Samantha heard herself gasping out loud. If she read a good story on the erotic website she used, this was not unusual, but today, it was astonishment, rather than arousal, that had caused her to fill her bedroom with sound.

Samantha's chosen story had been submitted by someone whose screen name was unfamiliar, but she had decided to see if they wrote in the style she enjoyed. Samantha liked erotic tales that set the scene in a way she could picture, but the steep hill, the old bakery, the playground, and the aroma from the takeaway only the locals knew about? It was the view from her window she was reading about. It simply couldn't be anywhere else.

Samantha decided to send a private message to the author. She knew some would question her immediate openness with a stranger, but her disability made her only able to leave her house rarely, so some safe interaction with someone with a shared interest seemed a good way to pass the time.

'I loved the story. Reading about the view from my window was a little spooky, but it made me feel it had been written for me!'

Jeff was passing time on his computer when a notification arrived to say someone had sent him a message. He was as surprised as Samantha had been by his the shock his scene-setting had caused and he replied immediately.

'Hi. I'm sorry if my story made you jump at the beginning. Thank you for sticking with it. I'll do a walk around five, so if you give me a wave, I'll wave back. My name's Jeff, by the way.'

'I'm Samantha, and I'll look out for that wave from my window," Samantha replied.

Samantha saw Jeff had arrived a few minutes early when she glanced out of her window. She waved in the hope he might look up, and fortunately, he did. She hadn't exactly met her storyteller yet, but she felt there was every chance she would soon.

Having seen Jeff from her window, Samantha wanted to meet him in person. The forwardness in her message to call around and read one of his stories to her would have scared those who looked out for her, but Samantha's stubbornness was a part of her character, and she wouldn't change who she was for anyone.

Jeff saw Samantha's message and responded immediately. He told her he would see her at seven and stand where he had previously done at the agreed time.

Samantha realised Jeff only knew as much about her as she had told him, but she wanted to ensure everything went smoothly. She didn't want him to stand waving and then wonder what to do next.

"My disability means I can't rush to the door and let my knight in shining armour immediately. Don't worry, I'll buzz you and your story in, and I might even consider greeting you at the door if I'm not playing hard to get," Samantha replied.

"Someone whose sense of humour and cheekiness is like mine and lives in the same street? I'll be threatening to strip naked outside the door if you don't let me in!" Jeff said in the last of the messages he and Samantha shared that day.

With the meetup arranged, Samantha decided to browse through some of Jeff's other stories posted on the website they both used.

Samantha liked the way Jeff wrote, although she knew it would not be to everyone's taste. His stories were simple and detailed gentle pleasures. focusing more on emotions, atmosphere, and creativity than most. It left her feeling she knew more about him, which she liked.

Samantha's next task was to contact Misha, her best friend, and the one she always told, if she wanted to place a safety call when going somewhere she was unfamiliar with or in the company of someone she didn't know well. Misha was glad to receive Samantha's call, and she hoped whatever her friend had planned would make her happy.

"I'll update you to let you know all's well by nine," Samantha told Misha in a follow-up message.

Jeff and Samantha's meeting in person followed the agreed-upon plan, and they soon greeted each other with smiles in the doorway of Samantha's flat. They chatted easily about nothing in particular, as Samantha wondered if it would be the height of rudeness to ask Jeff to start reading to her.

Jeff brought up the subject of his story in a way that made it easy for Samantha to steer the conversation elsewhere if she had wanted to. Samantha was convinced this was no accident, and she found herself able to ask for the story with no shyness or awkwardness whatsoever.

Jeff sat next to Samantha to read, and they shared smiles as they did so. The scene setting was just the way Samantha liked it to be, and the emotions described behind a first shared kiss and gentle touch were exactly those felt by Samantha as she listened.

"Your voice is a lovely bonus; it's making this a real treat," Samantha said, playing down the story's effects a little, but for all the right reasons.

Samantha was engrossed in Jeff's description of a sensual massage enjoyed by someone unused to having the chance to do so. Her body was heating with excitement and arousal in a way she had not anticipated, and she laughed at the extent to which what she was hearing was affecting her.

