Hi readers,
This part will be similar in content to the last one. Mainly emotional scenes, but there is a set of hot scenes in there that I'm particularly happy about.
Ellie has revealed the full extent of her past now, and something like that is bound to leave ripples.
I hope you enjoy the continuation of the story.
Remember to vote if you liked, so more people will find this particular story. And comment if you feel like you need to get something off your chest. I always like to read your responses.
*****
"Tom?"
"Yes, Ruth?" Tom could see the hesitation in Ruth's tight expression, in the way she hunched her shoulders. She wanted to say something important. He put down his book and sat down next to her in the couch, his arm wrapped around her shoulder. Ruth shuffled a little closer, taking her time to get comfortable and structure her thoughts.
"Tom, hearing Ellie talk about what happened to her just a few months ago... It made me think about my own past, about how I felt. It was never as bad as it was for Ellie, but still, I hate what happened every time I think about it. It took so long to recover, and I'm still not over it. I was so naive and stupid, but what can I say? He was my first big love. I enjoyed being with him until he changes and forced me into stuff I didn't want. But still, I could leave in the end. Ellie... She was stuck for so long... And even before her father abused her things weren't peachy."
Ruth stopped talking and curled up a little more, resting her face against Tom' chest. He stroked her back, calming her down and making her feel safe. When Ruth looked him in the eye again, her determination was evident in her expression. "I want to go back to that time, Tom. I want to do it again and this time I won't let him do whatever the fuck he wants."
Tom frowned and said, "And how do you plan on doing that?"
"You play Sebastien and I'll play myself, four years ago."
"Just like that?"
"Yep, just like that."
"This is important to you?"
"Yes."
Tom ran his free hand through his hair and closed his eyes, leaning back his head so he could stretch and think. It wasn't a small thing she was asking of him. He opened his eyes again and met hers looking up at him. "This could go very wrong, Ruth."
"I don't think it will."
"If I'm honest then I don't want to do it, at least not if it's a spur of the moment thing. But if you can honestly and with certainty tell me that this is something meaningful to you, then I think we should have a long talk about your expectations."
There wasn't a hint of a smile on his face as he looked down at her. This was serious business. Ruth flinched back from the intensity of his gaze and curled up again, pushing herself closer to him. She didn't feel quite as certain anymore. Maybe this was a bigger deal than she had thought it was. Quietly, she said, "I'll think it over some more."
"Take your time, Ruth. I'm not sure you'll be prepared for the backlash. Reliving difficult times is hard. We can do it, that I'm sure of, but you can't underestimate it."
"Have you done anything like it before?"
Tom lifted her into his lap and kissed her on the top of her head before answering. "No, but my gut is telling me to be cautious and so I will be."
"That's not very helpful."
"My sincerest apologies."
She smiled a little and put her arms around her neck before kissing him. "You're right about me having to think things over, but I'm sure I'll still want it. It wasn't the best time of my life, but I'm tough enough to handle it now. You've made me stronger."
"Well, you know where to find me when you figure it out."
He kissed her back and gave her a firm hug, giving her what she needed to feel loved.
***
Tom found Ruth in the kitchen, pouring over one of her old books from her university days. He took a deep breath and focused on the role he was playing tonight. They had decided to do this, and he wanted to do it right. He walked up to Ruth from behind and put his hands on her shoulders. He leaned forward and whispered into her ear, "Babe, I put something out on the bed for you. I want you to wear it."
Ruth tensed as she looked up from her book, and she asked Tom in a soft voice "What is it?"
"Something you'll look really nice in. Just close your books and go put it on."
Tom's grip tightened on her shoulders and Ruth complied, marking her page before heading for the bedroom. A few minutes later she was back in shorts, a lumberjack shirt and a beanie cap. She'd already tucked her hair under the cap as her former lover had always asked of her. "Sebastien, I don't know about this. It's all at least a size too large. Did you really get my size wrong? I don't feel sexy."
Tom got up and took her in his arms, smiling down at her. "You look like a sexy little lumberjack. I love it."
He swept down on her and kissed her with a hunger evident from how he crushed her against him. Memories swept over Ruth. She recognized the hope that had always rushed through her at these times. A hope it was her he wanted, not some idea which she was the surrogate for. But things were never different. Soon, she found herself on her knees in front of the couch, letting his hand guide her head as it bobbed up and down his shaft.