Taking a Chance

3 Taking a Chance

The no-smoking sign hung there, glaring down at Arryn. Often, he disregarded any smoking policies, but he didn't want to appear too arrogant in front of Castor. Standing there waiting while doing nothing felt very awkward, and staring down at his phone seemed pretentious. Just as his car was coming around the corner, Castor stepped outside to join Arryn.

The valet exited the car and held the door open for Arryn and Castor.

Arryn smiled at Castor, getting inside the car, "I admit I was nervous you weren't going to show."

Arryn’s calming voice eased Castor’s nerves, “It was touch and go there for a bit.” Castor paused and then winked at Arryn.

Pulling out of the garage, Arryn chuckled under his breath, "It's not too far, just a few minutes away."

Castor tried not to seem like he was staring at Arryn, but he had difficulty looking away. Arryn didn’t even notice at first since he was focused on driving.

Then, Arryn felt Castor trying to appear like he wasn't watching him and smiled.

At a stoplight, Arryn reached over and gently squeezed Castor's knee, giving Castor a sideways glance and smiling slightly.

Castor gasped quietly, surprised by this gesture, and felt his cheeks flush.

Pulling up to the entrance of the towering O'Mara Hotel, Arryn stopped in front of the valet. This was not what Castor was expecting. He and his friends wanted to come to the club at this hotel. However, there was always a line, and it was hard to get in.

A valet approached the car and opened the door for Castor and Arryn. Arryn strode around the car and placed a hand on Castor's back, leading him to the door.

Castor noticed how the valet and staff who opened the door greeted them without making eye contact.

Arryn kept a hand on Castor's mid-back as they passed the concierge to the elevators.

Once they were alone in an elevator, Arryn relaxed, not so tense anymore. Arryn removed his hand from Castor's back and reached for Castor's hand. They both looked at one another and squeezed each other's hands.

Castor began to wonder who Arryn was since the way the staff snapped to attention and addressed Arryn with respect given to that of an authority figure or VIP.

The elevator climbed and climbed, then stopped, but the door didn't open.

Letting go of Castor’s hand,, "Excuse me, I need to open the doors." Arryn pressed his hand on a square pad by the door, and it opened a secret panel. Arryn quickly inputted a code, and the elevator doors opened.

Taking a step out, Arryn turned back, placed his hand on Castor's elbow, and led him out of the elevator. They stepped into a hall that only had a couple of doors.

At the door, with the letters A.Q. engraved on a silver plaque, Arryn slid in a security card, and it opened.

"So, this is where the company puts me up to stay when I am in town." Arryn walked in, tossed his coat on a hook on the wall, and loosened his tie. “It is basically my home away from home.”

Castor looked around, trying not to appear to be awestruck. The front room was bigger than his dorm room, which he shared with a classmate. The view from all the windows was breathtaking.

"Oh, please let me take your coat and have a seat," Arryn smiled, waving to a sofa by the windows.

"Thank you; I need to be honest; I had no idea this was what you meant by a room at a hotel nearby," Castor mentioned while sitting down.

"Oh, sorry about that. I hope you can be comfortable" Castor noticed Arryn's eyes soften with worry as he apologized.

Castors smiled, gazing into Arryn's eyes, "Yes, I am…comfortable, thank you."

Arryn sat beside Castor, "I can order us drinks,” Arryn pointed to the tablet on a side table next to them.

"That would be nice.” Castor relaxed on the sofa.

Arryn reached over for the tablet that most of the rooms came with. Tapping away on the tablet, Arryn input an order for 2 cups and a bottle of Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve,

"Castor, is Scotch all right? or what would you prefer?"

Feeling insecure, not knowing what to order, Castor nodded and agreed to the Scotch.

Castor noticed a baby grand piano, a beautiful harp, and a few other instruments on display, " Do you play, Arryn?" pointing to the piano.

"Oh..." caught off guard, Arryn nodded slightly, "I do... Just haven't in a while." Arryn noticed a slight disappointment in Castor's Eyes," But I still can."

Castor looked into Arryn's eyes, "Please, can you play something…for me?"

Arryn found himself unable to resist Castor. With a Coy smile, Arryn stood up and took Castor's hand.

Bringing him to the piano, “Join me; please sit here."

Arryn had Castor sit right on the piano bench beside him.

He took a deep breath before placing his fingers on the keys. Closing his eyes, Arryn began to play and then sing an ancient Gaelic song he learned as a young man, Fear a' Bhàta (translated as The boatman).

Castor wasn’t familiar with the language that Arryn was singing in, but he sensed it was a sad love song of longing. Arryn's voice mesmerized him.

When Arryn finished, Castor leaned over, getting closer to Arryn to whisper in his ear, "I want to kiss you."

Arryn, feeling quite vulnerable from singing, let out a gasp, surprised by Castor's response. Arryn turned to face him and, with an arm around Castor's waist, pulled him in closer, used his other hand to caress Castor's face, and kissed him.

Castor deepened the kiss. Then the sound of the electric dumbwaiter startled them both.

Breathing heavily, Arryn stood up. "Oh, our drinks are here."

Castor followed him to the small kitchen and watched as a panel in the wall slid open, revealing the glasses, ice, and Scotch.

Lifting the tray, Arryn suggested they go to the main suite for drinks. Castor's cheeks flushed as he nodded in agreement.

