8 comments/ 11331 views/ 20 favorites Unlikely Love By: tyler1496 Author's Note: Thank you for reading my first attempt at writing erotic fiction, "Unlikely Love". This is the first part of the story, so check back for updates. Also, please feel free to leave comments or suggestions; I would really appreciate them. Thank you. Tonight was like any other Friday night; paying off the bouncer to accept my fake idea and grant me access to the popular gay bar/strip club. Not that it was unusual. Several guys that I knew that were no older than sophomores in college regularly attended the club to get hammered, hookup, or both. I usually went to watch the performers, being far too shy and insecure to accept a drunken offer to shag in the backseat of a random guy's car. There was a boy there that I always enjoyed watching, and I would often slip a $20 into his flamboyant underwear when he danced, as a way of showing my approval of his mastery of the stripper pole. His name was Rune, or at least that's what he went by on stage. At 5'5" and scarcely 100lbs, Rune was the quintessential twink. His body flawless, his hair perfectly trimmed and styled at all times, and he always wore a light dusting of makeup to accent his girlish features. He looks to be no more than 18, and at this shady bar it wouldn't surprise me if he was. I'd heard he does "house calls" after hours if you've got a fat enough pocketbook...or penis. I, being a high school senior out on my own, had neither. So every Friday night I'd pay to get into the club, order the same cheap drink, watch the other patrons in various intoxicated states, and would wait until Rune came out to dance. I'd try my best not to drool over the gorgeous boy; when he was finished, I'd place my meager offering into his underwear while blushing madly. Then I'd leave. Same routine, every Friday night for months. However tonight I had a surprise waiting for me. As I walk out to my car, I see someone through my peripherals exit the bar through the side entrance I had just passed. I continue walking, not worried about the shadow looming across the pavement behind me. I hang a left to walk down the alley short-cut I always take to my parking lot, and can hear the footsteps of the other person still following. Slightly worried, as I know I am always the first patron to leave each week, and with the parking lot in sight I quicken my pace. I'm nearly there when a searing pain smashes through my back and I tumble to the black top. As my world begins to fade to the soft black of unconsciousness, I am vaguely aware that someone is reaching under me for my wallet, unclasps my watch, then drops the aluminum baseball bat with which I had just been struck into the nearest dumpster. Finally the pain is simply too much, and I allow the darkness to take me. Sometime in the future -- whether it had been hours or days, minutes or months I could not say-- I can finally make out a voice piercing through the darkness. The voice is definitely male, yet it's light, soft, not heavy and gruff as is common among men. It sounds so sad, saying that it wants someone to wake up. Wake up? Am I asleep? Is it me? With a tremendous amount of effort I crack my eyes, pushing off the embrace of sleep to find myself in a hospital. I try to sit up, but the small exertion is overwhelmingly painful and I cry out. A slight gasp from the window at the end of my room captures my attention and reminds me of the voice I heard pleading with someone to emerge from their comatose state. After several painful seconds I'm able to turn enough to see Rune at my side, looking very tired but sincerely happy. "Rune...? What are you doing here? What...am I doing here?" I ask as I squint my eyes to adjust to the blinding light of the hospital room. "You really don't remember? You were attacked outside of the club. This weekend was my turn to leave early, so I saw the whole thing. I called an ambulance and the police as he was following you, but I didn't step in because I didn't think I'd have been able to do much else. I'm sorry... If it's any consolation, the police caught the guy and you're expected to make a full recovery." Rune's eyes are dark and heavy-looking from an apparent lack of sleep. He looks so different from the boy I see each week on stage. No makeup, hair sticking up slightly in the back, and wearing a pair of jeans and a hoodie. "You look really tired, is there something wrong?" I ask. Rune smiles softly. "I've been waiting for you to wake up. The owners closed the club until the police are done snooping around (don't need them finding out that most of the patrons and all of the performers aren't even out of high school yet.)" He chuckles to himself. "You've been out cold for nearly two full days. Since I was the one who saw you get attacked I at least thought I owed it to you to wait until you wake up. Would you like to use my phone to call your paren..." "No!!!" I shout, entirely too forcefully considering we aren't 3 feet from each other. "I've got to get out of here. I can't afford to have been on an IV for two days, I can barely pay my rent as it is. I..." Rune softly shushes me, and urges me to lie back down. "I've already paid the bill. Considering you've been giving me twenty dollars a week for months now, and you've never asked me to go home with you I felt like I needed to do this. I should probably be going. If you'd ever like to talk, feel free to call me...that is, unless you just like stuffing money down my crotch." He winks coyly before handing me an index card with a telephone number. Then he calmly leaves the room. The effort to sit up and talk for several minutes have taken their toll, and I drift back into sleep. Dressed in my tuxedo with the hot pink vest, I ride towards my date's house. Once the limo has pulled into the gated drive and stopped at the door, the chauffeur opens the door opposite me to allow my date inside. "Wow", Rune says cheerily, "I've always loved limos. They're big enough to have sex in without feeling cramped. After all, it is prom night." He gives me a playful smirk, and I swallow nervously, as I watch my boyfriend sit down, wearing a matching tux with a pink vest (the color scheme being his idea). Never in my life did I imagine I'd end up going to prom with the only child of the wealthiest man in town. Yet here I am, riding to the senior prom with my boyfriend of several months. Before I know it, Rune's crossed over to sit next to me, his hand plopping right onto my crotch. "Just thought we'd get warmed up on the way for what's coming afterwards." He flashes me his mischievous smirk, knowing as well as I do he's going to get laid after the dance, before sealing my lips with his own in a fiery, passionate kiss. We make out in the back seat of the limo until we arrive at our destination. I tip the driver and let him know we'll be leaving to return to his house at 10:30. Inside, are by far the most gorgeous prom decorations I've ever seen. Rune, having decided at the last minute to take charge of the prom planning committee (after deciding we'd be going together, or not at all) certainly had gone all out. His theme is a Valentine's Day on steroids. Red and pink roses are entwined through the archway in which the couples enter and have their pictures taken, as well as adorning most every other surface in the ballroom. The chandeliers in the ballroom have all been turned down to a faint, romantic dimness, and each of the tables are decorated with a large heart, supported on each side by a cupid (naked of course) "Wow..." I look around shocked, at how...pink the grand ballroom at the Marriott had become. "You certainly went all out baby-doll." "Well why else would I have had us wear these flashy vests? They match the room. We're so over the top we blend in!" He leans up to kiss me on the cheek for the camera. As soon as the camera snaps our picture Rune's dragging me out to the dance floor, where he and I remain for the rest of the evening. As soon as my boner dies down from his last session of grinding on me, he starts over, constantly teasing me, wanting me ready for our private after-party. Finally, as much fun as we had dancing with each other (as well as being called down by the teachers present) 10:30 strikes and we make a mad rush to the limo, which is dutifully waiting for us. He's on top of me, in my lap kissing and grinding the entire way back to his place. I throw a wad of money at the driver as he and I remain tangled together and exit the limo. The door slams behind us... The sound of the nurse shutting the door to my room is what rouses me from my soon-to-be wet dream, and I curse under my breath. The days go by, and my back finally heals enough for me to walk normally. I had indeed made a full recovery. I had also, unfortunately, used up the last days of my summer vacation. Rune had come to visit me every day for at least an hour, and we had become pretty