Captivated by a Neighbour

I was on my way home from work, a rare occurrence in these days of working from home, it was a routine trudge, station to home through a network of residential streets, one I'd done thousands of times before, and the late spring evening made it quite pleasant. The gardens were in full bloom, lawns freshly mown, but I was pretty much in auto-mode, my mind on the day I'd just had. To be fair it was good to be in the office sometimes, meeting old friends, a quick pint after work. There was a lot to be said for working from home, but it did lack the social aspects of being in a group of people interacting with each other. The current thinking was two days in the office, three at home.

I'd got used to it, it allowed a certain flexibility, as an accountant we had our busy times, end of the calendar and financial years, but for the rest of the 9 months it was a nice steady progress. I was looking forward to getting home and getting my suit off, no tie these days thankfully, and slipping into a tee shirt and a pair of track pants, or even shorts, it was just about warm enough, and getting myself outside a beer or two had a certain appeal.

I was hardly paying any attention to my surroundings, there was minimal traffic, when I noticed a figure standing at a crossroads stock still. A dog was by her side, for indeed it was a woman, and as I approached I couldn't help notice but it was a very attractive young woman. She was dressed in what could only be described as slightly odd clothes, loose fitting trousers and a baggy jacket, but as I neared I could see that she possessed striking features.

She was staring straight ahead and I wondered what she was looking at. Then I saw the dog, sitting immobile by her side. She was holding a square metal harness and I saw that it was a guide dog, a lovely golden retriever. Neither were moving, just standing there and I approached a little tentatively.

"I'm sorry," I asked, wondering why we English always start any conversation with an apology, "but is there a problem? Can I help in any way?"

She turned to face me, her eyes seemingly unfocussed, "Thank you but I'm afraid to say we're lost. We moved into a new flat recently and seemingly on our way home from work we've taken a wrong turn and neither of us actually know where we are." I realised that the 'we' was in fact herself and her dog. "Bruno is trained to stop immediately and sit when this happens, and I've really no alternative but to follow his training."

"Where do you need to go?" I asked

"15 Uplands Avenue," she answered, "it's a new terrace of houses. Do you know it?"

I did indeed, as it had been built right next to my house. I lived in a lovely Victorian semi, purchased partly with an inheritance from my grandmother. The house had huge bay fronted windows and was a prime example of its genre. The house next door, a large imposing Victorian detached had recently been demolished to make way for what could only be described as a blot on the landscape.

All right angles and quirky features, it sat looking totally out of place. Needless to say the whole neighbourhood had opposed the planning application, even though it was replacing a very dilapidated building, but to no avail, having to make way for what everyone considered an eyesore. And so I'd tolerated eighteen months of building works until the monstrosity was finally built.

"I do indeed," I answered, "can I help to guide you there?" Whilst I had no truck with the building I could hardly take umbrage at the occupiers, particularly anyone who couldn't actually see it! "What's the best way of doing this?"

"Take my arm and tuck it into yours," she instructed, and with a command to Bruno we set off.

"When did you move in?" I enquired.

"Only about a week ago, and as you have discovered we're still finding our feet. I've got bruises all over my legs from bumping into furniture, but we're getting there slowly. I do hope I'm not dragging you too far from your way."

"Not at all, in fact I'm your next-door neighbour."

"Which side?"

"Well if you stand at your front door and look to the right....." I suddenly realised what I had said. "I am so sorry, I forgot that...."

"Please don't apologise, you have no idea how often that happens to me. The words 'see' and 'look have so many uses in the English language. I really don't offend easily."

We moved along at a surprisingly brisk pace and were soon at her front door. "I really appreciate that," she said, "it's amazing how helpful some people can be when the need arises. Would you like to come in and have a cup of tea or coffee, or perhaps a beer? It would be nice to get to know my neighbour a bit better." It seemed churlish to refuse and the thought of a beer was tempting so I accepted.

