111Chapter 6
Cody smiled shyly at the blonde man when they sat down in the French restaurant and took their menus from the waiter. He'd been to restaurants like this before, certainly. But he'd done so with his parents … never as someone's date. That Edison was pursuing him so avidly was still somewhat of a surprise to him. He hadn't expected to find someone to date so soon, and not someone so apparently experienced in relationships. Though this was only their first official date, Edison had wasted no time in establishing himself as the … well the male lead. He'd opened the car door for held Cody when he picked him up, held the door to the restaurant for him as well, and he'd even pulled out his chair for the redhead as he sat down. While Cody knew he should feel patronized and insulted, he couldn't help but find the gestures kind of sweet.
"Do you mind if I order for both of us?" Edison asked, smiling benignly at him from across the table.
"Um … why?"
"I just thought you'd prefer to know what you're eating."
Cody frowned behind his menu, not sure how to take the assumption that he didn't know French. He didn't want to make any waves on their first date, but shouldn't Edison be at least trying to make a good impression? He sulked for a moment before deciding to try to turn the situation around.
"I took French in high school and college, but thanks," he said brightly, putting his menu aside.
Edison raised an eyebrow but looked a bit put off that Cody didn't allow him to take control of the situation. Cody swallowed nervously but said nothing , hoping not to make things any more awkward. Finally the blonde re-donned his smile and nodded at the waiter who had returned to table with some crusty bread and butter shaped like little swans.
"What can I get for you this evening?" he asked.
"Well take a bottle of your best pinot noir," Edison said with a smile.
Cody pasted on a smile of his own and they ordered their meals. When the waiter took their menus and walked away Cody took a deep breath.
"This is a lovely restaurant," he said softly.
"Yes, it is," Edison smirked. "Very … exclusive."
Cody forced back the urge to frown again. If this were the wild the man would be peeing on his leg to mark his territory. Funny, the guy didn't seem so domineering at the bar or on the phone. Maybe he was nervous, too. Well, two could play this game.
"I've … uh … I've been here before," he replied. "With my parents."
Edison's smirk fell and he leaned forward seemingly in confusion. "Your parents?"
"Mm. My father entertains clients here frequently."
Edison gave him a quizzical look that didn't seem all too welcoming. Cody couldn't help but winder what the big deal was.
Despite what happened the previous week, Grant decided to give Urban's another try. The place was packed and the music was loud, so he didn't hold out much hope of being able to carry on a decent conversation, much less find a suitable dating prospect. He looked around at the crowd as couples ground their hips into each other to the beat. The place was teeming with young men mostly. There were a few guys near his age but, like him, they mostly watched from the sidelines. He shook his head and decided to get a drink while he assessed his course of action for the evening.
"What can I get you?" the bartender asked after he finally got his attention.
"What do you have on tap?"
The small, slender man looked amused as he rattled off a list of beers that sounded more like designer jeans. Grant scowled as he listened for anything that sounded remotely familiar, and then finally something did.
"I'll take a Coors, thanks."
The pink and yellow haired bartender nodded and Grant leaned against the bar while he waited. When the icy cold pint was placed in front of him he smiled his thanks and handed the guy a ten.
"I'll get you some change."
"Keep it."
The guy grinned and saluted him before darting off to help another customer. He didn't seem to have time to breathe as one customer after another called for his attention. Grant decided he was more interesting than the crowd around him, so he watched him move around the large bar. They made eye contact a few times and the bartender finally smirked as he inched his way back to where the older man sat.
"See something you like?"
Grant grinned at the tired old line, especially when it came out of someone so much younger than he was. He let his eyes wander down the lithe frame a bit, noting the nameplate on the younger man's necklace, before he answered.
"I'm a hell of lot older than you … Derek," he smiled.
"I like older guys," the bartender shrugged carelessly.
"Aren't I also a bit too …"
"Straight?" Derek grinned. "So to speak, of course."
Grant laughed and shook his head. He liked the guy's sense of humor. "Um … yeah."
