Romance was not a regular part of Nikolai’s life. Sex had always been an activity that was void of emotion, which hehad realized was one of the reasons why he only ever had threesomes. It was hard to get attached or open your heart to someone when that person was going down on someone else.
But Reid? Reid was different. Sex with him had always been filled with emotion… connection. Kissing his lips and looking into his eyes, he couldn’t imagine ever sharing that with anyone else.
Reid was his, and he was going to prove that to him tonight.
Leading him toward the table, Nikolai pulled out Reid’s chair and held his hand as he took his seat.
He imagined that this must be what Prince Charming felt like every time he held a chair for his princess. Not that Reid was a princess by any means. He was far from dainty and could hold his own in a fight against any attacker.
But still, it was nice to show his partner, his best friend, just how much he meant to Niko.
Rounding the table, Niko plopped himself down in his seat with a little less grace than he would have liked. How graceful can a six-foot-four man be? Especially when he’s distracted by his sexy-ass boyfriend sitting across from him.
“Niko… this…” Reid began before a man carrying a violin stepped out of the dark and began playing softly.
Niko couldn’t help but smile. For once, he had done something good and romantic.
A moment later, a man dressed in a fancy suit walked up the path carrying a bucket filled with ice and a bottle of expensive champagne. Niko knew it was expensive because he had spent thirty minutes discussing the various options, flavors, textures, and bubble count with the fashion-model manager of the hotel. Thankfully, the woman had patience because Niko had no idea what champagne should taste like. He always drank whatever was placed in front of him.
“May I?” Niko asked him, pulling the bottle out of the bucket and lifting Reid’s flute.
Reid nodded, lips pulled back in an “I can’t believe I am witnessing this” smirk.
“I know. I’m romantic as fuck,” Niko offered, glancing up at Reid as he filled his glass. “Don’t get used to this. I do have balls after all.”
Reid nodded. “That seems to be the saying among your crew.”
They both chuckled as two more men carrying trays walked in, setting out appetizers and bread on the table. One man assisted Reid with his napkin, while the other assisted Niko with his.
“Niko, this… is beautiful,” Reid gushed, taking in the setting around them.
“I’m glad you like. It took me all week to figure out something special that you might like. I’m not the most romantic person, as you know.”
Reid reached across the table and took his hand.
“You knocked it out of the park with this one.”
Niko’s heart swelled in his chest as he saw the love he felt for Reid reflected back at him through his best friend’s eyes.
How had he gone this long without having this man by his side?
“Tonight, we will begin with an antipasto consisting of some salami, prosciutto, mozzarella, and some olives. Then we havescialatielli ai frutti di mare, which is a seafood pasta, famous in these parts of the Amalfi Coast,” the waiter explained. “Then we have a bit of a tasting for you, some dishes the manager wanted you to try. And then, finally, for dessert, we haveprofiteroles al cioccolato, which is a dessert made of a pastry puff, filled with cream and covered in chocolate glaze sauce.”
Reid’s eyes lit up as he licked his lips. “Mmm, that all sounds delicious.”
Thanking their waiter, they began to enjoy the amazing meal laid out before them. As each course was finished, the servers quickly removed the plates and proceeded to bring out the next course.
They laughed and chatted and reminisced about their lives in New York. While their past had been dark, it created a bond between them that only grew with time.
Finally, once they had finished their dessert, Niko popped open a fresh bottle of champagne and began pouring Reid another glass.
“Niko, another bottle? At this rate, you’re going to be carrying my ass back to bed.” Reid chuckled, taking the glass he was offered and placing it down in front of him.
Niko stared at the man he had fallen deeply in love with and wondered how it had taken him this long to realize that life without Reid was meaningless. These past ten years, he’d been just going through the motions of living, without even knowing what was missing.
They belonged together.
He and Reid.
