several long minutes, gently licking and teasing until Casper felt like he could not take anymore without being driven wild with desire.

It was then that Tasha finally looked up at him. The expression of pure want and need on her face was evident, as she announced quietly but firmly, "I need you inside me now Casper; I need something my husband would never do for me."

He nods approval and she pushes him back onto the bed, gently. Instead of coupling normally, Tasha places his dick at the entrance to her ass. She tells him that her Gerald hated the idea of anal, but it was her favorite. Casper smiles in agreement and takes hold of her hips, guiding himself into her with a gentle push while enjoying the sensation of every inch of himself being enveloped in pleasure. His body shivered as he savored the experience - something new and yet strangely familiar all at once.

Tasha gasped as Casper's length filled her up completely before beginning to move slowly within her- each stroke bringing them both closer and closer to euphoria until neither could contain their emotions any longer, relinquishing themselves entirely to passion. As they moved together in syncopated harmony, it became immediately evident why Tasha had requested such an intimate act- this was so much more than just sex; this was a bond between two people unlike anything else.

As they both entered the realm of sweet oblivion, Casper could feel Tasha's body tremble with pleasure as he crashed against her. When they were done, she laid on top of him for a few moments before they finally found the strength to rise and that intense moment subsided- leaving only the sweet feeling of connection between them and the promise of many more nights like this one.

They slept in each others arms that night, and Casper returned to his flat the next day. As he said goodbye Tasha gave him a long final kiss and whispered in his ear, "I have a feeling the forecast is much brighter...just for us."

That evening, he returns to The Harmony Pub to find Teddy waiting. Teddy asks him about their bet, and Casper just smiles with a knowing look in his eye.

"You won," he says, and places a bottle of 12-year-old single malt Scotch on the table. Teddy looks at it in disbelief; its label reads "Robbie Dhu Reserve - Limited Edition - £500."

Casper gives Teddy an understanding nod. "It's yours," he says, handing him the bottle.

"But why? I thought we had a bet?" Teddy inquires.

"We did," Casper replies, pausing to collect his thoughts before continuing. "I'm done with gambling, Teddy." He looks straight into his friend's eyes as he speaks. "This is my gift to you for showing me that there's more to life than taking risks." He smiles warmly and slaps him on the back before rising from his chair and heading towards the door, bidding goodbye to all those gathered in The Harmony Pub as he went.