That knowledge didn’t stop his heart from speeding up or his throat from going dry as Demitri once again approached his table. Demitri set his meal in front of him, offering him a shy smile.
“Here you are,” Demitri said. “Is there anything else I can get you right now?”
“Thank you,” he said, glancing at his plate. “No, everything looks great.” Kiernan knew it was none of his business, but he couldn’t resist asking, “Everything okay?
You looked a little upset there for a few minutes.”
“Oh, yeah,” Demitri replied, almost too quickly. Kiernan knew it was foolish, but for some reason, he felt disappointed that the young man didn’t confide in him.
Forcing a smile, he nodded. “Good.”
When Demitri didn’t move off right away, Kiernan held his gaze and gave him an encouraging smile, wondering what the young man planned to say.
Demitri swallowed hard, and Kiernan watched his Adam’s apple bob. His pink tongue swiped over his lower lip, and Kiernan fought the urge to yank the man down onto his lap so he could trace the same path with his own tongue.
Finally, Demitri peered at him through his thick black lashes—as if looking at him directly would be too difficult— and said, “I’m not really good at this.” He paused and glanced toward his friends before returning focus to Kiernan. “My shift ends at six this evening. Would you be interested in meeting me for dinner? I’d like to get to know you better.”
His words finished on a whisper, and Kiernan stared in stunned silence for several seconds. His heart pounded in his chest. Lust slammed through him as he realized Demitri was asking him out. Demitri swings my way and wants to meet me outside the diner.
“Never mind,” Demitri mumbled, tugging Kiernan out of his thoughts.
Kiernan grabbed at Demitri’s wrist before he could make a hasty retreat. “Wait,” he ordered. Demitri actually shivered at the command in his tone, his mouth opening slightly as he took panting breathes.
Oh, he likes being ordered around.
He filed that little tidbit away for future reference.
Loosening his grip, Kiernan rubbed his thumb over the pulse point on Demitri’s wrist, enjoying caressing the smooth, warm skin. “I would very much like to get to know you, too, Demitri,” he replied softly. “Would you like me to pick you up here?”
Demitri’s green eyes widened, dominating his face, and a surprised expression crossed his features. Evidently, he hadn’t thought Kiernan would agree. If only the young man knew what Kiernan really wanted to do to him. He didn’t delude himself into thinking Demitri would be interested in him for long, but if he could enjoy his sweet body for a time, he’d be foolish to let the opportunity pass.
Smiling shyly, Demitri shook his head. “I’ll smell like fried food if you did that. How about we meet somewhere at seven? That way I can get cleaned up.”
Kiernan wanted to tell Demitri that he could smell like wet dog and he wouldn’t care, but that was something he didn’t need to share just yet. He nodded. “Where would you like to meet? Caribou’s?” The place had good food and a semi-private atmosphere.
Demitri agreed. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” Kiernan squeezed Demitri’s wrist lightly, then released the man. “I’ll see you then.” Watching his date retreat from the table, Kiernan reveled in the fact that he’d put that smile on the man’s face. And he really looked forward to learning more about Demitri.
He ate quickly, knowing he had to get back to the job site soon. He and Demitri didn’t say much else to each other, but as Demitri rang him up at the register, he looked at him shyly, a light flush staining his cheeks, making the light blush he wore darken becomingly, and stated quietly, “I’ll see you later.”
Kiernan grinned. “Looking forward to it.”
When he got back to the job-site, Kiernan set his hard hat on his head, strapped his tool belt around his waist, and grabbed his clipboard. He started looking over the work they had accomplished that morning. Everything seemed to be running smoothly. “Hey, boss man. You must have had some lunch,” Joe commented, walking up behind him. Joe slapped him on his back. “Surely diner food isn’t that good.”
Kiernan laughed. “Nope. Just having a good day, that’s all,” he replied, unwilling to share his good fortune with anyone just yet, let alone Joe. He wasn’t in the closet by any means, nor did he advertise his sexuality, but if anyone asked directly, he wouldn’t lie. “I’d like to start in here, next,” Kiernan said, changing the subject.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Kiernan stood outside the restaurant. He looked around slowly, watching the meager traffic. Kiernan pulled out his phone and checked the time. Demitri still had five minutes.
Kiernan’s stomach tightened with nerves. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this nervous. He rolled his eyes at himself. He was almost forty-five years old. He shouldn’t be this nervous, like a teenager picking up his date for the prom.
“Hi.”
Kiernan started and spun. Upon seeing Demitri, he couldn’t stop his grin. The man looked good enough to eat in form-fitting black jeans and short-sleeved, button-down slate-gray shirt. He’d done his pale blond hair in an artfully messy do and added a hint of eyeliner, eye shadow, and blush. The effect was stunning, bringing out Demitri’s vibrant green eyes.
“Hey,” Kiernan greeted. He wanted to pull Demitri into a hug, maybe kiss him, but he wasn’t certain Demitri would welcome that quite yet. Instead, he held out his hand. “I’m glad you made it.”
Demitri smiled and they exchanged a firm shake.
He loathed letting the long-fingered, surprisingly calloused hand go, but he did it. Turning toward the entrance, Kiernan pulled open the door, holding it open for his young date. As Demitri passed him, Kiernan rested a hand lightly on the small of
