Scene IV
SCENE IV
DES
“ D oc, when you said you would buy me dinner as repayment, this wasn’t what I had in mind.”
It took longer than expected, but the date came weeks after his initial text. He had been a little preoccupied with his grandfather’s inheritance. Des was cleaning up, painting his new place, and taking his time redecorating it to his taste. It would be quite some time before his studio opened, but now he had time to dedicate his energy to finishing his art degree.
As for his case with Hamilin the man practically begged him, and even Othello had told him to think things through. If anyone asked Othello for the shirt off his back, he’d give it to them, but that didn’t mean it came for free. Someone would have to pay.
“Thank you,” the doc said, getting his attention.
“For what?” Des placed his menu down on the table.
“You could have said no to hanging out with me tonight after it seemed like I ghosted you. But honestly, I was getting my life together after I quit my job and dealing with some family shit. Also, I know going to an amusement park wasn’t what you had in mind, but another truth, other than hanging out with my best friends, Gray and Bianca, I’ve never been on a date before. Wait, is this a date?”
“Do you want it to be?” Othello stared into the doctor’s pretty green eyes. He watched the doc chew on his bottom lip as if he was nervous about saying what was on his mind, so he said it for him. “I don’t put out on the first date.”
That brought a smile to the green-eyed man’s face, and not for the first time that night, Othello thought his eyes reminded him of the angel he saw the night he was shot. He hadn’t thought about that in a while. Knowing that it was all a figment of his imagination, he pushed the thought aside and focused on enjoying the rest of the evening.
“You also don’t have to thank me. Your text came at a good time.”
“How so?”
“My mother was nagging me that I work too much. Since my brother’s having a baby, she’s hoping I’ll see the light and find a guy to settle down with.”
Doc shook his head. “Well, at least you know she cares.”
Othello sighed. “I do.” He smiled. "So, you quit your job?"
“Yeah, in a roundabout way, I took your advice,” Doc said. "I didn't like being a surgeon. I'm following my dream to be an artist. I'll probably be in school for the rest of my life with all I want to do, but I don't care."
"Good for you, Doc," Othello said.
"You shouldn't call me that anymore. I'm no longer a doctor."
"What would you prefer I call you, then?" he said in a low voice that surprised even him, but he didn't show it. The look in the other man's eyes flashed a few ideas in his mind.
"I..." the little doc started but stopped when the server came in with the antipasto, a tray filled with Italian cured meats, bruschetta, cheese, marinated vegetables, and basil paired with a dry sparkling wine.
“I hope you don’t mind. This menu was already preselected for any time I come here,” Othello told him.
“No, it’s fine. I haven’t been here before, so I’ll let you take the lead for the rest of the night.”
Othello paused for a second at the doctor’s words. If the other man knew just how enticing those innocent words were to a carnivore like him, the little carrier would probably run for the exit. Instead, he opted to watch the doctor as he ate and sipped on the wine, savoring the crisp acid taste of the alcohol. Othello didn't need to see the man's mark to know the man could carry children; his instincts about people were never wrong, and usually, he'd stay far away from guys like that, but there was something about Des that called to him.
He couldn’t tear his gaze away as the doctor licked his lips, relishing every bite he took. Othello felt the doctor didn’t truly know how alluring he was. The man was pure in every sense of the word, and if he stuck around him, Othello would surely ruin him, whether it was as a friend or more.
One of his reasons for agreeing to go out with Doc Des was that he was hoping to find a fuck buddy for a bit. But he couldn’t use the man sitting across from him, especially after reading the information Tallen sent him. Des was an only child forced into a career he didn't want, with parents who only cared about being in the spotlight. The man in front of him should be protected from all the wolves in society, he being one of them. If anyone knew his thoughts right now, they’d laugh at him. Othello had no qualms about fucking someone just to relieve stress, and he thought about doing the same with Doctor Desmond, but now it seemed he was having second thoughts.
“This is really good. Aren’t you going to eat?” Doc Des asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
Othello set his glass down and started eating. “So you were saying before the server came in.”
“Oh, I...I...forgot,” he stuttered, cheeks and neck flushing red. Othello knew it was a lie, but didn't call him out on it.
"Hmmm...if it comes back to you, let me know."
Scooping up some marinated vegetables on a toasted slice of bread, Othello sprinkled some of the cheese on top and then brought it to Des's lips. "Open," he instructed, watching as the doctor followed his instructions without any objections.
"Oh, this is so good," Des moaned, licking his lips, with a little oil lingering on them. Othello grabbed his napkin to clean off his lips, but froze when he realized what he was about to do.
Fuck, he's not my baby boy. But it would be so easy to make him mine. No, I can't go down that road again . Giving himself a mental shake, Othello searched for something to talk about.
"So, when are you going to paint something for me?"
"Is there something particular you're looking for?"
An image of the little doctor naked in his bed and posing on all fours, chest pressed down and legs spread wide, popped into Othello's mind, but he quickly pushed it from his thoughts. "Anything you think would be good to hang on the empty wall in my office," he said instead.
"I can think of something." He smiled.
