Page 16 of Forbidden Lust (Sinful Knights #1)

“I know you said you didn’t want me splashing cash around, but I wanted to make an exception for this date.

I remember you saying you wanted to go to a Michelin-starred restaurant for your thirtieth birthday.

That’s too far away, so I booked us into here tonight.

We’re having the chef’s tasting menu, so no need to worry about picking the wrong thing.

You’ll get to try a mix of dishes that have been chosen by the chef.

If you don’t like something, I’ll eat it, and the next dish will be along straight after. ”

Josh’s heart melted. He loved this guy so much.

He hadn’t said those words out loud yet.

There were still lots of obstacles in front ofthem – namely Gavin– and he wasn’t ready to put his heart out there until that was resolved.

Daniel hadn’t chosen tonight to show off.

He’d known it was something Josh wanted to do but might never get the chance, and he’d taken away any of the stress he might feel about going into such a posh place.

He leaned forward for a kiss, which Daniel gave him.

It was sweet, and not their usual fire and passion, but if anything, Josh loved these kisses even more.

Their car doors were opened, breaking the moment.

He gave Daniel a smile, another quick kiss, and got out of the car, ready to experience something he’d been wanting to do since he was a teenager.

The restaurant had beautiful décor inside.

Low lighting added to the atmosphere, and although there were probably a hundred guests all enjoying their fine-dining experience, the tables were well spaced, giving an intimate feel.

They were given a glass of champagne to accompany their amuse-bouche.

Josh had done enough research to know this cleansed the pallet, ready for the meal, which would comprise several courses.

If he’d known what Daniel had planned, he would have skipped lunch.

He’d also read about having different drinks with each course, but Josh hoped that wasn’t the case.

He didn’t want to pass out before he was given his dessert.

Josh snorted at his own innuendo, almost spluttering his champagne everywhere.

“Care to share what’s so amusing?” asked Daniel, quirking a brow.

“Just thinking about dessert.”

He frowned .

“The dessert back at your place.”

Daniel’s eyes flashed with heat, and Josh saw him readjust himself. It was thrilling to know he had that effect on him.

“You need to keep those thoughts to yourself when we’re in public.”

“You asked.”

Daniel went to respond, but the server arrived to deliver their amuse-bouche.

It was a smoked beetroot and horseradish mousse, served with a delicate quail egg and micro greens.

It looked incredible, but micro greens were just baby veg.

He chose not to vocalise that thought, and couldn’t even imagine what tonight was costing Daniel.

Once he tasted it, all micro greens shade went out the window.

It was so light and packed with flavour.

Daniel ordered a bottle of Sancerre to accompany the rest of their meal.

They had seared scallops with black garlic puree as a starter, and the scallops just melted on his tongue.

The fish course was miso-glazed cod, which he was less keen on, so Daniel took care of that.

This was followed by a pasta course, which Daniel informed him was not the main course.

It all tasted incredible, but Josh was glad he wasn’t able to eat like this all the time or he’d be the size of a house.

Their pasta course was wild mushroom ravioli, which Josh couldn’t get enough of, and Daniel passed some of his across, saying it was a trade-off for the miso cod.

Their meat course was braised lamb shank, served with spiced carrot puree, roasted root vegetables, and a rosemary jus.

When he took the last bite, he was sure he felt the button on his trousers pop.

The food had been heavenly, and Daniel had thankfully suggested a break before they had dessert.

Josh wasn’t sure he could eat another bite, but given how delicious everything had been, he would not miss out on tasting the dessert.

Their conversation had been easy all evening.

They never ran out of things to talk about.

Given their age difference, they had a surprising amount in common– a love of true crime shows, an aversion to sport, and a propensity for having no self-control when it came to chocolate.

How Daniel was a chocolate fiend and still maintained his muscular body was a mystery.

Speaking of dessert, they were served a chocolate fondue cake with chilli.

Josh had never had the combination before, but he’d heard it was divine.

It was served with a passionfruit coulis and coconut sorbet, which gave it a tropical edge– not that Josh knew what tropical was.

His only time abroad had been with some friends to Gran Canaria, which comprised a week of drinking and fucking.

It was fun, but hardly an opportunity to experience other cultures.

A cheese platter followed, served with homemade chutneys and artisan crackers.

It was all delicious, but Josh couldn’t eat another bite.

That was, until they brought out the petit fours– assorted macaroons and dark chocolate truffles.

There was room for that. He thought he was going to fall asleep with how full he was.

“Are you ready to go home?” asked Daniel.

He perked up at that, but also wondered if he’d have any energy for sexy times. All he wanted to do was cuddle up next to Daniel and go to sleep. Daniel settled the bill, not letting Josh see the cost. He didn’t even want to imagine, but Daniel had achieved his goal– Josh was suitably wooed.

