Chapter 14
Jeremy’s heart thudded against his chest as he knocked on Harrison’s front door. Why was he so nervous? It wasn’t like they hadn’t already eaten dinner together multiple times before. The only difference tonight was they’d tagged the word ‘date’ onto the event—all official like. That was no reason for his stomach to be in knots.
The door opened and one look into Harrison’s eyes told him he wasn’t the only one having a little mental freak-out. Somehow, the knowledge made him feel better.
“Hey, come on in.” Harrison stood aside so Jeremy could enter. “You look different without your eyeliner,” he said, gesturing to Jeremy’s face.
“Different better? Or different worse?” he teased, not having expected Harrison to notice. Glancing down at his outfit, he tugged at the black button up shirt he wore with blue jeans. Harrison had only ever seen him in his work clothes and he’d wanted to look nice for their date.
“I am a fan of the eyeliner,” Harrison admitted. “But this is good, too.”
As the door closed behind them, Jeremy drew his hand from behind his back to reveal a bouquet of flowers he’d picked up from a roadside florist on the way over. “These are for you.”
Harrison stared at the flowers for a moment before his face broke out into the biggest smile Jeremy had ever seen there. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.” Reaching out, he took the bouquet, leaning in to smell the bright floral arrangement. “I’ve never had a date show up with flowers before.”
Jeremy was overcome by pleasure at the idea of being Harrison’s first for anything. “Yeah well, anyone who says a man can’t enjoy flowers is a wanker.” He held up his other hand now to display a clear plastic bottle. “Normally I’d also bring wine, but for you I went all out.”
Reading the label, Harrison raised his eyebrows. “Strawberry-infused water,” he said, sounding highly impressed. “That’s some top shelf liquid refreshment.”
Jeremy winked at him. “Only the best for you.”
Harrison wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. “Jeremy, you are all class.”
They headed into the kitchen where a heavenly scent made Jeremy’s mouth water. “Whatever you’re cooking smells divine.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Harrison opened a low cupboard and searched inside to produce a tall water jug to hold the flowers. Jeremy probably should have thought of that. Not too many single men owned vases. “I hope you like lasagne.”
Jeremy couldn’t help but give a chuckle at the coincidence. “Yes, I do.”
“What’s so funny?” Harrison asked.
“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s just, the last time a man cooked me lasagne I got laid.”
Harrison’s eyes narrowed as he took a step closer. “Allow me to wipe all memory of said man from your mind.” He tugged Jeremy against him, sliding his hands around his waist, then lower as he pressed their hips together.
Jeremy sighed in pleasure as Harrison’s tongue delved into his mouth, teasing and taunting until he was breathless. By the time Harrison released him, Jeremy was sporting a boner to rival the Eiffel-freaking-Tower. “When it comes to you,” he gasped, “anything is possible.”
“Good.” Harrison backed up and picked a bottle of wine up off the counter. “I bought this for you. The woman at the liquor store said it would be a good match with dinner. Would you like a glass?”
Jeremy was baffled. “Sure,” he said with a shrug. “I’d love one.” He watched Harrison take two wine goblets out of the cupboard. “You didn’t need to do that. I would have been happy with water.”
Harrison shrugged. “Just because I don’t drink doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Besides,” he turned the cap on the bottle, breaking the seal with a crack. “I’m going to enjoy the taste of it on your tongue.” He half-filled one goblet with the wine before opening the bottled water Jeremy had brought to fill the other. When they both had a glass in hand he lifted his own between them. “Cheers.”
They clinked and drank. The deep, fruity flavour rolled over Jeremy’s tongue and he hummed in appreciation. Harrison leaned in, licking the remains of the wine from his lips before slipping inside for a more thorough taste. “Delicious.”
That was the point where curiosity won out over discretion. “I’d wondered if you didn’t drink because you didn’t like the taste, or perhaps because you liked the taste too much. Now I’m thinking it’s neither,” Jeremy said, narrowing his eyes in frank speculation. “It’s another rule, isn’t it? Like the sleeping for eight hours thing.”
A shrill buzzing filled the small kitchen, and Harrison turned toward the oven without answering the question. “Dinner’s ready.”
They spent the next hour enjoying the meal. The glass of wine helped take care of Jeremy’s nerves, though he stopped after the second glass. He was not ready for a stone cold sober Harrison to see him tipsy yet.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” he asked, scooping up a bite of the apple pie and cream Harrison had served for dessert.
Harrison’s own spoon stilled halfway to his mouth, before lowering back to the bowl. “Of course. You can ask me anything.”
The relaxed man of a moment ago had taken on the look of someone about to start a long walk to the gallows and Jeremy considered backing off. He had no interest in playing executioner, but he did want to start unravelling the mystery surrounding Harrison background, and there was only one way to do that. “What’s the deal with the rules? I mean, where did they come from?” He cringed as he leaned closer. “Please tell me there isn’t one about not having sex on the first date.”
The corners of Harrison’s mouth kicked up at his joke. “No, nothing like that.”