"I never have an orgasm in front of a first date, so I'll have to stop you there," Samantha said with a giggle.

Jeff's return of laughter as he fell silent was exactly what Samantha had hoped for, and she quickly reminded her visitor that a return to see her the following day would not have these annoying rules attached to it.

Samantha's call to Misha was upbeat and focused on the pleasure of listening to Jeff and the way his words had made her feel. Misha heard Samantha telling her about how the evening had come to a close, and she was delighted to discover Samantha had spoken her mind and that Jeff had simply taken her words in his stride and acted upon them immediately.

"You can pick up where you left off tomorrow, as things stand, too, if you want," Misha reminded Samantha.

"I intend to," Samantha said. as the call came to an end.

***

Within ten minutes of Jeff's departure, Samantha was lying on her bed and bringing herself to orgasm with her vibrator. It was something she did without regret, and she wanted to make sure Jeff knew he had played a treasured part in making this a pleasant and urgent event. Samantha never got her hopes up too high, but she felt that if anyone would react to the news with happiness that matched hers, it would be her storytelling neighbour. He did.

Before Samantha's second meeting with Jeff, she sent a message to Misha advising her of her plans for the evening. Misha was delighted to see her friend's update and suggested she follow a similar path to keep herself safe as she had done the previous day.

Samantha had not intended to greet Jeff with a slow kiss on the lips on his arrival; it just happened. She knew he would understand the realities behind it, and the absence of a need for it to be explained felt special.

As soon as their lips parted, Samantha led Jeff into her bedroom and invited him to lie on her bed next to her. Samantha was wearing a loose skirt and blouse, and she smiled as she explained that she had chosen this outfit in case she felt the need to supplement what she heard with something else when the time came.

"If you do, that's fine, but if you don't or need me to stop reading, or go for a walk and leave you alone for while, that's OK too," Jeff said in a whisper.

Samantha smiled at Jeff's words as her mind and body grew impatient to hear the ones from the story.

Jeff spoke about shared laughter, anticipation, and a growing belief in what was happening. He explained how he had undressed Samantha and the slow kisses and gentle massage that had floated onto Samantha's shoulders. arms and breasts. He talked of the feelings of sweetness in Samantha's body, and the words exchanged. Samantha heard and felt everything and it was beautiful.

"This is lovely," Samantha told Jeff, as she could picture everything he said and enjoyed being able to do so.

Jeff explained the fingertips that were caressing Samantha's breasts continued to do so and also stroked her aroused nipples, as they sprung to life. He said the touch was set to slip down her body but would only make their journey once Samantha had given a nod of her head to say she was happy and ready for this to happen.

Samantha was turned on by what she was hearing and was delighted this was the case, but incorporating her shyness into the story and explaining his plans to address this was, in many ways, as erotic and exciting as anything else she would hear him say.

"Beautifully expressed, Jeff, and I'm nodding my head in case you missed it," Samantha whispered, her body ablaze with excitement and electric with the freedom it had found.

Jeff's slow touch eased down Samantha's body and reached the top of her skirt. It was a natural place for pause, and it allowed Samantha the time she needed to decide if and how she wanted things to proceed. Her mind was already made up, and she told Jeff to slip her skirt off, which he did.

Samantha was not being led by the arousal she felt, pleasant though it was. Her thoughts were clear, and her desire to experience what was offered was immense. Her head was now filled with colour, beautiful images, and sweet sounds, and she wanted to feel his touch excite her further so much.

"Make it happen, Jeff," Samantha whispered. as she felt a warm wave in her body and could feel herself wet with anticipation.

Jeff slipped a light touch on Samantha's wet lips and kissed her eager mouth. Samantha's mind and body were screaming to be taken to her version of heaven, and his slow, soft circles made her feel certain they would be. There was one person in the world who she felt understood.

