Parts 30-33

______________

So, I asked “tell you, now? Start telling you?” he replied “yes beautiful, what do you need from me right now? What do you need to say?” and I started “Well, honestly, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with you spending tomorrow with Christina, and I really don’t know how to handle it or even if I can handle it…”

What he said was surprising and not at all what I expected, he said, “First of all, I am so proud of you. Thank you so much for sharing your feelings with me now and not allowing them to fester, which would create a bigger problem.

This is how I want you to handle these things, tell me before they become something bigger.

Do you want to tell me more about what you’re feeling?”

I was a little confused, I thought he was going to be upset and just be done with me; so, I was confused, but relieved at the same time.

I said, “I just don’t know if I can handle you spending time with her, doing who knows what… you know what I mean?” and he quickly replied with a slight smile on his face, “No, I don’t know what you mean, please tell me.” I said, “you know…” and he replied, “No I don’t, tell me. Fight through your discomfort, Red.”
Ugh, this man is going to make say it, isn’t he?

I felt myself getting small again, I hated that feeling and wanted to run to the safety of my room again. I took a deep breath and sheepishly said, “well, I just told you that I am not ready for a sexual relationship, and well, you know… a man has needs.”
He just kept looking at me, he knew what I was trying to say, but for some reason wanted to torture me by making me say it, I continued “a man has needs and you’ll be spending time with her… you know?” he just said “uhum??” and then I just said “She’ll be willing to give you what I am not ready to give you… you know… sex”.

He just said “ah, that’s what you meant, I had no idea.” And I said with nervous laughter “you knew what I meant! you just wanted me to say it.”

He, in a very calm tone said, “No Red, I did not WANT you to say it, I NEEDED you to say it, Red.
Thank you for fighting through your discomfort, I know how difficult it can be and I am extremely proud of you.

Before we move too far ahead, tell me how you are feeling now, compared to how you were feeling in the car.”

I said “Honestly, I feel better not all the way better, but I am feeling better. I still don’t know if I will be able to handle this, you know?”

He just sat there thinking and then took his big breath right before saying “Red, when we first started, we made it clear, if you don’t want to be part of this, you could walk away, do you remember that?” I nodded and then he said, “would you like for me to take you home? I will if that is what you want.”

I just sat there in silence thinking that maybe that was for the best. I could just forget this whole thing had ever happened and just go back to my normal life, when it all made, at least some sense. But something inside did not want to let this go… did not want to let him go. I didn’t know what to do.

I just said “no, I don’t want to go home.” He replied, “does that mean you want to work through this, or you just don’t want to go home this instant?”
Now, that was the question, wasn’t it?
I don’t remember thinking it, I just felt it come out “I want to work through this.” And he said “I am happy about that, and you will see that we will indeed work through this.

I just want you to remember this moment right here and now, when you were considering walking away.
When, not IF, but WHEN we work through this, remember that we can work through anything if we just talk.
Can you do that for me?”

I just nodded but he insisted I said it, so I said, “Yes Sir, I can” and he responded “Good girl. Now, tell me what it is that makes you feel the way you’re feeling.” I replied, “I told you! I don’t like the feeling I get knowing she is willing to give you something I am not ready to give you… you know, sex.”

He calmly responded, “And why do you think that you feel that way?” I sighed, shrugged and shook my head letting him know that I didn’t know, but he insisted on me saying it, so I said, “I don’t know, I just don’t know.” He took a second and asked me “Do you mind if I guess?” and I skeptically said, “go ahead” thinking to myself with the same skepticism, almost annoyed “this is going to be interesting, HE is going to tell ME what I feel, go ahead Mr. Psychic”.

He started “Keep in mind I am not telling you how you feel or what to feel, I am just guessing, ok?”
Well, reading my mind is a good start, now my curiosity was on full alert and said “ooook”.
He continued “is it possible, and again, I am just guessing, is it possible that you feel that if Christina is willing to offer me something you’re not ready to give me, that I will prefer her over you?”
Wow wow wow easy there, Dr. Phil!

My eyes got this big, I know you can’t see me, but they got THIS BIG!
Could this be it? It did make sense, but really?
Holy shit! This was it, wasn’t it? It all made sense, and it all fit together in a way that I never imagined. For a moment I was overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions that can only be described as “indescribable”.