Following Arryn into the room, Castor noticed the view and that the windows were all special one-way glass. It was snowing outside, making the view from up here gorgeous.

On one side of the room was a luxuriously large bed. Then on the other was a small sofa by a fireplace that Arryn lit with a switch on the wall.

Arryn set the tray down on a small table and poured the drinks. He sat down beside Castor, handing him a glass.

"Sláinte!" Arryn cheered before taking a drink.

Castor sipped on the Scotch, "I may not know what you were singing, but Arryn, you drew me in with your voice. I could feel your heart in it."

"Thank you," Arryn took a drink before continuing, "I wish we hadn't been interrupted..."

Castor was suddenly caught by surprise by Arryn's kiss. Letting out a soft moan, Castor melted into the kiss.

Stopping for air, they both set down their glasses and then embraced, kissing each other hungrily.

Arryn whispered in Castor's ear, "I want you."

Castor moaned, feeling his body react to Arryn's words. Suddenly embarrassed, Castor pulled back nervously and explained, "I... I want this with you, I do... But…" Castor's face reddened.

Arryn's expression softens, "I don't want tonight to be a one-time thing. I want to be closer to you and know what you like and don't like; I want to learn about your hopes and dreams. And yes, I want to fuck you…make love with you."

Continuing to lean close to Castor, Arryn whispered, "Know that I will wait for when you are ready Castor. That is when we can take the next step of intimacy. I don't want you to feel pressured by me."

Castor listened to Arryn and, seeing how sincere he was, touched Castor, "So you want me… and you… to ... maybe have a relationship?''

Arryn couldn't believe what was happening, let alone want to become close to someone. It had been many years since Arryn had a friend, a companion in his life who was not family.

Gerald was right; he needed to open up to others. Castor made him feel comfortable. He was also very handsome, with dark hair and soft lavender eyes. Arryn appreciated how open and sincere Castor was.

Arryn thought to himself and leaned in close, whispering, "Yes, Castor, I want to start a relationship with you. I won't push you for intimacy, only when you are ready. Though I hope to hold you, still close, kissing you, teasing you over and over again."

"I want that too, Arryn. I really do."

Noticing the time, "You can stay here with me tonight," Arryn suggested.

Castor, looking relieved, "I would like that…."

“Good…” pulling Castor closer Arryn felt his heart racing.

They kissed, enjoying the Scotch for a while in front of the fire on the small sofa. Arryn and Castor shared stories about themselves. They discovered they had much in common, including a love for history and archeology. Both were adopted when they were young and were an only child.

Arryn noticing it was very late, suggested they change and move to the bed.

Castor felt his pulse racing, nervous "um, in the bed… together?"

Arryn noticed how vulnerable Castor was feeling, "I'm sorry. I'm being thoughtless. I can sleep on the sofa tonight. I really enjoy my time with you and want you to stay the night."

Feeling a sense of relief wash over him, Castor nodded, "I want to stay; please, we can share the bed. I am going to trust you tonight."

Arryn felt his defenses melt away hearing those heartfelt ingenuous words from Castor's mouth. Arryn gently kissed Castor, "Come, let's go to bed. Oh, there is a shower if you want one?"

Castor went and took a shower while Arryn prepared the bed. In the rain, Castor's mind raced. Not only had Castor never been intimate with someone, but he's never gone off alone with someone he just met."

He had texted his friend about meeting someone tonight but didn’t feel it was necessary to explain that he was spending the night with that person.

Arryn had such a calming presence about him. Castor knew Arryn was sincere in wanting to be in his life. This wasn't a one-night stand. This felt like his world was about to change for the better.

After Castor was done, Arryn took a quick shower. With only a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair no longer in a braid, Arryn sat at the end of the bed. Castor was in a pair of boxer briefs and a t-shirt and suddenly felt awkward.

Castor admiring Arryn's toned body, flushed when Arryn caught him again. Arryn reached for Castor and pulled him onto his lap.

“Oof!" Castor exclaimed and fell into Arryn's embrace.

This was going to be a long night, Arryn thought to himself. It had been many years since he held anyone like this. He knew he could control himself, but it wouldn't be easy.

Arryn whispered in Castor's ear, letting his lips brush against him, "Thank you for staying with me tonight," pausing and taking a small breath.

"I want to hold you close and tease you with my lips. Please, may I?" Arryn whispered, smiling coyly, "I will keep my promise and not try for anything more."

Castor softly gasped, letting out a quiet moan. "I can trust you." was all Castor could say. He did trust Arryn. Arryn had relaxed Castor, making him feel safe to let down his guard.

Laying back on the bed, Arryn rolled over so that Castor was beneath him and grinned, "Shall I pour you another drink?"

Castor answered with a kiss, “Yes, let's enjoy this night."

The evening was filled with drinking, kissing, and holding each other while talking. Arryn shared more about how he was adopted at birth and had never been able to discover anything about his birth family. Castor, who was also adopted, realized how much they did have in common.

Castor noticed how Arryn's face would light up when he talked about the Highlands and how he wanted to have his own home when he settled down.

Arryn realized how lonely he had been. Listening to Castor share the insanity of dorm life was hilarious.

Arryn spooned Castor, whispering, "I'm sorry that I have to leave for work tomorrow. I'd rather get to see you more."

Pressing back against Arryn’s body, Castor signed contently, "Hold me tonight and let me wake up in your arms."

Kissing the back of Castor's neck, "As you wish."