Dorsai - Taxi

A jubilant Gail graced me with a fierce hug, a kiss on the cheek, and profuse thanks before practically floating back to her bedroom. Once she was out of sight, an amused Doris turned to me and said "I guess you know that you made her entire year tonight. I just want you to know that you made me a lot happier than I've felt in a long time, too. Just going to dinner like that was wonderful; but when you took us to that club, too… and then danced with us – well, it was like a dream come true."

Smiling, I told her "I was glad to do it, Doris."

She smiled back, then moved close enough to hug me tightly. Of course I hugged her back, and used the opportunity to lightly caress the expanse of her exposed back. After a happy sigh, she told me "I can't begin to tell you how happy and good you made us feel tonight. We haven't been able to go out for anything like that since before the divorce. Hell, just going for a sit-down dinner at a chain restaurant is something of a treat for us; so getting to dress up and actually go out like tonight was incredibly special – for both of us. Thank you."

"I was glad to do it", I replied. "The two of you were delightful company, and I had as good of a time as you did – maybe better, even, because I had BOTH of you lovely ladies to enjoy it with."

"You really noticed how Gail got dressed up?" she asked.

"Of course I did. She didn't look as good as YOU do, but I still thought she looked pretty damn good – particularly for being almost fifteen", the latter a reference to Gail repeatedly mentioning her rapidly approaching birthday.

Doris laughed, and answered "She'll be glad when I tell her you said that 'pretty damn good' part. The whole time we were getting ready, she kept asking if I thought you'd think she was pretty. After the way her father treated her, the compliments you give her and all the other good stuff you say and do means SO much to her… she almost worships you, even."

"Well, you can tell her that I said I was proud to have her company tonight, and that I thought she looked absolutely lovely."

A couple of seconds went by before Doris asked "And what about me?"

I gave her a brief hug before responding "That goes double… no, triple… for you. I hadn't planned on going to that club after supper; but it was so nice being with you at dinner, and you looking as good as you do… well, I just wanted to spend some more time with you."

"I'm glad to hear that, because I've decided that I want to spend some more time with you – for the two of us to get… closer."

I pulled back a little bit to look down at her for a moment, then took her into my arms again before she told me "After what you had to say that night – you know, when I asked why you never made a pass at me – I've been thinking about what you said. And once I started doing that, I couldn't help but start thinking about other stuff, too… things that you hadn't said, but that I knew you would have. Doing all of that, I've had to figure out where I am in my life, and what I want to do, and a whole lot of other stuff that I maybe should have been taking care of before now. It's cost me a few sleepless nights, and a headache or two, but I've gotten my act together, finally."

I waited to hear what else she had to say, and after a couple of seconds, she went on "I know that I don't want to get into any kind of relationship just yet. This friendship thing you and I have going on is plenty for me. But I've also realized that I miss being physical with someone else; before my ex became such a jackass, I really enjoyed the intimate part of our marriage. It wasn't anything like I read about in the women's magazines, but it was still good, and I really want to get some of that back – preferably with you, because I know you'll treat me right, and make me happy."

"What about Gail?", I asked.

Doris sighed before answering "There's no way in hell I could hide it from her, even if I tried or wanted to. What I'm going to have to do is try to get her to understand that if I have a relationship with someone that way, it isn't just physical or just emotional, but both – that as much as I'd like the physical part of it, I'd only be with someone like that if they and I really cared about each other… like the way you and I do."

"And what about your time together?"

"I'd dearly love it if I and… whoever could spend the night together; it would be so nice to have someone next to me, sometimes, and wake up in… someone's arms. But I'm not going to demand anything like that if it would make the other person uncomfortable, or it would bother Gail too much. I think she's old enough to understand, but if she isn't then I wouldn't want to rub her nose in it."

Listening to her, I knew that Doris really had done what she'd said; that she'd actually taken the time and made the effort to figure out where she was in her life, and where she wanted to go – and how to get what she knew she wanted, but without hurting the people most important to her. So when she'd finished what she had to say, it took me only a moment to softly tell her "Doris, if you really think that you want US to become lovers, then I'd consider myself privileged to share your bed."

I heard her gasp before she pulled back a little bit and looked up into my face to ask "You… you will?"

"If you're sure that's what you want."

"I am!", she declared, before asking "Would tonight be okay? For us to… start, I mean?"

After placing a soft kiss on her forehead, I answered "Of course it would."

Visibly pleased – as well as a bit nervous, truth be told – Doris eased herself out of my arms. After taking my hand in hers, she led the way back to where I knew her bedroom was. Once we were inside, she closed the door behind us; after a moment's consideration, she then locked it before turning around and telling me "I don't think she would, anyway, but I think it's better if I make sure Gail doesn't come in while we're… busy or anything", blushing faintly.

I simply agreed that seemed like a good idea before holding my hand out to her. When she'd moved close enough to take it, I gently pulled her closer before telling her "It's okay, Doris. I'm a little nervous about this too – being naked with each other the first time, feeling a little worried about making the other person happy, wondering if we'll be happy… but it'll be okay. You know how I know that?"

She gave her head a little shake, and I said "I know it'll be okay because we already care about each other – a lot. We even love each other – as friends; and we know that we don't have to be afraid to talk to each other, and help each other feel good. You said that you wanted to be with me because you know that I'll treat you right, and make you happy – and I'll tell you right here and now that that's exactly what I'm going to do. I can see that you're a little nervous about being with me because of how long it's been since you were with a guy. You don't have to be. I know it's been a while, and I'm fine with letting you have however much time you need or want to be comfortable about this. I already told you this, but I'll say it again so you know that I mean it: I think you look lovely. Not just dressed up the way you are now, but the rest of the time, too – you've got all the right parts in the right places, and in very nice proportions. I really do mean it when I say that I consider it a privilege to be with you like this."

My words had the desired effect of calming her down… and doing so a lot more than I'd hoped they would. All I could see were the normal jitters any person has the first time they're intimate with someone they care about. She even managed to give me a smile before saying "Thank you, Jim. Now I know it'll be okay, too."

I moved a little closer to her, and when I tilted my head with the obvious intention of kissing her, her expression told me she welcomed my advance.