Ruthie Commitment Desire

This is the tenth episode in my story series, Years Before.

In the last part, Cass and I admitted we would never be a couple but enjoyed a night of passion to say goodbye. Aside from this, though, the closeness between Ruthie and I was growing.

In this part, I finally feel right about asking Ruthie to be with me. We get to discover some of the physical things we'd talked about candidly and how we can turn each other on.

Thank you for reading

******

The way Ruthie and I had been with each other over the Christmas and New Year period was so close, yet so relaxed. Still, I wrangled with the whole idea of moving "us" to a full-on boyfriend-girlfriend relationship -- because of what I might have lost if it went wrong. Because of Eva. Because of Cass. For once, I had the chance of being in a relationship with someone without any ties to anyone else, no circumstances that might prevent things happening.

After all the sex and physicality of the past year, maybe I was actually scared of getting into all of that again because, ultimately, the outcomes hadn't been that great.

Anyway, a Saturday in mid-January and we're upstairs after Ruthie's shift at the supermarket. She had been there long enough that she was able to move them around to see me.

"You know, I can't do the supermarket thing forever, can I."

"Well, no, but it gives you a bit of cash in your pocket until you find out what it is you might want to do."

"But it's tough to see beyond next week sometimes, let alone an entire career."

"Don't be disheartened. Just keep your eyes open for things you might like to do. Eventually, you'll discover what that might be. Is there anything playing on your mind then?"

"Well, I can't help thinking what Mum and Dad think about me sometimes, not going to Uni and just getting by."

"Have you talked to them about it?"

"Not really. There were some angry words when I left after my "O" levels but there's kind of an unspoken acceptance."

I left school halfway through my "A" levels and went out to work. I'd lost any academic inclination sometime before. My staying at school was a waste of time. I knew where Ruthie was on this.

"Well, look, both of us are in the same boat to some extent, aren't we? We'll do alright. Don't worry."

"I know, honey, I know. Fuck it. Let's get some tea!"

The cure to all ills!!

Joan was downstairs.

"Hi Joan. How are you?"

"Oh, very good. The records have been out again. Nearly broke the speakers with "You Really Got Me" the other morning!" I could only smile at her joy of rediscovering her record collection.

Ruthie was in the kitchen sorting the tea out.

"You know, Mum's had a bit of a spring in her step since you got talking to her about the music stuff."

"Really."

"Yes. I think it reminded her of how much she enjoyed it and she's gone back to it."

"I guess there's nothing to say you have to let go of what makes you happy."

Back upstairs, we pour a mug each and sit facing each other on her bed.

Suddenly, apropos of nothing, I knew. It was like my doubts washed away, because I was sure.

Finally...

for me...

it was time.

"Ruthie, can I talk to you?"

"Of course, honey, what's the matter?"

"Well..."

I needed to be exactly sure of what I wanted to say. "I know that, over Christmas and New Year, we were getting a bit of, let's say, encouragement to get together."

"Yes, honey. Roberta and Jules were full on, weren't they?"

"Mmm. It was difficult to not just give in and say they were right."

A sip of tea to think for a moment.

"The thing is, Ruthie, that...I'm ready to be with you, I mean, properly. I love being with you and..." Ruthie put two fingers on my lips and put her tea down.

"Yes, honey. Yes, us two together, boyfriend, girlfriend. Yes...yes to all of it. I really want you, Andy. Really do..."

I took her hand and kissed it, held it, interlinked our fingers. Ruthie watched me do it. Our eyes met and, for me, there were no doubts.

We kissed, like before, that long, lingering kind of kiss that had made us more than mates for a while now. But now, slowly, it merged into something deeper. For the first time, our tongues touched. Ruthie moved herself to be across my legs, seated on me, facing me.

My adrenaline started to speed round my head. Her kiss was everything. I kissed her neck. Ruthie tilted her head away to let me make contact with as much of her as I could, her work top giving me the chance to kiss and touch her and trace back up to her ear.

I pulled back to look at her. We kissed again, another lingering one as she allowed her hands to run through my hair. We rested on each other's shoulders for a while.

"Honey, I'm so happy."

"Me too. I was hoping you'd say "yes". I didn't want to assume you would."

"I would have said "yes" at New Year, honey, but I could tell you needed time."

"At least we can maybe act on the things we were talking about on the "fuck bench" without feeling awkward now."