She opened the front door into a small hallway and took off her jacket revealing trim figure in a tight fitting jumper which covered a rather nice pair of breasts. She stoopped and took Bruno's harness off, and job done, he ambled off to settle in a dog bed I could just see in the kitchen. "Go through to the lounge and sit down," she instructed, "Is Peroni OK?" I thanked her and went into the lounge. The furniture was all new and looked expensive, but there was a marked absence of pictures or ornaments. I walked over to the window and found that I was looking straight up at my house, sitting slightly higher up the hill.

"Here you are." Came a voice from the doorway, "Where are you sitting?"

"I'll go in the armchair," I replied and sat down as she strode confidently over and held out the bottle. "Hope you don't mind it straight out of the bottle, it saves the effort of pouring into a glass, and I'm told it's the modern trend." She held her bottle out and we chinked, it seemed such a natural thing to do.

"Have you always been blind?" I asked, "Sorry, if you don't want to talk about it...."

"No, I don't mind talking about it, I don't get a lot of opportunity to talk to a lot of people outside of work, and whilst Bruno is a great listener he's a lousy conversationalist. I was knocked over by a car when I was twelve, and hit my head badly. When I came out of a coma after a few days I couldn't see. They think it was a shock to the optic nerve. That was fifteen years ago now." That put her at twenty seven, I thought, a couple of years younger than me.

"I do remember some things, it's great to know colours, and what things look like, but there will always be things that only exist in my imagination. For example I don't know what some buildings look like, the Taj Mahal, or Sydney Opera House, because they weren't in my consciousness then. There are so many things I'd love to see, but I have to be grateful for what I've got. Loss of my sight has heightened all of my other senses, it's remarkable how the human body can adapt. My one big regret is that if I have children one day, I will never see their faces."

Despite her obvious sadness at the last comment, it was such a positive spin on life that I was a little overawed. We chatted on, she was remarkably up to date on current affairs, she was an ardent Formula 1 fan, but found the commentary very visual based, and preferred to listen on the radio rather than the TV.

"Another beer?" I realised we had both finished and accepted.

"I'll get them," I offered.

"I'm blind not helpless," she countered quickly. "Sorry that didn't come out as I meant it. People think I'm totally helpless and want to do everything for me, but some 25% of blind people live alone, did you know that? I've had my own place for eight years now and I couldn't imagine anything other than that." She got up and returned with two more, unerringly handing me mine.

"Alexa, what's the time?"

<<The time is seven forty five pm>>

"Look," she started, then stopped, "see how I've used those words myself in a different context? I was only going to have a pizza this evening, would you like to stay and have some? Oh sorry, I don't know anything about you, do you have anyone at home, a wife or partner, or perhaps a husband?" she added impishly.

"None of those, I'm happily unattached, and very definitely not gay. We'll not this week anyway! I'd be delighted to share a pizza with you."

"Settled! I'll go and pop a couple in the oven. Cheese Medley OK with you?" She stood and disappeared and I heard the opening and closing of doors in the kitchen followed by several beeps and a command to Alexa to set a timer. She returned and picked up her beer and we resumed our conversation.

The timer pinged and once more she stood. "Shall we go and eat in the kitchen, it's a bit easier." We went into the kitchen and she got some plates out. "There are some things that you could help me with, could you get the pizzas out and cut them up, hot ovens and sharp knives don't sit well when you can't see." I gladly obliged as she offered some wine.

Over dinner I asked her what she did for a living. "I'm an Osteopath, I share a small practice with a friend in town. It fits really well with being blind actually, virtually all my diagnosis and remedial work is done with my fingertips. Every injury to the body leaves a shadow and I can read that by touch. In fact my friend often treats people with her eyes shut, it aids concentration and focus she says."

I was amazed at this young woman's talents and told her so, my own life as an accountant seeming decidedly mundane and one dimensional.

Before I knew it, it was getting late and I thought I'd better go although I was reluctant to leave the company of this charming and attractive, in every sense, woman. She guided me to the front door, "Rob, can I ask you something very personal?" Puzzled I agreed. "Can I touch your face? I know your voice now but I'd like to know your face." I agreed and she ran her fingers lightly over my face, tracing the contours, running them over my head and shoulders. It was a very sensual and personal feeling and I understood why she'd asked first. "You should smile more," she said, "your whole face lights up when you do."

