Dating Rules And Pretty Fools - 32. Have You Ever Been in Love Before?

Chapter Thirty-Two – Have You Ever Been in Love Before?

Otis observed the large clock on the wall for the umpteenth time. While he had agreed to go live with Hudson starting the day of his boyfriend’s release from the hospital, he still needed to go to work every day and sleep in the same small apartment he had been renting. Hudson had protested, insisting that Otis should take over his household even if he wasn’t there yet, but nothing had moved him from his decision.

Even bad things could have good consequences, his grandma had used to say. There were lessons to learn and aspects that could change a person’s life for the better. And, in this case, Otis had decided that he wouldn’t be afraid to return to the place where Angel had kidnapped him. His thoughts traveled back to those days, as it happened often. His whole attention had been trained on Keres and the gun he was holding, and later, on Hudson. But as the police took him and Hudson away, he had noticed Angel hanging on his restraints, crucified on that cross, his head limp, the blood that had poured from his wounds congealed and frightening in color. He was dead already, Otis had learned later. Jackie had been revenged, after all, but that was no victory. It had been Keres who killed him. Such disregard for human life, it had to be the deepest sort of darkness. But Otis wasn’t afraid of looking it in the face, as he had learned. It made him stronger.

Which was why he wasn’t afraid to continue to sleep at his place, as usual. However, things were about to change, and he could barely keep in his excitement. Today, he would be with Hudson and they would go home together.

Home. It was a word that carried a lot of significance for him. He had had a home where he lived with his mother. It was dirty and often smelled. And then, he had lived with his grandma, and that was a different home. Very small, but tidy and well lit all the time. He didn’t know if he could call the place he rented a home, but it had been so. Hudson had made love to him there, so that counted.

Hudson promised him, over and over, that his home belonged to Otis too, but he was having a hard time picturing it. Even when his boyfriend had offered to show him pictures, Otis had stubbornly refused to look at them, because he wanted to see that place with his own two eyes for the first time, not as what the lens of a camera had captured. There was always something amiss from pictures, he believed.

“You could ask the boss to let you leave early,” Missy said from behind, pulling him out of his reverie.

“No. I don’t want other people to carry my load. If I wanted that, I should have asked for a free day in advance.”

“I swear, you should be employee of the month every month, Otis.” Missy nudged him in the ribs and grinned. “Are you trying to make the rest of us look bad or something?”

“I wouldn’t,” he protested, somewhat startled by his coworker’s comment.

Missy laughed and patted him on the back. “Just kidding. You’ve been a big help around here. If there’s one soul here complaining, I’m going to lecture them until they quit. Ah, Otis, I will surely miss you.”

“Why? I will go live with my boyfriend, but I will still work here.”

Missy rubbed her forehead and gave him another pleasant smile. “Otis, you’re too smart to be working a part-time job at a restaurant. Not that anything’s wrong with that, but I think you should take advantage of the fact that your boyfriend can pay all the bills to do something with yourself.”

“I don’t understand,” he said politely. “Hudson will not pay all the bills. I can’t be a freeloader. And I’m not smart. I only started to learn how to read properly after the age of twelve.”

Missy came closer and whispered in his ear. “You didn’t hear it from me, but it looks like Jackie has learned a thing or two from that cop gang that you’re not aware of.”

Otis had promised Hudson that he wouldn’t run his mouth about the big case his boyfriend had busted wide open, but it looked like Jackie hadn’t kept his promise in the off-chance that he had made one too. While Missy didn’t know all the gory details, the papers had been wild with the high-profile case, and since his coworker had a quick mind, she had put plenty of two and two together. Also, Hudson had agreed that Otis wouldn’t lie to his friends – only Missy, since he didn’t have that many friends – about his boyfriend being a cop.

Jackie had another job now, and strangely enough seeing his past career choices, it was related to law enforcement. Otis hadn’t quite understood what Jackie was doing, but he had heard Mr. Stetson say that if Hudson had done it, he didn’t see why Jackie wouldn’t be able to pull it off. Apparently, he was receiving on-the-job training, and he liked it.

And now, he was learning from Missy that Jackie, Mr. Stetson, and Hudson – they had to be the cop gang she was talking about – were talking about him when he wasn’t present.

“I see that you’re too polite to ask me what they say about your future, so I’m going to tell you,” Missy continued, as he didn’t say a word. “Your boyfriend’s partner likes you for a job on the force, but Jackie said that it looked like Hudson wasn’t very happy with that prospect. Still, Jackie told me that Hudson said something like ‘whatever he wants to do, he’ll do, and I’m not going to stand in his way and I’ll support him in every decision he makes.’ You really scored yourself an awesome guy, Otis.”

