The Arrangement

"So what do you think?"

Ruth bit her lip. The studio apartment was tiny, no larger than a box-standard hotel room. The location, however, was perfect.

"Bills are inclusive, there's free Wi-Fi and residents get a key to the basement gym. Did you take a peep at that?"

"Not yet," she smiled.

"It's excellent. You'll like it." The smartly-dressed man, holding iPad and keys, peered at Ruth through thick glasses. "So, you're a student?"

"Yes." She smoothed down her dress, conscious of the creases. "Is that a problem?"

"Not if you can afford London N1. Are your parents paying?"

"No," she said flatly. "I have an income."

"Oh?"

"Bar work. Near here, actually."

"Convenient. And your college?"

"UCL. Just around the corner."

"So this is ideal," he nodded, "if you can afford it."

Ruth drew a breath. The apartment was way above her price range and the man holding the keys knew it. "May I look around?" she asked, trying to sound confident.

"By all means."

The room was stylishly furnished, well-equipped, and the thoughtful layout made the most of the limited space. Ruth sighed, "It's so quiet."

"Well, it's the top floor and the walls are well insulated. It's south facing too, nice and bright."

"Yes. It's lovely."

She trailed her fingertips over the gleaming worktops and chrome appliances in the bijou kitchenette. How different from the squalid little flat she currently shared. Everything there was covered in filth. The cooker was so dirty she daren't use it.

Plonking herself down on the bed, Ruth tested its firmness. Her cleavage wobbled as she bounced up and down.

The man's gaze followed her movements. "It's got drawers underneath," he said, clearing his throat, "for storage."

"So it's built in?"

"Yes." He eyed her suspiciously. "You seem disappointed."

"No. Storage is good."

"Hmm. Don't forget to look at the view. It's a feature of this appartment."

"View?" Moving to the sash window, Ruth held aside the nets. "A garden," she exclaimed. "I didn't expect that."

"It's private." A key was held aloft. "This lets you in."

"Wow!" Gazing out, Ruth imagined lazy mornings standing in her quiet apartment with the window flung wide to let in the sun. She'd sip fresh ground coffee while watching over her piece of Eden, right in the heart of London. Her mind drifted. It was another world. Her current flat overlooked a busy main road and the windows were all nailed shut.

"Your hair shimmers in the sunshine."

The voice whispered close to her ear and fingers touched her soft curls.

"Do you mind!" Ruth gasped, spinning around.

"Please, don't take offence. You have golden strands in your hair and when you smile you looked like an angel."

Ruth edged backwards.

"What were you thinking? May I ask?"

"That depends," she frowned. "Are you the owner or agent?"

"Owner. Daniel."

"Daniel," her voice softened. "I like that name. I'm Ruth."

"I know."

"Of course you do." Her piercing blue eyes fixed upon him. "I like your apartment, Daniel. I really do, but..." Her lip quivered. "I'm sorry," she stammered, her painted lashes fluttering as tears stung her eyes.

Daniel shook his head. "You can't afford it, can you?"

"No," she uttered, shamefaced. "I booked a viewing to see if it was possible to...urm...add a second bed or a bunk."

"Sub-let?"

Ruth shifted awkwardly. "I want to live here, but I need help with the cost."

"My advert specifies one person," he reminded her, his irritation evident. "The contract is for one, the bills are worked out around one, the gym..."

"I know. I'm sorry." Looking up, she saw her own dejected face reflected in Daniel's glasses. "Look, I know it's cheeky, but is there any room for negotiation?"

"On the rent?" Daniel snorted. "This is a prime location. The rent is what it is."

Ruth shrugged, "I had to ask." Suddenly the floodgates opened and tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Hey, don't cry. You'll make those pretty blues all red." He fished a clean linen handkerchief from his jacket pocket and handed it to Ruth.

"Thank you," she sniffed, forcing a smiled. "I'm sorry, I'm a bit emotional. I've been given notice to leave my flat. I hate living there, I'll be glad to see the back of it, but I've only got a week to find somewhere else."

"And?"

Ruth folded the handkerchief and handed it back. "I can't find anywhere affordable. Nothing. I thought with no transport costs and if I shared..."

"I can't allow sub-letting, sorry." Daniel looked her up and down, pity in his eyes. He played with the keys in his hands, twisting them, turning them, clearly mulling something over.

"I'll be on my way," Ruth breathed. "I'm sorry I wasted your time."

"Wait. Ruth." He hesitated, his gaze returning to the wild curls cascading down to her shoulders. "I may have a solution to your problem."

Ruth's eyes sparkled. "Really? What?"

"Tell me, can you keep secrets?"

"Pardon?"