Ruthie laughed "Oh yes, we must...although I did really enjoy you telling me what you wanted to do. That was quite thrilling. I'd like more of that. It did something to me. But, one thing..."

"Yes, my lovely."

"We don't have to do it on the "fuck bench"."

"Thank God for that!"

"I have to tell Mum."

"OK..."

"And Roberta...and Jules."

"OK. Shall I bring the tea down then while you call them?"

"Yes. let's."

We walked into the kitchen.

"Mum, we're together...you know, boyfriend, girlfriend."

Joan broke into the largest smile and hugged Ruthie and me in turn. "Really, oh that's brilliant. Andy, I'm so pleased. Ruthie has so much good to say about you. She's so happy."

Ruthie went off to call her sister and best friend.

"I'm really happy, Joan. I needed to be sure and it seemed that a tray of tea and biscuits seemed to be the time."

Joan laughed. "Well, it has been a regular feature of you two up until now so really quite appropriate. You don't know this, maybe, but you two has been a subject of some discussion in this house for a little while."

"Is that so?"

"Well, Roberta filled us in on the, let's say, very friendly times you'd had over Christmas so we've all been waiting -- because we like you, Andy -- a lot and we knew you liked Ruthie."

We stopped and listened. Various muffled bits of animated conversation and general sounds of delight were coming from the hallway.

"Well, my girlfriend is now either happy or turning delirious, Joan."

"Oh, that's pure happiness. I felt that way when Gerry and I got together. Similar emotions, except I didn't have a phone to tell my mates. You're good for her, Andy."

"I hope to be, Joan. She's gorgeous."

"I saw how you looked at her when you first saw her in that red dress a Christmas. It's very heart-warming when you see someone feel like that about your daughter."

"Thank you, Joan. She just looked stunning that night. Ruthie said that was your dress first off, Joan?"

"Yes, and I know when I got it. 1971. We finally had the chance to go out for dinner for our wedding anniversary. You know, without the kids and it was quite the style. Long sleeves but a shorter skirt."

"Well, Ruthie looked serene with it on."

"Serene..." Joan thought for a moment. "Yes, she did."

"Andy, ANDY!" Ruthie called out from the hall "Rob wants a word." She hands me the phone.

"Hi, Roberta."

"Oh, Andy, I just wanted to say it's the best thing I've heard since being back here. She's a lucky girl."

"And I'm a lucky man, Roberta. She's gorgeous."

"At least, you don't have to hold back and be "mates" now."

"Well, we'd be poorer if the "mates" side of it went. I don't think it will. That's why I asked her today."

"You should know the anticipation between the four of us was feverish sometimes about when it would happen and who would ask who."

"You make it sound like a marriage proposal" I said with a laugh. "Your Mum was telling me it's been the subject of some chat."

"Oh yes, but look. We've seen that Ruthie has gone from pillar to post with men, or boys, so for her to "have someone" who is there for her, is a big deal to all of us. We're a close family at heart."

"I can believe that. I've been talking to your Mum about when she was younger and the dress."

"Yes, that dress is fabulous."

"It certainly was on my girlfriend."

"Mum told me she got the records out again because of you."

"And she has been fully testing the limits of the hi-fi with them."

"Yes, I'm not sure Hannah and Ruthie totally get it but Mum and Dad were young enough to be like we are, or at least in a similar way, so they know the joy of the boyfriend, girlfriend thing."

"Look, I'm just pleased Ruthie said "Yes". She's special."

"So am I, Andy. I won't ask you to take care of her because I know you will, you are. It's great."

"Thanks Roberta. Do you want Ruthie back again?"

"Yes please."

"See you soon."

"I hope so."

I called Ruthie back to the phone. Cue some more muffled lively conversation and, a few minutes later, she was back in the kitchen with Joan and I.

"They were both really happy and Jules just basically shouted happy swear words down the phone. She wants to go out with us for a drink tonight, do you mind?"

"Not at all. Do you mind if I ring my Mum and Dad? Tell them the news."

"Sure."

-

So, after having a bite to eat with Ruthie and Joan (Gerry had gone out to watch the local football team play), Ruthie got changed and we walked around the corner and met Jules.

She gave me a massive smacker on the lips and said "Fuck me, you took your time." and let out a big cackly laugh.

Ruthie and Jules had an arm of mine each going down to the pub although Ruthie soon exchanged that for a nice, firmly held hand. I gave her hand a squeeze.

