Chapter 12 (Emi POV)

GOD I am nervous. Before this love business, I didn't think I could GET this nervous.

Hisao is going to be over in about an hour for our first official date. It will be the first time where we are hanging out in real privacy since we confessed our feelings for one another. And I want everything to be absolutely perfect. Especially after I kind of messed up at lunch today. I basically told him I wanted to rip his clothes off right then and there. What were you thinking Ibarazaki? Your brand new boyfriend is a widower who was probably only ever with his late wife, and it has been years for him, and I thought it was a good idea to throw myself at him at our place if work?

I take a deep breath.

It's okay though. Hisao is so sweet and understanding that he just got past it. I definitely need to keep myself in check though. This is all so new to me. He wants to go slow. I can do slow. I think.

I don't exactly have experience in slow, though. So far I have gotten close to guys physically fairly quickly without ever getting close to them emotionally. This time around it is the opposite so I don't even know what I'm doing. I am emotionally closer to Hisao than I have been to anyone. I am excited to also get physically close with him. I can wait, though. It will be worth the wait. I don't want to mess this up.

I shake my head in an attempt to get out of it, and return to the wok where I am making the sesame udon noodle stir fry with shrimp that he loves so much. He always likes my cooking, so at least I'm not nervous about that.

I am so deep in thought that I am startled by my phone vibrating. It is a text from Hisao letting me know he is headed over.

I need to focus on finishing cooking, and I need to change out of my normal at-home outfit that he is familiar with: sweatpants and a t-shirt. He really hasn't had much occasion to see me in anything but my professional clothes, my sweatpants, or my workout clothes. Well, and more recently a bikini. Tonight I want to show him something a little different than all those things.

GOD I am nervous.

—-

When Hisao arrives I already feel a lot better about things. Just seeing him and the new way he looks at me is enough to make me melt. I can't help but pull him down for a quick kiss the minute he walks through the door.

I can see that he went home and changed. I am pretty happy about that, because it means he sees this as the special occasion I want it to be. He looks GOOD. While he still likes to wear his silly sweater vests sometimes, his wardrobe has drastically expanded since high school. I suspect I have Saki to thank for that. She was always a fashionable girl.

He is wearing a pair of slacks with a light blue button down shirt that is just tight enough across his chest and arms. His physique has really improved over the last several months and well…I suppose I have myself to thank for that one.

I catch him checking me out too, and I welcome it. I am also dressed for the occasion, wearing a light blue off-the-shoulder sundress with a floral pattern.

We meet each other's eyes as we look one another over and share an awkward laugh.

"You look great. I'm kind of glad we didn't go out somewhere, because it would have been embarrassing in our matching outfits."

"You look good too. You know, blue is my favorite color. Most people think it is going to be something girlier, but they're wrong. So, I'm glad to see you're wearing it too. But yeah, it might have been a bit embarrassing to go to dinner like this. I don't think we want to be one of those couples who always matches."

We both laugh. It has always felt so good to laugh with him. It feels even better now.

We sit down for dinner together, sitting across from one another at my bistro set. Hisao is pleased with this meal, as he always is.

"I don't think I could ever eat enough of this. It is really good."

"Yeah, I remembered how much you loved this last time so I thought it was a good choice."

We continue with small talk about our day for a while before finishing our meal. Hisao offers to clean up, and I try to tell him no, but he won't take it for an answer and we clean up together. With his back turned to me while he is busy with the sink, I can't help but put my arms around him and hug him tightly from behind.

"Thanks for coming over tonight, Hisao. I'm just…I'm really happy you're here. I couldn't be happier that you returned my feelings." Crap, am I really this kind of person now?

Hisao doesn't seem to mind, as he turns around from the sink and puts his hand under my chin to tilt my head up and gives me a sweet, tender kiss on the lips. While it's happening, I realize this is the first time he's initiated a kiss, and my heart skips a beat. I do my best to suppress a disappointed squeak when it ends.

