Asher felt like he was standing on the edge of a precipice, about to hurl himself into a terrifying unknown situation, and he could only hope he wasn’t making a huge mistake in going against his protective instincts.
“I mean dating,” he said. “I felt a connection last night. Didn’t you?”
“Yes.” Zach’s voice was deep and soft, and the look of genuine desire that Asher saw last night was back. “I suppose we could date, if that’s what you want. I won’t hold it against you if you decide I’m not your type after the first date.”
“Or you decide I’m not your type,” Asher replied. “Commitment-phobic workaholics aren’t great catches.”
Zach seemed surprised at the admission, and he smiled slightly. “Self-awareness is a necessity for someone to be my type, if that helps.”
Asher chuckled, relieved his admission hadn’t turned Zach off already. “I’m aware of my flaws,” he said. “I always thought it was kinder not to inflict them on someone else.”
“I’m sure there are compensations,” Zach replied. “In the interest of full disclosure, I should admit I’ve also been accused of being a workaholic. I’m not wild about big crowds, and I’ve been called boring before. Mostly because I don’t talk unless I have something I consider worth saying.”
“As far as I’m concerned, that’s an asset, not a drawback,” Asher said, giving Zach’s fingers a light squeeze before releasing them. “I’m sure we’ll find things we don’t like about one another. The question will be whether any of those things are deal breakers. You’re just as likely as I am to realize the reality of dating me doesn’t live up to the idea of it and decide to break it off.”
Zach hesitated, as if he were going to deny Asher’s words, but then he shrugged. “I suppose you’re right. All right, we can go out. I do have one condition, however, and it’s not negotiable.” He met Asher’s gaze directly. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t hire any escorts while we’re dating, however long it lasts. If that’s not acceptable, I’d prefer not to waste my time or yours.” He smiled slightly. “In return, I promise I won’t use that type of service myself, and I won’t put myself in a position to be mistaken for an employee of one.”
“But you’ll wear those tight jeans again, won’t you?” Asher asked. The sight of Zach’s long legs in those jeans was one of the hottest things he’d ever seen.
“I’m willing to wear them for you,” Zach said, blushing again, but this time from pleasure rather than embarrassment. “If you want me to.”
“I definitely want you to,” Asher replied. “Meanwhile, I agree not to have sex with anyone other than you until or unless we break up. It’s a reasonable request, and I don’t have a problem with honoring it.”
Zach nodded, seeming pleased. “When do you want to go out and where?”
“That depends,” Asher said, mulling over the idea of where to take Zach on their first date. An extravagant dinner wouldn’t be difficult to arrange because he had plenty of strings he could pull, but he didn’t want Zach to feel overwhelmed or think Asher was showing off. “What do you like to do? I’ve never really dated before, so I’m open to suggestions.”
“I haven’t dated in a long time myself,” Zach reminded him. “What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy a lot of things. Action movies with buff guys in tight outfits. Musicals on Broadway. Art exhibits, as long as it isn’t too out-there. But if you want to stay in, eat pizza, and watch old movies, I’m good with that, too.”
“I don’t do that much outside of work,” Asher confessed with a wry smile. “There are social functions I have to attend because I’m one of the public faces of Caldwell and Monroe, but I work long hours and still end up taking work home with me. My friends are just as busy as I am, plus they have families, so I don’t hang out with the guys like I used to.”
He thought about his college days, when he’d enjoyed more freedom and less responsibility, and he’d been able to spend time with his friends, playing pool and drinking beer. But they’d all grown up and shouldered adult responsibilities and no longer had as much time for each other, he thought wistfully. Being the perpetual bachelor meant he didn’t fit in at backyard cookouts at beachfront summer homes or at cocktail parties where the conversations centered around which private schools were the most beneficial to a child’s future career.
He shook off that depressing line of thought and mustered a smile. “Do you have a preference about whether our first date is out in public or more private?”
“How about more private? It would give us a chance to talk.”
Asher thought that was probably a good idea, considering how this whole thing had gotten started. “Do you have plans for tonight?”
“No….” Zach seemed startled, but he took a deep breath. “What did you have in mind?”
“No sense in waiting until next weekend if we’re both free, right?” Asher offered a reassuring smile. “Why don’t you come by my place tonight around seven? I’ll cook dinner for you, and we can have some quiet time and get to know each other.”
“You cook?” Zach asked. “That would be cool. I’m not much of a cook myself, so I’m impressed.”
“I enjoy cooking when I have the time,” Asher replied. “Anyway, I’ll see you at seven. Dress comfortably—although I won’t object if you wear those jeans again,” he added with a little smirk.
Zach smiled in return. “Maybe I will,” he replied. “But you’ll have to wait and see.”
“So I will.” Asher considered kissing Zach on the cheek, but he thought it might be too soon. Silly, perhaps, to balk at a simple kiss when they’d already slept together, but he wanted to make sure Zach was comfortable with their new dynamic first. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Thanks for coming,” Zach said, smiling. “I had an awful night, imagining the worst, but you made it better. I appreciate the apology, but I never expected you to want to go out with me!”
Asher hadn’t expected it either, but he couldn’t deny his desire to see more of Zach was real. “Let’s just say last night was a surprise for both of us,” he said as he headed to the door.
“Shall I bring anything?” Zach asked, as he followed in Asher’s wake. “Wine? Beer? Dessert?”
“Just bring yourself.” Asher turned and decided to take a risk. He reached out and trailed his forefinger along Zach’s cheek. “That’ll be enough.”
Zach’s eyes widened, and he leaned into the touch as though instinctively seeking more. “All right,” he replied, sounding breathless.
The response made Asher smile, pleased the case of mistaken identity hadn’t made Zach angry and distrustful. He was tempted to offer more, but that might be dangerous, and besides, he had a menu to plan and some groceries to order. Instead, he said goodbye and let himself out, and he occupied himself during the ride home by thinking about what would be appropriate to serve on a first date.
