Willow's Wish

by TC Rybicki

  Willow grabbed him. “Stop. I was joking. They’ll be no cameras in this room tonight.”

  He howled with laughter as he tackled her to the mattress. She slapped his bare butt. “Ass. I changed my mind. I can’t sleep with you because there’s no way I can take you seriously.”

  Her best friend’s hand gripped her thigh to open her up to him. He bumped against her core, all of him made contact. Willow’s breath seized. “Trust me, I’ll be completely serious from here on out.” She was in so much trouble.

  Dutch transported her to a new plane of existence. They were two perfectly in sync souls. Nothing else existed: no past or future, different goals or alternate ideologies. They were just two human beings loving each other in the most intimate manner possible. When tonight came back to her, Willow would never think of it as just sex.

  He kissed her everywhere, and she didn’t want him to stop. When he first proposed being her sperm donor, this was not what she had in mind. It would be the mechanics with someone she knew and felt comfortable with. That was only partly true because this man had something to prove to Willow. He was an excellent lover and if she wasn’t careful, she’d be ruined for all others. What the hell was she thinking? She already was. He was too much and just enough. Doug’s skilled hands played her like a symphony. These were life-saving hands, she reminded herself and Willow felt like he was saving a part of her. His lips teased her most intimate areas. Her body jerked when he kissed behind her right knee.

  “Too much?”

  “Sensitive, but…”

  “You think that’s sensitive, oh baby, do I have a treat for you.”

  “Dutch, you don’t, I mean you don’t have to do everything. This isn’t like that, is it?”

  He stopped what he was doing to ascend Willow’s trembling body. She was afraid, and he’d never scared her before. Dutch’s hand slid over her neck. He rubbed her jawline with his thumb.

  “What’s it not like, Wills? Not real? Were you wanting to fake it? Have you changed your mind and want me to make a deposit in a cylinder?”

  “No,” her breath ghosted his lips since he kept leaning in closer with each ridiculous question. “I just mean you don’t have to do all the extras.”

  “Maybe the extras are exactly what I’ve been dying to try with you. Willow.” He kissed her lips.

  He stopped before she gave full permission. “Yes,” was a breathy moan.

  “I love you. How’s that for extra?”

  Willow knew Dutch loved her. She loved him too. They said it on a regular basis, but never naked and on top of each other. Did he mean he was in love with her? It sounded like that’s what he meant, and in that moment, Willow knew she was in love with him. They were both smart people, but apparently, they’d been dumb.

  She grabbed the back of his head and pulled him hard. Just before their lips crashed, she admitted the truth as it came to her, “I love you too.”

  The heat of their kisses torched her inside and out. Willow had never been so consumed by a kiss. She knew all along he’d been her best kisser. Judging from the start of their lovemaking, he was about the best of everything else.

  Love.

  In love.

  Making a baby together.

  Those words and phrases bounced around her mind until Dutch consumed her body with such intensity she lost the ability to keep thinking about anything other than how good he made her feel. His fingers found hers causing the intimacy between them to quadruple. He clasped her hand tightly, she rocked her hips in harmony with his movements. She tensed her body, squeezed Doug to warn him he was bringing her to the brink of a place she never thought he would.

  “Oh, my G… Dutch! Yes, yes, it’s so good. Don’t stop.” Her voice changed octaves she was so overwhelmed. She was not the vocal type, but he deserved to know. He didn’t stop until she screamed his name again after giving her the ultimate satisfaction. His two-day beard growth tickled her inner thigh. She swatted him, “Are you laughing at me?”

  Dutch kissed every inch of her while he climbed up her body. “Never. It’s just I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “You and me both.” Oops, she covered her mouth. That wasn’t supposed to be said out loud.

  “Damn, you’re sweet.” He kissed her mouth again and what he shared reignited her desire. “And I don’t just mean your sunny disposition. No one better ask my favorite dessert from here on out or it might get embarrassing if I don’t lie.”

  “You are quite the charmer, sir, but I already knew that.”

