PE: Free: Perfect Snapshots: Episode Two

Episode One

---

---

Episode Two

---

I watched as Asa came down the hall, playing with her fingers anxiously as she did. She had showered and changed into clean clothes after her flight. I couldn’t blame her. I liked getting cleaned up after traveling, too. Her hair was slicked back into a ponytail that hung over her shoulder. It had already started to curl around the edges where it was drying. Her new outfit was a short-sleeved black jersey cotton dress that went right above her knees. It fit her nicely, hugging her hips and flaring out slightly around her thighs. And she was wearing knee socks, making my mind go to horrible places automatically.

I swallowed back my nerves and perverse thoughts and smiled. “You didn’t have to rush.”

“No. It’s fine. Thanks for being patient.” She grinned, her eyes downcast as she spoke. 

I needed to keep talking and moving, so she couldn’t see what she was doing to me. I had to pretend to be normal. Literally, I had met her only minutes before, and I was being a fucking idiot. Getting off the couch, I brought my computer over to the bar.

“I was going to order takeaway. What would you like?”

Her hand went up to her heart again, her eyes a little wide. “Oh. I don’t know. I don’t know what my options are.”

Nervously, I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “It’s L.A. So pretty much anything you want.” I will get you whatever you want, baby. 

Coming to stand beside me, she offered, “Why don’t you pick a style?” I could smell the fresh hot shower scent wafting off of her. “I’m not picky.”

I blurted out, “Asian?” That was always my first choice because it was my favorite. My mouth was taking over again, thankfully.

Smiling, she bit her lip. “Sure.”

I went to the right screen. My hands were shaking a little. What the hell was wrong with me? She wasn’t doing anything.  

“Chinese?”

“Sounds great.” Her voice was so soft and sweet. I really enjoyed her accent. I wanted to ask her all about it. Actually, I wanted to ask her a million questions. I wanted to spend the rest of the night getting to know her. 

I showed her the screen. “These are the top ones. Why don’t you pick one?” She was so close, and she was leaning over slightly. I could see down her dress to the tops of her very round and lovely breasts. Quickly glancing away, I pulled out a stool so she could sit beside me. But it didn’t help, and I still could. I could only keep my eyes directly pointed at the list, pretending to read, but I couldn’t focus on a single word.  

Asa selected my favorite place. “I was hoping you’d pick that one. I order there a lot. It’s so good. Do you want to get a bunch of stuff and just share? So we can have a bit of everything?” I always ordered a shit ton, anyway. This way, I would seem less like a pig. 

I loved the way her lips pursed when she thought. They looked so kissable.

Sometimes, I really hated my douchebag brain.  

“Oh, sure. Sounds great.”

I picked all my favorites before passing it over to her. It was all the things I would usually just get for myself.  

“Okay, what would you like?”

Her eyes flitted over everything, but she didn’t add anything else. “Duck sauce, if they have it. Um, do you have soy sauce?” 

“Yeah, I sure do.” I didn’t like the cheap shit, so I always kept some in the cabinet. I went to fetch it for her so she could see if she liked it too. “Do you want to order yourself a drink or a dessert?” I hoped she wasn’t not getting anything because she was nervous.  

As she added a drink, she was quick to answer, “Don’t you think that’s enough food?” I realized then I had forgotten my favorite dessert, but I really felt like a piggy.  

Stupidly, I pouted, “I guess.” She giggled at my expression, making me smile. It was a lovely sound. I wanted to hear it again.

“Don’t let that stop you, though. I doubt I can eat as much as you can.” She was probably right. But she was also correct about the other thing. And I was right to think I was a pig. For multiple reasons.  

“No, you’re right. It is a lot of food. I tend to go overboard with things I like,” I admitted as I ordered a drink for now and another for later to have with my leftovers in the middle of the night. 

“If you want to split the check, I have cash.” She patted her hip before she realized she had changed out of her trousers and didn’t have her money on her. She made moves as if she was going to go get it from her bedroom. 

“No, I got this.” There was no way I was going to be anything other than a gentleman the entire time she was around. I wanted to impress her, and I didn’t know how else to do it. 

She mumbled, “Thank you.”