“But I don’t know what I want. This is very new,” Otis said. “What else did you learn from Jackie?”

“Your guy is bent on letting you choose, so, according to Jackie, he told his partner that you are way too smart to end up doing the dirty work they do. And he said that he’d very much love to see you in school, studying something you really like.”

“School,” Otis said nonplussed. “But I finished school.”

Missy smiled. “High school. What about college?”

“College,” Otis repeated, feeling like a parakeet, incapable of saying anything else but what he heard from others, Missy, in this case.

“Yes. I see you’re speechless, so I’m going to do some more talking in your stead. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. You do have the brains for it, and now you have a boyfriend who wants to put you through school.”

“But how am I going to pay him back for his generosity?”

At this, Missy laughed. “Well, I can’t tell you that, although I bet your man’s head is full of ideas.”

“Of course, I should think of such things, too. First of all, I will do all the cooking and the cleaning. And I will play with his dog and take care of him and all that.”

“See? I knew you had a big brain. You’ll figure it all out,” Missy said and pinched his cheek. “Now, don’t you start thinking that you hate leaving this place behind because we’ll be here.”

College. New knowledge. Something he had always appreciated, ever since his grandma had read him his first bedtime story. Those were things to think about, indeed. But, first, he needed to finish his shift, and then head over to the hospital to accompany Hudson to his place.

***

Hudson could tell Otis was excited, although he was fighting against the feeling, probably because he suffered from a bad case of excessive politeness. Gavin was driving and had let them be together in the backseat, so Hudson could take in his boyfriend’s beautiful face, barely keeping in a smile here and there, while Otis fidgeted in his place and craned his neck to look at the landscape running past them as if he didn’t want to miss a single detail. With a mind as analytical as his, that was no surprise.

“The captain is waiting for us at the house, as he promised to bring Zeus himself,” he said and took Otis’s hand in his.

“Your captain? What if he’s going to have questions for me?”

“He won’t. He read Gavin’s paperwork. I bet he fell asleep halfway.”

“Hey,” Gavin protested from behind the wheel, “I’ll have you know my prose is beautiful, although a bit heavy on the technical side. Don’t worry, Otis. The captain is going to love you, just like the rest of us.”

“Hey, dude, you’re talking about my boyfriend,” Hudson warned his partner.

“Well, you sure got yourself one hell of a boyfriend. Competition is to be expected.”

Hudson observed from the corner of one eye how red Otis was getting. “I don’t care about competition,” he said. “Because Otis chose me, and he doesn’t change his mind.”

Gavin laughed. “I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you. Now, kids, road trip is over. Give Zeus a belly rub from me, ‘cause I have other stuff to do and I can’t dally with your lot around here.”

The car stopped in the driveway, and Otis hurried to get out first so that he could hold the door for him. Hudson appreciated the care, but he wasn’t used to getting the royal treatment all the time like this.

“Thank you very much for the ride, Mr. Stetson,” Otis told Gavin. “Your kindness and assistance are much appreciated.”

“Just call me Gavin already. I’m not that old. As for the ride, no sweat, Otis. We all owe you too much to mention a little thing like this,” Gavin said, almost just as courteous. “See ya. Make sure Hudson eats his veggies. And don’t let him strain that shoulder. Doctor’s orders.”

“I will take care of him, taking all the doctor’s orders into account,” Otis promised solemnly.

Hudson hooked one arm over Otis’s shoulders, as his boyfriend hurried to support him. “You know,” he whispered into a few rebellious strands of blond hair, unsettled by the wind, “I can actually walk by myself, but this feels good. I’m not too heavy, right?”

“No, not at all,” Otis assured him.

The door opened and Zeus came running through it, letting out barks of excitement. Hudson barely had time to get ready before his dog smacked into him, too happy to care that his owner was actually still hurt.

Hudson crouched and began rubbing Zeus’s neck and back vigorously. “Whatcha doing, partner? Missed me?”

Zeus gave him a short dab with his tongue on the nose, so fast that Hudson didn’t manage to dodge in time. He laughed and tried to keep his happy dog away to no avail since Zeus was bent on showing his love and just how much he had missed him.

“Zeus, I want you to meet someone,” Hudson said while struggling to keep that thirsty tongue away from his face. “Otis, a little help here. He’s already washed my face twice.”