"I'm happy I'm here too, Emi. I suspect we'll be doing this a lot more often now."

Is he talking about the date or the kiss? Or both. Whatever, who the hell cares.

"So, now that we've cleaned up, what do we have planned next?"

"Well we can go in the living room and find a movie to watch. What kind of movie are you in the mood for?"

Once we select a movie and sit down I take off my legs and then make a point of snuggling up real close to him. He puts his arm around me and I lean into his chest. He smells so good. I normally have a thing for guys when they are sweaty, but freshly showered Hisao is amazing too. We cuddle and watch the movie in silence for awhile, but about halfway through I feel his eyes on me.

I look up to meet his eyes and before I know it his lips are on mine. He moves his hand up my back and I can't help but sigh happily at the stimulation, remembering when he touched me at the beach and I realized I was in love with him. I also realize this isn't just a sweet tender kiss like the others. There's a hunger to it. Coming from both of us. Just as I'm thinking that I feel his tongue enter between my lips where it meets mine.

I want him so badly. That was already true, but now that he's doing this I'm overcome with my desire for him. For a moment, my mind goes blank. I pull down on the collar of his shirt while I move to lie down on the couch, trying to urge him to follow me. I want him to take this off. I want him to get on top of me. I want him desperately. More than I've ever wanted anyone.

When he doesn't respond to the tug, I snap back to reality and release his collar.

Come on Ibarazaki! Control yourself. He just told you today he wants to move slow. He needs to be the one to take the initiative when it comes to this.

He hasn't stopped kissing me or touching me so I pull myself back up and put my arms around him and continue to kiss him back.

…

You know, going slow is nice. I'm not sure I've ever kissed someone for this long. It's somehow…more intimate than actual sex. At least it is with him. Knowing that he knows…everything about me, and wants to be here with me means so much. I love how he holds me. I love how he kisses me. It makes me feel special. I hope he feels the same.

We only realize just how long we've been embracing each other when we hear the credits roll on the movie. Were we just kissing for more than an hour? Realizing how late it must be, we reluctantly pull apart from each other. Both of us are a little bit out of breath, as if we've just gone for our morning run.

When I look at him I notice a significant bulge in his pants, and I try to suppress a proud sigh. I loop my arm around his and kiss him on the cheek.

"Hisao that was…really great. You really have nothing to worry about when it comes to being out of practice, so you can put that concern to bed. That was definitely the best make out session I've ever had."

"Yeah, I can't believe how quickly the time passed."

At first I, am a little disappointed that he didn't return the compliment in kind. But then I realize if he were to say that it was the best makeout session he'd ever had, it would mean saying I'm better than Saki. I'm sure he can't do that. Even if it were true. I don't blame him. It isn't just like she's just some ex. They'd definitely still be together if she was alive. Like my mom told me, she'll always be in his heart. And she should. That makes things different. I need to remember that. I should probably just avoid "best" compliments altogether to avoid this awkwardness..

Maybe I should tell him now that I know I can't replace Saki? That I don't want to replace her? I do need him to know that I understand that.

I decide against it. This would be an awkward time to bring it up, since we aren't even talking about her. I'm just thinking about her.

"Me neither, I guess we'll have to actually watch the second half of that movie at some point."

He yawns loudly and seems to be looking around for his phone and keys.

He's going to leave. I don't think I want him to.

"Uhm…Hisao? Its gotten pretty late and we have to get up early for our run tomorrow. Plus I really don't want you to go. Do you…want to stay the night?"

He raises his eyebrows at me and there's some frustration in his face. Oh, shit, he thinks I mean that I want to have sex with him. Which, I do. But I really wasn't thinking about it just now.

"Emi, I.."

"Sorry! I don't mean for…that. I want to sleep with you but not sleep with you, know what I mean?" I say with a giggle. "We won't even go to the bedroom. This couch is big." I stretch myself out on it to showcase just how much space there is.

