Tight Quarters (Out of Uniform 6)

“You pick the best hotels,” he said happily as Spencer let them into their room. It was a swanky little place in Dupont Circle, not far from Wes and Dustin’s Georgetown condo. A large king-size bed dominated the space, which was decorated in shades of gray with pops of reds. “Reminds me of my truck. In a good way.”

“I aim to please.” Spencer pushed him in the direction of the small-yet-lavish bathroom, which had a cool glass-enclosed shower. “And you complained all last week about water pressure at the training site, so I figured you’d like this place.”

“I do.”

“Now, you enjoy all the hot water you want, and I’m going to—”

“I’d rather enjoy you,” Del growled, unbuttoning Spencer’s pale blue dress shirt. He loved all sides of Spencer, but Spencer in business wear might just be his favorite. And getting Spencer out of business attire was the most fun of all. “Come on, get wet with me.”

“Okay, okay.” Spencer gave up his token protest in favor of helping Del get naked. He hadn’t been lying about the water pressure and temperature being glorious, but it was Spencer pressed against him that was truly what he’d been missing. They kissed and jerked each other off until the water finally ran cold and then they wrapped up in the cozy bathrobes the hotel provided and snuggled in the bed while watching a late-night news program.

“This is perfect,” he said, kissing Spencer’s temple. “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”

“Good.” Spencer stretched so they could kiss for real, and already, Del’s cock was stirring, dreaming of round two. But then, Spencer added, “But speaking of places we’d rather be, I want to talk to you about something.”

Uh-oh. This sounded serious. A trickle of dread raced up his spine. “Yeah?”

“Well, I was going to just do this, but we said we’d talk about all big life decisions, right?”

“Right,” Del said slowly, still not sure whether he was gonna like where this was headed.

“I want to sell my LA condo, get one in San Diego, switch to being based out of there. It would mean we could see each other even more, not as many long drives.”

“I don’t mind the drive. It clears my head and that place was your parents’—I don’t like the idea of you letting it go for me.”

“I would be happy—delighted—to sell it for us. So that we could find something in San Diego we both like. Real estate in Los Angeles is ridiculous. If you really don’t want me to sell it, I suppose I could rent it, but Del, I really want to do this. I want a place that’s ours. A home.”

“Ours, huh? So like you want me to live there too?”

“If you want. If getting off-base housing permission isn’t too awful.” Spencer managed to sound indifferent, but Del could see in his eyes how much he wanted this. “I thought condo shopping together might be fun. You can weigh in on shower size and water pressure and I’ll handle checking out the kitchen.”

“Hey, now, I cook sometimes too. You liked the casserole I made you from Mom’s recipe.”

“I ate the casserole you made, yes. And far be it from me to say anything about one of your mom’s recipes.” Spencer laughed, but it was a little unsteady. “What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea?”

Del put him out of his misery. “Good idea. The best. I’d love coming home to you.”

They kissed then, a long, deep one full of promise and hope. Spencer pulled away, breathing hard. “So...how does getting permission for off-base housing work? Is it easier if we’re married? Because—”

“Spencer.” Del groaned.

“What?”

“You do not get to propose when we’re half-dressed, in bed after sex, and as a matter of convenience.”

“Sorry.” Spencer’s eyes were wide and hurt. “Too soon, right? Sorry—”

“No. Not too soon.” Del tackled him so that he was pinned to the bed, Del straddling him. “I’m just saying, Spencer, I need a better story for Mom. And our friends. You’re the romantic here. Give me some romance beyond ‘and the base might like it better.’”

“So that’s not a no?” Spencer was adorable when he went all hopeful.

“It’s not a no.” Del kissed him. “But I think we both deserve a real proposal.”

“Fair enough. So, if I ask sometime soon—in a suitably romantic fashion, Chief Picky—you won’t turn me down?”

“I won’t turn you down.” Del kissed him tenderly. “I might even write you a bad poem all about it.”

“I love your poetry.” Spencer returned his kiss. Del had finally let him see his notebooks, and Spencer had reacted with wonder, not laughter. It made Del love him all the more, feeling like he could share every part of himself with Spencer and it would be welcomed and loved.

“I want a future with you. A home. A big celebration with all our family and friends. I want it all.”