It looked like little was needed in terms of introduction because after giving Otis’s his paw like a good boy, Zeus went to enthusiastically licking Otis’s face too. They were definitely going to get along great, Hudson concluded as he got up.

“Come on, guys, the captain needs us to tell him he’s free to go to see about his chores,” Hudson said, as he gave the man standing in the doorway a brief nod.

The captain smirked, which wasn’t usually a good sign. “So this is the famous Otis Bendecker.”

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Otis said while extending his hand and holding Zeus by his side, somewhat in check since the dog was still too happy and energetic to keep himself still.

“Take care of our guy here, Otis,” the captain said with warmth while shaking the offered hand. “I’ve heard from other team members that you’re already good at it.”

If the captain wanted to make Otis give himself away with that remark – although there was no ill intention behind it – he’d have to reconsider his tactics. Otis’s poker face was absolutely flawless.

***

The house was so big, Otis felt his neck hurting from too much turning it to take in everything. And Zeus was fantastic. He was the most beautiful dog Otis had ever seen in his life, and he was incredibly friendly. Since Hudson had told him that his Zeus was a Siberian Husky, Otis had made it his homework to learn as much as possible about the breed and any special needs such a dog might have. He hadn’t expected Zeus to take to him so quickly, although his breed was known for being an easygoing bunch compared to other dogs.

“I’m glad you didn’t take the bait when the captain tried his hand at causing you lose your composure,” Hudson said as he gave Otis a glass of water, since Zeus was sitting in his lap as if he were still a puppy, making it impossible for him to move.

“I made a promise to you not to give myself away. It’s not very difficult to avoid any situations or reactions that might put that in jeopardy,” Otis replied.

“For you, it’s not, because you’re that good.”

“At lying?”

“At keeping promises,” Hudson said with a fond smile. “Zeus, stop monopolizing our guest.”

The dog barked at Hudson, not aggressively, but to make a point that he didn’t intend to let go of Otis.

“Come on, dude,” Hudson scolded him, “he’s my boyfriend.”

That appeared to have no effect whatsoever on Zeus, who only made himself more comfortable, even if only his belly rested against Otis’s lap.

“Well, if you’re that keen on being present when we display our affection, so be it,” Hudson said with a shrug and wrapped one hand around the back of Otis’s head to pull him in for a kiss.

Zeus rested his head on his front paws and ignored his master completely. Otis felt the heat from Hudson’s kiss spreading through his neck and down inside his chest. If they continued like this, he would be burning from head to toes pretty soon.

“Hudson, your shoulder,” he moaned softly.

“It’s not that bad,” his boyfriend replied. “I finally have you here with me, and save for a few kisses now and then, it’s been a pretty dry time for me. I didn’t even jerk off. They monitored my vitals way too closely to risk it.”

Otis understood. “I didn’t masturbate either.”

“But why? You could do it, anytime you wanted. No well-intended nurse breathing down your neck.”

“Because it wouldn’t have been fair to you.”

“I see. Let’s leave Zeus to enjoy the backyard by having it all to himself, while we take care of ending our abstinence stint. What do you say?”

“Would Zeus be okay with being left alone after not seeing you for so long?” Otis asked the most natural question in the world, but Hudson was already on his feet and Zeus followed him wagging his tail happily.

He waited patiently while Hudson disappeared with Zeus through a door that had to lead to the backyard he was yet to see. In the meantime, he took his time observing his surroundings. Hudson’s house was really beautiful and airy, with large windows and light color tones that made anyone feel welcome. At least, that was how Otis felt. He had expected to be more nervous, feel more like an intruder being here, but none of that happened. If anything, he felt the opposite of that. He felt at home.

The sofa was so plush and welcoming. Otis felt like lying down while grabbing one of those big decorative pillows and squeezing it in his arms while he dreamed of a beautiful life. Was this truly happening to him? It was incredible, but he was right there, so there was no mistake.

He was happy. And in love. He lay down on one side and admired the large living room with its high tech entertainment center and beautiful art pieces on the walls, nothing expensive, he could tell, just images of the sea and autumn leaves and a little house on a prairie. They were so pretty. Otis could imagine himself having the most beautiful dreams if he happened to fall asleep on that sofa.

He closed his eyes, and his entire body relaxed. Happiness was real. He was touching it.

***

“Hey, beautiful,” Hudson said gently and very close.

“What? Did I fall asleep?” Otis shook his head to shake off the feeling of disorientation still wrapping him like a blanket.

“You must be tired.” Hudson kissed his cheek. “How about I show you the bedroom? So that you can have a nicer rest there than here, on the sofa. Also, I hope that you enjoy sleeping naked. I need something to get me going after not seeing you for so long.”

