Be there in 5 min. Sorry.
And there went his heart. Nervous once again, he drummed his fingers on the table, looked out the window, then gulped his water. A few drops dribbled down his chin. He fumbled for the napkin, but it was pulled out of his hand.
“Here. Let me.”
The subtle scent of Jeremy’s aftershave teased the air as he pressed the cloth to his face. Blake’s eyes widened, but he sat still as Jeremy spoke.
“Were you waiting long? I’m sorry I’m late. My mother called, and it takes forever to get her off the phone, especially if I tell her I’ve got a date.” Jeremy’s infectious grin caught him off guard, and he found himself returning the man’s smile reflexively. Jeremy took the seat opposite him.
“Are you close with your family?” Blake accepted the menu from the waiter, curious to hear Jeremy’s response.
“Very, whether I want to be or not. Can I get a beer, please?” he asked the waiter. “Asahi, same as his.”
“Of course, sir.” The waiter walked off, leaving them alone.
“What do you mean whether you want to be or not?” In order to give himself something to do aside from staring at Jeremy, he sipped his beer, welcoming its cool, dry taste.
“My mother is a force. That’s the best way to describe her. And she’d love to see my brother Noah and myself settled down with marriage and kids, like our older sister, Rochelle.”
“Is that something you want? Marriage and kids, I mean?”
When Jeremy didn’t answer for a moment, Blake wondered if he’d overstepped.
“Uh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry or anything.”
“No, you didn’t. I never thought about it really. I mean, sure, I’d like to have a steady someone. But kids? I don’t know how good of a parent I’d be. And certainly not now, when I’m still getting the gym going to the point where it’s only just starting to operate in the black.”
“That’s fantastic. How long have you been open?”
“About five years.”
The waiter returned with Jeremy’s beer. “Ready to order?”
Blake looked at Jeremy. “Know what you want? I always get the same thing. I’m so boring.” He caught his bottom lip between his teeth and mentally kicked himself for saying those hateful words.
A light dawned in Jeremy’s dark blue eyes. “How about letting me decide? Maybe I can persuade you to be daring. At least for tonight.”
Heavy meaning rested behind Jeremy’s words, but Blake didn’t want to question it. He nodded and drank more beer, feeling reckless for leaving the decisions up to Jeremy. It might only be dinner and what sushi to order, but it felt good to give up even that bit of control.
“We’ll have the sashimi platter, a crazy roll, the flying dragon roll, and, uh…let’s start with a seaweed salad and some edamame.”
“Very good, sir. I’ll bring you another beer?” The waiter looked at Blake for his response.
“Uh, no thanks. I’m good.” The waiter hurried off, and Blake returned to their discussion. “Five years and you’re in the black? That’s great. Most new businesses fail in the first five years, so you’re ahead of the game. What’s your secret?”
“I never take my eyes off the prize.” Jeremy leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the table, his blue eyes dark and intense. “When I want something, I can be relentless until I get it. Professionally and personally.”
Heart pounding, mouth dry, Blake found himself hanging on Jeremy’s words. Was he talking about the gym or something else? A hot flush rose through him as he recalled the slick warmth of Jeremy’s tongue in his mouth, and he coughed and took a sip of water to distract himself.
“Um, yeah, well, that’s a good way to achieve your goals.”
“I’m all about the goals.” Jeremy leaned back and drank his beer.
Even the curve of his neck was sexy, and Blake wanted to press his lips to Jeremy’s throat and feel that pulse of life. Vowing not to get carried away by the man’s physical appearance, Blake fidgeted with the chopsticks. In the distance, he saw the waiter walking toward their table with their appetizers.
“Food’s here.”
“Great. I’m starving.”