“No problem. In fact, while you’re a guest in my home, food is on me,” I promised before even realizing what I was doing. But she didn’t seem to like what I said. She shook her head, her hair falling off her shoulder as she did. I wanted to brush the water droplets off her exposed skin but didn’t.  

Asa replied quickly, “That’s unnecessary.”  

“No, no. You’re here because of me, and I was raised to be a gracious host,” I told her warmly. That was kind of a lie. My mother hated guests. Well, she despised people in general. But my grandparents had always been very hospitable, and they would have approved of this sort of thing.  

“You don’t have to pay for all of my food to be a gracious host.” She pursed her pretty lips, looking away in almost embarrassment. I didn’t know what to do or say. I shut my laptop, trying to think. My mouth took charge and led the way. 

“I suppose it’s possible, but I have the ability and enjoy doing it. I pay for my friends,” I quoted a line from one of my favorite songs. It had been stuck in my head for three days. 

“And do you take it as a compliment?” Asa asked rather flirtatiously, smiling as she used my bad song line back at me. She did it to the beat, too. I couldn’t help but smile and nod happily. I already liked her tastes in music. She bit her lip as she considered my words, looking so bashful. “I want to argue, but my bank account says to shut up and say thank you.” 

“No, it’s cool! You’re very welcome!” I said too loudly. I needed to chill the fuck out. “So, I was going to sit outside and smoke while we waited for the food. Would you care to join me?” I tried to act smooth, but I was failing incredibly. I stretched, attempting to get some of the nervous energy out. She seemed calm in comparison. She looked off towards the pool. It was why I bought the house in the first place. She was so beautiful and thoughtful. I caught myself smiling stupidly.  

“Sounds good.” Her eyes moved over me for just a second before looking outside again.

Normally, I didn’t smoke before sundown, but Sundays were my day off, so I usually spent it somewhat high, hoping to unwind. At the store, I had picked a nice bud, and they rolled it into joints with filters that I kept in a scent-proof silver case. I had gotten it when I first started smoking because I thought it was cool, but I wasn’t in any way.

Leading the way to the pool, I pulled the box from my shorts pocket. She was watching from her seat, her lips ever so slightly parted and her eyes curious.  

I wanted to rub my finger over her bottom lip and see what her tongue felt like. 

Fucking chill. 

Quickly, I brought the joint to my mouth and lit it. 

“Would you like some?” I took a long drag, hoping it would calm me. It was legal in California, so I didn’t feel so bad offering. I had been prudish growing up, so this was quite a difference. 

“No, thank you.” Asa smiled, tilting her face ever so slightly down bashfully again. It was fucking adorable. Swallowing, I realized I might have fucked up already. 

Cool. Let’s do drugs five minutes after meeting her. Good idea. 

“I’m sorry. I should have asked first if it bothered you.” When I rushed to put it out, she reached forward to stop me. 

“No. It doesn’t. I smoke at home sometimes. I just don’t want to be unprofessional right now. This is the biggest thing I’ve ever done, so I don’t wanna screw it up.”

Right, this was work. She wasn’t here for me. This was a professional thing. Fuck. 

“You’re not working until tomorrow. But I understand. Let me know if you change your mind.” I took another hit, feeling embarrassed as the words just came out. I looked out at the sunset so I didn’t have to meet her inquisitive eyes. 

“How’s the weed here?” Genuinely interested, she didn’t seem bothered. 

“Strong. But I only started smoking this year, so I’m not sure how it compares. I’ve been using it for my anxiety and insomnia. My doctor recommended it.”

Watching me, she tilted her head to the side again. Her hair was visibly getting curlier, drying in the dying sunlight. “Does it help?”

Well, that very much depended. “The sleeplessness it does for sure. I am not positive about the anxiety. It helps at the moment, but you can’t be stoned all the time either. I rarely smoke this early, but Sundays are my off day. The weed does help when I can’t get my brain to shut off, though.” Maybe I didn’t need to be that frank with her. I decided to change the subject. “So, how was your flight?” Her eyes were so intently focused on me. It made butterflies swirl in the pit of my stomach.

Pleasantly, she replied, “Luckily uneventful.” She paused for a moment. “Your home is gorgeous.” 

I was really proud of my place. It was the first house I had ever bought, and I had paid for it in cash upfront. It was all mine, no matter what happened in the future. “Thank you. I just moved in a little over six months ago, so I don’t really have enough things to fill it yet. But I only had a small flat before in Sydney, and I was sharing it with my best mate, Spencer.” I wasn’t sure why I told her that.  

