14
Cole
The next few days go by fairly quickly, and I’m glad because I’ve been looking forward to tonight, when I have my first date with Danny. I thought about the mystery man, James from Paul's party a few times, but with texting back and forth with Danny these last few days, I can already feel James starting to fade away. I stuff my burgundy suit away in the back of my closet since I keep being brought right back to that night every time my eyes fall on it.
It’s time to make new memories, ones with Danny. The thought sends excitement through me. I look forward to getting to spend enough time with him to turn them into memories. The more we talk, the more I get to know the real him, and the more I start to fall for the sweet, funny, shy, and adorable man.
I walk into the restroom and pull on my favorite pair of jeans that make my ass look phenomenal and a white Henley topped with my cream cotton sport coat left open. When I’m satisfied with the image in the mirror, I move back to my room to slip on a pair of shoes that match my outfit perfectly.
A knock comes at my door, and I glance at my watch showing that it’s almost time for me to walk over to Danny’s place. I don’t have time for visitors or distractions right now. I open the door quickly, ready to get rid of whoever is on the other side, until my eyes land right onto Danny’s, then move down, to where he presses his bottom lip between his teeth.
I perk up at the sight of him. “Hey, I thought I was going to come get you? You look great, by the way.” I do a onceover to get a good look at his outfit and how perfectly it compliments his body. It takes everything out of me not to pull him inside my apartment and suggest we order in instead. I resist the urge once I remind myself I want to take things slow with Danny. I want every moment with him to be special. I also look forward to reaching for his hand at dinner while watching that beautiful shade of red reach those cheeks of his, leading up to his perfect dimpled smile that I can’t get enough of. I want all those moments with Danny tonight, including that first kiss I hope to receive at the end of our date. I’ve been thinking about what it would be like to touch those perfect lips of his all week long, and I won’t miss my opportunity to do it tonight if the chance comes up.
He’s wearing a tight pair of black pants that hug the shape of his slender, toned thighs, paired with a maroon cable-knit sweater with a black leather jacket over it, and man, he looks sinfully delicious. I lick my lips after moving my eyes up and down his body one last time before telling him to wait as I grab my keys and wallet. I know if I ask him to come in, it will lessen our chances of making it to the restaurant. I follow him out to the parking lot and point to where my car is. “I’m driving tonight. You can drive next time if you want.”
He swallows hard. “Oh, so you're so sure of yourself that there will be a next time, huh? Maybe we should make it through the first date, killer.”
I laugh at the nickname he gives me. “Yeah, well, I’m a pretty confident guy. What can I say?”
When we arrive at the restaurant, we don’t exit the car right away. I show Danny what a gentleman I am by opening his car door. When we enter the restaurant, it doesn’t take long to be seated. He smiles when I pull out his chair and I know I don’t have to do these things for him, but I loved the reaction I got when I did. When our server hurries off with our drink order, I reach for Danny’s hand and he places it in mine. It’s warm and has me settling better in my seat. He drinks his water and my fingers stay wrapped around his. “Are we going to eat like this too, because it may be a bit difficult.”
I laugh. “Well...now that you mention it…”
The waitress brings us our wine before taking our food order. Under the table, Danny’s leg grazes mine, and desire flows in his eyes, making me wish there wasn’t a table in between us. His hair falls into his face a little as he reaches across the small table. I lift my hand to brush it back, and he pulls back in hesitation. “Sorry, I… I’m just not used to people touching my face ever since, umm… the accident. I was just taken aback a little is all.”
He sinks his teeth into his bottom lip as he fidgets with his napkin on the table. His eyes are no longer on mine. I reach across the barrier of the table, slower this time, and place my hand on top of his, causing his eyes to meet mine once again. His lips turn up into a smile, and I’m just happy to see him smiling again. I return his smile with my own and close my fingers tightly around his hand. He still doesn’t pull away. The waitress brings our food, bringing me back to reality, and our hands pull apart, making room for the food. Danny takes a sip of his wine before picking up his fork to dig into his shrimp fettuccine.
He slips each forkful slowly into his mouth as if he is savoring each bite, and my eyes never leave him as the fork comes in contact with his delicate pink tongue. He pauses when he catches my gaze on him. “Do you usually like to watch people when they eat like a creeper?”
I laugh. “Not typically, no. I guess you just make it look so interesting. Also, you seem to be enjoying it way more than I’m enjoying mine. I don’t think I’ve ever had food make me moan before.”
I don’t have to wait long for that blush I enjoy so much to appear on his cheeks. I don’t even think he realizes how adorable he is. He doesn't once look down at his plate when he talks to me, unlike he did the first time we ate together, and he doesn’t try to avoid eye contact like he would when he passed me at our apartment complex or ran into me at the grocery store while shielding his face and tugging down his beanie. And the fact that he feels so comfortable and confident around me to not need to cover his face warmed my insides.
I eat my dinner as slowly as I can, buying myself more time here with him. I want to keep him wrapped up in our conversation. He doesn't seem in much of a rush to leave himself. I don't reach for his hand the rest of the time, but I think about it every time he sits his hands down on the table in front of me as his face lights up from laughter when I say something he thinks is funny.
