The Key Between Us Pt 04

*loosely based on a true story*

Hayden got off work early the next day, so he ended up sitting on Vicki's front steps waiting for her to get home. For a moment, he wondered if he wanted to give her the key to his chastity cage back, since it had been so difficult to ask for it in the first place. But then her car pulled into the driveway, and as she stepped out of the vehicle with her big, teasing grin, he knew he had no choice but to give it back.

"I hope you had fun," she said with a bit of playful mockery in her voice, holding her hand out.

Hayden placed the key in her hand, and she snatched it back. "Yeah. Got a few sessions in."

"TMI, Hay Hay, TMI," she laughed. "Want to come inside?"

"That would be fun, but I actually have plans to visit the riverwalk today," he said, and suddenly he wondered if he should mention why. It hadn't occurred to him what she would think of him trying to get to know an attractive woman.

"You've been going there a lot lately," Vicki said. "Trying to get in better shape or something?"

"Just needing to burn some energy, since I can't..." He pointed to his caged area. It was a genuinely truthful answer.

Vicki smiled and winked. "Several sessions, you said? Maybe I'll have to keep the key for longer this time, so you don't get spoiled."

"Spoiled?" Hayden laughed in mock offense. "An entire week at your mercy is hardly being spoiled!"

"Trust me, I can make it a lot worse," Vicki said, and gave his cheek a quick pat. Heading inside, she said, "Have fun at the riverwalk. See ya later."

*

When he made it to the riverwalk, he found he had to sit in the car for a moment to find some courage. He wasn't actually here to exercise; he just wanted to meet the woman who had free rent in his head for some reason. He wasn't too afraid of her rejecting his interest in her; he could live with a polite no. But he was scared of how he was going to approach her. What was he supposed to say? "Hey, I thought you were cute and I want your number?" How exactly was he supposed to do this without coming across as creepy.

It suddenly occurred to him that he could have asked Vicki. She was charismatic, and would have much better insight in the female perspective than he would. But still, he wasn't sure what she would think of this. It's not like they were dating or anything, but she now had a sort of claim on him that made him feel like he needed her permission to pursue someone.

"Alright, if this gal gives me her number, I'll tell Vicki next time I see her," he decided.

He looked up just in time to see said woman jogging past. She was stunning, her skin glistening in the sun from a very light sweat. Her light brown hair was tied in a ponytail. She wore a pink sports bra and white shorts, revealing a body that was well-fit and taken care of.

Fearing he was about to lose his chance, Hayden sprang out of his car and cried, "Hey!"

She looked over her shoulder at him, and realizing he was addressing her she stopped and turned around. She said nothing, and gave him a "Can I help you?" look at him.

Suddenly the world stopped, and Hayden's ability to speak was gone. "I--I--run with you?"

"I'm sorry?" she said with a baffled smile.

"I, well, need a running partner," he said, swallowing. "And, I've seen you here a couple times before, if that's alright. I mean, if it's alright that I need a running partner, not if it's alright if I've seen you since, you know, I can't really help that. Unless, you'd rather I not--not see you, that is. Like, I can look away if you want."

Her baffled smile shifted to an endearing smirk. "You didn't plan this out, did you?"

Hayden let out a sigh and gave a resigned smile. "No, not really."

"You're free to run with me, if that's what you're trying to ask," she said.

Hayden's cheeks went red, and suddenly he was glad his penis was locked up, because he could feel it trying to go hard. The cage walls held it tight, pinning it down and saving him from a lot of embarrassment.

"You don't mind?" he asked sheepishly.

"Not if you're okay going my pace," she said.

"Deal," he said. "I'm Hayden."

"Kayla."

They started moving. Kayla set a pace that was just slightly faster than Hayden was used to. He hoped he could keep up, especially since he didn't get a chance to warm up or stretch. He feared looking weak or cramping up in front of her. But then, trying to make a good impression was already a lost cause, so it wasn't like he could make a much bigger fool of himself than he already had.

"I haven't seen you here before a couple weeks ago," Hayden said. "You new to running?"

"Do I run like I'm new to running?" Kayla asked.

"No, no!" Hayden panicked, praying he hadn't offended her. "You run really well, better than me even--not that I'm the standard of a good runner or anything, but I am a decent runner and you're even faster than me."

Her grin grew all the more baffled. "You got anything else to say about yourself, Hayden?"

"Nope, definitely not," Hayden said, laughing at himself.

"You usually this charming?" she teased.

Hayden's mind fought for a second, not sure if the first response that came to his mind was too forward or not. Deciding that he might as well shoot his shot, he said, "Only when I'm around beautiful women."

"Oh?" she said. "You spend a lot of time around beautiful women?"

"Yeah, of course," he said with playful smugness. "Is it so hard to believe women would love hanging out with such a smooth-talking socialite?"

She gave a sort of giggle. "Well, to answer your first question: I'm not new to running, just new to the area."

"Where are you originally from?"

"Springfield."

"And what brought you to this area?" Hayden said. "If you don't mind me asking?"

"Cheaper rent," she said.

"Hmm, I'm sorry," Hayden said. "No one should be forced to leave their home just to make ends meet."

"It's alright, I don't mind," Kayla said. "The country is a lot more beautiful around here, anyway. I love all the bluffs. And it's a cute town, anyway."

Her optimism somehow made her cuter, and again Hayden was glad he couldn't get an erection right then.

Hayden suddenly wasn't sure what to say, and they continued on in silence for a while. He didn't think it was an awkward silence, but he wasn't sure what Kayla thought of the lack of conversation. She didn't look troubled by it, but he was scared to look at her for too long to make sure, in case he accidentally made her uncomfortable.

As he was beginning to tire and wondering how much longer he could keep going, Kayla decided to slow to a walk. She explained that she was training herself to do 10Ks consistently, but today was supposed to be a lighter day.

"Other than running, what do you do for fun?" Hayden asked.

"Nothing crazy," she said with a smile. "I love curling up on my couch and reading. Sipping on a nice cup of coffee. Working on a puzzle."

"Sounds fun," Hayden said. "What kind of books do you like?"

Her cheeks went ever so slightly red and her smile brightened. "I know it's super nerdy, but I do enjoy a good epic fantasy or sci-fi series."

"No way!" Hayden said. "Same! Anything with deep world building will just suck me in."

"Yes!" she said in excited agreement. "It's incredible what some authors can come up with."

Hayden could hardly contain his excitement. No one in his friend group, not even Vicki, shared in his fascination with that kind of thing. Some of them would listen politely if he mentioned them, but no one ever geeked out about it with him.

"Who are some of your favorite authors?" he asked.

"I like finding unknown writers without massive fanbases," she said. "They can use the support, and also they genuinely have some pretty great stuff."

"You'll have to share a list with me sometime," Hayden said.

Kayla smiled and pulled out her phone. "What's your number? I can text you a list tonight."

Perhaps a little too eagerly, Hayden spelled out his digits. This could not have gone more perfectly! He hadn't been entirely sure how to ask for her number, but now she was initiating things. She must have had at least a little interest in him!

"Would, uh, you be interested in running together again sometime?" he asked.

"Sure," she said. "I'll be here Sunday morning, probably around 8."

"Great! I'll see you then."