Warning:
This story contains scenes of love and sexual interaction between males of consenting age. If the reading or possessing this material is illegal in your country, state, province, county, municipality, etc., please leave this site immediately and do not proceed further. If you are under the legal age to read this, please do not do so. It is not my intention to offend anyone or to get you in trouble.
The author retains the copyright, and any other rights, to this original story. You may not publish it or any part of it without explicit authorization from me.
This is not my first attempt at writing fiction. My longer stories on Nifty include: "Always and Forever" (March 25, 2004), "Jacob and Jacques" (May 30, 2004), "Zeke" (August 29, 2005), "Tales from Bentonville" (November 16, 2008), and "Second Chance" (September 24, 2010) under "High School" in the gay male section. There are a few short stories also: "Brad and Alan's Canoe Trip" (April 22, 2004 under "Camping", "Of Angels and Dragons" (November 8, 2008) under "Camping", "A Christmas Tale" (December 22, 2009) under "High School", "Brazil Affair (October 1, 2010) under "Beginnings", and "Seth's Gift" (October 10, 2010) under the Science Fiction/Fantasy category.
I am now listed on Nifty under the category of "Prolific Net Authors" which will make it easier for you to access earlier stories. Some of these stories are also posted at: www.storylover.us along with those of other writers that may interest you.
My only reward for contributing to Nifty is your emails. Please write if you like the story. Please include the name of the story in the title of your email because my email service sometimes puts them in the "spam" file.
Finally, thanks and hugs to Tom and David who edit for me so that there are fewer mistakes! They not only proof-read, but make other valuable suggestions.
David (dlee169@hotmail.com)
Someone to Watch over Me, Chapter 3
Doug persuaded Paul to stay until after dinner on Sunday evening. He got the feeling that Paul was as reluctant to leave as he was to have him go. They had enjoyed each other in bed in the early afternoon after Paul had finished his homework for Monday.
Once again, Doug was aware that his house didn't feel as cozy when his young companion wasn't there. He couldn't believe that he had this serious a crush on a younger man who had been earning part of his living being a call-boy. A guy who was in the business of pleasuring other men for pay probably made all his clients feel special. Perhaps it was just a trick of the trade. But Paul had said that Doug wasn't a client, and he had swallowed his cum which was contrary to what he'd have done with someone else.
Eventually, Doug relaxed and fell asleep. His dreams were pleasant because Paul was in all of them.
At work on Monday, everyone noticed that Doug was in an especially good mood. He was friendlier than usual and actually made small-talk with the receptionist when he arrived. She was surprised because he typically had nothing but work on his mind. God he was handsome when he smiled.
Paul had a good day too. The use of Doug's computer had made his homework assignment easier, and he'd had more time than usual to perfect the form of his writing. He was always conscientious in what he did, but sometimes his work was more hurried, less polished. His teachers were impressed.
By Wednesday, Doug had reverted somewhat back to his old self. But this time he wasn't distracted by his work. He was pining for Paul. Damn! Why did he have this school-girl crush on a guy he barely knew? It couldn't be love. People didn't fall in love that easily. Love was an elusive thing at best.
Regardless of the origin of his emotions, Doug couldn't hold off. At noon he called Paul to see if he had plans for the night.
"I was expecting to spend an exciting evening in the basement doing my wash. It's not as crowded in the middle of the week," Paul responded.
"I told you that you're welcome to bring your laundry to my house and I meant it! If you're free this afternoon, why don't you gather it up and come over? Don't bother to bring detergent and stuff because I have plenty. You can let yourself into the garage with your opener and you'll find a key to the back door under a box marked `soldering iron' in the metal cabinet in front of the convertible. Inside the box is the code to disarm the security system. I'll be home around 5:00. If you're hungry before dinner, there's cheese and sausage in the fridge and crackers in the pantry about eye-level."
"Jeez Doug, you shouldn't tell every poor college kid how to get into your house! You're gonna get robbed blind one of these days."
"I'm only telling one special college kid whom I'd trust with my life."
"Wow! Thanks. I won't break your trust."
"I know that. I've got to hang up so I can get out of here on time.
Bye."
"Bye."
When Doug came into his kitchen, he was greeted by an aroma that reminded him of his grandmother's house.
"I stopped at the store and bought a package of cookie dough. I hope you're not upset that I made myself at home and used the oven. It's been so long since I've had fresh chocolate chip cookies. Sorry that they're not from scratch."
"My Mom used to send me "care packages" in college, don't you get cookies from home?"
Paul bit his lip and turned away.
"Damn! I've put my foot in it haven't I?" Doug said putting his hand on Paul's shoulder.
He turned Paul's face toward him and saw tears. He pulled the young man to his chest and kissed his cheek. The tears continued to flow silently.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Paul shrugged. "I'm not looking for pity."
"Okay. You won't get any."
"My parents don't have any contact with me anymore. I got careless over the summer and they found out about me."
"Your moonlighting job?"
