ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON TEN

Episode 29

" I have to go now, " Richard said abruptly as he hung up the phone.

He stared at the man. Marcus Simms looked as good as he had all those years ago. When they had both been thirty one and drunk on white wine in that lounge. When the man had looked at him much the same way he was now , leaned over and kissed him right on his lips. It had been the very first time he had been kissed by a man and it had been incredibly good. In fact it had been excellent. Every kiss that came after had paled greatly in comparison. Except for Nigel.

Nigel.

He quickly summoned up in his mind an image of his husband smiling at him. His beautiful, intelligent, oh so capable, wonderful, loving, gentle husband. The man he would never ever choose to hurt.

Nigel.

( " I know you are getting married tomorrow, Richard. But there's no law about you having fun tonight," Marcus had whispered. " My room has a Jacuzzi. We can soak for hours and have a... little fun. What do you say? I have condoms. I always come prepared. Like a boy scout. " Richard was tempted enough to say yes but when he opened his mouth what came out was " No. I'm straight. I'm not gay. ")

Nigel. Dear God make this man go away.

Marcus said," Cat got your tongue? Never known you to be speechless. Not the great Richard Norland. Boy wonder of the corporate legal world. "

Richard swallowed harshly before he said," Hello, Marcus. I thought you actually left the DMV. Boston , wasn't it ? "

Marcus laughed. " Well yes. I'm still in Boston. I'm only here because my little brother is moving with his wife to a house nearby in Hyattsville. I'm helping him get settled. Annoying yes but what can we do when it comes to family right? I'm still in contact with some old cronies here. I hear you finally came out as gay. I knew it. "

" Bisexual actually. "

" Sure. Right. Regardless I knew it. I can always tell. I hear as well you married a man , you old dog. A young one. I bet you make a good daddy. "

Richard kept the image of his husband constant in his head as he said firmly," Yes. I am married now. We married in September. This year. "

Marcus stepped closer to him. Too close. Damn. Why did the man smell so good? Nigel. He chanted his husband's name over and over again in his head.

" Newlyweds, huh ? I never liked marriage much. Can't be tied down. Is it serious? I mean I have a hotel room close by. For old times sake..... "

Richard stepped back from him abruptly. " It's very serious. I am very happy with my husband. I love him. "

Marcus smirked at him. " Happy for you. But if you change your mind I'm in the Marriott. Room 347. I'll be here a few more days. You look really good. Few pounds. Little grey. But like I say you do daddy real good, man. Your little hubby is a lucky man. "

" I'm the lucky one to have Nigel. "

He turned around to continue jogging just as the other man's own phone began to ring.

He heard Marcus answer it ," Yes , Jonah , I'm on my way. Wait. What is happening with your wife's son ? "