Darden's Pursuit of Happiness: Darden and Willow by LiSoya Gilltin

from looking to the right she wasn’t in his bedroom. She either didn’t want to be there or didn’t think she had the right to be there. After this morning how could she think that? He placed the box in a drawer out of sight. Then he walked down the hall to where Willow was.  He placed his hand on the door. Darden stood for a moment and prayed.  It was the second time in two days he had prayed before entering a room to see her. He had to admit to himself he couldn’t stand to be apart from her.
    Darden knocked on the door lightly.  Deep down inside, he wanted to knock the damn door down. “Willow, may I come in?
    Willow opened the door.  It broke his heart to know that the tears were still flowing.  He offered his hand to her and to his surprised she pulled him into the room.  Willow immediately placed her hands on his chest and stared into his eyes. “Why do you want someone that has so many doubts and is such a mess inside?” Willow’s voice was unsteady. But it was clear she was trying to pull herself together.
    “You don’t need to doubt anything about us, just think positively.” Darden was stunned by her question.  Does she doubt my love for her? No, that isn’t it, well, not exactly.  She doesn’t value herself as highly as I value her, she must think she isn’t worthy of my love.  “Is it that you don’t think you are worthy of my attention or my love? Because, you are more than worthy, you mean everything to me.  In many ways, it is I who isn’t worthy of your love.”
                  “How could you ever think that?” Willow thought something was terribly wrong with that idea. Darden was very intelligent, with a sometimes wicked sense of humor and yes, sexy as hell with a voice to match. When he walked into any room, he turned heads. He had a quiet masculinity that overwhelmed you before you knew it.
                  “Well, you have run away from me twice, albeit not very far but still you ran.  But if you could have, you would have left the house already. You weren’t even the slightest bit interested to see what was inside the box. But, I know you. You aren’t all about material things. I know you love me.  And I know you need time to sort through this. For me this isn’t happening fast enough and for you it is a tornado of events. You probably have a lot of questions and when you are ready we will discuss it.  But right now, all I want to do, is hold you in my arms. I am willing to keep telling you and showing you that I love you and only you, until you believe it as well as accept it.”
                  “I know you love me but . . . “
                  “There are no buts in this relationship.  It is obvious you need some time to figure this all out for yourself.  I am willing to wait for you to get it. Believe me when I tell you I know what I am getting myself into. And after this morning, I can’t wait to get back into it.”  Darden winked at her. Darden pulled her closer to the fit of him.  Willow’s body seemed to meld perfectly to his.  He loved every moment of it. He could feel her breasts pressed against his chest and immediately thought what it would be like to go horseback riding with her breasts pressed against his back or maybe a motorcycle ride? The horseback ride required less concentration.  I would to make love to her on a horse or a motorcycle across beach sand. The vibration of the right motorcycle could herald an amazing orgasm for both of us. Losing my focus on the motorcycle could be deadly.  Alright time to get focused.  Darden lowered his head and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then, he licked a trail of her tears. Her tears were salty and sweet at the same time, very unusual. She was perfect in every way.  Tears are supposed to be salty but, hers had a sweetness. He kissed her mouth again and this time he was hungry for her.
                  Before Willow realized it the door