“I visited you at the hospital every day,” Otis pointed out.

Hudson’s eyes shadowed momentarily with something that made Otis feel his skin turn all tingly for no apparent reason. “You know what I mean. Come on. I’d carry you, but--”

“You mustn’t strain your shoulder,” Otis said hurriedly and took Hudson’s offered hand.

He followed his boyfriend up the stairs and then inside a bedroom that looked cozier than the living room downstairs, but just as beautiful in its design and color palette. As he stood there, taking in the room, Hudson came from behind and placed his hands on his shoulders.

“How do you like it?”

“I like it very much,” Otis said honestly.

“I like you being here very much too,” Hudson whispered in his ear. “Would it be too much if I asked you to let me make love to you?”

“No, but your shoulder--”

“Ah, damn, I think I’m going to go nuts because of too much pressure in my balls. Now, let me kiss you before you explain to me what a serious condition blue balls are.”

Hudson made good on his promise and kissed him deeply. Otis melted into the kiss, turning enough to make both of them enjoy it.

“I can do it,” he whispered against Hudson’s lips.

“What?”

“You just lie on your back, and I will climb on top of you,” Otis explained. “Only,” he said while biting his bottom lip, “would it be okay to do it without a condom?”

“I believe you’ve waited for this moment long enough. You deserve it,” Hudson said with a chuckle. “Should I let you do all the work, though? That hardly seems fair.”

“We must make sure that you don’t strain yourself. I am in charge of your recovery, and I can’t allow anything to happen to you.”

“It’s good to know that I’m in such good hands.” Hudson took off his t-shirt, with some difficulty that showed that his shoulder was still not in its best condition.

Otis hurried to help him out of the rest of his clothes. He took his time because he didn’t want to move too fast and end up out of breath. It was enough that he was seeing Hudson naked for the first time in a very long time. He brushed his cheek against Hudson’s semi-erection and heard a grunt from his lover.

“Is this really okay?”

“If you leave me high and dry while looking at me like that from down there, I’m afraid you’ll have to deal with a really pissed off boyfriend during the days to come.” Hudson pushed his hair away from his eyes and leaned over a smidge so that they could stare at each other properly. “You are very beautiful and I want you very much. I’m in your care, so please do your job.”

Otis nodded. He understood all that. And Hudson’s promise, that they would do it raw, had been enough to light a myriad of small fires under his skin. He took Hudson’s hand and helped him to the bed, where his lover stretched, showing off his muscular body.

He didn’t take his eyes away as he undressed as well. By now, Hudson’s cock was at full mast, and Otis couldn’t tear his eyes away from that gorgeous sight. The thought that he would have Hudson, all of him, inside, without anything between them, no barrier, made his fingers clumsy, and undressing himself seemed to take forever.

But he succeeded at last. He was naked and feeling a tad more vulnerable than when he had been hiding behind his clothes, but there was a new confidence he had cultivated lately that pushed him forward. He climbed on the bed, his eyes never leaving Hudson, and he was quick to straddle his boyfriend and make their sexes touch. It was such a pleasant, titillating sensation. Otis thought of how much he wished to take Hudson in his mouth and taste him. Not only his manhood, but everywhere, every inch of his skin.

“Kiss me, beautiful,” Hudson whispered, and Otis leaned forward and their lips fused.

He could tell that Hudson was helping a great deal, because he felt something wet at his behind as fingers slowly scissored the tight entrance. Being patient at this stage seemed so cruel. Otis fidgeted and tried to get Hudson to hurry up, but there was no way that was happening. Hudson kept his mouth busy while his fingers worked efficiently, although at what seemed like a snail’s pace. Otis huffed and moaned while Hudson explored his mouth with his tongue. He pushed his ass back while his boyfriend continued to finger him.

“More, please, put it in,” he begged.

“You will have to do it,” Hudson teased him. “And make sure to let me see it. How you get my cock inside you.”

No need for further encouragement. Otis took Hudson’s cock in one hand while he stood for a moment and then crouched slowly. Something inside him lit up as the tip of Hudson’s cock now touched his ass. It was like a promise of the pleasure soon to come. Otis took one deep breath and pushed himself down with care.

“Oh, baby,” Hudson moaned. “You feel so good. I might blow too soon.”

“Not before I’m all in. I don’t want to miss a drop,” Otis warned him.

“Damn, you say the naughtiest things. And with such a straight face. Oh, yes, like that. I feel you so well.”

