Emotional Intelligence

Rory wore his turtleneck today, and the rimless glasses that made him look like the hunky architect. He had told Alex that it wasn't enough for his clients that he had the skills they needed, they wanted to see what they expected. That he had to look the part, even if it meant he had to hide his tattoos, buy expensive shoes, and drive a Saab just to meet their preconceptions. Architecture was really just applied psychology, in some ways.

As he leaned in for the kiss, their fingers threaded together...and Alex felt the metal band on his left hand. Rory had explained that, too. He had said that cut down on the number of women—and men—who hit on him. Something about the touch of that cold metal sent a shiver down her spine...maybe a touch of disappointment.

His hand slipped to the small of her back, and Rory held Alex close.

"You know I'll marry you, right?" he said softly, as if he knew what she was thinking. Maybe he was. Alex laid her head against his chest as they stood there. Her fingers played with the ring. They hadn't really talked about it, but to hear him just come out and say it—Alex knew he could read her like a book, when he wanted.

"It isn't really time yet, though," Rory said. "The house isn't finished...and your job, and mine...maybe next year..."

Rory's hand shifted down, to grab a handful of ass. They stood there, gently swayed, as if they slow-danced to a music only they could hear.

"Whenever you want," he said. "We'll make it official. I promise."

Alex gave a little sniff.

"You're going to give me a ring and everything?" She asked, half-joking.

"I already did," he said. His hand let go of her ass, and he gently turned her around. One arm extended over her shoulder, one finger pointed to the kitchen table. "Remember Baby?"

'Baby' was the first gift that Rory had given Alex, on their first real date. A Hummel figurine that they had seen in an antique shop. A small figure in porcelain, a boy with a violin. Alex had immediately dubbed it 'Baby,' and he had bought it for her on the spot. It had lived on her kitchen table ever since.

"Turn him over," Rory said, with a whisper.

"You didn't," Alex said...but stepped away. Rory's hand snagged the belt of her robe, and it came off she pulled forward, so that he could admire her bare ass and back as she stepped into the kitchen, turned the figure over...and yes, the base was hollow. Alex saw that at some point, on one of his past visits, Rory had placed an opaque plastic plug he had 3D printed into the base. Invisible...unless you knew to look. She popped the plug...and there it was. A small, pale golden band, incised with Latin letters on the inner curve, the top studded with small diamonds.

Tentatively, Alex slid it onto her own finger. It fit perfectly.

"My grandmother's ring," he said as he stepped behind her. She could feel his bare, hairy chest press into her back...and something else poke into her butt. "I had it sized for you. I knew. From the first."

Alex sniffed again. She wasn't normally emotional, but this was...too much.

"I am so going to drain your balls tonight," she said, her voice half a snob as she wiped away tears. She felt his smile as he kissed her shoulder...and right then, Alex knew she was down with whatever Rory wanted to do, no matter how weird or kinky.