Chapter 7
Paul
After their meal, the two of them departed from the restaurant to return to the hotel. Walking down the sidewalk together, Paul had his hands placed into the pockets of his shorts. “What made you want to get into photography? Was it more of a hobby to start out and then you took it on full time?”
Paul’s head turned to regard the omega before him. The redhead looking upward as if he was looking for his answer among the night sky. “That. Well, it did start out as a hobby. I got a cheap camera and took candid photos where ever I went. It developed into an obsession. Using that crappy little camera, I managed to get really good pictures by studying what worked. My uncle took an interest in it when he saw how I was able to get good pictures with it. He gifted me a camera one year for my birthday. It came with a caveat that I had to be the photographer for his wedding.”
“So, you had to take pictures at a wedding? I think that was a small price to pay for a good camera. I bet the pictures turned out great.” Paul stopped at the crosswalk and pressed the button for the pedestrian crossing. The hotel was visible off in the distance.
Sam laughed and shook his head a few times. “Oh, the pictures didn’t turn out as great as he would have liked. I did everything I could to make them look good. It came down to being familiar with the equipment. A new camera and not much time to learn how to use it. I managed to get a few good pictures. I had to explain to my uncle why I had such a difficult time.”
“You managed to talk to him though and straighten things out. Some people would be mad if their wedding pictures didn’t look great.” The walk emblem lit up on the crossing sign so the two of them could cross the street. Paul walked next to Sam as they continued their conversation.
Sam crossed his arms over his chest. His hands rubbed across his arms as he felt a chill from the night air. “I took pictures a few months later at his Christmas party. You wouldn’t believe the difference a few months made. I had more time to get familiar with the camera and the pictures looked much better. My uncle was pleased that his investment in me was not wasted. He has always been like a second father for me. I don’t know if I could ever repay him for everything that he has done for me.”
Paul smiled as he reached over to give a gentle pat to Sam’s back. “You’ve got people that care about you and your success. That is what is important. That is how I feel about Dan. He invested so much time in me to get to this point. I don’t want to disappoint him.”
The two men walked into the lobby of the hotel. Paul’s eyes drifted over to the hotel restaurant and bar. He didn’t feel like going back to the room yet, so he motioned to the bar. “Do you want to get a drink with me? I’m enjoying the company and don’t want to go to sleep yet.”
Sam looked in the direction of the bar and then back to Paul. “Why not. I didn’t have anything better to do. We can’t stay too long though. You have to get your practice in tomorrow. Remember?”
Paul let out a sigh at the reminder. He didn’t want to think about practice as he was having a good time. “I know. Thanks for bringing it up. We won’t stay too long. Maybe one or two drinks and then we can go back to the room.”
The handsome omega considered the options before he nodded in agreement to Paul. “Alright. One drink. But after that, we both need to get some sleep.” The two headed inside to sit on the barstools in front of the bar.
The bartender was busy filling drink orders before he came back to them. “What will you have?” The man wore a plaid button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his biceps. His short brown hair looked unruly and he had a mustache. He picked up a couple of glasses to set them onto the bar.
“I will have a margarita.” Sam turned on his barstool to face Paul. “What are you going to have?” Resting his elbow onto the top of the bar, Sam placed his hand onto his cheek.
Paul drummed his fingers on the bar top. “Oh, I will have whatever is on tap.” The bartender then fetched a glass of beer for Paul and started to make the margarita for Sam. Paul’s attention now directed to the omega sitting next to him. “Thanks again for sharing the room. I’m not sure what Dan and I would have done if we couldn’t get a room.”
The margarita glass was set down onto the bar in front of Sam. The crystalline salt lined the rim of the glass. Sam picked it up to take a drink from it. “That is strong.” He gazed back at Paul, shrugging his shoulders. “Think nothing of it. You needed help. I wish that I had the actual room I had booked, but everything worked out in the end.”
Paul took a sip from his beer before putting it down on the bar. “Yes. Everything did work out. Thank you.” He reached his hand over to take Sam’s hand into his own. His fingers stroked gently across the back of Sam’s hand. Their eyes met at that moment, locked into a longing gaze. Paul moved his hand up across Sam’s arm to the back of his head. He held the omega in that embrace before he leaned forward to kiss him upon the lips.
Sam melted into the kiss. His lips soft and receptive to the lingering lips that pressed against his. Paul pressed his tongue into his mouth for a French kiss. His tongue swirling around the omega’s tongue. Paul felt Sam’s hand reach out to press onto his leg.
Breaking the kiss, Paul ran his fingers through the red locks of hair. He smiled at Sam as he gently massaged his fingers against the omega’s neck.
“I’ve got to tell you something Paul. I’m not sure where this is going. I recently went through a divorce. I don’t want to get too involved yet, but I really like you. I hope that you understand.” Sam put his hands onto his lap as he explained his situation with dating.
Paul leaned back from Sam and nodded to him. “I understand. I feel like we connect when I met you. I’m not sure where this is going either, but I am willing to try if you are?” Paul placed his hand on top of Sam’s right hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
An awkward silence formed between the two as Sam thought of what to say. He turned his hand over to take hold of Paul’s hand. His thumb stroked across the alpha’s fingers. “I would like that. We can see where it goes.”