"Perhaps I will now I've met you," I replied, then added, "Can I see you again? Oops, I've done it again."

She laughed, "Yes you can see me if I can touch you?" With that she reached out a hand and gently caressed my cheek. "Goodnight Rob."

"Goodnight Carol."

I walked the few yards to my door feeling very buoyed by my evening and looking forward very much to the next one.

However I didn't see her for a few days, and it was only when I was walking back from the station one evening when I recognised the outline of a woman and a dog. I hurried to catch up, and wary of startling her called out whilst I was a few yards away, "Hello Carol, remember me, it's Rob from next-door." she stopped and turned to face me, Bruno obediently sitting down.

"Of course I do Rob, how are you?"

We resumed our walk home and as we got to the parting of the ways I plucked up enough courage to say, "I very much enjoyed our evening together the other day and I wondered if you'd like to repeat it. Perhaps at my house this time?"

"That sounds very nice Rob, when did you have in mind?"

"Well how about tonight? I've got a lasagne ready prepared and there's enough for two?"

"Sounds much better that what I've got for myself, I'd be delighted to come. Would six thirty be too early?"

"That sounds perfect," Mindful of her comments about not being helpless I added, "Can you find your own way or should I come and get you?"

"Would you mind coming for me, once Bruno and I have done a route a couple of times we can usually manage it, but the first time is a bit like Columbus setting off for the New World. Travelling more in hope than expectation." I confirmed I'd be back to collect her a bit later and went indoors to get ready.

Dead on the dot I was ringing her doorbell and was pleased to see she was ready. I took her arm and guided her and Bruno the few steps to my house and led her inside. We sat in the lounge for a while over a couple of bottles of Stella, then moved to the small dining area to eat. I was amazed at how she managed to eat without actually seeing her food, using a fork and a spoon. She drank a few glasses of wine and we had a most relaxed evening.

She explained how technology had helped enormously over the last few years, and devices like Alexa had really transformed her ability to do things, her phone had a text-to-speech App that meant she could read labels and the like and we talked about how it must have been before the modern communications era. Once more I found her to be a most attractive companion and already I was planning on how I could see her again.

"Would it be helpful if we swapped phone numbers?" I asked, "You might have an emergency or something and you could always give me a ring or send a message." She readily agreed and we did so.

As we relaxed after dinner I couldn't help admire her figure again, she was dressed in a skirt this time and I could see that her calves and ankles were delicately turned with a nice bum and trim waist. It was her breasts that stood out, literally. They were by no means large and I wondered what sort of bra she was wearing to show them off so well. I felt a bit of a lecher, openly looking at her knowing she could not see me doing so, but I was only human and male after all!

I walked her and Bruno back to her door and as we parted she ran her hand down my face again. I didn't quite know how to respond so put my hand on her back and leaned in for a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you Rob, I enjoyed that and you make a fine lasagne. My turn next!" I bade her goodnight and waited for her lights to go on, but then realised she had no need of any, so turned back home.

Next day was a working from home day so I rose a little later and went over to window to open the blinds. It was a bright day and as I looked over to Carol's house I realised that I could see right into her upstairs window. As I did so a figure came into view through the doorway wrapped in a white towel. Instinctively I ducked back but then realised my mistake. I knew I shouldn't look, but remained watching. I could see her hair was wet and presumed she had just got out of the shower or bath.

Suddenly she dropped the towel from round her and turned to face the window. I could see her whole body clearly, her legs rising up to a mass of dark hair between them, up to the most magnificent pair of breasts I had ever seen. They were pert with a slight upturn and her nipples were dark and half puffy. As I stood dumbfounded, she lifted each breast and dried it, then between her legs.

I could hardly catch my breath as I looked down and saw that my right hand was stroking my cock, wrapped tightly round it, already sending quivers of pleasure though me. She went to a dresser and opened a drawer and taking out a pair of panties slipped them on, running her hands round her to settle them, then sat at the dresser, still naked from the waist up and started to dry her hair.