"No, I didn't start that until I got back to school. They found out that I'm gay. When they found evidence on my laptop, I didn't lie about it. I figured it was better to come clean – that they'd understand. Boy was I stupid," He said bitterly. "My father smashed it in front of me and punched me in the face before he threw me out. I had 15 minutes to get some of my clothes and stuff."
"Oh Baby, I feel for you. I can't even imagine how it must have been because my experience was the opposite. My parents were so cool when I came out in high school. It was like a fairytale, but I'm not that crazy about being thought of as a fairy," he quipped.
"Better that than a whore!"
"Hey look, you've only done that to survive. No one can blame you; I certainly don't. You're a great guy. By the way, are you going to be able to finish school on your own?"
"I guess I will if the loans don't dry up. It'll take me forever to pay them back, but if I drop out now there's no job in this economy. I've got to do my best in school so I can get a good position when things turn around.
I've done about everything I can think of to save money. I've been considering moving into an apartment with three other guys. I wouldn't have to buy a meal ticket for the cafeteria and I could save that way."
"But, you might not eat right! And what if one of the guys bailed on you, the rest would have to make up his part of the rent. Then you'd be worse off."
"I hadn't considered that. You're right. I was going to give notice that I'd be moving out of the dorm, but I guess I'd better not."
"Do it!"
"But you just said..."
"Give notice, but don't move in with the guys. Move in with me."
"Doug, you don't know me that well. We've only met, and not under the best of circumstances."
"I think I'm a pretty good judge of character. I've already told you how to get into my house. You know I trust you. I know this is sudden; you don't have to give me your answer right this minute. Think about it and let me know.
Now let's make dinner before I gain two pounds gorging myself on chocolate chip cookies."
Paul looked happier as the evening wore on. Doug did everything he could to distract him from thinking about his family. Around 9:00, Paul gathered his clean laundry to put in his car.
"Paul, sleep with me tonight."
"I shouldn't."
"Why?"
"You have to be up early for work and I might disturb your sleep."
"We could `disturb' each other and still have time for a good night's
sleep if we start now!" Doug grinned. "But, I didn't say anything about making love; I just asked you to sleep with me."
Paul embraced Doug and nibbled on his left earlobe for a few seconds.
"Are you sure you only want to sleep?"
"No!"
"Then let's take each other to heaven..."
Paul awakened to the pleasant feeling of a strong, masculine body nestled against his back. The muscles on the body weren't the only things that were hard. He reached back to caress Doug's morning wood. Doug moaned in appreciation.
"There's no time to do what I'd like to if I'm going to get any breakfast. In fact, I'm going to have to rush as it is."
"Go shower and get dressed. I have time to make breakfast for both of us because my first class today doesn't start until 9:00. Let me cook for you for a change."
"Cool," Doug said as he slipped out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
Paul washed up a bit and put on a robe to start breakfast while Doug took his shower. By the time he had dressed, he could smell bacon and coffee.
Paul was putting bacon, eggs, toast, and juice on the table as Doug entered the kitchen.
"I didn't pour your coffee because I know you like it really hot. So you can do that when you're ready, or let me know and I'll get it for you."
"Thanks," Doug smiled. "You remembered how I like my eggs too. They're perfect."
"Your wish is my command, oh Master," Paul bowed doffing a pretend hat.
"I'm not into master and slave relationships, but it might be fun to play at it sometime. Only, I'd like to have you be in charge if we did."
"I've never done anything like that, but I could look it up on the `net. I'd better do that here instead of the library!"
Doug had been looking forward to having Paul to himself for most of the weekend. It wasn't that he planned to monopolize his time, but rather to have him in the house, studying, making meals together, or whatever – like last weekend.
When Paul texted him saying that he had to work on both Friday and Saturday night, Doug felt sad. He knew that Paul needed to earn a living, but he wished they could spend the time together. He had been looking forward to playing house. Oh well, Paul had consented to go to church with him on Sunday, and Doug would have him around whenever he wasn't at work.
On a whim, Doug decided to call Vicenza's Restaurant to make a reservation for dinner Friday night. He asked to be seated in the area where Paul would serve. That would give him a few more minutes to see his new friend and it would allow him to leave a big tip.
"Hello, this is Doug Hartke and I'd like to make a reservation for one for dinner at 6:30 or there about. Please seat me in that area that Paul Cage is serving. I definitely want him as my waiter and I'll take an earlier or later seating in order to make sure I get him."
"One moment, sir, I'll check on the availability...
Sir, if you insist on having Paul as your server, you'll need to come in tomorrow night because he's not scheduled. Our wait-staff are all fine people. I'm sure that you'd be pleased with someone else as well."
"Are you certain he's not working?"
"He's not on my list."
Doug hung up the phone and sat down. He felt like he'd been kicked in the stomach. Why would Paul lie to him? Was he seeing someone else? Had he gone back to pleasuring other men for money? Couldn't he have been honest? Shit! What would this do to their budding relationship? Did they even have a relationship or was it all in Doug's head?
