"It's Like Riding A Bike" (closed)

[Tony2015]

"It's Like Riding a Bike"

(closed to MissyDemeanors)​

Keith Taylor dropped into the corner booth and looked up for the waitress with a happy smile. For the past three months, he could be counted on walking through the cafe's doors at 10am sharp, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Those were her work days, he'd learned through trial and error. Though he claimed to be here for the pancakes and eggs special, he was truly here for her, and on the rare days when she was supposed to be working but wasn't, Keith was typically out the door with little more than a to go coffee and danish.

Discovering the sexy young waitress had changed Marcus's life. Oh sure, at 54 years old, he should have been ashamed to flirt with her like he did. He had learned through casual conversation that she was barely 18, a freshman at the local Community College. Many men joked about wanting to fuck a woman half their age, but this beauty was a third his age! But he couldn't help it.

Keith had lost his wife almost a decade ago and hadn't dated even once since then. It wasn't like he was a sad old man wasting away in a front porch rocking chair, a faithful old Golden Retriever asleep beside him, raising his head only when the mail man stopped by to talk about the weather. But he certainly wasn't one of those dirty old men who flirted with and too often made passes at women far too young for him, acting like fools as they made futile attempts to just once more see a beautiful body naked in his bed.

No, Marcus Lee was somewhere in between. He'd long told himself he needed to get back out there, and his friends had agreed. Some of those very friends had reminded him that he had the means to hire the best call girls if he was simply in need of release. But, it was more than that. Keith wanted to enjoy the company of a woman who was at the same time enjoying his company.

But it was a small town, and he knew all of the eligible women hereabouts. And not a single one of them had piqued his interest until her. He wanted so badly to get closer to her, but ... how does an old man do that with a girl who was young enough to be his granddaughter?

He smiled broadly when she looked up and saw him in his spot at his time. She didn't have to come over to know what he was going to order. But she always did. And Keith fantasized that she did that because, like him, she was intrigued.

 

[MissyDemeanors]

Sarah Mackenzie looked up from her note pad. She couldn't contain her smile. Her favorite customer was here. She smiled at Keith and gave him a half wave. Nothing to catch the eye of yhe couple she was serving currently. They were a sweet old couple trying to decide if they should split a pancake or get one each.

That was as excited as Sarahs life got. She was attending the local collage at the end of the summer but even then she was still living at home. They didn't have on campus housing because the school was so small. Off campus she couldn't afford an apartment on her own.

Graduating with honors had only made her future look slightly less in debt. She had been working at this diner for a few months now. Before she had been working at a book store. It had been bland but plenty of travel books to dream over. Often wading through the throng of boring people she missed her books.

She dropped off the couples request to the chef. She grabbed her friend, Emma, a waitress in her 60's. "Em's would you mind if you covered my tables a bit?"

Emma raised an eyebrow at her "let me guess, keith?" Sarah tried to shrug but Emma rolled her eyes and waved her off.

Sarah tied her long brown hair back into a ponytail. He preferred it down, he'd said so but it was a complete mess. Talking with him always broke up her day. She couldn't handle the bordem with out him. He was her travel books. He had lived life so much she loved listening to him talk.

She rushed out and scurried up to Keith grinning from ear to ear. "Hi Mr Taylor." She bit her lip wanting to hear him ask her to call him keith. It was their usual foreplay. He'd remind her to call him Keith and she said he could call her pretty. He did some times and it was always nice.

Today she sat down from across from him. It was a break from their usual routine but she was working a double shift today and Emma let her take regular breaks during the long days.

"You're my cigarette break today keith." She flashed her pearly whites. She never smoked but Emma said Keith was her bad habit. She told emma at 18 if that was her only bad habit ahe should be impressed.

She reat her elbows on the table. "I mean if you don't mind me delaying your regular order." She paused a mintue "It is the usual right?" She hoped so, she had a crummy memory and had left her pad in the kitchen.

 

[Tony2015]

"Hi Mr Taylor."

"Keith," he corrected. His smile widened. It was obvious she'd expected that. And likely just as expected, he told her, "You look very pretty today. As usual."

He loved this little dance of theirs. He had initially thought the joy was only his, that Sarah was only doing her job, keeping her customer happy, enhancing her tips. But after a while, Keith came to understand that Sarah was enjoying their frequent chats almost as much as he was, maybe even as much, he didn't know. This morning, Keith was delighted when Sarah sat down from across from him. He had invited her to do so often, but something had always preventing it: a packed house, work stacking up, or simple hesitance to sit with that old guy in the corner.

Of course, Sarah had never said anything like that to Keith. But he knew he was old, too old for this sweet little thing. But there was just something about Sarah that he couldn't resist.

"You're my cigarette break today, Keith."

"Well, I won't give you cancer," he said with a smile. He leaned in closer, whispering as if he was saying something inappropriate, "but I can be addicting."

Sarah flashed her pearly whites. Keith loved that smile. It always warmed his heart, as well as made him smile, too.

She apologized, "I mean if you don't mind me delaying your regular order. It is the usual right?"

"Well, yes and no," he said, his tone unusually hesitant. Keith had rarely shown any nervousness around Sarah. He'd always been a confident man. It was central to the great personal and professional success he'd enjoyed. But this was different. So very different. He looked past Sarah toward the others in the café, then certain he wouldn't be overheard, he said, "In addition to my regular order, I was hoping for a side order ... of you."

He gave her a moment to wonder what he meant, then chuckled quietly. He explained, "That's my way of asking, would you like to go to dinner with me, Sarah. Maybe Friday. I have a corporate thing I have to attend ... and I don't have anyone to accompany me."

 

[MissyDemeanors]

'In addition to my regular order, I was hoping for a side order ... of*you.'

That was an odd thing to say. Their banter had gone as usual but it took that slight turn. He didn't make her wait long. She could only blink when he asked her to have dinner with him.