"Well okay, maybe I'm just a tiny human, but either way there is plenty of room for you. We can just sleep here. I don't want you to go yet." I pout at him and rub my hand on the couch, trying to make it look as inviting as possible.

His face relaxes when I explain myself and he sits back down on the couch and takes my hand.

"That could be really nice, but I don't have any of my stuff here, including my medication."

Oh man. I should have thought of that. You're messing things up again Ibarazaki! Think before you say stuff. He really has to plan for this kind of thing.

"Oh…righht. Yeah you definitely need to get home then. Sorry."

He is lost in thought for a few seconds and then he smiles at me "Tell you what though, I can stay up a little longer. Why don't we finish the movie?"

Before I can answer, he hands me the remote and lays down on the couch behind me on his side, puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close to him, making me giggle and then sigh contentedly.

I set about navigating to the part of the movie where we started making out and hit play. I lace my fingers with his and we hold hands on my hip.

Now that his body is against mine like this I'm a little disappointed that the bulge from earlier has subsided, but it's probably for the best when it comes to my apparently fragile willpower. This feels really nice anyway. He's so much bigger than me. His body is up against every inch of mine and it feels good. We can experience physical closeness without having sex. And it can be really good. That's what I learned tonight. I'm…enveloped by his warmth. It feels really good. Really…safe. Really…right…

—-

I groggily open my eyes to the sound of my phone's alarm. It doesn't seem to be anywhere near me. That's probably good, because if I could turn it off without getting up I would probably fall right back asleep. Why was I awake so late? Why am I asleep on the couch?

I sit up, put on my legs, and stumble into the kitchen, where I find my phone and make it stop its merciless noise.

Only now, looking at the dishes that were set out to dry do I remember the events of last night. I must have fallen asleep mere minutes after we restarted the movie. Because I barely remember anything after he laid down with me. At first I'm a little disappointed that he didn't fall asleep too, but then I remember that would probably be very bad because he didn't have his medication.

As I slowly become more awake, I realize I have a text from Hisao that he must have sent when he left last night.

"You fell asleep and looked really cute. I was sad I couldn't stay. That was a great first date. I made sure the door was locked behind me. I'll see you at the track in the morning!"

This sweet little text does more to get me ready for my day than caffeine ever could.

—-

I drag myself to the track at Yamaku. I am running a little late, but Hisao isn't there yet either. He got to bed even later than I did, I should probably expect him to be a little bit late today.

I switch to my running blades and start doing the usual stretches. About five minutes in, Hisao arrives looking exhausted.

Despite his apparent fatigue he smiles broadly when he sees me, and I wave back at him with a smile of my own. I really want to bounce up to him and plant a kiss on him, but given that we're both employees here that would…probably not be a great idea. We kissed out here yesterday of course, but that was special. For the most part, we need to act professionally in front of students, some of whom are already walking around on campus at this hour. They already all thought we were dating a long time ago, but we still need to be professional even if we are dating now. He's likely thinking the same thing, because we settle for a quick hug.

"Good morning sleepy head. I guess we still need to finish that movie, huh?"

I giggle at him, "I guess so! Are you ready to shut up and run?"

He laughs, "You know, now that you're my girlfriend I thought maybe you'd sound a little less like a drill sergeant when you say that. I guess I was wrong."

"Yeah well, keeping you healthy is a serious matter, Nakai. You need discipline! When we're on the track you'll have to think of me as your trainer first. Your really attractive trainer. But your trainer nonetheless" I give him a wink.

"Okay, okay, I get it, sergeant." He yawns. "Let's get this over with."

We both go through our usual routines, but we are both struggling far more than usual because of our late night. Hisao has to stop about ¾ of the way into his usual routine. I check on him to make sure everything is okay and he gives me a thumbs up and a smile, so I keep going. I complete my full routine, but this has to be the worst I've run in months. Maybe years.

We both sit down on the bench, exhausted.

"Jeez, I know we were up late but it wasn't insanely late. Would have been no problem back in high school. I guess we are in our 30s after all."