  “And you are quite the screamer, ma’am which I didn’t know, but can’t wait to experience again.” He settled between her legs in the perfect spot that was made for him. Their eyes were conversing again. She’d spent a great deal of her life looking in those eyes because they always said so much even when neither of them was speaking real words. Her breathing slowed, and all the fears dissipated. He would take care of her. Willow would never lose faith in Dutch.

  “Ready, honey?” She nodded. The words weren’t necessary. They were already past the point of no return, but this was it. He slowly and deliberately pushed himself into her waiting body. Willow was glad she never imagined this would happen for real. She might have had some uncontrollable dreams a time or two or twenty, but this blew away any subconscious rambling.

  Their bodies stilled, their breaths held, and they never broke that eye contact. Dutch knew exactly how long to wait before moving. He knew Willow better than she knew herself and vice versa. That’s why this was so good. Dutch took the lead, Willow clung to him planning to follow him wherever he intended to carry her. He changed her life once before. While they continued to make love into the wee hours of the best night of her life, she knew he was changing it again. Just like that first day, Willow had no idea what meeting Dutch would do for her. This act of love between them might not make a baby. She was still realistic, but whether it did or not, she was forever changed by the experience. Her best hope was that he was too.

  Present day

  Wills was in his arms. They made love. He didn’t plan on ever initiating such a thing despite his feelings for her. It was a well-known fact she was far too good for him. Doug knew how different she was from every other woman, but what he didn’t know was just how different it would be with her. His best friend was just that—the best. Willow loved with her whole heart. She cared about shit most of the world couldn’t find the time or energy to care about. He’d witnessed her stop the car in the middle of the road to guide a slow-moving turtle to safety or cry over catching fireflies for a few seconds because they couldn’t breathe. If she could, Wills would adopt all the homeless animals and unwanted children of the world. She’d talked about adoption many times before and he wasn’t sure why she wasn’t going that route first.

  He certainly wasn’t complaining about the way they attempted to bring a child into Willow’s life. His entire body was still thanking him. There was an underlying reason she wanted at least one of her own. Doug was certain she had to prove something to herself. She wanted to experience pregnancy, childbirth and parenting on her terms. The commune was long since disabled. That sick fuck JC went to prison. Willow’s parents were traveling another path, separately. He doubted any of those so-called married couples stayed together. Wills kept her memories to herself and she rarely shared them, but Doug knew. He knew every doubt, hurt or disappointment she’d ever suffered. There was no way he could ever contribute to that list but thinking about what just happened scared him. He made the choice a long time ago before he even knew Willow existed. She laughed at him once for his certainty about being a doctor, not just any doctor. Doug had to be the best. That kind of training, commitment and dedication couldn’t be divided. It was cut and dry for him, be a doctor or have a family. He wouldn’t half-ass either one like his father had done with his career and family.

  ‘Once my mind’s made up, I don’t change it.’ He said that to her. Many times, he was so close to changing it, but he never told a
soul, especially her. Willow made him promise they wouldn’t change, so she understood. She’d have her son or daughter, but Doug and Willow wouldn’t change. He said it again to himself.

  Doug studied her delicate features. Wills snoozed against his chest. She collapsed against him without too much conversation about what they’d done. That meant, they did it right. He secretly congratulated himself. You knocked her up. He did a little more than that. She felt something for him. Of course, he’d always felt something for her. They were going to make the most of this special weekend. He wasn’t sure if it was possible to get a lifetime of loving in a few days, but he was ready to try his best.

  “Wills, Baby. I need to get up.”

  “Hmmm?”

  “You’ve got a death grip on me. I’m sliding out of bed to pay a visit to the bathroom and then the kitchen.”

  She stirred, “The kitchen? What time is it?”

  “2:29.”

  “If you’re getting water, I’ll take a sip.”

  “Fucked the taste out of your mouth, didn’t I?”

  She shoved him. “As if. Oh my God. I can’t believe you said that to me. I’m thirsty. That’s all.”