Samantha's body was in the grip of escalating arousal, as Jeff's massage excited her further and erotic sounds began to spill from her mouth. She saw random shapes and colour before her half-closed eyes and a fire of passion licked flames all around her as she twitched and tossed her head.

As the touch deepened and gathered speed, Samantha felt the moment of truth rushing towards her. She had no fear, anxiety, negative thoughts, or concerns. just a need she knew she was on the edge of being met.

Samantha greeted the onset of her climax with a joyful scream as Jeff steadied her body with his own. It was a moment of hope, pleasure, and excitement that was like nothing Samantha had experienced previously, and waves of erotic energy rocked her body and fuelled her powerful release.

Samantha's climax was spectacular and rolled on, as Jeff moved to hold her in his arms. It had been memorable and Samantha wished she had been lucid enough to voice this, but the force of what she was being pleased by was just too much for that to happen.

When Samantha's world began to make sense again, she smiled at Jeff and continued to do so until they got to their feet and floated in euphoria for hours.

Samantha did her best to explain the intensity of the climax she had enjoyed to Jeff, but was distracted by the memories of it when she tried. Fortunately, her face said it all.

Jeff held Samantha in his arms for the remainder of the time he spent with her that day. Samantha did tell him how she had felt over the phone the following morning too.

Samantha spoke of her intense pleasure during the shared experience but also of the liberating way she knew it had made so much more feel attainable. Jeff made sure Samantha knew how much it meant to hear her say this, although the full extent of the awakening was still a long way from being understood.

***

Jeff reacted to the news of Samantha's decision philosophically when she explained it to him. He understood she had decided to find someone who was looking for something more committed than they could create and his wish that she found what she was looking for was genuine. They agreed that their passion for erotic literature made it sensible to keep in touch on that basis, and it was all sorted out in high spirits and with humour.

Samantha continued to read and comment on Jeff's stories, and they lived too close for their paths not to cross from time to time, of course, too. They went for coffee and a chat once in a while and would relive their special moments, talking about them with no awkwardness or regret.

Almost a year had gone by, and so when Samantha sent Jeff a message, he was surprised but delighted to receive it. She had moved a few miles away, but her news was far more exciting, and she was eager to share it.

' Hi, Jeff. I hope you are well. A lot has been happening! I would like you to come to the Arts Centre on Saturday, if you can. I am launching the book I have written of erotic short stories and it would mean so much to me if the man who inspired me and showed me what a well-written piece can do could be there. If you can't make it, you'll be there in spirit, but in person would be special, if you can.'

Jeff typed his response to Samantha immediately. He felt excited on discovering she had achieved what she had and made sure she knew he would be thrilled to accept her invitation to attend.

Samantha's life had been a whirlwind of change, all of it positive. The joy this had brought was enormous, yet Jeff's response felt as important to her as everything else that had happened. She was beside herself with happiness.

Jeff felt sure the launch would see Samantha's attention in high demand. He knew he might not even get to speak with her, but to be close by when her life took another leap into success was something he felt would be a moment he would never forget.

On the day of the event, Samantha sent Jeff a message to say she could not wait to see him. Jeff made sure Samatha knew he was excited to catch up again. He explained he was already looking forward to reading the stories inside the book too.

Although he felt a little out of place at the venue for Samantha's launch, Jeff knew the day wasn't about him. He smiled at the thought of Samantha feeling far more confident than he would have done in her shoes, and it reminded him of the strides she had made through her determination.

As expected, Samantha was in demand and so Jeff moved amongst the others present. When he did so, he was soon approached by a woman.

"Thank you for coming today. Can I ask what brings you here? There are no wrong answers. We're just curious about who has taken the time to attend. I'm Misha, a friend of Samantha's."

Jeff's face beamed with a smile, although he did think an explanation of the reason behind its animation was in order.

"I don't know you, but I know of you. Samantha thinks the world of you, which means I do too. I'm Jeff, the cheeky storyteller chap," Jeff explained.

Misha threw her arms around Jeff as soon as she found out who he was. She was thrilled to meet him and lost no time in explaining why.

