Finally, after reviewing each bio several times, I picked one. David Pierce. With trembling hands, I called the number for his office and made an appointment for next week.
ELEVEN
TEX (TRAVIS)
Iprimped my hair in my bathroom mirror, making sure it lay just right, and then adjusted my blue sweater on my shoulders. I’d have my first proper date with Colton tonight and I wanted to look my best.
“Hey.” Malik leaned against the doorjamb. “Why pretty yourself up to hang out with your tutor at a hockey game if it’s not a date?” He slapped my ass.
“If I want to look nice for a change, I will.” I turned to face him. I still hadn’t told him the truth, even though Malik would keep it secret. I wouldn’t betray Colton’s trust. Brushing past him, I entered the room.
“Where is this game at and what time?” Malik followed me.
“Scottsdale Convention Center and seven.” I grabbed my wallet from our dinette and stuffed it into the pocket of my jeans. The next question was predictable.
“Why are you leaving so early? It’s only four-thirty.” He raised a brow. “Are you taking him to dinner too?”
As I shook my head, I let out a soft chuckle. “It’s not a date, Malik, but yeah, we’re going to grab a bite before the game.” Was he seeing through my lies? He knew me pretty well.
“Okay, if you say so.” He patted my shoulder. “Maybe youcould bring him by sometime. I’d love to meet thistutorof yours, who you’re not dating.”
“Yeah, maybe I will. I’ll ask him if he wants to come over for some Madden.” I strode toward the front door. Had Colton ever played Madden? I hadn’t seen a video game console at his place. What college student didn’t play video games? “See you later. Don’t wait up for me.” With a cackle, I strolled to my truck. If Colton would let me, I’d stay the night. I could tell Malik I got drunk and couldn’t drive home. But with Malik’s questioning, it would be a hard sell.
After parking,I moseyed to Colton’s apartment. I’d do this right and meet him at his door instead of texting him from the parking lot like some hookup. As I bounded up the stairs, the door opened.
“Hey.” He stood on the landing in a form-fitting black sweater with grey jeans, a jacket slung over his arm.
“Hey.” He looked good enough to eat. I’d ravish him later. Not having him on Thursday had tested my resolve, but it had been the right thing to do. As I met him on the landing, I pushed him back inside his apartment and against the wall, our chests touching. “I need a kiss before we go.” I’d have to hold back throughout dinner and the game.
He offered a coy grin. “Yeah?” Gripping the back of my head and standing on his tiptoes, he captured me in a hungry kiss, his tongue sliding against mine and a low growl rumbling from his throat.
Oh, holy fuck, how could I wait to have him until the game ended? I swooned, kissing him back for a beat, my cock stirring, and then stepped back. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
“No, but I’ll take the compliment.” He brushed past me and onto the landing. “Let’s go. We don’t want to be late for dinner.”
“Yes, sir.” I pecked his cheek as I strolled past him.
After parkingin a multi-level garage across the street from the restaurant, I met Colton at the stairs and followed him down. “I’m starved and the menu for this place looked fantastic.” After brushing my finger against his hand, I stopped. I couldn’t take his hand, damn it.
“Yeah? You looked it up online?” He strolled toward the corner with me beside him.
This was a nicer area with four-story Tuscan-style buildings in tan stucco, red-tiled roofs and concrete pillars. Restaurants and shops lined the street with small, spindly trees rising from planters every so often. I wasn’t sure if the upper floors contained residences or offices, but I knew there were high-end condominiums around here. I’d never hung out in this area though, as I usually stuck to Tempe and Mill Avenue. “Hey, doesn’t Evan live close by?”
“Yes, his apartment is just down the street.” As the traffic cleared, he pulled on my elbow. “Come on, let’s cross.”
He was watching out for me. Warmth surrounded my heart. It was always the little things he did that affected me. Like when he called me Tex instead of Travis. I strode through the crosswalk with him and approached the restaurant, tucked into the end of the buildings. Further down, the waterfront walk started, a little park area built around the canal. The afternoon sun splashed the first hues of orange across the sky. It was getting dark earlier now that we were into November.
After we strode under the overhang at the restaurant and through the glass doors, I stepped to the hostess stand and gave them my name. The restaurant was massive, featuring two-story ceilings, towering windows encircling the perimeter, and Moroccan decorative elements clear in its tiling plus lengthy drapes.
A hostess showed us to a window table overlooking the waterfront. A large patio furnished with tables and chairs spreadalong the outside with plants in pots between the furniture. I dropped into my chair with white rattan. “Maybe I should have requested a table outside?” The weather was still pleasant and not overly cold.
“No, this is fine.” He picked up his menu.
I already knew what I wanted. “Hey, I’m buying dinner tonight. You can pick up whatever we get at the game. Okay?” This was a date after all, and eating here had been my idea. I unrolled my napkin and placed it in my lap.
“No, I can’t let you do that. This isn’t a pizza parlor.” He sipped his water, already poured on the table.
“Yes, you can, and you will.” I brushed my foot against his under the table. “Please.” I was on a scholarship, and my dad gave me a generous allowance. I could afford it.