Hero Worship Pt 07

We're at the penultimate chapter!

Only one to go!

This is part seven of eight, if you're just coming in now read those first or you'll be lost.

This chapter opens from Taylor's perspective during their lovemaking on Aly's birthday.

All characters are over eighteen.

*****

- Taylor -

On Aly's birthday

My God, Aly was beautiful. I knelt beside her, my hand running over her soft skin. As much as I'd imagined it, I couldn't have begun to understand what having her here, like this, would feel like. I gently massaged her breast, and as I pinched her nipple she moaned through the gag she was wearing. I hadn't been sure about that one, but Trinity had told me she would love it. So far, at least, she hadn't been wrong.

I could feel Aly's trembling energy as I'd cuffed her in place, and when I'd leaned back for a good look it had been my turn to gasp as I'd taken in the sight. She was completely in my power. If I had any questions about whether she was excited about this, one glance at her wide open sex, which was literally dripping wet, answered that question.

God, the trust it would take let someone do this to you. I couldn't imagine it. And she'd placed that trust in me. I could hurt her, I could take pictures and blackmail her, I could steal and pawn her computer, anything I wanted.

But my goal, the only thing I cared about, was to make her feel like she had never felt before, to take her to new heights of pleasure. I know that sounds kind of corny, but it's all I could think about. She was the perfect medium, and her bliss was my new art form. So I set to it. I was a little nervous using the clips, especially the one for her clit, but I know Aly had enjoyed me pinching her nipples, so I went for those ones first, and her immediate, powerful reaction told it had been the right thing to do.

I put my mouth to her. She was so delicious, and I was enjoying her immensely, but she hadn't come. I figured that she would go off almost immediately, because of how worked up she'd gotten all week. That night when she'd touched herself in my arms was the sexiest thing I'd ever experienced in my life. At least, until now. I was just starting to worry that this wasn't working when I realized what the problem might be.

"Come for me, baby."

She exploded into my mouth, which was the most amazing feeling, and when I pulled the nipple clamps off it sent her into orbit. I put on the strap-on and attached the clit clip. Trinity had raved about this, too, saying that after she'd used one the first time she would never have penetrative sex without it again. She'd also suggested I give direct stimulation when I removed it. It had been really bizarre having those conversations with someone one step away from a perfect stranger, but it had been totally worth it.

And this time I hadn't panicked when Aly had cried afterwards. Everything I'd read said that was normal, as was the down, empty feeling Aly had mentioned. I'd also read that many subs needed time to themselves after to recover. That would have been very hard for me, but it turned out Aly wanted just the opposite, which I was thrilled with. Next time I wouldn't schedule anything afterwards. The dinner had gone really well, but I could tell Aly had needed to rest. Still, she'd got through it like a champ, and I think we'd all had a great time.

Her parents had been wonderful, reserving the table at her favorite restaurant, and letting me know exactly what her favorite thing to get there was. And when her dad offered to pay for the group, I decided to not make it an issue. I was going to have to get used to the fact that Aly and her family had money.

I'd been a little worried about Aly and her sub drop, which is what all the websites I'd read had called it, but by the time she left in the morning to go back to school she seemed her normal self. I made a very brief mental checklist for next time. Something to eat and drink, plenty of time to rest, and lots and lots of cuddles. I could get on board with that. Have I mentioned how much I love cuddling with Aly? How incredible it feels having her in my arms? It was one of those things I had to start getting through my head was okay. It made me feel soft and vulnerable, how badly I needed her. But that was okay. I didn't have to be the tough chick with Aly.

I'd done that plenty before I met her, and all I'd ever accomplished was making myself miserable. But now I was happy, and I was starting to get it through my thick skull that she loved being with me. Me. Not my hard persona, certainly not my bank account, but just me. That was still hard to swallow. But the begging look she'd given me when we'd gone to bed, and the way her whole face, her whole body had lit up when I'd told her she could pleasure me. Just wow.

I headed out to the warehouse where I put in a last hour or two of work on my commission. They were coming out to pick it up tomorrow morning, and I was planning on being out there for most of the day making sure it got placed and hooked up properly. As soon as I was finished I sent off the final photo to my client, who approved. It was a beaten copper wall intended to sit at the slightest angle so water flowed continuously down, and along the length was a dolphin, a marlin, a sailboat, the whole thing topped with a whale tail, designed to appear to be rising from the flowing water.