"Simple enough question. Can you keep things to yourself?"

"I'm not sure I understand why you're asking?" she frowned. "But, yes."

"Good. Are you open minded?"

"I guess so. Why?"

"Prudish?"

Panic flapped fledgling wings. "Where's this leading?"

Daniel stroked his chin. "Ruth, I think you and I can come to an arrangement."

Folding her arms across her chest, she cocked her head. "Go on."

Daniel leaned back against the wall. He ogled Ruth's body, leering at her soft curves and rounded mounds. His gaze lingered on her slender legs before slowly traveling back to her face.

"I'm waiting," she prompted.

"Here's the deal. I'll give you a fifty percent reduction on the rent in exchange for certain...favours."

"Favours? What favours?"

Placing his iPad on the kitchen worktop, Daniel stepped towards her. "What do you think?"

"Sex?" Ruth gaped. "Who do you think you are?"

"Someone who's trying to help you." Daniel stroked her shoulder then, gently, his fingertips traced her collar bone. "It's an excellent deal."

"For a whore! I'm not for sale!" Ruth slapped his hand away and charged for the door. "Get off me," she shrieked as Daniel grabbed her wrist.

He released her at once. "Okay, okay, my mistake."

Ruth turned, hands on her hips. "Do you know what I study? Huh? Do you? Medicine. I'm a fucking trainee doctor, top of my class."

"So you're better than me? Is that it?" Daniel laughed. "Look at you - cheap dress, scuffed shoes, fake designer handbag. A student loan and a bar job don't go far, do they?"

Ruth's cheeks burned.

"You need me," he scoffed. "The last tenant living here was like you. Not a penny to her name but she wanted to live like the rich kids, the ones whose daddies were doctors or lawyers with six figure salaries. And you know what? She did - with my help."

"I'm not like her."

"I think you are. I think you're the same. Clever, ambitious and broke. You've got the wrong parents, you don't move in the right circles. Trainee doctor? I drink with half of London's eminent medical professionals. I can open doors for you." He gazed at her hair again. "Such a beautiful colour. Is it natural or dyed?"

Ruth didn't answer.

"You can leave if you want. The door's open."

"I'm thinking."

"You're very beautiful, if you don't mind me saying, and I'm not repulsive, am I?"

Ruth pursed her lips. Daniel had to be pushing sixty. His hair was receding, his skin lined but his suit was handmade and those expensive designer glasses gave him a certain charm. She noted the gold jewellery, Rolex watch and spotless Gucci shoes. He oozed wealth.

"No," she said, her eyes darting back to his face, "you're not repulsive."

"So, what are you thinking?"

Shaking back her wild curls, Ruth stood tall. "I have a counter offer."

"Oh? I'm listening."

"Fifty percent off the rent for a blow job. If you want penetrative sex, I live rent free."

Daniel grunted and shook his head. "Ruth, Ruth, that's not the deal."

"Take it or leave it," she stated, determination in her eyes.

"You're a feisty one. Not sure I can break you."

Eyes moist with tears again, Ruth smiled weakly. "I'm already broken."

Her statement was true. Ruth had worked doggedly to achieve the grades she needed to secure her place at University. But London living was beyond her means. Her student loan was maxed out, she'd been turned down for a hardship fund and if she took extra shifts at the bar, she wouldn't have enough time to study.

Clever but broke, as Daniel had surmised, Ruth was facing the prospect of abandoning her dreams due to lack of funding. If she couldn't resolve her situation, quickly, she'd have to return to her bleak council flat and a mother who'd blame herself for her daughter's demise. It was unbearable to think of, but what choice did she have? Ever heard of a medical student living in a homeless shelter?

"I need this apartment," she announced, stemming her emotion. "I'll give you a week's rent in advance."

"Now?"

"Yes," her voice trembled, "if you agree to my terms."

"Show me what I'll get for my money. Then I'll tell you if I agree."

Ruth narrowed her eyes. "How do I know the arrangement's real?"

The smug expression on Daniel's face answered her question. She didn't know. There'd be no guarantees. She could well be agreeing to screw a sleazy stranger for nothing. But what if it was real?

No more thinking. Ruth had to act.

Sinking to her knees, she unbuckled Daniel's belt and unzipped his fly. His trousers dropped unceremoniously to his ankles. Daniel's cock tented against his boxers, a damp patch on the silk betraying his arousal. The distinct aroma of sex swamped Ruth's nostrils as she eased his shorts down.

Daniel's cock stood proud and throbbing, the blood-filled tip glistening with pre-cum. Without hesitation, she sucked it into her mouth. It was just a cock, no different from any other, and sucking it was a means to an end. That's what she told herself as she swirled her tongue over the fleshy tip, lapping up the secretions.

