Chapter 15: LAUNDROMAT

Shit, an eleven percent jump? That was massive. My passive must have kicked in. Because she was completely distressed, The Gentle Protector perk had multiplied the favor gain beautifully. And honestly, why the hell was she ever so terrified of a miserable bastard like Hubert anyway? Fuck him.

"I’d try to help dab it out but..." I muttered, clearing my throat and playing the part of the perfect gentleman. "I, uh, it’s probably best if I don’t."

She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, a heavy blush flooding her cheeks. "Y-yeah."

Well, what now? How were we actually going to get rid of the stain before Hubert started wondering where she was? I put a finger to my chin, pretending to be deeply locked in thought. In reality, I let my gaze linger on her breasts, or rather, the stain stretching across them, just a fraction of a second too long. She noticed and took a subtle step back.

"Crap, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable," I lied smoothly, instantly dialing back the intensity. "I’m sorry."

"It’s okay... just... this stain is just so persistent."

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OPPORTUNITY DETECTED

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[ SUGGESTED ACTION ]

Suggest to make a quick run

to a laundromat.

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COST: 25 Lust

EST. GAIN: ???

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"Hey," I said, snapping my fingers as if the idea just struck me. "Okay, so, I can make a quick run to the 24-hour laundromat two blocks away. They have those industrial stain removers."

"I can’t ask you to do that," she protested, gesturing vaguely toward the dark window. "Look at the weather out there, Chance. It’s about to pour."

"It’s fine," I insisted, taking a step closer. "It’s a hell of a lot better than getting caught by Hubert, isn’t it?"

She went quiet, weighing her options as she rubbed the back of her neck. Closing her eyes, she let out a defeated breath before opening them to meet my gaze. I held her eyes, refusing to blink, letting the silence stretch. Come on, accept it. Just give me the points.

"Um..." she muttered, her voice dropping to a vulnerable whisper. "I... I don’t have my wallet on me."

"No problem," I shrugged, offering a casual smile. "Next time, the pizzas are entirely on you, though. And the biggest slices are mine."

A weak, grateful smile broke through her anxiety. "My god... I’m so sorry to put you through all this."

"Like I said," I teased, keeping the mood light. "Biggest slices."

She actually chuckled this time, taking a deep, centering breath. Her expression shifted into something deeply embarrassed, her eyes darting to the floor.

"C-can you... turn around so I can take off my tank top?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah. Of course. Sorry for gawking too much."

"I just... I’m... well, you know."

"Yeah, yeah. Sure," I nodded, spinning on my heel to face the front door.

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TARGET: Sarah Angi

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[ RELATIONSHIP ]

> Partner: [Hubert]

> Loyalty: 60%

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[ SYSTEM SYNC ]

> Favor: 56% [▲4%]

> Threat: None

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> GRIEVANCE LOG

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Fifty-six percent favor. Beautiful.

As I stared at the blank wood of the door, the soft, distinct rustle of fabric shifting echoed in the quiet room. Every instinct in my body screamed at me to steal a glance over my shoulder, but I forced myself to stay completely still. If I looked now, I’d spook her and ruin the trust I was building. Patience. Cold, calculated patience. Sooner or later, I’d have her completely stripped down in my bed, fucking her senseless while her oblivious husband sat upstairs.

"O-okay," her hesitant voice broke the silence. "You can take it."

Without turning around, I blindly extended my hand back into the open air. "Where is it?"

"Here," she whispered.

Her fingers brushed my palm as she draped the warm, soft cotton of the tank top into my hand.

"Alright, got it," I murmured. "There should be some grocery bags under the kitchen counter. The cabinet on the left."

She padded over to the kitchen, her bare feet soft against the linoleum. After a moment of fumbling, her footsteps returned, stopping just behind me. She handed over a plastic bag, and I quickly stuffed the stained shirt inside without looking back.

"It’s kinda cold in here," I noted, glancing toward the hallway. "You can grab the blanket off my couch."

"I really wouldn’t want to bother you any further," she demurred, her voice tight with self-consciousness. "I didn’t even p-put on deodorant before coming over..."

"Sarah," I said, keeping my back turned but using a firm tone. "Just do as I say, alright? The situation is already weird enough. You’re just making it more awkward by freezing over there."

"F-fine... okay. God, I’m so, so sorry about all of this, Chance."

"You really should be," I quipped, letting out a dry chuckle. "You come into my place, claim the best pizza, and then send me running errands. What a terrible guest."

She laughed nervously, the teasing clearly putting her at ease. "God... what a total mess."

"Alright, anyway, I’ll be right back," I said, grabbing the doorknob and pulling it open. "See ya."

"Y-yeah... stay safe."

I slipped out the front door and exited the building. However, instead of heading straight to the laundromat, I circled back around the exterior, stepping quietly through the shadows until I reached my own bedroom window. I peeked through the gap in the curtains.

Oh, fuck yeah.

Thank fuck the bedroom door was open. Through the frame, the dim light from the living room illuminated Sarah perfectly. She was standing there awkwardly, shifting from one foot to the other, her arms wrapped loosely around herself as she worried. And her tits?

Fucking hell. Since she wasn’t wearing a bra, it was a sight for sore eyes. The thin, oversized blanket she had pulled over her shoulders hung loose, leaving her front completely exposed to my view. Her breasts were full and heavy, swaying slightly whenever she shifted her weight. Against the pale perfection of her skin, her large, pretty pink areolas stood out beautifully. The crisp, cold air filtering through the apartment was clearly getting to her; I watched as her nipples pertly hardened, puckering into tight, rigid peaks that practically begged to be bitten.

I pulled out my phone, keeping it flat against the glass, and silenced the shutter. I took a picture. Then another. Multiple angles.

"Slut..." I muttered under my breath, watching her through the screen. "You will be mine... you will be fucking mine..."

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