good friends. He acts nothing like a spoiled rich kid, or a needy hooker. He's...probably the nicest and most caring person I've ever met. "Hey, sleepyhead. Wake up." Rune shakes me lightly to rouse me from my day dream. "Did you hear what I just said?" "Huh? What'd you say?" I ask, startled out of my thoughts. "Mmmmhmmm, that's what I thought. Already ignoring me." Rune fakes a pouty face, and turns away from me. "Aww Runey, I didn't mean to. I was just thinking...about you actually." Rune doesn't turn around, but I can feel him smiling. "You know since the accident you've easily become my best friend." I turn around so I'm sitting next to him, while once again facing the same direction as him. Our hands just inches from each other. "And you've been great to me too. You never once asked me for my body at the club, and you didn't start acting differently towards me when you found out who my father is. And I want to thank you for that..." Before I realize he's even done it, he'd kissed my cheek. Soft, sweet, quick, yet full of expression. My cheek burns hot on the place his lips had been only a second ago. I glance over to him, only to see him gazing at the ground. Nervously, I slide my hand over to his, and rests it on top. For a moment I'm afraid he isn't going to react, but then he twines his fingers in with mine. And he's smiling. That smile which melts away all the problems in my world. I love that smile. And I think I love the person it belongs to. We sit there, on the school bleachers we've been talking on, holding hands and watching the golden sun sink down below the horizon. So does this mean...I mean...will you....be my boyfriend...? The words are swimming in my mind, as I try to think of a way to ask Rune how he feels towards me without sounding super corny. I'm startled by the weight on my shoulder. I look down to see Rune, his head resting on the crook between my neck and shoulder, his soft hair falling in every direction. I reach my hand down to join hands with his, memorizing how smooth his skin is. It feels like polished porcelain, delicate yet beautiful. Fragile... "Have you had your first kiss yet?" Rune's beautiful eyes have turned up to meet mine, and the question nearly catches me off guard. "No..." I croak out, no more than a whisper. My cheeks flush red at the realization that here I am, 18, and a virgin. Never had a boyfriend. And never been kissed either. The thought is disheartening. "Aww, let's have a smile, shall we?" Rune takes both of his index fingers and turns up the corners of my lips to force me to smile. The action is so cute I giggle in spite of myself. "Now back to the matter at hand..." Rune shoots me a playful smile. "We can't let you get all the way through high school without having your first kiss at least. Now out of the extreme charitableness of my heart, I volunteer to take your kissing virginity." And with that he gets up, plops himself in my lap, with his legs around my middle, and plants his lips on mine. The feeling is better than I'd imagined...it's so tender and intimate, like we're together... All too soon he breaks the kiss, and leans back on his heels. "Sooo, what'd you think?" He grins widely as my face flushes deeply. "Pretty fantastic. Rune would you...I understand if you don't, but umm...would you like to come over to my apartment for a while? That is, if your parents don't want you home right now." Rune rolls his eyes. "Oh please, 'daddy-dearest' couldn't care less where I was. Plus he isn't even in town. It's rare for him to be home for an entire month at a time. But yeah, I'd love to see your place." He kisses my cheek and I smile brightly, hugging him around the waist. We're so close that my erection from kissing rubs up against him. Rune gives me a knowing smile. "That excited from just kissing, huh? Imagine how hard it'd be with my lips wrapped around it." His fingers brush across the bulge for just a moment before he laces his fingers into mine. He stands on his tip-toes, and kisses me again. Only this kiss is different somehow...while the other one was soft, sweet, and innocent, this one pure, unbridled lust and sexual energy. The strain in my jeans only gets tighter as my dick is drawn like a magnet towards Rune and his crotch. But once again, Rune breaks the kiss sooner than I'd have liked. "Come on hot stuff, let's get back to your place." He slips a hand into the back pocket of my jeans, lightly squeezing my butt cheek as we walk back to my car and drive off. I fumble with my keys, trying to unlock my door. Rune is behind me, arms wrapped around me, with his head resting on my back. He's just too cute sometimes. And then there are other times when he seems so sexy and lust driven. Right now I can't decide which I prefer. Finally I'm able to open the door, and in my haste we tumble over each other. After righting ourselves, I let Rune look around...although there's not much to see. I live in a 450 square foot studio apartment. The living room, kitchen, and bedroom are all the same room. One set of sliding doors hides a closet, while another hides a small bathroom. The apartment is no larger in total than a standard living room, but it's all I can afford, living on my own, working, and trying to finish high school. After Rune takes a look around, he flops down onto the mattress of my couch bed, which I hadn't bothered to hide away this morning. "I like it.", he says from across the room. His bright smile and warm tone lets me know he's either sincere, or a fabulous actor. His hand runs over a lump in the blankets, and all the blood drains from my face. "Rune, no don't touch tha...!" Too late. He's already pulled out my dildo that I'd been playing with last night before going to bed. "Hmmm, so my sweet, innocent virgin isn't so sweet and innocent after all, is he?" The look on his face is teasing, but laced with sensuality. Now I understand why I'd always heard guys think with their dicks, because right now it seems like my brain went into sleep mode, and my little head is making all the decisions. "It's okay", he says reassuringly. "I've got probably a dozen different ones back home...of course, the smallest is a good 2" bigger than this. He winks at me, sticking out his tongue for good measure. I just stand there, at a loss for words, and afraid to let my hormones run freely. "So are you going to join me, or am I just going to have to make do with cuddling your dildo?" Rune asks, jogging my brain enough to go lie down next to him, taking the toy away from him and putting it in the nightstand. "Mmm, this is much better." Rune snuggles into my chest and wraps my arms around him. I hold him close, resting my head on his neck. Soon, we both drift off to sleep for an afternoon nap. I don't know how long I was asleep, but I'm definitely awake now. A warm wetness is surrounding my penis; the feeling is amazing. I open my eyes to see I'm naked from the waist down, and my boyfriend is on his knees at the foot of the bed, with my cock in his mouth. I let out a soft moan, as the scene before me is something straight out of one of my wet dreams...although there's really nothing straight about it. "Rune..." I call his name softly, relishing in the way his velvety lips wrap exquisitely around me. He looks up, his eyes are bright and lively, and he smiles around my length before pulling off. "Isn't a blow job just the best wake-up call you could ever ask for?" He asks while smiling sweetly as he leans up for a kiss. My lips meet his, and I can faintly recognize the smell of my own musk on his lips. "That was incredible babe...I just wish I'd been awake for more of it." "The sounds you were making in your sleep were adorable when I started sucking you off. I've always wanted to see how a virgin reacted to his first blow job. You're a lot of fun to give head to. Plus you're packing more than just the standard equipment." He grins up at me as he leans back against my chest, and reaches down to stroke my 7 inches. I'd always thought that I had an above-average dick, but I never really gave it much consideration before. Plus I assumed that if I did ever have sex, the other guy would automatically assume that I was a bottom, as I don't like to be in control. I bite my lower lip, and my attention snaps back to Rune as he traces the contours of my cock head lightly with a fingertip. "Teasing you is just too much fun baby." He laughs as he wraps his full hand around the head and twists, enjoying the way I buck my hips and moan. "You just react sooo much." "It's all...just so new...Runey..." I look Rune deeply in the eyes, a hunger that I've never felt before demanding to be satisfied. I press my lips to Rune's, bucking my hips into his fist in an attempt to appease my burning lust. Rune parts his lips, and I push my tongue through, determined to feel the warmth of his mouth in one way or another. His tongue swirls lusciously around mine as I begin