And because hejust had to, Grant pushed it a little further. “Golden Corral has two-for-onetonight, so it’ll be a good deal.”
“He needs to keephis mouth shut!” Carter exploded in frustration, throwing his hands up in theair.
When Wyatt told Grantthe story about how Carter’s last date said he was going to take Carter to getsteak for dinner but ended up taking him to the Golden Corral instead, he’dfound it both humorous and sad at the same time.
Carter was such asweet guy he should have had loads of men lining up to date him. Even though hefelt bad that Carter had such a hard time, it didn’t mean he wasn’t going totease him about it a little. It was too good a story for that, and Carter’sreactions were so much fun.
Laughing, Grantleaned over and gave him another kiss on the cheek, dodging the hand that cameup to smack him. “I’m teasing. I thought Italian sounded good.”
Carter leaned backin the seat and sighed. “Sounds great. He’s told you everything, hasn’t he?”
Starting the carand backing out of the driveway, Grant headed for his favorite restaurant.“Yes. I’m sorry you’ve had such bad luck and shitty dates, but, and this mightmake me a bad guy, I’m glad you’re still single.”
Blushing lightly,Carter ignored this comment, which just made Grant want to push things further.Carter straightened up in the seat and looked forward out the windshield. “Didyou have anything else planned after dinner? You didn’t say on the phone.”
He hadn’t saidbecause he hadn’t been sure what they should do when he’d first asked. Granthad needed time to consult with the chatty bird first. “Yes.”
Carter sighedagain. “Yes, you have something else planned?”
“Yes.” Grantgrinned.
“You like makingme insane.” Carter said it like it was a statement and not a question, butGrant felt the need to answer him anyway.
“Yes.” Then hegave Carter a wink. “I’m going to have fun making you crazy other ways, too.”
The skeptical lookwas starting to fade, and Carter shifted in his seat. Grant wondered what wasgoing through his head. Carter didn’t give him any hints, though, he simplylooked forward and ignored Grant’s teasing.
If it weren’t forthe little blushes and stunned silences, Grant might have thought he’d upsethis date. He was betting Carter wasn’t sure how to handle someone flirting withhim. Wyatt had made it clear Carter hadn’t had the easiest time dating. Wantingsomeone more dominant and who could accept his desire for more feminine thingswas hard.
Grant wishedCarter had been willing to go to the club years ago. Bound and Controlled, hisfavorite BDSM club in D.C., would have been the perfect place for Carter tohave found more open-minded people. Wyatt said he’d been trying to get Carterto go for years, but his friend always resisted. Grant knew the idea of goingto a club like that would have been intimidating if you didn’t know howwelcoming the owners were. Having friends and getting to know people withsimilar interests in a D/s lifestyle would have been good for Carter, though.
The fact that theywould have also met sooner would have been a bonus. There weren’t too many subswho were like Carter, and he wouldn’t have missed the sexy man if he’d shownup. Especially if he’d shown up wearing something flirty and feminine.
“I shouldn’t ask,but I’m going to anyway.” Carter sounded resigned to whatever answer heexpected. “What were you thinking? The look on your face…”
Deciding to answerhonestly, even if Carter might not really want to know, Grant grinned. “I waswishing you’d gone up to the club before, so we could have met sooner. Then Ithought about what kind of outfit you might have worn…”
“You wouldhave…you think I would have worn…but…” Carter kept stopping, never quitefinishing his sentences, but Grant thought he could guess some of what he wasthinking.
“I would havestalked you around the club and made a complete nuisance out of myself to getyou to notice me. And I can picture you dressed up in so many naughty thingsfor the club.” He growled the words out, making sure Carter knew just how muchhe enjoyed the idea. “When we all go up, are you going to let me pick somethingout for you to wear? I bet you have some naughty things hidden in your bedroom,don’t you?”
Grant wasn’tkidding. Carter would look incredible in something tempting and feminine. Ifthe man enjoyed skirts and dresses, Grant would bet almost anything he had somesexy lingerie hiding in a drawer somewhere. Would he let Grant dress him up forthe club?
Glancing over, hesaw Carter was giving him that shocked fish face again. Pulling up to astoplight, he debated reaching over to close Carter’s mouth, but he figured itmight be pushing it. “I’m not sure why you’re so shocked. Most Doms likedressing up their subs. You might not be mine yet, but the fantasy’s hot.”
Carter was quietfor a moment before he spoke. “You say things, and I have no idea how torespond.”
“You wanted toknow what I was thinking. I’m not hiding that I’m interested in you. If you’renot into me the same way, that’s a different conversation.” Grant tried toappear calm, but it was hard. Even knowing Carter was interested in him didn’tmake it any less stressful. There was still a possibility that he wasn’t readyto take the chance and admit it.
“Most guys aren’tcomfortable with who I am.” Carter took a breath and kept going. “I’ve had timeto figure things out for myself, but men usually want someone who’s clearlymasculine, even if they’re a twink, or clearly feminine. I’m kind of in themiddle, and that makes them unsure.”
“I like men. I’mgay, that’s no secret, but I’ve always been drawn to more feminine guys. I haveno issue with the skirts or anything else that interests you.” Grant would havehad more questions, but he’d thoroughly drilled Wyatt about Carter’spreferences.
That was somethinghe wasn’t going to tattle on the little birdie about.
Carter nodded andwas quiet for the rest of the drive to the restaurant. Grant figured he wastrying to sort things out, so he didn’t push. He knew he was giving Carter alot to process. Just the fact that he hadn’t put up a fuss about the clotheswas more than Grant had been expecting.
Little Italy wasone of his favorite restaurants. His mouth started watering as soon as heparked near the building. Carter didn’t seem to mind his choice. He glancedover and gave Grant a little smile. “At least it’s not a buffet restaurant.”