I treated the copper and then snapped a couple of photos. I carried my momentum through some work on several smaller pieces that were copies of things I'd sold at the fair, only with minor, in my eyes, anyway, improvements. I'd told myself that I wanted to have all the recreations done by Christmas, and I'd start on new stuff after the new year. I was forcing myself not to work on Aly's sculpture, as I wanted my mind clear and unfettered with deadlines and other work when I set to it. That didn't keep me from thinking about it though.

This was really good, having whole days to just work, and one of the biggest benefits was that I didn't feel like I had to spend all hours of the night working here. I knocked off around nine, heading home and picking up an In & Out burger on the way. I flopped down onto my sofa and looked at my phone, which I hadn't thought to check before I'd left.

Aly --

Hey, give me a call when you can.

She included a smiley emoji and a rainbow. I shook my head and touched my screen.

"Hey, sweetie!"

I could hear commotion around her. What was going on? "Hey, where are you?"

"I'm in the common room, watching some silly show on Netflix with a bunch of the girls. How are you? You just get home?"

I started to answer when I heard some comments from behind her.

"Is that Taylor?"

"Yes it is. I'm going somewhere private so I can talk to her."

"No! We want to hear!"

"Huh-uh. Go get your own girlfriends."

I was trying to wrap my brain around what I'd just heard, while Aly's running feet sounded through the phone.

"Hey I'm back. Just went into the dinning room so I could hear you."

"Um, what's going on?"

"I came out to my sorority."

My jaw hung open stupidly for a second before I recovered. "Really, that's, wow, baby, that's awesome. I'm so proud of you." I felt a tear sting my eye as she launched into the story. As she spoke the reality of the situation sank in. Aly had come out to everyone who mattered in her life. Her family, her sorority. When she finished I was speechless.

"Sweetie? You still there?"

My voice cracked with emotion as I spoke. "I love you."

"Aww. I love you, too. Did you eat?"

"I got a burger."

"Good. Don't forget to eat it before you go to bed, okay?"

I laughed. "Yes, dear."

"Friday, Dinner with Jen and Vicky, right?"

"Yeah. I'll see you then."

"I'll be at your apartment when you get off work."

We talked for ten more minutes, and I sent her a picture of the completed waterfall sculpture, which she raved about. Eventually though she went back to her friends and I made myself eat my now lukewarm burger. It would be so nice when she was done with school, and we could be together every night. I realized what that meant. Living together. Would she even consider moving into my little apartment? I shook my head. Too early for that, plenty of time, really.

***

"So how did your install go yesterday?"

"Really well." I closed the door behind me and set down my bag and helmet. I embraced Aly, who'd met me in the entryway. "I was out there until almost four o'clock. His wife loved it, and I think it looked great, even though not all of the stonework was finished around it yet. The pump and the waterline all worked perfectly."

"That's great. I got your mail, there's something from Idaho."

I furrowed my brow and walked over, where sure enough there was a thin brown envelope with my name on it in very neat penmanship. I didn't recognize the return address, though, so I tore it open. My mouth dropped open a little when I read what it said.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"It's a 'Save the Date' card. My brother Gabriel is getting married."

"That's wonderful! And you're invited. Maybe ..."

"No, I'm not invited. The girl I used to be in high school is the one invited, not me. They don't want some bull dyke at the wedding."

"Hey!" I winced at Aly's tone, which was suddenly angry. "Don't you ever call yourself names in front of me." I stared at her for a moment before closing my eyes. I heard her sigh and she took my hands. "Look at me, Taylor."

I made myself obey.

"You, Ruth Taylor Knox, are a brave, talented, amazing woman. And if they can't see that, it's their loss, and they're wrong." Aly rose up and kissed me on the cheek. "C'mon, let's go see our friends."

I put on my bravest face, but I'm a shitty actress, and before we were finished with dinner Vicky was trying to get me to tell her what was up. I was trying to be dismissive about the whole thing, but Aly wouldn't let me.

"Her brother's getting married, She just got the card."

Vicky's eyes lit up. "Really? When? Where?"

"In Idaho, as far as I can tell, on Valentine's Day weekend. Who does that? A wedding in Idaho in February? It's going to be freezing, and they could be buried under two feet of snow during this. It's insane."

