# Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All characters portrayed in this story are aged 18 or older. This story contains adult material and is reserved for an adult audience. This story also includes depictions of polyamory (harem), group sex, anal sex, BDSM, and other non-vanilla sexual practices. The story also deals with some deeply emotional, traumatic experiences. If you are sensitive to these issues, or are easily offended or triggered, this story is not for you. I will not include further trigger warnings as the story proceeds.
More can be found at [https://kjwoodruff.medium.com/](https://kjwoodruff.medium.com/)
# Prologue
Have you ever thought about how one small decision to leave the house could trigger a series of events that will completely change life forever? Mark Hammond made that decision one day. This is his story.
From the outside, Mark’s life looks pretty boring. A work-from-home senior test engineer who’s been divorced for about two years. A man who doesn’t get out too much in recent days. That’s what happens when your wife up and leaves you—for another woman.
Observers shouldn’t worry too much, Mark is doing relatively well—at least as well as a man could be doing after what he’s suffered. Though deeply hurt and shocked to his core, Gwen’s sudden departure was a wake up call for him to take stock of his life.
He never fooled himself and thought if only he’d been different in some way she would have stayed. Such was never in the cards. When Gwen did finally speak to him—over threat of dragging the divorce out as long and dirty as he could make it—he learned that she’d never really been attracted to men, but they were raised in a day and age when she had to make other choices to not be ostracized by family, friends, and society. She’d loved Mark in her own way, but never the way a married woman should have, or even the way she’d claimed for years.
What a fucking gut punch.
So Mark mourned his loss for a while and moved on as best he could. The kids were both out of the house and living their own lives. Cody was following his dreams and on tour with his band while Shelby had married her high school sweetheart, an Air Force cadet at the time, and had moved to Germany for their first stint overseas.
Mark found himself with a lot of quiet time.
What does a newly-single empty-nester approaching 50 do with his free time? He had no idea if he followed the typical pattern, but Mark found himself trying new things once he’d gotten out of his funk. He’d hit the gym and discovered rock climbing—fairly successfully working off that dad bod he’d acquired—and otherwise followed whatever whim took him.
If he wanted to travel, he traveled. Though not rich he wasn’t hurting for money, and he could work from anywhere in the world as long as he could get reliable wifi for his laptop. Mark spent a few weeks jaunting around the country, visiting cities and sites he’d always wanted to see while sampling the nightlife each locale had to offer.
That was when he went a bit off the deep end. It started in downtown Chicago at a club where he felt like he didn’t stick out too much—a cocktail bar with live music where he could sit and sip the night away. He’d had no plan beyond enjoying the good music and people watching.
Then he met Amanda.
Mark doesn’t remember a whole lot more about his trip beyond images of Amanda’s amazing body against his. Tall, tanned, and honey blonde, a mid-30s goddess that reminded him with the sudden and inescapable truth he was still very much a man. There are nights over a year later that he still wakes up from a beautifully vivid dream of looking up at Amanda’s face as she gasps—grinding her pussy on his cock—sharing the first mutual orgasm he’d had in more years than he could count.
Three nights in her arms awakened the lustful young man Mark had buried away as the year had flown. The remainder of his travels seemed to consist of more attempting to replicate his lustful run with Amanda than seeing the sights. She’d had a thing for somewhat older men with peppery beards—willing to overlook the dad bod—but that put her in a fairly narrow category. Mark met and bedded women with low success until he finally gave up and headed home.
His memories of Amanda notwithstanding, his random sexual encounters left him more unfulfilled than anything else. Sure, there was a great deal of enjoyment in exploring another woman’s body, but after 25 years of marriage his soul wanted something beyond a nice fuck here and there.
Though a tech-savvy guy, he’d been out of the dating scene for a long time and the whole dating app thing was really weird at the beginning. He did the whole swiping right and left thing and ended up with a few unsatisfying hookups, but it made him realize he needed to work on the bod in order to get any sort of real attention.
Dating apps took a back burner for a few months while he hit the gym hard. After several grueling weeks of cardio, lifting heavy things, tracking macronutrients, and climbing fake indoor mountains, he was a much more attractive specimen of the male species. Not chiseled or ripped by any means, but he was no longer self-conscious of his shape when he started stripping down with the lights on.
