Page 36 of Icing the Play

“It’s a surprise.” I opened my closet and pulled out my best linen button-down shirt. That’d do.

After piling into my truck,I drove down Mill Avenue to the restaurant. It was a quick drive from home. I raked my gaze over Myles, now dressed in a form-fitting white shirt and jeans that hugged all his assets. He was amazing to look at and he was all mine tonight. No wonder JJ had liked him so much.

As I pulled into the parking lot, Myles’s eyes widened, and he held his fingers over his open mouth. “Oh my God, Cooper. You’re taking me to Society?”

“I am.” My chest swelled with warmth. I loved making him happy. After parking, we climbed out of my truck.

As I rounded the back of the truck, I snatched Myles’s hand. It was our first date, after all.

He gave me a shy smile, his cheeks pinking. “Did Ace and Zoma mention this place?”

“They did.” We stopped at a set of glass doors under brick arches, and I opened one. “After you.” Taking a glance at the reddish splashes of the setting sun racing across the sky, I followed him in. Crystal chandeliers hung from the black ceiling and a scattering of tables rested in front of a wall filled with hanging plants in wooden planters with candles glowing in between. “This is so cool.” I set my sights on a hostess, who showed us to a table beside the garden wall.

I dropped into a dark wooden chair and rested my forearms on an almost black table. “So, when’s the last time you were here?” I scanned my menu and picked it up, pursing my lips. I didn’t want to hear it if he’d come here with another date.

“I haven’t. I saw a TikTok video advertising the place and thought it looked really cool.” With a soft grin, he perused hismenu filled with fancy versions of Italian fare. “I’m so happy I finally got to come here.”

“Good.” We both had practice tomorrow. Should we be drinking? Maybe one. “The cocktails look pretty good.” I glanced his way. “Or maybe a glass of champagne?” This was a special occasion, after all.

“Yes, champagne. I think the only time I drink it is on New Year’s Eve.” He smirked. “But I have a morning skate, so…” He sighed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get you home in time for a good night’s sleep.” I scraped my teeth over my lower lip. “But only after we finish what we started last night.” I arched a brow. After feeling his dick on mine, I wanted to see what he was packing.

“Agreed.” He set his menu down.

A waiter stopped at our table, and we ordered our champagne along with an appetizer.

Setting my elbows on the table, I rested my chin on my hands. In the flicker of all the candles, I enjoyed the angles of his jawline and the faint stubble. My discussion with JJ flashed through my mind. “JJ was very gracious today.”

“Yeah? How did it go down?” He unwrapped his silverware from a linen napkin and set the napkin on his lap.

“I took him to Five Guys, and we talked. He knew there was something between us.” I watched the waiter drop off our drinks and the appetizer, bacon wrapped dates.

He sipped his champagne. “You didn’t tell him about our kiss in the bathroom, did you?” He picked up a date, took a bite, and freed a soft moan.

My dick twitched. I couldn’t wait to hear more of that later. “I didn’t. It wasn’t worth mentioning.” I bit into a date, the salty bacon mixing with the sweetness of the date as I chewed. “Oh damn, these are good.”

“How did JJ know we had a connection?” He drank more champagne, his gaze fixed on mine.

With a soft snort, I said, “He commented about how we looked at each other.” Okay, maybe the truth was JJ had noticed Myles looking at me, but I knew it had gone both ways.

He nodded and ate another date. “JJ’s a good guy. He deserves to find his person.” He wiped his fingers on his napkin.

“He does.” I cleared my throat. Should I say it? Why not? “He was very concerned that I treated you right.” I reached across the table and grabbed his hand, resting next to his plate. “Myles.”

Parting his lips, his gaze snapped to mine. “Yeah?”

“I’ve never been good with relationships, but with you, I want to try.” I swallowed hard. Had I admitted that out loud? He was pulling shit from me while just sitting there. “None of my past relationships went anywhere, and you know I’ve never dated a guy.” I brushed my thumb over the back of his hand.

“I know. You left a trail of broken hearts back in high school.” With a soft wince, he dipped his gaze to our hands. “I can’t say I’m not a little nervous about this, but you seem sincere.”

“Oh, I am.” I squeezed his hand. “I don’t think anyone has ever made me jealous before.” I huffed a chuckle. “In fact, I didn’t know I could even get jealous.” And it wasn’t a good feeling.

“Really?” A soft grin graced his lips. “That means a lot to me.”

The waiter stopped at our table, and we ordered dinner with me getting the pesto pasta with chicken and him getting a salmon dish.

Myles was doing his best to keep it healthy.

---