Though the building was far from empty, our footsteps echoed through the hall. Who thought it a good idea to put tile down instead of carpet?
I struggled to keep up with this man- long legged, and four mechanical arms, the latter seemed to propel him forward somehow, leaving me to move almost at a full jog. My fingers were slipping from his, and the sweat eventually tore us apart, and I stumbled as I tried to catch myself.
“I should have just carried you.” I felt cold metal snake around my waist, and was lifted to the air, feeling much like a rag doll. Before I could kick and scream about humiliation, the cold metal was replaced with slightly warmer leather, and much hotter skin. He held me tightly to his chest. The arms made a protective semicircle around us.
“It's not my fault my legs aren't long like yours. And it's your fault for not thinking of this sooner.” I gestured to my current position.
“Perhaps,” he mused, expression unreadable, the look in his eyes blocked by the glasses. “I still just love to see you trip and stumble over yourself. It's cute.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. We had soon reached the door of what I assumed was his apartment (I'd never been, we'd never been outside the ruined building that was up to its waist in water.
The arms made quick work of the lock, picking and twisting (I guess keys were out of the question), before it gently swung open.
“It isn't much, but here it is.” He gestured, setting me lightly on my feet. It was a plain layout- aside from the books upon books that lined the walls. And various diagrams and models sprinkled throughout. There was the living room, a bathroom, and a bedroom. No doubt a studio wouldn't have held it all. I gravitated towards the poster on the nearest wall, seeing it was a band.
Otto loved hard rock, especially groups like Black Sabbath and The Scorpions. This one was neither, but of a singular man, screaming into a microphone.
“Ronnie James Dio,” I observed. “Didn't think they made posters of just him anymore.”
“I had it custom made. Couldn't think of another group to put up, and he was the first to come to mind. I'll show you around some more a bit later, if that's alright.”
“Oh.” I had almost forgotten the reason we were here. My cheeks began to burn as I was placed under his intense gaze. He extended his left hand, which I took, and followed him to…. His bedroom. The curtains were closed, and the fabric was thin enough to let in some of the daylight. A fan hummed in the corner, and in any other case it would have been relaxing. But this was not the time for such a thing.
I felt fingers slide in between my own, and looked up as Otto brought my hand to his lips.
“Are you absolutely sure you're ready for this?” My head spun as I gave a sharp nod- I had wanted this for a long while, but could only dream of it. Never did I expect it to be real.
He began to place soft kisses on my lips, cupping the back of my neck with his free hand. The other held my own hand tightly as he pulled me close. The back of my hand rested against his chest, and the skin was burning hot. Desire coursed through me, and I ran my hands over his chest several times before he pulled away. Before I could be hurt, he laid down on the bed, propped up on the actuators, his legs spread apart somewhat.
“Come to me.” His voice was thick with want, and it only heightened my own- so cautiously I climbed up on the bed, and knelt between his legs. He leaned forward and placed a hand on my hip, and I was trapped between his thighs. After a moment, he rested his elbows on either of his knees, still hunched over slightly. I couldn't help but notice the way his torso looked, having what they call a ‘dad bod’. The way I could still see the scarring on his upper abdomen from the metal brace. A strong and broad chest, with shoulders to match. I yearned to bury my face there, to feel safe and secure in his embrace.
As if he'd read my mind, he opened the leather coat even further to reveal the entire span of his chest. His sides could only be described as having ‘love handles’, and it drove me crazy.
“Touch me “ One of the actuators removed his glasses and set them on the bedside table. His eyes, a golden brown in the sun, were now almost the color of dark chocolate. Whether from the lack of direct light or from desire, I couldn't place. No matter. His legs loosened slightly, giving me room to do as I wanted, but refusing to let me go anywhere else. As if I wanted to be anywhere else. Though I was eager to touch his chest, I first placed my hands on either side of his neck and ran my thumbs along the tender skin. He inhaled sharply before tilting his head back to regain composure. Slowly, I slid one hand down to rest on his chest, and I nearly melted. Burning skin, strong muscle, the way his pectoral seemed to fit in my palm- I imagine this is how men felt when touching a woman's breast.
Otto sighed, and it seemed he'd been holding this one for some time. Our eyes met for a moment before I leaned in to kiss him- he seemed to lean his entire body into this small gesture, and without hesitation I rose to free myself from between his legs, and straddled his hips.
“A little daring, aren't we? I'll allow it,” he took me in his arms and pressed his lips to my neck. “My darling, how I've wanted this. Longed to be close to you, to call you my own- so to speak,” he chuckled, his breath tickling my already sensitive skin. “What say you?” I pulled back to look at his face. His head was tilted down slightly, casting a shadow over his features that made him look younger.
“There's nowhere else I'd rather be, no one else I'd rather be with, Otto.” As if to seal the deal, I kissed him again, and soon the actuators began to assist in the removal of his layered coat, a thump told me they'd just tossed it across the room. He leaned back and I followed suit, laying on top of him. Gently he peeled back my own layers, a jacket and sweatshirt, handing them off to the metal arms. Soon my head was resting on his chest, and he held my hand in his. The best was soon to come, but this. This is what I've really dreamed of. Just the skin to skin contact was enough. Gently he ran his fingers through my hair, humming softly.
“Sometimes I wonder if this isn't all just a dream,” I mused. “I mean, why me?”
“Why not you?” I had no response to that, so I left it alone.
“You were in the right place at the right time. Though I wonder if fate may have played a hand in this. Either way, I'm happy with the end result.