I just looked at Gabriel and said to him “Yes... Can you blame me though?”
He calmly looked at me and said, “Do you know what that feeling is called?” That made me think, I really didn’t know what it was called, all I knew was that I didn’t like it. I just said “No, Sir”.

He simply said, “it is called ‘insecurity’.”
Uh oh! I did not like the sound of that, but he continued “And Red, it is OK, we all have moments of insecurity at some point in our lives.
In fact, I wouldn’t want to meet a person who has never felt insecure, they’d probably be the biggest jerks.”

I know that does not sound like a lot, but it did make me feel a little better and it was funny.
Though I was feeling a little better, I mean understanding things can bring a great deal of relief and though that was the case, I felt a little… insecure.

I sheepishly said “so, you don’t think I am a big loser?” he laughed and said, “Not at all, beautiful.
I think you are amazing, and I am so happy that you are mine.” I just sheepishly buried my head onto his shoulder.

He continued, “Red, we knew it was not going to be easy, but we also said that as long as we were willing to do the work, we would be fine and we will be, as long as you are willing to work with me.
From my part I promise you, as long as you are not making me unhappy, I will not abandon you… and I keep my promises.”
I just lifted my head from his shoulder, looked at him and kissed him.

This was the first time, IN MY LIFE, that I had kissed someone, every other time, THEY had kissed ME, or requested I kissed them.

Breaking the kiss, he asked me how I was feeling and I told him I was feeling much better, not great but definitely much better. I said, “I am not going to promise you that I will be able to handle this, but I promise you that I will try.” He replied, “and that’s all I ask, that you have a little faith and try.” And then he kissed me.

What I thought was going to be just another kiss, had now turned into a full blown make out session in the park. His right hand was around my back and on my waist and his left hand was, sneakily, making its way up my leg… I noticed, you sly man, I noticed.
I thought I should stop his hand, but I did not want it to stop and eventually, he started doing the fingernail thing on my inner thigh and it felt good! Better than the first time since I was wearing a dress this time, he was doing it directly against my skin and all my worries were soon replaced with… lust.

I wasn’t long before I turned to fully face him and grabbed his face while kissing him, rubbing my hands on his beard, it felt abrasive but good, like sexy sandpaper.
While his fingernails were doing magical movements, I could not help but feel the distance between my legs increase, inviting him and letting him know they wanted more of his touch.

Without much warning, he ran one of his fingertips over my now soaked panties and I felt a lightning bolt run through my entire body that just made me bite his lip and buck my hips. If I didn’t know any better, I would say I had just cum, right there, on his fingertip.

He broke the kiss slightly and said “you’re so wet, I can’t wait to make you all mine” while removing his hand from where it had just made an immense, delightful messy mess and placed his hand on my breast with his thumb right on my nipple, he knew exactly where it was instantly.

At that moment, I wanted him to make me his. My mind was saying “don’t just sit there! Come and take what is yours, Sir” but I could not bring myself to say those words, I just hoped he would somehow get the hint.

Then he kissed my neck and ffffffuuuuck that felt good, especially with his thumb doing wonders with my nipple. I wanted to say so many dirty things, but I just could not bring myself to say them.
And then it happened, the hand that was around my waist quickly worked its way to the back of my head and he buried his fingers under my hair, grabbed a handful, pulled it and whispered in my ear “I can’t wait to fuck you like the good girl you are.”
His intensity, his desire, his words, his breath in my ear, his hands, the gentle scratch of his beard… everything, just put me over the top and I came right there, in the park.

My body trembled as I sank into him, the intensity of the moment pulling me closer until he finally let go of my hair. I buried my face in his chest, and it felt like a volcano was erupting inside me while he whispered, “that’s my good girl, cum for me” I just somehow gasped an erratic “y-y-yes s-s-sir”. I felt a rush of warmth spreading through me, a wave started deep inside me and surged outward, growing stronger with every heartbeat. It was as if everything around us disappeared, leaving only the intoxicating warmth of his breath on my skin and the overwhelming rush of desire flowing through me.

And then he just held me while I melted on him… unable to speak, unable to hear, unable to process anything but his presence.

After a little while (or maybe a long while, I could not tell), I finally regained enough composure and energy to lift my head up and said to him “I’m sorry for getting quiet, I don’t know what happened” and he just whispered “you don’t have to explain yourself, beautiful. However you feel right now is okay with me.
Whenever you’re ready, if you want to talk about anything, I’m here.”
He kissed the top of my head and pulled me closer as I just plopped back onto his chest.

