Maybe he, too, was of the opinion that he and Ross needed some time together.
Ross parked the SUV and left it with a bounce in his stride that had not been there twenty minutes ago.He leaned into his lover’s arms and kissed Glenn hello.It was meant to be a chaste greeting, but when Glenn responded in that slow, sultry way of his, Ross melted right into it.
Part of Ross was still stunned.Seven years together with this man.Before Glenn, he’d never managed even six months with a person.But as familiar as it was, to have Glenn in his arms, the relationship felt new.Every day, he learned more about this man, and his love changed for him.It became deeper, truer, gained whole new dimensions he’d never foreseen.Because of that, he fell in love with Glenn all over again in new ways.Wonderfully, fantastically, new.And Ross prayed it would always be this way.
Glenn pulled back, his expression soft.“You tempt me, a stór, but we’ve reservations.”
“Reservations, I see.”Ross slid his hands up the man’s chest, felt the quiver as Glenn sucked in a sharp breath.He did actually want to go to dinner.He just couldn’t help but tease, too.“And after our reservations, maybe a hotel?Because I want absolutely no interruptions tonight.”
“On that,” Glenn growled, eyes sharp, “we heartily agree.Come, let’s go before we’re late.”
A quick getaway was always a good plan in this clan.Ross slid into the passenger seat without protest.
Glenn lost no time in doing the same on the opposite side and gunning the engine, taking them quickly out of the neighborhood.
They talked of inconsequential things on the ride to the restaurant.That was fine with Ross.He didn’t have anything to prove to this man.He just wanted to sit and be with Glenn for a while.Telling his news would be better face-to-face, when Glenn could focus on him.
The restaurant was a favorite of Ross’s, an upscale Japanese cuisine that always hit the right spot on his tastebuds.His mouth was in agreement with stomach that Glenn had chosen the right place tonight.
They were promptly seated, and not on their usual side of the restaurant, but on the left.It was more private here, the lighting a bit more mellow, which suited Ross’s mood right down to the ground.After today, he was peopled out.He just wanted Glenn’s attention, some good food, and no one else pressing in on them.
A server swooped by to take drink orders.Glenn requested a fine bottle of wine before focusing on Ross.
“I’ve news for you,” Ross informed him, relaxing by degrees.
“Oh?I’ve something to tell you, as well.”Glenn reached for his hand and grasped it on top of the table in a warm brush of fingers.A mischievous twinkle lit up his eyes.“I doubt you can top mine, so you go first.”
Ross somehow doubted that, but he was very curious now about what his lover had up his sleeve.“I quit my job today.”
Glenn startled, golden eyes flaring wide.“Why?I thought you wanted to work for a while longer.”
“Hmm, it was really a couple of reasons.One, I’m tired of not seeing you much day to day.Our schedules only overlap about three hours, and with the demands of the clan pressing on me, I barely spend any of that time with you.”
Glenn melted right in front of his eyes.“A stór…thank you.I’ve felt the lack of your companionship keenly these past few months.But I didn’t want to hamper your goals.Are you sure of this?You worked so hard to attain that degree.”
“And I have no doubt it will be useful in its own ways moving forward.But I’ve learned that working in a cubicle farm isn’t where I want to be for hours every week.And they keep pressuring me at work to go full time, which I really can’t do.My clan is my family, and they deserve more of my time and attention.”Ross shook his head, firm on this point.“I’ve done what I wanted to do.I got to use my degree and gain experience in the field.I’ve worked for them over a year now.I’m good.Two weeks from now, I’ll be done and I can go back to your and the clan’s schedule.”
Glenn lifted up enough to kiss Ross over the small round table, mouth lingering.“I love you.Thank you for putting me as your priority.”
“I always will.”Ross kissed him back, smiling.“Now, you said something about topping my news.Let’s hear it.”
Glenn didn’t seem at all worried about winning this competition.In fact, his mischief was back in full force.He returned in his seat, reaching for the inside of his coat pocket.“Oh, I can top—”
He stopped mid-sentence, head swinging toward the front doors of the restaurant.
Ross realized he’d heard something odd too.He turned in his chair to look, wondering what the commotion was.A lot of panicked yelling was coming from the front of the restaurant.
It took only a blink for him to take in the situation.An armed man wearing a ski mask stood in front of the hostess’ podium, a gun trained on the hostess.She had her hands up as she yelled for help.The thief was yelling back at her to stop yelling, then swinging randomly from one direction to another, screaming at everyone to get on the floor.He did not seem like he knew what he was doing, his actions frantic and panicked.Compared to Eidolon, this guy was a newborn babe.
Seriously?
No, seriously, the first real night off Ross had had in over a month and the restaurant he was in was being robbed?
Even as that thought floated through his brain, Ross slid out of his chair in a blink, putting the table between him and the gunman.“Shit!Glenn, unless you’re impenetrable to bullets, maybe get down here?”
Glenn did not join him behind the table but instead muttered something in Gaelic that sounded not nice, a dark, thunderous expression on his face.“Excuse me.I will go take care of that.”
“I’m pretty sure they’ve already called the police?”Ross had his phone out in his hand, ready to do so just to make sure squad cars were on the way.