Asa looked away again. “Well, I can’t judge you for it. I own very little, and I share an apartment with my best friend, too. I sleep in the living room, and she has the bedroom.” 

That wasn’t the reply I had expected. “Oh.”

She laughed, sincere and bright. “That makes it sound terrible. My bedroom is surprisingly huge and not just by New York standards. And we have lovely hardwood floors. Our neighborhood is nice and quiet, with lots of families. Plus, you can see the Empire State Building from my window.”

She seemed delighted about it. And to see the Empire State Building must have been something. I had been before, and it was always breathtaking to see it lit up on the skyline, especially at night.  

“Wow. Do you live in Manhattan?”

She laughed again. “No. Not for the price I’m paying. I live on the edge of Sunnyside and Astoria in Queens. It’s not as unique a boast as it sounds, being able to see a cool building in New York. It just makes me happy still.” I didn’t know any of those places besides Queens, so I made a mental note to look them up later.  

“Well, it sounds like something to boast about. New York is lovely. Maybe I’ll live there one day. For the summertime, anyway,” I mused, tapping out the ashes of my joint. It was already making me feel a little better. 

“Oh, not for the summer. It’s too muggy, and there isn’t enough air conditioning everywhere like in the south. New York was made for autumn. And spring isn’t bad either. Honestly, I love snow, too. It’s my favorite,” she said, almost wistfully, with a soft laugh in her beautiful voice. You could tell she really loved her home. Her smile was so friendly. 

“It rarely snows in Australia. It happens from time to time, but it’s nothing like I imagine it does in New York,” I continued, for once happy my mouth was carrying on a conversation without me.

“Especially around the mountains. We always go to the Finger Lakes to see the snow in the mountains and forest. My roommate and I sometimes rent a cabin.”

“Sounds peaceful.”

“It is. We like to go up to Maine or Vermont to take photos, too. Usually, just for a weekend. She likes to take pictures, but as a hobby,” she explained. She seemed to enjoy the subject. 

I didn’t know a thing about the Northeast. I still knew little about the United States in general. “What is there to do in Vermont?” 

“Um... you can... eat cheese and get lost in the woods. There is probably maple syrup,” she joked. I couldn’t help but laugh. She smiled, pleased to have amused me. 

Nodding, I tapped my ashes out again. “I like the cheese part.”

Her eyes were mesmerizing. Asa scrunched up her nose, smiling. “The woods part isn’t too bad, either. It’s beautiful. Especially right now. The end of October is the peak leaves season. You should have seen it this morning on the way to the airport from my apartment, with so much gorgeous red foliage all along the interstate. I hadn’t been that way in ages and had forgotten how beautiful it could be, especially at sunrise. And it was foggy, too. Such a perfect serene morning.” 

I took another hit, my heart beating violently in my chest again for a reason I couldn’t explain as I listened to her speak. It was almost as if she was reciting a lovely poem. “The way you describe it makes me want to take a flight at sunrise in New York City.”

“If you’re going to travel at sunrise in New York, may I suggest the ferry? You can watch it rise behind the Statue of Liberty. It’s free, too,” she continued. Asa smirked a little. “Well, almost free. It’s the same as a bus or subway ride.”

I was exhausted just thinking about another morning. I had to be honest with her about my sleep schedule. Barely scraping by, sleep-wise, it had made me a grouchy asshole.  

“That sounds nice, but I think I’m going to have to warn you right now that I am not a morning person. At all. As I said, I’m an insomniac. I try not to plan anything until the afternoon. You know, I should probably send you my work schedule for the next week. What’s your email?” I rambled again nervously, pulling out my mobile. I was definitely going to internet stalk her that evening when I was alone.   

“Uhhh... Asa Kind photography at Gmail.” She looked over, biting her lip as she watched me. I swallowed hard.  

I put my smoke down, trying not to seem like a creep. “We should have each other’s cell phone numbers. Just in case your gate code doesn’t work or whatever.” I half expected her to tell me to piss off, but she took my cell without question and typed in her number. When she handed it back, I sent her a message so she would have mine. She giggled softly when she saw the stupid emojis I quickly selected.  