He poured a glass of wine to ease the stress that he was feeling. He had to think this through logically. Could there be a reasonable explanation? If so, he wished that he could come up with it. Logic worked in the world of engineering, why didn't it work with a guy's heart?
The phone rang, startling him out of his musing.
"Hello."
"Mr. Hartke, this is Lorenzo at Vicenza's. I do apologize for the mix-up. I have a table reserved for you at 6:30 with Paul as your server if you haven't made other plans. I didn't realize that he was filling in for Travis. Please permit me to send a bottle of wine to your table, on the house, as a small token of our appreciation for your patience."
"Thank you, Lorenzo! I'm impressed that you called back to correct the mistake. The wine is going beyond the call of duty."
"We do our best, Sir. Having caller ID helps us make sure we can reach our customers when something like this occurs."
"I'll be there by 6:15 and have a drink in the bar while I wait. Again, thanks!"
"It is my pleasure, Sir."
Doug put the receiver down with a huge grin on his face. Life was suddenly worth living again. Then he stopped to have an internal conversation. He reflected on how mercurial his emotions had been in the past half hour. He'd never been like that. He was always the calm, rational, unshakable one. Nothing, and no one, had ever agitated him to this extent. Could this be love? Popular songs often depicted love as being able to mess with a person's mind and heart. Lovers felt jealousy, agony, hot, cold, and lots of unexpected emotions when they fell for that special person. Was this what it was like?
Then Doug berated himself for doubting Paul. How had he suddenly stopped trusting Paul when he hadn't appeared to be where he was supposed to be? Doug was going to have to work on that. If he didn't stop worrying over where Paul was and what he was doing, he'd drive the guy away. Doug was determined not to obsess!
"Good evening, Sir and welcome to Vicenza's. I'm Paul and I'll be taking CARE of you tonight." Paul greeted Doug with a large smile. "You have a choice of an excellent white or red wine to go with your meal compliments of the house. Would you like to have a few minutes to look over the menu?"
"Thank you Paul, I'll be happy to place myself in your capable hands. Do you have any recommendations?"
"The Chicken Parmesan here is an excellent choice. The chef gives it traditional flavor while reducing the caloric content. I believe you'd find it satisfying without feeling guilty for indulging."
"Okay, that's what I'll have. Please bring the white wine to go with it. I hope it's on the dry side."
"I'll bring two varieties from which you may choose, Sir."
Doug sipped from his water glass while he awaited Paul's return. It wasn't long before the young man came back with the promised bottles. Doug looked at the labels and made his decision.
"Please take a taste to see if it pleases your palate. I'll open the other if it fails the test."
Doug swirled the small portion of wine gently and inhaled its aroma. Then he took a sip allowing his taste buds to peruse it thoroughly before swallowing.
"This will be fine, Paul. It's on the dry side, but mellow. Some dry wines are too close to vinegar for my taste."
"Very good, Sir; May I fill your glass now?"
"Please."
During the meal, Doug wondered if all of Paul's clients got the same excellent service. If so, it was no wonder that the kid came home with his pockets full of tips.
"Home..." At that moment Doug suddenly thought about the fact that he'd been using that word in reference to Paul's coming to his house. He said, "I'm glad you're home" when Paul had come in from working on last Saturday night. Subconsciously, he'd been thinking of his place as "their" place.
The salad course had been special, but the entrée was even better. It was so delicious that Doug wondered what calories could possibly have been omitted. He hoped he wouldn't wake up to an extra pound when he weighed in the morning. If he did, it would probably be from the wine! Thus he had carefully paced his intake so that the bottle was still half full.
"We can re-seal your wine so that you can enjoy it at home later. I see that you managed to finish your Parmesan. May I interest you in anything else? At bit of dessert perhaps?"
"Ask me again about 10:30," Doug said licking his lips.
"As you wish, Sir; I'll do my best to come UP with something that will please your taste buds."
Doug signed the credit slip adding a 30% tip and slipping a tiny card into the bill holder.
As he was rising from the table, Doug saw Paul coming his way.
"Have a pleasant evening, Sir, and do COME again."
"I plan to; and I wish you the same," Doug said trying to keep a straight face in spite of all the innuendos that were passing between them.
On the way out he was stopped by Lorenzo who asked how his meal had been.
"It was excellent! The food and wine were exquisite and the service was impeccable!"
"Thank you! I'll pass your compliments on to the staff. They'll be delighted to hear it."
Authors notes: A big thank-you to all who emailed since last posting. There seem to be at least 28 new readers since I've begun this new story. The whole list includes: Danny M, Randall N, Helen S, Bill K, Bob H, Tom A, Trish R, Rutabaga, Joel R, William T, Michael T, Jim C, Laurence N, Paul R, Harry D, Tony W, John McD, Oxford, Ken W, Jim W, Bill (storylover), Richard G, Mike P, Bill K, Danny A, Jack H, Walt S, Donna M, and Rachel P.
Thanks again!
David