All I could hear, while he was holding me with one hand and stroking my hair with the other, was his heartbeat; it was a bit accelerated, but it was gradually slowing down. Every breath he took was a deep, long and quiet breath, I could tell he was trying to control it.

After a few minutes he whispered, “Would you prefer to stay here for a while, or would a walk help clear your mind?” I just took a deep breath, taking in his smell in the process and said, “No Sir, I am exactly where I want to be”, just like he said that first day at the coffee shop. He let out an audible smile under his breath, and I could feel the warmth of his approval.

I just sat there with my head on his chest, still listening to his heartbeat, which was now back to normal, him stroking my hair. I still could not think, I was instead just enjoying the warmth and safety of his presence… engulfing me.

Once I was able to think, I started to process everything that had happened tonight, and it all was so good. The dinner, dessert and well, you know… yeah, you know. Speaking of which, how the hell did he do that? Make me cum with hardly touching me? He told me to cum and I did!
During my sessions, sometimes I would work up a sweat trying to get myself there and those times are not nearly as intense as this one; And not that I am comparing, but Erik – my ex-best friend – had access to the entire thing and well… there’s no comparison. I guess I am comparing, but it is weird.
Must be magic, this man is magical, my boyfriend is magical.

I was so lost in the moment, and his warmth felt… homey, like a place I belonged. His smell, his breath—everything about him was comforting. There was something so intimate about listening to his heartbeat; I was hearing the rhythm of the thing that was keeping him alive, just a few inches from my face. It felt so ethereal, almost unreal. I don’t know… it was just something beyond words.

Speaking of words, I started to feel a little guilty. I thought I should say something – there he was just taking care of me after giving me the orgasm of the century, with his words mind you, just his words! And there I was just selfishly enjoying it… Ahhh, a few more seconds and then I’ll ask him if he is OK or needs something, water, a walk, a “helping hand” maybe, if you know what I mean… While I am not selfish, I am definitely a curious little human, it’s a win-win!
Don’t judge me, you would’ve thought the same thing.

While keeping my head on his chest I said “Sir, thank you for such a wonderful night”, and he replied, “You are very welcome beautiful, and thank you for sharing it with me.” – then he continued – “how are you feeling?” I told him I was feeling great and did not want that moment to end… it was the truth. Pulling me closer he said, “it doesn’t have to end, we can stay here as long as you want, I am enjoying it as well”.

My curiosity got the best of me, and I asked “Sir, how did you do that?” he calmly said “how did I do what, beautiful?” I sheepishly said “you know! that thing that just happened…” I could not see his face, but I knew he just had to have that confident grin in his face when he said “What? Hold you? You make it easy by being so adorable and holdable, I can fit you very well between my arms.”
Ughhhh… he was going to make me say it, wasn’t he? I lifted my head from his chest and looked at him, determined to get an answer.
Unfortunately, when I made eye contact, my determination got shy and I just said “you know, when you whispered in my ear and… it made me feel things.” There he was, visibly holding in his laughter and I said “Pleeeeease! I wanna know!” and he lost it, he let out his laughter and said “Red, you’re beyond adorable!” I was just shily smiling, looking at him, expecting an answer.

So, as any sensible and caring person would do at a time like this, he changed the subject by saying “Red, why don’t you tell me how you’re feeling now?” I said, “answer my question first and then I’ll tell you”. His response was not what expected, and it was far from what I wanted, he said “Red, what I am asking you is far more important to me than anything else in the universe right now, please tell me how you’re feeling, and remember we have an honesty policy.” Well, that took a quick turn. I responded “I feel… good. I just feel good.” I honestly felt that way, I was not hiding anything. He just looked at me and said “Good, I am glad. What I am going to ask you now might change that, and I am sorry, but I think it is necessary.

I want you to tell me how you feel about Christina”.

I just sat there and thought… I tried to bring back the bad thoughts and feelings I had while we were in the car, and they just were not there. Don’t get me wrong, I was not enamored with the idea, but it really was not bothering me, even though I tried to let it bother me. I remember the thoughts and even thought them again, but there were no negative feelings… there just weren’t.

