Dare always seemed to be able to read us, because he nodded to himself and shrugged. “From what you’ve both said, all that’s missing is the label—and sex, if that’s what you both wanted; with everything else, you’ve already been a couple.”
He was right. But I had a feeling we’d have never seen it if it weren’t for him.
Ryan was more able to say the words. “You make us see things a different way.”
Dare grinned. “I make things understood and clarify the confusion. What can I say?”
Ryan and I both groaned, but smiled too. “I think you’re describing your job…not a relationship.”
“It’s both. I’m a man of many talents. I can see through hidden things and pick out the perfect men in a crowd. Call me the superman of dating.” Dare’s grin was contagious.
“I’m not calling you Superman,” I deadpanned.
Ryan snorted out a laugh, but Dare just wiggled his eyebrows. “I bet you would with the right…incentive.”
What kind?
I had a dirtier mind than I realized because suddenly things like spankings and every punishment scene I’d ever seen in porn flashed through my brain. My face grew redder and my pants suddenly fit tighter.
Dare obviously loved the reaction, but what surprised me was Ryan. He didn’t tease or say anything, he just shifted in his seat like he found the idea erotic too. Before I could think about his reaction, or what Dare had meant, our waitress came back with the food.
I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disappointed.
I wondered if texting him about what he’d meant would be reasonable since he was sitting right in front of me. Probably not. But I had a feeling he’d find it cute so the idea suddenly sounded more logical. Watching his eyes darken and the way desire would flood through them as that dominant side of him took over was incredible.
“Here you go, gentlemen.” As she set the plates down, my mouth started to water. It looked delicious.
We’d all decided on steak based on Dare’s recommendation, and it looked like he hadn’t steered us wrong. Even the pasta I’d ordered as a side made me want to dig right in. My two dates had the same idea because they started in on their food and the conversation lulled while we ate.
I’d been on some dates where the silence felt weird, like I was supposed to be constantly entertaining them. Dare didn’t make me feel that way and Ryan never had, so it was a nice change for a date.
Ryan and I could hang out for hours just watching a game and talking occasionally without it feeling forced. I wasn’t sure if would be the same with Dare, but even when he was watching me it was with a tender humor that didn’t make me uncomfortable.
He was just Dare and seemed to want to take care of me even if it was by teasing me or just letting me think things through. It was nice. Uncomplicated, even though it wasn’t anything I’d ever expected.
I wasn’t sure what it said about me or the situation in general, but I liked it.
I liked Dare.
It could have been the break when the food arrived or just getting the admission of how awkward everything was, but after the first rush of hunger was satisfied, the conversation flowed smoother. Dare clearly wasn’t afraid to push things, and I knew he’d be more open to laying everything out on the table, but it didn’t frustrate him that I wasn’t ready.
I’d never met a guy like him…and I was pretty sure Ryan hadn’t either.
“I’m going to keep this date fairly PG tonight…PG-13 tops, unless watching you two kiss gets me an R, but I thought we could hang out and watch a movie or something tomorrow. How does that sound?” Dare finished his question and took a bite of his steak, just watching our matching dumbfounded expressions with a grin.
It took a moment to realize he was waiting for an answer.
It took another moment to remember the question.
“Good?” I knew it came out as a question, but I couldn’t help it. I still wasn’t sure if the first part was something he was expecting an answer to or just a statement of facts.
Ryan just nodded, so I was pleased I’d found my voice first. The way his eyes glanced over at me and then darted back to his plate let me know he was thinking about the kiss too. Was it just kissing me in general that had him all weird or was it knowing that Dare would be watching?
I found both ideas stupidly erotic, so I wasn’t going to judge either way—I was just curious.
And if I was dating Ryan, then curiosity was reasonable…right?
“Should we do it at your place, since you already live together, or at mine?” Dare’s question made sense, but my brain was still lagging behind with images of what it would be like to kiss Dare…and Ryan…and watch Ryan kiss Dare…and to have Dare watch Ryan and me kissing.