He’d even gotten more than a few compliments from his partners, which always stroked the ego.
Now, unless you get the idea that Mark was sleeping around indiscriminately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Most dates ended without any sex. In fact, the vast majority of the evenings spent with various women were adventures in trying to bail out on his date without hurting her feelings. While it was certainly accurate to say that he’d had more sex partners after marriage than he’d ever had before, he could count the total on two hands and leave room for more. Mark was actually pretty picky about who he’d sleep with. Barring his adventure with Amanda, he wouldn’t take a woman to bed if he didn’t see a potential future with her.
Once he’d figured out the right niche in the gazillion dating apps, Mark was able to build several longer relationships with some lovely women—one of which was a woman he’d known from his days serving on the local school board, a middle school science teacher named Michelle.
One of the best parts of playing the field again was the opportunity to explore the sexual appetites of different women. Gwen hadn’t been interested in lovemaking in quite a while, and even when she was it was never anything beyond plain old vanilla style missionary with the occasional cowgirl session. Mark had some kinks that he knew about but hadn’t been able to explore them before. Some of his new partners were more adventurous than others.
It was Michelle that really offered the most excitement and fresh adventure. Though Mark had been introduced to some anal play before, it was Michelle that taught him how penetrate that forbidden land in ways safe and enjoyable for them both. They shared a favorite position—doggystyle—and she loved getting her hair pulled as he drilled her with all the gusto he could manage.
Michelle was the woman Mark wished he had met when he was a young man in the early days of his sexual awakening. She was equal parts sensitive lover, rapacious tigress, and patient teacher. He learned more from her about the art of sex and lovemaking in three months than he’d ever learned in all his previous years combined.
Life happened and they both moved on, parting as close friends but no longer lovers. Michelle stayed in Mark’s speed dial and they checked in on one another from time to time, but never again shared a bed, never again entwining their bodies.
Mark felt spent after breaking up with Michelle. Still he wanted something he hadn’t found yet, someone who would help fill that void in his life that remained empty. He wasn’t a desperate little boy naïve enough to believe there was “the one” out there waiting for him that would solve all his problems and fill that hole completely.
No, Mark simply wanted someone to share the journey with—truly share life at every level possible. He had no idea how his life was about to change.
# Chapter One – A Safe Place to Land
Mark sat at his computer working the morning away as usual. On the other side of his massive curved monitor the day shone bright and crisp through the window overlooking the well-manicured backyard, sunlight glistening across the waters of the swimming pool. Though small, the house Mark had acquired after his divorce was sophisticated as well as comfortable.
His office was set up in the spare bedroom of the two bedroom home, but not packed wall-to-wall with equipment. The desk was spartan, holding only enough gear to get the job done effectively and enjoyably, while the remainder of the room was graced with a nice love seat, an acoustic guitar, and an easel. The easel was momentarily empty because Mark needed to order new canvases.
Okay, he needed to order canvases, period. And paint. And painting lessons. And the will to actually do something with the easel or sell it in the next neighborhood garage sale.
Mark’s email pinged, pulling his attention away from the idyllic scene outside his window. Though not a slave to his inbox, Mark liked to keep a short leash on it during the workday, staying ahead of any software issues that might come up during his various projects.
This particular email wasn’t work-related and only milliseconds away from a trip to the trash. Mark’s finger hovered over the mouse when he got a video call request pushed through his messaging service.
It was his best friend, Trevor.
Trevor was the most unlikely friend a guy like Mark should ever have. The pair had almost nothing in common, yet had gone through the most trying time of their lives together—a trial that had bonded them in unspoken and profound ways.
You see, Trevor was the ex-husband of the woman Mark’s wife had run off to be with. When Gwen and Eve had mutually left their spouses to be together, Mark and Trevor found themselves proceeding through the five stages of grief together—though what they had shared had mostly been anger once they pushed through the initial shock. They’d come out the other side as confidants and brothers.
Mark clicked the “Accept” button and soon Trevor’s smiling face filled the right-hand side of his screen.
“Yo, my dude! How’s work treating you today?”