"Jeff you're about to hear someone you've never met tell you you're one of her favourite people in the world. Weird? Not if you understand how much I adore my friend, Samantha, it isn't. You're a huge part of why she's here today and celebrating what she's achieved, and I don't care who she's talking to; you and I will be off to find her as soon as I've finished my speech to you.

You came into contact with someone who never wanted more than a chance to feel able to be herself with the people she wanted to be. You didn't see difficulties. You saw opportunities to find ways to overcome them and help someone out of respect for what you saw within, not through pity or a desire to be seen as a good guy. I'll always drop your name if people ask about who inspired Samantha and I know she'll do the same too. There is a lot of superficial talk in the creative world, but if I tell you Samantha and I will always love you, these girls mean it," Misha explained.

Jeff was somewhat taken aback by what Misha had said to him, but he had no time to dwell on it. Misha had spotted Samantha emerging from the toilets and wasn't going to let anyone grab her to talk before she did.

"Look who I've found!" Misha said to Samantha with an excitement nobody else would have understood. Samantha saw Jeff. He was looking rather embarrassed by the attention drawn to him by Misha's shouting, but his face lit up when he saw Samantha looking so confident, happy, and clearly in her element.

After greeting each other with a kiss, Samantha told Jeff she had set some time aside in around an hour in the hope he would agree to a chat. Jeff thought it odd that Samantha would ever consider a situation where he would decline such an invitation, but he guessed the chaos of such a big day had caused the slip,

When Samantha's arranged time arrived, she took Jeff outside and they sat in the car she led him too.

"It's Misha's car, so I know she'll be thrilled our hero has sat in it," Samantha said with the playful giggle Jeff knew he would recognise as hers anywhere.

Samantha began her catch-up by saying her search for the ideal man was over and explaining she had found the ideal woman instead. She told Jeff that her best friend, Misha, was now her lover and life partner and that she was absolutely thrilled about it. Samantha added she could bore Jeff senseless by telling him how brilliant Misha was in the new place she had in her heart, but said she hoped Jeff would take her word for it instead. He did.

Jeff made it as clear as he could that the news Samantha had told him had made his day. He did so with genuine excitement in his voice and a smile nobody could fake. He was prepared to spend as long as it took to persuade Samantha he was speaking truthfully and from the heart. He didn't have to; she knew he was.

When Samantha asked Jeff to bring her up to speed on his life situation, Jeff said his reality wasn't nearly as interesting. Samantha scolded Jeff for his words, although Jeff felt it had been worthwhile just to hear Samantha have the confidence to tell him off.

"I'll keep writing my cheeky stories and share them with people who might appreciate them. I still enjoy it, and I got to know a genuinely unforgettable person through doing this, so I'm owed nothing by my escapism. Anything nice will be just a bonus." Jeff explained.

Samantha made Jeff promise he would continue to be himself, and she told him to stick to what he believed in. She also told him she hoped they could stay in touch to talk about their latest projects and throw ideas around from time to time.

"I won't be much use advice-wise if you're writing from the standpoint of your sexuality, but if a token straight bloke wanders into the plot, I'm all yours," Jeff said, giving Samantha a big hug.

Jeff and Samantha's chat came to an end when Misha came to tell them that Samantha had been asked to speak to the owner of the publishers. Jeff knew this took priority, although Misha told him he wasn't off the hook because she was booked in for a chat with him later, too.

Samantha knew that Misha planned to talk to Jeff already and felt entirely at ease about it. She knew Misha just wanted to be as clued up about what made her tick as she could and understood why she might think Jeff was ideally placed to help.

Misha was excited about having the chance to speak to Jeff. It wasn't about secrets or things she needed to know; it was just an opportunity to speak to someone who understood how wonderful it was to see the real Samantha and discover her qualities as a person and as an erotic one too.

Misha sat next to Jeff in her car for the arranged chat. She explained she just wanted to hear what Jeff had thought to be Samantha's strengths when he got to know her. Misha knew how she would answer her own question, but Jeff's presence just seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

"I've never met anyone who is as determined when they set their mind to something as Samantha. It might not be easy to get to the point where she believes she can achieve something. but once she has, there's no stopping her.