"That feels good." I said quietly to her.

Ruthie smiled and I felt her hand squeeze mine.

We got a table and, with a pint of cider each, got settled into a booth.

"So, come on then, how'd it happen? Why now? All the details please."

Ruthie's description, outlining some of what we'd felt over the previous weeks, was met with an endearing selection of "fuck, shit, wow" until we went back to New Year's Eve.

Jules was straight in, as she always did. "So, I don't need to ask who you're saving yourself for now, do I?"

Ruthie replied "Well, I'd hope it's a bit bloody obvious, isn't it?"

We all laughed. Ruthie continued, knowing full well that her next statement would make Jules eyes boggle and swear count go up massively, if such a thing was possible.

"Of course, you don't know what went on when you were asleep next to us."

"Shit. No. What? Come on."

Ruthie knew I was already well aware that their friendship was very frank on sex so I was not about to be embarrassed with the next conversation.

"So, when you were asleep, Andy kissed my shoulder and I liked it so he continued up to my neck and we had a lovely time kissing. Might have gone further if we'd have been, you know, together then."

"Really, ooh, that's sexy, although I missed it all. Bloody drink, ha, ha."

I chipped in. "Of course, now we're together we can find out for ourselves what we would have done next." Ruthie squeezed my thigh as, in a matter-of-fact way, I made Jules' mind boggle telling her what we'd spoken about wanting to do with each other.

"Oooh, Andy, you dirty...well, have fun trying, you too. I love you both."

We had a great time with Jules. Ruthie had mentioned to me before that Jules liked to think she was quite open-minded on sex and everything to do with it.

However, she had a weak spot. Talking about sex would get her worked up quite considerably. Jules had a vivid imagination. Apparently, it didn't take too much, especially if the chat got quite explicit.

Ruthie reminded me that, when I first met her on New Year's Eve at the house, we'd got into talking about sex outdoors and Jules ran off to the loo straight afterwards. Ruthie was right.

A couple of pints in and, bearing in mind what I knew about Jules, I was rather enjoying giving teasing answers to the predictable course of the conversation during the evening.

Jules returned to the question of outdoor naked sex. I was describing some of what I'd experienced with Eva. Ruthie was holding my hand with a bemused smile on her face, knowing exactly where I was going with this.

"It felt great being intimate in the open air. Being able to let go was very arousing."

"That sounds so sexy. Must've felt fabulous." Jules had already taken one or two deep breaths with the occasional silence.

"Oh, it did, Jules. Just think, I had a dry warmth from the sun on my back and a wet warmth on my cock from..."

"Bloody stop it, you. I'm going to the loo otherwise I'm going to make my pants wet talking about this. Ruthie, your boyfriend is the dirtiest talker I've ever met. Fabulous!!" Jules rushed off.

"You and her will be like that." Ruthie linked her two index fingers together. "You know how to press her buttons in a good way. She'll enjoy that...and so do I."

"Good. I know that behind all the noise and bravado is a dedicated friend. I respect that a lot."

Ruthie nodded "So does she. Nice to be able to spend time with her not having to deal with my man troubles, such as they were."

"Well, I hope it stays that way for a good, long time."

Jules had been gone a few minutes so I asked Ruthie "Is she OK in there? She's been a while."

Ruthie stood up. "I'll go and check."

I sipped on my cider and slightly enjoyed the fact that we'd been really quite full-on in our conversation but it was nicely hidden by the booth and also the general ambient noise in the pub.

Ruthie came back. "She'll be out in a minute. You might be pleased to know that your chat got her worked up enough that she's just finished herself off, if you know what I mean."

"Really! Naughty girl."

"Naughty you...I love it." Ruthie squeezed my arm and kissed me quickly on the lips. "I would like to hear more later." She smiled as she kissed me again.

Jules appeared, clearly feeling she had to straighten out her clothes because they were very in line with each other, as if to cover up that she's just masturbated in the pub toilet.

"Now, where's my drink. I need to compose myself."

I was having fun and was reminded of her first attempt at an intro on New Year's Eve.

"Well, that sounds like Julia talking there."

Jules replied. "Yes, it is because Jules is laying collapsed on the floor of the loo having wanked herself stupid." I nearly spat my drink everywhere with laughter.

"Well, it looks like you still have Jules's boobs on because your nipples are still quite prominent like they were before she left for the loo."

"Oh, were you checking out my tits?"

