Jackson rolled over and blinked stupidly as the Sunday morning sunlight streamed into his bedroom. He smelled the aroma of dried sweat and sex. The rumpled and stained bedclothes jogged his memory of the previous night's encounter. His nostrils detected the faintest odor of Tommy's perfume...
Tommy! He was gone. Jackson quickly glanced around, checking if anything of value was missing, then he stopped himself and jumped out of bed angrily, chiding himself for the thought.
Did this really happen? Was it all a dream? Then he saw the neatly folded paper under his phone.
Jackson rolled over and blinked stupidly as the Sunday morning sunlight streamed into his bedroom. He smelled the aroma of dried sweat and sex. The rumpled and stained bedclothes jogged his memory of the previous night's encounter. His nostrils detected the faintest odor of Tommy's perfume...
Tommy! He was gone. Jackson quickly glanced around, checking if anything of value was missing, then he stopped himself and jumped out of bed angrily, chiding himself for the thought.
Did this really happen? Was it all a dream? Then he saw the neatly folded paper under his phone.
'Dear Jackson,
Thanks for the wonderful evening. I really enjoyed it. I wanted to stay longer but thought it better to not be there when you woke, just in case you wanted to write this off as a one time thing. You may feel somewhat confused right now and I don't want there to be any awkwardness.
I have to admit that I am attracted to you, but I understand if the feeling may not be mutual. You have my promise that I won't share this with anyone else, ever. So you can return to your life and me to mine if that is what you want. Hopefully you'll still come by the shop for coffee sometimes (you are a great tipper! )
Tommi
P.S. Here's my number, just in case. XOXO.'
Jackson stared at the note for a few minutes before folding it carefully and slipping it back under his phone. He took a long shower, images of the previous night bombarding his brain whenever he closed his eyes. He grinned ruefully as he realized he was getting an erection! "Not bad for an old man."
As he dried himself off and got dressed his eyes kept wandering to the note. He really wanted to call. He had some toast and coffee and read the paper as he tried to get a handle on his jumbled emotions. He just had a night of hot sex with a guy. Was he GAY??? Was it just a "thing" that happened because he was lonely? Should he just walk away?
Tommy saw the message pop up on his phone and his heart leapt. He didn't recognize the number but he knew who it was!
Can we meet? I really want to see you. I NEED to see you.
When Jackson walked into the downtown chain restaurant 2 hours later Tommy was already sitting at a booth. He slid into the seat alongside the young femme and as their hands touched Tommy slipped his hand into Jackson's and squeezed gently before letting go. They smiled at each other somewhat diffidently and didn't try to speak to each other until the waiter had taken their orders for drinks.
"Hi, Jackson", Tommy's voice was a sultry whisper. "I'm really happy you came."
The older man grinned mischievously as he winked at his companion knowingly.
"Me too Tommy. Twice! Thanks to you."
Tommy's cheeks turned bright red as he blushed, then they both broke down laughing. Jackson resisted the urge to plant a kiss on those pouty tempting lips.
They made small talk over lunch. Both enjoying the other's proximity but keeping the conversation light.
"Jackson, what's happening here?" Tommy's face was suddenly serious, his blue eyes piercing.
The older man lay down his fork deliberately and dabbed his mouth with his napkin before responding.
"I don't know for sure Tommy." He paused before continuing," I'm definitely attracted to you. I keep enumerating the reasons why it won't work but I can't shake the emotions that I'm experiencing."
"You're gay, I'm straight. Although after last night I'm not sure what I am. You're very young, I'm older than your own father I bet. You're white, I'm black. That being said, I know that right now I don't want this date to end."
They stared into each other's eyes for a long minute and Tommy started to speak when they were interrupted by the waiter. Had they decided on dessert?
Tommy smiled knowingly at Jackson, his eyes sparkling and dancing in the low light. He grasped his new lover's hand as he replied, "Could we just have one large slice of cheesecake please. Two forks, to go. Cherry topping on the side."