Lust in London - 13. Chapter 13

Not 15 minutes later, there was another knock at the door. Alex growled to himself and walked over to answer it. “Look, Mason, you’re wasting your t-Paolo!”

“Alex, thank goodness! I was so worried about you!”

“Paolo! What’re…?”

“I had to check in on you! You won’t answer your cell phone or your emails. What’s going on, man?”

Alex smiled at his friend and hugged him. “Paolo, you, risked your life coming over here? What’s so important?”

“I was worried about you. I just saw the local paper yesterday in the hotel room. I saw the wedding pictures. I knew you’d go there. Did it answer your questions?”

“It answered everything. I dodged the bullet for sure! He never loved me at all! He took my virginity and didn’t give a crap about me! How did I let him get to me? I’m one of the smartest people I know! Why did I let it happen?”

Paolo approached his friend and held out his arms. “Come here. Come on, let me hug you.”

Alex collapsed into his friend’s arms. “I’m so stupid! I…”

“Shhh, you are not! You said it yourself how smart you are! Just because some guy jerked you around doesn’t mean you’re an idiot! It happens all the time, far too often in my opinion.”

Alex looked up into Paolo’s brilliant green eyes. “Shit. Even you’re taken now.”

The Spaniard grinned. “Oh, yes. Hector. Well, there’s a story behind that.”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Spare me. You don’t need to go into gory details. I, just hope that you’re happy with him and that he treats you well. You sure as hell deserve it.”

Paolo smiled. “Oh, there’s a story alright. It’s a whopper, too. Hey, what’s for breakfast?”

Alex held out his hands. “Not much. I never could cook, and there isn’t much here to begin with. I almost had a nasty run-in with a very old yogurt cup. That would’ve ended up very bad, as in ER bad.”

Paolo wrinkled his nose. “Eww! I hate old dairy. Never fun. I got food poisoning from it once. I was so sick! Ended up spending the night in the hospital with an IV. It took me a week to recover.”

“Holy cow! I didn’t know that.”

“Well, it’s not exactly dinner conversation. Come on, lemme take a look and see what I can whip up.”

Alex stood back and waved the man on. “Be my guest. I’m gonna go run to the bathroom.”

“Ok, I’ll make us something terrific.”

“Go for it. I’ll be right back.”

Paolo began rifling through everything in the fridge and pantry and conjured something edible.

Alex came back from the bathroom a few minutes later. “Wow that smells so good! What is it?”

“Crepes. I found some Bisquick and some strawberry jam that were still good in there.”

Alex smiled at his friend. “You’re amazing, Paolo. I have nothing and you come here and find that one bit of goodness in this landfill called my life.”

“Hey, just being a good friend. I think your answering machine’s broken, the light supposed to do that?”

“No, it isn’t. Oh man, I think the tape is full.”

Paolo laughed. “Tape? Good heavens enter the 21st century at least!”

“Ha ha ha. I’ll get there when I’m good and ready. I guess I need to empty this thing, huh?”

Alex pushed the playback button and it rewound the entire tape, meaning a ½ hour of unheard messages.

“Geez, did you even have that thing on?”

Alex shook his head. “No. I didn’t wanna chance hearing his voice at all. I didn’t wanna talk to anyone at all, so I just shut it off.”

Finally, the tape began to play. The first few were Alex’s Mom. He skipped through them. “I love my mom to death, but holy cow she worries.”

“Hey, that’s a mother’s prerogative. Leave her be.”

Alex shrugged in agreement. The next message was what he feared most. It was Mason.

“Alex, are you there? Please pick up. I…just wanted to say I’m so sorry…” Alex cut off the message.

Paolo looked over at his friend. “You alright?”

“Mark that one for deletion for sure.” He pushed play again and it was another message from the estranged blond.

“Alex, please pick up. I know it’s my wedding day, but you’re still in my head. I’m sorry I was such a prick! Please don’t hate me!”

That one was deleted right away.

“Too late for that.” Next was a message from Paolo.

“Alex, please pick up, it’s Paolo! Where are you? Are you alright? Please turn on your cell phone sometime or check your email, ok?”