Othello saw a new light and confidence in his eyes that hadn’t been there the last time they met. As the rest of the dishes were served, they kept talking, and Othello shared a little bit about himself, but nowhere near enough to give the doctor the full picture of who he was. Othello had already established that even though he found the man interesting, his innocence made Othello afraid to get too close to him. It wasn’t as if he was looking for a relationship, but even friends with benefits wouldn’t suit the doctor. He needed to be with someone who would love him for a lifetime.
Des was having a good time. The conversation, food, and wine were flowing. But suddenly, his dinner partner went silent, leaving Des to do most of the talking.
“Be honest with me,” Des said, taking the bull by the horns. “There won’t be a second date.”
Moor furrowed his brows. “Why do you think that?”
“You’ve gone quiet on me.”
“Maybe I like to hear your voice,” Othello said with a smile.
Des tilted his head. “I don’t believe you.”
“What did you hope to happen between us tonight, Doc?”
Des sighed and leaned back in his seat. “I don’t know. I told you I’ve never done this before.”
“And that’s why we can’t see each other anymore. If you stay around me long enough, I will ruin you.”
“What do you mean by that?” Des asked, honestly confused.
“The world I come from is not the same as the one you live in.”
Des scoffed. "You make it sound like you come from outer space.”
That thought brought a smile to the man’s face. “Not quite.”
“I feel like I’m being dumped, and we’re not even going out.”
“If you were mine, Doc, I wouldn’t ever let you go,” Moor said softly.
Then why don’t you want me now?
Des leaned forward. “I like talking to you, so can we at least stay friends?”
Fuck, I hope I don't sound like I'm begging for a friend or a pick-me?
Moor didn’t respond immediately, and Des thought he wouldn’t answer. “I allow my friends to call me Othello.”
Des smiled upon hearing that. “Then call me Des.” He breathed a long sigh, grateful their date had ended on a good note. Who knows, maybe their friendship would blossom into something more.
A few days later, Des sat in the 3C cafe, sipping on the most delicious coffee he'd tasted in a long time. The Cs stood for cups, canvas, and coffee. There was a separate room where patrons could sip on a cup of coffee while they painted. The walls were filled with the customer’s paintings. Des loved the idea and couldn't wait for his studio to be fixed up so he could put his vision into action.
Even though he still had his apartment across town, he was spending a lot more time in his new one. Or maybe it was an excuse to visit the art district more. Because the building had been sitting empty for so long, it had collected more than just dust over the years. Des wondered why his parents had held onto the building. They had every opportunity to sell it. He still couldn't believe the shit they pulled. Des had trusted them so easily and didn't expect his parents to stab him in the back. He didn't think he'd ever forgive them.
Des was using up all his free time since he was going back to class in two days. Luck was on his side, and he was able to easily transfer to a classroom setting from online. Someone gasped, and it caught Des's attention. He looked to where the sound came from and noticed the young lady next to him seemed transfixed on something across from her.
His curiosity got the better of him, causing Des to turn his head slightly. His eyes widened when he saw Othello Moor walking down the stairs, but he stopped and spoke to his companions. Des hadn't seen or spoken to the man since the night they went out. He'd thought about reaching out to him but didn't want to seem too eager, since Othello placed them in the friends category when Des wanted more.
As always, Moor looked and acted like he owned the place, even though everyone was casually dressed in jeans, shorts, and t-shirts. Moor's hair was braided back from his handsome face. Des had never realized how long it was, touching his shoulders. He also had on an olive-green suit that complemented him in every damn way, paired with a beige shirt and no tie, looking every bit as sexy as the last time Des saw him. He was surrounded by a couple of guys that Des recognized from the hospital and another he'd seen on the news quite a few times: Jackson Durrant, the campaign manager of his father's opposition.
Des wouldn't deny his curiosity, but it was none of his business. He had been staying as far away from the senate race as possible. Realizing he had been staring too long, Des turned around and grabbed his coffee, gulping it down and thanking every god it wasn't that hot. He hoped Moor didn't see him. He wasn't sure why he was hiding. They'd agreed to be friends.
"Are you hoping I didn't see you, Doc?"
"I'm not sure what you're talking about," Des said, looking over his shoulder. His eyes connected with Moor's amber jewels.
"Always playing coy." Moor smiled. "Tallen."
"Yes, boss," Tallen responded.
"Do we have time for a cup of coffee?"
Tallen looked at his watch and then nodded. "Your next appointment is not until four, so you have time."
"You and Marco, go find something to do. I'll call you guys when I'm ready to leave."
"Okay." Tallen didn't even bat an eye or look in Des's direction before he left and walked out of the cafe.
Moor, for his part, sat opposite Des and took the cup from his hand, and took a sip, screwing up his face. "Why did you let it get cold?"
"No one told you to drink my coffee, so why don't you get your own?" Des told him.
Moor licked his lips, staring intensely at Des. "I figured yours would taste better."
There he goes, flirting with me when he was the one who drew the line in the sand. What the hell is up with him and the mixed signals? And why the fuck is my face feeling flushed by what he said? Hell, he needs to either fuck me or leave me alone.