to learn the ropes of kissing. But I need more. So much more. I need.... Rune breaks the kiss and starts attacking my neck with rough kisses and bites, leaving a trail of hickeys and bruises in his wake. I'm almost hypnotized by the way his hips swing and his ass shakes as he makes my body feel so good, so alive. That's when it clicks. "Rune I want to fuck you." I state very matter-of-factually. "Mmmm that sounds like fun..." He licks his lips, undoubtedly imaging my 7" rod pounding him into the mattress. "Don't worry, I'm clean." He informs me, as he works to rid himself of clothes. "You're the only guy I'd let come near my hole without a condom, but I definitely wanna feel that thick cock of yours bareback." His words are like an aphrodisiac, and are no less potent, as a rush of blood seems to make my cock even harder...if that's possible. Who cares? My boyfriend is butt naked in front of me, and that's all I can think about. Rune's on his back, knees almost to the mattress behind his ears and the sight of him in such an open, vulnerable position sends a spark through me that I can only describe as primal. Lubed only with his spit, I tease Rune's willing ass cheeks apart with my virgin dick. Rune makes a muffled whimper, whether sensing my growing need to be dominant or if that's the sound he makes when he's horny and begging I don't know. I find my target, the delicate hole separating me from worlds of pleasure. Mindlessly I push forward, willing myself to sink past his sphincter muscles and into his warmth. The feeling is better than I'd ever imagined, and I continue pushing farther and farther into him. Rune squirms beneath me, a blissful look showing me he's enjoying it just as much as I am. "Fuck....m-more..." He begs softly, and I'm all too happy to let go of my last few mental reservations and plow the remaining five inches straight into him. Unlikely Love Rune lets out a high-pitched, girlish scream, letting me know I'm doing something right. His cock is drooling more precum than I've ever heard was possible. But it's hard to think with my cock buried in his ass. I pull out, his hole constricting around me in an effort to draw me back in. The feeling is amazing, and I ram my whole cock in again, so I can experience his asshole massaging my cock again and again. Rune's worked himself up into a frenzy, his body (and my sheets) covered in his sexual fluids. I can feel the end approaching...it just feels way too good to stop now. I push all the way in, and start banging him with short, rapid thrusts. Rune's eyes go wide and his moaning gets ten-times louder when I change positions to get a better angle. "Fuck...babe, there! Oh fuck, harder...right there!" His hand flies to his cock, jacking himself off so fast you'd think he'd been in chastity for a week. Within seconds his cock shoots stream after stream of cum onto him: the first hits his cheek/chin, the second his chest, and the rest coat his belly. The sight, as well as the feeling of his muscles clamping down around me send me into my orgasm, and I shoot a pretty impressive load inside of him. Exhausted, I collapse next to him, and cuddle him close to my chest. "That...was...amazing..." I tell him, breathlessly. "Welcome to the world of sex, baby. You did great; I'd forgotten how great it felt to have my prostate touched..." He spoons the cum on his body onto a finger, looks at me with big, innocent eyes, and slowly and deliberately licks it clean. The sight is beyond sexy, and although I just emptied my balls, watching him do that starts a stirring in my loins. But I'm too tired to act on it. "Would you like to spend the night here, sweet-cheeks? It's getting late. That way we can ride to school together tomorrow." "Silly..." He boops my nose with the finger he'd just licked clean. Tomorrow is Saturday. No school. "Then today's Friday...you...you didn't go to the club...?" "I wanted to spend time with you. I've been thinking about quitting for a while now. I don't need the money, I do it for attention since sitting for weeks alone in my house is boring. But I've got a boyfriend to entertain me now." He starts tickling me, and I giggle and squirm, trying to get away. He straddles my waist, and continues his ticking barrage for several minutes until we're both laughing so hard neither of us can breathe. "I...I love you Rune..." He stares deeply into my eyes, then his eyes fill with tears. He throws himself against my chest, and hugs me tight. " I...I love you too. So much. " Both of our lives have been pretty much perfect. We go back and forth between each others' houses to stay after school, sometimes going out to dinner or to see a movie on a Friday night. The club owner was pissed when Rune walked in 20 minutes late to his shift (after having missed the last one entirely), tossed the key at him and said "bye bitch". I'd heard some pretty awful things about him anyway, not just from Rune. So now I have a boyfriend. Me, this socially awkward wall flower is dating the cutest boy in school. Of course we behave while we're in public...okay, that one time we fucked in the janitor's closet at school doesn't count, and lots of people screw around in the back of movie theaters. And then that one time he jacked me off under the table at the restaurant wasn't really sex...so yeah, we behave in public. So anyway I'm brushing my hair, having let it grow out a little longer for Rune who constantly teases that it looks like my hair is in the military, although I didn't make the cut (him and his corny puns...). I'd told him I'd be over at his place around 5:30, as I needed to grab enough stuff to last me the weekend staying over there, plus I had to pay my rent. When I pull into the forever-long driveway of Rune's opulent house, I see a car I'd never noticed in front of the house (which it's an easy thing to miss a car in his driveway, as his father collects sports cars, and keeps seven or eight outside for display (his cheaper ones of course, the Corvette, the Porsche, the Maserati, etc... You know, the cheap stuff. *eye roll*) When I unlock the front door with the key I've had for weeks now, I'm faced with the most heart-wrenching, and equally rage-inducing sight I could imagine. My precious Runey, tears streaming down his black and blue face, one eye almost swollen shut, with several open cuts on his arms, is lying on the floor in the fetal position, trying to protect himself from the large, burly man standing above him, beating him with a thick, leather belt, not caring if it's the leather or the steel buckle that hits him, or where the blows land. Whether it was a few seconds, or several hours I stood there frozen, watching this display I have no idea. Finally I'm able to yell. "Stop!!! Leave him alone!" I rush up to Rune's father and push him away from him. He turns to face me, his face red and contorted in anger. "And who're you? Another one of my faggot son's fuck buddies? Is that it? Came over to get laid while I was gone, huh? You're so disgusting boy..." He brings his arm down again to strike Rune, and before I even realize I've stepped in front of him, the belt buckle smacks into the top of my head, and I see stars... I sink to my knees in pain, as I dimly register Rune stirring to his feet and arguing with his dad. I'm so dazed the words they're saying don't make sense, but I feel Rune's warm, soft hands helping me up and leading me out the door and to my car, his father bellowing from the front door. Rune helps me sit down in the passenger's seat, straps himself in behind the wheel, and drives to my apartment. "Rune..." I manage weakly. He turns to look at me; he's badly bruised, and looks emotionally dead. "Rune, baby...what happened that made him do that to you..." He looks so sad, and at first I think he's not going to tell me. "Evidently my alias wasn't as good as I'd thought it was. While I might not attract celebrity caliber paparazzi, evidently the son of the wealthiest man on this side of the country still draws some attention. Apparently one of the guys who'd paid me to fuck with him while I worked at the club was a journalist for a tabloid magazine. His place was rigged and he caught the entire fuck session on camera. He wants $100,000 from my father or he'll let the video go viral. I told him I didn't care if it went on the Internet or not, and that's when he started beating me: not because I'd been selling myself for attention, or that I didn't care if there was a porno of me out...it was that I was ruining HIS name..." He starts crying again, and it's hard not for me to pull him into my arms and hold him, but the busy streets and the cramped car we're in prevent me. So I wrap an arm around his shoulders until we get back to my place. When we're there I quickly let us both in, and guide Rune to lie down on the bed. I tuck him in gently, and go into the kitchen to heat up a pot of chicken broth to start dinner. Once the