If anything that only served to enhance her breasts as they wobbled on her chest. My hand was now rubbing furiously at my cock and I was starting to feel my orgasm building. She put the hairdryer down and pulled a bra out, then standing facing the window once more shrugged her arms into it and lowered her breasts into the cups. It was at this point I could take no more and my cock erupted into a spray of cum shooting out in front of me. I collapsed back onto the bed, sitting down as my left hand caught most of it. Finally it stopped and I grabbed some convenient tissues to mop myself up.

When I peered again she had gone and I suddenly felt very guilty, a sense of betrayal flooding through me, mixed up with a huge excitement. I showered and dressed and was just finishing when I saw her emerge from her front door with Bruno. As I watched she seemed to look over to my house and I felt even more guilty.

Needless to say I found it difficult to concentrate on work that day, my mind continually wandering back to Carol's naked form in her bedroom. Even another wank mid-morning failed to dampen my libido, although I was still plagued with guilt. It went through my mind that I should tell her she needed to close her curtains, but how could I bring it up without revealing what I had done?

I kept an eye open for her that evening but didn't see her and the house was in its usual darkness. Next morning I woke and as usual my hand found my morning wood and began to stroke it. I lay there watching the clock, desperately wanting to get up and see if there was to be a repeat or not. My mind was terribly torn, but finally I weakened and got up to roll up the blinds. As before, her room was wide open to my view but although I sat here for a while I did not see her until she emerged with Bruno, a mixture of relief and disappointment flooding through me.

The next day I made sure I caught the same train home and was walking along looking out for her, seeing her ahead of me. I rapidly caught up but slowed as I approached her. "Is that you Rob?" a voice called out.

"It is," I replied "but how on earth did you know?"

"You drag your foot slightly when you walk, it is most distinctive. The right one I believe. Have you injured it in the past?" I admitted to her that I had in fact broken it many years ago playing football, but had not realised that I had a limp. Once again she had amazed me with her acuity despite not being able to see.

We parted at her door and I had barely had time to get my jacket off when my phone rang. I looked at the display and saw it was Carol. "Rob, I'm sorry to disturb you, but could you possibly come over? Something seems to have happened as nothing works. Alexa won't answer and my fridge seems to have gone off." I told her that I'd be right over and practically ran to her front door. I could hear the house was very quiet and there seemed to be no power, the router lights were all off and none of the appliances in the kitchen wanted to work.

I suspected her power board had tripped and asked her if she knew where it was. She didn't and I spent a short while peering in cupboards to find it, grateful that it wasn't dark. Sure enough one of the circuits had tripped and the main switch was also off. I explained to her what had happened and said I'd turn them back on.

"Please don't," she said, "if I don't know what to do then I'll be reliant on someone to do it if it happens again. Please show me." I admired her attitude.

I guided her to the cupboard under the stairs and helped her squeeze in with me. It was a tight fit and I was conscious our bodies were pressing together, a body I seen in its full glory only recently and I willed my cock to stay soft. I guided her hand to the switches, feeling how soft and small it was. Holding her hand I ran her fingers over the board and explained how they worked. She found the two that had tripped and pushed them back on. We wriggled out hearing the hum from the fridge again.

Her router started going through its reboot and soon everything was back to normal. "I'm so grateful Rob, let me get you a beer." Once more we sat down and I decided that it was now or never.

"Carol, I've something to tell you and an apology to make. Yesterday morning I was at my bedroom window and couldn't help but see into your house. Your bedroom in fact." I swallowed hard. "I could see you come in and you took your towel off and stood naked. I feel I have to tell you this to warn you to keep your curtains drawn while you are changing. Also I must apologise to you unreservedly for looking."

There was silence for what seemed an eternity. Finally she spoke, "And were you offended by what you saw?

"No, not at all."

"Did you like what you saw?"

My mouth was way ahead of my brain, "Yes, I think you have the most beautiful breasts I have ever seen." I swear her mouth turned up at the corners.