“Slow, but I’ve got no complaints,” Mark smiled. “How about you?”
“Finally wrapped that stupid project for the nightmare client. Gonna fire their asses as soon as they make the final payments. It was worth it though since I made enough bank to take the rest of the month off before the next project fires up.”
“Nice, enjoy it. What’s the plan for the time off?”
“That’s why I was checking in on ya’,” Trevor said. “I wanted to see if you were up for a little vacay next week.”
“Shit,” Mark shrugged, “I’d love to, but I’m in the middle of a code mess here and it’s going to be a bit before I get it wrangled. I need a break, I’m going stir-crazy.”
“Yeah, when’s the last time you left the house? I haven’t seen you in too long.”
“I’ve been out,” Mark hedged.
“Getting groceries and working out doesn’t count, man. It’s bad enough you’re not getting laid on the regular, you’re making it worse by becoming a hermit.”
“I guess I need something worth getting out for,” Mark sighed. “The dating scene just doesn’t appeal right now but some human contact would be nice.”
“Come out and get some drinks with me tonight,” Trevor pushed. “Maybe we’ll find some human contact for you then.”
“Nah,” Mark shook his head, “thanks for the offer though.”
“Sure, man,” Trevor said, clearly disappointed. “Just find something to do, even if it’s out of the ordinary or even a little boring. I’m serious. Don’t lock yourself away or you’re gonna fall back into that funk we worked too hard crawling out of together.”
“I promise, brother,” Mark said, meaning it, “I’ll find something. Today.”
“Gonna hold you to it,” Trevor smiled. “I’ll text you later and I expect an answer.”
“You got it. See ya, Trev.”
“Later, Mark,” Trevor flipped Mark off as usual and disappeared, leaving Mark chuckling to himself.
“Shit,” Mark said, “now what?”
Mark spent his lunch online, searching for ideas, but there was nothing even the least bit interesting in his current state of mind. Finally, he gave up and closed his browser, gearing up to get back to work shuffling through code. Before he got too far, his eye was drawn back to his inbox and the almost-deleted email.
Back when he’d still been married, and when his kids were still in school, Mark had decided to run for the local school board and unexpectedly won when his opponent was caught in some sort of legal trouble. In time, he was elected school board president and earned a very respectable reputation in the community. Since rolling off of the board when his kids graduated—and after Gwen decided to shit on their marriage—Mark still received regular invitations to special school district events as a previous board member.
Hence the email.
This invitation was for the big annual fundraising banquet held to squeeze money for various programs from the city’s wealthy and influential. Always before Mark had simply deleted the email. Those days were done and the thought of going to the banquet as an attendee was mind-numbing. He’d never enjoyed the banquets when he’d been obligated to attend and played an active role in the night, so he never gave going back again a second thought.
Until now.
Attending this banquet would fit the bill perfectly. It would satisfy Trevor’s demand that he get out of the house, and it would force him to sit around a table and interact with other people for a while. When he’d had enough he was under no obligation to stay, he could leave any time.
Mark clicked the RSVP link in the email invite and logged his reservation.
“Oh, fuck me,” he said as soon as he got the confirmation email. “Now I’ve got to go shopping for a new suit.”
These banquets were always somewhat formal affairs—not tux and tails formal, but definitely suit and tie required. The problem was Mark hadn’t worn a suit since he’d recently dropped over 40 pounds, so nothing he had hanging in the closet would fit any longer.
Mark whipped out his phone and shot a quick text to Trevor.
*>>Hey man, let’s go get drinks tonight after all, if the invite is still open, that is.*
*You know it is! Let’s do it.<<*
*>>Slow down, bro, there’s one condition.*
*Condition? WTF?<<*
*>>I figured out where I’m gonna go to get out of the house, but I need to go shopping for a suit first. You’re gonna help me, and then we’ll go get those drinks.*
*Details, man. Why do you need a suit?<<*
*>>I’ll tell you all about it later. I’ll swing by your house around 5 and then we can head over to the men’s store.*
*Deal. I’ll be your fashion consultant.<<*
*>>Deal, see ya.*
*Later, fucker.<<*
——-
True to his word, Trevor pushed Mark toward a suit he would never have bought on his own. The cut was modern, the fabric was breathable, and the price was ridiculous.