soup I'm making is left to simmer I grab a cool wash cloth and gently dab Rune's battered face. Rune smiles up at me, and I can see the love for me in his eyes, undiluted from the fear and pain he must be feeling. "You're so good to me. Everything I could ever want you've given me: affection, companionship, respect. I love you so much" "I love you too Rune. You mean the world to me." I take his hand in both of mine, holding it gently. This beautiful angel deserves the very best life imaginable, not the terrible one fate dealt him. In that moment, my love for him grew to an even deeper level. For some reason Rune starts giggling, and it rouses me from my thoughts. "What's so funny, babe?" I ask, slightly confused. "Wellll...I think I smell your soup burning love". He sticks his tongue out at me, while I go try and salvage what's edible. "You don't need to make anything fancy sweetie, just a couple of sandwiches would be fine. I'm not picky." Knowing the soup is ruined, I slice some bacon, fry it with a couple of eggs, and mix up some pancake batter. Now we both need a bit of comfort food, and mine happens to be breakfast. "How do you want your eggs cooked, Rune?" "However you make yours. Just as long as they don't end up like the soup". His sass is one of my favorite qualities about him. He's not afraid to say exactly what he thinks. I pile the food onto two plates, and carry them into the living room. "Mmm it all looks great." Rune hugs me and kisses me sweetly, and it's the most adorable thing in the world, getting to see a smile on his face. "No problem. Anything for you babe". Unlikely Lovers "Burn yerself out studyin' Tess?" I glanced from staring into the bottom of my empty coffee cup to see Joe, one of the old men that came into Quick-N-Good, smiling at me. I must have looked as bad as I felt because his smile faded. He sat across from me and took a sip of coffee. I went back to staring into the empty cup. "Trouble with school... or boyfriend trouble?" I gave a half hearted chuckle over the last part and shook my head. Since entering the respiratory therapist program, all I had time for was work, school, and studying. Now it looked like my hard work was for nothing. I figured Joe was just making conversation, like he always did. He didn't care my world was crumbling and I didn't want to hear his fake pity. I put on the best cheerful expression I could muster and looked up at him. What I saw can only be described as a fatherly expression, like he was waiting for me to unburden my problems so he could make it better. I stared at him for what seemed like an hour, but was probably less than a minute. He patiently waited, sipping his coffee. Those soft hazel eyes of his remained fixed on me, urging me to tell him. Maybe it was that look, I'm not sure, but I just spilled out what had to sound like a soap opera episode only it really happened...to me. "I had a fight with my mom and left home. I've been sleeping here for the past two weeks. You know Sharon, the manager. She came in early today and caught me. She threatened to fire me if I ever do it again. I can't afford school and a place to live. I'm gonna have to quit school." Joe rubbed his hand over his facial stubble. "No chance mom will let you move back home?" I shook my head. "Too many things were said that can't be taken back." Sharon came around with the coffee and refilled Joe's cup. She gave me the 'break's over' look. I nodded my head and held up my cup with my fingers about an inch apart. "Only a couple more minutes, I promise." She glanced at Joe, then back to me. She poured the short refill. Her look said I was pushing it. I turned my attention back to Joe. His eyes narrowed and his brow wrinkled. I sensed the conversation wasn't over. I was right. "Your friends may buy it Tess, but I don't. Why you really sleeping here?" I'd told Sharon about the fight, not what caused it. Joe was waiting, watching me. "My mom's boyfriend. I didn't hear him come home. I was in my room changing when he grabbed me. I was partially dressed when mom came home and found us. He shoved me on the bed and hurried over to her. He said I asked him to fix my light and then attacked him. He was trying to fight me off. "I said her boyfriend was lying. He was trying to rape me. The sleazy bastard gave me the creeps; the way he looked at me when she wasn't around." I must have lowered my voice because when I looked up he was leaning over the table. His brow was still wrinkled. I took a sip of coffee; he did too. "Her boyfriend looked shocked. I figured he was history. Mom would throw him out." Joe's face became blurry. I felt a handkerchief pressed into my hand. It took a moment to get it back together and clear the tears. "I underestimated the bastard. He put on this sad face; took mom's hand and looked into her eyes. He said he tried to avoid me, but I wouldn't leave him alone. He'd thought about telling her before, but didn't want to cause trouble. He was hoping I'd give up and leave him alone, but lately I'd gotten worse. Now I'd tried to undress him, and when he stopped me, I threatened to tell her that he'd offered money for sex. Next thing I know, mom's screaming at me to get the hell out. That bastard's standing behind her with this shit-eating grin. How could she believe that son of a bitch over her own daughter?" Joe looked down at his coffee cup and slowly turned it. He looked at me for a moment and swallowed the last of his coffee. "When do you get off Tess?" "We close at ten. I'm outta here by ten thirty if it's slow and we can do some of the clean up before closing, otherwise eleven. Why?" "Meet me at the Denny's by the interstate when you finish. I'll buy the coffee." He reached over and lightly patted my arm. I know it was a simple gesture, but it made me feel like someone cared that I had a problem. "We'll figure out an answer to your problem." He watched me for a minute; maybe waiting for me to say something. Finally he stood. "So, I'll see you tonight?" I thought about it a moment. I had nothing to lose listening to his idea. "Yeah, I'll be there...thanks for listening." He nodded and walked away. I returned to the counter and Sharon's icy glare. ~*~ A waving hand from a booth by the windows caught my attention. I saw Joe lean into the aisle and waved back. He must have signaled the waitress because she miraculously appeared with the coffee. I didn't give much hope to Joe having the solution. I didn't see a quick fix to my problem. I came up with living in my car and asking around if someone needed a roommate to share the rent. My other choice was forget school and find a furnished apartment. The weather was my concern right now. The radio said freezing temperatures until the weekend. It added to my nervousness about living in the car. I heard Joe clear his throat, and looked up to see him watching me. He looked tired. I set down the spoon and gave him my complete attention. "Tess, I'm too tired to just sit around, so I'll give you my idea. I live about six miles away near Sandy Creek. I have a spare bedroom you can use for as long as you need. My conditions are there will be no parties or boyfriends staying over. You help with the housework as payment." This was too good to be true...and that's why the red warning lights started flashing big time. People who weren't family didn't offer help like this without strings. "Why you doin' this Joe? If it's to fuck the black girl, you're out of luck. I'm not lookin' for a sugar daddy." Joe looked around to see if anyone was staring at us. His face was ashen, except for a slight red tinge in his cheeks. He leaned over the table; his voice a little above a whisper. "You got the wrong impression; that isn't why I offered to help. I like you...you talk to me when I come in. I listen. You're not like those other kids, just looking for the next good time. You're trying to make something out of your life. You've hit a bad patch. I'm just offering a helping hand, no strings." He leaned back and stared out the window. I could see the hurt on his face. I'd acted like a real ass. What was I thinking blurting that out? You'd think I'd have learned a little tact in college. He'd offered a helping hand, and I slapped his face, kicked him in the gut, and called him a dirty old man. He didn't deserve that. "Joe, I'm sorry. I figured you were like all the rest. Men I've met assume they have the right to rub, squeeze, or grope if I so much as accept a drink. I hope you can understand my concern when you offered a place to stay." Joe turned back from the window. The hurt look was still there, but starting to fade. "I'm sorry Tess. I hadn't thought about how it would sound to you. I have the spare bedroom and you needed a place to stay. I didn't think about it sounding like a request for sex. Must be an age thing. Believe me, expecting sex never crossed my mind. If you can't accept my offer and you're ready to leave, follow me to the motel next door and I'll rent you a room for a couple of days. It'll give you time to find a place to live." