Page 17 of Just Is Not Enough

“Did you shower?”

He briefly glances at me, “Yeah. I felt grimy from being around people all day. I had to quickly rinse off.” He fake smiles at the windshield.

I contemplate not asking but ultimately cannot resist, “Did you take a shower so you could jerkoff, Kaden?” I do my best to hide how amused I am at him being nervous I will find out.

Still facing forward, he makes a request that sounds more like a command. “Can we get going? I’m getting really hungry. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

I barely stifle the laughter escaping my throat. “Sure, I’m hungry, too.” I decide to let this one go, for now.

He remains quiet on our way to the restaurant. I put some music on to ease the discomfort. I hope I didn’t hurt his feelings or embarrass him. I don’t want to make a big deal about it, but I also don’t want to be a total dick.

“If it makes you feel any better, I rubbed one out before I went to your office,” I tell him with a smirk, and nudge him with my elbow over the armrest.

“Well, at least I wasn’t the reason you had to do it. It was your relentless teasing that made it necessary, otherwise we may have not made it to the restaurant.” The indignation riddled in his voice makes me chuckle.

“First of all, who said you weren’t the reason I had to come before seeing you today? And I would love to hear more about why we wouldn’t have made it to the restaurant. That soundsveryinteresting.”

Kaden rolls his eyes and gives a muffled laugh, shaking his head at me. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”

I tell him with certainty, “Like I said, when I know what I want, I go after it.”

Kaden’s eyes meet mine for the first time since he got back in the car. I don’t know what to make of the bewildered expression on his face. I direct my attention back to the road instead.

Fortunately, we arrive at the restaurant a minute later. I park and jump out to open Kaden’s door, only to wind up meeting him in front. I’m suddenly nervous, like I need to be careful how far I push him.

We walk to the restaurant side-by-side, throwing my hands in my pockets to keep them from where they instinctively want to go. I grab the door, opening it to let him walk through first. He allows it, giving me a slight smile and nodding in appreciation.

“Welcome to Red Oak Steakhouse! Do you have a reservation?” the host’s sunny personality snaps me out of my head.

“Yes, Stonewood party of two.”

“Ah, yes. I have your table ready for you. Follow me, please.”

I make a path for Kaden to follow the host first, resting my hand on his lower back. I feel him inhaling sharply at the touch. I quickly drop my hand beside me.

“When did you make a reservation? Did you assume I wouldn’t say no?” Kaden whispers accusingly.

“More like hoping and preparing in case I got lucky.” I see the corner of his lip raise the slightest bit. I’ll take it.

“Here we are,” the host places our menus on the table. “Your server this evening will be Mia. I’ll let her know you’ve arrived.”

We take our seats and start looking through the menu when I catch him glancing at me over the top of his.

“Good evening gentlemen. My name is Mia, I’ll be your server tonight. Can I get you something to drink to start? We have a large wine selection in the back of the menu?” Mia introduces herself as she pours water in our glasses.

I decide to order first since I’m getting the feeling Kaden is uncomfortable with me treating him like my date.

“Hi Mia. I’d love a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, please.” I give a friendly smile and turn towards him.

“I’ll have the same, thank you, Mia.” Kaden says to her, his eyes returning all too quickly to mine.

I don’t hear Mia leave as we enter a standoff, neither of us wanting to back down from the intense eye contact we’ve fallen into.

After a minute that felt like an hour, Kaden breaks the silence, “What are you doing, Luke?” His tone is skeptical.

Confused by the question, I take my usual route leading with humor. “I’m about to order a steak so rare it’s one chest pump away from slapping a bell on it and putting it back out in the pasture.”

Kaden laughs loudly, drawing attention from other diners causing him to slap a hand across his mouth to stifle the disturbance. Before he can stop himself, I find myself joining, his smile and laugh being too infectious to resist.

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