I nod in agreement, "Yeah, I guess maybe we need to call it a night a little bit earlier on weekdays." I can hear a hint of disappointment in my voice, but such is life. After all, we're working adults with lots of responsibilities, and apparently we need our full eight hours of sleep at our age.

Hisao puts his arm around my shoulder, "You're probably right. But we'll still see one another plenty, and there's always the weekends. I still want to take you out on a date this Saturday, you know."

"I'm looking forward to it," at least that's what I try to say, but I end up stifling a yawn. Somehow he seems to have still understood the meaning.

He stands up and stretches, reaching his hand out to me to help me up. He quickly checks the surroundings and gives me a peck on the cheek. I giggle. Our bodies might feel like we are in our 30s, but when he does things like that it feels like we're 18.

"I guess we better get going. See you at lunch?"

"You bet! We will have to settle for cafeteria food today, though. I was rather busy last night and didn't get a chance to make us anything even though it was my day to bring lunch."

—-

I check the time on my phone. Hisao will be here to pick me up in about ten minutes. I give myself a once over in the mirror and like what I see. Hisao wouldn't tell me all of his plans for tonight, but he did tell me we were going to dinner at one of the fanciest restaurants in the city. This caused me to panic a bit, as I have never really owned a whole lot of clothes that one might call "fancy," but I managed to put an acceptable outfit together. I am wearing a tight but classy fitted black dress and I have a blue cardigan on over it. The ensemble does an especially good job of showing off my butt. I also have my hair down, something I rarely do. I'm trying to do stuff like that, to help clearly define this new period of our relationship as a couple, from how we were as friends.

I look down at my legs. When I was younger, I tried a lot harder to conceal my prosthetics by wearing tights and long socks, especially when I was with a boy that I liked. But that rarely crosses my mind anymore. I know Hisao doesn't care anyway. People stare more, but let them. It is a little sad that I have to wear flats because of them, but oh well. I am so short it doesn't really matter, and I don't think that's something Hisao cares about in the least.

As I wait for him to text me to come down, I think back on our first week together.

It has been really great. Our first date is certainly the highlight so far, but even our morning runs and lunches in the tea room have been wonderful. These are things we have been doing together since long before we became a couple, but there is a whole new energy now. I have especially enjoyed the tea room, where we can be more lovey dovey without fear of students seeing us. He even came over for dinner one other night, and while he couldn't stay long, we did spend a little bit of time making out.

Things are going really well.

My phone vibrates, and I head down to meet Hisao.

—-

This restaurant definitely is fancy, luckily I seem to have dressed the part.

I look across the table at my handsome date, who is wearing one of his sweater vests, but is wearing a black blazer over it and the whole ensemble makes him look like a sexy professor. Which is kind of what he is. It suits him.

"Have you been here before?"

"No, I haven't. Apparently it has only opened in the last year or so. One of the other teachers told me about it. While they said the main courses were great, apparently the desserts are especially incredible."

He smiles at me and reaches out for my hand

"That's what made me think to bring you here. I have seen you go to town on enough cakes at the Shanghai to know you love your sweets."

"You know me too well. You shouldn't have told me that yet, though. Now I am going to want to skip right to dessert."

I excitedly look at the dessert section of the menu. I don't recognize most of them, as this is a French restaurant and most of the names are foreign to me. Literally.

Hisao picks up on the confused look on my face, "The one called 'mille feuille' is supposed to be their specialty. It is layers of thin pastry, fruit, and lots of cream"

Hisao seems to have really done his research on picking this place. He chose it because he thought I would like it.

I decide to be an adult in the end and order something other than dessert. So I ordered a filet mignon as my main course and it was pretty good, but it was really just the opening act for me. We both ordered a mille feuille for dessert.

When the first spoonful hits my mouth I am amazed. This combination of crunchy and soft textures, tartness and sweetness has to be one of the greatest things I have ever tasted. I close my eyes and savor every minute it is in my mouth.