She had to work it in her head because if a classmate had asked for a "side of her" It would mean something really naughty. She scrunched her nose trying not to laugh. She knew Keith didn't think about her that way but it was funny to think it.

She hadn't told Keith anything too personal. They kept things light hearted and he told her about traveling and buisness. She had let it slip once that her father had passed a few years back and he had admitted to losing his wife. Since then she had always been eager to see his smilong face.

Emma suggested he was up to no good but Emma also believed in the rapture and sarahs mother said those people weren't right in the head. She shook her head as she realized she had let it wander to her mother going on about people who shouldnt be trusted

"Excuse me?"

He had whispered and asked her. She was going to ask him if he meant a date but he said it was a corporate thing. She gnawed on her lip. She did it often when she thought, it drove her mother crazy.

This Friday? She had nothing better to do and he was really nice. It seemed silly to say no. He always tipped her 40% which was 10x what she usually got. She looked at his eager face and she couldn't help but smile "I'd like that Mr Taylor." She groaned when she saw Emma waving to her.

"Here" She pulled her pen out and grabbed a napkin. She wrote out her phone number and wrote Sarah surrounded by hearts. She giggled and slid it over "just text me where you want me to meet ya. If it's like a museum thing let me know I have a nice black dress my mom makes me wear to funerals and.."

She got caught off as a family of five came through the door. That would mean Emma would have 3 whole tables to herself. The old woman looked at her like the devil had showed on her doorstep.

"Sorry Keith gotta go." She went to leave then turned back to him quick "just text me whatever you want from me kay? I mean like what to wear and stuff I don't want to embaress you." She bumped into an old woman as she walked backwards and quickly turned away from keith to help the woman out.

He mind was instantly on putting in keiths order and helping out the new patrons. Mr Taylor was a really nice guy and he was really sweet to take her some where. He probably got sick of her living off of all his adventures. She'd lived life so little compared to him. She didn't give him a second thought though other than wondering if her funeral dress would still fit. She hadn't worn it for like 3 years.

 

[Tony2015]

"Just text me whatever you want from me, 'kay?"

That made Keith smile a bit, thinking Don't the kids call that 'sexting', because what I want from you...

She was still talking as the thoughts were flooding the Dirty Ol' Man portion of his mostly Gentlemanly brain, "I mean like what to wear and stuff. I don't want to embaress you."

Keith thought about that over the next hour or so as he got and finished his breakfast and Sarah dealt with a sudden influx of diners. Each time she came to his table to check on him, refill his coffee, offer dessert, etc., Keith had a quick question for her...

"It's better if I pick you up. What's your address...?"

"Do you like black, or would you rather wear something more colorful...?"

"What size shoes do you wear...?"

Each time Keith asked Sarah a question, her reaction made him smile. He always spoke them in a tone and manner that sounded like little more than a father out shopping with his daughter. He suspected that she suspected he was going to buy her an appropriate dress, a pair of shoes, and the necessary finishings. What actually happened was ... well, not that!



Keith had asked Sarah out during his regular Tuesday morning breakfast. Thursday, not wanting her to think anything was wrong, he texted her phone and told her he couldn't make breakfast. Business, the text included. Then, Friday afternoon, as her final class was letting out, Sarah got a text from her mother that read Get home now! Someone's waiting for you.

When she arrived home, Sarah found a pair of women and a man waiting in the living room, surrounded by things they'd unloaded from the small motor home parked out front. There was a portable beauty salon style chair and hair washing sink. There was a rack of beautiful dresses in varying shades of the color about which Sarah had told Keith. There were two standing displays with two dozen pairs of shoes each. And more!

The man who was in charge and, without any question at all, was the Hollywood epitome of the stereotypical gay hair dresser approached Sarah as if she was his long lost daughter, spewing forth a mix of compliments about her natural beauty while somehow also explaining how he was going to make her perfection even better.

"Come! Come!" he commanded, to Sarah and the two eager women. "A masterpiece awaits!"

(Sending you a PM.)

 

[MissyDemeanors]

Sarah had rushed home. What she came home to had been surprising for a plethora of reasons. She'd actually expected to come home an eviction notice. Her mom tended to forget to pay rent. The site before her seemed a little absurd.

"Oooooo Sarah you're going to be just like Julia Roberts In pretty woman!" Sarah gives a weak smile to the hair dresser as her mom spins with one of the dresses. She's drunk, she's always drunk. Sarah doubted her mother realized that she had implied she was a hooker but she was embarressed for her.

The man who wants to do her hair seems overly eager and the woman dressing her, like a barbie, doesn't seem to understand modesty. A small part of her was excited to get dolled up but most of her felt embarressed that Keith had caught on to how poor she was.

She convinced the hairdresser not to cut or dye her hair. He did curl it and add volume though. He also did her makeup and went on and on about the event she was going to. She was second guessing it by the mintue. She didn't think she was going to fit in.

The woman grabbed her next and shoved her into one dress after the other. She complained that Sarah was too flat chested or wasn't the right skin tone. Sarah was feeling miserable. The woman forced her into heels she feared she'd fall over in.

When the woman had stopped and decided on the "best" outfit Sarah didn't feel much like going out. The dress exposed her far too much and her legs seemed insanely long. She went to ask her mom's opinion but she was passed out on the couch. She covered her mom and ignored the looks of pity the strangers were giving her.

It was nothing new to her and it didn't bother her much. She was sad when the Cadillac showed up. Her mother would have liked seeing a fancy car pick her daughter up. The chauffer opened the door for her and she slid in.

She played with her phone willing herself to text Keith. She didn't belong here and it was nice of him but she had no way of paying him back. A few times she'd felt like crying but managed to contain herself to avoid messing up her makeup.

The Cadillac pulled up and her stomach was in knots. She had seen cars worth more than her house. The people walking about were really well known. She looked down and was really glad she hadn't worn her funeral dress. She had been worried she was over dressed but she felt like she might actually fit in. Keith had been really considerate.