Walking outside, the cold air was a welcome relief, but Josh wasn’t looking where he was going and collided with a couple.

“Sorry, I didn’t –”

Standing opposite him, looking shocked, was the sperm donor and his wife. Josh knew what she looked like from the photo at Daniel’s place. Oh fuck, Daniel was with him. How were they going to explain this?

“Daniel, fancy seeing you here,” said the wife, pulling him into a big squeezy hug. It reminded Josh of his mum’s hugs .

“And who is this handsome young man?” she asked.

Without missing a beat, Daniel slung his arm around Josh’s shoulder and pulled him close. “This is my boyfriend, Josh.”

What the fuck!

Gavin’s jaw dropped.

“Oh, how wonderful. You kept that quiet,” she said, oblivious to the awkwardness coming from everyone else. “Did you know about this, Gavin?”

“No,” he grumbled, before clearing his throat. “No, it’s news to me.”

“You must both come round for dinner,” she said.

Yeah, that won’t be at all awkward, thought Josh.

Gavin was looking at him with absolute fury in his eyes, as Daniel and Mrs Sperm Donor were chatting away about something.

Josh wasn’t listening. He was too busy being grateful Gavin didn’t have heat vision, or he would have been killed a hundred times over. They said their goodbyes and left.

“Are you okay?” asked Daniel.

“Why did you say I was your boyfriend?”

“Because you are.”

“I thought we agreed that we’d decide together when he was told, and how.”

“I know, but I wasn’t going to deny who you were, or call you a friend or something. You mean too much to me.”

Ugh, did he have to be so sweet and logical? Josh’s phone beeped.

Sperm donor: Deal’s off.

Josh looked at the phone, stunned. Just like that?

It was clear his wife had no idea who Josh was, and he’d just done that.

He was fuming. Josh turned to storm back towards the restaurant, clouded by a red mist of anger.

It was only because Daniel was gripping him by the arm that he couldn’t move forward.

“Where are you going, Josh? ”

“Look at this,” he snapped, holding the phone up to Daniel.

“I’ll talk to him.”

“I can do it myself, thanks.”

“Are you really going to walk into the restaurant we’ve just had a lovely evening in and make a scene? That’s not you, Josh.”

“She has no idea who I am, does she?”

“No, I don’t think she does, which is why this isn’t the way to do it. All you’ll do is end up hurting a very kind woman who is completely innocent in all this. There’s a better way to do this.”

“Why are you taking his side?”

“This isn’t about sides, Josh. Come on, let’s go home. We can talk about it tomorrow.”

“I’ll reply to the text, then.”

“Josh. You’re more mature than this.”

“What did you say?”

He glared at Daniel. How dare he accuse him of being immature. There were people twice his age who didn’t have the life experience he had.

“You know what I mean. Let’s calm down. Look, the ride’s here now.”

Josh noticed the car pull up. When did Daniel order it?

He felt like he was being bamboozled. Josh didn’t want to cause a scene, he couldn’t think of anything worse, but it was obvious whose side Daniel was on.

The friend of twenty years who denied the existence of his own child would always take precedence over the immature boyfriend.

He couldn’t get in that car with Daniel.

“I’m going to sleep at home tonight.”

Daniel was in front of him in seconds. “Talk to me, Josh,” he said, his eyes full of concern.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“About what? ”

“The money he promised me. That was supposed to get me out of this hole I’m in.”

“Let me take care of it.”

“I don’t want your money, Daniel.”

“I know that, but if you change your mind, you only have to ask. Let me talk to Gavin. I’m sure I can convince him to change his mind.”

“How?”

“I’ll arrange a lunch with Fran, and then let him know about it.”

“Fran’s the wife?”

“Yes.”

“I thought you didn’t want to hurt her.”

“I don’t, but I know Gavin. He won’t want to take the risk.”

“Can I sleep on it?”

“Of course. Next to me, I hope.”

Josh nodded, getting tearful. Daniel used his thumbs to wipe his eyes, and gave him a gentle kiss before taking his hand.

He walked them over to the car and opened the door for Josh, before closing it once he was seated.

Daniel got in the other side and pulled Josh into him.

He rested his head on Daniel’s chest. It was comforting.

How could he have thought of leaving this wonderful man tonight?

He jerked awake when Daniel woke him outside his flat.

He must have dozed off. Feeling groggy, he let Daniel lead him inside and take him straight to the bedroom.

Daniel undressed him, peppering him with gentle kisses.

It was intimate, rather than the usual heated passion they always had between them.

Once Josh was stripped down to his underwear, Daniel tucked him into bed, before climbing in behind him.

He pulled Josh towards him, kissing his temple, and that’s the last thing he remembered before he drifted off into a dreamless sleep.