Chapter 8 - Mike
Sometime in the middle of the night, I wake up and can’t fall back asleep.
It’s weird, like how on Christmas Eve when you’re all excited and nervous and there’s no way you can just close your eyes and drift off. I have big plans for tomorrow, so it could be that. It’s been a long time since I had a girlfriend to impress, and I want it to go absolutely according to plan.
Slowly, I get out of bed and pull on some gray sweatpants. Willow is so out of it that she doesn’t even move. I creep out of the room and close the door behind me, not wanting to disturb her.
Her balloon from earlier has floated into the hallway and I give it a tap, sending it back into the living room. Deciding that anything I do in the house might be too noisy, I go out the front door to get some fresh air.
Surprisingly, I’m not the only one who’s out at this time of night. Sitting in front of her door is Nancy, smoking what I can only guess from the smell is some kind of weed. I’ve occasionally smelled it on her, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen her smoking.
I walk over to her and she gives me a wave as I approach. “Hey stranger, been awhile. Are you not able to sleep?”
I sit down beside her but decline when she offers me the joint. My drug days are way in the past. “Hey, Nancy. Yeah, just woke up and was having trouble dropping off again.”
“I would have thought that girl you’ve been seeing would’ve worn you out. Especially with it being Valentine’s Day. You know, there’s a load of gossip in the neighborhood going on about you two, not that it’s anyone’s business.”
She grins and punches me on the arm, but then her smile fades and she stares straight ahead. Apart from Nancy seeing her at Christmas, I wasn’t sure if anyone actually noticed Willow coming in and out, but Willow’s been over a lot, so it’s no surprise.
“You didn’t have anyone over for Valentine’s?” I ask.
“Nope. Not this year. To tell the truth, I had hopes that you and I would eventually hook up. But that was last year when you were single.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, and mean it. All that flirting that I did with her seems cruel now, rather than fun.
“It’s okay. In fact, it’s made me realize something.
When I saw you with her at Christmas, it made me realize that it wasn’t you I was after, it was the fun and the sex.
And I don’t need to be in a relationship to have that.
I think I’m going to give myself a few years of just fucking around and enjoying myself. ”
“Yeah, go out and have some carefree fun. You’re a gorgeous woman and I’m sure there are plenty of guys out there who would be willing to help you out with that.”
“Yeah. I kinda wish I had come to the realization a few days before Valentine’s. Perhaps I’d be indoors, getting railed right now.”
I nod my head and then have an idea.
“I don’t suppose you’ve met Cherry Thompson? Lives over on Grove.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so.”
“You’d like her. She has parties that can get pretty wild and full of sex. The next will be on Saint Patrick’s. If you’re serious about having some no-strings fun, you should give one a go. I’ll drop her contact details off tomorrow. Tell her I recommended you.”
She smiles at me and kisses me on the cheek. “You know, I might do that. So, how are things going with you and…?”
“Willow.”
“Willow. Pretty name. Are you dating?”
“Yeah. Only recently though. I was worried about the age difference. She’s much younger than I am.”
Nancy startles me with a laugh. “So am I, but I thought you were worth going after. If she’s into you, she’s into you no matter your age. And I bet you make a great Daddy dom.”
Somehow, hearing her dismiss the last little fragments of my concerns makes me realize how foolish I had been. Why should the number of years between us keep me from being with someone I love?
And then it hits me. I DO love Willow, more than I have loved anyone in a long time. Maybe I should tell her that sometime.
Nancy stands and pats my shoulder. “I’m heading in. You should go back to Willow. Hold her in your arms and don’t let her go. It’s rare that we have a chance to be with someone who adores us, and from the smile I’ve seen on her face when she’s with you, she adores you.”
I glance at her and nod my head. “Thank you.”
“I’d like to meet her properly someday, so don’t be weird about bringing her around. We can swap stories in the corner while you sit uncomfortably.”
And with that, she disappears into the house. I decide it’s time for me to head back as well. The bedroom door creaks a little as I go in and I hear a noise from inside the room.
“Mike?”
I slip through the door and to the bed. Willow lifts her head, and I can tell she’s‘ still half asleep.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
I snuggle in next to her and pull her against me, resting her head on my chest. She makes a happy humming sound as I lay my hand on her ass and give it a little rub.
“Yeah, Kitten, I’m okay. I was getting some air. Nothing to worry about. Go back to sleep, you have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Okay, Sir,” she says and is almost instantly asleep, breathing deeply.
Everything about tonight is perfect. I have the woman I love in my arms, and despite our ages and past baggage, we’re happy together.
Tomorrow’s going to be a big day, because it’s the first time that we’re going out in public as a couple.
And I’ll be proud to have her on my arm and for people to see that she’s mine.
I plan on asking her to move in soon. Sometime in the next few days, at least. But for now, I’m going to enjoy the warmth of her pressed against me. I stroke her hair and kiss her head until I fall asleep.