I told Gabriel as he looked intently, “Gabriel, honestly I don’t feel anything bad.” He just kept looking at me without any response whatsoever, you would think he would at least react, right?
Instead, he said “Red, how do you feel about tomorrow, when I am going to see her, how do you feel about that?” As I listened to those words come out of his mouth, I was expecting that punch in the belly, but there was nothing, only that intimidating feeling, but I could handle that.
I just continued feeling… good.

I told him “I don’t know what you’re expecting, but I still feel good.” And then he let out a HUGE sigh of relief and then said, “Oh alright, this makes total sense. I understand now.” – took a little pause and said “Red, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you for your honesty, thank you for taking the chance, thank you for being you and thank you for being mine.” And then he kissed my forehead.

I was lost.
What had just happened?
What did he understand?

Was he going to tell me, because he just triggered the hell out of my curiosity. I think he did that on purpose just so he didn’t have to explain the whole orgasm thing… but if that was the case, what an elaborate ploy!

I asked him what it was that he understood, and he said firmly, “I have to be clear, I am not a professional or anything of the sort,” – then he softened his tone – “and I need you to know that whatever you say and feel, does not change anything. I am still here, and I will be.

Also, please understand that I am not trying to undermine your feelings and emotions, they are real. I am just looking to understand so we can make this a better relationship for the both of us. OK?”
I looked at him confused, what was he about to tell me?? I just said “yes, Sir” and then he said “Red, I think what you experienced in the car was a moment of anxiety.

Is that a possibility?”

I was confused, but more than that, I felt defensive. How do I even answer that question? I mean, I didn’t think he was far off, but the possibility of him thinking, or realizing, I am broken was heartbreaking… is that what he understood? Was this something that would make him not want to be with me?

He broke my moment of thought by saying, “Red, remember I am not going anywhere, no matter what you say.”

I didn’t really know, so I decided to continue with the whole honesty thing; it seemed to work, so I said, “I don’t know. What does anxiety feel like? Or how would I know?”

He took a long breath and said, “From what I’ve read, anxiety gets to people in different ways, and I can only speak about MY experience.”—wait, what? He has anxiety?—he continued, “My anxiety is pretty much whatever negative thoughts I have, intensified by a million.

For example, when I was a kid, I stole a dollar from another kid; and when I am not anxious, I think back to that moment and think, ‘Man! I was a bad kid,’ but in a moment of anxiety, I think, ‘Gabriel, how could you do that? What were you thinking? You should be ashamed of yourself, Gabriel!’ That is VERY mildly put and a very tame example, but you get my point.
When the anxiety wears off, I go back to thinking, ‘Oh Gabriel, you knucklehead.’

Does that sound anything like your experience?”

My eyes got wide as he was describing his experience, which was oh so similar to mine. I mean, not long ago, I was mortified by the thought of him with ‘Ms. Falling Panties’ over there, but now it really was not all that bad. This was embarrassing and a bit intrusive, but also so fascinating!

I said to him with a cheeky smile, “What are you, Dr. Phil now?” and we both laughed. I admitted to him that my experience was very similar to what he described, and since I was already in this deep, I decided to say, “Honestly, I was really afraid because I thought you might think that I am broken, you know?”

He looked directly into my soul and said, “Red, if a little bit of anxiety means we’re broken, we’ll just be broken together. You think you can scare me off with a little anxiety? Thank again, beautiful!” and we both laughed.

Then he continued, “Red, who or what are you comparing yourself to when you say that you’re broken? People online?
Don’t answer that; it doesn’t matter.
Granted, being human is not as easy as it could be, but it is nowhere near as difficult as we make it out to be.
At the end of the day, we are all just trying to figure things out and be happy, right?

Red, as long as we’re together, we’ll work through it, and if it comes down to it, we’ll find you some help; there are people who do that for a living.”
I was in awe of the passion with which he said this and just nodded in agreement. His offer to help made me feel so protected and supported; I was just in awe.

He continued, “Red, I don’t know everything, and I don’t claim to, but I figured out a long time ago that trying to live to the expectations of others inevitably leaves you unhappy, because what others expect is not necessarily what you want or what works for you. I mean, so what if you like picking up old men at coffee shops? Who am I to judge?” I just laughed very loudly and gave him my best slap on the shoulder. How dare he call me on my shit!?

