Prompt Ramblings - 12. Prompt 300 - The Ring

The tiny box barely fit in my hand, but somehow weighed more than the bag hanging off my shoulder with all its contents. The bravado I felt this morning with Tommy slipped away as I thought about all the things I said and did to him while I was at work. Was I insane?

I made my intentions very clear pressed against his smaller body in the kitchen. There's no way he could misinterpret my feelings. I didn't want to be his best friend anymore; I wanted more than that. I was tired of watching him go out with men who used him for fun when I could give him something permanent and real.

I walked out without giving him a chance to respond. He was certainly too stunned to speak and that was probably a good thing. Tommy had a sharp tongue when he was angry.

But was he angry? I didn't know for sure and the doubts of my success at turning him in my direction grew little by little until when I finished the workday, I was too anxious to go home. The idea that he could say no was so strong in my head.

I ended up at the mall wandering around in a fog hoping the cacophony of people around me would make my issues seem smaller. It didn't. I ended up in a jewelery store our friend Sarah works to get some advice from her. She was a close friend of mine and Tommy's both, and one of the few people I really confided in.

“You did not do that to Tommy,” she said. Her eyes were wide as she gawked at me. The look on her face was the complete opposite of the professional attire. “What finally brought that on?”

“He got dumped by that shithead Steve and was baking enough bread to feed a starving nation.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Oh, God, not the baking phase.”

“I got mad and it all came out. I told him how he was scared of a real relationship and he needed to get me out of the friend zone or I implied it. I don't remember the exact words.” Rubbing my temples, I hesitated before saying the next part out loud. “I almost kissed him, Sarah.”

“Did you go all dom on him?”

I lowered my eyes. “Yeah.”

“Jesus, Dan. It's about time.”

“What?”

“Come here.” Sarah waved me down to far end of the counter. My attractive friend pointed inside the display to a man's ring made of entwined bands of platinum. The overhead lights made it gleam off multiple points and enhanced how elegant the design was.

“That's not really my style, Sarah.”

“No, but it's perfectly Tommy's. He loves this ring and whined on about wanting Steve to get it for him.” Sarah shook her head softly. “You and I both knew that wasn't going to happen. Now you need to introduce Tommy to your style and I would suggest you do it tonight before he finds a reason to call Steve back.”

So here I stood in front of my front door, marshaling my courage to walk inside, with a little black box in my hand. I could do this. I knew I could.

I stepped inside and found Tommy waiting for me in the kitchen. He was being unnaturally timid, as if he wanted to step forward but kept himself in check.

“You're running really late tonight.”

“I had a few things to sort out.”

“Did you mean what you said this morning? Do you really love me?”

“I meant what I said.”

“Why?”

“Because you're you. How could I not?”

Slowly he crept forward, his brow twisted in thought, his gaze locked on mine. His expression was so tortured I couldn't tell how he was reacting. I held my hands back as he closed in, his scent making me ache. Did Tommy share my feelings? Could he?

Sultry green eyes filled with unspoken feelings bore into me. His proximity was killing me. Everything I worried about all day came to the front. If he rejected...

Then he stepped up on his toes and captured my mouth with his own.

My eyes closed even as his hands cradled my face. The kiss was gentle without voracious need, promising of better things to come. His chest brushed mine and I hardened instantly. Very slowly he pulled away, his eyes continued to follow my lips as if planning his next excursion.

“I can't believe I just did that,” he whispered.

“I'm so glad you did.”

I couldn't control the grin that erupted from me even as I caressed his cheek. I was so happy I wanted to cry. Our foreheads met and we started to laugh softly, the tension between us somewhat broken. I watched his sight drift down to the small box still sitting in my hand.

“Is that for me?” Tommy's face was a mix of shock and elation.

Now was a critical moment. It was all about the presentation. Now that I finally found the courage to do what I really wanted, I had to show Tommy in a way that wouldn't scare him off.

“Yes, this is for you. But before you have it–” I reached into my shoulder bag and pulled out a black leather collar large enough to fit around his neck. “–you have to learn to wear this.”