"I was a little bit worried that I talked this up so much without having actually tried it myself, but my God. It definitely lives up to the hype doesn't it?"

"Mhm."

"I can tell you are enjoying it too because you haven't said an actual word since they put it down in front of you and all I've heard are soft moans. And I'm not sure you have even opened your eyes. Are you…going to be okay over there?"

I open one eye in response, smirk at him and feign indignation in my voice "Hisao, do you mind? Me and the mille feuille are having a very intimate moment." Then I close my eye again.

He laughs at me, "Do you want me to leave you two alone?"

I smile mischievously at him and do my best to sound sultry even though I am trying my hardest not to laugh. "Nah that's okay. You can watch if you want to. Just don't get too jealous."

After we have finished our desserts and are getting ready for the mystery phase of our date, I reach out for Hisao's hand and he gives it to me.

"This was really great Hisao. Thank you for taking me here. I…um…it is embarrassing to say this but I have never really been on a date this…fancy. And it was amazing." I realize I am getting a little too sappy, so I add "Most of all, I am really happy you introduced me to mille feuille tonight. I think we could have a future together."

He laughs at me and lets go of my hand. "Come on silly. The night's not over yet." He stands up and beckons me to do the same. He offers me his arm so I loop mine into his and we head into the city.

—-

"Wow. This is beautiful. I didn't know there was anything like this in Sendai."

"I know. It definitely wasn't here when we went to Yamaku, and I guess it is relatively new?"

Hisao has taken me to a viewing platform on top of the tallest building in the city. It has a 360 degree view and mounted binoculars that let you see all over the city. It is a little crowded, with many other couples having the same idea, but we find a quiet corner where I can put my head on his chest and my arms around his waist, and he puts his arms around me, resting them on my lower back.

"The view is beautiful."

"If you think it looks great now, you're going to love it in just a few seconds."

As he finishes his sentence, I hear a loud popping sound and fireworks begin to light up the night sky all around us.

"Fireworks! You are quite the planner. Trying to sweep me off my feet Mister Nakai?"

I tease him about it, but the more I see how carefully planned this night was, the more special I feel.

"Haha maybe."

I pull him down and give him a quick kiss.

"Well, it's working."

"Good."

We hold each other close while we watch the fireworks in silence for a while. I am reminded of the last time we watched fireworks together. At the festival, where I made the decision to open myself up to Hisao on a different roof. To tell him everything. To actually show him who I am. That all led here. I squeeze him tight while reminiscing about this. He hugs me back and starts stroking my hair.

I could get used to this.

—-

Once we get back to town it has gotten pretty late. As we arrive on my block I start fidgeting. This has been a great night, and I want to ask him to stay with me, but I have to let it happen. Besides, if he doesn't have his medication he would have to go home anyway. While I am lost in my thoughts about the predicament, he asks a question.

"Do you think I would be okay parking here overnight? The sign says I should be fine, but it's your neighborhood."

Did he just say 'overnight'? Thank God!

"Y-yeah, you should be fine here."

"Oh shoot, I guess I didn't really ask. Can I stay with you tonight? I really enjoyed everything about our first date until the part when I had to leave you sleeping alone and thought we could make up for that tonight."

My heart is beating so loud I swear he has to be able to hear it.

"Of course!" I say that much more loudly than I meant to.

"I would love it if you stayed. But…your medication?"

He laughs, "Well, I planned for that too. I have an overnight bag in the trunk with all that stuff."

Once we are up in my apartment we change out of our fancy clothes and into our pajamas. I am not sure exactly what he is thinking about sleeping arrangements tonight. Does he want to sleep on the couch together like I suggested before? Does he want to sleep in my bed? I don't want to pressure him at all, so I'm wearing far more clothing to bed than I usually do. Usually I go with a shirt and underwear, but I'm wearing some shorts and a bra today too. I decide to start out on the couch, as he seemed to like that idea the other day. I take off my legs and get comfortable under a blanket and lie down on the couch.