“You gotta buy something you’d wear out on the town, or on a fancy date with someone special,” Trevor had said, “not something we’d see you wearing in your casket.”
As Mark looked at himself in the mirror, he had to admit Trevor was right. The color was a sort of shiny, almost iridescent black that shifted to a deep purple in the right light. Complemented by an understated but sophisticated tie in deepest red, the suit itself was cut for a much younger man, a much fitter man. Or so Mark had originally believed.
“Fuck me,” Mark said. “I actually look good in this thing.”
Mark’s thoughts weren’t ego stroking but complete surprise that he did look good. The suit was perfect for his body shape and accentuated all of the work he’d done to get more fit over the last year while hiding his flaws—namely the last little bit of pudge around the middle he couldn’t shed no matter how hard he tried.
More than satisfied with his looks, complete with a fresh haircut and beard trim—both short and neat but not too short—he headed out to make the drive across town to the banquet.
Before long, Mark was walking through the doors of the high school gym, the traditional location for the fundraiser. Approaching the check-in table, he spotted Jenni, the school superintendent’s executive assistant. He knew her pretty well from his time on the school board, and had secretly had something of a crush on her for much longer.
Is it called a crush when you’re a mature adult? Let’s call it what it was—he’d lusted after Jenni for years before he’d even known her name. Seeing her now brought all those desires flooding back home and he felt a rapid stiffening in his cock.
Jenni looked amazing as always. Those caramel legs flowing from the tight little dress she was wearing made Mark almost audibly groan. And her hair—those long, silky, jet black tresses that he loved so much. He was happy to see she hadn’t changed much at all in the years since he’d last seen her. No man in his right mind would ever believe she was in her 40s and had adult children of her own.
That hair! How many times had he imagined pulling that hair while…?
Mark drummed up the courage, once the swelling in his pants was under control, to approach the table and say hello.
“Mark?” Jenni seemed stunned. “I almost didn’t recognize you! You look…you look great!”
Jenni rushed from behind the table and gathered Mark into a hug, making his dick spring to life again. He broke the hug as fast as he could manage without seeming impolite, though he struggled hard against the urge to press her body to his.
“Great to see you, Jenni, it’s been too long. You look amazing.”
“So do you, Mark,” Jenni looked him up and down. “Damn, I swear if I didn’t have so much work to do I’d take your arm and walk in with you. We’d be the hottest couple in the room.”
Mark’s stomach leapt into his throat. He stumbled over his words in an attempt to cover.
“Ummm, well, we both know, ummm, you’re the real brains around here.”
“Nah, my job is to look good and make the boss look good.”
Surprised by his own boldness Mark blurts, “You’ve always looked good, Jen.”
Jen? When the hell had he ever called her Jen before? What the fuck had gotten into him? This suit was turning him into a different man.
Jenni actually blushed, then recovered enough to do a little quarter turn to strike a pose like a model. The move highlighted how well her dress hugged her shape, the curve of her ass drawing Mark’s eye. He felt the bulge filling his pants again.
Thank god for the suit jacket.
“Thank you, Mark,” Jenni touched his arm fondly. “You’re a sweetheart.”
It was Mark’s turn to blush.
“I’m so sorry about what happened with Gwen,” Jenni broke off the contract to rifle through some name tags. “That was a shitty thing she did to you.”
“I’ve moved on,” Mark shrugged. “I heard about your own bust up. Sounds like your ex took notes from mine.”
“Yeah,” Jenni’s smile was melancholy, “but hey, it makes us both single and available, right?”
Mark almost fell over. “Right,” he managed to squeak.
Jenni saved him by handing him his name tag.
Thankfully it was one of those magnetic kinds so he didn’t have to worry about damaging the new threads. “There’s no assigned seating, is there?”
“Nah, not for you, only the big donors who bought whole tables like usual. Though as past-president they’d probably let you sit at the head table if you asked.”
Mark held up his hands in protest. “Hell no, those days are over. I doubt I’ll even stay for the whole thing. Just long enough to eat the best meal I’ll probably have this month.”