Then he got calm and said, “Is any of this making sense to you, beautiful?” and while still smiling, I said, “Yes, Sir.” He then replied, “Are you sure? Because I can continue… nobody can beat a dead horse like I can.” I just kept laughing, and while waving my hand, said, “No, no, no, it is fine. I get it, message received.” He said, “Good! Because I am way overdue for a kiss… Hopefully this time you won’t make yourself cum again.” My eyes opened, and my jaw dropped with embarrassment. How dare he say that to me? I blushed harder than ever! And I loved it! I replied, “No, that was your doing, Sir!” and he said, “Sure! Sure! Now, come give me my kiss.” I said, “YES, SIR!” and got close to kiss him.

After a moment of some delicious kissing—sadly no fingernails this time—he said, “So, are you OK? How are you feeling?” I said sheepishly, “Honestly?” and he replied, “Of course, I expect that.” Then I looked him dead in the eyes and said, “I was feeling REALLY GOOD, but then you stopped kissing me, and now I am just ‘good’.” He smiled and said, “Well, come here then, I’ll fix that right up!” and we got back to kissing.

I was hoping that he’d get the hint, and you know, “talk to me” again, but he just kept on kissing me with his arms around me. And don’t get me wrong, that was fantastic, but I was craving something more along the lines of amazing.
I wanted to make a move but was so shy and nervous. I did what anyone in my position would do: I got bold, bit his lip, and gave him a little moan— that’ll fix this!
Nope, nothing… aaarrrrggg!!!

And then, out of nowhere, he pulled away from me and whispered, “I can’t wait to fuck you, beautiful,” and without notice of any kind, he just ran his hand up my leg to the point where he just barely touched my panties and said, “It is going to be amazing to be inside of you.” My mouth was open, my eyes were super wide while he was looking straight into me, and then he finally touched my pussy, and I just lost it.
I gasped while my mouth was super dry—there's probably a name for that feeling, but you get what I mean.
I closed my eyes and just felt him tease my clit for the first time, and it was heaven. It was so much that I found my head on his shoulder while he just teased my neck with his beard, and then he would switch between his beard and kissing my neck. It was incredible.

He just kept doing that while playing with my clit through my panties, which were now a puddly mess. I remember feeling him put slight pressure on my entrance while using his other finger to lightly play with my clit.

I kept wishing I was bold enough to pull my panties down or to the side or something so he could feel how wet he had made me, but shyness is a curse.

Still, he kept teasing my entrance, my clit, my ear, and my neck; it was a medley of sensations parading through my skin, and I was lost in it.

Then I felt his other hand work its way to the back of my head, and I was ecstatic—he was going to do the hair-pulling thing again. YES!
He worked his hand under my hair, grabbed a nice handful, and pulled. Fuck, that felt so good it made me want to close my eyes! But this time, while he pulled, he looked into my eyes and whispered with authority, “Don’t close your eyes; let me look at them… look at me.” I kept trying to keep my eyes from rolling back while my breathing kept getting heavier and heavier, and then I felt it coming. It was about to happen! Then he whispered in my ear, “Don’t you dare cum without my permission; you wait until I say you can cum.” His eyes, his words, his hand were too much, and I couldn’t take it, but I did what I could to hold it.

Then, out of nowhere, he leaned in close and whispered in my ear, “Be a good girl and cum for me now.” His words sent a jolt through my entire body, like he had reached inside and flipped a switch. His fingers moved in that way I can’t quite describe—gentle but so focused on my clit—and suddenly, everything around me started to fade into a haze of pure sensation.

My breath hitched, and I managed to whimper, “Yes, sir, I’m your g-good g-g-g-girrrrr,” as each wave of pleasure started to hit. It was like every part of me was being pulled into this moment, like he had tapped into something deeper than just my body. The more he moved, the more everything else seemed to disappear until all that was left was him, me, and this overwhelming feeling.

Thoughts flashed through my mind—about him, about us, about what this all meant—but they all melted away as the pleasure took over. I was lost, completely lost, in the rhythm of it all. Every wave felt like it was stripping away every doubt, every fear, leaving me with nothing but the raw intensity of what I was feeling. I couldn’t hold anything back, not from him, not from myself. I just let go, completely.

Again, the next few moments are a mystery to me; all I know is that when I came to, he was just holding me again, stroking my hair and with his arms around me.

While in my haze, I remember thinking, “I could do this every Tuesday, for sure…”

I was there again, in that place, just experiencing Gabriel’s heartbeat and hearing him working to slow it down.