"Oh, that feels good. I knew you'd see sense. Good girl." Daniel's hands held her head, his fingers curling in her hair. "Oh...yes."

Lips sealed around his helmet, Ruth sucked hard. It had been a while since she'd sucked cock, and she'd missed it. Shutting out thoughts of who she was blowing, she gave in to the pleasure of it. The cock throbbed, the veins pulsing deliciously against her tongue. Grasping the shaft, she eased back Daniel's foreskin and flicked her tongue over his hole. The eye opened, yielding more pre-cum which Ruth eagerly swallowed.

Tiny spasms ripped through Ruth's pussy. Her body twitched.

"You're aroused, aren't you my little angel?" Daniel teased. "I knew you would be. Filthy slut."

Another spasm, far greater in intensity made Ruth quiver from head to toe. Heat built between her legs as her inner fires were stoked by the sinful depravity of what she was doing. She'd never so much as kissed a stranger before, let alone blown them. Tingling with naughtiness, she sucked down, harder.

Without warning, Daniel abruptly pushed her away. "You're going to make me cum. It's too soon," he snapped. "Stand up."

Ruth blinked at him, shocked by his forcefulness.

"Strip. Let me see you naked. No, wait." Daniel slipped off his shoes and stepped out of his trousers. He folded them neatly onto a chair then hung his jacket and tie on the back. Wearing just his shirt, he returned his attention to Ruth. "Okay, now strip."

Kicking off her shoes first, Ruth unzipped her dress and wriggled her hips till it dropped to the ground.

"Stop!" Daniel edged closer, his fingers trailing over the white cotton bra that cradled Ruth's ample breasts. "Pure and innocent."

"Not very sexy," Ruth stammered.

"Oh, but it is." Stooping, he kissed the crook of her neck.

The kiss was surprisingly tender and Ruth couldn't help but like it. More kisses followed, dancing across her shoulders and down to her breasts.

Daniel reached behind her to unclasp her bra. "Oh yes...beautiful." His fingers stroked her soft orbs and pinched her nipples.

Arousal burning, Ruth fumbled with his shirt buttons, popping each one until the garment hung loose. She waited as Daniel shrugged it off, then stood perfectly still as he slid down her panties.

The two of them stood naked in the middle of the room. Strangers who'd met each other less than half an hour previously. It was as surreal as it was immoral, but Ruth's pussy ached. Fingers touching her delicate slit, she found it wet with juices.

"Look what you did to me," she purred, holding up a glistening digit.

"Horny slut," he moaned. "Here." He held out a foil-wrapped condom. "I always carry one in my shirt pocket," he smirked. "Just in case."

A smile creasing her mouth, Ruth ripped the packet and deftly unrolled the slippery rubber over Daniel's cock. Taking his hand, she pulled him to the bed and eased him down on top of her. Daniel was a large man, good living showed on his waistline, but his cleanly-shaved torso was reasonable toned and his arms surprisingly muscular.

"Oh, glasses," she breathed, carefully removing them from his face and placing them on the nightstand. "Now take me."

Daniel's weight came down on her, pinning her to the bed. His thick, throbbing cock stabbed at her, pushing against her slit and begging for entry. Roughly lifting her knees, he hooked her legs over his shoulders and thrust again. Ruth's puffy lips parted and Daniel's thick meat penetrated her in one fluent movement. He thrust hard, sinking his penis right down to the root.

"Oh..oh..." Ruth groaned as her tight tunnel stretched to accommodate him. She wasn't used to the sensation. She rarely partied, so sex wasn't a regular occurrence.

Daniel withdrew, then thrust again. Sweat beaded on his skin as he pounded her, hard and deep.

"Switch," Ruth gasped, not wanting him to tire. "Me on top."

Horny and needy, Ruth rolled him over and mounted him. She lined up his cock, letting it press against her slit in a most delightful way, before slowly, steadily impaling herself. The friction, the squeeze, the heat were phenomenal. Taking him deep, she rocked her hips, crying out as his penis stroked her g-spot.

"Oh fuck!"

The bed creaked as her gyrations became more urgent. Her need to cum growing, she arched her back and rode him faster, harder, flinging her body with wild abandon.

"Oh...oh...yes!" A crippling spasm snapped her cunt shut like the jaws of a rabid animal. "Oh Daniel," she screeched, "you're fantastic!"

The enjoyment was real, but the words, forced.

Daniel was no fool. Ruth squealed as he dislodged her roughly.

"That's not going to win any Oscars, and it's only worth a small rent reduction," he snarled.