When he comes out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth, he spots me there and sidles up behind me just like on our first date when I fell asleep. All he has on are his boxers and a tee shirt, so I can feel a whole lot more of him this time.

He kisses me below the ear and I turn around and wrap my arms around him and give him a long kiss on the lips, which he returns.

I break away from the kiss and look him in the eyes.

"Tonight has been really special, Hisao. Thanks for doing all that for me. I had a lot of fun and…it was really nice being out with you like that."

"I had fun too Emi. I am glad I was able to show you a good time."

He reaches forward and brushes my hair out of my face and looks at me. Really looks at me. It is a little unnerving, but somehow I also can't look away.

"You're so beautiful Emi. I have thought that a lot lately but don't think I have come out and said it yet."

I feel my face getting red. He's right that he hasn't said something like that. I mean, I know he is into me and everything. In fact, I think I've known longer than he has, but he hasn't ever praised my appearance so directly.

"Yeah well, you're not so bad yourself, mister."

Suddenly I feel him pull me forward, and before I know it we are locked in a passionate kiss, our tongues intertwined. He runs his hands up and down my back.

We kiss like this for a while, and before long I feel a familiar bulge against my leg. As soon as I do, I want nothing more than to reach down and stimulate him. Or rip his pants off and jump on top of him. But I resist these urges.

Come on Ibarazaki. You can do this. Let him take the initiative. Until then, this type of intimate contact is enough. It's more than enough, because it's him.

We continue kissing and he keeps getting harder and larger and is rubbing against my body. Then, it suddenly feels more well-defined than before. I sneak a look down and see that he is now poking entirely out of his boxers and is now rubbing directly against my hip.

I want to pleasure him so badly. I think he wants me to. There's no way he doesn't know it's just out like that, right? But I might be reading the situation wrong, and I don't want to push him. I need to find a way to ask him what he wants me to do so that I don't do something he isn't ready for, and I need to ask him in a way so that he doesn't feel pressured.

I break away from our kiss and smile at him.

"I don't want to do anything you don't want me to. So just let me know if you want me to do anything for you, okay?"

He doesn't reply with words, but he gently takes my hand in his and starts to direct it further down his body. He seems to be a little unsure, so I don't do anything to force the issue. I let him guide me the entire way I think he is…trembling slightly? Eventually, he feels my hand has arrived at its destination. He lets it go and pushes it down until my hand is in direct contact with his warm, throbbing skin.

I can't help but sigh happily as I touch this part of him for the first time. I'm so glad he wants me to do this.

He gasps when my hand comes into contact with it, and draws in a ragged breath as I wrap my fingers around it. I start stroking softly as we resume kissing one another. As we kiss, I am really aware of each little breath he takes in response to my hand.

I feel his hands go under my shirt and I gasp a little bit myself. He moves his hands all over my back and sides.

I break our kiss for a moment, "Do you want me to take it off?" He hesitates for a moment, but then nods. I take off my shirt and notice that he is looking at me lustily. "This too?" I say, while pointing at my bra. Again he hesitates, but then nods.

After I remove it I watch as his eyes take in my body, acutely aware that he is seeing me topless for the first time. I can tell he likes what he sees from the hunger in his eyes. He takes his shirt off too and pulls me back towards him. We resume our passionate kiss, now with our skin pressed directly against one another. It feels wonderful to feel his skin on mine.

I resume my work down below, gradually increasing the speed of my stroking. I feel his breathing become more and more labored, and he is starting to let out some little moans as his pleasure gradually increases. As I can feel him getting closer, I break off our kiss and scoot off the edge of the couch. I beckon him to sit up, and I kneel in front of him and lean against the couch to stabilize myself, now using both my hands in the stroking motion. His face contorts in pleasure, his body starts to convulse, I know he is nearing the edge.