The chauffer opened the door for her and she took his hand to step out. Her stress ebbed away when she saw keith dressed to the nines. She had never smiled so big in her life. He looked great. She'd always thought he was attractive for his age but now, he looked fantastic.

She blushed and smoothed out her dress as he approached her. She looked at him wanting to thank him for everything but she couldn't make the words come out. Instead she hugged him tight. She pulled away quickly knowing yhat wasn't appropriate but she didn't know how else to show him how special he had made her feel.

 

[Tony2015]

Keith was chatting with the Lieutenant Governor and his wife when he looked up to see his dinner date. Sarah was simply ravishing in the dress the stylist had chosen for her. He made his way to her and was about to tell her so when she threw her arms around his torso. As she squeezed, he chuckled. He placed his hands around her, but feeling all the bare skin and lace he tempered the embrace. She pulled away quickly, a bit of an embarrassed look on her face.

"You look mah-velous," he said, doing his best impression of the Billy Crystal character, Fernando Lamas. He could see in Sarah's face that she either didn't know the parody or simply hadn't been ready for the humorous compliment. He waved it away, taking her elbow gently and saying, "Come with me. I've got to show you off, my dear."

He turned her toward the crowd inside the hotel ball room. As they walked he whispered, "Now, some of these people you'll recognize ... others you won't. I want you to remember one thing. They're just people. They put their underwear on one leg at a time, just like us." He leaned in closer to whisper, "Assuming their wearing any at all."

He laughed loudly, attracting the attention of several couples all grouped together. He immediately began making introductions, calling Sarah, My very good friend. She garnered an abundance of compliments on her dress, hair, and undeniable beauty. Keith could see that it was probably a bit overwhelming for her, so he kept up the majority of the conversation, refusing to allow Sarah to feel out of place.

When a woman passed by with a platter of champagne flutes, Keith took two, offered one out to Sarah, and -- so no one else would hear -- whispered, "You can just hold it if you don't like it."

He knew she wasn't of drinking age, yet he couldn't believe that she hadn't at least tasted champagne on one holiday occasion or another. Despite Sarah's possibly belief, Keith knew nothing about her mother's alcoholism. Otherwise, he might have asked the waitress for a soft drink.

He saw her reaction to the offer, leaned in close, and whispered, "The man with the red striped tie behind me. That's the Attorney General." His lips widened, then his white teeth sparkled. "Might not want him to see you drink this."

He sipped from his own flute, studying Sarah. She was so darling ... so adorable ... so sweet ... so sexy ... so ...

Oh, God, he thought, I want you so bad. Why do I have to be so fucking old?

 

[MissyDemeanors]

She had missed the reference completely but it seemed goofy and made her feel better about hugging him. He had to show her off? Looking around her she was positive she wasn't anywhere on these people's level.

*"Now, some of these people you'll recognize ... others you won't. I want you to remember one thing. They're just people. They put their underwear on one leg at a time, just like us."*

She recognized most them for being well known. For sure she didn't know anyone here though. As for underwear Sarah closed her eyes and did another little prayer that her skirt wouldn't flip. She had on a purple lacey thong it was the only clean one she had. She was so scared about her panties showing with the short skirt she opted for the least material.

She couldn't believe all the compliments she got. As for being his good friend Sarah felt ashamed for not knowing more about him. He was being so kind. She didn't mean to cringe at the champagne glasses but he played it off well. Very few people knew about her mother. She didn't take offense. She did pass it back to a waiter as soon as possible.

Attorney general? Was that like a cop? How were Keiths teeth so white? She realized she was practically gripping his arm. It took her a mintue but then she realized she was in his environment. The diner was hers and this was his. It was why he seemed so alive to her right now and why she held on to him so tightly.

She didn't catch him staring she was too busy trying to find someone her age. She finally saw one woman had to be near her early twenties. "She's beautiful" Sarah said under her breath. The young blonde was flawless and standing next to a man easily 20 years older than Keith. The woman turned her head and glared at Sarah. It threw her off and she didn't know why she was looking at her like that.

She looked back at Keith staring at her. She leaned in and whispered in his ear "I don't think I belong here." Her eyes searched his for reassurance.

 

[Tony2015]

Keith had been watching Sarah off and on -- more on than off, actually -- and he quickly came to realize that she was surveying the crowd for something, or someone, in particular. He thought at first that maybe she was afraid someone she knew would recognize her and wonder what the hell she was doing here with that old man. He wasn't haughty or snobbish enough to think the possibility of a familiar face was impossible. But he wasn't an idiot either, so eventually -- when her eyes settled on the beautiful blonde a few yards away -- Keith realized that Sarah had been looking for someone, just one someone, who might be even close to her own age.

He'd known up front that Sarah was going one of just a few young people at the event. It was a fundraiser for the local Children's Museum, so Keith had expected at least a few children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren of the donors to be present. But arriving thirty minutes before Sarah had, Keith was disappointed to learn that those few youngsters who had shown up had been quickly ushered away to a carnival taking place on the water front just two blocks away.

In the end, with the exception of Sarah and the perfect blonde, there wasn't a single person here under 30 who wasn't parking luxury cars or serving drinks and hors d'oeuvres. When Sarah made her comment about not belonging here, Keith very quickly excused the pair of them from their current conversation and turned her away. He whispered to her, "In that case, neither do I. Because at this very moment, I don't want to be anywhere where you aren't on my arm."

Keith casually herded Sarah through the crowd towards the exit to the hotel's Rose Garden, telling her, "Let's take a walk. The grounds here are spectacular. Award winning actually." Once they were outside and away from the rest of the fundraising crowd -- both those looking to get money and those looking to get attention for giving money -- Keith told Sarah with a sincere tone, "I'm sorry. I should have known you would feel out of place there. Those people ... my people, to be precise..."