"Yes, well, they're very nice but only while you were asking me to tell you about my hard, wet cock!"

Jules smiled, raised her glass which I met with mine and we smiled at each other. Ruthie sitting back, clearly enjoying her mate and man getting along really well.

"I love it" Ruthie exclaimed "Competitive dirty shit talking. Perfect."

And so it went on. Lots of chat, not too much drink and three people very comfortable with each other. At the end of the evening, we walked Jules home.

At her door, Jules gave Ruthie the biggest hug and me a kiss on the lips.

"Thanks for coming out tonight. I'm so fucking happy for you two. Really am."

Ruthie replied "You did play your part in encouraging it, you know. You and Roberta."

"I'm glad we did. Now enjoy each other and Andy?"

"Yes, Jules?"

"Keep my girl safe."

Walking back, Ruthie said Jules had definitely committed to "saving herself" too. Apparently, her view was that, if Ruthie had found me, then there was someone for her as well.

When we got in, the kettle was, of course, just boiled so tea was again the order of the day. Standing in the kitchen, Ruthie put her hand on my cheek and kissed me.

"You were great with Jules. Grab the tea. I'd like you to talk to me upstairs, if you know what I mean."

We headed upstairs after a bit of chat with Joan and Gerry. This time, instead of facing each other, we started to get used to being relaxed with each other. Ruthie had a shirt on with a mid-thigh denim skirt. I sat at the pillow end and Ruthie laid back on me, between my legs, her bare legs stretching out in front of me with my free hand draped over her. We just laid there and sipped our tea for a while, comfortable in the closeness we could now freely enjoy.

"So, my lovely..."

"Yes, honey."

"Why don't we talk about what you like when you're being intimate. What turns you on? Are there things you've never done?"

"Well, I've never done this for a start. I've not really had a boyfriend, in this way. It's all been dodgy nights out. Christ, that sounds awful, doesn't it."

"Ah, don't worry. That was before, wasn't it. You can tell me about what you would like to do...or shall I tell you?"

"You could tell me something."

I took a moment to stroke her hair. Being so close to her physically, like this, was very new.

"Well, from where I am right now," I nuzzled into her hair and kissed her head, "It would be easy for me to unbutton your shirt a little and let my finger run from your lips down between your breasts to see if I could discover if you have a bra on or not."

"And if I didn't?"

"Then I would gently explore your skin. I'd like to feel the shape of your breasts and touch them, until I could feel you react, maybe a little turn in your body towards my touch or your legs rubbing against each other a little..." then I whispered "like they are now."

Her legs were moving slowly, her feet were feeling the sensitivity of each other and moving up and down her ankles and calves.

"Would you touch my nipples?"

"Only once I've carefully held your breasts and massaged them, to see how they might sit in my hand. Then I might start to play with your nipples with just one finger, just to lightly touch them."

Ruthie drew in a little breath, her free hand pressing down on her body below her navel.

"Let me take that in for a moment. So sexy, oh." Ruthie was gently moving, her eyes closed and one hand touching her cheek and neck.

"Is there something else you would want me to do once I'd done that, Ruthie? Don't be shy."

She certainly wasn't. "I...I would like you to...unbutton the rest of my shirt and suck and lick my nipples and run your tongue all the way from my neck to my bellybutton."

"I would like to do that."

"I want to feel the coolness on my skin from where your tongue has been."

"Maybe I could sit you up and push your shirt down your arms so I could explore all your skin, your back, your neck, shoulders, breasts, tummy, all of it."

"Mmmmm." Ruthie sank further into me, her legs still moving slowly. She undid a button on her shirt, took my hand that was resting on top and placed it on her tummy. "Just stay there, honey. Your hand on my skin feels lovely."

The talking was fun. It was fun Ruthie telling me what she liked and with a little closer physical contact. A relaxed way for us to actually explore each other more.

It was so important to me that I didn't make her feel anything was going too far. She was too precious. As we laid there, it was silent apart from our breathing. We didn't need to be doing anything else.

"You know, Ruthie, you have great legs. I really like how they're stretched out in front of me there."

"I don't mind showing them off, especially for you, honey. I quite like a short skirt when I'm feeling good about myself."

"Should I take that as an indicator of your mood on any given day then."

"Of course. Don't even come near me if I've got a long skirt on. Long skirt, bad day." Ruthie giggled a little. "At least, it might be if I had any long skirts!"