Ruth gawped. Juices dripped from her cunt and her skin was flushed. She was horny and loving the base fucking, but Daniel wasn't. Why not? Her mind whirred...of course; he wanted to break her, didn't he?

She lowered her head, defeated. "Take what you want from me," she whispered. "I'm a bad girl. Punish me."

"I don't want to punish you. I'm not into that. I simply want sex with me to be different, special. Offer me something you've never given before."

Faltering, Ruth gaped, "Like what?"

"Ever had anal?"

She shook her head.

A lecherous smile licked at Daniel's lips.

"No, no...I can't."

"That tight little virgin ass of yours might be worth free rent."

Closing her eyes, Ruth uttered, "Take it." Her lips trembled. "Do it now, before I change my mind."

"With pleasure. I'm going to enjoy this."

Grabbing a pillow to hug, Ruth raised her ass in the air. She shuddered as fingers stroked her tightly closed bud. With juices from her dripping cunt lubricating the taught skin, Daniel eased his middle finger inside her opening. He worked it, wetting it, opening it wider, easing more fingers inside. The intrusion felt alien but not unpleasant.

Panting excitedly, Daniel moved up behind her. Something new pressed against Ruth's opening. It pushed, hard, forcing its way inside her with burning friction. Grunting softly, Daniel slowly sank his cock inside Ruth's snuggest hole.

"Oh yes, you're so tight, so fucking tight."

Ruth gripped the pillow. Her ass was on fire, her pussy throbbing. The initial penetration was slow and gently. The fucking after that was anything but. Grasping her hips tightly, fingernails digging into her flesh, Daniel slammed his cock into Ruth's virgin ass, hard and fast, over and over. He ravished her, taking everything, and Ruth fucking loved it!

She was in heaven. There was no other way to describe it. She gave in to the filthy, sleazy moment, bucking and thrashing as she climaxed again, this time, taking Daniel with her. Loud grunts preceded his ejaculation, then his body tensed and jolted as he spurted inside her ass.

Ruth barely noticed. Her own orgasm consumed her, but she found the mental strength not to let her pleasure show. If Daniel wanted to be lord and master, she'd better play along.

"Oh ow...please stop now, please," she cried, most convincingly.

She hurt a little, yes, but the sex hadn't been as uncomfortable as she'd expected. In truth, she'd thoroughly enjoyed it.

Daniel withdrew. Sitting back on his haunches, he peeled off the condom, proudly showing Ruth the copious, sticky, white contents. "I haven't come that hard for a while," he panted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That was something."

"Worth free rent?" she asked coldly.

"I get this once a week, you know that?"

"Yes. The agreement?"

Daniel leered at her. "No-one else gets your ass, or any other piece of you. Clear?"

"And I live here for nothing?"

"Well, I wouldn't call it nothing."

She arched an eyebrow, "You know what I mean."

"Yes. No contract, of course. It's all done on trust."

"I trust you."

"Then we have a deal." Daniel rummaged in his jacket pocket, his hand emerging with the keys. "Yours, I believe," he smiled. "We're going to have fun together Ruth. Lots of fun."

When Daniel headed for the bathroom, Ruth flopped onto her back, her arms outspread. She'd done it, the apartment was hers. No imminent threat of homelessness, no horrid commute on the underground or loudmouthed partying flatmates. Even her hours at the bar could be reduced. A little at least.

And the price of security? Sex with Daniel. No real hardship. Lisa had said he was a puppy dog if played right. He was honest and faithful, too. Lisa had lived rent free for almost two years before moving out to live with her boyfriend.

Daniel had been right about Ruth; she and her predecessor were alike. In fact, they were friends. Ruth knew all about Daniel, and the arrangement he'd made with Lisa. She knew all along he was the answer to her prayers - if she could ensnare him.

"Job done," Ruth whispered, hugging herself.

Daniel returned, wet from a shower, with a huge, fluffy towel wrapped around his waist. He smiled at Ruth as she squirmed naked on the bed, the sunlight bouncing off her pale skin and golden hair.

"You really are an angel," he sighed. "Same time next week? Shall we make this our day?"

Ruth nodded. "Sounds good. You'll find I'm an excellent tenant, Daniel."

"I dare say. I was wondering, Ruth, would you, er...would you like to go out sometime? Dinner perhaps? Or a club? I'm a member of some excellent clubs."

"I'd like that," she smiled sweetly. "Very much. Of course, I'll need a new dress."

Daniel caressed her arm. "Naturally."

"And shoes."

"Let's not forget the handbag," he added, jovially. "I'll see that you have some spending money. Look after me and I'll look after you."

"I know you will." Ruth planted a kiss on his cheek. Her day couldn't have gone better.