"I like older guys who can keep me grounded," the bartender chuckled. "I have a tendency to keep my head in the clouds too much." Then he leaned in a bit closer so he didn't have to yell above the music. "What kind of guy do you usually go for?"
Grant's smile dropped and he looked down at his half empty glass. Virginia had told him he'd have to start somewhere, but how would guys take it when they found out he was just out at his age? Well, it seeme dlike he was about to find out.
"I'm just … um … I'm new."
"Here?" the guy asked, smiling wider. "I knew that. I've never seen you here before and I know all of the regulars."
Grant smiled without looking up. "That, too."
"Oh?" Derek asked. "Oh! That kind of new."
Grant finally met his eyes, nodding mutely.
"Well, you have to start somewhere," Derek said cheerily.
"That's what my ex-wife told me."
Derek deadpanned at that. "Ex-wife?"
"Mm hmm," Grant said with a grin. "Crazy huh?"
"Different," the younger man replied, not missing a beat. "But I've heard weirder stuff."
"I had a nice time tonight," Cody said as Edison pulled his Lexus up in front of his building.
"Me too."
The blonde cut the engine but made no move to get out. Cody was about to reach for the door handle when a hand lightly brushed his shoulder, stopping him. He looked back to the driver's seat in question.
"When can I see you again?" Edison asked softly, tracing Cody's arm with his fingertips.
Cody almost choked on his own tongue. He'd thought the evening went awkwardly after he'd refused to let Edison take control of the whole night. They'd made some small talk but it was punctuated with long stretches of embarrassing silences. He figured the man would simply drop him off and that would be the end of their short acquaintance.
"Um … I don't know …"
"You didn't want to?" Edison pouted playfully. "I thought you said you had a nice time."
"No, I did," Cody blushed. "But I thought maybe I offended you earlier."
"How could you offend me?" he teased the redhead, picking up his hand and kissing the knuckles.
"I don't … I guess, I I jumped to conclusions," Cody laughed.
"I guess you did."
Cody looked up to say something but Edison cut him off with a soft chaste kiss. The redhead sucked in a gasp in surprise but before he could recover Edison pulled back and looked at him carefully … almost nervously, Cody would say. He smiled at the reaction on the usually so-together man. It was a relief after the evening he'd spent with him.
"That was nice," he murmured.
"It was?" Edison asked.
Cody nodded.
"So, would it be presumptuous to assume you wouldn't be adverse to seeing me again then?" the blonde added.
"No, I wouldn't," the redhead chuckled.
"Whew! That's a relief!"
Edison gave him another smile then slid out of his seat and walked around the cxar to open the door for Cody and lead him up the stairs.
"Can I see you up to your door?" he asked.
"Oh, that's not necessary," Cody said as he pulled out his key. "My roommate is home and though he knows about me …"
"You'd rather not rub his straight nose in it?" Edison finished for him with a nod of understanding. "Of course."
Cody leaned up and kissed Edison's cheek then opened the door to the building. "Thanks for tonight," he said then disappeared inside.
"Anytime," Edison smirked at the now-closed door.
Edison pressed the speed dial on his cell phone when he stopped at a red light. It only rang once before it was picked up and someone barked a short hello from it's speaker base.
"That how you answer me?" he demanded sharply, smiling at the apologetic gasp he heard.
"I didn't check the caller ID," Ricky replied. "How'd it go?"
"Better after dinner," the blonde said as he turned the corner when the light turned green. "He seemed a bit put out at first."
"A kitten with claws," Ricky whistled. "Could be interesting."
"I hope so," Edison snorted. "I've been bored too long."
He was hoping Cody wouldn't take too long to warm up to him so that he could move him into his place soon and get down to serious business. But it seemed some coddling might be necessary before he could lure the guy into moving in.
"Got you a case of blue balls?"
"Not for long."
"I take it you're on your way?" Ricky asked, sounding hopeful.
"Get the cuffs out and chain yourself to the headboard. I'll be there in less than ten minutes."
"I'll leave the door unlocked."