“Do you want a drink?” Marcus asked.
“Yes. The alcohol will numb my anxiety and reduce my feeling of being socially awkward.”
They had two drinks and got through the speeches.
When the band began to play with their light show, Scarlett winced.
Marcus asked, “Are you okay? We can we leave.”
She rubbed her temples and said, “The sound, the lights, the smells of cigarettes… it hurts. I should stay at least for the first dance.”
Carolyn and her father went to the center of the dance floor. They waltzed. The music stopped, their dance ended, and everyone clapped.
Tommy went to his bride.
The father gave his daughter’s hand to the groom and left the floor. The music started up.
The lead singer said, “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Wegler!”
The crowd cheered, music played, and the newly married couple danced.
Scarlett tapped Marcus’ arm and said, “I need to leave.”
Marcus escorted her out. He teased, “You are the perfect girlfriend. You didn’t make me dance.”
He grabbed two flutes of champagne on their way out the door and said, “Follow me. We’ll go out on the patio, drink, and look at the stars.”
He led her to a quiet spot. They sat in silence on a wrought iron bench and drank the bubbly.
“Thank you,” she said. “I was dreading this event because of the social demands I knew it would put on me. I do not know how I would have gotten through this evening without you.”
“You’re welcome.” He toasted her, drank, and added, “It’s been fun.”
“My aunt and mother like you.”
“All women like to flirt and enjoy compliments.”
“Not me. I do not understand flirting, and compliments can be a trap.”
“A trap?”
“Yes,” Scarlett said. “I’m suspicious when someone gives me one. If it is true, why bother stating it? If it is not true, why did they say it? Do they want something?”
“Compliments are meant to make the recipient feel good.”
“A lie or insincere compliment demeans me. I do not want to be treated like a child. ‘Oh, the poor girl has autism. She did not do well, but tell her she did a good job even though she and everyone here knows it is untrue’.”
“I understand,” he said. He put his hand on her chin, lifted her face so he could look her in the eyes, and said, “I promise to always tell you the truth even when it will hurt your feelings. I spoke the truth today when I said you are beautiful.”
He leaned in and kissed her.
She didn’t reciprocate. She kept her eyes open.
He persevered. He embraced her and continued to kiss her.
After her initial hesitation, she closed her eyes, accepted and returned the kiss. It was a long one.
He pulled back, smiled, and said, “That was nice.”
“That was nice,” she responded.
They kissed again and again.
“I like kissing you,” Marcus said. “I want to kiss you more. If you agree, we should go to a private space like our room.”
“I agree,” she said. “Do you want to have sex with me?”
“Err…Yes.” Marcus was surprised by her bluntness.
“Good. Me too. I wanted to be sure. I don’t always read situations correctly.” She stood and added, “Come. I will say goodnight to my mother.”
Marcus smiled and stood. They found the aunt and Scarlett’s mother.
“Mom, this had been a long day. You know how I get when I am in large crowds. The flashing lights are a problem too. I am going to my room. I will see you at breakfast at 8:00 a.m.”
“Do you want me to keep you company?” her mother asked.
“No. I have Marcus, and I will be in bed soon.”
“Okay. Good night, Honey,” her mother said.
They said goodnight, the women exchanged kisses on the cheek, and the young people walked away.
Marcus said, “I can’t believe what you said to your mother.”
“It was the truth. I will be in my bed. I thought the rules of decorum prevent me from saying ‘I am going to my room to have sex with Marcus’.”
^^^
When Marcus and Scarlett entered their room, she went to the thermostat, turned the heat up a couple degrees, and said, “I get cold when I take my clothes off.”
Marcus hugged her, kissed her, groped her ass, and said, “I think it’s my job to warm you up.”
She giggled, squirmed, and said, “Let me use the bathroom. I need to pee.”
He released her. While she was in the bathroom, he removed his shoes, socks, jacket, and tie. He turned the clock radio on, found a soft rock station, and sat on the bed.
A few minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom naked except for her high heels. She was a slim woman. Her hair had been up for the wedding, Now, it hung loosely around her shoulders. With full makeup on, she looked like a movie star.
“Wow! You’re beautiful. I love the contrast between your black hair and white skin. Not a fan of laying in the sun, huh?”
“No. For me, it is torture. The blinding sunlight, the scorching heat, and I can’t stand most suntan lotions. They smell bad, and the idea of goopy, greasy lotion on my skin makes me scream.”
Marcus stood and ogled her. The slim young woman had small, shapely breasts with dusky colored nipples and areolas. A thick patch of black hair hid her sex. She had slender legs and a distinct thigh gap.
“Is it okay that I have pubic hair? I understand many women remove theirs. My motor skills are not great. That is not an area where I want to have a shaving accident.”
“No problem. I like a woman who looks like a woman.” He smiled and quickly undressed. He posed and gave her a chance to see him naked.
He was a big, burly guy: six-foot-tall, muscular, tanned, with curly hair on his chest and body. His penis was erect. It jutted out from his hairy groin and pointed at her.
It was the standard model in length and thickness.
“This is me,” he announced. “Okay?”
“Yes. Bigger penises hurt my vagina, and smaller ones do not give me pleasure.”
He looked chagrined and asked, “Is that how you tell me I’m not your first lover?”
“Too blunt? Sorry.
“Marcus, you cannot imagine how hard I work at trying to understand and communicate with people. It is exhausting at times. Would you consider learning my way of communicating? Be direct, honest, and straightforward?
“I think I would be a good girlfriend. I’m fit, I like sex, and unlike other girls, I will not complain if you do not buy me presents for no reason or fail to notice a new hairstyle or outfit.”
He laughed.
“You can ask me if we’re good,” Scarlett continued her sales pitch. “If I nod, you can watch your ball game or go out with the guys. If you want sex, instead of spending all evening sending me secret subliminal signals, you can just ask me.
“Is not the direct approach simpler? It worked when I asked you.”
“It is superior.”
He came to her, wrapped his arms around her, and they kissed. He scooped her up in his arms and said, “I like your body and your mind.”
She squealed as he carried her to the bed and cried out, “Wait!”
“What is it?”
“Please do not put me on that bedspread. I do not like that fabric, and we should discuss rules.”
He put her down, pulled the bedspread off the bed, and tossed it on the floor. He asked, “What is this about rules?”
“Do you have any rules about sex?” she asked.
“That we have fun.” He paused, thought, and added, “Be respectful. Get consent. Wear a condom.”
“Is there anything I should not do?” she asked. “Are there places you do not like to be touched or kissed? For example, can I touch and suck your penis?