Let's Get Closer: Chapter Five
'What is the appropriate attire for a bar?'
Destiny sat curled into a ball on the living room couch as she searched for answers to her question. Jake had asked if it was okay if he could take her to a bar. It wasn't a stereotypical bar where women would be jammed together, drinking beers, and avoiding creepy glances at their asses. She hated the idea of that and quickly told him as such. Instead, Jake was offering to take her to a larger one that shared space with a restaurant. They'd eat at the restaurant if the timid woman wanted to, or just stay at the bar if it made her more comfortable. He gave her a ton of options to choose from.
This excited the curly-haired mute, despite her anxiety over being drunk in public. She never really drank before, besides a wine cooler on her graduation night. Jake had calmed her down and told her that she would be safe with him. They didn't have to stay at the bar for more than half an hour if it bothered her that much. He just framed it under the guise of wanting to help her experience adulthood without worrying. They had talked a lot that morning after he massaged her shoulders and served her tea. Destiny explained that she grew up not exactly sheltered but anxious about everything.
She couldn't remember a time when she wasn't in a ball of panic. A sigh left her plush lips as she set her phone down and rubbed her forehead. The woman didn't want to overthink things, but she couldn't help it. Destiny never went to therapy over her fears of the world and always tried to bury them whenever they came up. But living with roommates had made the coping mechanisms she developed fail badly. Now, she couldn't just ignore her negative thoughts. They just came out in the form of crying fits and thinly veiled panic attacks. Earlier, that was what happened when Jake came across her in the kitchen.
Her expression was glum as she felt embarrassed over her behavior. The older man was someone she looked up to, and she didn't want him to see her as unstable. The age gap and different lifestyles they had would already be a big enough challenge. She didn't need her mental health plummeting to drive him away from her. Her chest felt tight as she worried, and she curled into an even tighter ball. When she got like this as a kid, she used to hide in a closet. She would put her head on her knees and close her eyes before counting to ten. By the time she reached ten, she'd usually be fine enough to wipe her nose and hold the rest of her tears in.
Still, she would be exhausted in the end. "I'm so tired." She whispered unconsciously as she leaned further into the couch.
The gods must have heard her suffering as she heard the front door close and looked over to see Jake. He had left to get her takeout, which she felt so thankful for. "Thanks." Destiny said, trying but failing to hide her sudden somber mood.
He smiled at her and handed her a container that looked like it was about to burst open. It was piping hot in her hands as she opened it by popping its lid. Instantly, her mouth watered as smoke bellowed out and she saw meat. Huge lumps of chicken, shrimp, and beef sat on delicious rice.
A growl erupted from her stomach, making her blush in shame as Destiny felt her hunger come out full force. She took a bite of the meal with a plastic fork and moaned. It was so good that it made her want to squeal with satisfaction. The rice was just as good, being perfectly seasoned from the natural juices of the grilled chicken and soaked beef strips.
"I heard you say that you were tired," Jake said while rubbing her head. This was something she noticed he liked to do, and she found it confusing. But it wasn't uncomfortable, so she allowed him to pet her hair randomly. "I hope this food helps wake you up."
He suddenly dropped to his knees and pulled her legs apart. Destiny stared wide-eyed as his hands ran down her leg to her foot and stayed there. "But if you want to get some good sleep, I'll help you relax." The man, without wanting, began to rub and fondle her bare foot.
Destiny nearly choked on the thick meat in her mouth as her heel was groped and prodded at. A soft, keen sound left the younger woman's mouth as her chest tightened. Warmth dusted the top of her cheeks as she tried not to lose her mind. It felt really good to have the bulky man use his strength to massage her aching foot.
But it was also really weird, as she knew he was getting turned on by this. And all of a sudden, she, as someone who didn't really like feet, was getting all steamy and bothered by it. She didn't know what to say or do besides quickly chewing her food to keep from suffocating. She coughed loudly and cleared her throat, making Jake stop. His hands remained on her poor heel as she gawked at the man.