God, I wished he had instructed me to help him or that I was bold enough to offer. And then I heard a voice inside that said, “Wow, Red, here you are again… ready and willing to do whatever. Didn’t you say you were not ready? Is that how this is going to go?” and I heard another voice that said, “YES! Any other questions? Nosey bitch!” I just chuckled into Gabriel’s chest.

Gabriel noticed my, what I thought was silent, chuckle and asked me what was so funny. I really didn’t know what to say. I mean, if I shared that little comedic gem, would he think I was crazy for talking to myself? Nope, not taking that chance. Fortunately, or unfortunately (I don’t know anymore), during my post-orgasmic plop onto his chest, I was drooling, and it got on his shirt. So, it was either let him find out that I laugh at my own jokes, or I tell him I drooled on his shirt… easy choice; drool it is!

I quickly wiped my mouth, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Sir, I am so sorry, but I got your shirt wet” I said, trying to compose myself. He looked down at the small wet spot on his shirt and smiled. “Don’t worry, Beautiful. It is OK.” His playful grin made me feel a little better, so I just smiled back.

By this time, it started getting chilly, so he took off his jacket and put it on me. It was so nice and warm, plus it had his smell, it just put a huge smile on my face; it was just magical.

He took a minute and then asked me how I was feeling about the whole thing, and I said with a sigh, “Sir, I am feeling great. I can’t tell you how great I am right now.” He responded, “And your feelings about Christina, how are those?” I was honest and told him exactly what I was feeling, “I am still not in love with the idea, but I will be OK, nothing I can’t deal with.” He smiled and said, “I am very pleased to hear that. I am so proud of you; you did magnificently today.”

I felt a little cheeky and said, “You are just glad that you get to have your cake and eat it too.”
He just smiled and said, “No, Red, you did incredibly well today. The way you pushed through your discomfort and gifted me with your honesty and vulnerability, it is not an easy task. I know we’re going to be great together.” I sheepishly said, “Do you really think so?” and he said, “I am certain of it. You’ve no idea how difficult it is for people to open up and push past their discomfort like you have.

Ever since we met, you’ve been doing that, and while it has not been easy, you’ve done it. I just hope you continue doing it as bravely as you have so far.”
I just smiled and cockily said, “Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I am a very curious girl, and I am a fast learner.” He gave me a suggestive smile and said, “I can’t wait to find out.” And that made me bashfully dip my face back onto his chest while saying, “Sir, I am shyyyy!” and he just laughed.

After he was done making fun of me, he said that it was time to get me home. I didn’t agree with him, but I understood, so we walked to his car.
He opened the door and led me in. When he got in, I asked him if he wanted his jacket back, and he said, “No, that’s ok. It is keeping you warm; besides, I want as much of your scent on it as possible.”

Did this man know how to answer a question without embarrassing me? Honestly, I really loved the compliments.

As he started driving, I felt a cold feeling coming from the seat of his car, and then it dawned on me: I had gotten my dress wet from when he was “talking to me” in the park. Shit!

I did whatever I could to make sure I was not sitting directly on his jacket, and then realized I was going to get his car seat wet as well.

I made peace with it; this was going to be an embarrassing moment because I had to tell him… Or should I just let him find out when I get out of the car? He would understand, after all, he caused all this.

No, I am just going to tell him. I am sure he is going to understand, or at least he will tell me what to do.

I found a quiet enough moment and said, “Sir, I have something to tell you, and please do not get mad. My dress is wet, and I think it got on your seat… I am sorry.” He just chuckled and said, “I know, beautiful, it is OK, don’t worry about it.” I was shocked and said, “You knew? Why didn’t you tell me?” His reply was funny—at least I thought it was—he said, “Of course I knew, do you think I don’t look at your butt? I look at it all the time!” I was embarrassed, flattered, but embarrassed.
He continued, “And I didn’t tell you because me telling you would’ve had no positive outcome whatsoever.” —in a silly voice he said— “It’s just your looooooove juices; it’ll be OK.”

I blushed, mostly because he was referring to MY juices as “love juices,” which was sweet and funny.

Just as I was finally getting over the embarrassment, his phone rang, and it was connected to his Bluetooth. He just picked up the call, saying, “Hey! My brother, it is so good to hear from you! How are you?” He and his friend exchanged some funny pleasantries.

It stood out to me that when his friend asked Gabriel how he was doing, Gabriel just looked at me and said, “Life is good, my brother, life is good.” That made me feel so special, and I am sure I blushed.