It wasn’t easy, not after so much time passing without doing it, Otis thought. “Would one of those things called butt plugs help if you’re ever away from home long?”

“Do you want to play with your ass while I’m out on business?” Hudson challenged him with a chuckle. “That’s not fair. I’d like to see it.”

“I’m only talking about keeping my ass in shape. In shape for you to put your cock inside it.”

Hudson grunted as if in despair and grabbed him hard by the back of his neck. “You will so make me blow too soon.”

Otis didn’t want that, although he felt himself being stretched to the limit, as far as his desire went. Even if it was uncomfortable, he managed to push himself down until he sat on top of Hudson’s crotch and could tell that his boyfriend’s entire length was now lodged inside him, touching his most sensitive point.

“Now, since you’re so keen on doing all the work,” Hudson whispered, “go ahead and show me what you’ve got.”

That was an unclear demand, but Otis knew what he wanted. He felt a little selfish for using Hudson like that, but he couldn’t help it. He pressed his palms against Hudson’s hairy chest for leverage and began moving his hips. “Please, do not move your hands,” he said.

Hudson put them both behind his head. “As long as you’re moving like this, I have no problem with following orders.”

Otis nodded. He had to focus, but it wasn’t as hard as he thought. His body followed a certain pattern which it seemed to know well, or maybe it was just the imperative of pleasure telling him how to move and what to do. And throughout it all, he had Hudson’s face in front of his eyes, and by the way pleasure played on that handsome face still carrying the marks of a few scars, he knew that he was doing a good job.

For that reason, he got bolder. He began moving his hips amply, and moaned softly as Hudson’s cock hit him by natural effect in the right spot, over and over.

“I don’t think--” he whispered and soon lost all coherence.

His body knew when to release its pent-up desire too. He watched helplessly as his ejaculation came out so strongly that it hit Hudson in the face. At first, there was surprise in the dark eyes, and then more than that. Otis found it impossible to protest as Hudson grabbed him and pressed him down against his chest while he moved wildly underneath.

Otis felt that his backside was on fire as Hudson pushed inside him relentlessly. After his release, he felt raw but good too, and Hudson didn’t take long. His pleasure, now dwelling in his mind as well as body, soared as he felt Hudson releasing all his desire inside him. That was what he wanted, and now he felt fulfilled.

Hudson covered his face in kisses.

“You strained your shoulder,” Otis whispered.

“Not true,” Hudson protested and continued to kiss him.

***

Later, in the night, both of them underneath the same blanket, Hudson felt the need to talk.

“I can’t believe you’re here with me. It feels like a dream.”

Otis moved on his side and came closer. Hudson could sense him breathing and it was such a reassuring feeling.

“Have you ever been in love before, Hudson?”

“Before you?”

“Yes. It’s all very new to me. I’m afraid I might burst from feeling so happy,” Otis confessed.

“I did love, but I wasn’t in love,” Hudson confessed as well. “There was this friend of mine. I felt for him deeply.”

“What happened? Did he move away?”

“No.” He didn’t want to ruin the moment, Otis sleeping under his roof for the first time, but he wanted to be perfectly honest. “He died.”

“Did he love you back?”

“In his own way. Like a brother. I don’t think that I wanted more either. But we did everything together.” Hudson moved closer to face Otis in the dark. “I used to run wild. That was what we did. Pete and I. But we played too fast, too loose, and he died.”

“And you?”

“I turned my life around. I became a cop. To make the world better, even without Pete around.”

“How did you love him?”

“Not like I love you, for sure. I thought I wanted him, but in hindsight, it was more the idea of having someone special. I didn’t know what that was until I met you.”

“You’re not lying.”

“Of course I’m not.”

More silence followed. Hudson waited patiently.

“I’m glad. Not that your friend died. But because you love me the way you do.”

“You’re truly special, Otis. I want to make you very happy. All my life.”

“You’ve already done that.” Otis cuddled against his chest and pressed his head against it. “I will be happy forever, here with you.”

“Then the next step is to--”

“Get married.”

“How did you know what I was going to say?” Hudson asked, startled by his lover’s astuteness.

“Because I want to be the one to ask you first. Will you marry me, Hudson West?”

“You can be damn well sure I will, Otis Bendecker.” Hudson kissed the smooth forehead and then lower. “I need you in my life like I’ve never needed anything else.”

“That is good to know. Because I love you so much I know I can never be alone again.”

Hudson smiled, even though Otis couldn’t see him in the dark. That was all he needed to know, really. Everything else would come naturally, and they would tell each other everything.

TBC