Jen decided to cut through my ravings. "Are you going to go?"

I shrugged. "They'd be happier if I wasn't there. Actually, they'd be happiest if I showed up contrite with long hair, in a dress, and on the arm of an acceptably male human."

Vicky shook her head. "Your brother obviously wants you to be there. So the real question, Taylor, is do you want to be there?"

I took a deep breath. "I missed my little sister's wedding. And that sucked."

Jen nodded. "Yeah. Look, someday your family's going to pull their head out of their ass, and when you get together with them you're going to want those memories."

We went back and forth for another fifteen minutes before We eventually broke out a game, and by the time I was tucked into bed that night I was still profoundly undecided as to what I wanted to do. Luckily I didn't have to RSVP or anything yet.

Fortunately my security blanket was lying next to me, and I was profoundly grateful that the emotionally confusing card had arrived on a day when Aly was here. I don't know if I'd have been able to sleep without her.

"Sweetheart, I just want you to know, that if you decide to go, I'll be right there with you, but I'll stay away, too. Whatever you want."

"I smiled at her. "Baby, if you weren't there I wouldn't even be thinking about it. No way I'd go. That'll decide a lot. If you aren't welcome, neither am I."

"'Cause we're a team?" Aly snuggled closer, which made me smile.

"Yeah. But I'm a little scared of what my family, my parents, might say to you. I don't want them to hurt you."

"Like my dad hurt you?"

I grimaced a little. Looking back her dad had raised very normal, paternal concerns, and I didn't fault him for it. "Actually, your dad was great. He helped me set up that dinner for your birthday. My dad will be a completely different story. I don't want to drag you into the drama."

"Honey, if we're going to be together we're going to have to get used to each other's drama."

"There isn't any drama with your family."

Aly chuckled. "Wait until I go see mom's family after Christmas. Might be a different story."

She'd told me before that her family always goes out to Kansas for a week after the holiday. "I won't be able to come, you know. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Next year, maybe."

"Already thinking about next year?" I heard the hint of insecurity in my voice when I said it.

Aly looked me straight in the eye. "I plan on spending a lot of holidays with you, a lot of birthdays. Maybe the rest of them. Does that scare you?"

I shook my head, a tear forming in my eye. I tried unsuccessfully to blink it away.

"What are you scared about, Taylor?" Aly's face was concerned and on the edge being hurt.

"Um, ..." I couldn't speak, words catching in my chest.

Understanding spread across Aly's face. "Are you worried it won't happen?"

"I'm sorry."

Aly kissed me softly on the lips. God, kissing her was so wonderful, her lips were so soft. How could I live without this? I'd lived without it for the last four years, and right now I understood exactly how much those years had sucked. I deepened the kiss, feeling Aly relax into my embrace.

When we broke apart Aly was gazing into my eyes, her fingers running through my short hair. "Taylor, I love you, and I'm not going anywhere, and I will tell you that as many times as you need to hear it. Okay?"

I nodded, tears in my eyes, trying to tell her that I loved her, too, but I couldn't get it out. But it was okay. She could see it in my eyes, and I knew that from her smile.

Another soft kiss. "Actually, I do have something to ask you. A step forward with us being a couple."

"What's that?"

"You want to take me to our Christmas Ball?"

"Really?"

"Of course. I want to show off my handsome girlfriend. And..." Aly ran a finger down my sternum. "I'd love to see you in a tux."

"Aly, you think I have a tuxedo stashed away somewhere?"

"See, they have these shops, where you can rent clothes..."

I laughed. "Brat." I pushed her over onto her back, making her squeal, which I cut off with a kiss.

***

If I had any lingering reservations about whether or not I was in an honest to God relationship they evaporated forever the day before Thanksgiving. I got back from the warehouse just before seven. I was supposed to come home at five. Ostensibly I'd lost track of time, but for real I'd been stalling. I'm not sure why I was so nervous. I'd spent every other recent Thanksgiving alone in my apartment or out at the warehouse. You'd be surprised how many of my peers were out there during the holidays instead of with family. Jen and Vicky always went to visit Jen's parents in Arizona for the long weekend, so there just hadn't been anywhere else to go.

"Where've you been?"

"Sorry."

