We kiss, and it stills all the nerves our conversation built up.
“I really should get going before we get carried away,” Rex says as our lip’s part.
“But what if I don’t want you to?” I purse my lips into a pout, trying to look bratty.
“Then I’ll have to do it with a heavy heart,” he says. “Speaking of hearts, I heard absence makes them grow fonder. Do with that, whatever you will.”
“Fine, but you better know I’ll be thinking about you the whole damn time.”
“There’d be something very wrong here if you didn’t,” he says.
He kisses me again and gets up. Bends down for one final good bye peck. I smile.“Daddy gave his Kitten a lot to remember him by.”
The second I hear his car drive off; I launch out of the chair and start preparing for tonight.
Because it might be my first time, but I want to give Rex a night he’ll never forget.
7
REX
Iarrive back at Hailey’s place much later than expected. And no, it’s not because I was trying to avoid the get together. I know I’m too old to be partying with third year college kids, but she wants me here. Putting on smiles and pretending I’m interested in whatever bullshit they’re talking about is the least I can do. And if our night goes anywhere near the treat, she gave me this afternoon, it’ll be so damn worth it.
My late arrival comes from being stuck at the office and working down the tasks I’ve been neglecting since I started keeping a closer eye on Hailey. Two weeks went by in the blink of an eye for me, but to those under my employ, it was business as usual. It’s my first time seeing how much could get done in such a short timeframe. And how that’s the sort of thing that gets lost on you when you’re stuck in the day to day of it. Almost makes you wonder if it’s worth it, in the end. Burning years of your life for someone else when you could be chasing something you’re passionate about instead.
Pulling into the driveway, I’m pleasantly surprised to find it empty. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean anythingin today’s age. With ride-shares and cell phone ordered taxi services available, you’d be a fool to drink and drive. But when have college kids ever given a shit about safety?
Heading inside, I expect to hear at least a few people talking, but it’s dead quiet inside. No music to set the mood. No jolly voices from new adults who haven’t found their way in the world. Nothing.
Instead of the harsh overhead lights, lit candles are placed along various tables and shelves lining the hallway. Looking down, I spot a trail of dark red roses that almost match the ones she had on her lingerie at the store.
I follow the scattered petals up the stairs and into the hallway. From the instant I saw them lazily scattered on the stairs, I could tell where they were leading.
Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner, sounds off in my head when I reach the end of Hailey’s trail.
It stops in front of her bedroom door. It’s closed now, but through the cracks I can see the familiar glow of candle light waiting behind it. Everything about this is a way to build the suspense, but it’s not necessary. I’m crawling out of my skin at the thought of having her, being her first, let alone wanting to stay in these clothes.
I grab the handle, suck in a long, deep breath, and open the door.
Hailey’s lying lazily on the bed, in a sheer white robe with the front open. She’s using one arm to prop her head up, while the other is between her legs, gently grazing her moist flesh. The lace underwear we bought at the store is discarded into a small heap at the foot of the bed. Something tells me she wanted towear it, but after some consideration decided it would just be a distraction.
She looks at me the way she did in the fitting room. Parted lips and rosy cheeks, but this time I know her secret. None of her shyness is from lack of want, it’s from fear of inexperience.
“You came,” she whispers, nibbling her lip in anticipation.
“Said I would, didn’t I?” My voice comes out rougher than I intend. But can you blame me, when this magnificent creature is sprawled out naked on the bed? “It’s a pity your friends had to cancel.”
She crinkles her nose and giggles. “Their loss, our benefit.”
I enter and shut the door behind me. Can’t say why, seeing as the house is empty. Maybe, deep down, it’s out of shame towards my friend, and confidant. I’m about to defile his daughter. Then again, even if he were still here, Hailey and I would still have gotten here anyway.
Of this, I’m certain.
Hailey gets onto her knees and gives me a hug and a kiss to say hello.
“They were never coming anyway,” she says, “I just needed an actual reason to get you here.”
“Telling me a time would’ve been enough.” I hook my fingers into her robe, and flick the material off. It pools around her knees, and she stares into my eyes as my hands find their way over her naked body. “Hell, I wouldn’t have left earlier if I knew it would just be the two of us.”