Something that was a bit odd about their interaction was that with each exchange, they would flatter one another. Like when Gabriel asked his friend how he was, his friend said “If life was any better and I was better looking, I’d be just like you”. I thought that was nice, almost sweet.
After the pleasantries were done, his friend said, “I'm calling to see if you’re coming to the thing on Thursday. I am going to be speaking, and I wanted your input, so if you can make it, it’d be great.”
Gabriel told him that he had plans with his girl (yay, that’s me!), and his friend said, “Oh ok, I understand, no problem,” and then Gabriel cut him off and said, “Wait, give me a second,” they both stayed quiet for a few seconds and Gabriel said, “On second thought, I’ll be there. That way, you get to meet Red.”—wait, what??—His friend responded, “Ooh! I get to meet her? She must be something!” Gabriel just looked at me and said, “She’s got me on the hook; may as well go all in.”
His friend said, “Great! I will see you then, and I look forward to meeting her.” Gabriel just said, “Sounds like a plan, I will see you then. I love you, my brother,” and his friend said, “I love you too, bye.”

Wait, wait, wait, wait! There are a lot of questions here!

First off, I am going to a “thing”?
What kind of “thing”?
I am meeting his friend, or friends? So soon?
And why are they saying “I love you” to one another?

I broke the silence and asked, “Sir, what kind of thing are you taking me to?” Notice I didn’t say “no,” but I was curious. He simply responded, “Well, I told you that Thursdays were reserved for our growth, right?” I said, “Yes, I remember that” and he responded, “Well, that’s a place of growth for sure.” I just asked, “What kind of thing is it?” and he just responded, “Red, you’re going to love it, have some faith in me.”

Sigh… I guess I will just see when we get there. Then I said, “I thought you were not going to introduce me to the people in your life until later,” and he said, “If you are willing to open up and be vulnerable with me, I should be willing to do the same with you. I will not allow you to do something I am not willing to do myself.
You sure move fast, Ms. REDiance!”

I just sat there, wondering what that meant. I was nervous! I mean, meeting his friends already? A little while ago, I was considering walking out on this relationship. This was going fast!

It was at that moment that I decided I was going to give this the best shot. I was already neck deep; might as well get wet all the way.
HA! Wet-ter! I crack myself up.

I said, “Sir, thank you for everything. I promise you I am going to give this my best shot.” He just responded, “You are welcome, beautiful, I know you will.”

I really was convinced that I had to at least try my best. Everything—and I mean everything—he had brought to my life so far, was by far the best I had ever had, so I was determined to see it all the way through.

I was still curious and said, “Sir, why did you say, ‘I love you’ to your guy friend?”

He chuckled and said, “Because I love him, Red.” And I responded, “I understand that, but isn’t that a little weird? Men are not supposed to say those things to each other, right?” He laughed a little more and said, “I am a weird man, Red, have you not noticed?” and laughed some more.

Then he continued, “So, Red, I am not supposed to tell the people that I love that I love them?
When exactly do I get to tell them? When they are in a coffin?
No, not me, if I love you, I am going to tell you and show you every single chance I get.”

Well, that shut me up; I really could not say anything more. Obviously, I know nothing about men.
I just thought that guys always had that “bro talk” like “what are you doing, douche bag?” stuff like that.

The more I thought about it, the more I admired him and the way he carried himself. I can’t even remember the last time I told my mom I loved her.
Speaking of which, tonight might be a good time to tell her I love her because she is going to have a cow when I walk in the house dressed like this and with a wet spot on my dress.
When we got to my house, I was nervous, and I just didn’t know what to do, what was going to happen, or how I was going to react.
Then I remembered my promise to Gabriel, I said I am going to give it my best shot, and that’s exactly what I am going to do.

Gabriel got out of the car, opened my side, and walked me to my door. When we got to the door, Gabriel said, “Red, thank you so much for a great time. I really enjoyed myself, and I enjoyed you.
I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability; I really enjoyed that.”

I replied, “Thank you, Sir… tonight was very special to me, and I enjoyed every bit of it.” Then he held me for a little bit.

After a moment, he broke silence and asked, “Red, are you starting to trust me?”
I said, “Yes, Sir, I am.”
And then he just casually said, “Good. I need you to make yourself available tomorrow and meet me and Christina at the coffee shop where we had dessert at 5.”

to be continued...