Amused, she said, “I got it.”

“Great,” I smiled. That went better than expected. “By the way, if you ever need to get into the house without me, I’ll give you the passcode. It’s a keyless entry.”

“How fancy. Well, mine has TWO deadbolts and a chain.” She put her pretty chin high in the air, pretending to be snobby. Instead, she came off as charming and adorable. I beamed. She was enchanting. 

The doorbell rang, pulling me out of my daze. I jumped out of my chair to go fetch the food. It gave me a moment to breathe, my hammering heart making my chest ache. She came in after me, watching me from the doorway. She looked like a glowing angel dressed in all black with the backdrop of the fiery orange sunset against the mountains.

She helped me take everything out of the bag as I got us plates. She delicately used chopsticks while I could barely ham-fist a fork. Her hands were dainty and so small, her arms slender. I liked the way her fingers always seemed to go to her lips subconsciously.  

I hadn’t predicted she would be so easy to talk to. My mouth was happily running away with her, but she didn’t seem to mind in the least. She took in everything I said with such sweet curiosity. Asa was also incredibly witty, always quick with a full answer to my questions. She seemed brilliant.  

I tried to imagine her age, but I couldn’t decide how old she was. I didn’t think she was much out of college, but I wasn’t sure. She was so delicate, all of her features smooth. Her lips and cheeks were plump, as were her breasts and ass, as I had told my best mate earlier in my stupid texts. But I was actually having the hardest time not staring into her eyes. They were so enthralling.  

My phone vibrated beside me. Spencer sent, “Pics or it didn’t happen.”

“You’re a dumbass,” I replied. Sighing, I considered my options. I did want a picture of her. I also wanted him to tell me she was hot too, so I knew I wasn’t acting like a tool for no reason.  

I had just finished making my plate, so I used it as an excuse to snap a photo of her from across the top of the table. “Sorry,” I muttered. “I’m one of those trash people who likes to take photos of their food.” 

She laughed. “You know I’m a photographer, right? I do it all the time. Like, daily.”

I chuckled, “I guess I forgot.” I decided to take a chance. It would be better if she actually agreed to it. “Can I take a picture of you? I need one for my contacts. It’s easier if there’s a name and a face.” 

“Oh, sure.” She sat up straighter, holding up her chin to the side and smiling ever so slightly with her mouth closed. Asa folded her arms on the table, posing for me. She had pulled her hair out of her headband at some point and started wearing it around her wrist as a bracelet. Her wild curls almost blended into the black background, except for where the light reflected off the shiny strands. 

“Thanks,” I breathed. “That’s a good picture.”

“Let me see.” She leaned over, so I showed her the image. “It’s not bad. Those phones have decent cameras. I’m going to have to upgrade someday.”

She must have been hungry because she ate a lot quickly. By the end, she also seemed to become more tired. Resting her temple on her palm, her eyes looked exhausted with faint hints of purple along the edges. I knew how she felt. When she straightened up, she said, “Thank you so much for the lovely meal. I think I’m going to head to bed. I’ve been awake for over twenty-four hours.” 

“Me too,” I admitted. Maybe we had some things in common. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I replied, already excited to be around her again.

I watched as she left, putting away the leftovers for later. Her ass looked so good as she walked, swishing as it went. She had deliciously thick thighs, too. Asa was well-built. She was definitely the sexiest woman I had ever shared a meal with. 

I texted the picture to Spencer when I heard the bedroom door close. 

“I can see why you’re in love. She could fuck me left, right, and sideways.”

His words made me laugh. “Ikr,” I typed back. “She’s got a brain, too. She’s funny af.”

“Does it matter when it comes with those tits? I’d sure like to take her on a bumpy ride in my Jeep. God bless that shirt.”

“It was a dress. A short one. With black knee socks.” I sent him a gif of a man biting his fist. 

He asked, “What are you going to do?”

“Not a fucking clue. What can I?”

“Idk… Ask for her bloody phone number?” Spencer acted as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He wasn’t great at relationships, but he could always get dates. 

“Actually, I already have.” 

---

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed, please consider subscribing to my Patreon, at Patreon.com/Jeskawood. For just three dollars a month, you can support me and my work! Every little bit helps. Thanks again!💛 

---

Episode One