Alex deleted that one and saw his friend standing next to him.

“I was worried. Still am.”

Alex nodded. The next two messages were from his mother again, delete. Finally, the last message, from that morning at around 2 AM.

“Alex, its Mason. I’ve made a terrible mistake! Eli isn’t who I thought he was. Please, Alex…” Alex cut it off.

Paolo twisted his lip. “What’re you gonna do?”

“Nothing.” Alex flipped open his cell phone. There were 6 new voice mails. He took a few minutes to listen to them all. There were 3 from Paolo wondering how he was and what was going on. Every message from Mason was please forgive me and what a horrible error he’d made. Alex slapped his phone shut. Paolo walked back over to the kitchen and served up the crepes.

“Breakfast is ready, when you are.”

Alex turned to face his friend. “Paolo, how are you and Hector, really?”

Paolo blushed. “Alex, I have to confess. There is no Hector.”

“What?!”

“I made him up. I couldn’t deal with things the way they were. I made up all the things we did and how he was, everything.”

Alex walked over to his friend and took his hands. “Why all the mystery?”

Paolo kissed Alex’s hands. “Because, I hated Mason from the moment I saw him. But you loved him, and I let it be. But now…I can’t hide the truth from you anymore.”

Alex grinned. “What truth, Paolo?”

“Geez, let’s just get all soap-operaish here. I’ve got it bad for you, ever since I met you. We’d hang out in the kitchen and fix dinner together. You’d never shut up long enough for me to talk, so I just listened to your blabbering. I loved every second of it.”

Alex pulled Paolo close. “Are you saying…?”

“Yes. I love you, Alex. I actually do! Mason never did and I told you that, but you wouldn’t listen. I’m so sorry you got hurt, but you know now.”

“That is very true. Hold on a second.” Alex walked over to the answering machine and replayed the first few seconds of Mason’s last message. He then ceremoniously pushed the “delete” button.

Paolo walked over and hugged Alex warmly.

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you. You actually give a damn about me! Forget that other dude…what’s-his-name. He came by here, not long before you arrived. He was all apologetic, and wanted to get me back.”

“Holy shit! What’d you say?”

“I told him to forget it! He’d made his bed, now sleep in it. His bed has Elliott in it, not me. I know he took my virginity and all that, but he’s not worth it anymore. I told him to get lost.”

“That’s so awesome! You’re such a strong guy. Are you sure that you won’t pine for him as your first love?”

“How could I? He never loved me back.”

Paolo hugged his friend close. His green eyes glimmered as the snowflakes outside. Alex rubbed his hands over his friend’s muscular body. They smiled at each other again and softly kissed.

“I’m sorry he was such a prick to you, Alex. I promise things will be better.”

“I know they will. You actually care. You always have.” The two grinned at each other again and kissed one last time. Alex’s stomach rumbled and interrupted them.

“Ok, ok! I’m coming. Damn stomach.”

Paolo laughed aloud and led Alex to the table. They sat down to dine and talked all morning.

“So, what’s your next move, my friend?” the raven-haired man queried.

Alex grinned and took in the sight of the handsome man before him.

“Well, I think I need to work on moving on, really moving on.” He crossed over to his friend and planted a long, passionate kiss on his lips. “You want a boyfriend again, don’t you, Paolo?”

The man nodded. “Yes. But I want more than just that. I want a lover, a companion. I always wanted it to be you, Alex. I wish you hadn’t slept with that freak. I always wanted your first…”

Alex caught his gaze. “You always wanted my first to be with you, really?”

Paolo nodded. “Yes. My first was very harsh with me, that’s why I swore off men for a long time. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Alex’s eyes watered and he blinked back tears. “Do you know what that scoundrel said to me?”

Paolo shook his head. His full hair pelted his mocha face. Alex smoothed it away with his nimble fingers.

“He said I was too much of a child yet, that I shouldn’t be scared. He got kinda harsh that last night we were really together. He was angry with me. He berated me a bit. I was actually a little afraid of him that night.”