If Samantha decides she backs you on something, she will do so regardless of any opinion that suggests otherwise. She is totally supportive of those who show faith in her, and she would rather hear a painful truth than deceit."

Jeff explained that these were the first thoughts of many that had come to mind when Misha had asked the question, but in the time it took him to say this, Samantha's ability to see things from the perspective of others had come to mind also.

"It's a tough job to name everything, but I guess the first answers coming to mind do so for a reason," Jeff added.

Misha knew Jeff's thoughts would strengthen the faith she had in her own beliefs, and they had done precisely that. She had more questions too.

"What things that you might ordinarily do or say would you avoid with Samantha?" Misha asked.

Jeff began by apologising if his answers covered issues Misha knew about already, but he explained they were the ones he had thought of first.

"Treat Samantha as a victim or as a subject of pity at your peril. Do not accuse Samantha of stubbornness, even though she will use the term about herself. If she won't change her mind on something, she'll have a valid reason and she won't dig her heels in for the sake of it," Jeff said.

Misha hadn't heard Jeff say anything that shocked her, or revealed anything she felt she needed to challenge. What it had done, however, was remind her of how much she and Samantha would always trust and value his opinion.

Misha explained she had one last thing to say to Jeff during her private chat with him. In a different context it would have sounded extraordinary at best, but there was something about the day that had made the favour she wanted to ask seem highly appropriate.

Misha told Jeff that she and Samantha had made many new friends through the stories going into a book and they included people from all walks of life, all ages, and all preferences.

"A couple of days ago, Samantha and I were down here sorting out some of the boring stuff. We got chatting to one of the staff here and she was fascinated by our event and a little of the back story around it.

The young woman told me she loved to listen to erotic stories being read out and that hearing what happened was her thing. She explained she wanted to feel able to create her own audios one day too, but needed to feel confident they were what people wanted to hear before sharing them.

Samantha and I thought of you straight away, Jeff. We're getting on in life and the next generation is what matters. If I go and find Kitty, will you read one of your stories to her in my car? I took the liberty of printing one off in case you said 'yes'," Misha said with a wink and a smile.

Once she had finished talking to Jeff, Misha went to find Kitty. Kitty knew a little about Jeff's inspirational input into Samantha's writing and she was keen to hear him at work.

Jeff sat beside Kitty in the car and read his story out to her. Kitty wanted to learn how more mature people expressed themselves and learn from it. Kitty was touched by what Samantha and Misha had arranged for her, but the fact Jeff's words were making her feel horny wasn't exactly what she had planned to happen.

"You're supposed to be sharing your experience, not making me want to coax out a big one in a car!" Kitty said giggling in way Jeff made sure she knew he wasn't offended by and was delighted to hear.

When Misha saw Jeff had returned from her car alone, she approached him with a puzzled look on her face. Jeff knew he had to put Misha's mind at ease immediately. Samantha was by her side and was aware of what Misha had arranged for Kitty too.

"Kitty told me to tell you she's really happy I've agreed to help her with her creativity and she hopes you won't think it rude that she can't thank you for the introduction right away. Apparently. she's got something she needs to sort out by herself urgently and she told me to tell you she's put something on the seat, in case you're worried about her making a mess."

As Jeff finished speaking, Samantha and Misha threw their arms around him and hugged him tightly with smiles on their faces that said so much. At the end of the embrace, Samantha reached into the bag beside her, passing Jeff a copy of her book with a personal message written inside the front cover.

'For our wise man. We hope he continues to inspire others, S and M.'

When Kitty returned from the car, she passed its keys to Misha with a smile that lit up not just her face, but those of the people who were around her.

"Thank you, ladies. I will learn whatever I can from my tutor and invite you in advance to my book launch. It may be years away. It may never happen, but fantasy can take you anywhere, especially with those who know how to use it by your side."

The future had spoken.