Aly shook her head and put her hands on my shoulders. "It's going to be okay."

I slid my arms around her waist and pulled her to me, our lips meeting gently, and I did immediately feel better. Aly nuzzled into my neck. "You, know where we're going to be tonight?"

"Where's that, baby?"

"In my bed, at my parents house." Another nibble.

"That's true." I held her to me, loving her warmth. "Has my baby been imagining doing grown-up things in her childhood bed?"

"If My Lady wishes." I smiled, because there was no mistaking the timbre in my baby's voice. She wanted it badly, probably driven at least in part because nature had prevented us from doing much over the weekend or on Tuesday.

"Mmm, I do." I looked her in the eyes. "Go get the strap on, the double ender, and get the clips, and anything else you think I might want to use to pleasure you." I ran my fingers down the skin of her back exposed by her wide-necked top.

"Yes, My Lady." There was a husk in her voice that made me shiver, and she ran to comply. In fifteen minutes we were on the road, headed to Aly's parents house. Somehow, the knowledge of what was packed in Aly's bag kept a hint of a smile on my face the whole way over. This time Aly didn't ring the bell, and we just parked and walked in, which felt a little strange.

Aly called out, and her mother came around the corner and gave her a big hug. I stood to the side as they rocked back and forth in their embrace for a moment. Mrs. Winterberg held her arms out to me and I let her hug me as well.

"You guys are so late! I was getting worried."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Winterberg, it was my fault. I got caught up at my studio."

She looked at Aly. "See, sweetie, this is what happens when you date an artist." There was humor in her voice, and it made me smile. "And you, Taylor,

please

call me Jessica."

"Yes, ma'am, I'll try"

"Well, come in, take your shoes off. There's still plenty of pizza. Just leave your bags by the stairs."

Kelsey made her appearance and gave her sister a hug, before stopping short at the sight of me, her cheeks coloring. "Hi."

"Hi. You been staying safe?"

She nodded shyly, and her mother and Aly laughed.

We went into The family room, where warm greetings were expressed again by Aly's father. He stood and shook my hand, looking me in the eye. "Good to see you, Taylor, I'm glad you could come."

"Thank you, sir." He didn't offer his first name like his wife had, and I certainly wasn't going to take the liberty, but his demeanor was friendly and he sounded sincere, so I was going to take that as a step in the right direction and not push things.

The Laker's game had just started, so Aly settled down on the couch to watch with her dad. I could smell the pizza her mother had mentioned, which made my stomach rumble in response. "I'm going to go get some pizza, baby. You what some?"

She smiled up at me. "Sure, sweetie, thanks."

I grimaced a little as her dad shot me a sideways glance. Maybe he didn't like me calling Aly 'baby,' but he still didn't look mad. Honestly, I'd told myself I was going to avoid doing that while I was at her house but it just came so naturally. Damn it, Taylor, stop over thinking everything.

In the kitchen were two huge, New York style pizzas. One sported pepperoni and mushroom and the other sausage and green peppers. I opted a piece of the former and got Aly one of the latter, since I knew how much she liked green peppers on her pizza. I also tucked two cans of cold soda under my arm before heading back into the great room. Aly had left me room on one end of the huge sectional to sit next to her. I handed her the plate with her piece before sitting down and setting both cans of soda in the cup holders in the arm of the couch. Cup holders in the couch! So this is how the other half lives.

Aly leaned against me as she took her first bite, and my arm automatically went around her as her leg pressed against mine.

"So Taylor, are you a Laker girl?"

I shrugged. "Actually I grew up a Trailblazer fan, but I never followed it that closely. Football, now, that's another story. Go Broncos."

Aly's dad made a face. "Ugh. Could be worse I guess. Could be a Niners fan."

"I follow swimming closely, too. I was a swimmer in college, you know."

"I think Aly told me that. What did you swim?"

"My best event was the 400m individual medley. I always had good endurance and I loved trying to perfect all the strokes. Wasn't fantastic in any but I was all around solid in everything."

As the game on the TV progressed we continued to talk amiably about our sports backgrounds. He regaled us all with stories of his glory days playing shortstop for his High School, and I made sure I sounded suitably impressed, especially regarding the time he stretched a double into a triple in the bottom of the ninth against their archrivals, which let him score on a wild pitch to win the game.