She bent over at the waist again (she had to be doing that on purpose), and removed the cuffs. I let my legs hang freely, not yet prepared to try to move them.
She rose up, winked at me, and moved to my side. She asked, “Okay, you’re not gonna try to run, are you?”
“Really, Ashley?” I was not amused.
She smiled apologetically, and bent again to release my wrists from the handcuffs. My arms swung freely, and I sighed in relief as Ashley popped up again, observing me closely. “Just relax for a minute before you try to move.”
“Thank you, Ashley, but I’ve done this before.” I looked at her, and the disappointment on her face saddened me deeply. I wanted so badly to not want to comfort her, but I couldn’t help it. It was like I was facing two different people: one a calculated and heartless plaything, using me to satisfy her whims, the other, an innocent schoolgirl, just trying to have a good time and keep everyone happy. It was one of the main contributors to my headache.
“I’m sorry, Ashley. I didn’t mean anything by it, I’m just a little stressed right now.” I meant every word, but even as I spoke, I couldn’t believe I was apologizing to her. I must have been out of my fucking mind.
She started smiling again, cautiously though. “It’s okay, Dean. I understand. You’ll feel better once you’re in bed.” Then, she started in a realization. “Oh my god, when do you have to be at work again?”
I tried to remember when and where I was. In the past few hours, I’d somehow let the outside world slip away, as this hill had become its own little universe. “Uh… Monday evening?” I hoped that was right. “What day is it?” I genuinely couldn’t remember.”
“It’s early Sunday morning. Like, Four Thirty.”
Four Thirty. My eyes went wide with a realization. “Holy shit, early morning runners! We gotta get the hell outta here.” I started rolling off the slab, and cursed having not been in a little better shape. My arm and leg muscles didn’t ache, they fucking hurt. And my back lacked any flexibility, whatsoever. I winced in pain as I very nearly rolled uncontrolled onto the concrete pad beneath me.
Ashley reacted as soon as I had spoken, her face immediately shaping into one of severe concern bordering on panic. When she saw me starting to slip off the bench, she moved to catch me. I was inwardly amused by this as the momentary sight of her being crushed under my falling weight gave way to the recollection of her physique, and I considered that she might actually have the strength to keep my body from going over the side. Fortunately, we didn’t have to find out, as I caught myself and re-stabilized.
She asked if I was okay, and when I replied in the affirmative, she took the cuffs back to the bag and shoved them in. She picked it up and returned to me. I had been able to sit up somewhat upright, and had turned to my side, touching the concrete with my feet for the first time in forever. She sat the bag next to me before offering me assistance down. I thought about refusing her help, but didn’t want to disappoint her again, so I took her hands before standing.
I had difficulty straightening my body completely, but managed it after only a few seconds. I was aware that Ashley was now regarding me with concern. Did she somehow care about me? My wellbeing? She was an enigma to me. Was I her plaything, or her object of affection? I didn’t ponder long, as I remembered my purpose.
Once I’d established myself vertically with confidence, I surveyed the park, looking for anything we might have left behind. The grass was bare, the park peaceful, and I momentarily appreciated the serenity before addressing Ashley. “You have my keys?” She held them up for me to see. I turned to recover the bag, and saw the scandalous mess we’d made of the bench.
One could clearly identify every spot that had supported me, as it was a heavily darkened shadow of sweat on the concrete. Then there was the still drying pool of sex that remained between where my legs had once been. It was disgusting, and I loved it, and I wished this night would just be over. I looked down at my slowly softening manhood.
I picked up the bag, slung the strap onto my shoulder, and turned back to Ashley. She moved to take it from me. “Let me take that for you.”
I refused. “It’s okay, I got it.” She looked up at me, surprised, and clearly impressed by my undying sense of chivalry, even in the face of this insanity. She was smiling at me with what appeared to be admiration and adoration. Why did she have to be so young? I couldn’t let the moment slow us down. “We gotta go.”
We turned and started making our way back to the car. I was barefoot and my muscles were stiff, a hazardous combination navigating uncertain terrain. But this was what I called a “money park.” It was almost religiously maintained, so I figured there must be some serious funding involved in its upkeep. As a result, I wasn’t to concerned about stepping on something which might hurt me, as long as I stayed on the path.
It didn’t take long for us to reach the car, Ashley clinging to my arm the whole way. I led us around to the trunk, and asked her to open it so I could deposit the bag into it. When the trunk was opened, I spotted the change of clothes that I’d always carried with me, but decided against trying for them. I didn’t have the mental fortitude to verbally spar with her, and I knew she’d win anyway, so I just forgot about it. Once the task was completed, I led us to her door and opened it for her. She was still looking at me, still in adoration, and I found myself suddenly trapped in her. She looked into me for several seconds before reaching up a hand to pull my head to hers and kissing me passionately, forcing my lips onto hers.
I could not refuse her. I just couldn’t. I wasn’t afraid to offend her, I simply felt compelled to reciprocate. I needed to return her affection. I still didn’t understand, I just knew that I needed to share with her, and it frightened me.
She released me from the kiss slowly, and allowed me to return upright, still gazing into her. She smiled, shook her head slightly, and huffed, as if in disbelief of me, then slipped into her seat. I walked around the back of the car to reach my own door, and sat down. Ashley’s hand was already outstretched with my keys dangling from her index finger, as her thong had been hours before. I smiled and thanked her as I took them, and began the simple process of raising my roof.
Ashley protested. “Oh, why do you have to do that?”
My answer was direct and frank without being belligerent. “Because I don’t want to get arrested.”
She smiled at my answer and did not say another word as the top ascended into position above us, and I secured it.
Still smiling faintly, I fired the engine, put the car into gear, and started the twenty minute drive home.
X. We drove for several minutes without speaking. I wasn’t thinking about anything, really, accept driving and reaching our destination. I’d reached the point of mental fatigue where I just didn’t really give a fuck about anything anymore, and I just wanted to sleep.