The second he walked through the door and his gaze landed on Chris, his breath caught in his throat. If someone had asked Seth his name at that moment, he doubted he would have been able to answer.
Chris was smoking hot in a tight blue V-neck shirt and an even tighter pair of faded button-flies. His denim-encased thighs flexed as he moved and Seth desperately tried to tear away his gaze. Nope. Didn’twork. God, is drool coming out of my mouth? He quickly brushed his hand across his lips, relieved to find them dry. Seth finally met Chris’s gaze and unconsciously took a step back at the intense desire radiating from him.
Chris smirked as if he knew the effect he had on him and reached for his hand just as Seth moved to take another backward step. His hand encircled Seth’s wrist and held him in place. “Hey,” he murmured. “Don’t go anywhere. The night’s just beginning.”
Seth’s heart raced as Chris let go of his wrist and take his hand.
“Ready?”
“Definitely.” Seth squeezed Chris’s hand and trying not to focus on the tingles zinging through his body.
When they arrived at the SUV, Chris opened the passenger door for him. Seth smiled at the sweet gesture and climbed inside, settling onto the cream leather seat. Chris closed the door and Seth watched as he crossed in front of the vehicle, making his way to the other side. God, he was gorgeous. Definitely the sexiest man Seth had ever dated.
Chris slid into the driver’s seat, and without any hesitation, he leaned across and pressed his lips to Seth’s. It was a quick kiss, but Seth still felt heat unfurl low in his belly.
Chris pulled away and smiled at him. “I hope that was okay. I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
Seth swallowed hard and nodded. Anytime you want. “Me, too.”
“Do you like seafood?”
“Huge fan,” Seth told him. “Where are we going?”
“I was thinking we could eat at the Plaza Seafood Grill. How does that sound?”
Expensive. “I’ve never been. But I’ve heard it’s really great.”
Chris grasped Seth’s hand. “Then that’s where we’ll go. If you like crab, theirs is always the freshest around.”
Seth squeezed Chris’s hand and enjoyed the way the man’s thumb caressed his skin. The night had just started and it was already the best date he’d ever had.
7
The ride to the restaurant was entirely too short for Seth’s liking because it meant Chris let go of his hand—and Seth was already a big fan of Chris touching him. He sighed and climbed out, meeting Chrisat the back of the SUV.
Chris wasted no time taking his hand again, and they grinned like kids on Christmas morning as they stood frozen in place, staring at each other.
“Well,” Seth said, “I guess we could keep standing out here and pretend we’re statues in the parking lot, but my stomach knows we’re close to food and it’s rebelling.”
Chris chuckled and pulled him forward. “Then let’s get inside and feed you.”
Surprisingly, the restaurant was fairly empty. The hostess asked if they preferred a table or a booth, and Seth spoke up quickly. “Booth.” He hated sitting in the middle of a restaurant, which made him feel like an exhibit in a fishbowl.
They followed the plump woman as she led them through the restaurant. Round, dark wooden tables were scattered throughout, each adorned with a small brass fisherman’s lantern in the center. A tea light burned in each, casting a warm glow across the table.
The booths consisted of the same dark wood as the tables with high-back, button-tufted, leather seats on either side. No fisherman’s lantern adorned the center, although a miniature brass anchor hung fromthe wall at the far end of each table.
Seth slid in and marveled at the soft brown leather as Chris took the seat opposite him. He ignored the disappointment that Chris chose not to sit next to him, knowing if he had, it wouldn’t really give themthe opportunity to talk and face each other.
The hostess handed them a couple of menus and said the waitress would be there shortly.
Seth started scanning the entrées. He could see over the top of his menu that Chris was watching him. He raised his eyebrows. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
Chris shrugged. “I used to work here several years ago and I already know what I want.”
“What?”
“They make a cedar roasted salmon with a berry reduction sauce that is so rich and delicious, I can’t choose anything else. At least most of the time. I love their crab, too.”
Seth perused the crab entrées, but once his gaze landed on the crab-stuffed shrimp, he was done looking.
The waitress stopped by and took their orders and promised to be right back with their salads and wine.