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 soundcame 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?"