Paolo reached for his friend’s face. “Thank God you didn’t give that to him. That’s the lost stronghold of your body. Don’t let anyone talk you into giving it up if you’re not ready. Trust me.”

Alex stroked his friend’s hair. “You weren’t…assaulted, were you?”

“Almost, but I gave in at last just to shut him up. I dreamt of someone else the entire time.” Paolo stood up and slipped his strong arms around Alex’s waist. “I’ve wanted to make it up to someone this entire time. That someone is you. I’ve been in love with you almost since we met. Do you want me?”

They kissed again. Alex grinned and held the man in a long embrace. “I should’ve known the whole time. I love you too, Paolo. I want you very much.”

“Then shall we?” the swarthy man suggested.

Alex glanced over his shoulder at the bedroom door and the bed that lay inside. He cupped his friend’s clean-shaven face and looked into the entrancing eyes. Thoughts of the long, strong arms holding him filled his mind with joy and desire. He kissed Paolo deeply and pressed his slight body against the soccer player’s. Those incredible legs; so strong and powerful-looking. He wanted to run his hands all over them.

“Yes. Let’s be together. I wish I’d chosen you from the start.”

“Well, better late than never, thank goodness you didn’t want him back.”

Alex nodded and kissed Paolo’s hand. “He can’t measure up to you. You are a decent human being who’s been nothing but sweet to me. I was the blinded fool.”

Paolo shushed him and kissed him one last time and joined hands.

“You are no fool, you were just…distracted. Come, I’ll show you what I wanted to do all this time.”

They walked towards the bedroom and glanced back at the table.

“I think the dishes can wait a while.” Paolo jested.

“Definitely.” Alex agreed.

They walked back to the bedroom.

Paolo stripped off his shirt first, baring his very developed, hairless chest. Alex grinned. He smoothed his hands all over it, cupping the pecs and kissing the dark tan nipples. “It’s just like I remember. I should’ve asked for a taste before.”

“When did you see me like this before?”

Alex blushed. “Oh…it was very late at night. You were in your sleep pants looking out the window in London. The moonlight shone through the window and I could see right through them. I tried not to stare, but I just couldn’t help it. I went to bed with the worst hard-on.” Alex cupped Paolo’s crotch and softly massaged the package while Paolo entwined his fingers among the spikes of Alex’s hair.

They smiled at each other and kissed again.

“You minx, you, I knew I felt someone watching me. I hoped it wasn’t Jake.”

“Gawd, not that guy, he’s as straight as they come.”

Paolo cocked his head and gave his friend a very deep, French kiss.

“That’s how we do it back in my country.”

Alex grinned. They shed the rest of their clothing, assisting each other. They pressed their nude bodies together and indulged their senses with a long session of touching and kissing the other. Paolo smoothed his soft hands over Alex’s body, making each hair follicle spring to life as an electric shock. They held each other as closely as possible and indulged in a barrage of kisses.

Alex took a moment and pulled up the sheets on the bed and laid down, Paolo straddled over him. They kissed feverishly and built up a heat between them. Sweat oozed from their exposed pores and they slathered the fluid over their bodies.

“Paolo?”

“Yes, hon?”

Alex smiled at the nickname. “Can you reach into my top dresser drawer? I have something we need.”

Paolo paused and looked in the furniture. On top was a small bottle of lube and two washcloths. “You had these waiting?”

Alex shrugged. “I never knew when or if I’d be ready. So I was prepared.” He looked into the man’s eyes and smoothed his thumbs over his handsome face. “Make love with me, Paolo. Come into me. You’re the one.”

“Are you sure? I will do it gently.”

“I know you will, you care.”

Paolo kissed his mouth. “That I do. Lay back, my love. Put your legs on my shoulders.”

Alex did as instructed, and slid his legs over the man’s shoulders. “I’m ready.”

Paolo slathered a fair amount of lube where it needed to go and kissed the man once more. “Do you want a condom?”

“Yes, you are right about being careful. I trust you, but I don’t trust those before you.”

Paolo kissed him softly and stood up for a moment to retrieve his wallet. Inside was a condom, a ribbed one. He displayed it for his friend.

“Well, expecting some action, were we?”