The last line was spoken with a bit of embarrassment. Keith wasn't exactly a one percenter, but he also wasn't the type who had to look at his checking balance everyday to ensure he his electric bill check hadn't bounced. He'd never flaunted his money, and -- although he had always dressed well in Sarah's presence and tipped her well -- Keith certainly had never flaunted his money in front of her.

"Let's do something!" he said, clenching her hand playfully. "Anything! Name it." He looked off toward the waterfront, where the lights and sounds of the carnival were beginning to become obvious as the ballroom faded behind them. "What about the carnival? I haven't been to one in..." He paused, then laughed loudly, looking to her with a wide smile. "Probably since before you were born!"

He shed his jacket and put it around her shoulders as he said with an obviously hopeful tone, "The fund raiser was a flop, but ... Sarah ... I'd like to spend some time with you ... if I haven't made of mess of this night already."

 

[MissyDemeanors]

He had ushered her out quickly she hadn't the chance to speak her mind. She held the coat to her body looking at his worried face. She leaned in and softly kissed his cheek "Thank you so much."

She felt close to tears but in a good way. "It's like my fair lady. You were carting me around and all I knew how to say properly was about the rain in the plains." She gave him a weak smile "My mom and I use to watch it when I was a kid.

She looked at the beautiful garden by them. She held the coat tight around her and smelled it " I love your smell." She said absent minded seeing the fair im the distance.

"I'd love to but this dress" She motioned to herself "I'd hate to mess it up Keith it's the nicest thing I've ever worn." She looked at the party and then at the fair again. She grabbed his hand and motioned to a bench near by "will you sit with me for a mintue? Let me just enjoy all of this for a mintue then I will go any where you want."

She rested her head on his shoulder "as long as you're with me i think I'll fit in anywhere. You've been so wonderful to me. No matter what we do tonight I don't think I'll ever be able you repay you. You can take me wherever you please, but can we sit just a bit?"

 

[Tony2015]

"It's like my fair lady," Sarah said, talking about her mother.

"Henry and Eliza," he responded with a smile. "Know it well." He gave her a soft elbow as if telling her a secret. "Don't tell anyone, but--" He pretended to look around for nosy eavesdroppers, whispering, "I saw it's first run on Broadway and in the theater."

After he'd reminded Sarah about his advanced age, Keith was sorry he'd done so. But she didn't say anything about it. He began to wonder if maybe he cared about it more than she did.

Sarah balked on the carnival asking instead if they could just sit together. "As long as you're with me I think I'll fit in anywhere."

It was getting colder and Keith knew that pretty soon, he'd be wishing he had his jacket back. Since he obviously wasn't going to reclaim it, he turned Sarah back toward the hotel's main entrance. "The hotel has a restaurant on the 15th floor. It's warm ... we can get you a drink that you actually like..." He smiled down to her playfully. "...and the view is amazing."

As they headed back to the hotel, Sarah thanked Keith for how he was treating her, adding, "You can take me wherever you please, but can we sit just a bit?"

Keith thought about what she said as they entered the building and headed for the elevator. Inside, he pressed 15 as the Dirty Old Man in his brain was screaming, You heard her! Anywhere! Take a chance! The worst that can happen is she says 'No'. Do it! As the elevator began moving upward, Keith quickly reached out and pressed 12.

"I ... I know a quieter place," he said nervously. "Fire place, to get us warm again. Mini fridge with soft drinks." He mumbled to himself, "Scotch for me."

As the doors opened, he took Sarah's hand in the crook of his elbow and led her out slowly and down the hall. He ran the key card through the lock of 1212, opened the door, then looked to Sarah and asked, "Is this okay? We ... we can go upstairs ... to the restaurant if you prefer."

 

[MissyDemeanors]

Sarah couldn't look him in the face. She felt embarressed and niave. She chose instead to stare out the window of the restaurant, he was right, it was beautiful.

Their elevator ride up she'd been thrown off by his scotch comment and hadn't even paid attention. When he stood in the door way she could only hear her mother

'It's like pretty woman.'

Had she been that stupid, that foolish to think he was just being kind? Some part of her was hurt and the dirt poor side of her was pissed she didn't even get to go to the charity if that were the case.

She played with the hem of her dress. She wanted to stay at the party but had been afraid she'd embaress him, wanted to go to the fair but was afraid she'd ruin his dress. She'd just wanted to talk to him tell him how kind he was an to offer to go back to the charity. She felt like her fear had ruined the night.

Her delusion came crashing down at the hotel offer and now they sat awkwardly quiet at the dining table. No one was here and the waiter was taking forever to serve them.

She broke away from the view to look at keith. He seemed angry and sad and she could only pray it wasn't her fault. She wasn't a virgin maybe she should have..... no she had shown up nicely packaged and had practically jumped into his hotel room with her talk.

She'd been going over how she spoke to him. She didn't think of him in any sexual way but he was a single, attractive, male and she shouldn't have spoken so freely. Licking her lips she finally broke the unbearable silence. "I'd like to go to the fair." Keith looked surprised and confused

"Not tonight obviously, this dress is way too nice for that." She scrunched her toes in her heels trying to encourage herself to push herself to the edge and talk. "I want to go home after dinner." She prayed his reaction wouldn't be mad.

She waited just a mintue "but if it's alright with you I'd like to come back to the fair some time. I think I was a little overwhelmed and.." The waiter noticed them. She hurried "If you were interested I'd like to get to know you." The waiter came up and she blurted out the first thing she could.

"Can we have dessert?" She blushed and gave keith a soft smile. "I don't like drinking, but I could get drunk off chocolate any day." The waiter pulled out the dessert menu and Sarah eyed keith hoping he wasn't mad and hoping he'd want to stay and talk.

He wanted her. She got that now. Yeah the age gap was crazy far for her but he was kind. She didn't have a lot of that in her life. He was also rich enough to do something beyond the local pool hall. He was her adventure book, her favorite customer and looking at him now, someone she didn't want to just let go of. She'd extended the olive branch and hoped his ego hadn't taken too much damage for him to accept it.