  “Wills be honest. I was there.”

  She laughed, “Okay, maybe a little, but seriously, hurry. I need the bathroom too. Sex without condoms is messy.”

  “Nope. You’re still in the sperm zone. You’ve got ten more minutes.”

  He watched her pat her surroundings. “Hey, how’d I end up on this giant pillow?”

  Doug explained how he lifted her hips for an optimum angle. “Increasing the odds of conception. Although, we both know my boys hit the target already. Trust me, I’m a doctor.”

  “I trust you, but it’s still only our first time. I don’t know if your boys did their job or not. The odds are not 100%.”

  He grabbed her and kissed her doubting lips. “You don’t have to make up reasons to have more sex. I was already planning some extra attempts just in case.”

  Wills stuttered. “Th… that’s not what I meant.”

  “Sure, honey. Do you want cold or heated noodles? I think I’m eating mine straight out of the fridge.”

  “You’re going to eat again?”

  “Definitely. I must regain my strength. You’re a beast in the sheets. I’m depleted.”

  Soon after Doug opened the fridge, Wills yelled from the bedroom, “Has it been ten minutes?” she appeared in the kitchen loosely wrapped in a sheet. The noodles would have to wait, he placed them on the counter. He managed about three bites prior to seeing her like that.

  “You’re done already? I want a bite.”

  “Me too because you look so edible right now.”

  She covered her face. “You’re eating Thai food nude in my kitchen. This is funny. Where’s Felix?”

  “I let him out the back door for giving me the stink eye.”

  Willow screamed, “What? You better be joking. He can’t be outside.”

  “Relax, he’s pouting under the couch. He heard what I was doing to you and can’t stand the sight of me.”

  “That’s always been the case. You don’t really think he’s traumatized, do you?”

  Doug spun Willow around. Enough talk about her demon cat. That sheet was hanging loose in all the right places. He held her hair up to kiss along her neck.

  “You’re not even giving me a chance, Wills.”

  She leaned into his kisses, “Ummm, that feels so nice. More neck kisses, please.”

  He loosened her grip on the sheet, tugged hard and let it pool at her feet. His foot kicked it off to the side and Doug slowly moved her against the back of the couch.

  “Tell me you’ve never had sex on this couch.”

  “What? No, of course not. You know I bought this after I moved in and my sex life is nil.”

  Doug positioned himself behind her. “Hold on tight.”

  Willow grasped the back of the couch, and he convinced her otherwise about her non-existent sex life.

  The weekend was almost over; Doug didn’t want it to end. It had to end. Most moments with her the past few hours were filled with longing and a hint of regret. He longed for this every day of his life and regretted it wasn’t possible.

  Wills smiled across the table. He decided a nice dinner out was a good idea. They stayed locked away all day Saturday. The fridge was almost empty, and Doug couldn’t take piecing together incomplete snacks any longer. He was starving for a real meal. She hated to grocery shop. Her cooking was so-so not because she couldn’t like Mom, but because she always had better things to do. That usually meant giving all her attention to the blog and her travel itineraries.

  “Admit it. This was my second-best idea to date.”

  Willow rolled her eyes, “I can hardly guess what you think is your best idea.”

  “I doubt you’re struggling to know what I mean.”

  Her face softened, but Doug saw the worry lines also appear across Willow’s forehead. “We had a great weekend, but…”

  “Don’t do that. Just say we had a great weekend and end it there.”

  “So, this is your way of ending it? You bring to a fancy restaurant and plan to buy me dinner, so I’ll feel compensated. Maybe I should plan on paying my own share; that’s less of a complication.”

  “Hold on a minute, Wills. I never said any such thing. I meant you didn’t need to add the ‘but,’ and you’ve never been a complication.”