Paolo opened up the packet and rolled it onto his erect penis. He walked back over and kissed Alex again. “I was hoping to, but you found Mason first. We’ll make up for that now. Ready?”

Alex took a deep breath and smoothed his hands over his lover’s arms. “Ready.” He let Paolo enter his body. They winked at each other as the Spaniard built up the tempo of his actions. Finally, his shielded penis entered, to Alex’s delight! He grasped the pillow behind him and cried out a bit.

“That didn’t hurt you, did it?”

“No…please…keep going! Love that ribbing!”

They smiled at each other. Paolo leaned forward and pressed his body into Alex’s. He pushed at a medium pace, but hastened it near the end. Alex reached up for the pillow again, especially at the very climax. “Pao….Paolo!”

The madness had ended. Alex felt the condom fill up at the same moment he felt his own spew onto the man’s abdomen. They kissed gently and dark-haired man helped to lower Alex’s legs as his body retracted. “Did you love it?”

Alex grasped for the man’s hands. “I loved it and I love you. I don’t know why I didn’t see it from the beginning.”

“You were distracted. Now you know.”

“Yes. Now I know. I’ll never let that happen again.” “Paolo, will you move in with me? Make sure I don’t get…distracted?”

They smiled and kissed a few times. “Absolutely! I’ll make sure your affections are right where they want to be.”

Alex kissed his lover and stroked his muscular body. “They are right where they need to be, with you.”

The new couple kissed one final time and fell asleep curled up in each other’s arms. Their slumber was disturbed by Alex’s cell phone ringing. He groaned and rolled over to pick it up.

“Hello?” he asked in a drowsy tone.

“Alex? It’s Mom! How are you, honey?”

Alex sat up quickly, almost at attention. “Mom, hi! How are you?”

“We’re fine darling. Just wanted to make sure you weren’t out driving in this horrible weather.”

“I’m not. I’m safe at home.”

“Good boy.”

Alex shut his eyes. Paolo awoke and reached for his hand.

“Uh…Mom?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Mom, I’ve been meaning to tell you guys something. About me and my life…”

There was a long, stilted pause. Paolo mouthed “just tell her”.

Alex took a deep breath. “Mom…I’m seeing someone.”

“That’s wonderful! Who is he?”

Alex nearly dropped the phone! “W-What? You mean you know?”

Paolo covered his mouth in surprise.

“Oh honey, I’ve always known! I hope it’s a good boy taking care of my baby. You deserve only the best!”

“How…when did you know?”

“Ha, when didn’t I know? So, who is this man who finally measured up to your timeline?”

Alex gasped. “You knew about that too?”

“Alexander, I went through your room all the time when I was cleaning. Your homework was littered with outlines. Don’t you remember?”

Paolo sat up and kissed his lover’s cheek. Alex grinned.

“I do remember, Mom. Oh my goodness, you have no idea what a shock it is to me that you knew and to not have you upset! I was seeing someone, but we broke up already, but I met someone else, way nicer.”

“You’re not sleeping around are you? You’re using protection, right?” she asked sternly.

“Yes, Mom. I’m careful. I’ve always been that way. I want you to meet him and get along.”

“What’s his name?”

“Paolo. I met him in London also. He was one of my roommates.”

“Well bring him by! I know why you didn’t before. I knew you were upset that night, but I let it go. You could always work things out. I’m so very proud of you, Alex.”

Alex shed happy tears. “Thank you, mom! We’ll come by when the weather clears. I can’t wait!”

“Neither can I, honey! You be careful now. Do good at work and tell your new boyfriend hello for me.”

“I will. Bye, Mom. I love you!”

“I love you too, baby!”

Alex looked over at his lover with a face full of happy tears. “She knew! She always knew!”

Paolo kissed him sweetly and dried off his face. “I can’t wait to meet them. Until then, looks like we’ve got a snow day. How do you wanna spend it?”

Alex embraced his lover and ran his hands through the mass of black hair. He pulled back and kissed him deeply. “I think we can figure something out.”

“That we can.”

They pulled up the covers and nestled into their winter love nest.

The drama was over.