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I insinuate he's a predator, and he still offers to help. I reached over and covered his hand with both of mine. The man was a genuine knight in shining armor. "Thanks for the offer, but if it's okay with you, I'd like to try your spare room and see if it works out." ~*~ I followed behind him as Joe drove north out of Stockwell and into the countryside. We turned off the highway and zigzagged our way down two lane asphalt roads until he turned onto a gravel drive. We traveled a few hundred feet more before stopping under a yard light by a small ranch style house. I saw Joe's headlights go out, so I did the same and turned off the car. I got out and looked around. I'd never been in the country at night. It was nothing like night in the city. This was dark... very dark and quiet. "Tess." I turned to find Joe standing a couple feet away. "I'll help you carry in your stuff. Give me something and I'll go unlock the door." I handed him a garbage bag of clothes and pulled another out for myself. He took that one too and headed for the house. I grabbed a bag and hurried to catch up. Joe flipped on the lights and held the door for me. I took a couple of steps inside and dropped my bag. It was like stepping back in time. When I was little, my grammie had an overstuffed couch like his only it was green, not maroon. "Before you ask, everything came with the house when I bought it. The realtor said it was an estate sale. The daughter lived out of state and took what she wanted. I could have the rest or the seller would pay to have it removed. I know it doesn't look great, but it's functional." "It looks nice and cozy. You mentioned being tired. Why don't you show me where my room is so you can get some sleep. I have an early class myself." Joe picked up the bags he carried in and walked across the room into a hallway and turned right. Seconds later, a light came on. I picked up my bag and headed for the light. It must have been the daughter's room; pastel green walls and lacy ivory curtains. There was a full size bed with a steel tube head and footboard of chipped cream colored paint covering the original flat black. A handmade patchwork quilt of pink and ivory covered the bed. A homemade rectangular nightstand with one shelf was painted the same color as the headboard and held a small hobnail lamp with a pink shade. An old dark wood dresser against the far wall looked to be a hand-me-down. Setting on top of it was a white hobnail vase holding three plastic pink roses and some plastic greenery. Bare nails and faded outlines gave evidence that someone's memories once decorated the walls. Joe looked at my three black garbage bags we'd set by the dresser. "You got anything else to bring in before I go to bed?" "I have two bags left. If you can give me a hand, I'd appreciate it." Joe brought in the one bag and I struggled with the other. I opened the closet and looked inside. I could see a dozen wire hangers on the wooden rod. I couldn't see one so I waved my hand hoping to find the pull string for the light. "The closets don't have lights, so don't bother looking for one." I turned to see him watching me. He pointed toward the hallway. "You passed the bathroom. You'll see towels and other bathroom stuff on the shelves once you close the door. My room is at the other end of the hall." I heard Joe running water in the bathroom as I began emptying a bag to see what I brought with me. I'd hurriedly grabbed whatever I could and stuffed them in black garbage bags. My dirty clothes were tossed in with the clean. I had books and other stuff mixed in with the clothes. All I wanted to do was get the hell away from there. I tossed the clothes that were dirty or too wrinkled in a pile to be washed. The clean wearable ones were either hung up or folded and placed in the dresser. Non clothes were set on the floor in the vacant corner of the room. Joe knocked lightly on the door frame. I looked over my shoulder to see him standing in the doorway, still dressed in the clothes he'd worn tonight. "If you've no questions, I'm goin' to bed. Five thirty will come too soon tomorrow or should I say today?" "Night Joe, and thanks. I'll grab a shower in a minute and z-out myself. Could you get me up when you do, I have a class at eight? I'll look for my alarm clock tomorrow." "I'll wake you as soon as I start the coffee. Sleep well." I watched him walk down the hallway and close his bedroom door. A minute later, the light shining under his door went out. As nice as he seemed, I was still feeling uneasy and decided to be cautious around him. I finished the bag I'd started to unpack and then called it a night. The shower felt wonderful after having to wash up in Quick-N-Good's restroom. I felt a little better that the bathroom door locked. I'd grabbed a tee shirt and fresh underwear to sleep in, but still wore my jeans to the bathroom and back. My anxiety returned when I closed my bedroom door and saw it didn't lock. My mind went into overdrive thinking the worst. I sat up in bed and listened for his footsteps. I woke to find myself slumped against the hard headboard. It was still dark outside and Joe never came. I piled some books against the door, slipped out of my jeans, and climbed under the covers. I lay on my side watching the door until sleep once again claimed me. ~*~ "What the hell!" The loud intrusion to my peaceful slumber brought a scream as I leaped out of bed. It was just getting light outside. I squinted at the light coming through the doorway to see Joe looking from me to the books now scattered across the floor. The expression on his face was one of shock, which soon turned to sadness over my lack of trust. "I'm sorry Joe, but when I found the door didn't lock I couldn't sleep. All these images kept flashing in my mind." Joe nodded his head. As he walked away, he looked like he was regretting his offer. I dressed and took my purse to the bathroom for the only mirror I knew of in the house. I ran my pick through my short natural cut. I would have loved to have straight, shoulder length hair, but the extra expense was out of the question until school was finished. The way Joe looked, school could be over. I put on the only lipstick I'd found, frosted pink, and hoped that woman in the mirror could save me. I felt the tension as soon as I entered the kitchen. Joe was sitting at the table eating cold cereal. His other hand gripped his mug of steaming coffee. He glanced my way, then returned to his breakfast without acknowledging my existence. An empty mug was in front of the coffeemaker. He'd placed a loaf of wheat bread next to the toaster and a box of Cheerios on the counter. I filled the mug and sat across from him. I wasn't sure what I was going to say, but I needed him to forgive my mistrust again. I needed this place if I wanted to finish school. I sipped my coffee and for the first time really looked at Joe. I'd noticed the short chestnut hair turning silver and brown-green hazel eyes before along with the relaxed smile that was missing today. His face looked older with more lines than I remembered. He also had a scar below his right ear that I'd never noticed either. From this angle, his bushy two-toned mustache hid his upper lip. "Joe." I waited until he looked at me. "I want to apologize for the way I acted. You've done nothing to warrant my behavior. You've been nothing but wonderful. All I can say in my defense is everyone I've ever trusted has let me down. I promise to try real hard not to act like an untrusting ass again. Will you please forgive me?" I saw a little smile appear. "Some part of you must trust me. You were sleeping like the dead. I knocked twice before I tried to open the door. I was worried you'd oversleep." I smiled back, feeling a little sheepish. "The rest of me wants to trust you too." "You better eat something if you've gotta be at the college by eight. It's at least twenty minutes farther than you've been driving. When you comin' back? I can't find the other house key, so I'll stop after work and have one made." I had to stop a minute and think about my day. "I've got two classes today plus working the lunch rush. I won't be back until at least five." Joe scribbled something on a piece of paper he got off the counter by the phone and stuck it in his shirt pocket. He brought the coffee carafe back to the table and topped off my mug before returning to the counter and filling a thermos. It was then that I noticed Joe had an old black lunchbox on the counter. He fitted the thermos inside and closed the lid. "Time for me to go. Lock the door when you leave and I'll see you around five." I assumed I was forgiven. Joe got my best smile, complete with dimples. I listened to him drive off and then made myself a bowl of