  She reached for the bread basket choosing to halt the direction their conversation was headed. This is the part Doug dreaded the most because honestly, he didn’t know how to proceed. He promised her nothing would change. He was an educated man, so he was smart enough to know everything changed, but it was his job as her number one protector to pretend it hadn’t. All the while, he had to remain completely caring and loyal. This was not a break up or brush off. He’d done plenty of those. Brush offs were more his style. Let’s hold off on this until I get to a calmer place in life. He never meant that, and he never called those women back. There were no lines to use on Willow. She always saw through his bullshit and honesty was second nature between them.

  Now his hand was in the bread basket and Doug had one hand up to wave a waiter down, so he could order a stiff drink. “Want anything? Wine? That fruity cocktail you like?”

  She frowned, “Seriously? Did the AMA change their recommendations or are you deliberately trying to piss me off?”

  Oh, shit. He just tried to get his pregnant friend to drink alcohol. Doug slapped his head. “Sorry, I almost forgot.” He turned toward the waiter and ordered a beer. “Water for the lady, thanks.” As soon as the waiter left, he tried to ask about appetizers. Her mood quickly descended. If he didn’t watch it, he was being sent home tonight instead of in the morning.

  “I’m not that hungry.”

  “Come on, I said I forgot. Being pregnant is brand-new.”

  “No, it probably doesn’t exist, but I decided way before my last checkup to start preparing my body to be as healthy as possible. I’m not drinking alcohol and I’m taking vitamins. I have a list of do’s and don’ts.”

  “I’m sure you do. That cat might need to go. I hope you researched the litter box risks. What kind of vitamins? Mind if I look when we get back home?”

  “Yes, I mind and Felix stays. My doctor prescribed the vitamins, and she told me all about the precautions with a cat. I didn’t ask your opinion, so don’t tell me you’re a doctor for the billionth time.”

  “Why are you acting like this? Isn’t it a little soon for mood swings?”

  Willow gripped the sides of the table. “Yes, but it isn’t too early for a table flip. Patronize me again and you’re missing out on your steak tonight.”

  “Who said I’m ordering steak? I’m still trying to decide on an appetizer. Lady’s choice of course.”

  Willow grabbed her purse from the back of her chair. “That’s it. I’m leaving.”

  He acted fast and took her hand before she
stood. “Don’t, Wills. I’m sorry I’m saying the wrong things. Please, don’t leave. Asking you to pick the appetizer is not patronizing. You’re more adventurous than me. You’re totally right. I was getting steak because that’s what I always order here. Stay. Please. Anyway, I drove, and you can’t have my keys.”

  “I can walk or find a ride.”

  He halfway laughed at that absurd statement. She was a good five miles from her place and it was dark outside. “I don’t think so.”

  “I can do what I want.”

  “Of course, you can. You always do, but I’m not letting you be reckless.”

  The waiter rescued Doug with his beer. He asked if they were ready to order and Willow looked out the corner of her eye at the adjacent table. They were getting their food. It smelled fantastic, and he knew damn well she was hungry like him.

  “We’d like a little longer, thanks.”

  “No, wait. We can get the appetizers going. We’ll have the Provoleta and the zucchini stack to start.”

  “Excellent choice. I’ll put that order in and be back in a few minutes to take your dinner order.”

  Doug smiled and even though she tried to remain stoic, Wills smirked back at him. “See. I don’t even know what Provo… whatever is.”

  “It’s baked cheese with seasonings. You’re going to love it.”

  “I’m sure I will. Honey why are you mad at me?”

  “I don’t know. I guess it’ll be easier if I’m mad.”

  “Wills.”

  “I’m sorry. Let’s have a nice dinner.”

  “Sure, but nothing bad is going to happen. We’re best friends.”

  “I might be pregnant.”

  “You are.” Willow didn’t look so happy with his assurance. “Why does that disappoint you? Are you saying you hope you’re not?”

  “No.”

  “Then you regret it’s mine, wish you were having the strange sperm donor’s baby instead?”

  “Dutch. No. You’re impossible, you know?”

  “Yeah, because I’m honest and don’t mince words. Then why didn’t you adopt if you were confused about this?”