Now that I'm seeing it up close, he's really big. I can't help but imagine how good it would feel inside of me, but I don't want to focus on that right now. In this moment, I want him to reach climax more than I have ever wanted anything. Nothing else matters but me and him. I love him so much. He loves me. This feels…different than the other times I've done this with guys. It makes me feel closer to him, and not just physically. He's sharing something very intimate with me. He hasn't done anything like this with anyone for so long. And he's choosing to do it with me.

I increase the speed as fast as I can possibly go and start rubbing the tip against my breasts as I stroke the rest. I feel desperate to see and feel the proof of how good I'm making him feel.

"E-emi, I'm going to…" he stammers.

Once he says this I kick things into an even higher gear, one I didn't even know I had. Every muscle in his body tenses up. He begins to throb in my hands.

"Good, Hisao…I want you to."

Unable to take it any longer after my request, he lets out a loud moan and his legs begin to shake, before a surprisingly voluminous stream of sticky white liquid issues forth onto my chest and neck. He isn't done either, as his body continues to convulse and more comes out. I keep stroking him until he's empty, which seems to last for half a minute. I didn't know guys could have orgasms like this. It is almost like he is having multiple orgasms cascading into another. Is this because it has been so long for him? Or is it always like this? Despite the vast quantity, I manage to direct most of it where I want it, onto my bare skin. The sensation is incredible.

"Th…that was amazing" seems to be all he can manage to say, as he leans back on the couch, out of breath.

I look up at him and smile, proud of my accomplishment. He looks down at me, still breathing heavily, with half closed eyes and a goofy smile. He notices the mess he has made of me.

"Oh…, I didn't mean to…"

I smile up at him. "Don't be silly. I wanted it on me. I should probably go clean up though. Can you hand me my legs?"

He does so and I go to the bathroom to clean myself up with a huge smile on my face. We took a big step tonight. To be honest I'm not sure I thought we'd be doing this a week into the relationship with how hesitant he has been about this stuff. This was really special. And I can't help but be a little moved. A feeling that embarrasses me a little bit, but one that I enjoy nonetheless.

When I make it back to the living room Hisao's hand is on his chest, his eyes are closed, and he seems to be trying to control his breathing. Oh shit, he was breathing heavily a minute ago. Why didn't I pay better attention?

"E-everything okay?"

He opens his eyes and looks up at me. "Yeah, I am good now. My heart rate got a little elevated there at the end, and I was just making sure it was going back down. It happens from time to time."

Wow, I'm an idiot. I really should have considered his heart in all of this. But, my mind went kinda blank. I was only thinking about one thing.

"Oh…I didn't think about that. I should have. Is that…normal for you?"

"You mean does my heart normally cause me problems during sexy time? No. At least, it didn't used to. As you know it…has been a really long time for me, so things may be different now."

He must have noticed the look of concern on my face, because he gets up and hugs me and puts his hand on my head.

"Don't worry about it too much okay? It wasn't even a full-on flutter. It's nothing serious. Just a little elevated. I will talk to my cardiologist about it when I see him next week, but I am sure it is nothing."

"Okay, good." I squeeze him back before getting a funny image in my head and I smirk at him.

"How does that work anyway? Do you just walk in and say 'So, doc – the other day my girlfriend was giving me an amazing handjob and when I finished all over her smoking hot body I felt my heart rate get elevated. Do I need to worry about that?"

He laughs "I probably won't go into quite that much detail, but yeah pretty much."

As a medical professional myself, I feel very glad that my patients don't have to share their sex lives with me, especially because they're students.

He gives me a sweet kiss on the lips. "Really though, let's not worry about this right now. I don't want to put a damper on what has been a perfect night."

I nod and sit down on the couch next to him. When Hisao sees me starting to take off my legs, he lets me know he has other ideas for where we'll sleep tonight.

"Emi? We don't have to sleep out here unless you want to. Let's go sleep together in your bed, if that's okay."

I smile at him, "Okay, snuggling in the bed will be comfier."

I take him by the hand and lead him to the bedroom, where he snuggles me from behind and I fall asleep in his arms. This time, he doesn't have to leave.