cereal. I made sure to clean the kitchen before I left for school. I wanted Joe to see he made the right decision. ~*~ I got to Joe's a little before six. I missed my turn and got lost. I had to return to the first asphalt road and try again. I was greeted by the sound of manual labor when I stepped inside the house. I found a tool box by the bathroom and Joe making racket on the other side of the closed door. I tapped on the bathroom door. "Joe, I'm back." "Be out in a minute. What time is it?" "After six. I got lost." I heard a 'shit' as something hit the floor. "This took longer than I thought. I was going to fix dinner. Can you heat the oven for that pizza in the freezer?" Wow, he cooked. Joe was at Quick-N-Good so often I assumed he ate out every night. "I'll take care of it. Anything else you want with it, maybe a salad?" "That was my plan. The stuff's in the fridge." I set the oven temperature and began working on the salad. Joe had bought a tomato, a large bag of chopped romaine and leaf lettuce, and a bottle of French dressing. I made two individual salads and started the pizza. I heard Joe still working. "Fifteen minutes 'till dinner Joe." "Almost done, just have to clean up." I turned as he walked into the kitchen carrying the tool box. He opened a door I thought led out to the yard, to reveal another room. He set his toolbox on the floor in the corner and turned around to catch me looking inside. It was small, but had room enough for a washer and dryer. There was a shelf above them with detergent, assorted cleaners, a bucket, and an assortment of small boxes and coffee cans with paper notes taped on them. Joe smiled as he made an exaggerated sweep with his arm. "This is the utility room. Washer and dryer. Broom, mop, and other cleaning things are hanging next to you. This other door goes outside. There's a small building out back with the riding mower and other junk that doesn't need to be in the house. This completes the fifty cent tour. Ain't much, but it serves my needs. I'll wash up and be right back." I had the table set when he returned. I'd put glasses of water on the table because I didn't think he wanted coffee with pizza and I hadn't found anything else to serve. He looked at the table and I heard a 'shit' for the second time tonight. Joe went into the utility room and returned a minute later carrying two big bottles of Coke, one regular and the other diet. "I left them on the back steps to get cold. They're too big for the fridge. I knew you drank soda; I didn't know if it was diet or not so I bought both." I emptied the glasses in the sink and put a couple of ice cubes in each glass. "I'll have the regular." Joe set aside the Diet Coke and filled both glasses with Coke Classic. We began eating in silence. I watched Joe as he picked the sliced tomato off the salad and set it on his plate. I picked at my salad, not being that fond of French dressing. We both removed the green peppers from the supreme pizza he'd bought. I noticed Joe was watching me with interest. We evidently came to the same conclusion. We knew each other, but didn't know anything about each other. I giggled at our situation and that brought a chuckle from Joe. He stabbed a chunk of tomato with his fork and held it at eye level. "I've hated fresh tomatoes since I was a kid. I thought I saw you eat a salad with tomato on it, that's why I bought it. You picked at the salad. You hate tomatoes too?" Unlikely Lovers I shook my head as I tried to stop giggling long enough to answer. "No, I like tomatoes. I'm not a big fan of French dressing. I prefer creamy Italian. I see we both don't like green peppers. I have to say I'm surprised that you were going to make dinner. I just assumed you ate out." Joe gave me that relaxed smile of his. "I thought about meeting you at Quick-N-Good for dinner, but didn't think you'd want to eat there twice in one day. This was pushing the extent of my culinary skills. I'm more the 'pack the lunch box' type of cook; you know sandwich, chips, and a few cookies with a thermos of coffee. If you looked in the cupboards, you found canned soup, chips, bread, cookies, cheerios, and a small box of crackers. There's a drawer full of little condiment packets from the takeout joints I've frequented." He was quiet for a moment, like he was deciding about something. I think I leaned closer so I wouldn't miss a word. "I've seriously considered improving my diet...but then I realized I'd have to buy and learn how to use a microwave." He got an impish grin on his face with those laugh lines around his eyes prominently displayed. I started to feel embarrassed at being taken in like that, but that look on his face made me a giggling schoolgirl. "It's good to see you smile again Tess. You're a very beautiful young woman, but you're even more radiant when you're happy." I put my hands over my face to hide my embarrassment. I've always seen myself as an okay looking woman; short, a little overweight, with breasts a little smaller than I'd like and my behind just the opposite. The only time I heard how beautiful I am is when some guy was trying to get lucky. Joe didn't have that look on his face. He looked like...Joe. He said it with the same expression and tone of voice as if he was telling me the sun was shining. That's what made it so embarrassing. I slowly lowered my hands to see him watching me. "It wasn't my intention to embarrass you. I just wanted to tell you how good it is to see you smile again. Last night you told me about your mom and her boyfriend. Any other family? What about your dad?" "I never knew my dad. Grammie told me he ran off when mom was pregnant with me. I have an older sister, Patsy. She's married and lives outside Atlanta. We lived with my grandparents until a couple of years ago when gramps died. A few months later Grammie went to live with Patsy. She said it was because she wanted to spend time with her grankids. Later she told Patsy it was because she kept hearing sounds like gramps was in the house. Grammie made some deal with mom for the house." Joe put our plates in the sink while I refilled our glasses. When he sat down, he removed some keys from his shirt pocket and set them on the table. "I remembered the house key. Get your key ring before I lose this one." I went to the coat tree in the living room and removed my keys from my coat pocket. I handed them to Joe and watched as he added a silver key and two brass keys to my key ring. "Come with me." Joe walked toward the hallway and I followed...right into my bedroom. Joe pointed to the shiny new door knob. "The silver key is for the front door. The two brass keys fit this lock on your door. You can lock it when you leave if it makes you feel more comfortable. You have the only two keys." Joe closed the door and showed me a second lock higher up on the inside of the door. "You can only unlock this one from the inside. When you lock both at night, the only way in is to break down the door. I added a second lock to the bathroom door too." What he'd done shocked me. It was a sudden impulse; I stood on my tip toes and kissed Joe on the cheek. "Thank you, this is totally unexpected... and very much appreciated." I stammered out my admiration to a scarlet-cheeked Joe. He just looked at me. I think my initial reaction stunned him. His face returned to its normal color, but he hadn't moved... or spoken. I would have loved to know what was going on inside his head. His relaxed smile returned as he ran a hand though his salt-and-pepper hair. "I'm going to go soak the dishes, and then catch the news. I'll take care of the dishes before I go to bed." I shook my head. "Go listen to the news. I'll take care of the dishes. That was part of the agreement." He walked out of the room. I smiled when he touched his kissed cheek once he was in the hallway. I washed the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. Before going to my room, I stuck my head inside the living room doorway to tell Joe goodnight. The all-news radio station was updating the weather. Joe was sitting in the overstuffed chair with what looked like drug store reading glasses perched on the end of his nose and the evening paper crumbled in his lap. His eyes were closed; his breathing slow and steady. I thought about waking him, but he looked so natural, like he'd done that on many evenings. I went to my room telling myself to check on him before I went to bed. I dragged one of the bags next to the bed and found my clock radio. Ignoring the flashing twelve, I dialed in my favorite station. I'd set the time before bed. All I wanted right now was music. My routine of dirty clothes tossed in a pile by the window, clean clothes on the bed, and non clothes set on the floor was working better than I'd imagined. I was working on the last bag with I heard a knock and saw Joe standing in the doorway. "I'm going to take a shower and go to bed. You need me to wake you