She scanned all three dessert items at least fifty times. She wanted to get to know him but not go to bed with him. Not yet at least. She hoped that arrangement was OK with him. She pointed to something doused in chocolate and asked for two spoons. The waiter took the menu straight from her hands and left after getting his order.

 

[Tony2015]

Keith had moved too quickly. He wanted Sarah. He was a single man, and she was a beautiful woman. So ... yeah, he wanted Sarah. But bringing her, a barely legal teenager, to his room on their first date...? That had been a mistake.

Instead they reentered the elevator and ended up sitting in the restaurant ordering chocolate.

"I want to go home after dinner," Sarah told him out of the blue.

Keith took her comment as a veiled declaration that she didn't want him trying the I know a quieter place move again.

"Of course," he confirmed with a smile. "It's still early, but ... when you're ready, just saw the word."

"But if it's alright with you I'd like to come back to the fair some time. I think I was a little overwhelmed and.."

Keith was going to comment on the banquet and the people in it being a lot to take, then he realized he might as well be making that comment about himself. He hoped Sarah would come to like him for more than just a big tipper. Her next comment made him smile, thinking that might just happen ... assuming she wasn't just trying to be nice.

"If you were interested I'd like to get to know you."

He smiled broadly. "I'd like that very much, Sarah."

She placed her order and Keith asked only for an double strength Americano. He hoped the evening with Sarah would never end, but if it did, he knew he had to get back to the charity to make another appearance there as well. Caffeine is my friend, he thought.

After the waiter left, they stared at one another for a moment with awkward smiles. Keith glanced out at the carnival and confirmed with her that he'd love to take her. It's in town until Sunday. You work the morning shift, right?" He didn't have to ask that, of course. Keith knew Sarah's work schedule better than she did. "So ... tomorrow night maybe?"

It took as long to get their order as it had to give it. They filled the time chatting about some of the people they'd met downstairs, about her classes, about the chauffeured ride over, and more. The ice cream and coffee finally arrived, slowing the chit chat but not ending it. Keith had laughed when Sarah offered him one of the two spoons. He told her, "I haven't shared an ice cream treat with a date since high school."

When it seemed as though Sarah had had enough and he had finished his second Americano, Keith donned a more serious expression and got up the nerve to tell Sarah what he'd been contemplating for the past half hour.

"I want to apologize for taking you to my room," he said, his words carefully chosen and spoken with deep sincerity. "It is important to me, Sarah, that you understand that--" He drew a deep breath, holding it for a moment before quietly letting it out. "It is important that you understand I was not trying to take advantage of the situation ... of you being overwhelmed ... of your wanting to be away from all of that."

Keith didn't realize, of course, that Sarah had yearned to go back to the charity banquet after their quiet getaway to the gardens. He continued, his gaze on the nearly devoured ice cream treat, "I ... I want to explain something about myself to you, but ... I don't want you to feel sorry for me. I'm not looking for sympathy." He looked back up into her eyes, repeating, "I'm not looking for sympathy, Sarah. I ... I just want you to understand why I made that mistake."

He didn't explain the mistake, but he obviously meant taking her to his hotel room. His gaze dropped again as he continued, "I lost my wife ten years ago last month. I graduated high school on a Saturday, married her on a Sunday, and shipped out to South East Asia on a Monday. I didn't see her for a year and two days. By that time, our son was four months old."

Keith had, of course, told Sarah he'd been married and widowed and that he'd had children who themselves had also had children. But until now he'd never told her so many details, nor had he told her what he was about to tell her. His gaze was now firmly on the coffee cup with which he was nervously toying in both hands. "My wife's death was sudden but peaceful. Aneurysm. She died in her sleep, never knowing what happened to her. I--"

He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to tear up or cry. He thought about his wife and the life they'd had together every day, but always with a smile and happy recollections. Keith didn't dwell on the past. He'd always been about the future, then and now. It was why he had the money had had now. He was always considering what was coming ahead, not what lay behind.

He cleared his throat and looked back up to his date, who was watching him intently. He smiled. "I loved my wife, Sarah. She was the first woman I'd ever loved. She was the woman who made a man out of me, as they used to say in my day. And -- you're going to find this either very charming or very sad or very creepy -- she was the only woman with whom I'd ever made love or to whom I'd ever even wanted to make love ... until ... you."

 

[MissyDemeanors]

*"So ... tomorrow night maybe?"

"I'd like that." And she meant it. She loved the fair.

I haven't shared an ice cream treat with a*date since high school."

She let that spin in her head knowing she was in fact his date. Not just some girl he took pity on.

Just as she thought that he told her he didn't want her pity. She knew that feeling, wanting to share just so the other person knew but not wanting it to change how they looked at her.

The guilt about taking her to his room had to be bad if he felt obligated to tell her about his sexual partners. "Really just her?"

She couldn't help but ask. He nodded three fingers up smiling sheepishly "scouts honor"

She played with the rest of her ice cream for a mintue. She had been with three guys before. She felt like a whore all of a sudden. She'd lost her virginity in the back seat of a car just like all the girls in her class. She's sobbed and eaten a quart of ice cream when he broke up with her. The thought of losing your only love made her chest hurt.

Being told she was wanted sexually was a bit much but it couldnt out weigh how special she felt for him sharing that with her. She believed him too.

"I'm not a virgin. I just didn't feel right going in the room" She'd leave out how many partners she'd had. She looked at him seriously "I don't want your pity either."

She took a calming breath and stared at the lights as she spoke. "My dad was a bastard. He use to hit my mom a lot. I was happy the day he died until my mother started drinking." She couldn't control her tears like him. She dabbed at her eyes praying her make up wouldn't smear "She was so dependent on him that she let him beat her and when he died she just turned to the bottle."

