Halcyon Days: Chapter 41 (Patreon)

With my head on Mei’s chest, the rest of me against on her soft body and her arms around me she holds me in a way I could barely remember, and even those memories were skewed and dimmed by the intervening years. This was not a friendly hug nor even an lover’s embrace, she HOLDING me as a mother might hold a child. The differences were subtle yet monumental. She didn’t simply have her arms around me she was absorbing my weight onto her warm body and supporting me while her arms kept me locked in place. But the thing that truly set this moment apart was time she took with it. Minutes passed, ten then twenty flitting by as I listen to the strong, steady rhythm of her heart and feel her gentle fingers comb through my hair. A hug was something you gave and received but this…this was a process of surrender. At first I remained in a state of readiness to pull away when the embrace was over, then came a moment of confusion as I began to wonder if something was off and then finally the realization this moment was not a means to an end. It was the destination. Slowly, slowly, slowly I let go of tensions I hadn’t even realized I was carrying as layers of social armor are peeled back to leave me ever more helpless and vulnerable. And the more exposed I left myself…the safer I felt in Mei’s protective embrace.

The closest thing I could remember to this moment of pure intimacy was being in my mother’s arms when I was a boy. But even those didn’t really capture what was happening here. Back then Mom always had to keep a half an eye on Ric. She was never entirely mine. But Mei…Mei held me as if I was the only man worth holding in the whole world. And out here, in the middle of the middle of nowhere, there was nothing to distract her. The aroma of orange blossom, greasy meats and dried cum mingled with the prairie sage on the breeze while I lay against Mei and let her hold me like I had never been held before. Somewhere along the way all the busy voices in my head are silenced, truly silenced, and I find true peace.

Stroke, stroke, stroke. Her fingers run through my hair as her warm breath caresses my cheek and her beating heart sings me a lullaby.

“Hahhhhh.”

With a soft kiss to my head Mei whispers. “Sorry, sweetie. You must be getting bored.”

“Bored?” I smile. “Mei, I’m in heaven.”

Her soft laugh tells me this magical time had come to an end. As her arms loosen around me I sit up feeling as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. Cupping both of my cheeks she kisses me, sweetly and tenderly. “I should be getting home.”

I steal one last moment to just gaze at her and bask her radiance then I say. “Okay.”

I slip out of the back of the car first then help her. She accepts my help appreciatively but without comment, as if she expected it. She pulls my arm around her and together we look out upon the starry night one last time. Laying her head on my shoulder she sighs then as one we turn back toward the car.

Though I was fine to drive at this point there was offer of my keys back and so I follow her lead as a very happy passenger. Carefully she drives back over the field.

As I get back into the car again after opening the gate to let her through then closing it again I quip. “The perfect crime.”

“I dunno.” She smiles. “Those coyotes might turn us in.”

“Not if they know what’s good for them.” I say. “Between your hand cannon and Earl’s old .22 we have ways of dealing with yappy witnesses.”

“Oh! A tough guy, huh?”

“The toughest.”

“I should have known by your whimpers.” She smirks, glancing over to me.

We share a laugh and then another, both of us downright giddy on good feelings. Too soon the gravel road hits the highway and the minutes back to town pass like seconds as we glide along within our happy little bubble. All good things must inevitably end and as Mei pulls up to her house so it is with our second date. She parks then gets out and walks around to the sidewalk to find me already waiting.

Mei presses my keys into my hand and holds it. Looking up into my eyes she says. “I had a wonderful time tonight, Dusty. You…” She brings my hand to her lips and kisses it. “You’re special.”

“Mei.” I say softly. “I can’t even…begin…”

She lays her fingertips over my lips. “Then don’t.”

I smile and kiss her fingers. “When can I see you again?”

The playful twinkle was back in her eyes, that hidden smirk teasing at her lips. “Mmm, we’ll have to see when I can squeeze you into my schedule. I’m a very busy woman.”

With a laugh I say. “Don’t make me beg.”

“Ooo!” Her dark eyes flash. “Don’t you threaten me with a good time.” Reaching up she pulls me close and plants a long, lingering kiss upon my lips. She is reluctant to pull away as I am praying to let this kiss last forever. Eventually we part, both blushing and flustered all over again. Laying a hand on my chest she says. “Soon.”

“Soon.” I nod.

“Have a good night, Dusty.”

“You too, Mei.” We stand a moment, gazing, neither one of us wanting this night to end, before she finally takes a breath, smiles and turns to walk away. I turn toward my car then stop and turn around. “Mei.”

“Yeah?” She says right back, spinning back to face me.

“I…um… I like your jacket.” I say. “It’s cool. You’re cool.”

She grins, just for a moment, then says. “Me? Cool? I think you need to get out more.” Then, smoothing the crumpled leather of her coat, she says. “Thanks. I like it too.”

With that the evening commences for real. I get into the car and adjust the seat back as I watch her disappear through her front door. With a long, dreamy sigh I slump back in my seat and close my eyes. Of all the moments to revisit from this night my mind darts straight back to only one. With her scent still strong inside the car I can hear her blurting out with such urgency, ‘I don’t love you!’. What a beautiful thing to say.

Letting out a soft breath I start the car and head for home.

Chapter 42