“Hey!” Jenni suddenly stopped her work on the name tags. “You should find Cora and sit with her. I’m sure she’d welcome your company.”
“Cora’s here?” Mark was suddenly paying close attention to something besides Jenni’s figure. “How is she? I mean, how is she doing?”
“As best as she can manage,” Jenni looked down in obvious concern. “It’s been a year, but this is really the first social event she’s come out for. She rarely leaves her house except for work and weekly coffee with me.”
That sounded familiar, Mark thought.
“I would like to see her and catch up,” Mark said with genuine care. “I never got to offer my condolences.”
Jenni reached out a hand again, laying it atop of Mark’s with a gentle squeeze. “Find her,” Jenni sounded almost desperate. “promise me.”
“I promise, Jen,” Mark shortened her name again, this time out of a sense of real connection and care for her. “It was so great to see you again.”
Jenni leaned over the table and kissed his cheek. “Don’t be a stranger, handsome.”
Mark blushed again and broke away with a sheepish wave goodbye, forcing himself to not reciprocate that kiss.
Thankfully, the crowd had grown and he soon lost himself in the throng. He recognized many of the guests, but most of them only shook hands and quickly moved on. He was no longer someone to impress or lobby, so he didn’t have to suffer through tiresome conversations with near strangers.
Nearing the tables, he spied Michelle surrounded by a group of fellow teachers. Their eyes met and she offered a warm smile. The woman oozed the sexy teacher vibe she’d always had. It wasn’t a put on or purposefully provocative, it was just who she was—supremely confident and comfortable within herself. She wasn’t what most men would consider gorgeous, but the way she carried herself demanded and commanded male attraction. Mark almost felt himself drawn by her gravity, but his mind was firmly set on a purpose.
He searched the room for Cora until he found her sitting alone at a table very near the back of the room. Mark’s heart somersaulted at the sight, a storm of conflicting feelings churning within.
In Mark’s mind, Cora was one of two women he’d desired for a long time. Jenni was the other, but his feelings for them couldn’t have been much different. Yes, he found both of them incredibly sexy, and was honest enough about himself to admit that some of what he felt for them both was raw lust, but his view of Jenni was much more carnal. While he did care a great deal for Jenni, he didn’t love her the same way.
Mark had fallen in love with Cora the moment he first saw her.
He was married at the time, and so was she, but he loved her all the same. Yes, his own marriage was on life support by the time they’d met but Mark stayed unwaveringly faithful. Though he worked closely with Cora while she herself had served on the school board alongside him, he’d loved her enough to never make his true feelings known lest he either ruin his friendship with her if she rejected him or destroy her marriage if she didn’t.
Now here she was, a year beyond her husband’s passing away from his long illness. Here she was as beautiful as ever, her long blonde hair flowing in gentle curls over her bare shoulders, her amazingly gorgeous legs flowing from a stunning cobalt blue dress, her ice blue eyes searching the room for someone, anyone who might give her a reason to be there.
Those eyes found Mark’s and bloomed into a smile. She motioned him to join her and Mark found his feet moving of their own volition.
Cora stood, and she was stunning. Elegantly put together as always, but with an unfeigned sort of beauty that came naturally without flaunting or pretense. You could tell at first glance that Cora Moore was the kindest person Mark had ever known.
Then he felt himself in her arms, his body responding not with lust, but an overwhelming need to comfort her, care for her. He returned her embrace, pressing her close to his chest, both of them holding it a bit longer than they should have.
“Mark,” her smooth voice sounded next to his ear, “I’m so glad you’re here. You’re my savior tonight.”
“Hi, Cora,” his own voice filled with sudden strength for her as they parted. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mark,” Cora’s smile grew. “Are you meeting anyone or solo tonight?”
“It’s just me. I was hoping I might sit with you.”
“Oh, please!” Cora’s shoulders gave a little jump. “I wasn’t kidding when I said you’re my savior. I was thinking about leaving until I saw you. I really didn’t want to come.”
“I’d love to sit with you, Cora,” Mark’s chest grew warm in anticipation of spending the evening with her. “Here, let me help you.”