She sniffled and stopped talking for a mintue. "I don't want your money. I can't be bought." She looked at him dead on. "I want you to know I'm here because of you. Just you."


"I'd like to go back to the charity if you were interested. I'd like to see you in your environment again." She smoothed out her dress hoping her face wasn't too red.

She'd shared with him because he had shared with her. "I don't know about being with you keith but." She tried to word it right "I'd like to spend more time with you." She gave him a soft smile and watched the waiter pick up their stuff and leave a check.

She reached across and touched keiths hand softly " I feel like I belong a little bit more than I did before." She stared at his face and was thrown attention just how attractive he actually was. Seeing him as someone who wanted her made her view of him change as well.

 

[Tony2015]

(OOC: I changed "have sex" to "make love" in my last post. I had meant to do that before I posted but I was being rushed back to work and forgot.)

"I'm not a virgin," Sarah confessed.

Keith hadn't presumed she was. She was still young enough that being pure of body wouldn't be seen as prudish or abnormal. But she was so attractive that Keith knew the boys from school and even the men from the diner and elsewhere had hit on or were still hitting on her constantly. He presumed she'd given into one of them, in not simply to her own carnal desires. Actually, he would have been disappointed if Sarah had been a virgin. It was hard enough to imagine her sleeping with him as it was, but if she was a virgin...? Hell, he wouldn't have had a chance in hell.

"I just didn't feel right going in the room."

"Sarah, you don't have to explain about that," he said with a sincere tone. "I ... I shouldn't have presumed."

He listened intently to her tale of her home life. Keith had heard similar horror stories over the years, and each one simply tore him apart. He'd been lucky enough to grow up in a loving, peaceful household. His parents had been faithfully and lovingly married for 55 years before, within just weeks of one another, they passed away peacefully. And, as he'd already explained, his marriage had been wonderful, too.

But, as Keith had first said, Sarah wasn't looking for pity so he showed her none. He would keep his sad feelings for her home life to himself, only referring to it when and if Sarah specifically asked for his input.

When she told him she didn't want his money, Keith quickly raised a hand in a stop gesture. "Sarah. Oh, Sarah. Please, have no fear that I ever thought that. I know gold diggers. And you are no gold digger." He glanced to her dress and the way it accentuated her figure so well, then looked up and chuckled. "In fact, I sent a bill for the clothes and make over to you. Should arrive tomorrow."

He laughed again.

"I'd like to go back to the charity if you were interested."

Keith smiled, delighted. He'd secretly hoped she would want to go back. She seemed to be a very strong person, and he knew that she would find her groove quickly.

"I don't know about being with you Keith, but," she started, "I'd like to spend more time with you."

"I would like that very much," he said quickly. When she reached out and took his hand, telling him that she was feeling better about being with his crowd, Keith told her, "You may not feel as though you belong down there, but trust me, Sarah ... you do. You are beautiful ... intelligent ... strong ... beautiful. Or did I say that already?"

He chuckled, then rose and helped her to her feet. He slipped his jacket on, smelling her scent now on it. He didn't know whether she'd seen him draw the deep breath, but he blushed fearing that she would take it as too sexually connected, too quickly. He pulled out a twenty and set it on the table, then turned Sarah toward the elevator.

(Sending you a PM.)

 

[MissyDemeanors]

Once again they were in the charity before she knew it. She still felt the knot in her stomach but Keith was so charismatic it was hard for her not to get excited. They took a break from one group to mingle with another when Sarah whispered "you were kidding about billing me for this dress though right?"

He laughed so loud she blushed and he assured her she wasn't going to get a bill. She was happy for that, she knew she couldn't afford it. Once that little concerned was gone Sarah just got swept up in it all.

She noticed he politely turned don't alcohol the whole night even during a toast. Never once did she feel like she was imposing. He welcomed her into each conversation and changed topics when she seemed to be getting lost.

Their stance had shifted. She didn't grip his arm as she had before. She felt less afraid. The loose grip soon turned into her just holding his hand. Mid conversation she felt his thumb brush against her bare thigh. She didn't know why but she felt it buzzing through her whole body. She squeezed his hand and smiled at him when he looked at her. She still didn't know if she belonged but she really liked where she was.

 

[Tony2015]

After a few minutes back in the banquet room, Sarah whispered to Keith, "You were kidding about billing me for this dress though right?"

He laughed loudly, causing her to blush. It humored Keith first that she might have been unsure whether or not he'd been teasing her. But even more so, he'd wanted to say something to the effect of No, I won't bill you, but you have to take it off before we part tonight so I can return it. He would have loved to see Sarah's reaction to such a request, but after his faux pas at his hotel room, he wasn't eager for just one more Dirty Old Man incident between them tonight.

Keith was tickled pink that Sarah seemed to be enjoying herself now. She added her comments and opinions occasionally to topics for which some of the older attendees seemed surprise she was familiar. Keith was very impressed. Some might have said Sarah was from the wrong side of the tracks, but there was one thing they couldn't say about her: she wasn't ignorant white trailer trash. She carried on her end of the conversations well. When he feared a topic might be out of her reach, Keith steered the conversation elsewhere.

Keith's heart leaped -- and, to be honest, his cock swelled a bit -- when Sarah lowered her hand from his crooked elbow to take his hand in hers. The last woman to hold his hand like this was Keith's daughter as his wife's funeral. Feeling her palm against his, her fingers in his, became the instant highlight of Keith's evening, and his beaming smile simply wouldn't fade, even when some of his fellow old as sin compatriots glances at the joined hands and gave him questioning glances. They all knew Sarah wasn't his daughter or granddaughter; and they knew he wasn't the type to hire a paid escort either. So, who was this adorable, sexy woman clutching Keith Taylor's hand?

The evening was getting on, and -- even without his traditional helping of champagne or Scotch -- Keith was feeling on top of the world. He was standing next to -- holding hands with -- a beautiful young woman who seemed to be enjoying not only herself but his company. He had made a conscious effort not to ogle her since that first up and down inspection of her at the hotel's entrance, but now he couldn't help but let his gaze drop for an instant into the cleavage of her deliciously skin exposing dress.