tomorrow?" "Nah, I'm good. I'll set my clock when I stand up. See ya in the morning." Joe hesitated like he wanted to say something else, then nodded his head. "Night Tess. It was close to midnight when I put away the clean clothes and set the clock. The light was out in Joe's room when I went for my shower. After a relaxing shower, I got back into my room and shut the door. I looked at the two new locks and thought about leaving them unlocked, but the relationship was still too new for me to be comfortable. I locked the door and slid under the covers. ~*~ Weeks turned into months. I felt more comfortable around Joe, but not enough to leave the door unlocked. That changed with a spring thunderstorm. Ever since I was a small child thunderstorms scared me to death. Patsy and I shared a room. She'd let me crawl in bed with her whenever the thunder woke me up. After Patsy left, I learned to control my fear by staying up and reading or listening to the radio until the storm passed. When this one rolled in just before bedtime, I stayed in bed and read, figuring it would pass through in a few minutes. The minutes began ticking by, but the storm seemed to get stronger. The window began rattling from the wind and the deluge of rain pounding on the house. The lightning flashes intensified until the thunder seemed to never end. Reading wasn't helping. I slid under the covers and tried to remain calm. Even with my bedside light on, I started trembling each time a lightning flash lit up my room, knowing the thunder was only a moment away. A brilliant flash lit up the room. I swear I could hear the crisp, crackling of the air being split, followed immediately by thunder so loud it shook the house. My room fell into total darkness as the light and clock died. I tightly clutched my extra pillow as my childhood fears resurfaced. The storm seemed to know it was winning as it continued to pound and shake the house. I pulled the covers over my head and curled into a ball, praying the storm would move away and leave me alone. "Tess? Tess are you okay? Tess, answer me please." I stuck my head out of the covers about the time another flash followed by a boom that shook the house. Joe was tapping on the door. "Tess, you screamed. What's the matter?" I leaped out of bed and fumbled with the locks until the door opened. Joe wasn't ready for the terrified woman that threw herself at him and we ended up on the floor with me on top holding tightly against him. I think I knocked the wind out of him because he rolled us on our sides, with me still clutching him tightly. "Tess, what's wrong?" The lightening kept flashing followed by the rumbling thunder. My voice sounded like a frightened little girl. "Thunder...I'm afraid of thunderstorms...have been since I was little." I grabbed him even tighter when he moved, thinking he was going to push me away. His arms encircled me; one on my waist; the other softly, slowly, rubbing my back. He didn't say a word; just continued to comfort me on the hallway floor as the storm raged. "Joe, can I sleep with you?" I think the words shocked me as much as they did him. The rubbing stopped and he just held me. I lay there listening to his heart beat; counting the seconds; praying he wouldn't refuse. It was becoming one of the longest minutes of my life. "Come on, let's get some sleep. This storm doesn't sound like it plans to leave any time soon." He took my hand and led me into his room. Placing my hand on the edge of the bed, he let go. I slid under the covers and waited as he moved to the other side and climbed in. I moved until I felt him against my side, and then grabbed his arm and pulled it over me like a protective cover. I held his arm against me as I snuggled closer until I could feel his breath in my hair. The rolling thunder continued to shake the windows, but I no longer cared. I closed my eyes content in the safety of Joe's arms. I awoke to the ticking of a mechanical clock; something I hadn't heard since my childhood. The room was still dark; the storm was now little more than a flash on the horizon and a distant rumble. My fingers drifted over the comforting arm holding me close. I should return to my room, but it felt too good right where I was. Closing my eyes, I quickly dropped back into dreamland. ~*~ The clanging of tin bells and Joe trying to extricate his arm from my grasp interrupted my peaceful slumber. A gust of cold air as Joe leaned out to turn off the alarm brought a shiver as I curled to stay warm. The room went silent for a moment... then the crunch of the mattress as he moved back. I kept my eyes closed as I turned; rested my head on his chest and draped an arm across him. His hand rested on my lower back. "Don't get too comfortable, it's time to get up." I threw a leg over his to hold him down and ran my fingers teasingly down his side. I looked up at him and batted my eyelashes. "C'mon Joe, just a couple more minutes." He chuckled. "Five minutes, then we definitely have to get up." My fingers ran absently through the sparse silver hair on his chest as I laid there listening to Joe's heartbeat. His fingers began gently rubbing my back in long, slow strokes. Those stokes, while quite relaxing, were also very stimulating. I rolled my hips in an effort to relieve the feeling growing between my legs. That's when his cloth-covered cock hardened as it rubbed against my bare thigh with each movement. I glanced up to see his unblinking eyes watching me. I smiled, but he didn't respond. "Joe...." His expression never changed. He was somewhere else. I reached up and patted his cheek. "We have to get up now, or you'll be late for work." "Huh?" He looked around the room as if he was unsure where he was. He blinked a couple of time and wiped his hand across his eyes. He gazed at me stretched across his body before glancing at the clock. "We'll have to hurry; I let us sleep too late." I was curious to know where he'd gone, but too afraid of the answer to ask. ~*~ Joe got ready for work while I started the coffee and for the first time ever, packed his lunch. The table was set with a bowl of cereal and a steaming cup of coffee waiting for him. I sipped my coffee as I mentally rehearsed what I wanted to tell him. "What's this for?" I looked up into his smiling face. My mind went blank. All I could do was smile as I tried to think of something. "You're running late so I thought this would help." Joe took a sip of coffee. "Thanks Tess." I kept glancing at him as we ate in silence hoping he would bring up last night, but he didn't. It was as if last night didn't happen. I saw Joe start for the refrigerator. "Your lunch is packed except for the coffee." He checked what I packed before filling the thermos and slipping it inside. He came back to the table and touched my shoulder. I looked up into those beautiful hazel eyes, praying he would lean down and kiss me. He smiled. "Thanks again. You didn't have to--" Before he could finish, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "I wanted to Joe. After all you've done, I wanted to do something for you." He looked into my eyes as he lightly touched my cheek; then left for work. I stood by the window watching as he drove away. Why didn't I tell him? I already knew the answer; because he might not feel the same way about me. ~*~ I moved back to my own bed after that night. Weeks went by. Our relationship was changing, but I felt it was at a frustrating snail's pace. Joe was a man of few words. I knew that from seeing him at Quick-N-Good for more than four years, but I expected him to say something by now. I kept packing his lunch and making the morning coffee. Joe took to touching my shoulder or arm when he walked past me. I know it doesn't sound like much, but the minute he entered the room, my pulse would quicken as I waited for his touch. I wanted so much to grab his hand and tell him to kiss me, but a little voice in my head reminded me how awkward life around here would be if he didn't. My dreams of him only added to my frustration. In my dreams, Joe knew what he wanted and took it. Those strong hands roamed over my body, making me tremble with each touch. His lips, that I ached to feel, were demanding as they drove my desires to new extremes. And that firm cock I'd felt on my hip was now pleasuring me like no other man ever had. I was beginning to think that his morning erection was a fluke and Joe had no desire for me. He seemed to be immune to my seduction attempts. The sexy clothes, the flirting, the sitting close in the evening to read. I went so far as to sit next to him with my skirt 'accidentally' hiked up enough to reveal bare skin above my thigh highs. I knew this couldn't fail. I anxiously sat there pretending to read. I swear I could smell my own arousal, knowing at any moment he was going to throw his book down and take me right there on the couch. Instead, he read for awhile and went to bed early. I'd all but