Mark shuffled behind Cora and touched her chair. “Always a gentleman,” she said as she sat back down while he did the old-fashioned work of minding her chair. He watched from above as she straightened her skirt and crossed her smooth legs demurely.
“I really didn’t want to come either,” Mark confessed as he took the chair to her left. “My friend, Trevor, badgered me into it. He says I’ve been becoming a hermit lately.”
Cora laughed, a crystal clear sound that sounded almost happy, but more than colored with a rueful sadness that made Mark’s heart hurt. “Jenni made me come. She got more than a little blunt and told me it was time to stop moping and have a life.”
Mark nodded. “How are you doing, Cora? I don’t want to overstep, but I want to know you’re ok.”
Cora froze, all traces of her smile vanishing from her face. Mark cursed at himself for making her dredge up those emotions all over again. It hurt him to think that he was somehow hurting her.
“Cora,” his voice was breaking and low, “I’m sorry. I’m sure you’re tired of everyone asking.”
“It’s ok, Mark,” her smile returned a little, “I know it’s because you care. I’ve managed to keep my head above water, though it’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Mark grunted softly like he’d been punched, the blow delivered by her words.
“Mark,” Cora frowned in concern, “what’s wrong.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, wiping a stray tear from his eye. Where had that come from? “Something you said hit me pretty hard. I guess…I guess I didn’t realize how raw my own emotions have been lately. You reminded me of a song I listened to a lot when Gwen left me, something you just said?”
“Oh?” Cora leaned forward with interest. “What song?”
“It’s called ‘A Safe Place to Land,’” Mark said. “It’s a duet by Sara Bareilles and John Legend. I listened to a lot of her stuff when I was in my darkest days. Something about her voice comforts me, like she understands what I’m going through.”
“I know her music,” Cora nodded, “even sung a few of her tunes, but I don’t know that one.”
“You’re still teaching music?”
“I took a few months off after Brad passed, but I’ve been working my way back up to a full week. I haven’t been able to bring myself to perform again yet.”
“Let me know if you do,” Mark encouraged her, “I love hearing you sing.”
Cora’s cheeks flushed a bit. “I will. You’ve always been a huge support. I’m still proud of the work we did together on the board.”
“Those were good days,” Mark smiled.
“They were,” Cora’s smile returned to full bloom, “we were a great team, you and I. It’s too bad life fell apart for both of us, but we’ll survive. I feel like I’m almost ready to move on and be alive again. How about you, Mark? How have you been since…”
“Since Gwen left me?” Mark finished for her. “It was hard but I’ve done pretty well I suppose. Finding a new normal was hard, but it forced me to take a good look at myself and work to be better.”
“Seems like you’re doing that,” Cora said. “I love the new look.”
“Thanks,” Mark said, “I feel like I’m finally approaching your level of style.”
“Me?” Cora seemed confused.
“Yes, you,” Mark smiled. “You always look so well put together, even when I’ve seen you in casual clothes. You always look like you’ve taken real care of yourself.”
“It’s the way I was raised,” Cora shrugged. “My mother always said the way you dress is how you show you care about the world around you.”
“That’s a beautiful way of thinking,” Mark said. “I can tell you’ve embraced the idea. You always look amazing.”
Cora jolted in surprise at his comment, but tried to cover it. “Have you…um…been seeing anyone?”
Mark was taken aback by the sudden shift and really didn’t want to talk about other women with Cora. “I, er, have done some dating here and there, yes, but I’m not seeing anyone at the moment.”
He was determined to change the subject. “How about your girls? What’s going on with them?”
“Rose is finishing up high school,” Cora smiled. “She just turned 18, so she’s ready to get on with the next stage of life. Sera’s at home and attending college here in town, and she’s doing extremely well. It’s Emma that’s been hit the hardest losing Brad. She was always the closest to him and she’s struggling to make it through school.”
“She’s off in California, right?” Mark asked.
“Yes, so I don’t get to see her often, but at least she still calls once a week or so. How about your kids?”
From there the conversation flowed and became more and more natural, more and more comfortable and familiar. They spoke of family, work, and how they’ve attempted to move through life after their mutual upheavals.