He looked up before she turned his way, hiding his lust for her. But then, he thought, Will she remember that I yearn her? Shouldn't I remind her? If I do, and she is offended, will I ruin her fun? Keith knew it was a risk, but he wanted to take it. He let his hand moved closer to the nearest, long leg. The outside of his thumb gently caressed her smooth skin. It was only just a brush, but -- as she looked up into his eyes -- it had to be obvious to Sarah that it had not accidentally. Then she smiled up to him and squeezed his hand.

Keith had to look away, not just from Sarah but from the others. His face was exploding in heat from the thought ricocheting inside his skull. He waited until the guests they were with were engaged in a rowdy, laugh filled back and forth, then leaned in close to Sarah's ear and whispered, "I want to kiss you so badly."

 

[MissyDemeanors]

The comment caught her off guard. He blushed and looked about her. She stopped walking and tilted her head to respond "am I worth waiting for?" She wanted to kiss him. To walk outside and to find out what it would be like to be embraced by him. But she felt a little high on the night. That her judgment was a little fuzzy considering all the wonderful things she had seen and done in just a few hours.

She felt like kissing him would just add to the list of things she hadn't done before. She didn't want to kiss him because it was new. She wanted to kiss him because it was right.

She squeezed his hand again. "Did you know, the rain in Spain falls mostly in the plains." She giggled and looked at a few people eyeing them. The night was going better than she had hoped. It was getting late though. "Will you drive home with me tonight?" She quickly elaborated "I just mean so we can talk more. I mean, I live with my mom so..." She began feeling flustered agajn.

 

[Tony2015]

"Am I worth waiting for?" Sarah asked in reference to his wanting to kiss her.

Keith smiled and nodded his affirmation. He could wait. It was killing him to do so, but ... he could if he must.

She was having fun here, and Keith was delighted to see it. She made her rain joke again, giggling. He leaned closer, pinched his thumb and fingers together near his lips, and wiggled them as if shaking the ash from a cigar's end. In his best Groucho Marx impression, he said, "One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know."

Keith's smile widened, and he laughed aloud. He decided to venture a bit, released her hand, and gently laid his hand upon the small of Sarah's back over her skimpy dress's belt. The move left his thumb upon the bare skin of her back. It felt so good to be touching her in what any man would consider an intimate location of a woman's body.

"Will you drive home with me tonight?" she asked. Before Keith could formulate a response or even a dirty thought about being alone in a car with her, she elaborated, "I just mean so we can talk more. I mean, I live with my mom so..."

"Of course," he answered. "I wouldn't consider anything else."

The night was getting late, Keith had chatted with everyone he'd needed, and -- of course -- he was getting eager for that am I worth waiting for kiss. He began leading Sarah around to certain groups, exchanging farewells. He was delighted with some of the women -- all older, all higher class, at least in their minds -- shook hands with Sarah or, even better, leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. The Mayor's wife even invited Sarah to next month's Art Show For the Homeless, giving her a business card upon which she wrote what was necessary to get Sarah through the door without question.

Keith texted Sarah's driver that they'd be out soon, then texted his own and told him he could take the rest of the night off. She gave Keith an address, and off they went. He'd avoided trying to kiss Sarah, knowing that making such a move in the back seat of a car -- even if it was a chauffeured limousine -- was akin to walking her into his hotel room without her notice.

(PM coming)

 

[MissyDemeanors]

The night had ended as quickly as it began. Sarah was sad to leave . She played with the card the mayors wife had given her. She'd never imagined rubbing elbows with the elite. Her grandmother use to use that phrase when she talked about going to bingo night at the local club house. Boy would her grandma have been impressed.

She had asked him if he could wait and he had. Actually, he was waiting much longer than expected. She figured he'd be pawing at her by now, just like her dates. The back seat of a car was the preferred choice. None of them had this much room either.

She looked up seeing the windows were completely black between them and the driver. It was a long drive home and the silence would kill her. She stared at the card again before speaking "I feel like cinderella now. Like we are rushing back before my clothes change to rags and our carriage turns into a pumpkin." She turned her head to look at him. She touched his face as he looked at her.

"You're not as old as you think you are." She thought he might laugh or dispute that statement but she didn't let him. She kissed him. She thought she'd give him a peck goodnight at the door but she couldn't break their kiss.

Her hand left his face and rested on his knee. She used it to leverage herself into the kiss not wanting to break away. She felt so happy she was afraid she might cry while kissing him.

The simple brush of her thigh had made her buzz. The feel of his hand on her lower back had given her the want to feel his hands all over her flesh. Kissing him now, smelling his expensive Cologne, she wanted him to embrace her. She didn't want her silver prince to let her go.

 

[Tony2015]

The sexual tension was growing exponentially as the ride prolonged. At least, it was within Keith. He was about to explode! If this had been 1962 again, if Keith had again been 18 years old, it the woman next to him was his then 16 year old wife-to-be, the windows would already be steaming over from the heavy breathing. But it wasn't, he wasn't, she wasn't, and they weren't.

"I feel like cinderella now," Sarah told him, studying the card from the connection she'd made. "Like we are rushing back before my clothes change to rags and our carriage turns into a pumpkin."

In Keith's mind he was thinking, Only difference is, the Prince knows who you are, and he wouldn't let that happen to you. But that fairy tale comment sounded a bit too much like the contemporary Have sex with me, and I'll give you money for new clothes and a car, particularly since Sarah had obviously determined by now that Keith had more money than he'd ever let on back at the diner.