given up when I unintentionally moved us to the next level. We picked up frozen lasagna and the makings for a Caesar salad. I asked Joe to pick out a bottle of wine from the liquor department. After we ate, Joe and I went into the living room to sip the last of the wine and watch the sunset. He had his arm around my shoulder. "That was great Tess." His hand rubbed up and down my arm. It felt so nice, I snuggled in closer. I'm not much of a drinker so the wine had me in a very mellow mood. "It was. I'll have to make it again sometime. This wine you picked was good." Joe chuckled. "I know nothing about wine. The clerk picked it out." Joe went back to looking out the window. I stood and took the empty glass from his hand. "I'm going to clean up and soak the dishes." Joe nodded. I wasn't sure how to proceed. "How about putting on some nice music?" I cleaned the kitchen as the sound of Glenn Miller soon filled the house. Joe loves the big band era, and Glenn Miller was one of his favorites. "Tess, can you come in here a minute?" I shrieked as a hand grabbed me at the doorway and twirled me into the middle of the room. A soft breeze caressed my exposed thighs as my yellow summer dress billowed. He pulled me close, making my heart flutter. "Care to dance?" Looking into his eyes, I placed one hand in his and the other on his arm. He led me gently around the room. Joe was a very smooth dancer. He silently led me through every song on the CD. When the music stopped, I got us a drink from the kitchen while Joe changed CDs. "Who taught you to dance Joe?" "Maggie did." The answer surprised me. I was expecting lessons or maybe mom, not a woman's name. "Maggie? Was she your girlfriend, wife...who?" I handed him a glass and looked intently at his face; waiting for his answer. He grinned. "Jealous?" I felt my face flush. "I-I-I didn't mean it to sound that way...just curious." "Maggie's my older sister. She told me she didn't want her little brother to be a wallflower." Joe was watching me. I know my face had to be beaming. He took my drink and set both on the table. I saw him start to lean down and closed my eyes. The kiss was soft, gentle...nothing like I imagined. I ran my tongue over his lips; they parted. I wrapped my arms around him as his tongue stroked mine. The kisses became more demanding as our tongues darted back and forth, teasing and then exploring. I shivered as he rained little kisses down my neck. I felt the top of my dress sag as he pulled the tie in back. I lowered my hands from around his neck and took a step back...into the coffee table. I lost my balance and screamed as I frantically reached for him. His hand grasped my arm, then the other one. He pulled me forward until I regained my balance. A nervous giggle slipped out as I looked up hoping he saw the humor in the situation. A look of disgust greeted me. "Joe?" He released my arm and looked away. "I'm sorry...I shouldn't of...I said I didn't want... but--" He took a step back and walked away. A moment later his bedroom door closed. I stood there half naked trying to make sense of what just happened. One minute he's seducing me; the next, he leaves. I needed some answers and knocked on his door. "Joe, we need to talk. Can I come in?" I heard him walk to the door. When it didn't open, I tried to turn the handle. It wouldn't turn. He had to be holding it. "Joe we need to talk about this." "Not right now. I promised you...then acted like that. I have no excuse for my behavior. I need to think; to understand. I'm sorry." I waited for awhile hoping he would open the door or at least start talking again. He was still at the door, but silent. I finally gave up and went back to cleaning the kitchen. I didn't see any light coming from under his bedroom door when I closed up the house for the night. I stood under the shower hoping the hot water would relax me enough to sleep. I still couldn't believe the evening went from magical to fiasco in the blink of an eye; or was it the bump of a leg? I was angry at him for walking away and more so at myself for standing there mute like a starry-eyed girl. As I dried off I made up my mind Joe would know how I felt about him. He would either show me he felt the same way or not. I couldn't take feeling like this any longer. My heart pounded with each step as I made my way down the dark hallway to his room. I hesitated as I gripped the doorknob. My dream could be over in a minute or become reality. Taking a deep breath, I turned the handle and walked slowly to the side of his bed. Pulling off the tee shirt, I tossed it toward the end of the bed and slid under the covers. I felt his muscles tense the minute I touched his chest. "Tess, what--" He began to sit up. I moved over him, brushing his lips with mine. "Shhh, I can't wait any longer for you to realize I want you." I kissed him again, this time like a woman loving her man. His arms pulled me tight against his bare chest as his lips sought mine. I slipped my tongue between his lips to resume our battle. He enthusiastically accepted the challenge. The kisses were just as sweet without the wine haze enhancing them. His tight hug relaxed and his fingers began caressing my naked body. I took the lead and placed soft kisses down his neck to his throat. He began to squirm as my fingers brushed over one of his nipples. I nervously moved lower, leaving a trail of kisses over his chest. It was a new experience being the seducer. I could count my sexual partners on one hand, and they were all about my age. I worried Joe might view sex differently. I decided to combine what I liked with what guys wanted. Nipping his nipple with my teeth drew a moan from his lips. I rolled my tongue over that hard little nub to soothe it before biting again. Unlikely Lovers Joe was enjoying my foreplay. His breathing was louder and his hardened dick was poking my midsection. Leaving a trail of kisses as I moved lower, Joe raised up as I slid his boxers down. Licking up the length of his dick, I took the head in my mouth. As I began bobbing up and down, he gave a deep groan and grabbed my head between his hands. I froze and placed my hand around his shaft, hoping he wasn't changing his mind. "Enough Tess, come up here." His hands started pulling me. As I moved upward his hand slid down my shoulder to cup my breast. My nipples puckered at his touch. I straddled his hips as I leaned over for a deep, passionate kiss. His fingers teasing my nipples just added fuel to my already raging desire. I rose up enough to grab his hard cock and hold it against my wet entrance. Pushing back, it slid part-way in. He slid in farther with my second try. I had all of him on the third push. A long sigh escaped my lips as I sat up and put my hands on his shoulders. My dream was now a reality. I began rocking my hips wishing it was light enough to see Joe's expression. It didn't get light, but Joe made his disapproval known when he rolled us on our side. "No Tess. Stop!" We were no longer connected. I grabbed him so he couldn't leave. "Joe. Forget what I said at Denny's; I was nervous and scared. This is what I want. I've dreamed about us being together." He surprised me by pulling me to him. "It's not what you said Tess. You made that clear when you came to my bed. This is about me. I've imagined making love to you since that storm. I don't want to settle for less." I can only describe what happened as being sexually devoured. Joe loved foreplay. Very little of my body didn't get kissed, licked, teased, fondled, or in some other manner pleasured. I thought he had a definite breast fetish the way he lavished one with his lips as his fingers teased the other until he moved between my legs and gave me my first ever scream to the heavens oral orgasm. When he finally slid into me, I was his for whatever he wanted. He gave me my dream; he pleasured me like no other. I curled into him. Kissing his neck; I whispered "I love you." He hugged me and rubbed my arm. "I love you too, my Tess." Some guys are primal in marking their territory, and Joe was no exception. I found his marks when I was drying off after my morning shower. My skin doesn't show them like a white woman's, but they were still visible. I paraded out of the bathroom like a woman who owned the place. No more hiding behind jeans and locked doors for me. I found him at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Dropping the towel, I pointed at the two marks on my breasts. "Marking your territory?" He got that devilish grin as he looked where I pointed. Undoing two buttons on his shirt; he turned his head as he pulled back the collar to reveal a similar mark on his neck. Apparently he wasn't the only one who felt the need to mark what was theirs. I know my dimpled cheeks had to be glowing as I sat on my man's lap and brought his lips to mine. * A special thanks to Tis Mina for her editing skills. I also want to thank estragon for copy editing.