Mark found the time passing in a blur, his sole attention focused on Cora, drinking in the sight of her, her voice, the way she kept moving closer as the evening went on, how she often reached out to touch his hand. Other people joined them at the table but later he was never sure who they were. Dinner was delivered but he left it mostly untouched, and he noticed the same on Cora’s part. It was as if the rest of the world moved completely apart from the bubble they’d unconsciously created for themselves.
Finally, the departure of their tablemates crashed in on their shared reality. The night was over and it was time to go home. The last thing Mark wanted was to leave her. Why couldn’t they stay here in this moment?
“Cora,” he blurted before anything else could happen and he lost her, “would you like to go out with me some time? I mean, if you’re ready for something like that?”
Her mouth opened in surprise and her eyes flared open wide as if she was trying to decide whether she should run. Mark feared he’d ruined the night and pushed her too far too soon, but he had to take the chance. He had to keep this lifeline he’d discovered alive.
Cora recovered from her shock, the internal roiling of feelings pressed back under her control. “Like a date?” she finally managed to ask.
“Yes,” Mark didn’t dare feel relief yet, “if you’d like.”
Cora stopped to think again, a moment that seemed like sand stuck in place in an hourglass.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” she asked.
The relief came. Mark allowed himself to breathe, allowed his heart to beat again. “Well, it looks like I’m taking a beautiful woman out for dinner and dancing.”
“Beautiful?” Cora was taken aback, a little breathless. “You think I’m beautiful?”
“I think you’re gorgeous,” Mark’s voice sounded unmistakably sincere. “I always have.”
Cora’s face bloomed, all traces of her melancholy gone, vanished without a trace. Mark could almost feel the cage around her heart open wide, almost hear the lock she’d placed on her break free.
He stood and offered his hand. Cora took it and stood with him. “Can I walk you to your car?”
“I’d love that,” Cora smiled. She picked up her purse from the back of her chair and turned toward the door. Mark placed a hand on the small of her back as they walked together, quietly making their plans for the next evening.
Neither of them saw the playful smirk on Jenni’s face as they passed her.
When they reached her car, Mark took her hand and kissed it gently. “I’ll pick you up at 6 o’clock,” he confirmed. “I can’t wait to see you again.”
Cora stepped in close and kissed Mark on the cheek. “See you tomorrow, Mark. Thank you for being my savior tonight.”
“Good night, Cora.”
Mark stood there and watched her start up the car and drive away, returning her wave as she pulled away.
It was several long minutes before he moved to his own car. Once he made it there and got it started, he continued to sit in stunned silence.
“Don’t fuck this up, Mark,” he told himself just before making his own way home. “Don’t fuck this up.”
——-
As Cora drove home, her mind was a storm of thoughts, her heart churning with feelings she couldn’t identify because it had been so long since she’d felt them. Overwhelmed, they were almost too much to bear. She was drowning and struggled to keep her head above water.
Then she had a thought, a memory from earlier in the night.
“Sara Bareilles, huh?” she whispered out loud. “What was that song?”
Thinking for a moment, she said louder, “Siri, play ‘A Safe Place’ by Sara Bareilles.”
Moments later the soft piano and soulful voices of Sara and John Legend filled her car. Immediately, Cora was pierced to the heart, and at the words “the ocean is wild and over your head,” the tears started to flow uncontrollably. Cora was forced to turn into a parking lot because she could no longer see to drive.
Without thought, driven by a heart yearning to feel again, striving to work beyond the anger and despair and loss of the previous year, her fingers tapped repeat to play the song again. And again. And again.
By the fifth time through, Cora has relived every memory, every thought, every feeling, every dead desire of the last year. Finally, latching on to the lyrics at the end of the song, she let them fill her soul to the brim.
*Be the hand of a hopeful stranger*
*Little scared but you’re strong enough*
*Be the light in the dark of this danger*
*’Til the sun comes up*
“Mark,”she whispered in the quiet of the car as the last notes of the song faded away.
Cora’s sun rose over the horizon of her loss, it’s rays piercing through the clouds of her grief.
Source: reddit.com/r/Erotica/comments/olnppg/a_safe_place_to_landprologue_chapter_one