He felt a bit misleading -- even dishonest -- about having withheld exactly who and what he was from Sarah. Of course, he'd never told her he was just a middle class shmuck who liked to eat pancakes and stare at beautiful waitresses. So, he hadn't lied. But, some said that withholding the true was the same as lying. Should he have told her that he was worth $1.5 billion? That he had companies in 30 US states and 10 foreign countries? That he owned a ski lodge in the French Alps, an American style dude ranch in South Africa, and a 14 bedroom mansion in the West Hills twenty miles from here, where many of those Elites Sarah had met tonight lived behind wrought iron fences and guarded gates to keep out the unwanted, unacceptable riff raff? Should he have told her that before tonight, many of those people she'd met and with whom she had had such great conversations would have considered her that unwanted, unacceptable riff raff...? Should he have told her that even after tonight, many of those people still would?

Suddenly, Sarah was reaching out to touch his face. "You're not as old as you think you are."

And then, she was kissing him. Keith met her lips carefully, matching her every muscle movement so as to get from Sarah what she was offering yet not imply he wanted more ... even though he did ... and even though he knew that she knew he did. Keith had expected the kiss to be as Sarah had: a short peck, likely on the cheek; possibly on the lips, but if it was, quick and without wetness.

And yet, the kiss continued. Keith felt Sarah's hand lower to his knee, and a portion of his attention lowered with it, causing him to realize that his cock was hardening with incredible speed. Keith reached a hand out to Sarah's upper arm, then caressed it upwards over the abundance of bared skin her dress provided to her neck.

The kiss intensified: their lips parted a bit, they wetted, tongue tips just ever so gently teased. It wasn't dirty, but it was still erotic, at least in Keith's mind. He hadn't kissed a woman in a decade. And, despite their love for one another never having faded in all those year, Keith later wouldn't be able to recall the last time he'd even kissed his wife in this way.

Before he realized what he was doing, Keith's other hand had slipped around Sarah's waist to pull her to him. And, without truly understanding how it had come to happen, she was turned and fully in his arms, bodies pressed against one another, as the kiss took an obvious turn toward the passionate.

And somewhere amidst that passion, Keith managed to whisper to Sarah suggestively, "You're not as young as you fear you are."

 

[MissyDemeanors]

"You're not as young as you fear you are."


His words spun in her head as she felt him take her against him. She was afraid she was too ignorant and young for him, she was afraid she was going to fail at everything and be stuck where she was forever, she was afraid her mother would drink herself to death and leave her all alone.

She was afraid of all those things. Standing on an edge with him as they kissed she was afraid of moving to fast and too slow. She reluctantly broke their kiss. Taking his hand from her arm she kissed his hand softly. Closing her eyes she nuzzled her face into his palm whispering "I am afraid."

Opening her eyes she slid his hand down her neck and onto the exposed flesh on her chest. She pushed his hand further until his fingers were almost hooked in the front of her dress. "You make me feel unafraid." She had to go back to kissing him to cover the sadness to her words.

He had showed her a world that she might never get to see again or be a part of but for maybe just a mintue or two she was his companion in a beautiful world. She had been away from her crummy life and her drunken mother. He showed her a beautiful glimpse of what her life could be like even if everything she feared came true.

She could make it on her own, the world had so much to see and do and she knew it would just drive her to try harder. He had given her a gift and she realized she had nothing to repay him with. So she kissed him. Passionately hoping she could give every wonderful feeling she had to him through it.

 

[Tony2015]

"I am afraid."

As Keith stared into Sarah's eyes, she slowly caressed his hand down her neck to her chest. His palm and fingers wandered over her collar bone to her ribs then to--

He drew a conspicuous breath as he felt the softer yet still firm flesh of a young breast against his fingers and palm.

"You make me feel unafraid."

She returned to kissing Keith, and while he waited what he thought was a suitable amount of time, he did eventually slip his hand deeper under the front of her dress and bra to gently cup one of her magnificent breasts. Her nipple instantly hardened at his touch, growing conspicuously against his finger tips. He cupped her, groped her gently.

"I'm afraid, too," he whispered between kisses. "Come home with me. Make love with me, and ... make me feel unafraid, too."

 

[MissyDemeanors]

She felt her whole body react to his faint touch of her nipple.

"....make me unafraid too."

Via sex? Her mind began spinning the way only a woman's can. She wanted to. She wanted to feel him and wanted to make him happy.

"You're not a virgin"

Her brain kept saying louder and louder and she hesitated. She remembered when she'd lost her virginity how a week later he'd dumped her and she was sobbing eating ice cream alone.

She felt the car go over some rail road tracks. That meant they were close to her house. She was shivering against his hand. She couldn't imagine how wonderful it would be to be with him if he just touched her and she felt buzzed.

"If I.....If we..." She bit her lip feeling the car stop. The sound of the driver tapping the glass to let them know they'd arrived. She whispered "will you still want me after?"

She gripped his jacket and couldn't help herself. All the private things she told him, all the worries she'd been containing her eyes started to shed tears. Spilling down her face she decided she'd believe him whatever he told her. She felt like she was putting herself in his hands and it was a terrifying feeling. So much for not being afraid.

 

[Tony2015]

"If I.....If we..."

The limo came to a stop. Keith knew he was running out of time if he was going to have Sarah tonight. He wanted her so badly. He was sure she wanted him, too. But ... was it just the heat of the moment? If she got out of the car now, stepping out into the chill of the night, would that heat dissipate forever?

Sarah continued in whisper, "...will you still want me after?"

"I will want you forever, Sarah," Keith whispered, kissing her again. Her eyes glazed over, and suddenly tears were streaking down her cheeks. He pulled her face into his neck, holding her tightly to him for a long moment. Eventually, he reached to the door. But instead of opening it to allow Sarah to escape from his arms and possibly his life, he pressed the intercom button. "Thomas. Home, please."

The limo jerked as the driver put it in gear and pulled away. Keith continued to hold Sarah close to him, feeling her tears soaking into the cloth at his chest. He would continue to just hold her until either they arrived at his home ... or she pulled away ... hopefully not to tell him to reverse course to her home.